Sennheiser has introduced the latest version of its Smart Control app as well as firmware updates, designed to help wearers of the Sennheiser Momentum headphones custom tailor the listening experience to their ears.
The app, available on iOS and Android, will include additional features for the Momentum True Wireless 3 earphones and Momentum 4 Wireless headphones via firmware updates as well.
“Our latest Smart Control app update is the biggest yet, bringing the kind of features to let you connect with your music like never before,” says Polina Gartenfluss, Sennheiser Senior Product Owner. “We’re personalizing the entire listening experience to make it as intimate and uniquely enjoyable as possible. From intelligent tuning algorithms to obtaining the perfect fit, Smart Control supercharges our latest Momentum series.”
Via an update, each model gains an expanded equalizer section and interactive Sound Personalization mode, the latter developed with the renowned site for Hearing, Speech, and Audio Technology at Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Oldenburg, Germany. Applying over a decade of the IDMT’s research into the intricacies of individual listening preferences, Sound Personalization intelligently calibrates a custom audio profile from a sophisticated analysis of user reactions against a series of benchmark sound samples.
From there, advanced audio processing algorithms shape the listening experience around the elements of music the wearer finds most pleasing. Following the benchmark analysis, the user can further fine-tune their profile on an interactive X-Y grid, then store the results in their profile or further adjust it without restarting the sample analysis.
“The unique feature of the Sound Personalization is that it can account for differences in personal sound preferences that naturally occur due to different listening levels,” explains Dr. Jan Rennies-Hochmuth, head of the group Personalized Hearing Systems at IDMT. “For example, some listeners prefer more treble at low levels, and more bass at high levels. Sound Personalization easily detects these differences and then adjusts the playback automatically. This ensures that the sound is optimally matched no matter what the listening volume is.”
For those who prefer to calibrate their audio experience with graphic equalization, the Momentum True Wireless 3 and Momentum 4 Wireless three-band EQ expands to five. Low-mid High-Mid sliders join the Low, Mid, and High controls for additional sonic shaping potential. Like all Smart Control app EQ settings, users can save custom presets and Sound Personalization profiles to their profile for instant recall, which can come in handy should the wearer upgrade to a new smartphone.
Echoing the late-2022 firmware update to Momentum True Wireless 3 that unlocked a high-resolution sound mode, Momentum 4 Wireless supports up to 24-bit depth and 96 kHz sample rate over a Bluetooth connection. This user-enabled mode increases the Bluetooth bitrate up to 420 kilobits per second for wired-level sound quality on audio sources similarly using aptX Adaptive. Also via the Momentum 4 Wireless’ firmware update, wearers may use the Smart Control app to toggle the headphone’s touch gesture capability on or off.
The Smart Control app now incorporates a clever Fit Test to help listeners get the ideal seal for their Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds. Using the app-guided audio cues and packaged ear adapter kit, the app will suggest placement and even what size ear adapters to use within each ear to dial in the perfect fit for immersive sound and the most effective seal for active noise cancelling.
The latest round of updates also features optimizations for faster device connection, increased app stability, quicker OTA firmware updates, and a host of other fixes and enhancements. These features are available in the just launched version 4.3 and up of the Smart Control app and can be installed from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Additional features are available for Momentum True Wireless 3 customers on firmware version 2.12.33 and up, while Momentum 4 Wireless features are available on firmware version 2.13.18 and up.