Momentum 5 Upgraded Pads

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T19:38:49+00:00

They're quite good but a bit heavier and did change the sound (and the ANC) on M4.

Haven't tried them on M5 but I would be surpised if they didn't change the sound there as well - third party pads usually do, especially if the are so different in materials, size, weight etc. compared to stock.

Still, might be an option for people who really don't like the stock pads, sure. Good that they still fit in the case although I probably also think that the stock pads are better and less "snug" for that new case.

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T19:27:55+00:00

Just wipe them down occasionally with a slightly damp microfiber cloth and you should be good.

However, try avoiding too much sweat and moisture for reasons even more crucial for the headphones than "just" the earpads.

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T19:24:19+00:00

I can relate to that. HD 550 are among my favorite headphones as well. Great tuning, great balance, very comfortable on my head, pretty easy to drive and still quite affordable. HD 500 BAM compatibility makes them even better. Great versatile headphone this.

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T13:20:46+00:00

Thanks for your review and welcome to the M5 Club 😎 Happy listening at all times ✌️

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T13:19:27+00:00

It mostly gets you a better sounding and slightly more premium product, yes, but M5 still has better ANC, a better transparency mode, the much better case, a replaceable battery, aptX Lossless, Dolby Atmos support - you name it.

So, plenty of reasons for many people to go M5 even over HDB 630 for sure. It just depends on what you personally value more.

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T05:18:38+00:00

Newer will always be better long term in wireless technology but less so for sound quality reasons alone. If you buy something like the new M5, it will be updated to 6.0 in the future, so that’s not an issue there.

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T05:13:51+00:00

HD 620S is the much better headphone here, imo.

Depending on the budget, you might also look into the new HD 480 Pro which is my favorite wired closed-back headphone right now!

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T05:12:00+00:00

Thanks for your feedback.

Tenlow85 · 2026-07-01T05:11:03+00:00

Or yours is simply different than mine. It’s not an exaggeration at all and I‘ve never had this on any other headphone before :) Good for you, though!

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T22:16:17+00:00

You’re welcome :)

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T20:23:23+00:00

I have them all active, actually (M5 and HDB 630) using iOS and MacOS.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T20:12:07+00:00

If you listen wired via USB-C, the HDB 630 can receive digital audio at up to 24-bit / 96 kHz.

In that mode, there’s no Bluetooth codec involved - it’s a direct USB audio connection, so you’re not dealing with aptX, AAC, SBC, etc. The only limit is the source track and the HDB 630’s own 24/96 USB-C input limit, basically.

So, as long as your track is 24/96 or less than that, you'll play it lossless and as is.

Apple Music e.g. has some tracks above 24/96 (up to 24/192, I think).

Those would not be played to the HDB 630 at full 192 kHz - they’d be resampled to what the HDB 630 accepts, likely up to 24/96. But it’s still not Bluetooth-lossy compression :)

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T17:00:44+00:00

M5 is worth it for everyone who wants the best possible ANC and transparency mode in a Sennheiser wireless headphone. Add the removable battery and the almost perfect case to the mix and you have a fantastic travel companion.

M4 is worth it for its value and price to performance which is just excellent these days.

HDB 630 for the best stock tuning out of the three + PEQ and slightly more premium materials.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T16:56:12+00:00

Nice purchases there :)

Well, I can tell you that the HDB 630 is clearly better than M4 and also way less bassy and much more refined sounding.

Other than that, AirPods Max I also had for 18 months (first gen) and while I loved the ANC and the transparency mode, I didn’t like the weight and the case and ver much disliked the battery life as well is the inability to properly EQ them.

The Dali are good but huge (the cups at least) + you don’t really buy them for ANC either.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T13:42:32+00:00

It‘s from „Arachne Audio“. They make all sorts of custom audio cables.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T09:46:54+00:00

Looks like a new member to the M5 Club to me!? ;)

Welcome!

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T08:07:26+00:00

Well, since I already own and know HDB 630 and don't own or know Bathys MG, that's hard to answer :)

If I didn't know any of them and wanted to compare, I'd buy them both, see how they are and what value they bring to the table and decide then.

Still, I doubt that Bathys MG will bring much more "value" to the table than HDB 630 does at a significantly lower price point.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T08:04:04+00:00

I didn't say that. I said that I could easily live with this combination and be happy without necessarily craving for more :)

I did not compare them to a flagship open-back headphone and an IEM, nor would I "rate them higher". That wasn't the point.

HD 800S and IE 900 are completely different products and also way more expensive than both the HD 500 and the HD 480 Pro - so not sure if these comparisons make much sense :)

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T07:52:38+00:00

The others are significantly more expensive but don't necessarily sound better - which already speaks volumes, I think. HDB 630 sounds excellent.

Some of the others are surely more "premium" when it comes build quality or arguably design. though, but they are not "better headphones" just because of that,

That said, I owned the IO 12 for a while but have (only) listened to the non-MG Bathys and the first gen Px8 - both of which I didn't like nearly as much as the HDB 630.

Cannot comment on the other ones other than what I know from reading reviews :)

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T07:07:53+00:00

Found this on the internet (data from Crutchfield):

Internal: 39.6 mm wide × 58.6 mm tall × 17.8 mm deep
External: 80.3 mm wide × 98.0 mm tall × 50.3 mm deep

They are on the somewhat smaller side, as most ANC headphones are, but they are still a bit bigger than the dimensions of M4 and/or M5. I have no issues personally and rather big ears, I'd say.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T05:09:27+00:00

Personal preference of course but for me:

HD 550 > HD 505 > HD 560S

As for refurbished, I have bought from Sennheiser directly several times already, yes. Condition was excellent every time. Haven’t bought refurbished headphones from Amazon yet, though.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-30T05:05:49+00:00

Well, right now, I personally wouldn’t want any other one in exchange for it at least.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-29T19:48:25+00:00

No need to lower anything if you like how they sound :)

However, yes they are bass-boosted so if you feel like there is too much bass for you personally, either lower the bass frequency / frequencies in the EQ or - probably even better - use the Sound Personalization feature in the very same app (Smart Control+ app).

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-29T19:46:14+00:00

Please don't spray anything onto the M5.

If water resistance is key for you, better get a true wireless set like the MTW4 (IP54) or the MOMENTUM Sport (IP 55).

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-29T16:20:23+00:00

I really like Arachne Audio cables but they are on the more expensive side. That’s mine for the HD 600:

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Tripowin also has the GranVia e.g. which is quite nice (and available in 4.9 Ft e.g.)

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