Sennheiser IFA 2018 – announcements. Sounds so good

Sennheiser IFA 2018

Sennheiser is showcasing two of its unique technologies. Sennheiser IFA 2018 announcements include MOMENTUM class True Wireless Bluetooth earbuds and its innovative AMBEO spatial sonic soundbar.

The venerable audio company has never done things by half. GadgetGuy is quite a fan of the brand and technology. In fact, we almost cried when we had to give back the $3,499 HD headphones and the $3,799 HDV headphone amplifier (Review here).

This time it’s about MOMENTUM class ‘true wireless’ and how to produce uncompromising sound using Bluetooth.

Sennheiser IFA 2018

Sennheiser calls it wearable audio without equal and to a degree, the price – A$499.95 – reflects that. It had to wait until Bluetooth 5.0 and apt-X, apt-X LL (low latency), AAC and SBC codecs to deliver top sound.

Apt-X LL reduces delay and bit-errors. It is vital to synchronising audio and video in high-speed gaming and multimedia use.

Sennheiser first used this in its CX 6.00BT Bluetooth buds (Review here), and we concur that apt-X LL does its job. Apple users will rejoice at it has a native AAC codec, and for the rest, there is the SBC codec.

Specs: The website is here.

  • Left and Right buds (touch control, sweat and splash resistant)
  • Charger case
  • Sets of silicon ear adapters (S/M/L)
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Dual MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems ) mics, beamforming, noise cancelling, transparent hearing
  • Dual 7mm drivers with frequency response 17Hz to 21,000kHz
  • Maximum SPL (volume): 118dB
  • THD: <0.5%
  • Battery life: four hours per charge – 12-hour charge case capacity
  • Sennheiser CapTune MOMENTUM app (iOS and Android) for battery monitoring and EQ

AMBEO 3D Audio technology

Sennheiser’s AMBEO 3D audio technology starts with recording sound as you would hear it. Its binaural recording captures sounds as you would hear them. GadgetGuy is currently reviewing the AMBEO smart headset that enables recording.

Sennheiser IFA 2018

Interestingly once 3D sound is captured even playing back on a stereo device gives a perception of a 3D sound experience.

But Sennheiser wanted to go a step further. It has launched the AMEBO soundbar that takes 3D sound and reproduces it in a 5.1.4 single all-in-one device and without the need for an additional subwoofer.

It has 13 drivers and the latest virtualisation technology jointly developed with Fraunhofe. The AMBEO Soundbar offers a new reference in Hi-Fi sound quality. It is compatible with 3D audio formats including Dolby Atmos, MPEG-H and DTS:X.

The soundbar’s Upmix Technology recreates stereo and 5.1 content as a thrillingly immersive 3D sound experience.

Sennheiser IFA 2018
Sennheiser IFA 2018

It will be available early in 2019. Price: TBA

GadgetGuy’s take. Sennheiser IFA 2018 announcements are fresh and innovative

To a large degree, you buy Sennheiser because you want the best and can afford it. But Sennheiser has a range of products and prices that make it competitive with Sony, Bose et al. Next time you need to buy audio don’t forget its Sennheiser with two ‘n’s’ and one ‘s’.