Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 5 ships without the Auracast its predecessor already has

Sennheiser released the Momentum True Wireless 5 on 11 September at US$299.95. It has Bluetooth 6.0, a new platform, and the words "Auracast ready" on the box. It cannot join a broadcast. Sennheiser says the feature will come by firmware and has not said when.

That is a step backwards. The Momentum True Wireless 4, launched in February 2024, received Auracast in a September 2024 firmware update through the Smart Control app, as did the cheaper Accentum True Wireless. Both work today. The 4 is now marked end-of-life on Sennheiser's US store, which means the current Sennheiser flagship earbud cannot do something the discontinued one can.

Why this keeps happening

A new Bluetooth platform means new firmware, and broadcast support is the feature that gets finished last because it has to be tested against other people's transmitters. Sennheiser is not alone: the iFi UP Play Max dongle launched the same month with Auracast "coming", and the EarFun Air Pro 4 promised it in 2024 and appears never to have delivered.

It is also why this site keeps a separate status for it. Firmware pending means the hardware is there and a promise has been made; we record the promise and the delivery date side by side.

What to buy instead

If you want Sennheiser earbuds that join a broadcast today: the Accentum True Wireless at US$199, or a Momentum True Wireless 4 while stock lasts.

If Sennheiser ships the firmware, the 5 will be the better product. Until then, buy it for the sound, not the broadcast.