Tech Talk: Sennheiser Momentum Black headphones Fritz Sennheiser (1912-2010) originally wanted to be a landscape gardener, but he became an audio engineer instead. Music fans should be grateful, because many of today's portable headphones can trace their roots back to the classic Sennheiser HD414s. Released in 1968, they were a revelation: slim, simple and ahead of their time - their influence was clearly visible in Sony's Walkman 10 years later. For nearly seven decades, Fritz's firm has been a byword for innovative, premium-quality audio, but is that still enough in today's overcrowded headphones market, where the onus is on fashion almost as much as function? The new Momentum Black headphones are Sennheiser's most style-conscious creations to date, combining the company's technical know-how with a sleek urban design, marrying a simple brushed-steel band with super-soft, breathable leather earcups. Designed for commuting, they are solid but supremely comfortable, even on long journeys - unlike many over-ears, which can feel as tight and heavy as a motorbike helmet. The design is optimised for iPhone use with a smart remote that makes it a doddle to skip tracks or take incoming calls. Though light, they're not the tiniest travel cans, and the carry case looks like something you'd wheel on to a shorthaul flight. But where they really excel is in the sound department - it's rich, smooth and balanced, and doesn't blast you with bass. One way or another, they won't leave you with sore ears. Sennheiser Momentum Black headphones, £259.99 (sennheiser.co.uk)