Calling all audiophiles on a budget! Sennheiser, the renowned sound engineering brand, has unveiled its latest offering – the Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless earbuds. Positioned as a mid-range alternative to their flagship Momentum 4 series, the Accentum promises quality sound and features at a more accessible price point. But does it live up to the Sennheiser legacy? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review to help you decide if these earbuds deserve a spot in your ears.
Design and Build: A Comfortable Fit with Modern Aesthetics
Unlike the familiar design of the Momentum series, the Accentum earbuds embrace a new, oval-shaped form factor. This design choice prioritizes comfort, ensuring a snug and secure fit within the concha (the hollow shell of your outer ear). The earbuds are available in classic black and white, offering a sleek and stylish look. Both variants boast an IP54 rating, signifying resistance to dust and water splashes. While the case itself lacks an IP rating, it provides ample protection for your earbuds during everyday use.
Touch Controls and Customization: Convenience at Your Fingertips
Gone are the days of fiddling with your phone to control your music. The Sennheiser Accentum earbuds boast intuitive touch controls located directly on the buds. These controls can be customized through the Sennheiser Smart Control app, allowing you to tailor playback, volume adjustments, voice assistant activation, noise cancellation, and transparency mode to your preferences.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency: Striking the Right Balance
Noise cancellation is a crucial feature for many music lovers, especially those seeking an escape from ambient noise. The Accentum earbuds deliver impressive noise-canceling capabilities, effectively reducing external distractions. While they might not quite match the level of the high-end Momentum 4 series, the Accentum offers a satisfying level of noise attenuation, making them suitable for airplane travel or noisy environments.
The transparency mode, on the other hand, allows you to stay aware of your surroundings. This is particularly beneficial for situations where you need to be mindful of your environment, like cycling or running outdoors. The Accenture offers three transparency levels for your convenience, ensuring you can choose the degree of external noise you want to hear.
Call Quality: Crystal Clear Communication
Whether you’re catching up with a friend or participating in a conference call, clear communication is essential. The Sennheiser Accentum earbuds excel in this aspect, featuring built-in microphones that deliver exceptional voice clarity. Even in windy conditions, the earbuds effectively minimize wind noise, ensuring your voice remains clear and focused on the other end.
Sound Quality and Performance: A Feast for Your Ears
Upon initial use, some users might find the sound quality underwhelming, particularly in the bass department. However, fear not! Downloading the latest firmware update through the Sennheiser Smart Control app significantly elevates the listening experience. The bass comes alive, and the clarity across various genres shines through.
The Accentum boasts a robust 7mm dynamic driver, a five-band equalizer, and the Sound Check feature. This feature allows you to personalize the sound profile based on your preferences using your music library. The sound signature leans towards a consumer-friendly V-shaped curve, emphasizing the lower and higher frequencies for a bright and dynamic listening experience. This translates to robust bass, perfect for pop and EDM music, complemented by smooth treble with minimal harshness. The mids, while clear, might feel slightly overshadowed by the emphasized bass and treble.
For audiophiles seeking high-resolution codecs, the Accentum utilizes the widely compatible SBC and AAC codecs. While it lacks the aptX Adaptive codec found in the Momentum series, it compensates with LE Audio and Auracast capabilities, future-proofing its connectivity options.
Sennheiser Smart Control App: Unleashing the Full Potential
The Sennheiser Smart Control app acts as your command center for customizing your Accentum earbuds. Beyond basic controls like playback and volume adjustments, the app allows you to:
- Fine-tune the sound: Utilize the five-band equalizer or the Sound Check feature to personalize the sound profile based on your preferences.
- Manage Sound Zones: Create custom settings for different environments. For instance, you can set a profile with stronger noise cancellation for the office and a profile with boosted transparency mode for running outdoors.
- Access essential features: Update firmware, monitor battery levels, and adjust ANC and transparency modes.
Battery Life: Powering Your Listening Journey
The Sennheiser Accentum earbuds offer a respectable battery life. During testing, the earbuds delivered approximately 3 hours of playtime with ANC enabled and volume around 75%. Disabling ANC extended the playtime to a commendable 6 hours on a single charge. The included charging case provides additional charges, extending your total listening time.
FAQs:
Q: How comfortable are the Sennheiser Accentum earbuds?
A: The Sennheiser Accentum earbuds feature a new, oval-shaped design that prioritizes comfort and offers a secure fit within the concha of your ear.
Q: Do the Sennheiser Accentum earbuds have noise cancellation?
A: Yes, the Sennheiser Accentum earbuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC) technology that effectively reduces external distractions. While not quite on par with the high-end Momentum series, the ANC offers a satisfying level of noise attenuation.
Q: How long does the battery last on the Sennheiser Accentum earbuds?
A: The Sennheiser Accentum earbuds offer approximately 3 hours of playtime with ANC enabled and volume at 75%. Disabling ANC extends the playtime to 6 hours on a single charge. The charging case provides additional charges.
Q: Do the Sennheiser Accentum earbuds support wireless charging?
A: Yes, the Sennheiser Accentum earbuds support wireless charging, taking about 1.5 hours for a full charge.
Q: What app do I use to control the Sennheiser Accentum earbuds?
A: The Sennheiser Accentum earbuds are controlled through the Sennheiser Smart Control app. This app allows you to customize various settings, such as sound profile, noise cancellation, and touch controls.
