Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Are These Earbuds Worth the Price?
Sennheiser unveiled the Accentum True Wireless earphones in India just weeks after launching their flagship Momentum True Wireless 4 models in the country. The Accentum TWS earbuds are positioned as a mid-range offering, priced at Rs. 12,990, and promise a compelling audio experience with features like Bluetooth 5.3 multi-point connectivity and 7mm TrueResponse transducers. But is the sound quality strong enough to justify the price tag? We put the Accentum TWS through a rigorous review to find out if they are worth your investment.
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Design and Features
The Sennheiser Accentum TWS earphones boast a stemless, in-ear design, which, surprisingly, is not bulky or heavy. While the charging case is a bit chunky, it still fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. However, its size could make it a bit of a tight squeeze for skinny jeans pockets.
Comfort is a key selling point of the Accentum TWS. The four sizes of silicone ear tips (XS, S, M, and L) ensure a snug fit for most users. During extended listening sessions, I often forgot I was even wearing them. However, initial setup does require a bit of patience.
The stemless design makes it a bit tricky to adjust the earbuds in your ear. You have to maneuver them carefully by touching the body, which often triggers the single-tap command, leading to a barrage of beeps and unexpected toggling of features like transparency mode. The key to avoiding this frustration is to disable the single-tap functions in the app.
Weighing just 5.5g each, the Sennheiser Accentum TWS earphones are incredibly light. They also offer IP54 dust and splash resistance, though unfortunately, the charging case lacks any IP rating. The box includes the earphones, charging case, silicone ear tips, documentation, and a USB Type-A to USB Type-C charging cable.
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: App and Specifications
The Sennheiser Accentum TWS earphones are compatible with the Sennheiser Smart Control app, available for both Android and iOS devices. This app empowers you to customize your listening experience with features like noise cancellation management and touch control configuration.
The Smart Control app offers:
- Battery Status: Displays the charging levels of the earphones and the charging case.
- Connected Devices: Manages your connected devices.
- Touch Controls: Configure touch commands for playback, calls, and transparency mode.
- Equalizer: A five-band customizable equalizer lets you fine-tune your sound profile.
- EQ Presets: Offers seven predefined equaliser modes (Rock, Pop, Dance, Hip Hop, Classical, Jazz, Movie) as well as Bass Boost and Podcast presets.
- Sound Check: Customizes your own EQ preset by choosing your preferred sound profile from a selection of five sets.
- Noise Cancellation and Transparency: Adjusts noise cancellation (Off, Anti-Wind, On) and transparency levels (Low, Mid, High).
- Sound Zones: Save sound profiles based on different locations (Home, Gym, Work, Cafe, etc.) by adjusting noise control and equaliser settings for each zone, creating a tailored audio experience for various environments.
Key specifications of the Sennheiser Accentum TWS:
- Transducers: 7mm TrueResponse transducers
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 multi-point connectivity
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, and LC3
- Noise Cancellation: Hybrid Adaptive ANC
- Microphones: Two microphones per earbud
- Battery: 55mAh battery per earbud, 400-420mAh battery in the charging case
- Charging: USB Type-C wired and Qi wireless charging
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Performance and Battery Life
The Sennheiser Accentum TWS earphones deliver on their promise of powerful noise cancellation and transparency modes. The active noise cancellation effectively mutes most ambient sounds, making it ideal for working in noisy environments or achieving peace and quiet. The transparency levels allow you to hear your surroundings, making them perfect for situations where you need to stay aware of your environment.
While ANC mode significantly reduces noise, it surprisingly does not affect the sound quality adversely. The Smart Control app’s diverse equalizer presets enhance the listening experience across various musical genres. Whether you’re enjoying Van Morrison’s "Moondance," Queen’s "Killer Queen," or BTS’s "Outro: Tear," the Accentum TWS delivers a delightful audio experience. The clarity and detail I experienced while listening to The Beatles’ "I Want You (She’s So Heavy)" were particularly impressive.
The multipoint connectivity function works flawlessly, allowing me to seamlessly switch between my smartphone and laptop without any interruptions.
Call quality is decent, though the microphone placement due to the stemless design might not be ideal for crystal-clear calls. This is a minor drawback, especially if you regularly take phone calls.
The battery life is a mixed bag. While Sennheiser claims up to 28 hours of total playback time, my testing revealed a shorter performance, especially when using ANC. With the aptX codec and ANC off, I experienced a total battery life of 23 hours (vs. advertised 28 hours). With ANC on, this dropped to 21 hours. Using the AAC codec, the total playback time was up to 24 hours without ANC and 22 hours with ANC.
The individual earbuds promise up to eight hours of playtime on a single charge. In my testing, using the aptX codec, the battery life with ANC was around 5.5 hours, and without ANC, it was around 7 hours. With the AAC codec, this increased to eight hours without ANC and almost six hours with ANC. The charging case supports both USB Type-C wired and Qi wireless charging, and a 10-minute charge provides an hour of playback.
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Verdict
At Rs. 12,990, the Sennheiser Accentum TWS earphones are not cheap. However, if you can afford them, they are a great choice. The exceptional audio quality, combined with the versatile Smart Control app’s customization options, makes them a standout in the market. Their powerful noise cancellation and transparency features are highly effective. But, the shorter battery life, especially when using ANC and higher audio codecs, might be a deal-breaker for some users.
If you prioritize longer battery life, consider alternatives like:
- Moto Buds+ (₹9,999), offering up to 38 hours of total playback, LHDC Bluetooth codec, and Bose-certified sound.
- Nothing Ear (₹11,999), boasting up to 40.5 hours of battery life and ChatGPT integration.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your individual needs and priorities. If you prioritize exceptional audio quality, customization, and effective noise cancellation, then the Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless earbuds are a solid investment. However, if battery life is a primary concern, you may want to explore the alternative options mentioned above.
