The mid-range TWS segment is now teeming with options from Samsung, Sony, Apple and OnePlus. Sennheiser, after building a bulletproof reputation in the higher-end TWS buds, recently launched the Accentum True Wireless. Priced at Rs 13,990, the Accentum has a lot to prove in a market saturated with options. But does it justify the price tag and stand out from the crowd? Find out in this review.
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless
What Is Good?
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Packs a punch in low-end frequencies
- Good battery life
What Is Bad?
- No LDAC support
- Loudness could have been better
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Design and Build
The Accentum boasts a sleek and minimalist design. It has a one-piece design like the Momentum TW4, but I found the Accentum to be slightly more comfortable for longer listening durations. The build is all plastic, that’s a point of distinction between the fabric case of the more premium Momentum series.
| Design | Specs |
| Weight | 52g (case and earbuds) 5.5g (each earbud) |
| Water resistance rating | IP54 |
| Colour options | White, Black and Blue |
I received the White variant, and so far it hasn’t developed any nasty oil stains. The charging case is also compact and portable, making it easy to carry around. These are IP54 rated for splash and sweat resistance. Some other alternatives in the segment also have IP55 rating, but that’s not such a big difference.
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Hardware and Sound
With proprietary 7mm dynamic true response transducers, the Accentum delivers a sound profile that leans slightly towards the bass. This makes them ideal for genres like hip-hop and EDM. However, the midrange is also forward, ensuring clarity and detail in vocals and instruments. The treble is civilised, avoiding any harshness or sibilance. I wish the loudness could have been better, but that’s all the rather small drivers can manage. I primarily compared these to the recently released OnePlus Buds Pro 3 (LDAC turned off), as they are priced similarly. Have a look at my observations.
| Gula – Deadmau5 | The high hats in the initial sequence of the track are very well pronounced in the left ear. The keys section sounds a little bassy.
The arpeggiated hook section that follows is also sounds a little stifled when compared to the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 in the default EQ. |
| Big Dawgs – Humankind & Kalmi | The high-energy track is very well suited to the original EQ of the buds. The Buds 3 Pro had a higher ceiling for loudness, however. |
| Jets – Bonobo | The initial snare and the hi-hats don’t hit that hard compared to the Buds Pro 3. The overall experience clearly leans towards the low end. |
| Passionfruit – Drake | The creamy radio noise layer in before Drake’s intro dialogue could be heard. Decent representation of Drake’s ‘baritenor’ vocal range. The overall soundstage was slightly narrower compared to the Buds Pro 3. |
Just like its premium sibling, the Accentum also doesn’t offer support for high-resolution codecs such as LDAC or LHDC, which has been quite common for its price.
Overall, the Accentum offers a well-balanced sound that caters to a wide range of listening preferences.
Noise Cancellation
For ANC, the Accentum deploys two mics per earbud and uses beam forming. The noise cancellation technology is hybrid, which means it also uses algorithms for ENC, which effectively blocks out ambient noise. I tried them sitting on a wing seat on a flight from Delhi to Paris, and it did a good job of suppressing the drone of the engine. The transparency mode is mild, but allows you to be aware of your surroundings.
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Companion app and Connectivity
The Accentum supports the latest Bluetooth 5.4 standard, which claims to offer more stable connectivity and low latency. It also gives you access to features such as Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) and Auracast. We have spoken about these in our Sennheiser Momentum review as well. In short, Auracast is a new form of broadcast audio that allows several audio streams to simultaneously broadcast to an unlimited number of receivers via audio transmitters.
The earbuds also feature a variety of touch controls, allowing for easy navigation and playback control. By default, the functions on the right and left earbuds are different. Right is primarily for navigation, and left is for special controls such as ANC. You can customise the controls via the Sennheiser Smart Control app. The app also lets you tweak the EQ and modify the ANC levels.
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Battery and Charging
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Review: Battery and ChargingIn terms of battery life and charging, the Accentum is right up there with the competition with up to eight hours of playback on a single charge. This was with the ANC turned off, with playback at around 80 percent volume. The charging case provides an additional 20 hours of battery life, bringing the total to 28 hours. This is good for about five days of moderate use.
With ANC on, the battery life is slightly reduced to six and a half hours for the earbuds and 15.5 hours for the case. The fast-charging feature is a convenient addition, providing up to eight hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging.
Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless: Verdict
The Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless earphones offer a compelling combination of sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort. The sleek design, impressive battery life, and advanced features make them a strong contender in the competitive true wireless market. While the slightly bass-heavy sound profile may not suit all listeners, the overall balance and clarity are commendable. If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that deliver excellent audio performance and a comfortable fit, the Accentum is definitely worth considering. Plus, you get to walk around with a big brand badge slapped on a reasonably priced product.
