Sennheiser Accentum True Wi-fi evaluate

The Accentum Wi-fi are Sennheiser’s newest true wi-fi earbuds and likewise the primary beneath the brand new Accentum model. At $200, these are supposed to be the extra inexpensive possibility in comparison with the premium Momentum vary with lots of the similar options, simply dialed again a bit.

The Accentum True Wi-fi function energetic noise cancellation with transparency mode, Bluetooth LE audio, 7mm TrueResponse drivers, and Qi wi-fi charging. The design has been created in collaboration with Sonova’s listening to help division for optimum consolation. And also you additionally get entry to the Sennheiser Sensible Management app, which brings options like the superb Sound Verify for personalised audio.

Design

The Accentum True Wi-fi has a considerably atypical design that is extra vertically oriented than the same old rounded shapes. The earbuds are considerably chunky and bulbous and I wasn’t significantly keen on the way in which they appeared in my ears. The white mannequin is very good at attracting consideration and should you do not respect that then you might need to think about the black or the darkish blue colours.

Just like the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 I reviewed just lately, the Accentum True Wi-fi even have a big touch-sensitive floor on the skin. And identical to the Momentums, this mannequin additionally has the difficulty of activating the contact sensors actually any time you deal with the earbuds. It is practically unattainable to put on or take away the earbuds with out triggering the only faucet gesture and like with the Momentums I simply ended up disabling them to keep up my sanity.

That apart, the earbuds are well-designed with a nice soft-touch plastic. The physique is curved in all the proper locations and matches comfortably inside the contours of your ear. On the interior aspect of the earbuds are optical sensors for put on detection in addition to LED lights to point energy and connectivity standing. The earbuds are additionally IP54 mud and splash-resistant.

In contrast to the Momentum True Wi-fi 4, the Accentum True Wi-fi are very comfy. They’ve a a lot shorter insertion depth and simply sit inside the outer ear. This makes them very straightforward to put on or take off and as soon as they’re on you nearly neglect they’re there. This additionally means they in all probability aren’t essentially the most securely hooked up to your ears and whereas they did not fall off throughout my testing, I’d be a bit cautious working with them.

One other enchancment over the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 is the case design. Whereas the USB-C port continues to be within the improper place on the entrance, together with a hidden LED subsequent to it that is solely seen as soon as it lights up, the case is considerably smaller in each dimension than the one you get with the Momentums. This makes it a lot simpler to hold round in your pocket and whereas it would not have the identical plush cloth exterior, it is nonetheless well-built. The case additionally helps Qi wi-fi charging.

Total, whereas the design could also be a little bit of an acquired style, the Accentum True Wi-fi are extraordinarily comfy to put on with a well-designed case.

Software program and options

The Accentum True Wi-fi help the Sennheiser Sensible Management app. We have now coated this app in our latest Sennheiser critiques, so I will hold it temporary this time.

The app allows you to regulate the sound profile, ANC settings, contact controls, and paired units. For sound, you get a five-band EQ and Sennheiser’s cool Sound Verify function that generates a customized profile however is sadly locked behind a compulsory Sennheiser login. As for ANC, it is as soon as once more dynamically adjusted however you’ll be able to manually allow a wind mode, which works very effectively at the price of diminished ANC, or simply flip it off altogether. The transparency stage can, nonetheless, be adjusted.

The contact controls are customizable, which once more is important particularly as a result of the very first thing you have to be doing is disabling the only faucet gestures. Lastly, one among my favourite options is battery safety mode, which cleverly prevents the earbuds from charging to 100% whereas additionally charging slower, to forestall speedy battery degradation.

Sennheiser Sensible Management app

Apart from having to make a compulsory Sennheiser login to make use of a key function, the opposite shortcoming of the app is how gradual it may be to load, particularly on Android. The Android app additionally can’t keep open within the background for various minutes whereas the iOS app can keep open for days. There’s a particular want for some optimization, particularly on the Android app. And for the love of all that’s holy, Sennheiser, eliminate the account requirement to entry Sound Verify.

Efficiency

Audio high quality

The Accentum True Wi-fi function Sennheiser’s 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers. It appears these are the identical drivers that Sennheiser makes use of on its different fashions, together with the Momentum True Wi-fi 4, however I could not get a affirmation on that. The earbuds are Bluetooth 5.3 compliant with help for SBC, AAC, aptX, and LC3 codecs and Bluetooth LE Audio help.

The Accentum True Wi-fi have a peppy, upbeat tuning with traditional V-shaped leanings. It is definitely quite a bit brighter than what I’ve come to count on from Sennheiser, who, as these aware of the model would know, prefers a darker tuning.

The low finish has decently boosted mid and higher bass areas, which leads to punchy bass notes and heat vocals. The low bass is not as enhanced so you do not get that deep low-frequency extension that provides the heavier rumble and thump to the sound.

The mid-range is a small step again within the soundstage and the higher mids are particularly a bit clouded. Nearly as if to compensate, the treble area sees a pointy rise in vitality. This creates a number of pleasure within the higher areas of the sound, with sharp cymbal hits and pronounced T and S sounds. This works not directly to get better from the lackluster mid-range and slight muddiness within the bass, and creates a semblance of element and backbone within the sound, though it isn’t as resolving in observe.

The general sound may be very energetic with punchy bass notes and sharp treble hits on the high and whereas the mids do endure a bit, you continue to have respectable timbre and tonality so vocals and devices sound pure.

In comparison with the dearer Momentum True Wi-fi 4, the sound is definitely extra energetic and thrilling. The Momentums can resolve a bit extra element naturally within the sound however the darker tuning makes the sound a bit mushy. The Accentums aren’t as resolving however the shiny tuning makes them sound cleaner and clearer. This tuning labored effectively with rock, jazz, and classical music whereas pop and rap sounded a bit too shiny at occasions. I did choose the tuning of the Accentums over the Momentums as I choose a brighter sound and it enhances the music I wish to pay attention however your mileage might range. Both may be made to sound nonetheless you want by way of the app.

Microphone

The Accentum True Wi-fi have respectable microphone efficiency. No matter problem was plaguing our Momentum True Wi-fi 4 unit wasn’t current right here. It is not the best-sounding microphone we’ve got heard nevertheless it’s straightforward to grasp what the speaker is saying in a quiet setting. Nonetheless, background noise cancellation is not nice so you may be listening to a good bit of what is going on on within the caller’s background in noisier environments.

Noise cancellation

The Accentum True Wi-fi have common noise cancellation efficiency that does not fairly attain the degrees of the dearer Momentum collection. The offender right here appears to be the design of the eartips, which do not go particularly deep in your ears. Whereas that is nice for consolation, it does have an effect on noise cancellation efficiency.

This implies the Accentum True Wi-fi simply aren’t as efficient at ambient noises. More often than not, I used to be conscious of issues happening round me, just like the sound of the air conditioner or vehicles passing by outdoors. It is not too distracting and nonetheless higher than no ANC nevertheless it’s not the near-total silence that you just get on among the different fashions available on the market.

Latency

The Accentum True Wi-fi have mediocre latency efficiency. It is nice once you’re simply watching movies when paired along with your PC nevertheless it’s not low sufficient for gaming. The low latency mode within the app had no considerable impression on the latency and it wasn’t clear what it actually did.

Connectivity

The Accentum True Wi-fi had good connectivity efficiency. Throughout my testing, there have been no dropped connections or stutters within the sound. The multipoint function additionally works effectively, as you’ll be able to keep paired to 2 units on the similar time and the earbuds mechanically change between the 2 for audio and calls.

Battery life

Sennheiser claims a battery lifetime of as much as 6 hours when utilizing AAC. In my testing, I used aptX and managed to get 5 hours and 33 minutes. The corporate additionally claims 1 hour of playback after a 10-minute cost. This declare held up even with aptX as I received precisely 1 hour of steady playback.

The great factor is that the case helps each wired in addition to Qi-wireless charging.

Conclusion

The Accentum True Wi-fi are priced at $200, which is on the expensive aspect, though it is extra palatable in markets like India (INR 12,990). The standout function was the consolation, which is superb on these earbuds. The audio high quality is respectable as is the battery life. Nonetheless, the noise cancellation efficiency was so-so, as have been the microphone high quality and latency efficiency.

Sadly for Sennheiser, there are far too many fashions available on the market at this time that may do the identical or higher at a lower cost. We have now seen the mid-range in TWS audio transfer nearer to $100 due to robust competitors from manufacturers like OnePlus, Oppo, and Nothing. So whereas the Accentum True Wi-fi is not a foul product, it can want extra aggressive pricing to face out from the group.