Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless

Hot on the heels of the top-of-the-range Momentum True Wireless 4, Sennheiser has dropped the Accentum True Wireless earbuds. Replacing the CX range as its entry-level offering, these earbuds have been designed in collaboration with hearing aid manufacturer Sonova - a new contoured design, developed following thousands of in-ear scans, is more comfortable to wear and is more discreet than other models. At least that’s what Sennheiser reckons.  

There are some compromises in order to keep the price down, naturally. The battery life isn’t as impressive as the Momentum True Wireless 4, and there are only two microphones per earbud compared to three - but Sennheiser claims the earbuds boast the same great sound quality the brand is known for. 

On top of this, Sennheiser is also future-proofing these earbuds with support for Auracast. This Bluetooth technology, which Sennheiser expects to be available on the Accentum True Wireless “quite soon”, enables users to tap into the audio from silent screens in places such as the gym, as well as receive broadcasts in train stations or airports directly through the earbuds, without needing to remove them or turn on transparency mode. By building Auracast into the headphones, Sennheiser says this removes the need for a phone that supports the technology (as very few handsets currently do). 

On paper, the Accentum True Wireless earbuds appear to offer a lot, but do they deliver in reality? 

Sound Quality 

As mid-range headphones go, the Accentum True Wireless offer good audio quality. The earbuds boast Sennheiser’s proprietary 7mm dynamic True Response Transducers and, just as I expected, the audio is balanced and clear. Midrange tones sound natural, while the top-end is crisp and bright - but there’s still plenty of gravitas given to vocals. Dua Lipa’s New Rules sounds fresh, with electronic tones nicely balanced alongside soulful vocals, and the subtle bass sounds controlled and clear rather than hollow. 

Meanwhile, Kate Rusby’s version of Three Little Birds sounds equally bright. The melodic vocals take centre stage, but the gentle strum of the guitar is distinct - which makes for a rounded experience. 

If I’m honest, though, the bass is a little disappointing. Sennheiser claims the transducers provide powerful and engaging low notes but, while they are certainly full, the bass isn’t as well-rounded as I’d like. When listening to Spicy Margarita by Jason Derulo, Michael Bublé and Mari Becerra, the sound is warm - but it lacks the power and depth of the Momentum True Wireless 4. As a result, the Latin rhythm of this track isn’t as chest-thumping as I would like, and ultimately fails to get my shoulders, well, swaying. 

Switching on the ‘Bass Boost’ function in the Smart Control app (free for iOS and Android) does provide a bit more oomph to the low end, but at the same time it dulls the overall presentation. It’s not quite the problem-solver Sennheiser claims it is. 

These earbuds do offer a clear, warm sound when listening to spoken word content, though. An episode of Two Pints with Will & Ralf sounds richly natural, with the midrange and low tones of the actor’s voices reproduced as if the conversation is happening in front of me. 

It is a similar situation when making calls through the earbuds - both parties sound clear and sharp, with just a handful of external noises (such as vehicles pulling to a screeching halt and emergency services sirens) audible to recipients during calls.

Living with 

The Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless are slightly slimmer than the brand’s top-of-the-range Momentum True Wireless 4, and while the earbuds look to be the same depth the Accentum True Wireless don’t protrude quite as much from my ears. They live up to the claims about comfort, too. The slimmer design means a smaller case, which can be slipped into the front pocket of my jeans - something I usually struggle to do. 

As is standard for Sennheiser true wireless headphones, tapping on the earbud controls music playback, volume, noise cancellation and transparency (which temporarily pauses the music and lets the outside sounds in so I’m more aware of my surroundings). They also boast an automatic pause feature, which stops the music when one or both earbuds are removed.

The Sennheiser Smart Control app lets me personalise the actions performed by the various numbers of taps, and offers other handy features including an equaliser - it can be used on the fly and is good for creating a library of custom presets for different types of audio (such as classical music or podcasts). 

There’s also the ‘Sound Zones’ function, which automatically applies equaliser settings, noise cancelling or transparency levels when entering or leaving locations such as home, work or the gym. The active noise cancelling kept me fully immersed when taking a trip along the High Street on a bustling Saturday morning, while the ‘Anti-Wind’ option does a great job at removing irritating whistles when the weather is chaotic. 

The earbuds last around eight hours between charges with ANC switched off, which is longer than many true wireless earbuds on the market right now, and the case boosts this by a further 20 hours. A USB-C cable is bundled with the earbuds for charging, but a Qi wireless charger will also do the job. Even better, the claims about ten minutes of charging offering one hour of playback time prove true. 

Conclusion

The Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless strike the right balance between price and sound quality. As an entry-level pair of earbuds they sound good, have effective noise cancelling and favourable battery life. There are some compromises, but they’re acceptable given the price point - although we’re still not convinced the inclusion of Aurcast is really necessary right now, even for those that want to ensure their ear buds are future-proofed. 

Listening Notes

Britney Spears Toxic

This early noughties’ pop banger sounds fresh and vibrant through the Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless. The electronic tones are crisp and bright, while the subtle pulsing bassline and Britney’s melodic vocals are balanced to deliver a great listen.  

Dire Straits Walk of Life 

The Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless make this simple rock and roll track sound brisk and full of energy. The synthesiser is the clear star of the show, but the headphones still ensure the subtle bass, rhythmic guitar and the gravelly vocals aren’t overshadowed.    

Walk the Moon Shut Up and Dance 

Nicholas Petricca’s soulful vocals are front-and-centre in this slice of pop rock, but at the same time, the thumping bass is warm without becoming uncontrolled and perfectly complements the infectious guitar riff.

If you’re looking for an entry-level pair of true wireless headphones that don’t compromise on sound quality too much, the Accentum True Wireless are worth considering. Aside from my pickiness over the finish of the bass, they produce a clear and bright sound. With effective noise cancelling and some handy features they represent good value, although the inclusion of Auracast shouldn’t be a deciding factor when it comes to splashing the cash on these headphones.