The Accentum Plus headphones by Sennheiser are their latest noise-canceling model. They are one of two new pairs of headphones in the company’s new mid-range Accentum series, with the other one simply called the Sennheiser Accentum. The Plus model offers additional features such as touch controls, adaptive ANC, wear detection, and more, but comes at a slightly higher price. Today, we will focus on this model.
Design and Comfort
The Accentum Plus headphones are full-sized circumaural headphones with an all-black design and plastic construction featuring a uniform matte finish.
The soft foam pads on the earcups have a pleather covering and about 2cm of depth before reaching the soft padding covering the speaker grille. The earcups are easily removable but require effort to put back correctly.
The earcups can swivel 180 degrees but do not bend inwards, and while they can lie flat, they cannot be folded to save space.
The yokes slide into the headband smoothly, and the headband has decent padding in the middle with a matte rubberized coating.
All controls and electronics are located on the right earcup. There is a physical button for power, pairing, and summoning voice assistant, along with touch gestures for control. The headphones also have a USB port for charging and audio, and a 2.5mm connector for the supplied analog audio cable.
The headphones are compact, making them easy to wear outdoors without attracting much attention and convenient for carrying around. A carry case is included which can also hold the charging and analog audio cable.
The comfort of the Accentum Plus was a point of contention. The earcups, while padded, had a small diameter creating discomfort for some users, especially those with smaller ears. Adjusting them multiple times was necessary to achieve a comfortable fit.
Another common issue with noise-canceling headphones is the lack of air movement causing discomfort, especially in warmer climates. However, this can be a benefit in colder environments.
Software and Features
The Accentum Plus headphones support Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with multi-device pairing and various codecs like SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive. The Smart Control app by Sennheiser allows users to manage devices, adjust audio and ANC, update firmware, and access additional features.
The Equalizer feature includes a five-band EQ for custom presets, but adjustments may cause a significant drop in audio levels. The Sound Personalization feature offers better customization without impacting audio levels.
Smart Control app for Android
Another feature is the creation of Sound Zones, allowing users to set up geo fences for specific audio settings in different areas.
ANC on the Accentum Plus cannot be disabled but offers good noise cancellation. Transparency mode, wind noise reduction, auto-pause, on-head detection, and auto power off are additional features.
ANC settings and Sound Zones
The touch gestures on the earcup are preset and not customizable, which may cause accidental triggers. The need for a Sennheiser account to access certain features is an inconvenience for some users.
Performance
Audio Quality
The Accentum Plus headphones deliver decent audio quality by default with a warm sound signature. The bass is well-balanced, offering a pleasant rumble without overpowering other frequencies.
The lower mids are decent, but the upper mid-range lacks detail affecting vocals and string instruments. The treble can be slightly sharp at times, depending on the music genre.
Sound Personalization significantly improves audio quality by allowing users to customize sound profiles, providing more balance and clarity in the sound.
By tuning the sound brighter, the headphones’ imaging and soundstaging improve. The default sound profile may feel congested, but adjustments can enhance the listening experience.
Microphone
The microphone quality is average with a tinny, robotic sound that requires speaking loudly. The transparency mode aids in hearing oneself better during calls.
Noise Cancellation
The ANC on the Accentum Plus effectively reduces noise, with the transparency mode offering a customizable outside noise level. Good for most use cases but may lack compared to higher-end models.
Latency
The headphones have minimal latency regardless of the codec used. However, there may be occasional distortions with specific apps that can be resolved by switching to a different codec.
Connectivity
The Bluetooth connectivity is seamless with no reported issues. The headphones support USB and analog input but require power for USB input to function.
Analog input offers a leaner and brighter sound when the headphones are off, revealing that the dark sound signature is DSP-generated.
Battery Life
The Accentum Plus boasts a battery life of 50 hours, with fast charging providing 5 hours of usage after a 10-minute charge.
Actual testing resulted in over 47 hours of playback with aptX HD and 5 hours and 45 minutes after a quick charge.
Conclusion
Priced at $230, the Sennheiser Accentum Plus offer premium sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and various features found in higher-end models. The personalized sound profiles, good battery life, and versatile connectivity options make them a great purchase for users seeking quality wireless headphones.
Despite some comfort issues, average microphone quality, and limited control over touch gestures, the Accentum Plus deliver a solid performance overall. They are a suitable choice for those looking for outdoor-friendly and feature-rich headphones in this price range.