Sennheiser Accentum Wireless Review

Sound performance

For this review, I mostly used my iPhone as a source. With Bluetooth headsets, I always prefer to use smartphones, as 90% of you will pair those headphones with either an Apple or Android device. Even though, nothing stops you from using and high-end DAP that’ll embed a Hi-Res Wireless Audio compliant chip, for AptX and LDAC support.

Most files were streamed from Spotify, Qobuz, and, obviously, Apple Music.

Overall signature

So, does Sennheiser latest headphone carries the brand’s legacy sound prowess? Actually yes, with a sound signature almost identical to the Momentum 4, and just a little weakness on the upper end. But, for the price, this is a great headphone.

In fact, head to head against the Momentum 4, the Sennheiser Accentum Wireless really stood his ground, delivering the same impactful, dynamic and well-rounded sound.

There is no distortion, never, even if you crank up the volume to the max. ADSR is excellent and, compared to popular Bluetooth headphones from Sony, Bose, or even Sehnneiser, the AirPods offer a much more natural experience. And if I definitely have a knack for the super-computed render of my AirPods Max, there’s no denying that the Accentum sounds more “audiophile” than the Apple.

In direct comparison with the Apple AirPods Max, the Accentum really sounds like the old guard: no hyper-processing, tamed lows, and great soundstage, with no help from any DSP. It’s just true raw performances, simply pushed by solid transducers and years of sound knowledge.

To be fair, I still consider the AirPods Max above, in terms of overall sound quality, but let’s remember that Apple’s headphone cost twice as much, with legions of engineers that might earn more in a year, than Sennheiser as a company, in the same elapsed time…

There are some flaws on the upper end of the spectrum – some caveats around 3-6kHz – with missing nuances on complicated tracks, but the solids lows makes up for it, outputting a boomy, but lovely, mid-range. The soundstage is surprisingly spacious and if Sennheiser doesn’t give you Dolby Atmos support, I suspect that some members of the team that worked on this headset might have worked on the – phenomenal – Ambeo before.

Whatever the genre, the Accentum always seemed in control, keeping the voices clear and poised at any time. The dynamic range is great, with a rich presentation, superb layering, enhanced by the emphasis on the lower-end.

The perfect blend of true analogue sound, and modern technology. And, if you own an AptX source, I strongly encourage you to go for it, instead of your iPhone, as I did prior. If AAC/SBC was great in terms of sturdiness – I could move a few meters without encountering any transmission issue – AptX remained better in every scenario. Paired with the FiiO M11S, the Momentum output more details, and displayed a far better dynamic range on my usual test tracks.

Last but not least, via the Smart Control control, you get various sound settings if you want to tweak. 

Long story short, in this piece range, sound-wise, the Accentum is probably one of the best Bluetooth headphones I’ve tried, yet.

Tonality

Highs: clean, sharp but slightly rolled-off. The Accentum Wireless highs are usually impressive with great decay and zero distortion, but on some tracks, it’s easy to spot the slight roll-off around 2-4kHz. Not too bad though, and on a daily basis, the wide dynamic range, easily makes for this little hic-up, even if the Momentum 4 keeps the upper hand here.

Good test-track: Speaking of the end – Lapsley

Mids: transparent and natural. Mids are well-balanced and voices sound clear in any configuration. Be it jazz, pop, or even heavy metal, the Accentum offers performances on-par with its wired sibling, even at higher volume, where Bluetooth usually falls short – even on mighty models like the APM.

Good test-track: San-Francisco Street – Sun Rai

Lows: no more shy. As opposed to the Momentum 4 that I found a bit too conservative, the Accentum wireless really surprised me here, with prominent low-mids, pushing solid bass and a thunderous roar, at any given volume. It might appear a bit too round for some, but for me, that sound signature was simply perfect, and shall fit every newcomers, or even seasoned audiophiles.

Good test-track:Pantheon – Argy

Conclusion

For €179, it’s hard not to love what the Sennheiser Accentum Wireless has to offer. 

With a powerful sound, exceptional long-standing battery life, great comfort and simple controls, the headphone stands as the best Bluetooth headphone I tried, in recent years. Keeping almost all of what made the Momentum 4 Wireless great, minus the bugs (yeah) and the highs (ohh) this new model feels like the best option, for anyone seeking an affordable, but great-sounding headphone.

ANC is better, if not perfect, but I’m pretty sure that the next version will have that fixed – or so I hope! Keep it on Senn/Sonova!

Page 1: About the brand

Page 2: Design, Build Quality, Comfort, Box

Page 3: Every day use & Battery life

Page 4: Specifications

Page 5: Sound performance