Jada JonesZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Sennheiser Accentum headphones are perfect for folks searching for knowledgeable sound for lower than $200. They’re on sale proper now for $150.Sound high quality is top-notch and simply outperforms flagship headphones from different manufacturers on this class.A very tight match makes them uncomfortable for long-term put on, which is unlucky given the spectacular battery life.
I’ve worn a couple of too many headphones this 12 months, ranging in value from $60 to $450, from manufacturers like Sony, Bose, and all the pieces in between. However one factor has remained true: Sennheiser’s sound high quality is the one to beat for me.
Sennheiser and I’ve some historical past. Earlier this 12 months, I examined the Sennheiser Momentum 4, the corporate’s flagship client headphones, and I fell in love with the sound. To me, they’re like that one ex you may’t recover from. I search for the Momentum 4’s sound in each pair of headphones I attempt, and it is but to be replicated.
Additionally: Sennheiser Momentum 4: One of the best headphones for detail-oriented listeners
In my view, Sennheiser competes solely with itself within the sound division, so after I noticed the corporate launched the Sennheiser Accentum, an inexpensive twin to its flagship headphones, I used to be very happy to get my fingers on them.
The Accentum are a stripped-down model of Sennheiser’s flagship headphones, providing “a lot of probably the most fascinating DNA” of the Momentum 4, based on the corporate. So, a possible purchaser’s huge questions embody: Are the Accentum a worthy budget-friendly possibility, must you save your cash for the Momentum 4, or must you look elsewhere? This is my verdict after two weeks of testing.
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Sennheiser Accentum
The Sennheiser Accentum ship Sennheiser’s lengthy historical past {of professional} audio in a sub-$200 pair of headphones.
Let’s speak about sound first, since Sennheiser focuses closely on audio efficiency, and that is the metric I used to be most eager about, too.
The Accentum’s 37mm dynamic drivers ship tight, full-bodied bass that stays clear and by no means will get muddy, even after a spherical of bass enhance. After I listened to Participant’s Child Come Again, I may hear the bassline and the kick of the drums deep in my ears. The long-lasting guitar solo on the finish of the music was so clear and vibrant that I needed to take heed to it time and again.
Additionally: Do not overpay for noise-canceling headphones when this $60 pair sounds this superb
In songs like Michael Jackson’s Human Nature, I may hear clearly the layered vocal harmonies and each small element discovered within the higher vary of the high-pitch tones. Sennheiser’s dedication to its highly-detailed signature sound is clear, even in a pair of $150 cans just like the Accentum.
Nonetheless, the Accentum’s ear cups are small and shallow, which impacts the out-of-the-box sound. If I gently push on the skin of the ear cups, my ears contact the audio system contained in the ear cups, which isn’t ultimate.
Because of this, listening to greater than two songs can really feel tiring and ugly. After tweaking the EQ settings and lowering the treble, I lastly discovered the candy spot. You must most likely try this, too.
Additionally: One of the best headphones for music
After testing each the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and the Accentum, it is clear that Sennheiser nonetheless has some methods to go along with its noise-canceling expertise. The Accentum boasts hybrid noise canceling, a sort of lively noise canceling that makes use of mics on the within and out of doors of the ear cups to hear for exterior noise and assist cancel it.
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Nonetheless, conversational noises can skip previous the Accentum’s ANC, and solely the high-frequency pitches of droning noises, like a washer or operating fridge, are successfully canceled. Nonetheless, for the Accentum’s value level, the ANC is not dangerous. Plus, they’ve a really cosy match that finally helps with noise isolation.
Talking of cushty match, the headphones teeter the road between cosy and tight. I wore the headphones for one hour earlier than my ears wanted a break, and you probably have a bigger head, chances are you’ll discover these uncomfortable across the 30-minute mark.
Additionally: How to decide on the perfect over-ear headphones: ZDNET’s shopping for information
You may have to take them off and let your ears recuperate earlier than the battery runs out, because the Accentum can dangle for 50 hours. You do not get a headphones jack with these, however the marathon battery makes up for it.
Like Sony’s inexpensive twin to its high-end headphones, Sennheiser ensures you are paying for what’s contained in the ear cups, as an alternative of what is outdoors. The Accentum’s construct is sturdy, and in case you shut one eye and squint, you would possibly mistake it for the Momentum 4, as their builds are very related. Nonetheless, yow will discover extra trendy and comfy headphones for much less cash.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
This is the deal: In order for you spectacular sound high quality for beneath $200, the Sennheiser Accentum are the best way to go. Their sound is certainly extra detailed than the most recent flagship headphones from Sony, Bose, and Apple.
You may need the Momentum 4 in case you favor a higher-quality, extra refined construct with up-to-date software program options and even higher sound. Nonetheless, even the Momentum 4’s ANC is nothing to brag about.
In case your precedence is noise-canceling, Sennheiser cannot give it to you. As an alternative, you can go for the Sony XM5 over-ears, the Bose QuietComfort Extremely, and — for rather less cash — the Bose QuietComfort 45. If these are all too costly, contemplate the Monoprice BT-600ANC.