Sennheiser has a longstanding reputation for delivering headphones that meet the exacting standards of audiophiles, often with a price point reflecting their premium quality. With the Sennheiser Accentum, the goal is to provide comparable quality at a more accessible price, thus entering the competitive budget segment. Launched concurrently with the flagship Momentum 4, the Accentum shares a similar aesthetic but is offered at nearly half the cost.
Does the Accentum establish itself as a new benchmark in the budget category?
First Impression
Upon unboxing, it’s immediately apparent that cost considerations have influenced design choices. To frame it positively, the packaging evokes a sense of environmental consciousness. The Accentum arrives in a rather unassuming box, with a USB-C charging cable as the sole included accessory. Absent are the cases or other extras that have become commonplace. The Accentum is available in black or white. Our white test unit, lacking a protective case, initially raised concerns about potential discoloration during testing. However, we were pleased to find no visible marks upon completion of our evaluation.
The Design
The design is minimalist and generally stylish, although opinions within the team were divided on its overall appeal. The Accentum clearly echoes the design language of the higher-end Momentum 4. Distinctions lie primarily in material selection and the perceived build quality. The Accentum lacks a premium feel, presenting as light, plasticky, and somewhat inexpensive. The plastic exhibits sharp edges in certain areas, detracting from the user experience. The seam where the two headband pieces join is both visible and tactile. A closer examination of the headband-earcup connection reveals the connecting cables, as illustrated in the accompanying image.
The Accentum provides a secure and comfortable fit. It remains stable even during rigorous head movement, without causing discomfort, even for users with larger head sizes.
All four control buttons are located on the right earcup. The absence of touch controls is notable, with all functions managed via physical button presses. While some users may prefer tactile buttons, the small size of these controls makes precise operation challenging. This issue was exacerbated when using the Accentum with gloves, proving nearly impossible.
The Sound in Sennheiser Accentum
Moving on to audio performance, the assessment becomes more positive. Extensive listening sessions and equalizer adjustments within the app provided a generally satisfactory experience. However, the sound lacks a certain “wow” factor. These headphones are not the first choice for critical listening; they don’t particularly inspire immersive engagement. Identifying the precise shortcomings is difficult. The bass response is a strong point: it is powerful, pleasant, and articulate, particularly evident in tracks like Aaron by Paul Kalkbrenner, where other headphones may muddy the overall sound. Vocal reproduction is another strength. Marie Fredriksson’s Sparvöga, a track that benefits from both strong bass and clear vocals, was well-rendered, providing the closest experience to genuine engagement with the Accentum. Unfortunately, a slightly muted quality pervades much of the listening experience. Despite equalizer adjustments, the sound remains somewhat muffled and lacking in dynamic range. A comparable experience might be the early generations of noise-canceling headphones, where the noise reduction negatively impacted audio fidelity. Disabling noise reduction on the Accentum offers limited improvement in this regard.
Noise Cancellation
The noise cancellation performance is generally acceptable. It is apparent that advancements have been made, with these budget-oriented headphones providing noise cancellation on par with Sennheiser’s flagship models from previous years (e.g., Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3). While it doesn’t quite match the performance of competing flagship models, particularly in attenuating low-frequency rumble from trains and buses, the Accentum effectively blocks common office noises like loud conversations and HVAC systems. Compared to the Soundcore Space Q45, previously tested, the noise cancellation is roughly equivalent, or perhaps slightly inferior, which is notable given the Soundcore Space Q45’s lower price point.
The Accentum’s wind noise reduction capabilities proved particularly impressive. It took nearly a week of testing to discover the dedicated setting within the app. This feature significantly reduced wind noise during cycling in typically windy conditions. Users can comfortably listen to audiobooks or podcasts at reasonable volume levels even in strong headwinds. While the bankruptcy of Hövding may limit helmet compatibility, these headphones perform equally well during windy walks.
Conclusion
The Sennheiser Accentum is not ideally suited for dedicated home listening in quiet environments; open-back headphones would be a more appropriate choice. Users accustomed to premium headphones may find the sound quality somewhat underwhelming. However, the Accentum is not intended to compete with flagship noise-canceling models; it occupies a different market segment. The target audience is consumers seeking effective noise isolation, reasonably good sound quality, and a budget-conscious price point. Does it achieve this goal? The answer is nuanced. At a price closer to sale prices observed earlier in the year, the Accentum would represent a significantly better value proposition. However, at its current price point of around 2000 SEK, numerous alternatives exist. The Sennheiser Accentum occupies an ambiguous space, not quite premium enough for the high-end market, nor sufficiently budget-friendly for the entry-level segment. While the Accentum may not be a definitive budget leader, its exceptional wind noise reduction might position it as a preferred option for (cycling) commuters.
Sennheiser provided review samples for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence; our reviews are always conducted objectively with our readers and consumers as the primary focus.
