There's no denying that Sennheiser has one of the largest collections of headphones on the market. However, if you're looking for noise-canceling headphones, the best place to start is the Accentum range. But the question is which pair is better between Sennheiser Accentum Plus and Sennheiser Accentum?
Obviously, both headphones have top-notch specs. But there are some differences that make the Sennheiser Accentum Plus and Accentum different from each other. And you can learn more about these differences by reading on.
Price and availability
Let's talk about the price. The original Sennheiser Accentum has a starting price of $179 (£159 / AU$299), making it a more affordable option. In contrast, the newer Accentum Plus model costs $229 (£199 / AU$399). Both models are available in black and white.
The thing is, since the sound quality of the two headphones is pretty similar, the original Accentums offer a better value if you're on a budget. However, this does not mean that they are better than the Plus. Keep reading to find out what new features Accentum Plus has to offer.
Sennheiser Accentum Plus vs Sennheiser Accentum: Design
Both Accentum and Accentum Plus have a clean, premium aesthetic. They have a strong plastic frame, comfortable leather ear cushions and recognizable arched headbands. These headphones are even available in the same black and white colors.
So, how are they different? Accentum Plus have a slightly more modern look. These headphones have a touch control panel, one button and silver emblems. Original Accentums have many buttons and black emblems. Both models come with a carrying case. However, neither headphone solves the problem of slight clamping force that you may notice during long listening sessions. This may cause fatigue during prolonged listening.
Control elements
Accentum Plus takes the lead in ease of use when it comes to controls. They are equipped with convenient touch controls. In particular, the right cup of the headphones has a touch panel. This panel recognizes various gestures, including taps, swipes, and long-holds. With its help, you can control playback, calls, volume, digital assistant and even listening modes.
The original Accentum takes a more traditional approach. It has four physical buttons. These buttons control volume, playback/calls, power/pairing, and voice activation. The functionality is reliable, but the small size of the buttons can be inconvenient. Also, the multi-functionality of a single button can lead to confusion.
Sennheiser Accentum Plus vs Sennheiser Accentum: Sound
Both the Sennheiser Accentum and Accentum Plus sound similar. You get a warm, detailed sound with rich bass and clean mids. The sound is excellent even in tracks with high bass.
Sennheiser also offers several convenient customization options. They help you adjust the sound to your preferences. There is a Bass Boost preset to boost the low frequencies without compromising the clarity of the sound on stage. You also get a Podcast preset to boost vocals. In addition, there is a 5-band equalizer for fine-tuning the frequencies. You can also choose from a number of preset modes for different genres.
But these headphones differ in Bluetooth data transmission technology. The usual Sennheiser Accentum is used aptX HD. This ensures high-quality audio and low latency for smooth video streaming. Accentum Plus goes one step further by using aptX Adaptive. It offers even greater detail, scalability and a slight improvement in sharpness.
Active noise cancellation
Both Accentum and Accentum Plus impress with their noise reduction capabilities. The original model surprised many by meeting the specifications of popular mid-range headphones. They can even outperform some high-end headphones. Headphones suppress low frequencies and rumble perfectly. They can also dampen high-frequency sounds such as babies crying and whistling. Sennheiser Transparency allows you to stay aware of your surroundings when needed.
But Sennheiser Accentum Plus surpasses all others in this aspect. They boast Adaptive ANC technology. This intelligent feature adjusts the noise cancellation based on your surroundings. For example, during commutes, it eliminates all kinds of distracting elements, including engine noise, announcements, and street sounds. In addition, you can adjust the level of noise cancellation. With the transparency mode, you can control how much noise is blocked or allowed through the transparency mode.
Sennheiser Accentum Plus vs Sennheiser Accentum: Connectivity and battery life
Both Accentum and Accentum Plus are great for phone calls. They provide clear, loud conversation with minimal interference from background noise. Even the wind resistance is top notch.
Sennheiser didn't skimp on battery life either. Both headphones work for 50 hours on a single charge. The fast charging feature also remains impressive. It can provide 5 hours of playback after a 10-minute charge. That's best-in-class battery life, especially compared to competitors like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (24 hours) and the Sony WH-1000XM5 (up to 40 hours). In real-world use, you can expect about 10 days of moderate listening (4 hours per day) before needing a recharge. Please note that features such as sound zones and high volume may reduce playback time by approximately 3 hours.
