Sennheiser’s new Accentum wireless noise-canceling headphones look a lot like its top-of-the-line $380 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones. And while they have similar features, the Accentum are priced at $180 and can do something the Momentum 4 can’t: they accept lossless digital audio via their USB-C port. The black version is up for preorder on September 25 and is expected to ship starting on October 4, while the white version begins shipping in late November. Both models will be available at select retailers and at sennheiser-hearing.com.
The Accentum are the successors to Sennheiser’s 2020 HD 450 BT, and the company’s approach to this more affordable product line remains the same — preserve as many features from the Momentum line as possible while keeping the price under $200. Needless to say, you can’t do this without some trade-offs. The Accentum don’t come with a carry case or any kind of analog input. They use only physical controls, not touch controls, and they don’t have wear sensors for auto-pausing your tunes when you remove them.
Despite these cost-saving measures, it’s impressive what Sennheiser has been able to pack into the Accentum. They adopt the same styling as the much pricier Momentum 4 (albeit without the use of fabric on the headband) and their battery life is amazing — a claimed 50 hours of use between charges. That beats every set of Sony, Apple, and Bose wireless headphones, though it’s still shy of the Momentum 4’s crazy 60-hour stamina.
The 38mm drivers may not have quite the same frequency response as the Momentum’s 42mm units (10Hz to 22Hz versus 6Hz to 22Hz), but with Qualcomm’s aptX HD Bluetooth codec, you’re still getting hi-res audio at 24-bit/48kHz if you use them with a compatible Android phone.
Speaking of hi-res audio, we’re genuinely surprised to see USB-C digital audio on the Accentum. This has traditionally been an exclusive feature of very high-end wireless cans like Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2/Px8 models. Even the Momentum 4 lacks this ability. Until the Accentum, the most affordable set of wireless headphones to offer USB-C audio was the $350 Beats Studio Pro. Like the Studio Pro, the Accentum support up to 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio via USB-C, which falls short of what the best headphone DAC/amps provide, but should nonetheless be a big step up in quality over the headphones’ wireless connection.
In terms of Bluetooth, it’s version 5.2 and it supports Multipoint so you can connect to two device simultaneously. As with Sennheiser’s other wireless headphones, earbuds, and soundbars, you can use the Sennheiser Smart Connect app to get firmware updates, manage Bluetooth connections, and adjust the Accentum’s sound via a five-band equalizer.
The Accentum use the same two-mic with beamforming arrangement as the Momentum 4, but adds wind-reduction technology. They also have hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes, with adjustable side-tone for hearing yourself on calls.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Bose revamps QuietComfort headphones and earbuds with lossless, hi-res, and spatial audio
- Beyerdynamic adds noise canceling to its Blue Byrd neckband earbuds
- Anker Soundcore says its new wireless buds will block up to 98% of external noise
- Technics’ new wireless earbuds let you connect three devices at once
- Skullcandy revives the Crusher ANC with a lower price and Skull-iQ
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like…
Dyson’s bonkers air-purifying headphones hit the U.S. for $949
If you’ve been patiently waiting to get your hands on what might be kindly described as the most buzzworthy set of noise-canceling headphones on the planet — the Dyson Zone — you’ll get your chance at 11 a.m. ET on April 27. That’s when the headphones, which also double as a personal air purification device, become available for purchase in the U.S. The ear (face?) phones start at $949.
You’ll be able to buy the Dyson Zone in one of two color combos, depending on where you shop. The Ultra Blue/Prussian Blue version will be available at BestBuy.com. It will also be available online via Dyson’s website or one of its Demo Stores, alongside the Dyson-exclusive Prussian Blue/Bright Copper version.
Niche Canadian company takes on Sony with new wireless earbuds and headphones
Canadian audio brand, PSB Speakers, has released the details of its latest headphones: the $499 M4U 9 wireless headphones and $199 M4U TWM wireless earbuds. Both devices make use of audio personalization software from Audiodo, as well as PSB’s own RoomFeel technology. The new headphones are expected to be available at retailers in June.
These are not the hi-res, UWB-based headphones that PSB teased earlier in 2023, which have yet to be released.
Beats drops three new colors for the Fit Pro, including a eyeball-searing yellow
The Beats Fit Pro, an excellent set of noise-canceling wireless earbuds, now come in three new color options: Coral Pink, Volt Yellow, and Tidal Blue. They’ll be available from Beats, Apple, and various retailers starting February 23 for the same $200 price as other Beats Fit Pro colors.
Unlike its parent company, Apple, which has never strayed from its iconic white color for the AirPods family of wireless earbuds, Beats is no stranger to colorful variations on its products. The brand has a long track record of releasing special limited-edition collaborations with artists, athletes, and brands, some of which have been anything but ordinary when comes to color.
