Sennheiser Accentum PLUS compared to Accentum Review

Summary

In this review, the Sennheiser Accum Plus headphones are compared with the original Accum model after a 4-month gap. The updated model addresses key criticisms, including the addition of a hard shell carrying case, a 2.5 to 3.5mm cable for wired listening, and touch controls from the Momentum 4. The Accum Plus also features wear detection, improved charging speed, and customization options for sound profiles. However, the build quality remains flimsy, and the sound still lacks fullness unless at higher volumes. At a significantly higher price of €230, the Accum Plus may not justify the cost compared to the Momentum 4, which offers better overall performance for a slightly higher price.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sennheiser Accum Plus is an updated version of the original Accum, with several key improvements based on user feedback.
• 😀 Inside the box, you get a hard shell carrying case and a 2.5 to 3.5mm cable for wired listening, which was missing in the original model.
• 😀 The Accum Plus replaces buttons with touch controls, similar to the Momentum 4, offering a more modern feel but not preferred by users who like physical buttons.
• 😀 A new wear detection sensor automatically pauses and plays music when the headphones are removed, addressing a major issue from the original model.
• 😀 The battery life remains the same at 50 hours, but the Accum Plus features faster charging, providing 5 hours of use with just 10 minutes of charging.
• 😀 The Plus model offers improved Adaptive Hybrid ANC, providing slightly better noise cancellation compared to the original Accum.
• 😀 The Plus includes a sound personalization feature via the Smart Control app, allowing for custom sound profiles, though the reviewer notes some odd reactions when adjusting settings.
• 😀 Sound quality on both the Accum and Accum Plus is decent but flat at lower volumes; users need to increase the volume to 70% for a fuller, more enjoyable sound.
• 😀 The build quality is still a concern, with both models having a cheap plastic feel, making them prone to damage over time.
• 😀 Microphone quality has not improved significantly, remaining functional but unremarkable for calls and voice recordings.
• 😀 The Accum Plus is priced higher than the original Accum, starting at €230, which the reviewer feels is too expensive for what is offered, especially compared to other headphones like the Momentum 4.

Q & A

What were the main complaints about the regular Sennheiser Accum headphones?

The main complaints about the regular Sennheiser Accum headphones were the build quality, lack of features, and the high cost for the given performance.

How did Sennheiser address the criticisms with the Accum Plus model?

Sennheiser addressed the criticisms by adding a better carrying case, introducing a wired connection option, improving the touch functionality, adding wear detection, and enhancing the battery charging speed. They also introduced adaptive hybrid ANC.

What improvements were made to the packaging of the Accum Plus compared to the regular Accum?

The Accum Plus comes with a hard shell carrying case and a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable for wired listening, which were not included with the regular Accum.

How does the touch functionality of the Accum Plus compare to the regular Accum?

The Accum Plus features touch controls, similar to the Momentum 4 headphones, which provide a modern feel. However, some users, like the reviewer, still prefer physical buttons for ease of use.

What is the purpose of the wear detection feature on the Accum Plus?

The wear detection feature automatically pauses and resumes playback when the headphones are taken off or put back on, which helps prevent the issue of forgetting to pause music.

Did the battery life of the Accum Plus improve over the regular Accum?

No, the battery life of the Accum Plus remains the same at 50 hours per charge, but the charging speed has improved, providing 5 hours of playback for every 10 minutes of charging.

How does the noise cancellation (ANC) compare between the regular Accum and the Accum Plus?

The Accum Plus features Adaptive Hybrid ANC, which provides slightly better noise cancellation than the regular Accum, though the difference is not dramatic.

What was the issue with the sound customization options in the Accum Plus?

The sound customization options in the Accum Plus, available through the Smart Control app, were found to behave unpredictably. Adjusting the sound profile affected other aspects of the sound quality, making the overall experience less satisfying.

How does the sound quality of the Accum Plus compare to the regular Accum?

The sound quality of the Accum Plus is largely unchanged from the regular Accum. The reviewer still found that the headphones required a higher volume (around 70%) to sound fuller and more enjoyable.

Is the Accum Plus worth its price increase over the regular Accum?

The Accum Plus is priced at €230, a significant increase from the regular Accum’s €149. The reviewer feels that this price increase is not justified given the incremental improvements, especially when compared to other options like the Momentum 4, which offers better performance for just €40 more.