Sennheiser Accentum Open review: These earphones punch above their weight in sound and design

India Today

3 days ago

Sennheiser is known and revered for premium audio. The German tech giant has some of the most high-profile devices in the audio space that one can think of, which, despite stiff competition, enjoys its own niche and clientele who have adored the brand for years. But the thing about good audio is that it doesn't always come cheap. All that premium high-end stuff commands a hefty premium price tag, too, because that is just the nature of things. Over the last few years, Sennheiser has been trying to break that stereotype by getting into the more affordable space, even aggressively, some might say. The new Sennheiser Accentum Open wireless earphones are part of that strategy.advertisementThese earphones bring, or at least they try to bring, the signature Sennheiser sound to a more accessible price point so more people can probably buy and get to use them in person, not just hear about them and wonder what that's like. It's a great time, to be honest, because affordable tech is always interesting and exciting, given that it gives you a good picture of how big brands go about putting everything together (and removing some) to hit a certain price point. If done right, people can then think about getting into the higher price tiers, or at least that is what Sennheiser would be hoping for. But we digress.
Long story short, the Accentum Open earphones seem like they may be hitting the sweet spot in terms of feature set and pricing – but what about the real world? Let's find out in this India Today Tech review of the Sennheiser Accentum Open.Sennheiser Accentum Open review: Design
Sennheiser has kept things refreshingly compact with the Accentum Open. The charging case is small enough to slip into even the tiniest of pockets and light enough to forget it's there. The look is slick and premium without shouting for attention. You can get these earphones in a choice of cream and black. We got the former for review. There is only one caveat we can point out: the case is prone to picking up scratches and smudges.
The good news is that the sturdiness extends to the buds as well. The open-ear design is quite different from the snug, in-ear fit many people might be used to. Instead of sealing your ear canal, they rest comfortably in the outer part of your ear, letting in some ambient sound.
While this can feel liberating for those who dislike the pressure of in-ear tips, I personally found them a little uncomfortable after longer listening sessions. That's mainly because I prefer the cushioning and seal of traditional silicone tips, which also help block out more noise. Still, fit is subjective, and others may find them perfectly fine.Sennheiser Accentum Open review: SoundIf there's one thing Sennheiser rarely gets wrong, it's the sound. The Accentum Open earphones pack 11mm dynamic transducers that deliver a punchy, lively sound signature. Every thud, beat, and bassline comes through with a satisfying weight and energy. The bass is rich without overpowering the mids and highs, and the clarity across the spectrum is impressive for this price point.Acoustic performance is particularly noteworthy. I'd give it a solid 10/10 in this department. Whether you're listening to orchestral pieces or bass-heavy EDM, the tuning strikes a good balance between accuracy and enjoyment.
advertisementFor calls, Sennheiser has equipped the Accentum Open with dual beamforming microphones and AI noise reduction technology. This does a commendable job of cutting out background chatter, so your voice comes through clearly even in moderately noisy environments.However, there's a big omission here, there's no active noise cancellation (ANC). Sennheiser's reasoning is that the open-ear design is meant to keep you aware of your surroundings. That's fair enough for outdoor runners or cyclists who value situational awareness, but as someone who spends a lot of time commuting in the metro, I really missed ANC. Reading or listening to music in noisy environments is simply more enjoyable when background noise is reduced, and that's where the Accentum Open earphones miss a beat.Sennheiser Accentum Open review: Battery and connectivityBattery life is an area where the Accentum Open earphones hold their own. Sennheiser claims up to 28 hours of total playtime, and in my testing, that claim held up surprisingly well. Using them for around 7-8 hours a day, I only needed to charge the case once every two to three days. That's solid endurance for daily use.advertisementThe charging case has a simple LED indicator to show battery status — green means fully charged, yellow means it's charging, and red means you need to plug it in soon.
Connectivity is refreshingly simple too. For the first time in Sennheiser's history, there's no need to download an app just to get started. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, pairing is almost instant. Just pop the buds in pairing mode, connect them via your phone or laptop's Bluetooth, and you're good to go.Despite the lack of an app, you don't really lose essential functionality. You can't customise touch controls, but they're intuitive enough out of the box. And if you own multiple devices, you'll appreciate the fact that the Accentum Open can pair with up to 8 devices, just long pressing the stems together will do.Sennheiser Accentum Open review: Should you buy?At Rs 9,990, the Sennheiser Accentum Open earphones sit in a competitive space. They offer excellent sound quality, long battery life, and a refreshingly simple pairing process, all wrapped in a compact and premium-looking design.That said, if you are someone who prioritises ANC, these earphones might not be a right fit. But, if you value situational awareness, appreciate rich and detailed sound, and don't mind the open design, you can't go wrong with the Accentum Open.- Ends