Sony WH-CH720N wireless headphones. Sony/ZDNET
If you are looking for good over-ear headphones, you may want to look at the big references, such as the Bose QuietComfort 45, the Apple AirPods Max, the Sony WH-1000XM5 or even the Sennheiser Momentum 4. The best headsets from these companies cost €370 and up. So you need to make sure that such an expense is worth it, right?
But if you want to save a few hundred euros without sacrificing sound quality, Sennheiser and Sony have thought of you.
Sennheiser has announced its Accentum headphones, a new affordable line that would share “much of the DNA” with the Momentum 4 headphones, according to Sennheiser. The Momentum 4 is the brand’s high-end headset.
Larger diaphragms do not always equal better sound quality
The Accentum headphones share the same Bluetooth 5.2 standard, AAC, SBC and aptX HD codecs, as well as hybrid adaptive active noise reduction (ANC) technology as the Momentum 4, so users can expect premium sound and similar performance for almost 200 euros less.
There are still some differences: The Momentum 4 has four integrated microphones, a battery life of 60 hours and 42 mm dynamic drivers, while the Accentum has two microphones, a battery life of 50 hours and 37 mm drivers.
The membranes of a headphone determine their sound intensity. But larger membranes are not always synonymous with better sound quality. Headphones with larger drivers can handle deeper bass, but they struggle to properly reproduce high-frequency sounds, such as high-pitched guitar notes.
The Sennheiser Accentum over-ear wireless headphones. Sennheiser/ZDNET
Some design tweaks
Sennheiser appears to be replicating Sony’s formula of offering a cloned but affordable version of a flagship headset, hoping to appeal to more budget-conscious consumers. Last year, Sony unveiled the WH-CH720N headphones, a cheaper version of its flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones.
The WH-CH720N offers audio quality similar to that of the flagship model, but its frequency spectrum is more restricted, and conversely greater autonomy. The reduced frequency range of Sony’s affordable WH model means it doesn’t sound as immersive or accurate as the XM5 on-ear headphones, but most people are surely fine with it if they can save around $280 €.
These affordable models from Sennheiser and Sony also differ from more expensive versions with a few design tweaks. Both affordable headphones are made from durable polyurethane leather and plastic, while the premium headphones are made from premium leatherette and fabric.
At Sony and Sennheiser, it is above all the interior of the headphones that counts. Both companies reassure their customers that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a high-quality headset with plenty of features and the latest technology.
The Sennheiser Accentum headphones are available at the time of this writing for €180. As for the Sony WH-CH720N headphones, they are priced at €120.
Source: “ZDNet.com”