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Sennheiser Momentum TW4 vs Accentum TW

Explore our in-depth comparison of Sennheiser’s Momentum TW4 and Accentum TW earbuds. Understand their key differences in design, comfort, features, and sound quality to make an informed purchase.
Sennhesier Momentum TW4 vs Accentum TW

I recently did full reviews for both the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and the Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless earbuds. While they sit at vastly different price points and don’t directly compete with each other, you may be caught trying to decide between the two. Or rather, if the Momentum TW4 is worth spending the extra $100 over the Accentum TW. With this comparison, I hope to be able to provide you with all the information you need to make the best and most informed decision. So let’s get to it.

Key Specifications

Momentum TW4Accentum TW
True Wireless earbudsTypeTrue Wireless earbuds
Dynamic 7mm TrueResponseDriverDynamic 7mm TrueResponse
72.4 g (earbuds and charging case), 6.2 g (single earbud) 66.4 g (charging case)Weight52g (earbuds and charging case), 5.5g (single earbud) 41g (charging case)
5 Hz – 21 kHzFrequency Response5 Hz – 21 kHz
Bluetooth 5.4ConnectionBluetooth 5.3
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, Low Latency LC3Codec SupportSBC, AAC, aptX, Low Latency LC3
75 mAh per earbud, 820 mAh charging caseBattery55 mAh per earbud, 420 mAh charging case
USB-C, Qi wirelessCharging MethodUSB-C, Qi wireless
Yes, 3 per earbudMicrophoneYes, 2 per earbud
IPX5Weather ResistanceIP54

Design & Comfort

When we compare the Momentum TW4 and the Accentum TW, we see Sennheiser’s design philosophy at work. Both products prioritize comfort but in different ways. The Momentum TW4 features two sizes of rubber ear fins for a secure fit. This allows for a customizable and comfortable experience for most users. The Accentum TW, on the other hand, relies on the ergonomic shape alone to accomplish a comfortable fit.

Both earbuds fit comfortably, thanks to their carefully designed shape and excellent ear tips. The Momentum TW4 has an extra edge though with the ear fins. The two additional ear fin sizes ensure that the earbuds will fit snugly in your ear. This is an excellent option for those doing activities such as running as it will prevent the earbuds from becoming loose and falling out of your ear. While I personally did not need the ear fins to get a good fit, the smallest sizer ear fin did add even more snugness when I tried it.

In terms of build quality, the Momentum TW4 has the edge. Its premium materials give it a robust and premium feel and the IPX5 rating adds to the durability with protection from dust and light water contact. One thing to note is the Momentum True Wireless 4 is a chunkier earbud, meaning it will stick out a bit from your ears.

The Accentum, while well-built for its price range, does show some compromises in material choices compared to the higher-end Sennheiser model. It is smaller than the Momentum TW4 though, with a sleeker profile that makes it less noticeable in your ears.

Touch Controls

It’s also worth considering the touch controls on both devices. Both earbuds feature a touch-sensitive area on the faceplate of the earbuds. The biggest advantage I noticed though is with the size of the Momentum TW4. The larger size of the earbuds allows you to easily grab around the earbud to put them on or take them out without accidentally activating the touch controls. The Accentum True Wireless, on the other hand, due to its smaller profile and design makes it extremely easy to activate the touch controls when handling the earbuds. On top of that, the smooth plastic of the Accentum TW tends to make them slippery when using your fingers to handle them.

Charging Case

Both earbuds have dedicated charging cases to charge and store the earbuds. The Momentum True Wireless 4’s charging case has a very premium look and feel, with a hard fabric covering that makes it very unique, as well as durable. My biggest issue with this charging case though is its size. It is simply too large to be considered portable as it will not fit into most people’s pant pockets. It’s not so much an issue if you commonly wear a jacket or carry a bag with you, but for me, in the summer, it’s simply impossible to take with me due to the size.

The charging case for the Accentum True Wireless, on the other hand, is considerably smaller and more portable. I still wish it was smaller, but it is at least manageable for me to have in my jeans pocket when I am out walking. The case, while being made of plastic, is still very well built and feels durable and not too cheap.

The magnetic hinge on both cases is excellent, with a strong magnet keeping the lid closed and preventing accidental opening, and a satisfying open and close feeling when using them. Both feature a single LED light to indicate charge status or use and a USB-C port for charging.


Features

For the most part the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and the Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless both share a similar feature set. One example is they both require the use of the Sennheiser Smart Control companion app to control various functions and settings. There are some key differences in how some of the features perform though, which we will go through here.

Active Noise Cancelation (ANC)

I found that the Momentum TW4 offers impressive active noise cancelation capabilities. In my tests, I found that with a proper seal, the Momentum True Wireless 4 managed to muffle a significant amount of ambient sound. I strongly recommend running the fit test within the Smart Control app to ensure you’re getting an optimal seal. This not only enhances the ANC but also significantly improves passive isolation, with these earbuds physically blocking almost 50dB in some ranges. The wind reduction setting also works extremely well, being possibly one of the best implemented that I have experienced so far. Overall really solid performance here.

Moving on to the Accentum TW, I observed that its ANC system is quite effective, particularly when it comes to reducing low-frequency noise. These earbuds do an admirable job of dampening down the rumble of bus and plane engines, making them a solid choice for commuters and frequent travelers. However, I noticed that the ANC is slightly less effective at canceling human voices compared to the Momentum TW4. This could be a consideration if you often find yourself in environments with a lot of chatter, such as busy offices or cafes. The anti-wind mode is also respectable, but not as good as the Momentum TW4, with a noticeable amount of noise leaking into the audio compared to the higher-end earbuds.

Transparency Mode

On the Momentum TW4, the Transparency Mode is simply excellent. It allows you to clearly hear your surroundings without needing to take out the earbuds. There are three settings, with the middle one being what I would call “full” transparency, and high being a more amplified version. The low setting is ideal for taking calls so that you can hear yourself talk while still blocking most ambient noise.

With the Accentum TW you also get an excellent transparency mode implementation, with the three settings mentioned above accomplishing the same thing here. The quality is a bit lower compared to the Momentum TW4 as the Accentum has 2 microphones per earbud compared to 3 on the Momentum,  for in this price range it still performs very well.

Bluetooth Codec Support

This category is pretty straightforward. The Momentum TW4 has much better Bluetooth codec support than the Accentum TW. While both earbuds support SBC, AAC, and aptX, the Momentum TW4 also supports aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and Low Latency LC3 for use with movies and games.

In my opinion, this difference in codec support absolutely affects audio quality, with the higher bitrate support of aptX Lossless and Adaptive on the Momentum TW4 allowing the details and nuances of lossless and hires music files to come through.

Battery Life and Charging

In my standardized battery test, the Momentum True Wireless 4 delivered an impressive 7 hours and 40 minutes of music playback, pretty much bang on with Sennheriser’s claims (7.5h). This is a significant improvement over many current true wireless earbuds, even if it’s not breaking any records. With noise canceling on, I was able to get 6.5 hours of playtime (Sennheiser claims 7h), which is still more than enough for most users. The charging case is a powerhouse in its own right, providing an additional 26 hours of playtime in my tests. There is also a quick charge capability, with just 8 minutes of charging providing up to 1 hour of additional listening time, which I was able to reproduce in my tests.

With the Accentum True Wireless, Sennheiser claims it can get up to 8 hours of audio playback with ANC off, and 6 hours with ANC on, with 28 hours overall when you include the charging case. This is with the AAC codec mind you. In my testing using aptX, I was able to get 5 hours 40 minutes with ANC on, which is very respectable. For charging, you get an hour of playback time with a 10-minute charge, which I confirmed in my testing.


Sound Quality

Source devices used:

  • Sony NW-WM1AM2 (aptX)
  • HiBy R4 (aptX)
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 (aptX)
  • 2020 iPad Pro 11″ (AAC)

When comparing the Momentum TW4 and the Accentum, I notice both similarities and differences in their sound profiles. Both earbuds share a warmer sound signature, which many listeners find pleasing. However, there are some key distinctions to consider.

With the Momentum True Wireless 4, the bass is impactful and punchy, adding depth and energy to your music without overwhelming the other frequencies. What really stands out for me is the improved treble response. It’s crisp and airy, adding just the right amount of sparkle to each track without ever becoming harsh. This balance creates a soundstage that’s both immersive and precise.

The midrange quality is also particularly well done. Vocals shine brightly, commanding attention while seamlessly blending with the rest of the arrangement. The level of detail and texture in the midrange enriches both vocals and instruments, bringing a lifelike quality to every track.

The Accentum True Wireless follows a more V-shaped tuning, meaning boosted lows and highs. This gives the Accentum TW an energetic, upbeat sound that I would deem to be very accessible for most listeners. I would almost classify these as bright sounding, but thankfully without much sibilance. The bass performance is lacking a bit. At times it can be somewhat muddy and is not as well-rounded as the Momentum TW4. The mid-range has a recessed soundstage but maintains clarity, with some added warmth. What these earbuds lack in detail they make up for in fun and energy.

With both earbuds though you can personalize the sound using the Sennheiser Smart Control app. The Momentum TW4 has a more in-depth process than the Accentum TW, but both allow you to customize various aspects of the sound profile.

Microphone Performance

With the Momentum TW4, the microphone quality is average. They sound good and get the job done without too much background noise interfering. The person on the other end of my calls had no complaints, but when it comes to voice calls in windy conditions, the performance isn’t quite up to par.

The Accentum TW’s microphone performance is also average. In quiet environments, my voice was pretty clear to callers on the other end, but in noisier environments, I was told by callers on the other end that they could easily hear background noise. The wind did get filtered out pretty well, but traffic noise and train announcements came in fairly loud.


Final Thoughts

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless earbuds both have their strengths, catering to different preferences and needs. The Momentum TW4 stands out with its superior sound quality, more adjustable fit, and excellent aesthetics. On the other hand, the Accentum TW offers good comfort, a great sound profile, and a more portable charging case.

It’s hard to go wrong with either choice really, as both earbuds are overall excellent. There are two main differences in my opinion. The first one is fit. The Momentum TW4 has a much more adjustable fit due to the shape and the ear fins. The second is durability. The Momentum TW4 is superior here thanks to the IPX5 dust and water resistance, meaning they are ideal if you are running or exercising. The cost here is the $100 over the Accentum TW. If neither of those points are a concern for you then you can save yourself some money and get the cheaper pair.

In the end, the choice between these two Sennheiser offerings boils down to personal taste and intended use. Thankfully, both earbuds are great so it’s hard to make a wrong choice.

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