Sennheiser has just introduced a new pair of true wireless earbuds called the Accentum Open, and they’re a bit different from what you might be used to. Instead of sealing off your ears like most in-ear models, these earbuds are designed to sit just outside the ear canal. That means you can still hear what’s going on around you — whether it’s traffic, coworkers, or your cat knocking something over — while still enjoying your music or podcast.
This is Sennheiser’s first open-style earbud in its Accentum series, and it enters a space that’s been growing lately, thanks to models like Apple’s AirPods, Sony’s LinkBuds Open, and Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds. It’s a design trend that’s especially appealing to people who want some background awareness while listening — maybe for safety, maybe for comfort, or maybe just because they don’t like the “plugged-up” feeling of typical earbuds.
“Accentum Open was designed to complement your busy life—not complicate it,” says Sennheiser product manager Friederike Menking. “Whether you are listening to music, catching up on a podcast at your desk or checking in with your friends on your way to the train, the ease of use is second only to the sound.”
The Accentum Open might remind you of AirPods — they’ve got a similar stem-style look. But instead of going deep into your ears, they rest just outside the canal. Inside each earbud is an 11mm dynamic driver that plays your audio without blocking external sounds. This setup also helps reduce ear fatigue over longer listening sessions.
And they’re super light — just 4.4 grams per earbud, which is about as much as a playing card. No ear tips, no adapters, no clips. You just pop them on and go. That simplicity might not offer a snug fit for everyone, especially during intense workouts, but for casual use or walks around town, the open fit is the point.
Battery-wise, the Accentum Open should last you about 6.5 hours on a single charge. Add in the included charging case and you’ll get a total of around 28 hours of listening time — a pretty decent stretch for earbuds without ANC.
If you’re in a rush and forgot to charge them, a 10-minute USB-C charge will get you about 1.5 hours of playback. It’s not the fastest-charging set out there, but definitely handy in a pinch.
These earbuds run on Bluetooth 5.3, which is a good thing if you care about connection stability and battery efficiency. They also support Bluetooth Multipoint, so you can stay connected to your phone and your laptop at the same time. That means if a call comes in while you’re watching a video on your tablet, the earbuds will switch over automatically.
For calls, Sennheiser includes dual beamforming microphones that help block out background noise to keep your voice clear. There’s no active noise cancellation — not surprising given the open design — but these mics are meant to keep things intelligible even in noisier settings.
The Accentum Open supports SBC and AAC audio codecs, which are the usual suspects for most earbuds in this price range. According to retail listings, the frequency response goes from 25Hz to 15,000Hz, which covers most of what casual listeners need, though it might not catch every tiny high-end detail if you’re used to more premium gear.
That said, this isn’t really a product aimed at audio purists — it’s more about staying connected to your environment while still getting a solid listening experience.
Technical Specifications:
Here’s where things get a little tricky. In the U.S., the Accentum Open is priced at $129.95, which is a bit steep compared to the pricing in other countries. Thanks to tariffs, American buyers are paying more than those in Canada (CAD $149.95 / ~$109 USD), Europe (€89.90 / ~$102 USD), or the UK (£69.99 / ~$93 USD).
You can choose between black or cream finishes, and while the earbuds are already available in some markets, U.S. shipping is expected to begin in early June.
But even with the higher price tag in the U.S., they might still appeal to folks looking for something simple, light, and comfortable — especially if you like to stay aware of your surroundings or find traditional earbuds uncomfortable after a while.
These earbuds won’t give you booming bass or total silence like ANC models, but that’s not what they’re going for. The Accentum Open is all about letting your ears — and your attention — breathe a little.
