When you buy a pair of true wireless earbuds it’s essential that they sound great and fit comfortably, especially if you enjoy long listening sessions in the gym or when commuting to work. Sennheiser has just announced its new CX Plus True Wireless earbuds and it thinks its nailed both a comfortable fit and a great sound, all at a relatively affordable price. Add ANC (active noise cancellation) into the mix with some smart interaction, and you’ve potentially got a great pair of earbuds.
The new Seenheiser CX Plus True Wireless earbuds offer the German company’s usual high-quality sound but the CX Plus are different because they are much more affordable that Sennheiser’s previous offerings. The clarity of the German-engineered TrueResponse transducer used in the CX Plus delivers audiophile technology at an everyday price. The transducer was originally developed for Sennheiser’s premium earphones, but this bespoke acoustic system, with its high-fidelity stereo sound, has now trickled down to the CX Plus to provide the same deep bass, natural mids and detailed treble.
The Active Noise Cancellation function on the CX Plus ensures that listeners can hear the music and nothing but the music. Without ANC, a lot of earphones struggle to perform. If you’ve ever tried using a pair of non-ANC earphones on an airplane, you’ll know what I mean. Additionally, Sennheiser has incorporated a Transparent Hearing feature that makes it easy for the listener to focus on external sounds without the hassle of removing the earbuds to catch a travel announcement or a question from someone. This feature is also useful when jogging or cycling so users are more aware of their surroundings.
The CX Plus True Wireless earbuds expand Sennheiser’s earbud portfolio by offering a Active Noise Cancellation at a more accessible price. Frank Foppe is the product manager at Sennheiser and he says: “Hot on the heels of the sleek CX True Wireless, we are now bringing an even more exceptional consumer earphone offering to the market. With audiophile-grade technology and added features like Active Noise Cancellation and Transparent Hearing, the CX Plus True Wireless provide a high-fidelity listening experience that’ll last the whole day.”
Thanks to customizable touch controls on each earbud, any interaction with the CX Plus True Wireless takes just a tap of a fingertip. Users can change what the controls can do, including commands for audio, phone-calls and accessing voice assistants. Each earbud includes a pair of dual microphones optimized for phone calls and voice commands with clear pickup of the user’s voice. Single earpiece use enables the right and left earbuds to be used individually or as a pair.
Smart Pause is another intelligent feature of the CX Plus that’s been developed with modern life in mind. Smart Pause automatically halts the audio whenever the earbuds are removed from the listener’s ears. Playback is instantly resumes as soon as the earbuds are replaced. The earbuds also automatically power up when removed from their charging case and switch off when they are put away.
The sound quality of the CX Plus is up there with the best of Sennheiser’s true wireless offerings. I’ve managed to listen to the CX Plus and they are a beautiful-sounding pair of earphones for the money with all the clarity and smooth delivery that we’ve come to expect from Sennheiser thanks to the TrueResponse transducer.
When it comes to choice of audio codecs, the CX Plus True Wireless support the latest connectivity options offered by Bluetooth 5.2 including support for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs. Such wide support means higher-resolution sound and low latency audio ensure video content is always properly synced.
Bluetooth connections can be managed using Sennheiser’s Smart Control app, while the built-in EQ enables the listener to tailor the tone to suit their tastes. There are also EQ presets that include a thumping Bass Boost setting.
Comfort is another thing that Sennheiser’s usually gets right; the CX Plus are no exception. The earbuds have been developed in line with the company’s latest ergonomic research. The sleek and smaller design of the CX Plus offer a comfortable fit, even when listening for long periods. The earpieces are more compact than Sennheiser’s Momentum TW2 earbuds and they fit securely in the ear, remaining firmly in place even during exercise. A selection of four sizes of silicone ear tips is included for a proper fit and a greater acoustic seal.
Finally, the CX Plus are IPX4 rated for water resistance, enabling them to resist splashes without worrying if it starts raining. The rechargeable battery in each earpiece offers a playtime of up to six hours with ANC turned on and the backup charge in the CX Plus True Wireless charging case can extend that up to 24 hours.
Verdict: These new lower-cost CX Plus true wireless earbuds from Sennheiser are more affordable than the Momentum TW range, I’ve rarely heard a bad pair of earphones from Sennheiser and the CX Plus are no exception. If you want the signature Sennheiser sound with good ANC implementation and wide support for a range of audio codecs, the CX Plus are a very good choice.
Pricing & Availability: The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless will be available in black or white finishes from September 28 at a price of $159.99 / £129.99 / €159.90.
More info: www.sennheiser.com
Features:
- Active Noise Cancellation and Transparent Hearing
- Up to 24 hours playback time with on-the-go charging
- TrueResponse transducer for deep basses, natural mids and clear treble
- Customisable touch controls
- Intelligent smart pause
- Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility
- Support for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs
- Built-in EQ with Bass Boost preset
- Smaller and ergonomic design
- IPX4 rated splash resistance
