Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi evaluation: Zero bullshit headphones for $129.95

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The Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi that I reviewed are entry-level headphones that concentrate on audio and autonomy on the expense of ANC. Retailing for $129.95 a pop, it doesn’t miss the mark despite the fact that there isn’t any noise-cancellation in comparison with its dearer rivals.

Good

Trustworthy audio copy
Good passive isolation
Superb battery life
Strong construct high quality
Full software with many options
aptX codec help
IPX4

Unhealthy

No ANC
Boring design
No wi-fi charging
Microphone efficiency is common
Dearer than the ANC-equipped competitors

Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi in a nutshell
The Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi was launched on July 8, 2021, for $129.95. They’re Sennheiser’s entry-level entry wi-fi earbuds in its huge catalog. Lately, the producer launched an nearly equivalent model, the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wi-fi, which provides energetic noise cancellation (ANC), with a beneficial retail value of $179.95.$129.95 for a pair of earbuds with out ANC is somewhat costly in 2021. There are quite a lot of true wi-fi headphones that promote for lower than $100 that provide respectable energetic noise cancellation. One can level to the Nothing Ear (1) that I not too long ago reviewed, the Huawei Freebuds 4i, or the Soundcore Liberty Air Professional 2.Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi for $129.95Where the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi stand out is can be the audio high quality, since they use the 7mm TrueResponse drivers, that are the identical ones discovered within the wonderful Momentum True Wi-fi 2 that offered for $299.95 at its launch (actually Sennheiser has put these drivers in all of its buds in 2021).Sennheiser has adopted an Apple-like strategy (relax anti-Apple of us, it is only a phrase) for its catalog of true wi-fi headphones. The entry-level (CX True Wi-fi), mid-range (CX Plus TWS), and flagship (Momentum 2 TWS) fashions all share the identical drivers. Sort of just like the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Professional, and iPhone 13 Professional Max all share the identical A15 Bionic SoC.However is that sufficient? Can non-audiophile earbuds overlook options like ANC to supposedly concentrate on audio high quality whereas being dearer than the competitors? It is a sophisticated matter.

Design: A boring look that’s seen again and again

The Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi have the identical boxy design we have identified because the vary first hit the market, however that does not cease them from coming with a matte plastic end that I discover very neat along with IPX4 certification.
What I favored:
The neat end
IPX4 ranking
Strong case
Good sound insulation
What I disliked:
Growing older type issue
Not discreet sufficient when worn

The Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi is a bit massive however the end is nice and the colour is boring / © NextPit

Whereas I might have talked for hours in regards to the design of the Nothing Ear (1), the look of the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi does not actually give me the need to wax lyrical.It follows the identical conservative design, being a bit of too massive and a bit of too sq., that we have seen over and over since Sennheiser dipped their toes in the true wi-fi market a number of years in the past. Mainly, this boring design is situated totally in your auditory canal with none stems protruding. By way of consolation, it’s satisfactory sufficient whereas permitting it to have an excellent passive sound isolation (a plus when you do not have ANC).As for the charging field, it’s somewhat thick however compact sufficient for my style. The magnetized hinge of the lid confers a somewhat passable impression of high quality while you shut or open it. 

The Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi case could be very strong / © NextPit

The matte black plastic end could be very clear and nice to take a look at. The floor is clean and the easy black-on-black laser-etched brand on the earbuds and the case cowl is completely according to the model’s design language. It gives the look of proudly owning a severe pair of earbuds. These earbuds are IPX 4 licensed, which implies they aren’t waterproof however shall be in a position to withstand sweat, mud, and direct splashes of contemporary water.A lot for the design. It is very (a bit of too) standard for my style nevertheless it’s confirmed to be useful. The IPX4 ranking can be a plus.

Apps and options: Virtually a full vary of choices

The Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi characteristic the producer’s Sensible Management companion app and provide a reasonably complete array of options and contact controls.
What I favored:
Customizable contact controls
Exact equalizer
Administration of linked gadgets
What I disliked:
No ANC or transparency mode
No multipoint Bluetooth help
The absence of Google’s Quick Pair additionally disillusioned me a bit of since I’ve been spoilt by it. However as soon as paired, the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi provide a somewhat wide selection of options for a tool on this value vary.Giant tactile surfaces on every earbud help 4 sorts of instructions: single-tap, double-tap, triple-tap, and lengthy press. It is easy sufficient to grasp, nevertheless it permits for no customization choices in relation to assigning contact controls. Playback management, quantity management, voice assistant, – they’re all right here.The Sennheiser Sensible Management companion app, out there on Android and iOS, can be fairly complete. You may reassign nearly any management to a special gesture or from one earpiece to a different (other than controls for calls). Humorous how each apps acquired somewhat low scores from customers – beneath 3!

Do not recreate this EQ preset at residence! You’ll damage your music. That is simply to point out you the interface / © NextPit

The equalizer is a really good factor to have because it means that you can create exact customized presets, proper all the way down to the closest decibel. The appliance reveals you which of them audio codec is presently being utilized by the headphones and provides a administration instrument for linked gadgets, which I discover actually helpful particularly because the earbuds usually are not suitable with multipoint Bluetooth.Lastly, I nonetheless recognize the flexibility to make use of a single earpiece solely however I remorse that Sennheiser doesn’t mix the channels of the earbud in your ear and the one within the case. Solely the earbud in your ear retains its mono channel, which is a disgrace.

For entry-level earbuds, the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi is extremely customizable / © NextPit

I haven’t got a lot to say in regards to the software or its options. For an entry-level pair of earbuds, the expertise is somewhat full. However we’re speaking about an entry-level pair at $129.95. The dearth of ANC or multipoint Bluetooth usually are not so forgivable while you discover them on fashions for $100 or much less.

Audio high quality: Trustworthy audio copy that makes a distinction

The Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi takes benefit of the identical 7mm TrueResponse drivers discovered within the Momentum 2 TWS and provides a reasonably devoted audio copy that breaks away from the ultra-bassy signature we’re used to listening to on this value vary.
What I favored:
Broad frequency vary 5-21.000 Hz
Balanced audio signature
aptX codec help
What I disliked:
Latency points
Microphones have hassle with ambient noise

Sennheiser’s TrueResponse drivers are discovered all through all of its true wi-fi headphone fashions / © NextPit

It’s actually this level that the producer can, for my part, justify its increased value than its opponents. The frequency vary of 5-21,000 Hz that the CX True Wi-fi can cowl is considerably wider than nearly all different earbuds offered on the $100 mark. This enables the earbuds to be actually correct in relation to bass with out being overpowering.Mainly, the audio signature of the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi sounded very flat to me, which is an excellent factor. Which means the copy of the sound at its supply is devoted. And that is just about towards the grain in what entry-level true wi-fi earbuds do typically.Mainstream songs which can be massively common and consumed by the plenty, exude a excessive diploma of bass that drowns out the musical message and likewise acts as a little bit of a cover-up (it makes it more durable to identify phonic imperfections when your eardrums are bombarded with BOOM BOOM BOOM on a regular basis). Right here, you may really feel like a bat, as you get to listen to every thing.In any case, you possibly can adapt the audio copy to your style due to the extraordinarily exact equalizer within the Sennheiser app, in addition to the Bass Enhance operate whose identify speaks for itself. Lastly, we profit from compatibility with SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs. 

The two microphones in every earpiece don’t enable the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi to supply distinctive high quality throughout calls / © NextPit

As for the microphone efficiency, I discovered the standard to be somewhat common, simply like on nearly some other pair of true wi-fi earbuds. Every earbud is supplied with 2 microphones. When I’m indoors, a bizarre echo may be heard and whereas I’m outside, the earbuds decide up all of the ambient noises with out filtering them out.However, I didn’t discover that my voice was compressed after I listened to my recordings once more. So it is a double-edged sword. You may hear your self properly however you may also hear every thing else that goes on round you.The earbuds have a very noticeable latency in relation to cellular video games of round 1 second. In the case of streaming music or films, numerous companies have options to compensate for the lag and make it nearly imperceptible.As is commonly the case, Sennheiser provides wonderful audio high quality that may nearly make me neglect that these CX True Wi-fi are a bit dearer than the competitors.

Battery life: Over 8 hours and counting…

Sennheiser promised a battery lifetime of 9 hours of music playback for its CX True Wi-fi and as much as 27 hours with the charging case.
The Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi’s charging case accommodates a 400 mAh battery and every earphone has a 60 mAh cell. In idea, the case is subsequently able to recharging the headphones at the least 3 instances earlier than it runs out of juice.In actuality, a blended use case (music, films, video calls) with none interruption (the buds weren’t saved within the case and the auto-off mode was disabled), the Sennheisers persistently lasted greater than 8 hours, with my greatest “rating” being 8 hours and 31 minutes on a single cost. That is beneath what Sennheiser promised however it’s nonetheless an excellent end result for true wi-fi earbuds.

A battery lifetime of greater than 8 hours is a superb level in favor of the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi / © NextPit

Based on the producer, a quarter-hour cost within the field is sufficient to ship juice for 1 hour of listening. Personally, I achieved on common kind of 60% of battery after a 15-minute cost. I wanted rather less than 1 hour and half-hour on common for a full recharge.Lastly, the case of the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi is just not suitable with wi-fi charging. It’s not unforgivable at this value vary however the Nothing Ear (1) which prices $30 much less has wi-fi charging help. I will not record this as a defect, however for some (together with me) it is a characteristic that now we have the correct to anticipate from a pair of premium earbuds.The battery lifetime of the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi is superb. However it’s also the naked minimal for a pair of earbuds sans ANC, no?

Technical specs

Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi

Technical specs

Element
Specs

Drivers

Bluetooth Codecs
AAC/SBC/aptX

Frequency vary
5-21.000 Hz

ANC
No

Battery

60 mAh in every earphone
400 mAh within the case

Battery life
27 hours with the case

Charging

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2
A2DP, AVRCP, HFP profiles

IP Certification
IPX4

App & EQ
Sure: Android and iOS

Dimensions & weight
Headphones in case: 59 x 33.8 x 42.3 mm

Worth
$129.95

Conclusion

After complaining in regards to the Nothing Ear (1), will I’ve the audacity to advocate the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi? YES!
The 8+ hour battery life is superb, the contact controls and EQ are extraordinarily customizable due to the excellent companion app, and the passive sound isolation of the admittedly considerably boring and recycled in-ear design makes the shortage of energetic noise cancellation tolerable.
Take the Nothing Ear (1) for instance. I discover them to be way more visually interesting than the Sennheiser. Additionally they have ANC and wi-fi charging, which the Sennheiser providing lacks. However I additionally discovered their sound efficiency to be common. Not dangerous, however removed from wonderful. Nevertheless, the Sennheiser provides basic sound copy in a pair of inexpensive true wi-fi earbuds.

The 100% in-ear design compensates sufficient for the shortage of ANC for my part. However I am conscious that it is a vital characteristic for many customers / © NextPit

In the event you primarily take heed to your music on Spotify or MP3 tracks, you do not actually care and also you’re proper. In that case, I can solely advocate the Nothing Ear (1) which has an excellent high quality/value ratio at $99. But when audio high quality is essential to you with out being a snobbish audiophile, however you need a extra devoted and refined sound than what yow will discover elsewhere, then the Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi can be the extra related alternative despite the fact that it prices $129.95 and lacks ANC.
And in order for you that sort of audio high quality however the lack of ANC is an actual deal-breaker in your eyes, you possibly can go for the not too long ago launched Sennheiser CX Plus True Wi-fi at $179.95. It’s precisely the identical mannequin because the one I simply reviewed, however ANC thrown into the combination.
Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi for $129.95

Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi
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Sennheiser CX True Wi-fi

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