Like many true wireless earbuds manufacturers, Sennheiser offers active noise cancellation (ANC) — but until now it hadn’t done so in its affordable CX line. The new Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless earbuds come in at a price of $179.95.
While that price may not register as super-budget-friendly to everyone, it’s on the lower end in the world of premium Sennheiser audio products. The company’s lower-end CX True Wireless earbuds announced earlier this year — without ANC, among other features — cost $129. Its premium Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds, with ANC and other bells and whistles, go for $300.
Other recent releases of affordable ANC earbuds we’ve seen are Razer Hammerhead for $129; OnePlus Buds Pro for $149; and Anker Life P3 for $79.99.
Sennheiser CX Plus: ANC and more
In addition to noise cancellation, the CX Plus buds offer a transparent hearing mode. It uses microphones to let some ambient sound pass through the audio mix so you can hear a bit more of what’s going on around you when you need to.
On-board touch controls help you play music, take calls and use a voice assistant without handling your phone. Unlike the CX True Wireless buds, the CX Plus set includes a Smart Pause feature that automatically pauses audio when you take the buds out of your ears. That feature used to be exclusive to the Momentum True Wireless 2.
The CX Plus have an IPX4 resistance to splashing water. They have two mics per earbud. Their battery life is quoted as 24 hours when used with the charging case. That’s compared to 27 hours for the cheaper CX and 28 for the Momentum 2.
Codec support
The CX Plus earbuds support SBC, AAC, AptX, and AptX Adaptive codecs. You can control the buds with touch controls. You can customize those as well as the equalizer settings. In addition, each earbud can be used on its own (which is one way CX Plus beats Momentum 2; only the right premium bud can go it alone).
Sennheiser has a reputation for good sound quality. It said its TrueResponse transducers lets the CX Plus offer “audiophile technology” in “everyday” earbuds. The company noted it built the acoustic setup for more expensive earphones, designing it for “high-fidelity stereo sound” that offers “deep basses, natural mids and clear, detailed treble.”
Sennheiser’s CX Plus True Wireless earbuds, available in black or white colors, go on sale on September 28.
Price: $179.95
Where to buy: Sennheiser
