Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed Oct 22, 2021 at 10:07am
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless

Track

0.0
Neutral Sound 
0.0
Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Calls 

Track

 1

The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless are the upgraded variant of the Sennheiser CX True Wireless. They have an improved continuous battery life, support aptX Adaptive codec, and have an active noise cancelling (ANC) system. However, aptX Adaptive is only available on some devices, and their ANC only does an okay job of blocking out ambient sound, so it may not be enough for noisy commutes. They also have a warm and bass-heavy default sound profile, although if you prefer a different sound, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can customize them to your liking.

Our Verdict

0.0
Neutral Sound 

The Sennheiser CX Plus are alright for neutral sound. Out of the box, they have a warm and bass-heavy sound profile that delivers extra boom to your mixes. However, vocals and lead instruments are dark and veiled in comparison, which may not be ideal if you listen to content like pop or podcasts. Luckily, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so you can adjust their sound to your liking.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets available via companion app.
Cons
  • Terrible passive soundstage.
0.0
Commute/Travel 

The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless are good for commute and travel. They're portable, well-built, and have a breathable as well as a fairly comfortable fit. They also have a continuous battery life of under seven hours, which should be enough for long trips on the road. However, while they have an ANC system, it struggles to block out the low rumbles of bus and plane engines.

Pros
  • Well-built design.
  • Very good battery performance.
Cons
  • ANC struggles to reduce bass-range noise.
0.0
Sports/Fitness 

The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless are great for sports and fitness. They have a fairly comfortable fit, are well-built, and are rated IPX4 for protection against splashes of water. They also have a lightweight and breathable design. However, they may fall out of your ears during more intense physical activity, and they're somewhat bulky.

Pros
  • Well-built design.
  • IPX4 rating.
  • Very good battery performance.
Cons
  • Terrible passive soundstage.
0.0
Office 

The Sennheiser CX Plus are okay for office use. They have a fairly comfortable fit and, thanks to their ANC system, they can help block out chatty coworkers around you. They also don't leak very much audio at high volumes and have a well-built design with easy-to-use controls. However, their 6.8-hour continuous battery life may not be enough to get you through your workday without pausing to recharge them.

Pros
  • Well-built design.
  • Very good battery performance.
  • ANC can help block out ambient chatter.
Cons
  • Terrible passive soundstage.
  • No multi-device pairing.
0.0
Wireless Gaming 

The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs. However, their latency is likely too high to be suitable for gaming.

0.0
Wired Gaming 

The Sennheiser CX Plus are Bluetooth-only headphones, and you can't use them wired.

0.0
Phone Calls 

The Sennheiser CX Plus are passable for phone calls. The integrated mic has a sub-par recording quality, so your voice sounds thin, muffled, and lacking in body. The mic also struggles to separate your voice from moderate ambient noise, which could be a bit frustrating if you're taking calls on the go. That said, the earbuds have an ANC system that can block out a fair amount of background noise.

Pros
  • Well-built design.
  • ANC can help block out ambient chatter.
Cons
  • Sub-par recording quality.
  • Mic struggles to separate your voice from moderate background noise.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Oct 22, 2021: Review published.
    2.  Updated Oct 18, 2021: Early access published.
    3.  Updated Oct 04, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
    4.  Updated Sep 27, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.

    Check Price

    BlackCX Plus
    SEE PRICE
    B&H
    Special Design EditionCX Plus SE
    SEE PRICE
    Amazon.com
    WhiteCX Plus
    SEE PRICE
    Amazon.com

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Sennheiser CX Plus are the upgraded variant of the Sennheiser CX True Wireless and come with active noise cancelling (ANC), a longer continuous battery life, and aptX Adaptive codec support. They come in two color variants: 'Black' and 'White'. We tested the Black variant, and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussion section below, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless are the upgraded variant of the Sennheiser CX True Wireless. They have a couple of advantages over their base-model counterpart, like an ANC system and aptX Adaptive codec support, but they still fall a bit short compared to other competitors. Unlike the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless, their ANC struggles to block out bass-range like bus engines. They also aren't as comfortable as the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless, and their default sound profile isn't as well-balanced. That said, their companion app offers customization features like a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to your needs.

    Check out our recommendations for the best true wireless earbuds, the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, and the best earbuds and in-ear headphones.

    Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless

    Track

    The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless are somewhat better in-ears than the Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless. While both are comfortable and well-built, the CX Plus have a slightly better noise isolation performance, a longer continuous battery life, and they have a 'Transparent Hearing' feature, which allows you to better hear your surroundings without turning off your audio. They also support aptX Adaptive codec.

    Sennheiser CX True Wireless

    Track

    The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless are the upgraded variant of the Sennheiser CX True Wireless and offer a slightly better overall performance. While both are fairly comfortable and well-built, the Plus have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have active noise cancelling, and while they outperform the base model, they only do an okay job of blocking out noise. The Plus also have a significantly better battery performance, and they support aptX Adaptive codec.

    Samsung Galaxy Buds2

    Track

    The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 have a slight edge over the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless. The Samsung are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can block out a superior amount of ambient noise. However, the Sennheiser are better built, have a significantly better battery performance, and their companion app has a graphic EQ, meaning you can fine-tune their sound to your liking. They also support aptX Adaptive codec.

    Apple AirPods Pro

    Track

    The Apple AirPods Pro are better in-ears than the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have a virtual soundstage feature and can significantly block out more ambient noise around you. However, the Sennheiser have a better battery performance, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. They also support aptX Adaptive codec.

    Show more 
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!
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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedIn-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedTruly Wireless
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedN/A
    PRTF Distance
    LockedN/A
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
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    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedYes
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
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    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedLock ms
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Android Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedN/A
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedN/A

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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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