Google Pixel Buds 2a / Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless

Google Pixel Buds 2a: Pixel Buds 2a in-ear earbuds with a USB-C charging case; the Fog, Berry, Iris and Hazel colours share the same hardware. The Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel Buds Pro 2 are separate models.

Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless: ACCENTUM Plus Wireless around-ear wireless headphones; black (700176) and white (700177). The cheaper ACCENTUM Wireless and the higher-end MOMENTUM 4 are separate models.

SpecificationGoogle Pixel Buds 2aSennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless
Release year20252024
TypeIn-ear true wireless; wing-tip stabiliser, four ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) GoogleHeadband, around-the-ear (circum-aural) wireless headphones; fold flat

Sennheiser promises a light, ergonomic fit with a soft silicone inner headband and cushioned earcups; folded flat it measures about 16.5 × 19.5 × 4.8 cm.

Sennheiser
ProcessorGoogle Tensor A1 in each earbud Google—
Driver11 mm dynamic driver Google37 mm dynamic; 10 Hz–22 kHz; 106 dB SPL; THD below 0.3%

Sennheiser says the driver is mounted at an angle. Impedance is 560 ohms in active mode and 95 ohms in passive (wired, powered off) mode.

Sennheiser
Noise cancellingActive noise cancellation (Silent Seal 1.5); transparency mode; active in-ear pressure relief

Pressure relief adjusts pressure in the ear canal to reduce the blocked feeling of a sealed in-ear design.

Google		Hybrid adaptive ANC; Transparency mode; automatic anti-wind mode

Hybrid ANC measures noise with microphones both outside and inside the earcup; the adaptive version changes the cancellation strength automatically with ambient noise. Transparency mode lets outside sound in with a touch.

Sennheiser
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.4; pairs with Bluetooth 4.0+ devices

Full features need an Android 6.0+ phone and a Google account; on iPhone basic listening works but app settings are unavailable.

Google		—
CallsTwo microphones per earbud; Bluetooth super wideband; Clear Calling; wind-blocking mesh

Super wideband carries a wider audio range on calls with compatible Pixel phones.

Google		—
BatteryANC on: 7 hours (20 hours with case); ANC off: 10 hours (27 hours with case); 5 minutes of charging gives 1 hour Google800 mAh lithium-ion; up to 50 hours with ANC on; full charge about 3.5 hours; 5 hours from 10 minutes

Sennheiser measured the 50 hours with an iPhone at medium volume; charging is via USB-C at 5 V, up to 700 mA.

Sennheiser
Charging caseUSB-C charging; no wireless charging listed Google—
DurabilityEarbuds IP54, case IPX4

IP54 protects against dust and splashing water; the earbuds are not designed to be submerged.

Google		—
SensorsCapacitive touch controls; IR proximity sensor for in-ear detection; Hall sensor in the case Google—
Size and weightEarbud 23.1 × 16.0 × 17.8 mm, 4.7 g; case 50.0 × 24.5 × 57.2 mm, 47.6 g with earbuds Google—
UpdatesAutomatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store Google—
ColoursFog, Berry, Iris, Hazel Google—
Bluetooth and codecs—Bluetooth 5.2, class 1; SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

aptX Adaptive is a Qualcomm codec that adjusts bitrate to link quality on compatible devices.

Sennheiser
Controls and sensors—Touchpad on the right earcup; dedicated pairing button; Smart Pause when removed

Tap plays or pauses, sliding up and down sets volume, and swiping sideways skips tracks or answers calls.

Sennheiser
Microphones—Two MEMS microphones with beamforming for noise reduction; 50 Hz–8 kHz Sennheiser
App—Sennheiser Smart Control (iOS and Android); 5-band equaliser, presets, Sound Personalization

Sound Personalization adjusts the sound to the user with a listening test developed with the Fraunhofer Institute.

Sennheiser
In the box—Headphones, USB-C charging cable, carry case, auxiliary (3.5 mm) audio cable, quick guide Sennheiser
Weight—227 g Sennheiser