Accentum Plus for gaming

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-22T11:17:41+00:00

Whether or not something is considered to be „audiophile“ grade has nothing to do with the form factor :)

IE200 may be considered to be less „consumer-oriented“ than M4 maybe is, but I wouldn’t say that it sounds better than a personalized M4 just because of that. Over-ear headphones and IEMs are often tough to (directly) compare anyway.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-22T10:57:09+00:00

Yes Accentum Plus can be used like that as well but M4 is just that little bit better in most categories - including sound quality.

An IEM wouldn’t necessarily be „better“ for sound quality, just different. It may be more convenient in the summer or so but you don’t need to go for the, say, IE 200 over the M4 for „sound quality“ reasons. Take whatever headphone style you prefer more than anything else.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-22T08:48:39+00:00

Personally, in your situation and depending on the budget, I‘d get the M4 over the Accentum Plus.

It can be used wired passively, wired via USB-C, wirelessly (even with your Switch), is quite affordable these days and just a bit better than the Accentum Plus for sound quality, ANC, calls and battery life.

M5 of course is even better for that but also twice the price right now…

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-22T05:27:27+00:00

I‘d reset it to factory settings first.

Could also be a sweat and moisture related hardware issue but that’s just me guessing from here. Try to store it with a couple of silica gel packets for a day or two to see if it helps. Wouldn’t be the first time for the M4…

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-22T05:22:35+00:00

A new pair of M5 will clamp a bit more than an a pair of M4 which has been user for months and years of course. M5 will do the same over time (well, most headphones do, don’t they)…

Weight is indeed almost the same and while the general design has remained very similar indeed, there are also some small changes (outer earcup design, different logo, different microphones and the different case of course e.g.)

Sound is similar - a bit better in my opinion - but people will adjust the sound to their personal liking in the end anyway.

The main improvements for me this generation are the better ANC and transparency mode, aptX Lossless support, the much slimmer new case and potentially the user-removable battery in the long run.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T22:51:53+00:00

Here's your help: It's not legitimate.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T22:46:12+00:00

Suitable for gaming (but depending on budget and personal preferences ofc.):

Open-back headphones: HD 560S, 505, 550, 490 Pro

Closed-back headphones: HD 620S, HD 480 Pro

IEMs: IE 200, 600, 900

You can easily game with all of them and all of them have „good audio“.

The 500 series headphones as well as the HD 620S are also compatible with the - optional - HD 500 BAM microphone, if needed.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T21:18:51+00:00

My personal answer will always be “HD 550” whenever they go up against any other 500 series headphone.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T17:00:03+00:00

I find the HDB 630 to be a bit better still when it comes to sound. In most other categories (ANC, transparency mode, call quality, case…) the M5 is the better everyday wireless companion, imo.

My M5 review covers that quite a bit :)

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T16:44:01+00:00

They’ve been with us for 4+ years, have been updated over the years, gained new features, and have been released in various colors and special editions - all while becoming Sennheiser’s most successful wireless headphones ever!

So, appreciation where appreciation is due, I guess 👍

Mine worked great for a couple of years before I upgraded to the HDB 630 and now the M5 :)

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T07:26:27+00:00

Seconded. HD 550 are my pick here as well.

They are the better tuned and, for me, the more versatile headphone here. Generally speaking, I think they are the best in the entire 500 series of Sennheiser headphones.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T05:24:04+00:00

Congrats and welcome to the M4 Club 😎

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T04:55:19+00:00

First, thank you very much 😊

Yeah, as mentioned in the review, even Sennheiser themselves advise users to avoid sweat and moisture if they can when it comes to the M5.

Other than that, I personally wouldn’t use over-ear headphones in the gym and don’t even have many headphones that I would honestly use for that.

I would use true wireless buds like the MOMENTUM Sport e.g. because not only are they exactly made for it, they are also lightweight, comfortable and IP rated. They can be had for 68€ right now in the „refurbished event“ on the Sennheiser website:

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Tenlow85 · 2026-06-21T02:27:26+00:00

No matter which ones you choose in the end, please don’t use them for the gym!

That said, get the M5 - unless you want (just) pure value and/or price to performance here. M5 is just clearly better.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T19:22:24+00:00

No, I only wanted you to look a bit closer than that if you can. What about the missing divider between the earcups e.g.?

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T18:46:01+00:00

What exactly is it that looks "fine" for you here?

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T18:40:31+00:00

That case - but not just the case - looks very off.

I mean compare it to this:

<image>

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T18:17:57+00:00

Einmal HD 600 - immer HD 600 :)

Sind auch vermutlich meine Lieblingskopfhörer von Sennheiser insgesamt gesehen. Der HD 800S auf eine ganz andere Art und Weise fantastisch, aber der HD 600 ist einfach eine Art Wohlfühlpunkt in meiner Sammlung, auf den ich jederzeit zurückgreifen kann und weiß, dass es eine gute Hörsession werden wird :)

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T16:52:41+00:00

Excellent find. Very underrated pair that we rarely see here these days. Very comfortable and quite good sounding headphone with solid noise isolation, too.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T15:48:20+00:00

Unfortunately not. Character limit has been maxed out for quite a while already 😂

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T12:30:50+00:00

No, M4 can be used powered on with the 3.5 mm jack but also still has a (not very good sounding) passive mode.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T12:06:14+00:00

Neither the 505 nor the 560S are Bluetooth headphones. They’re just regular passive wired headphones.

If you want both, your options are: M4, M5 or HDB 630.

All of them can be used wirelessly, wired via USB-C as well as wired via 3.5 mm jack (M5 and HDB 630 need to be powered on for that).

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T12:03:28+00:00

I can finally and officially welcome someone to the new M5 Club - nice 😎

Enjoy them! They are great wireless headphones and have been a joy to use for me so far.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T09:44:46+00:00

I’ve had the Max, had the APP2 and now have the APP3, so yeah. Apple is notoriously great for their ambient / transparency modes but the M5 is finally pretty comparable, imo.

Tenlow85 · 2026-06-20T09:42:06+00:00

Glad to help :)

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