### Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless Earphones: A Strong Contender in the Mid-Range TWS Market

Sennheiser’s consumer audio sector may be under new ownership, but this hasn’t stopped the company from introducing new products. The Sennheiser CX and CX Plus have recently been launched in India, competing with existing mid-range TWS options from Samsung, OnePlus, and Jabra. Today, I’m taking a look at the pricier and better-equipped of the two, the Sennheiser CX Plus true wireless earphones.

With an official price of Rs. 14,990 in India (with online retailers offering about Rs. 12,990), the Sennheiser CX Plus proves to be an impressive set of true wireless earphones. They come equipped with active noise cancellation, app support, and advanced features like the Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec, positioning them as a compelling choice under Rs. 15,000. But does the audio quality meet expectations? Let’s find out in this review.

The Sennheiser CX Plus is offered in black and white in India

A feature-packed pair of true wireless earphones

Sennheiser has long been a player in the personal audio industry, yet its true wireless offerings have not garnered much praise beyond the Momentum True Wireless 2. With the CX Plus, Sennheiser aims to carve a niche in the competitive mid-range TWS market, promising a host of features for its price point of Rs. 12,990.

Boasting a design reminiscent of the Sennheiser CX400BT, the CX Plus earphones are noticeably larger than rival devices in their price range, such as the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 and Jabra Elite 85t. The ear pieces are somewhat bulky, and the charging case is wider than competitors.

Available in two colors—white and black—the earphones maintain a good appearance despite their size. The outer surfaces of the earpieces are glossy, adorned with a Sennheiser logo and touch-sensitive controls for playback. The inner sections feature charging contact points and proximity sensors that automatically control music playback based on whether the earphones are being worn or removed.

Despite their slightly cumbersome design, I found the fit to be quite comfortable. While they protrude noticeably from the ears, they remained securely in place during activities like walking or climbing stairs, although the fit sometimes felt somewhat loose. The package includes four pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes, along with a short USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable. The earpieces are rated IPX4 for water resistance.

The Sennheiser CX Plus charging case is sizable, similar to the CX400BT, making it somewhat challenging to fit alongside other items like a phone or wallet in a pocket. The USB Type-C port is located on the back, and an LED indicator is situated on the front. Overall, the design maintains Sennheiser’s classic aesthetic for TWS earphones.

The touch controls on the Sennheiser CX Plus can be customized through the companion app. Users can manage playback, volume levels, ANC, and hear-through modes, as well as activate the default voice assistant on their paired devices using various tap gestures. I found these gestures to be reliable and appreciated the convenience they offered without the need to pull out my phone.

In addition to control customizations, the Sennheiser Smart Control companion app (available for iOS and Android) allows users to manage connected devices, adjust the equalizer, toggle ANC and hear-through modes, and more. It is user-friendly and effectively addresses nearly all functional needs for the earphones.

The earpieces of the Sennheiser CX Plus are somewhat bulky, making them feel a bit cumbersome during use

The Sennheiser CX Plus contains 7mm dynamic drivers and offers a frequency response from 5-21,000Hz. Connectivity is via Bluetooth 5, supporting SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codecs.

Battery performance on the Sennheiser CX Plus is respectable for the price. The earpieces operated for roughly five hours with ANC activated and at moderate volume levels. The case enhances total runtime by providing about two and a half additional charges, yielding an overall runtime of approximately 18 hours per charge cycle. This performance aligns with expectations for a TWS device in this price bracket, actually surpassing what I experienced with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 and being comparable to the OnePlus Buds Pro.

Excellent sound quality and ANC performance from the Sennheiser CX Plus

At a market price of Rs. 12,990, the Sennheiser CX Plus offers an impressive array of features including extensive customization, effective active noise cancellation, and, most importantly, superior sound quality for the investment. The support for Qualcomm aptX and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codecs enhances the audio experience when paired with compatible devices.

The Sennheiser CX Plus is straightforward in its true wireless functionality, and this is reflected in its sound delivery. Listening to «Living On Video (Claptone Remix)» by Trans-X was an exhilarating experience, with the earphones’ inherent tuning providing a potent sense of energy and drive. The bass features a slight boost, resulting in refined and enjoyable low frequencies. Mid-range frequencies were pronounced, while the treble was somewhat understated. I appreciated how well the Sennheiser CX Plus maintained the tempo of this track.

This agility and cohesion were also clear in other high-tempo, beat-driven songs like «Go» by The Chemical Brothers and «The Great Divide (Soundprank Remix)» by Velvetine. The sound was sharp and engaging, elevating the enjoyment of bass-heavy tracks.

Sound clarity and ANC effectiveness are impressive in the Sennheiser CX Plus

In the case of slower, more mellow tracks like «Opposite Ways» by Brasstracks, the Sennheiser CX Plus showcased the details in both the low and mid-range frequencies. The saxophone riffs complemented the hip-hop beats and vocal verses beautifully. While the tight, well-defined bass drew my attention, it was still easy to appreciate the multiple layers of this track.

This level of detail was even more apparent when using the Sennheiser CX Plus with an Android smartphone, which allowed it to leverage the Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec. Using an iPhone retained a similar sound profile and overall feel, but a difference in audio detail was discernible. I also utilized these earphones for audiobooks, and while the experience was satisfactory, the Sennheiser CX Plus is indeed primarily designed with music in mind.

The active noise cancellation (ANC) performance matches what I’ve experienced with other TWS earphones under Rs. 15,000. It is particularly optimized for indoor environments, where it effectively dampens sounds such as the hum of air conditioning and low chatter in communal areas.

The ANC on these earphones significantly improved the music listening experience, both indoors and outdoors, without negatively affecting audio quality. The hear-through function on the Sennheiser CX Plus was effective and a valuable feature in the app that allows users to decide whether audio playback should pause or continue when the hear-through mode is activated.

Connection stability on the Sennheiser CX Plus was commendable, with the earphones functioning well at distances of up to 4 meters from the source device. Call quality was decent indoors and satisfactory for brief conversations outdoors, though my voice sounded somewhat muffled to the caller in noisy urban settings.

Conclusion

After a period of relative silence in the mid-range true wireless market in India, the CX Plus signifies a robust comeback for the well-respected Sennheiser brand. These earphones are packed with features, deliver excellent sound quality, and are appropriately priced for what they provide, making them a strong option for anyone looking to spend around Rs. 15,000. This headset is tailored for music lovers, ideal for those who appreciate rich bass and detail in audio.

The earpieces and charging case of the Sennheiser CX Plus are somewhat large, but that’s the only notable downside. Effective ANC and a highly functional companion app are additional advantages, placing this TWS headset among my top recommendations in its price category. If you own a Samsung smartphone, you might also consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, or the OnePlus Buds Pro for a more budget-friendly option, but for all other scenarios, the Sennheiser CX Plus is the top pick.