Sennheiser RS 160 RF Wireless Headphones

Review Updated on 5/11/16:I have used the headphones almost daily as I live with my parents and they get really annoyed when I use my speakers. That is about 1000 days of 1/2 hour to 4 hours of usage.These are great wireless headphones from sennheiser.-----------------------Pros:1-Sound quality is amazing for a wireless headphone. It sounds alot better than the Bose Bluetooth headphones that I own and some sound systems I have heard. The base is very strong during base heavy music but does not muddy up the rest of the music. This is a huge issue I noticed in many high end portable speakers and in many stock car audio systems. The mids sound clear and powerful. The highs sound great also.1.5- These are closed back headphones so others should not hear the sound. I notice that some sound leaks out and others nearby can hear can some of the sound.1.6- There is no static. These sound like good quality wired headphones.2- These headphones are very comfortable as they have a lot of padding and they are loose. I can wear them for a couple of hours. -I have found many headphones to be tight including a set of portable Bluetooth sennheiser headphones that I used to own. I have replaced the portable headphone with the Bose Bluetooth headphones which are more comfortable. I have also turned down other headphones in the past due to them being too tight and uncomfortable. -The downside with loose headphones is that they can fall off your head if you move around a lot. These headphones are best for sitting at a desk or couch. NOT working out or doing yard work.2.5- The pads on the headphones are removable. This is good as you can buy replacements if they become damaged. I am noticing some small tears on mine. This is not unexpected considering how much I use them.3- range is pretty good. You can walk around the house and still have perfect reception. you may not receive good reception if you take the headphones outside.4-the transmitter runs off of A/C power or 2 AA batteries which make it versatile. Also there is an additional volume control on it. this may be confusing at first but it became handy for me. I use my headphones with my A/V receiver when i don't want the speakers playing. i like to leave my receiver on a specific for the speakers (which is medium) while the headphones i like on low. the volume knob on the headphone's transmitter lets me adjust the volume outside of the receiver so i can leave my just receiver on medium and yet have a different volume coming in to my headphones.5- This headphone uses any AAA(2) you want to use. I purchased 4 high quality enloop rechargeable AAAs. I keep the extra two on a charger so I can swap them easily when the one on my headphone discharges (typically weekly).6- Value. I purchased them used for $160 used. Now they are $85 used or $110 used. WOW. I never have seen high quality wireless headphones for a low price. I have seen lower priced wireless headphones (I'm not talking about Bluetooth) but they were complete garbage. They were stiff, extremely uncomfortable, and had terrible sound (static sounds and poor sound quality). Don't buy the cheaper ones.--------------------Cons:1-the headphones do not automatically shut off when they are hooked up to an A/V receiver after not being used for a while even after the AV receiver is no longer turned on. This is a HUUUUUUGGGEEE pain because if you forget to turn off the headphones the battery will wear down.1.5- Once a week I go to watch a video and the sound cuts out. This means I have to stop what I am doing and change the batteries right away. I am starting to wish I got the model with the charging base.2- I the past I said the controls were nice to have. The controls on here are volume up, down, and power. These controls are terrible as its tough to pick out each button by touch. The volume down is almost impossible to find by touch. I use the controls on my keyboard and receiver to control the volume as its a lot easier.3- I was tired of just having my headphones lay around on my desk when I am not using them. They get in the way sometimes. I ended up getting a nice aluminum headphone stand. I could have avoided the additional purchase by buying a higher end model as they come with a stand.-----------------Overall:These are great sounding and comfortable wireless headphones best used at home for a TV or Computer.I hope you found my review helpful. I almost never write a review or spend this much time when I do but I use and like these headphones so much I figured I would do a long review this time.

Below is my evaluation after having used them regularly for about 60 days.SUMMARY:Before buying these headphones I did a great deal of research on the available options out there, looking at factors such as cost, comfort, performance, clarity, noise leakage, usage time between charges, and the type of power source. My primary purpose for these headphones was to watch TV in bed, without disturbing my wife. These do the job admirably and have performed very well to date, although they could get a 5 star rating from me, with a few small improvements.USAGE:Using these for the first time is simple, once you get them out of the nearly impenetrable and difficult to open plastic package. Simply plug in the transmitter to a regular A/C power source (or use batteries instead, if you prefer), and then plug in the 3.5mm audio cable into your TV's Audio Out slot. Then press the power button on the transmitter (it has a blinking green light once it is on). There is also volume control on the transmitter, which can increase or decrease the max volume on your headset.The headset is easy to operate. Install two AAA batteries, one in each ear piece (see the photo showing one of the battery compartments). Then install the earpiece cushion covers, which turn slightly to lock in place. [Note: There are two AAA rechargeable batteries in the package - but you can also use regular alkaline AAA batteries instead, if you prefer.] Now just press and hold the power button on the headset until the green light on the outside of the right ear piece lights up. [Note: That little green light also alerts to you if you have a low battery, by blinking faster when the battery is running low.] The volume on your TV will NOT impact the volume on your headphones. Accordingly, you can turn your volume all the way down on your TV, if desired (the TV volume works independently of the headphones, so if the headset is being used by one person, other person(s) not wearing headphones can listen at a different volume).Now the headset should be functioning and ready to go. If it is not operating, check to verify the following: (1) That you have the 3.5mm audio cable from the transmitter in the Audio Out slot (many TVs have an Audio In slot as well, so it can be easy to plug in to the wrong receptacle by accident). (2) That the AAA batteries are in correctly, and that the green light on the outside of the headset is blinking slowly. (3) Verify that the transmitter is on by looking for it's green flashing light. Unlike the headset, the transmitter has an auto-off feature, and may turn itself off if it is either inactive for some time.PROS:Sound: Excellent. No complaints whatsoever.Volume: Good volume range, with a mute feature (it mutes if you press the volume down button after getting to the lowest volume setting). Only oddity is the volume on both the transmitter and the headset (see the CONS below for more info on this). There are separate Volume Up and Volume Down buttons on the right earpiece, one on each side of the power button (see attached photo). Unlike some older 900mhz wireless headsets, the transmitter does NOT cut out and give you loud static if there is a low volume in the TV broadcast. Instead, it transmits as much or as little sound as being broadcast on your media (like your TV's built in speaker).Ease of Use: Good. Press and hold the power button on the headphones until the green light flashes, and do the same on the transmitter. Now ready to use. To turn off, just press and hold the power button on the headphones until the green light stops flashing. You can also turn off the transmitter manually if desired, or you can just let it turn itself off.Clarity: Excellent. No popping or distortion at all, just as clear as a wired headset.Range: Good. The range is perfect for a bedroom or living room setting. However, if you walk more than about 20-30 feet away, the sound may cut out temporarily (you have more range if you have direct line of sight without any obstructions, and less range if you walk into a garage or have multiple rooms between you and the transmitter). The nice thing is that unlike older 900mhz wireless headsets, you do NOT get any loud noises when you go out of range. Instead, the headset simply goes silent until you get back in range, and then resumes on its own once you are back in range.Comfort: Very good. The headset can easily adjust on both the left and right side, for those with larger heads. The over-ear pads are soft and easily conform to your head. The only minor issue is that the standard earpiece cushion looks like thin faux leather, and can be a little bit warm and sweaty after using for an hour or two (see the CONS below for an explanation of this issue, and the easy solution).Battery Life: Good. The batteries last about 2 weeks if you use them for a couple hours each day. Battery life is not quite as long life as with some older 900mhz units, but then again, the quality of sound in the RS160 headset is completely worth it. Battery life would likely be better if the headset used AA batteries instead of AAA, but that would also add weight, so hard to say if it would be worth it. Replacing batteries is a 30 second affair, just gently twist the earpiece cushions to pop them off, and replace both of the AAA batteries (one on each side).CONS:Button Function & Placement: The volume up and down buttons work fine, but even though the Volume Up button is slightly larger than the Volume Down button, it is easy to hit the wrong button by accident (especially if you don't have tiny child-size fingers). What makes this worse is that Sennheiser has put the power button in the same spot, such that you can hit the power button by accident. [Note: There is a SLIGHT imprint on the power button that you can feel if you pay attention, but it is very easy to press a volume button together or instead since the buttons are small and a little too close together.] IMHO, the headset would be far easier to use if the power button were either moved further away from the volume buttons, or if it were merely an On/Off switch.Transmitter Auto-Off: This is the only wireless headset I have had which has a transmitter that needs to be turned on every single time you use the headset. Why does the transmitter turn itself off at all if it is plugged in? IMHO, it would be far better if Sennheiser just deleted the auto-off feature, or used a traditional On/Off power button.Lack of any Headset Auto-Off: Unlike the transmitter, which is plugged in, it would make sense for the headset to have an auto-off feature when there is no transmission for a period of time (say, an hour). However, there is no auto-off feature on the headset. With it being difficult to know for certain if you hit the power button to turn the headset off (such as when you fall asleep with the headphones on), it is easy to accidentally leave the headset on for hours/days, running down the battery.Transmitter Volume Adjustment: Really don't understand why there is a volume adjustment on the transmitter. If you increase the volume on the transmitter, it increases the max volume and min volume on the headset. Why not just give the headset more range of volume on its own and ditch the separate transmitter volume???Sub-Par Material on the Ear Pads: The standard earpiece cushions look like thin faux leather. I have seen this material deteriorate over time on other similar products, and based on the other reviews I see here, apparently this occurs over time with the standard RS160 ear pads as well. However, more importantly, the earpiece cushions get a little bit warm and sweaty after using them for an hour or two. However, you can order the  Genuine Replacement Ear pads SENNHEISER RS180 HDR180 Ear cushions Foam Earpad  as perfect fit replacement, and get the superb velour earpiece cushions from the more expensive RS180 Sennheiser headset instead (they are a little pricey, but are worth the price).BOTTOM LINE:Very good product with excellent sound, clarity and comfort. Glad that I purchased them, and would do so again. While the Sennheiser RS160 has some minor drawbacks, in my opinion it is still the best option in this price range.

Un producto que realmente vale la pena por su calidad y precio, lastima que ya no lo estan fabricando...

La sensazione di ascolto in cuffia è molto soggettiva ed è difficile fare confronti assoluti, tuttavia è noto che (a parità di prezzo) la qualità delle cuffie wireless è sempre inferiore a quella delle cuffie con cavo.Prima della RS160 ho avuto altre due cuffie wireless; la AKG K912 (RF) e la Philips SBH7000 (BT).La K912, come molte cuffie a radiofrequenza, ha un’ottima portata (50-100 m in campo libero) ed una qualità discreta. Ma necessita sempre di una base ingombrante attaccata alla corrente; e poi c’è sempre il fruscio di fondo delle cuffie RF.La Philips è una cuffia Bluetooh buona per ascoltare un po’ di musica in treno o in autobus, ma lasciamo perdere l’alta fedeltà… Tutte le volte che volevo sentire musica la sera tardi rispolveravo la mia fedele AKG K301, che dopo vent’anni suona ancora da favola!Poi un mese fa ho scoperto la tecnologia Kleer (audio digitale non compresso) e mi sono incuriosito.Ma non volevo spendere una cifra troppo alta temendo un’altra delusione; così quando ho visto la RS160 a metà prezzo (ora c’è il modello nuovo RS165) non ho resistito e mi sono deciso.Dire che è stata una rivelazione è dire poco… finalmente ho trovato una cuffia che è quasi confrontabile con la mia AKG 301 con cavo, anche se il suono è appena meno “aperto”.Ma niente a che vedere con quelle a radiofrequenza (suono chiuso e fruscio di sottofondo) e BT di pari prezzo (suono ancora più chiuso). Comodissima anche dopo diverse ore di ascolto…….Altra cosa utile è che il trasmettitore può essere alimentato anche con due stilo (normali o ricaricabili); quindi non siete vincolati ad una presa di corrente. Potete infilarvi in tasca telefono e trasmettitore ed usarla anche fuori casa. A questo prezzo (80 euro) c’è una sola definizione : IMPERDIBILE!

Bought these a month ago and they work excellent. The sound quality is amazing and the headphones have a good range. The battery life is good. I can go a few days before I have to charge the headphones. Unfortunately, it doesn't support digital (toslink) so I had to purchase a converter for that. However, the sound quality is still amazing. The headset is very comfortable and I can wear them for hours without any trouble. My partner wears glasses and also has no problem wearing the headset for hours. Sound doesn't leak out and background noise happening around you doesn't spill in. I've never had a problem hearing anything even when other people were chatting or watching something else in the same room. Range of volume is also very good and I have never been wanting for more or less. I would highly recommend these headphones! If you intend to use them for a TV with only a toslink audio connection, make sure to also purchase a converter for that. They're relatively cheap.

C'est le 4ème que j'achète (3 à titre professionnel) les 3 premier sont encore en état de marche avec une utilisation intensive (+de 10H par jour), le seul hic c'est qu'au bout de 4 ans les piles rechargeables livrées avec le produit ne tiennent plus la charge et les vis commencent à se dévisser, tout ceci n'étant pas grave, car les piles sont standard (AAA) et les vis sont de forme cruciforme.Autre point la portée, dans un appartement ou une maison d'environ 100m² vous pouvez largement envisager de faire le ménage en hifi sans fil ! la portée est excellente (radio) et la qualité du son exceptionnelle que ce soit à 1 mètre ou à 20.Voilà, s'il y a avait 1 casque sans fil à acheter ce serait bien celui là !

I watch tv on wireless headsets from a few years now, had a sony one before which was good but has been giving performance issues now after 3 years which was expected. I took time checking different headsets and ultimately ordered this one and i find this product fantastic and must buy for users like me. Few features i like about this is - Long battery life, Rechargeable Batteries, excellent range, Multiple headsets can be added too.