Sennheiser RS 130 Wireless Surround Sound Headphones
by Sennheiser
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Our Price: $205.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sennheiser RS 130 Wireless Surround Sound Headphones
Customer Review: Leaves a lot to be desired
Summary: 3 Stars
I have had these headphonse now for around 6 months. After using them extensively, I feel qualified to give a good, experienced review. I use these nearly every night so as to not disturb my wife while I either watch a movie or play video games (which of course makes these headphones one of the best investments I have ever made, regardless of the rest of the review :) I have been a long time audiophile, having recorded 3 studio music albums and being an avid movie and gaming fan. I will try to be practical in my review, so lets get down to the dirt.
First, let's get it out of the way...the surround sound is a joke. All it does is add a spaciousness that leaves the sound thin, tinny, and underwhelming. Don't buy these for the surround. Period.
The sound is actually pretty nice. It is crisp and clean while playing music, but during movies, action scenes tend to feel a little overdriven and lack the clarity that my Sony wired headphones have. Honestly though, I really don't have any complaints with the sound quality and they perform as or better than I expected. The only problem actually lies with hiss produced by the wireless transmission.
The wireless aspect is mediocre. As this is my first pair of wireless headphones, I don't have anything to compare it to, but compared to wired headphones...well, there is no comparison. There is constantly a hiss in the background. Turning up the input volume while lowering the headphone volume will allow you to minimize the hiss, but it is always there, and of course if you turn up the input volume too much, you get distortion. Loud scenes or music will drown the hiss out, but during quiet scenes, the hiss is annoyingly present. Reception is also mediocre. I sit approximately 12 feet from the transmitter and I get intermittent static and at times I have to move my head around to get the reception to come in clearly (or as clearly as I can...hiss is always present). The reception remains pretty much the same, whether I am 10 feet from the transmitter or on the other side of the house (which is actually pretty impressive that I can be on the other side of the house and listen to music with no real degredation in the signal.) The auto seek function doesn't ever change the reception, so it is no help.
The headphones themselves are quite bulky and a bit silly looking while on your head (which of course affects nothing in regards to performance, but you still do look silly when the UPS guy comes to the door). All of the controls are on the rear of the headphones which for me causes a problem. I have a high back couch and if I am slouching into it (which I always am) the cushions have a tendecy to rub on the volume pots and turn it up or down, which can be painful if the volume suddenly skyrockets to max. This also occurs in my recliner where the back comes up above my head. This is a small complaint, but nonetheless an important feature to be aware of before buying.
All in all, this is a decent product although in retrospect I think I would have gone with a less expensive unit if I had been able to try these out first.
Customer Review: Watch out for the negative reviews!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've used my RS-130 for a month now and have no bad issues for this wireless headphone. I was a bit concerned about some of the negative comments posted here by a few, but after reading the "Lengthy" review given by one reviewer, I went ahead with the RS-130 based on that review.
I'm NOT disappointed! This reviewer was on target and accurate. The issue of "annoying beeps" is a bit ?retentive! The beeps can be deactivated in 2 seconds, and they are definitely informative.
The range IS NOT as advertised! I wall mounted my unit about 6 feet high on a wall after I placed it 2 inches from a media center USB drive and fried the 750 Gig WD drives firmware... Expensive lesson. Keep this wireless transmitter away from external USB drives! My range indoors on ground level separated by a kitchen full of metal appliances, a 10 inch concrete wall, a living room, bathroom, bedroom and Master bathroom (about 40 feet) is OK, but I must be in the right orientation. Anything less works without issue.
I READ the instructions on how to setup the sound level to the base! Leave the "SRS" switch off for this, otherwise it is difficult to determine if you are overdriving the input. Again, those posters with issues about this should have bothered to read the setup instructions.
The question about RS-130 VS RS-140 is pretty simple. Open ear Vs closed ear! If you want to hear surrounding sounds, go with the open ear RS-130. The 140 is a closed ear design and quiets surrounding sounds more than the 130.
Sound quality: This IS NOT an Audiophile quality headset! Period. The sound quality delivered via TV broadcast even in Digital Satellite quality is not very good! I would NEVER buy any wireless headset expecting Audiophile quality performance from TV broadcast sound. TV broadcast + $1000,00 Audiophile headset = stupid.
The TV sound via this wireless headset is Very Good! No hiss, no static, no popping, and a very occasional click that's BARELY noticeable rarely. I use mine regularly at 30 feet out. I'm pleased with this decision.
Sound quality from DVD or Sirius Sat. Radio: Excellent! But not Audiophile quality. If your used to listening to MP3's or whatever on < $50.00 ear buds you'll find this wireless headset very nice. Don't even try to compare this headphone to a wired "Sure" > $400 set of ear buds! (Or anything else)
Wireless headsets are task specific. The key feature is wireless, private listening! As such, the RS-130 does an outstanding job!
This is a rather large headset! If your a small person, < 110 Lbs or so, you may find this headset doesn't fit you snugly. It fits me really well extended to it's limit! (6'5, 290 Lbs. I wear an extra large hat.)
Con: The advertising on range needs to be more realistic and damages the Sennhaiser name. Line of sight outdoors, maybe... Who lives outdoors in a field? My house is 50' x 50' and it works from corner to corner indoors (See above)
Ignore the audiophile critiques about less than quality performance. They're comparing a $30,000 car to an $80,000+ Audi A8.
Customer Review: Remarkable Sound Reproduction
Summary: 5 Stars
Having had previous experience with Sennheiser products with excellent results I came to the RS 130s with high expectations. As expected the 130s did not disappoint.
The package arrived and the attention to detail became evident with opening the box. The headset is a tad bulky but the weight gives the feeling of sturdiness. Following the directions for the battery install was a breeze and I was up and running in just under 15 minutes. I was expecting to go 30 to 35. Once I put them on my head the phones were comfortable albeit a little warm after 30 minutes or so. The warmth was from the lack of air movement not from the electronics. Wearing them for full-length features has not been a problem. To wear them properly the controls end up on the back side of the head which has caused me to inadvertently turn the volume up and down when I kick back with my head against the couch. On one occasion it caused the phones to surf channels. You can reverse the phones without discomfort if that becomes bothersome.
I purchased these phones so I could stay up late Fridays watching war movies while the wonderful wife is asleep. In that department the RS 130s have been a real marriage saver! I can walk anywhere in the house with the volume cranked and she never hears a thing. I can even write reviews on Amazon while listening to the TV in the other room late at night.
The sound reproduction is excellent. Especially for a wireless headset. With the exception of an occasional hiss when I open the refrigerator, I'd never know I was not wired. I was very impressed with the sound quality and there is no noticeable distortion even at the highest volume setting. I have mixed feelings concerning the surround sound. It seems great on some shows and just so so on others. On one occasion while viewing TV and the surround enabled there was a noticeable buzz after each spoken word. The surround seems to work best while viewing Blu-Ray quality movies. I have not listened to a lot of music with the RS 130s as that is not why I purchased them, but given the reproduction with movies and TV I feel most would appreciate the quality.
The features on this set include 3 channel manual or auto-tuning signal, 330 ft. range, automatic level control, surround sound mode, and auto recharge with trickle charge. The phones come with a 2 year factory warranty. It should be noted that my research found these phones available in 864 MHz for a longer range (150M) or 926 MHz for a shorter range(100m). The phones sold by Amazon are the 926 MHz version so you can expect the range to be under 100 meters. I found excellent sound even outside the house and up to about 50 feet away before there was hiss that would interfere with listening.
Overall these are excellent phones for watching TV or movies without the hassle of being corded. They provide outstanding value and I feel they are well worth the money.
Customer Review: Expensive piece of crap
Summary: 1 Stars
Only rated 1 star because -5 is not an option!
Received these for Christmas- absolutely disappointed. These are headphones that a Dollar Store should be ashamed to sell. I have owned (and also sold) Sennheiser products for the last 30 years and been completely satisfied- which makes these pieces of crap even more disturbing.
Also disturbing is the fact these are made in China for most likely less than $3, and sold for well over $100 trading on the Sennheiser reputation.
Following are observations:
The manual- nothing on the base/transmitter/ charger works as described- probably a bad English translation from a Chinese writer who never even saw the headphones.
Also featured- NO CONTACT INFO of any kind- no support number, but then again, if I sold crap like this for so much, I wouldn't want to talk to customers either!
Design- no stereo balance adjustment, no manual tuning adjustment, cheap on/off switch- feels like it'll break tomorrow...
insufficient volume control; non-breathable ear cuffs- be prepared to sweat under there!
Sound Quality- NONE- will not function without the "surround" feature on (why even have a switch?)- you can't provide enough signal to drive it with a computer sound card, powered speakers, or component stereo system...and with 'surround' on the bass is extremely exaggerated
( sounds like one of those mini cars with the 5000 watt stereo and subwoofer with the windows rolled up and 20 feet away from you at a traffic light). This combines with a S/N ratio of what must be 2 and cutting out of one or both earpieces, ( and an annoying 'whoosh whoosh whoosh' as you move or turn your head...
RANGE: extremely limited- less than 10 feet without even more cutting out and noise ( as a matter of fact, cutting out LESS THAN 4 FEET from the transmitter (directly under it, down 1 floor). With this kind of range, what's the point of wireless?
15 years ago I owned a pair of $60 Recotons (no longer available) that were better designed ( receiver allowed ANY headphones to be plugged in, 100 ft + range, and NO signal quality problems, with sufficient volume range) that outperformed this by 10,000 to 1.
I've seen the other reviews, and I realize there must be something awfully wrong with this particular set, but with no contact info how do I proceed to fix it? And how will you? Are you willing to chance spending over $100 and get something THAT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL? And what, send it back for exchange and get another piece of junk?
I will certainly pursue satisfaction for this outrageous ripoff. And if I get it, I'll change the review, but for now it stands on my experience with the product. Recommendation: don't even consider buying this crap.
Customer Review: Everything I Expected
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned a set of Sennheiser HD-540's for several years and have always loved them. I never considered wireless 'phones, because the quality just wasn't up to snuff. I live in an apartment though, and stay up late at times, and don't like to offend my neighbors. Add in that I have a cat that likes to attack my headphone cord, and I have a reason to use wireless.
So, I read up on the various models available. It came down to the 130's and 140's, but I've always liked open-air cans, so I opted for the 130's.
I'm quite impressed at how far wireless 'phones have come. No, they aren't perfect. You occasionally get interference if you move around a lot, or go around a corner, but that's not what I use them for. I plant on my couch at night and play PS3 games. For this purpose they're outstanding.
I've been playing a lot of Fallout 3 lately, and even though I have a very good home theater system (I used to work in hi-fi), there are some things you pick up on head phones that you just never hear when listening to speakers. Yes, you lose the surround sound (I'm ignoring the pseudo-surround, SRS function of these, because I haven't heard a two speaker surround yet that sounds realistic), but you gain minute details, so it's a fair trade-off.
How do they sound? Well, they've got plenty of output capability. Gunfire on a video game could destroy your ears if you aren't careful! They have good balance. They are a little lacking in bass, but I expected as much from a battery powered headphone. Bass requires current. Little batteries can't provide much current. The mid-bass sounds fine though, and I respect the fact that Sennheiser opted for accuracy there instead of pumping it up to hide what's lacking in the low bass. Don't get me wrong, they have bass. It just lacks that visceral impact you get from a great speaker or subwoofer. The midrange is pleasant and voices sound natural. The high end is good, but not as airy or detailed as my 540's. I honestly expected a lot less from the treble. I expected a severe roll-off, like FM radio compared to compact disc, but that wasn't the case. There actually is a high end.
I have also listened to music on these. It sounds good, but it won't trick you into thinking you're listening to a $300 pair of corded 'phones. You're not. I paid $105 for these, which is about half what I paid for my 540's. They offer similar sound, but not the same sound. I prefer my 540's for music, so if I'm going to do some serious listening I opt for the corded 'phones.
If you're an audiophile, these won't meet your needs. People that think MP3 audio sounds good will probably think these are excellent. So, if you're a little less critical, and you want some freedom, they will get the job done.