Sennheiser RS 140 Wireless HiFi Headphone with Dynamic Compression System
by Sennheiser
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sennheiser RS 140 Wireless HiFi Headphone with Dynamic Compression System
Customer Review: Good for TV but maybe not music
Summary: 4 Stars
When my old Sennheiser corded headphones finally died (after 20+ years), I decided I would go for a cordless model this time. I trusted Sennheiser for top-notch headphones, so I went with the RS-140.
I bought these headphones primarily for listening to TV through my stereo system, so that the main speakers could be turned off. I found the sound quality for TV sound to be very good. Speech is very easy to understand, and stereo separation is excellent. (As a matter of fact, now that I'm encouraged to use headphones more often, I've found the audio quality of my analog cable TV stations to be severely wanting!)
But when I tried listening to music (CD's, etc.) I was less impressed. The unit seems to apply some amount of "compression" or volume-leveling, even when the compression feature is turned off. (With it turned on, the sound quality deteriorates markedly.) This gave the music an unnatural sound, nothing like a regular wired headphone would provide.
There's also an amount of background hiss added almost all the time, from barely noticable to objectionable, depending on the volume of the music and the setting of the volume dial on the source. I found I had to turn up the volume on the source to achieve a decent sound in the headphones without getting too much hiss.
And when you move your head to certain orientations (even when only 10 feet from the transmitter), the hiss increases and decreases, comparable to a weak FM station on your car radio. I guess that's the nature of dealing with the limitations of FM transmission.
I do like the fact I can walk around my house and listen just about anywhere, without the restriction of a cord. I've experienced no interference problems (I have a lot of wireless devices in my home), which is good.
The headphones are somewhat large in size, but comfortable. Sound isolation (from external noise) is very good, so they work nice when you're, say, vacuuming the carpet.
All in all, a decent set of headphones with good tonal range and a sturdy design. I just wish they went to a stronger transmitter and/or digital transmission to get away from the FM hiss.
Customer Review: Without interference, they're quite nice!
Summary: 4 Stars
These headphones seemed a little pricey to me (read: I'm cheap, errr, frugal), but I figured "Hey, you've got to pay for mobility." and that was a true. I'm happy with the choice of these cans.
While I'm not a hardcore audiophile, I will spend a bit more to get out of that 'flat sound' range of audio equipment and though these headphones won't provide you with the full-depth sound you'll get from a nice pair of speakers (comparing to my Klipsch Desktops), but they will provide a rich satisfying sound that is will please most listeners.
The range is decent in my many-walled maze apartment, but there is enough static to annoy while doing the dishes (say 30 ft away from base) on certain occasions, which gets me to my only real complaint.
These things can be quite awful when overloaded with interference from a neighbors phone -- OR -- they're great spy devices if you manage to tune to the same channel as their phone. I had to reel in my voyeuristic side after I realized I could pick up my neighbor's phone conversations clear as day on my Senn's. Sitting at my desk with the base, and tuned to a different channel, all is clear--which is also the case throughout most of my apartment.
The unit does have some non-features like an incredibly annoying set of beeps when a signal becomes too weak (or quiet) for some period of time. I've thought about it, and am still looking for a good explanation of this feature. The volume leveling is also questionable. The slight delay makes it noticeably annoying on occasion. I assume this is more for the TV watching crowd to combat commercials. I just wish there was a way to turn these things off.
Oh, and the dials are a little too easy to turn, so my balance can get out of whack but the dial does have a little 'catch' that makes it quite easy to put back in place.
So, long story short, these things are neighbor-approved, and apartment-wandering-music-listening-gamer approved as well, if you can tolerate a bit of static at range.
Customer Review: Advisable to pay for quality
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first started using this headphone and experienced the static(inevitable with wireless headphones when it is a considerable distance away from the transmitter)in my favourite spot at my patio outside, I began to doubt my judgement for buying a rather expensive set, and the prompting of another reviewer urging us to go for a cheaper set began to haunt me, as I was rather dissappointed. But then I changed the channel from 1 to 2, and then to 3. Bingo!! The static vanished!! That is when I began to feel happy for paying a stiffer price, in order to own a quality product. Now I can also enjoy my music sitting outside in the porch, instead of being cooped-up in the house all the time.
In front of the tv the sound is almost as good as the wired Sennheiser 280 which I also own. I do not mind sacrificing a little, for the slight difference in the quality of sound, as I am considerably compensated in terms of the freedon of movement that only a wireless headphone can provide! Now, mostly during the news hour, I move around to the adjoining kitchen and bathroom, upstairs to my bedroom, loosing very few words, (due to the inevitable static at some spots) from the mouth of the narrator( I suffer from moderate hearing loss, and have to use a headphone in order to catch all that is being narrated). Besides, by moving around, and taking my eyes off of the t.v., I can give my tired old eyes some rest!!(i.e.instead of being glued to the screen all the time).
There is some exaggeration as to the reception of upto the distance of 150 feet. 100 feet is the maximum figure.
May I also add, this CLOSED-EARCUP headphone, keeps out most of the spoken and fidgeted noises made by others in the same room, and beyond.
And cutting out the high-pitched voice of a nagging, cantankerous spouse is an added advantage!! Yippee!! Big problem solved!!
I am extremely pleased with these sets, and as always SENNHEISER NEVER LETS YOU DOWN!! I am also very happy with Sennheiser PX100 which are great value for the price.
Customer Review: Good (not great) set of headphones
Summary: 4 Stars
I am a big user of my p.c. Gaming and listening to music in particular. I wanted a a pair of cordless headphones that would satisfy both interests.
I did an incredible amount of searching and reading various product reviews until I was led to this set of headphones.
I believe my expectations may have been to high because after receiving them, I am a little underwhelmed.
Don't get me wrong, these are very good headphones but not for listening to music. Gaming, they are o.k. but they don't impress me to the point where I am "WOW, these are REALLY GOOD headphones". They are merely just o.k., not bad.
They lack the delivery of mid to low end sound. Hardly any bass to speak of. Even with adjustments to the settings on the base unit and adjusting various settings on my p.c., I could not get the low end boosted enough without major distortion.
These are simply marginal for enjoying music. T.V. and movie watching, maybe, I haven't tried those applications but DEFINATELY not for music.
These are extremely easy to set up and use. But, they do get slightly uncomfortable after an extended period of time wearing them.
There is a fair amount of hiss but I am able to greatly minimize it with the adjustment of the volume on the headphones and the p.c. itself.
The strength of signal that is advertised is misleading. No matter which channel I select, if I got up and walked around, I would get static and a decrease of signal strength. This, is with the base unit on top of my desk and me walking less than 50 ft. with an unimpeded path for the signal.
I know this review mainly comes off sounding negative but let me empahasize, these are really good headphones. The technology may just not be there yet for using this type of headphones for listening to music and moving around while enjoying great sound.
If that is the application you want to purchase these for, I wouldn't recommend them.
Customer Review: I guess it's good for wireless
Summary: 3 Stars
I recently received these for Christmas and I've been using them everyday for the past week. I'm using them right now as a matter of fact. I gave these 3 stars because they work well enough for my purposes, but I'm certainly underwhelmed.
I wanted wireless headphones because my old wired pair really kept me tied to my desk. It was irritating having to adjust the wire every time I wanted to turn left or right. It's good having the RS140 because now I can move freely around my room. However, leaving my room is another story. I tried wearing these into the bathroom across the hall from my room (20ft away I'm guessing), but the hiss becomes ridiculous. You can still hear your content but you can't really enjoy it. Even now sitting at my desk about 2 ft away from the transmitter I'm getting hiss. Yes, I've tried using the tuner button and frequency switch but the hiss always remains. I don't care that much because I'm not one of those picky audiophiles. If you are, don't buy these.
Regarding it's physical design... well it's certainly a lot bigger than I imagined from the picture online. I guess I made the mistake of assuming they would be similar in size to my old headphones. No the RS140 is quite large. When I look at myself in the mirror while wearing these, it's pretty comical.
Another thing, I really wouldn't wear these while lying on your back. The volume, tuner and balance buttons are on the back of the right ear. If you lie down, you'll almost certainly press those buttons.
As I said, I just wanted wireless speakers so I could move freely in a limited area (my room is roughly 10' by 12'). These work well enough for that. If that is your reason too, you can consider these. However, there are cheaper ones both from Sennheiser (the RS120 comes to mind) and other brands. Really I recommend you give those a chance first. If they stink, exchange them for this. For you audiophiles, don't consider these. They'll just angry you up.