 At last... wireless sound worth bragging about |
| Review Date: December 1, 2005 |
| Reviewer: J. hanson, California |
Audio choices are obviously very personal, so I hesitate to recommend anything too strongly here. Tastes and tolerances differ so greatly, and wireless audio products really seem to push those differences. Maybe some of my needs and wants will match yours, maybe not, but please consider my thoughts here in light of the many personal qualifiers that I add. Those qualifiers may or may not relate well to your own situation. By the way, my apologies in advance for such a long review, but I really appreciate details when researching audio gear. I thought you might, too.
BACKGROUND
I'm about as picky as they come when sound is the issue. I have a small home recording studio and 30 years of experience as a semi-pro musician (jazz, rock, classical, country). That said, I approach every musical equipment purchase with thorough research and comparison. Since I already have good wired phones (Senn 280s, Audio Technica M50s, and others) in my studio, I wanted some wireless cans mostly for moving around the house and yard while listening to music from my home stereo system, kind of a self-indulgent luxury. I've read enough to know that any wireless models using a radio signal (the best type of signal if you'll be in a different room than the transmitter) will produce some hiss and pop on occasion. I accepted this fact before buying. Still, I decided I would not accept something else: poor sound quality, in a musical sense. Two of the sub-$200 phones with rather consistently high reviews (in magazines and online) were the Senn 130 and 140 models. So I ordered both models to compare them in the privacy of my home. (I paid about $115 for the RS-130 and $135 for the RS-140; be patient because the prices here fluctuate often.)
TEST EQUIPMENT
A 100-watt/channel JVC receiver and JVC CD player--both typical (low-end) home stereo components. To suit my personal tastes for EQ, I boosted some at 16 kHz (to add air to the highs) and at 60 Hz (to add depth to the lows).
FOR MUSIC NOT TV
I've used these cans mostly for listening to music, which usually masks any low-grade background noise. TV use, with its emphasis on dialogue, would be demanding in other ways, so I'd defer to other reviewers for feedback concerning that application.
POINT OF REFERENCE
The entry-level price for a decent set of wired (corded) cans is roughly $100. The price of these wireless Senns, especially the 130s, isn't much more.
LIKES
Musically, both models sound as good as I'd hoped except for their shy response at the extremes (see Test Equipment above). Still, when I've been wearing them while working outside, I sometimes have to stop what I'm doing, raise the volume, and just listen for a while. They sound that good. I wouldn't use them in my studio, but considering the low price and mobility, I'm very satisfied. As I'd read, the open-back 130s sound (and look) a bit like Senn's popular 580 audiophile (wired) model--open, smooth, warm, and most of all, pretty well balanced. The closed-back 140s have a similar sound, maybe a bit boxier, overall, as is typical of closed cans. I think that some folks (such as heavy rock n' rollers, rappers, computer gamers, the hearing impaired, and even office workers) might prefer the 140s for their enhanced isolation, but I found the 130s, which offer the spacious open-back sound that made Senn famous, to provide the flatest, truest sound, overall. After a lot of back and forth listening to verify my impressions, I kept the 130s. The 140s would be a perfectly acceptable alternative, though. The differences are minor.
Both models are cushy comfortable, and the features and controls are top-notch. I've never liked surround-sound simulations and the like, so I can't comment on that feature (130s). But I find everything very simple to use, and all works fine. Like easy? Hang these Senns up and they turn off and charge automatically. Press a button and they tune their reception and then memorize it, also automatically. The reception's very good, too, after I improved it significantly by moving the transmitter unit to a slightly higher shelf and trying the different freq-channel options. Remember this if you buy. Also remember to boost the source volume plenty so that the phones receive a strong signal. (By the way, I've read that you may experience greater interference noise if you live in a congested area. I don't.)
DISLIKES
No review would be complete without some criticism and warning, so here's mine. Above all, choosing musical equipment involves personal tastes, which vary greatly, so try to listen before buying. Trust your own ears. If you do buy either Senn wireless model, you should expect some hiss and pop and hum at times, usually just when you move around, but almost certainly if you head outside or into another room far from the base unit. (The stated spec of "up to 150 meters" seems laughable.) You may even notice the sound strengthen and weaken on occasion. In this price range, at least, I think you'll need to accept such reception problems or else stay with wired cans. Period. Wireless freedom is never perfect, is it? Beyond that, I wish these cans were as snug-fitting as my Senn 280s, which grip my head tightly. These wireless phones are like light pillows, very comfortable since they sit 'around' the ears (not 'on' the ears), but I'd bet that some folks with smaller heads could find them to be a bit loose when walking around. And finally, another obvious point--bad or good, depending on your situation--is that the 130s (which I prefer in terms of smoother, truer sound) are open-air cans, meaning that you'll hear your family if in the same room. That's good for staying in contact but bad if you want to get away from outside noise. The closed 140s are certainly better for blocking out a barking dog or not disturbing a nearby loved one.
COMMENT ABOUT INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS
If you're not already totally sick of me, you can check out my reaction to the interference problems that some users report here. (Click on 'Comments' below.)
OVERALL
All in all, both models of these phones admirably meet my picky expectations although being realistic about the limits of low-cost wireless sound was a necessary starting point. Nah, these wireless phones aren't perfect, and they're certainly no match for good wired cans, but I think they offer impressive overall performance for $100 plus change. An enthusiastic '4 and a 1/2 stars' and a lot of brag from me. Well done, Senn. Happy listening, all.
P.S. TO ANYONE WITH HEARING LOSS
If you have reduced hearing, particularly in one ear, you should probably choose the RS-140 model. The addition of the closed back (for isolation), L-R balance control, and compression switch (to equalize the overall volume) could be helpful.
NEED MORE RESEARCH?
Head over to "Consumer Search" online for a master summary of pro and consumer reviews of wireless headphones, including these. (The Senns do very well.)
UPDATE
A quick 2009 update, more than three years of almost daily use later: no surprises, no regrets, and the original batteries are still kicking. I stand by my review fully. I did find one time that the headphones didn't work, but a quick jiggle of the audio input in the base unit brought them back to life. True, as some folks have noted, there is indeed annoying interference at times but usually just when moving around in another room or outdoors. That's only a minor limitation for me but clearly a deal-breaker for some people (although some of them, I suspect, haven't boosted the source volume enough). But the surprisingly good music quality and thoughtful design at this low price point is the real story here for me and my primarily musical needs. If you eventually decide to give the Senns a try, just be sure that you can easily return them if they don't fit your own needs and limits. I typically return about half of the audio equipment I buy, even after thorough research, and have learned the value of a simple return policy. Good luck to you.
DISCLAIMER (SUMMER 2010)
I notice that the price has nearly doubled since I wrote my review, and that would change things for me. If I had this much to spend on wireless cans, I'd likely opt for Senn's new RS-180 model instead. |
Wonderful Product
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| Review Date: April 9, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Mzkitty48, Vancouver, WA |
| Sennheiser is an old and trusted name when it comes to headphones. I purchased the wireless RS140 because I have a hearing loss and do not want to wear my hearing aids all day long. I primarily wanted them so I wouldn't have to turn up the tv to understand what was being said. After I hooked them up, I turned them on and only had to adjust the volume. I found I could walk around my apartment go into other rooms and not miss a word. The sound is perfect. |
Man oh Man!!!
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| Review Date: May 1, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Larry Sanchez, Delhi, CA United States |
| I purchased a Bose wired "Triport" headphones to replace my 5 year old Sennheisler wireless... Thinking I can't go wrong..A wire connection has to be better, Right? Wrong! I gave the Bose away to my kid and purchases the Sennheisler RS140 wireless...There is no comparison... It's not even in the same league....The sound is unbelievable!!!! |
Excellent wireless headphones
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| Review Date: March 23, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Gregory Law, Warner Robins GA |
I purchased the Sennheiser RS-140 wireless headphones several months ago to get rid of the rat tangle with wired headphones. I have a hearing loss in both ears and typically watch television and listen to music with headphones to avoid annoying the neighbors, so wireless headphones are a much better option since I have more freedom to move about.
I have been extremely pleased with the comfort and sound of the Sennheiser RS-140 headphones. I do not hear any hiss or pop while moving around inside, although I do hear some hiss and dropouts if I am outside several feet away from the transmitter. I have literally worn these headphones all day without recharging them and they remain quite comfortable.
These headphones do have a few caveats, however. I have a neighbor with a wireless device that sometimes interferes with the headphones, although changing channels solves the problem. The balance and volume controls are on the back of the right can so laying on a couch, sitting in high-backed chair, or propping your head against a pillow may inadvertently change either or both controls. Even so, I find having the volume control easily accessible is very convenient. |
Tip to Minimize Hiss
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| Review Date: June 15, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Eric J., |
I've only had these headphones for a few days, but I'm very pleased with them so far. Initially, I found that there was noticeable hiss in the background when I had the transmitter plugged into the headphone jack on my TV. But when I plugged the transmitter into the audio output jacks on the back of the TV, which provides a stronger output signal, the hiss was reduced to the point where it is no longer an issue. A stronger input to the headphones allows you to lower the volume control on the headphones, which greatly reduces hiss on lower volume audio content. (There is an LED on the unit which alerts you to a low input signal.)
The headphones sound quite good and they're comfortable (for me). They have very good reception in the same room as the transmitter. I was able to maintain good reception when walking around to other rooms, but there was some expected occasional noise. All in all, I'm pleased with the reception since I bought these headphones to eliminate the use of a cord while in the same room. |
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