Selection Guide
Sennheiser RS 160
Simple but very good-sounding wireless headphones, the Sennheiser RS 160 system uses KLEER digital wireless transmission for quality noise-free wireless audio with long-range transmission ability. The job is only half-done with a great wireless link and Sennheiser delivers excellent sound quality with these full-size headphones. The RS160 headphones are a 'sealed-back' around-the-ear design offering mild isolation from environmental noise which also helps prevent the person next to you from hearing headphone 'leakage' -- important for not disturbing the spouse or cubicle mate!
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Product Features:
- Great 'bang-for-the-buck' wireless headphone value
- Easy set-up even for 'non-techies' and folks averse to electronics!
- Closed-back earcup construction provides mild ambient noise isolation
- Perfect choice for wire-free TV watching and home theatre movies
- Headphones automatically recharge on base station when not in use
- Free 2-year Sennheiser manufacturer's warranty
What's In The Box:
- Wireless Headphones
- Wireless Base-Station
- Multi-Country AC Wall Adaptor
- Headphone Charging Cable
- Detachable Audio Cable with 1/8 Inch Connectors
- (2) AAA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries
Applications:
Don't let the simplicity of use and attractive price of this upscale wireless system fool you: it sounds pretty GREAT! Sennheiser has long made very good-sounding headphones at all prices, and we've been quite pleased with their line of wireless headphones using KLEER digital signal transmission. The RS160 is the least expensive Sennheiser model offering KLEER technology delivering an unfettered 120ft walkabout range and very good, smooth sound quality. In the recent past, wireless headphones have been plagued with noisy transmission that interfere with quality listening and speech or dialogue intelligibility. KLEER is a cutting-edge third-party provider of CD-equivalent (16-bit/44.1kHz) digital audio wireless transmission technology. Sennheiser employs the proprietary KLEER microchips in the RS160 system to deliver true high-definition, no-wires audio quality with very low power consumption demands while allowing for multiple wireless headphones to be used simultaneously from one single base. KLEER technology will also automatically and instantly tune the transmitter & receiver to the clearest available wireless transmission channel it can find, thereby eschewing localized RF interference sources that may be present in your local vicinity. Extremely good price-to-performance and highly recommended in the wireless category under $200.
The least expensive digital wireless system in the Sennheiser 'RS' line, the RS160 has a simple round base station included that will take your TV audio signal input via a 1/8" [3.5mm] mini-plug cable (provided), and will run either on two AA batteries for portable operation, OR can be powered by the included multi-country AC wall adapter. The RS 160 base station includes a volume control to prevent clipping from an overly loud or high-level external source, and the headphones provide a volume control and mute switch mounted on one earcup for listening convenience. The Sennheiser HDR-160 headphones included are a 'sealed-back' earcup construction so they will provide some isolation from outside noises as you enjoy your TV, movies, or music in peace; the seal also prevents sound leakage from the headphones so that the person next to you on the sofa or in bed won't have to endure your audio. Each earpiece accepts one [1] rechargeable AAA battery (included) and the 'phones will run for about 24 hours. Recharge time is 16 hours from completely empty to full. They will transmit up to 60ft on 2.4-2.8gHz as the system 'auto-selects' the clearest possible wireless channel. Run-time is about 24 hours per full charge.
Specifications:
- Connector Type: Other
- Weight: 8 ounces (headphones only)
- Cord Length: N/A
- Cord Type: Cordless
- Coupler Size: Large
- Ear Coupler Type: Full-Size
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Headphone Type: Full Size
- Manufacturer Warranty: 2 Years
- Wireless: Yes
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- Sennheiser USA
- Product Reviews
- Playback Magazine, Chris Martens
Average Rating
Posted by Jimmmm on 2012-05-10
Recommend Product: Yes
8 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Posted by JHR from West Michigan on 2010-03-22
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Light weight, comfortable, good sound, excellent range
Cons: Slightly awkward recharging system, but not a show stopper at all
My wife and both use wireless headphones and own several sets made by Sennheiser, JVC, Phillips, Koss, and others. The RS-160 headphones utilize a digitized RF signal, and have far superior sound quality, unsurpassed transmission range, and clearly improved signal reliability than anything else we have tried. These RS-160 headphones are not quite the sonic equal of my AudioTechnica ATH-M-50 or AKG K-240 headphones, but considering you are paying for the transmitter-receiver and battery charging circuits and extra hardware associated therewith, the sound quality measures up to the cost.
They are the sonic equal of the more costly RS-170 headphones (which we also own), but have a slightly shorter transmitting range distance, and lack some of additional conveniences and features of the higher model, such as surround sound and selectable enhanced bass.boost, which explains the slightly higher cost of that model. But these are well worth the price.
These wireless headphones sound clear, bright, and fairly well balanced across the audible frequency spectrum, and are an obvious improvement over previous Sennheiser wireless headphones.
The only negative I might mention is you must plug in a DC power cable into the headphones to recharge the receiver batteries, whereas other the Sennheiser models include a more convenient recharging stand. Whether this is sufficient to induce you to spend the extra few dollars for the RS-170s, is your call. If not, maybe the fact the model RS-170 sports additional features, such as bass-boost, and surround sound, and greater transmission range, will induce you to spring for the next model in the line-up. I feel both models offer good value for their respective costs.
One very cool feature is the RS-160 headphones work with the RS-170 and RS-180 transmitters, and vice versa. This means you can buy multiple sets and activate more than one sound source without having to unplug and transfer the transmitter to the other sound source. My wife and I use one transmitter on the stereo system for music, and another on a computer to listen to old time radio programs streaming audio on the internet. That obviates our having to move the transmitter between sound sources whenever we change sources. Very cool, indeed. (You can do this with older Sennheiser headphones, also.) Otherwise, you can order an extra pair without having to order an extra transmitter. Either way, you win.
The mot important advantage is the superior transmission range compared to any other headphones we have tried. Our other wireless headphones all use analog 900MHz RF (radio frequency) signals, and suffer from much shorter effective transmitter range, and are plagued by aggravating drop-outs and annoying hiss from RF/EM interference as we move about the premises. These headphones use a digitized RF signal and have a far greater transmission ranges, with far superior resistance to drop-outs and are free from RFI and EMI (i.e., radio frequency and electromagnetic interference.) Now, we roam all over the house while listening to our favorite music and radio programs. The RS-160 transmitter covers the while house (a 40x60 foot two story home) - and the RS-170 transmitter has an even greater effective range,.
Bravo ! - They are a bit pricey - but well worth it, and quite reasonable considering their improved performance. I have finally ended my long search for good sounding, highly reliable, consistent wireless headphones.
That is MY take, anyway.... James R in Michigan.
269 out of 275 people found this review helpful. Did you?
