Customer Ratings & Reviews

We bought these for a family member so he could watch TV without making everyone else have to listen to the loud volume. They are easy to operate and cured the loud TV issue.

Not universal hook up for the money it should be universal was told it was to find out I needed to buy something extra

They didn't work for me, had a buzz every time I put them on sent them back.

Thought I’d be getting great audio quality for these based on brand reputation and price point. The audio quality is quite poor.

Did not work, no power to the device. Also they felt really cheap.

Originally purchased a unit from another Company. Very disappointed. Sound dropped out when I turned my head. Lost sound when I left the room. RS 175 works perfectly.

NOTE: This review was originally posted on another well-known shopping site on the web shortly after my purchase in 2015. I originally started shopping for wireless headphones to find something better than the so-called TV ears that a member of my immediate family who suffers from hearing loss had been using with some success. This inevitably brought me to the fine line of quality wireless headphones available from the German company Sennheiser and I had first thought about purchasing a just recently discontinued RS 170 or RS 180 model without an optical connection – analog only (As of 05/30/2015, the RS 180 was still only $199.99 at Crutchfield online with free shipping and 60-day returns). But then why spend about $200.00 on technology that is essentially 12 to 14 years old when the absolutely latest thing from Sennheiser (models RS 165, RS 175, RS 185 and RS 195) is available for just a little bit more? Out of this latest line of Sennheiser wireless headphones with a two-year warranty it is this model – the closed-back RS 175 – that I eventually ended up purchasing from Crutchfield online. Pricing was exactly the same as it is here on Best Buy (about $280.00). However, by using my Discover card (5% rebate and 90-day price match guarantee – lowest price seen 2 weeks later was $233.97) I was able to ultimately get my pair of brand new headphones for only $219.97 with free shipping, no sales tax and 60-day returns. I agree with CNET.com and their excellent review of the Sennheiser RS 175 that it is this specific model that gives you the most bang for your buck; it is the most cost-effective model in this product line. There is a big difference in moving from the RS 165 to the RS 175 in that the transmission distance of the RS 165 is only rated at about 90 feet while the RS 175 and other models are still functional at a distance of about 300 feet. The RS 175 also adds a low/high surround sound capability which the RS 165 (bass boost feature only) does not have. The differences in moving to a pricier model beyond the RS 175 are not that significant, in my opinion. Whether the open-back (not as sound isolating) RS 185 with the addition of manual/automatic level control features (MLC/ALC) and a balance control located on the headset is worth an additional $90.00 premium (best current price of about $370.00) above the RS 175 is something that only you can decide. At a cost of about $170.00 more than the RS 175, the top-of-the-line RS 195 closed-back model includes all of the aforementioned features of the RS 185 and adds 7 presets to tailor sound to individual hearing requirements as well as separate “speech” and “music” modes. Initial setup of these RS 175 headphones was extremely simple. The most time-consuming step was waiting for the batteries located in the two headphone ear-cups to complete their initial charging process which takes about 18 hours; subsequent full recharging of the headphones should only take about 8 hours. The operating time with fully charged headphones is claimed to be up to 18 hours until recharging is required. Both analog and optical/digital connection options are available. You can choose to use both connections (say for a TV and a stereo system) and then toggle between the two at your leisure using the sliding switch provided for this purpose on the back of the headphone transmitter. So far I have only opted to connect my television via the included 1.5 m long optical cable (don’t forget to remove both clear protective plastic end caps before using) and the optical input on the headphone transmitter which ensures optimum performance. If the cable is too short for your needs, you can always subsequently purchase a 3 m long cable like I did for about $10.00 (Digital Optical Audio Toslink Cable - 9.8 Feet [3 Meters] ). Note that the appropriate output on the back of your TV or other device may not be labelled as an optical output: Mine is actually called the digital audio output, but it is definitely what is needed to make the proper connection. The unique shape of the optical connector (it really can only fit in one place) will help you figure out just where it needs to go, assuming that you have an appropriate output available and don’t need to make an analog connection. If you do make an optical/digital audio connection to your TV, be sure to go into the appropriate settings menu before first using the headphones to set the optical/digital audio output mode to PCM (pulse-code modulation). Don’t leave it on automatic or some other setting. This is specifically required in the 15-language Sennheiser instruction manual on CD that comes with the headphones! As far as the user experience itself is concerned, these comfortable headphones with the easily adjustable headband are just what I was looking for. The member of my family who is hard of hearing has noticed a day and night difference in his ability to not only hear, but more importantly distinguish and understand speech when using these wonderfully isolating closed-back headphones. There is virtually no sound leakage in or out. He remains happily occupied in his own little world watching TV while now being able to understand essentially everything. This was not the case with the previously mentioned TV ears that cost less than $100.00 when purchased. Other people in the same room can simultaneously watch the TV in the usual manner – without headphones. Everybody’s happy. The quality of the sound that emanates from these headphones when using an optical connection is truly amazing! There is absolutely no hissing or other distracting sound – only that which needs to be heard and nothing more. The bass boost setting is quite useful for music and can be activated on-the fly when needed by using the touch controls located on the outside of the right ear-cup (bass boost, surround sound, volume +/-) near where the on/off button for the headphones is found. The surround sound setting (off, low and high available) does create a more immersive sound experience when activated; I personally prefer the low setting and usually have the headphones set in this manner when I use them. Additional bass boost and surround sound controls, each with a separate indicator light that glows green when activated, are also found on the front of the headphone transmitter upon which the headphones are placed when not in use and for recharging. The transmission distance with these headphones is excellent: I am able to walk anywhere throughout my 1600 square foot ranch home without any signal loss whatsoever; the same holds true when I am in either my front or back yards. I have the headphone transmitter base located near my Roku 4 in the living room and there is absolutely no interference when streaming and simultaneously using the Sennheiser headphones. However, I should note that I have my Roku 4 set to stream at 5.0 GHz on my dual-band AC router. There may or may not be a problem if your WiFi network with connected devices located near the Sennheiser transmitter is set to function in the 2.4 to 2.8 GHz range which is used by the headphones. You’ll just have to try it and see what happens. If necessary, appropriate device relocation - a greater distance of separation - should resolve any difficulties. Overall my hearing-impaired family member and I have been exceedingly pleased with our listening experience when using these Sennheiser RS 175, closed-back, wireless headphones of impressive quality. If you too would like to experience a most enjoyable, crystal-clear earful when partaking of diverse auditory pleasures during your leisure time, I can recommend them most highly and without any reservations whatsoever.

Love this product. Sound is incredible!! Awesome surround and acoustics.

Amazing to have these wireless headphones. Easy set up and has transformed my TV viewing life with a newborn! A friend recommended this model to me, and I am very happy so far.

I have wanted these for a long time. Great sound. Manual says distance is 300 ft. for wireless. More like 30 ft. Disappointed with that.

These headphones are terrific, big improvement over my Sony.

Great set of headphones! Helpful for those that need an extra boost of sound without blasting the speakers for everyone else. Clear sound and easy set-up.

a great item at a great price and highly recommend it .

Happy so far with the Sennheiser headphones. Sound is good, a little low on bass. Good wireless range. Much easier to use / connect with my new receiver than the Bose 35's.

My husband has been using this product for about 5 weeks and so far thoroughly happy! I hope he is happy for a long time!!!!

These headphone are simply amazing, from the surround sound quality to the easy and quick set up. Honestly one the best purchase made

Great sound reproduction, but the headphones squeezed my ears too tightly although I have an average head size. Returned item because they were uncomfortable.

not for audiophiles or anyone who appreciates high quality audio, but good for kids 15 and under etc

My husband and I absolutely love these headphones use them for watching movies and when the other person has gone to bed early they are amazing

These earphones have great sound and have worked great. Somewhat expensive for an old lady but definitely a tech improvement from my previous one.