Sennheiser Wireless Earphones…

…Or to be more precise, Sennheiser wireless earphones are among the most often named favorites. The RS130, and 140 consistently rank high among consumers and pros alike with prices in the sub-$200’s. You can pay almost $400 for the 180’s if you want some mega bells and whistles, but most people (and their wallets) are happy with the 130 or 140 models.

While tastes, preferences, and tolerances vary, generally most people who purchased either the RS130 or RS140 were pleased with the sound quality. Audiophiles found both models deliver clear crisp sound, even if a bit shy at the extremes.

The 130’s open-back sound that has made Sennheiser famous is barely distinguishable from their wired 580, the model normally preferred by people who are picky when it comes to sound quality. The sound is open, smooth, warm and well balanced.

The closed-back 140’s with simulated surround sound, have a similar quality that is generally typical of wired closed cans. Some people prefer the enhanced isolation of the 140. This may be particularly true for the hearing impaired or office workers, where stray ambient noises can be annoying. Or it may be the person next to you who is glad you have the enhanced isolation if your tastes in music run counter to theirs.

Sennheiser RS 130 Wireless Surround Sound HeadphonesBoth Sennheiser wireless models are luxuriously comfortable with top-notch controls. Ease of use is another big plus. When you hang up the Senn headphones, they automatically turn off and recharge. Both the 130 and 140 also feature one-button auto memory tuning. No fussing around trying to find just the right spot for the best reception or trying to remember where that spot was.

While you may notice faint hissing at low musical interludes and sometimes some popping interference (that’s the nature of the beast with wireless) you can improve or eliminate it by making some adjustments:

• 1.Boost the source volume higher
• 2.Test the base unit in various locations. Just moving it a couple feet higher can make all the difference.
• 3.Experiment with the different frequency channels. If you live in a congested area, you’re more likely to experience interference from wi-fi and the plethora of other wireless devices. Changing to a clear channel could eliminate the problem.

You may also notice some fade or surge in signal if you walk from room to room or you go outdoors depending on the level of radio frequency pollution – most definitely if you’re living in a wi-fi jungle. But in the average mostly quiet suburban neighborhood you’re unlikely to experience any significant problems.

These Sennheiser wireless headphones are the best bang for the buck, if you have reasonable expectations about the limitations of low cost wireless headphones. They offer impressive overall performance for the $100 plus range. Otherwise, you’re welcome to spend $390 for the RS180’s.