Pioneer SE-DIR800C
Manufacturer: Pioneer North America Part number: SE-DIR800C
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Pioneer SE-DIR800C noise-free wireless headphones are the first we've seen to feature Dolby Headphone processing--and they sound great.
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CNET editors' review
Pioneer SE-DIR800C price range: $234.99 - $261.99
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: David Carnoy
- Reviewed on: 10/06/2005
- Released on: 01/15/2005
The good: Noise-free, infrared wireless headphones; Dolby Headphone mode; Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, and DTS processing; versatile connectivity options; transmitter/charger base works with corded headphones too.
The bad: They're pricey.
The bottom line: The Pioneer SE-DIR800C noise-free wireless headphones are the first we've seen to feature Dolby Headphone processing--and they sound great.
The Pioneer SE-DIR800Cs weigh just 8 ounces--pretty light for full-size headphones--and we found the self-adjusting headband made for a very comfortable listening experience over many hours of use. The transmitter/charger base houses the system's electronics, as well as the controls to select your surround decoding format of choice: Dolby Digital, DTS (for surround-encoded DVDs), or Dolby Pro Logic II (for a matrixed surround effect from stereo music or older movies). The DIR800Cs also offer a Dolby Headphone mode, which is discussed in greater detail below. Three inputs cover every connectivity contingency: RCA stereo analog inputs, plus optical and coaxial digital inputs to connect with your DVD player and A/V receiver. We're not sure why it's there, but the base has a headphone output jack that you can use with corded headphones. As for batteries, the headphones use two AA nickel-metal hydride cells, which you recharge using the base unit. The headphones' left earcup has a volume control button for adjusting the sound level.
We've tested more than a few headphones with onboard Dolby Digital and DTS surround, but these Pioneers are the first equipped with Dolby Headphone, which offers the potential for more realistic surround effects. Dolby Headphone enhances audio originating from multichannel sources (Dolby Digital and DTS), surround-enhanced stereo (Dolby Pro Logic II), and even those in two-channel stereo. The processing is adjustable over three settings: DH1 simulates the sound of a small room; DH2 sounds like an average-size room; and DH3 recreates the acoustics of a small movie theater. We preferred DH2 because it was the most natural to our ears. Traditionalists can turn off the surround processing and listen in standard, nonenhanced stereo as well.
The Blue Man Group's The Complex Rock Tour Live DVD sounded fantastic over the SE-DIR800Cs. The band's hard-hitting dynamics came through loud and clear, and the crowd's ambience appeared further back, behind us. We're not about to claim Dolby Headphone duplicates the enveloping sound of a 5.1-channel speaker array, but it's far more speakerlike than stereo. In fact, once we were engrossed in the movie, we forgot the sound was coming over headphones. The sound was extremely clear, but if we had one criticism of the DIR800Cs, we would have wished for a little more bass.
Next, we tried the Goldmember DVD to see if the disc's DTS-encoded, surround mix would decode via Dolby Headphone. No problem; it was just as convincing as Dolby Digital. So it was on to CDs--again, we were impressed. The headphones' "open" quality brought out the best in rock, jazz, and classical CDs.
To reiterate, the DIR800Cs' sound was indeed noise-free, so long as we stayed within range of the transmitter; we heard minor crackling sounds only when we started moving out of line of sight. That's better than every wireless headphone we've tested other than Sony's MDR-DS4000s. Overall, however, the Pioneer SE-DIR800Cs sounded clearer, played louder, and had more and better bass than the MDR-DS4000s. They even bested the sound we were getting from our Grado SR125 corded headphones in that the DIR800Cs were more open, with their sound less stuck inside your head. That's not to say you can't still get better sound from corded headphones, but performancewise, these Pioneers certainly rate near the top of the current crop of wireless surround headphones.
User reviews
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The best ear phones I have heard and worn period.
by skaarj on November 9, 2005
Pros: Very comfortable. Excellent sound. 3 inputs. 2 outputs.
Cons: Price $249 at etronics. But better than $399 most places.
Summary: I finally put down the $249 for these phones in anticipation of very late nights playing xbox 360 with good sound.
I have a set of so called surround ear ...Summary: I finally put down the $249 for these phones in anticipation of very late nights playing xbox 360 with good sound.
I have a set of so called surround ear phones from panasonic. I also have tried Sony and other brands which claim surround sound. I was very doubtful if there was such a thing as sorround sound in a pair of earphones. Especially dolby digital, DTS, or pro logic.
These earphones changed my mind immediately after listening to some movies built for sound such as the Star Wars saga and Toy story.
All I could do was sit on my couch with a smile on my face. The sound was absolutely amazing from the movies using digital input. The analog input signal from regular TV was also decent.
The minijack for wired phones allowing simultaneous listening with both wired and wireless is a nice bonus in order to injoy late night movies or games with a friend without waking the wife. My wired phones even sounded better after plugging into the transmitter.
It still amazes me how these earphones can simulate very accurate 5.1 surround. After watching Star Wars for a little while last night I forgot I was wearing the comfortable phones and actually tried to turn down my 5.1 surround reciever with the remote. I began smiling again when I realized the reciever was not on.11 out of 11 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Discount hard to find!!!
by sirstrider on March 2, 2006
Pros: to come...
Cons: too come...
Summary: Etronics is out. Searched over 30 locations, best price I could find (in stock) was $329.00 at "http://www.brightandsleek.com/Pioneer_SEDIR800C_SE_DIR800C_p/sedir800c.htm"
So, I'm trusting Steve ...Summary: Etronics is out. Searched over 30 locations, best price I could find (in stock) was $329.00 at "http://www.brightandsleek.com/Pioneer_SEDIR800C_SE_DIR800C_p/sedir800c.htm"
So, I'm trusting Steve Guttenberg and all the fine reviews here and elseware and have ordered them. Will update when I get them -- I am assuming my rating will go up once I have compaired them to my wired Sennheiser HD 280 Pro's that I love.
To think that they were going for $249 for months...Updated
Raise my score to 9.0!!!
I wanted to up my previous score of 8 to a 9. They do everything advertised.
First off, they don't break up. I returned some Sony MDR's because they were constantly breaking up. These are solid. I went into the kitchen, about 9 meters from the transmitter, ducked behind my center stand and microwave, and they didn't lose a beat. Next, I went behind them, behind a wall towards my garage. Apparently, even reflections keep it going. I was way around the corner before they dropped out. So, 10 out of 10 for connectivity.
As to sound quality, in stereo, they are not quite as good as my sennheiser 280 pro wired headphones. The isolation is not as good, and the bass is not as deep and clean. Hence, my overall rating is only a 9. Having said that, in surround mode, they are amazing. I, too, kept taking them off to see if my speakers were on. It is hard to believe how totally immersed in the sound field the pioneers make you feel. How? I don't know. I don't care. It just works.
The SE-DIR800C headphones are comfortable to wear, and the sound is clean and open, more than one would expect for surround sound. I've only listened for a couple of hours, but, I am very, very impressed. These are the single best improvement to my home theater experience since getting the ComCast 1080i HD DVR.
So far, have only listened on the analog RCA inputs. Can't wait to try these with digital optical from the DVD player. I expect I'll be experimenting these for months to come, and enjoying every minute of it.
These are keepers...Updated
I wanted to up my previous score of 8 to a 9, but can't seem to get to it. The Pioneer SE-DIR800C wireless headphones do everything advertised.
First off, they don't break up. I returned some Sony MDR's because they were constantly breaking up. These are solid. I went into the kitchen, about 9 meters from the transmitter, ducked behind my center stand and microwave, and they didn't lose a beat. Next, I went behind them, behind a wall towards my garage. Apparently, even reflections keep it going. I was way around the corner before they dropped out. So, 10 out of 10 for connectivity.
As to sound quality, in stereo, they are not quite as good as my sennheiser 280 pro wired headphones. The isolation is not as good, and the bass is not as deep and clean. Hence, my overall rating is only a 9. Having said that, in surround mode, they are amazing. I, too, kept taking them off to see if my speakers were on. It is hard to believe how totally immersed in the sound field the pioneers make you feel. How? I don't know. I don't care. It just works.
The SE-DIR800C headphones are comfortable to wear, and the sound is clean and open, more than one would expect for surround sound. I've only listened for a couple of hours, but, I am very, very impressed. These are the single best improvement to my home theater experience since getting the ComCast 1080i HD DVR.
So far, have only listened on the analog RCA inputs. Can't wait to try these with digital optical from the DVD player. I expect I'll be experimenting these for months to come, and enjoying every minute of it.
These are keepers...Updated
with free shipping.
Notes on Batteries: Comes with 2 NiMH 1600 mAh AA batteries. I picked up a couple of packes of Energizer 2200 mAh NiMH batteries at Sam's, and rotate them through a charger (4 battery) I got at Radio Shack. Keeps my headphones, remotes and other devices going with freshly charged batteries all the time. As soon as I detect distortion at high volumes, I swap the batteries.
I find myself using these headphones almost exclusively for all TV and movie listening. They are great...5 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Terrible quality--broke in 3 months!
by natejohnstone on September 13, 2007
Pros: Great sound, decent line-of-sight range
Cons: FLIMSY!!, Pioneer doesn't stand by products, consumes batteries quickly
Summary: I bought these in May, they broke 3 months later. When spending this much money on a pair of headphones, one would expect high build-quality. But each headphone is connected ...
Summary: I bought these in May, they broke 3 months later. When spending this much money on a pair of headphones, one would expect high build-quality. But each headphone is connected to the headset by a tiny swivel mechanism--nice for comfort, bad for endurance. The left headphone broke off of the headset while I was removing them from my head--GENTLY!
I'm very careful with my things, seriously, and I've never broken something like this. Even if these were $20 headphones, I would not expect them to brake this easily! If you're going to manufacture something this "nice" with a tiny tension-bearing swivel it needs to be made of metal not cheap plastic.
Pioneer won't cover this under the warranty because I purchased them on eBay--even though they were new and unopened. Terrible customer's service, terrible build quality.
Do NOT buy these headphones unless you have $300 to burn every few months.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Wonderfull Multi-Purpose Dolby Headphones ($329 at "1ONECALL")
by Senior member on March 17, 2006
Pros: Powerfull, Clear, very Natural sounding, and immersive effects.
Cons: Not really a con but this headphones perform a bit quieter than usual (even on max vol.) when connected to my Comcast HD DVR box thru Optical; Nothing else :)
Summary: Bought it a week ago from Onecall.com - after a bit of convinsing, they discounted it by $70 using "priceshield", They price matched it from VANNS.com even though ...
Summary: Bought it a week ago from Onecall.com - after a bit of convinsing, they discounted it by $70 using "priceshield", They price matched it from VANNS.com even though vanns was out of stock.
Well, when purchase was out of the way and I got it delivered, opened the box to set it up, and realized that I can't find any free OUTPUTS on my Logitech Z-5500 speakers cause optical, coax, and 6ch direct - are all INPUTS plus they are all occupied. Thank god I tried the little "Music-Note Sign" connection on the side of the Z-5500s under the headphone jacks which works perfectly for interconnecting Pioneers' with Logitechs Amp. (( now I don't need to unplug and replug the sound-card connections just to go between speaker system or Pioneer headphones)) The secondary z-5500 music jack (labeled music note) even has DIRECT PASS-THROUGH so that I could turn off or stand-by z-5500s while Pioneers' still work perfectly. ((I had an extra monster RCA stereo to mini-plug converting cable from RadioShack($39) to plug in Pioneer headphones left/right analog to computer through Logitechs' mini-jack)).
Rhapsody Music, Computer games (FEAR,GTA-SA) Internet radio, DVDs, Video-sounds all Worked EXTREMELY well --> excellent, real, full, powerfull, surround sound effects. Dolby Headphone mode (DH2)upconverted all my Computer Media stuff to beliaveble surround sound with Loud Booming effects ( almost as good as Z-5500s themselves!!)
Especially computer games with my Audigy 2 ZS Pro transcoded and preserved all the effects which I clearly herd out of this Pioneer SE-DIR800C headphones. ((note: Dolby headphones are almost like holophonic sounds but with real time support for/inconjunction with using Dolby PL2 for upconverting stereo and/or with DTS as vertual surround - almost 3D sound)).
OK so all that stuff was about Pioneers Analog (RCA stereo) INPUT.
Well, the DIGITAL OPTICAL Input on Pioneer Headphones is were I pluged my Comcast HD DVR box and XBOX 360 using optical 2-way splitter (Radioshack $10). Using another splitter I am able to listen to Pioneer headphones and Logitech Z-5500s at the same time!!! ((so,no need for constant plug/unplug scenario))
Anyways: Xbox 360's Halo2 surround sound positioning in multiplayer is very realistic and freaky((now I can play at night With Pioneers on and actually HEAR where that plasma grenade is sizzling...or that vehicle is coming from; if I press Dolby Headphone mode 3 on Pioneers to kinda widen the virtual room feeling THAN This Headphones work on the par if not even better with my $1000 Yamaha/JBL 6.1 surround sound combo - Downstairs. ((Well Yamaha/JBL 6.1's are still kick ass and quiet a bit better cause you know its REAL speakers positioned in REAL room, BUT Pioneer SE-DIR800C Headphones make a very complementing virtual surround positioned sound, and great for private at night/apartment noob-fraging scinarios. Basicly my Dell 2405FPW+2005FPW with high-end PC in my small 10ft-by-10ft room and Logitech Z-5500s were perfectly complimented by Pioneer headphones for TV-GAMES-COMPUTER-DVD multiuse all for night or day (when grandpa's napping).
HELP:::: One last thing, about that Comcast TV optical connection to Pioneers; its a bit weird that the sound is not optimum coming out from Pioneer headphones. I tryed everthing volume increase to full for cable tv,monitor,headphones all on full, optical cable is fully inserted, no sound loss through $50 Monster cables whatsoever, Comcast box is set to HEAVY/BEST AudioCompression: Full surround output BUT still Pioneers can't compare with XBOX360+Optical Pioneers (Perfect,Loud sound)... this headphones for some reason perform SO-SO with CABLE TV..... But strangly... Exellent with every other thing (xbox360,Audigy-ZS,Computer,DVD player). No matter what program it is, example: PL2 sound-Local News, DD5.1 Jay Leno or ESPN HD or NCAA games or even onDemand-DTS (Fifth Element) Cable Movies; its still missing some low base AND ~25% loudness.
If anyone can suggest a solution, PLEASE PLEASE reply to this REVIEW.
Overall this Pioneer SE-DIR800C Headphones still OUTPERFORM EVERYTHING Easily/Greatly with Sound Quality and Great Wireless Transmission to that of the SONY's MDR-DS4000 on MY opinion (bought sony MDR's and Sennheiser RS130 AND returned both for a refund.)
Like the other reviewer said this PIONEER headphones are Keepers especially for XBOX2-PCs and they even look GEEKY/GREAT when turned on. And the base even looks high tech and alien like at night with all those infra-red lights on.
I enjoy and recommend this headphones to everyone.((oh and the desibles switch (-8db or 0db) only for anlog(RCA) input; I got CMSS-3D (v2) effect for Pioneer Headphones turned on just in case in Creative control panel.((By the way-CMSS3D v2 = Great Surround Effect for making a Good use out of Z-5500s' or other Sound Systems' BACK/REAR speakers too.))
I crossed my fingers when the Dude from onecall.com on the phone was price matching to vanns.com to get that discount ($70) - Cause vanns.com were OUT of STOCK, plus Vanns are ****** place to buy stuff from ((onecall has it listed for $399)) So anyways that dude probly did NOT catch the "coming soon" sign at vanns and sold it for $329 to me .............
Try calling ONECALL them REPEATEDLY and asking different Reps. to price match from VANNS ($329 Coming soon) or ETRONICS ($269 OUTofSTOCK) .......It worked for me to get that freakin DISCOUNT.....((they also got warranty just in case **** happens(2-year $29))2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not bad for wireless headphones
by sleepyeddie on December 29, 2005
Pros: Clear precise high end
Cons: Low end is lacking
Summary: I got these for 265 on e-bay. Comfortable fit.
The benchmark music track I use is
La Villa Strangiato by Rush. If there was a way that I could hook-up ...Summary: I got these for 265 on e-bay. Comfortable fit.
The benchmark music track I use is
La Villa Strangiato by Rush. If there was a way that I could hook-up headphones so that I could control bass, treble, and volume from the receiver; that might make the difference. I watched c-net`s video on how to hook up wireless headphones with no insight on this aspect of hookup.2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very Good.....but
by Codave56 on September 2, 2007
Pros: Excellent Surround Sound
Cons: High pitched noise?
Summary: I own two other type of surround cans (headphones) Sony 5100(infrared) and LTB 5.1 (2.4Ghz) and these are much better at reproducing the 5.1 Dolby Digital ...
Summary: I own two other type of surround cans (headphones) Sony 5100(infrared) and LTB 5.1 (2.4Ghz) and these are much better at reproducing the 5.1 Dolby Digital experience. The only downside I found is when the processor switches from 5.1 Dolby Digital to Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS, etc., there is a "high pitched" sound? coming from the earspeakers. It goes away quickly;I was wondering if anyone else here has experience this? Also, I found the rechargeable batteries that come with the system much to heavy (The left earcup where the batteries are housed, throws the balance off by tugging or pulling down on that side). I solved this problem by installing a pair of Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries which are 33% lighter than regular AAs. It actually lower the overall headset weight by 1 oz.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very Good Set of Headphones
by deepfreezed on April 14, 2006
Pros: Very good at mimicking surround sound, clear sound, no interference
Cons: Poor bass, week front left and right
Summary: Very good for a pair of 5.1 headphones. Lack of bass was noticeable. Simulated rear left and right was more prominent than front.
This set is certainly better than ...Summary: Very good for a pair of 5.1 headphones. Lack of bass was noticeable. Simulated rear left and right was more prominent than front.
This set is certainly better than an average home surround sound.
The meshing that contacts the ear is not the most comfortable material.
Superb for gaming, helps a lot identifying where the sound (bullets) are coming from. Highly recommended for that purpose.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Unsurpassed sound quality, average build quality
by infinitespecter on September 23, 2009
Pros: The sound quality is, frankly, amazing.Dolby Headphone puts this over the top. It's easy to forget you're wearing them and then have something sound like it's behind you when watching a movie.
Cons: The build quality is average, at best. I've had mine for four years, and simple drops onto carpeted floors from a couch result in cracks and damage to the plastic. Also, it doesn't support any newer BluRay codecs, given it's age.
Summary: You will be hard pressed to find a better pair of surround headphones for the money.
Summary: You will be hard pressed to find a better pair of surround headphones for the money.
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The speakers were the solution I was looking for....
by razor606710 on April 23, 2009
Pros: We live in a smaller house to where the limits of enjoying movies is very scarce.....the headphones were very impressive,..however the floor vibrating "sense" that audiophiles look for wasn't the best, the surround sound worked great.
Cons: no issue as of yet....after reading many reviews...i am very careful..and charge the batteries after a couple of uses, since i don't live in them...the recharge time is no problem
Summary: Listening with initial doubt, very impressed with the comfort, wanted more deeper bass, since I have been used to the subwoofer, but that isn't fair...for the small compact, ...
Summary: Listening with initial doubt, very impressed with the comfort, wanted more deeper bass, since I have been used to the subwoofer, but that isn't fair...for the small compact, wireless features, matched my expectations..and keeps my family from waking, which make everyone, the wife..most important, happy..
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sounds great but breaks too often
by woodman4444 on January 2, 2009
Pros: Terrific sound quality
Cons: As others have noted, the headsets have a pivot point that breaks and finding replacement parts is impossible. For an expensive product, this is unacceptable. Also, why no remote and why use batteries that need to be replaced? duh.
Summary: I've had this product for about 18 months. They work great when they're not broken. The cheap plastic construction that holds the earcups to the headpiece breaks way ...
Summary: I've had this product for about 18 months. They work great when they're not broken. The cheap plastic construction that holds the earcups to the headpiece breaks way too easily and this defect has been noted on this and other websites although your review failed to mention it.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Pioneer North America
- Part number: SE-DIR800C
- Description: Don't let a sleeping family keep you from your new action adventure movie, Dolby 5.1 concert, or your on-line video game tournament. Go ahead and experience all the 3 dimensional sound your heart desires! Dolby Headphone technology produces up to five virtual loudspeakers in a virtual room via conventional stereo headphones creating a unique sum of direct and reflected sound from each channel of 5.1 audio. As a result, the listening sensation is much more natural, with sounds appearing to be outside of your head, just like a conventional 5.1 speaker system would sound.
General
- Product Type Headphones - Infrared
- Additional Features Volume control, Built-in DTS decoder, Dolby Headphone technology, Built-in Dolby Digital decoder, Built-in Dolby Pro Logic II decoder
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wireless - Infrared
- Response Bandwidth 12 - 22000 Hz
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 1.0 %
Remote Control
- Type None
Wireless Link
- Transmission Range 26 ft
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x SPDIF input ( RCA phono ), 1 x SPDIF input ( TOSLINK ), 1 x Audio line-in
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x Audio (digital) cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter
- Battery Standard battery - AA type - Rechargeable
Manufacturer info
- Pioneer North America
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Pioneer North America products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/
- Address:
2265 E. 220th St.
Long Beach, CA 90810 - Phone: 310/952-2111
