Sennheiser RS130
Manufacturer: Sennheiser Electronics Corp. Part number: RS130
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The RS130s are Sennheiser's best wireless headphones to date.
Read more
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CNET editors' review
Sennheiser RS130 price range: $143.81 - $159.95
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: David Carnoy
- Reviewed on: 04/27/2005
The good: Wireless headphones (900MHz frequency); supercomfy earpads; stylish base/stand recharges headphones' batteries; surround processing; built-in volume control.
The bad: Noise and hiss sometimes intrude on the sound; volume and tuning controls are set too close together.
The bottom line: The RS130s are Sennheiser's best wireless headphones to date.
Editor's note: We have changed the rating in this review to reflect recent changes in our rating scale. Click here to find out more.
Wireless headphones are popular among home-theater devotees who like to indulge in uninhibited late night soirees, as well as music lovers who don't want to be tied down to their receivers or computers. Sennheiser is one of Germany's leading headphone manufacturers and a major proponent of wireless technology, so we couldn't wait to try its new-for-2005 model, the RS130 ($170 list).
The Sennheiser RS130s are very light, just 9.8 ounces, and we found them extremely comfortable over a long evening of watching DVDs. This set of Open-Aire headphones comes with a stylish base station/charger that houses a 900MHz wireless transmitter. The newly revised system is fitted with Sennheiser's Intelligent Auto Tuning system, which automatically selects the best of three available base-to-headset channels to ensure the lowest-possible distortion and noise. To charge the headphones' two AAA nickel-metal-hydride batteries, just place the RS130s on the cradle of the transmitter base. Fully charged, the headphones will play for as long as 22 hours. The base/charger can be mounted on the wall or placed near your components. Just be aware that it must be hooked up either to your HTIB/receiver's analog stereo outputs or to a headphone jack. All of the necessary cables and adapters are included.
The RS130 also features Sennheiser's SRS Headphone virtual-surround-sound system. SRS is compatible with two-channel audio sources such as CDs and DVDs. SRS opened up the sound a bit so that it was less stuck inside the listener's head, but it also made the sound more echoey and reverberant. Some people will like the effect, others won't. We didn't and opted to switch it off.
As with Sennheiser's previous generation of wireless headphones, the RS130s' volume and tuning controls are located right next to each other on the right earcup. Their close proximity is unfortunate, because we kept accidentally nudging the tuning control while adjusting the volume. Touching the tuning button causes the sound to drop out until you reset the tuning. The RS130s' reception was consistent throughout our home theater, though low-level hiss and whistling tones were audible during quiet scenes.
The Saw DVD quickly demonstrated the RS130s' mettle by directly injecting the sound of this scary flick into our skulls. The early plot line involves two men inexplicably trapped in a disgusting bathroom, and the increasing panic of the men's voices, the rattle of their chains, and the unsettling soundtrack made us queasy, but that's what we love about horror films.
When we switched over to a set of corded Sennheiser HD 485 headphones, the sound didn't dramatically change for the better--and that's a first in our experience. Sure, the RS130s' residual background noise was audible though not intrusive during the quiet scenes, and we noted the corded 'phones could play louder.
CDs also sounded excellent over the RS130s, with plenty of separation and a rich tonality. But the corded 'phones had superior detail and a clearer overall sound. At the end of the day, we'd still go with a corded headphone, but if you want the freedom of a wireless headphone, the Sennheiser RS130s would be one of our go-to choices.
User reviews
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Great Walkabout Headphones
by tnhiker865 on September 25, 2005
Pros: Crisp, rich sound. Comfortable.
Cons: Pricey. Leather earcups would be nice.
Summary: Wireless RF (radio frequency--think cordless phones) headphones allow you to move from room to room while listening to your favorite audio. Sennheiser is one of the top-rated manufacturers of headphones ...
Summary: Wireless RF (radio frequency--think cordless phones) headphones allow you to move from room to room while listening to your favorite audio. Sennheiser is one of the top-rated manufacturers of headphones and after considering wireless headphones by Accoustic Research, Sony and Sennheiser I settled on the RS-130 by Sennheiser.
If you have a cordless phone then you have a good understanding of how wireless headphones that use RF work. Just like cordless phones these headphones work best when you are close to the base/transmitter station. Initially I had a bit of static but once I moved the transmitter away from my TV about 2' then the static went away. I found that within about 50' of the base (even in adjoining rooms) there was little-to-no deterioration in sound quality which was, by the way, on par with a really good set of wired headphones. Moving farther away I began to get a bit of fade-in/out with a bit of static but this was easily overcome by just a slight turn of my head--a lot like what you might have noticed when using your cordless phone. I have a detached workshop that is about 120' from my headphone transmitter; even in the workshop I get reception on the RS-130 headphones although at that location they are very picky about position: If I turn my head the wrong way the reception goes completely away but will come right back with a 90 degree repositioning of my body/head. If I close the 16' wide metal workshop garage door then reception gets really lousy. Again, they work about the same as I've found my 2.4 GHz cordless phone so if you wonder if you'll be able to use the headphones in a particular location then check out how well your cordless phone works there and you'll probably have a good idea (assuming you've got your cordless phone base station in a decent location).
Setup was easy. The unit has a small pyramid-shape base that does triple duty as a transmitter, storage rack and charging station. Two AAA nickel metal hydride batteries go into the headphones and the base station plugs into a 120VAC outlet. An 8' long audio cable connects the base station with your audio source. The audio cable has right/left RCA jack connectors as standard with two adapters being included to hook these to either 1/8" mini or 1/4" standard stereo headphone jack. The unit works best if you let it charge the batteries overnight but if you are anxious to get started you could substitute any good set of AAA batteries until you have time to charge the others. I cheated and tried-out mine with the "uncharged" batteries that came with it and it did work well enough to test it. After an overnight charge the unit worked even better (less static, better range). The batteries are supposed to last 22 hours on a single charge but I've not tested this.
Sound quality is excellent. The unit is comfortable to wear and the velour covered (not leather or plastic) earcups are large enough to enclose even larger-than-average ears. These are an open design so that you can hear normal conversations and background noise while wearing them. I could converse on my speaker phone with them playing but could not hear the phone handset with the headphones on my ears. The surround mode (SRS) function seems to add a nice rich quality to the sound and unlike some reviewers, I did not notice any echo with the SRS switched on. The volume control is easy enough to adjust and although I'd read lots of negative comments about its location being too close to the tuning button, I didn't find this to be a problem. There is no hiss or clicking as long as you are within a decent (50') range of the transmitter.
Some differences between this unit (RS-130) and the RS-120 (besides the price) are that the RS-130 has automatic tuning vs. having to rotate a tuning wheel on the headphones and the RS-130 has the surround mode enhancement. Also, the RS-130 is a 900 Mhz RF design which gives clearer reception over a longer range (again, think current cordless phones vs. those of 5 years ago). If you are going to be using the headphones in the same room as your base/transmitter unit then save yourself some money and buy the RS-120. You won't get the surround mode but with most audio systems you can adjust the bass & treble output that goes to the headphone jack. If you are using a headphone jack from a CD player(no bass/treble adjustment) then you might want the surround mode that comes with the RS-130.
Warranty on the RS-130 is two years.
Be careful that what you buy is a complete unit and not just an additional set of headphones (without the base/transmitter). Lots of lowest price search engines come up with low price hits on the "extra" set of headphones that can be purchased for use with the complete system.13 out of 13 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Did I receive the same headphones?
by bigal3300 on January 25, 2006
Pros: They'll do in a pinch
Cons: An incredibly flat sound for surround
Summary: I can't believe the generally high rating these have received from everyone else. They are the reason I'm back ont this site looking for something better. To begin ...
Summary: I can't believe the generally high rating these have received from everyone else. They are the reason I'm back ont this site looking for something better. To begin with, I've used headphones since the days of not being able to afford the whole hi-end system until now, not being able to afford waking the rest of the family. There is nothing about these that give me the impression of "surround". If you don't use the surround mode however, the audio quality is really terrible for this kind of money. Buy an extra extension cord for the Bose triports, which cost the same price, if you need to be mobile while listening. There still won't be as much bass drop-off as you get with these while in an optimal listening position. It sounds to me as if the same technology that is used to create a "seperation" mode for portable speakers is what they used here. The effect is the same in any case. I hope that there is indeed something out there with decent sound that isn't going to cost upwards of $500.
9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best wireless headphone under $150
by mhfnet on May 25, 2005
Pros: Range, fidelity, comfort, build quality, ergonomics, auto tuning
Cons: low level noise, maximum volume level, dynamic range, SRS surround isn't very good
Summary: Finally a wireless headphone with good range and decent fidelity. This headphone compares in sound quality to Sennheiser wired headphones but has some low level noise during quiet passages and ...
Summary: Finally a wireless headphone with good range and decent fidelity. This headphone compares in sound quality to Sennheiser wired headphones but has some low level noise during quiet passages and limited dynamic range.
4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Does the job, good value.
by Iboughtbeta on January 3, 2006
Pros: Allows the user to pick his own volumn.
Cons: Control buttons are activated by head rest on sofa if one leans back.
Summary: I am begining to suffer some noticiable hearing loss. I purchased these head phones so I would not blast out the rest of the family while watching TV. I keep ...
Summary: I am begining to suffer some noticiable hearing loss. I purchased these head phones so I would not blast out the rest of the family while watching TV. I keep the volumn as low as possible and they still reproduce a full spectrum of sound. The battery life is good and would probably last one LOTR episode. I got them for about 100. through a listed vendor. They do hiss a bit sometimes when they have to transmit through a wall. Over all they are a good value for the price.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I'm disappointed
by erbuell on September 15, 2007
Pros: Easy to use, quality of sound good in non-surround
Cons: Annoying "pumping" of the sound volume
Summary: I'm also surprised these headphones receive such good reviews. I still have a pair of the older HDR85 model, and they are much better than the RS130s. My main ...
Summary: I'm also surprised these headphones receive such good reviews. I still have a pair of the older HDR85 model, and they are much better than the RS130s. My main complaint about the RS130s is that there is a *very* noticeable "pumping" of the volume level depending on the sound content. That is, when certain frequencies are played in a music track you can hear the unit drop the volume of that set of frequencies and more, and then restore the volume when those frequencies (in the sound track) stop. This is particularly noticeable when playing a racing game on my PS3. The HDR85s do not do this. I don't know if this is the "automatic level control" function or the "automatic noise reduction" feature, but in either case it's *very* annoying, and I can't find a way to disable them. I haven't heard this characteristic since sound compression units were developed for the quiet sections of record (LP) tracks, many years ago. I can't believe Sennheiser released a product with such an obvious flaw. Maybe the RS120s don't have these "features"?
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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almost perfect
by mrprop on August 28, 2005
Pros: sound very good; comfortable
Cons: high hiss
Summary: I wanted to treat myself to a good pair of cordless headphones so I could crank it up loud and not wake the kids. I did a lot of reading ...
Summary: I wanted to treat myself to a good pair of cordless headphones so I could crank it up loud and not wake the kids. I did a lot of reading online and the RS130 seemed like the best bang for the buck.
They sound great and feel comfortable on your head. My only complaint is there is a lot of background hiss for a cordless device--much more hiss than a cordless phone, for example. However, by adjusting the receiver volume and the volume on the headphones together, you can get great sound and overcome the hiss. You just have to screw around with the 2 volumes for each new source--so if you switch from one DVD to another DVD you have to go thru this 2-volume adjustment process again. A pain but relatively quick process, after which they really do sound pretty awesome for headphones. And the surround technology they have works good. My Sony receiver has headphone surround built in too, and the 2 surround circuits working together bring a pretty good surround theater experience to a pair of headphones. All in all I'm pretty happy with the purchase.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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fantastic headphones and I am picky
by LLabine1 on May 13, 2009
Pros: easy setup,clear precise sound,awesome range,very comfortable,battery lasts a long time,
Cons: I am not fond of the SRS so I turned it off..too echoey...
Summary: about 2 years ago I got my hubby these headphones for Father's day. Up till then he had been tethered to wired headphones. I changed our bedroom around and ...
Summary: about 2 years ago I got my hubby these headphones for Father's day. Up till then he had been tethered to wired headphones. I changed our bedroom around and decided to buy these headphones for myself..best idea I ever had. We have separate transmitters which initially made me nervous but with a push of a button he was listening to tv in the living room and I was listening to a completely different station in the bedroom. The range of these headphones is amazing. Also when I fall asleep I put them next to me on the night stand and they stay charged...after doing that it takes about 3 hours for a full charge...no wires...great sound..awesome stereo separation. One of the best things I have ever bought off the net..I highly recommend them.
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good sound
by voltage1 on April 24, 2009
Pros: comfortable and lightweight
Cons: none right now
Summary: Very good sound, I have the base connected to my home theater in basement, and able to be upstaires outside my house with little interference.
Summary: Very good sound, I have the base connected to my home theater in basement, and able to be upstaires outside my house with little interference.
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Excellent wireless headphones
by Frugalgene on February 18, 2009
Pros: Sound quality, comfort, auto shut off, auto charging.
Cons: A good review should have some negatives. Price?
Summary: I probably read 200 reviews before buying the Sennheiser RS130 headphones. For wireless headphones, these are excellent. Many other reviews adequately cover the quality and unsurpassed features. I want to ...
Summary: I probably read 200 reviews before buying the Sennheiser RS130 headphones. For wireless headphones, these are excellent. Many other reviews adequately cover the quality and unsurpassed features. I want to dispel a few of the negative comments I continually read from other reviewers (which very nearly deterred me from buying my set).
There is one Con: The SRS is of dubious value. Sennheiser shoud leave that out which might help them lower the price. It'd be a win-win.
One of the big complaints is that the volume and tuning control are too close to each other. When your pair arrives, you'll see that this is not an issue. The tuning control has a raised knob, and unless your have motor function problems, you won't have any trouble differentiating the two even though they are right next to each other. Inadvertently adjusting the tuning when you want to adjust the volume just doesn't happen.
Second, those who complain of the loud beeps when the phones hook up with a signal or loose reception might just be illiterate (though I can't explain how they could write a review). if they would have read the manual they'd know the beeps can be turned off. In any case, I didn't find the beeps to be annoying, and I see no reason to disable this feature.
Third, the endless complaints of hissing, pops, and dropout are ridiculous. Again, this may be the illiterate crowd who can't read a manual and didn't fully charge the batteries according to instructions. Once fully charged, any background noise is barely audible, especially compared to other wireless headphones I've tried. The occasional hiss, pop, crack, and dropout that occurs when walking around the house are exactly what you'd expect with wireless headphones. Well, maybe quite a bit better than what you'd expect.
Fourth, anyone having trouble getting the headphones back on the charging stand properly must again be someone with motor function problems. Putting the phones back on the charging stand, which BTW turns the phones off (very nice), is intuitive and ergonomic.
IMO, if you do get a pair that are not excellent, they are either defective and you should return them, or you didn't read the manual and follow the instructions, or there is an external problem that will have the same effect on any wireless headphones you buy. For the rest of us, these are simply wonderful. I highly recommend you choose these headphones if you have a need for wireless. Oh, one last comment. The fabric ear pieces do not rest on the ear, they cover the ear, and yes they are comfortable.
Updated on Feb 23, 2009 -
Good for music, thats about it...
by holmenesque on December 27, 2008
Pros: Light weight, feels good
Cons: Lots of static hiss as higher volumes, not good for movies or videogames.
Summary: If you were to use these for music only, you could probably like these headphones. Although they do let quite a bit of volume outside of the earphones, they might ...
Summary: If you were to use these for music only, you could probably like these headphones. Although they do let quite a bit of volume outside of the earphones, they might bother those around you (my wife couldn't stop complaining about it). But my real problem is the static noise. These things hiss proportional to volume, so I will have to assume the c-net crew wasn't listening to anything all too loud for the review. Over half volume the hiss will be quite noticeable, and nearing full volume it will compete with the sound itself. I got these mainly for movies and videogames, so when there is a quite part in the audio, it will sound like rain the background. I figured $180 was going to buy me something good, but it looks like I need to exchange these for an extension cord.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sennheiser Electronics Corp.
- Part number: RS130
- Description: The RS 130 wireless RF headphone system with switchable surround sound is an ideal choice for both hi-fi and TV use. The lightweight RS 130 lets you enjoy freedom of movement up to approx. 150 meters from the audio source. In addition, the transmitter features a convenient metal stand for storing and recharging the headphones.
General
- Product Type Headphones - Radio
- Weight 9.9 oz
- Additional Features SRS Headphone
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wireless - Radio
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Response Bandwidth 18 - 21000 Hz
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio 68 dBA
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.5 %
- Sensitivity 104 dB
Remote Control
- Type None
Wireless Link
- Radio Frequency Range 863 - 865MHz, 926 - 928MHz
- Modulation Type FM
- Transmission Range 490 ft
Connections
- Connector Type Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ), Headphones ( Phone stereo 6.25 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Transmitter unit, 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo adapter
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
- Battery 2 x Standard battery - AAA type - Rechargeable - Nickel metal hydride
Manufacturer info
- Sennheiser Electronics Corp.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sennheiser Electronics Corp. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/
- Address:
1 Enterprise Dr.
Old Lyme, CT 06371 - Phone: (860) 434-9190
- Fax: (860) 434-1759
