Good value TV headphones

CacheHunter on 09/01/2017 - 15:01

Hi, I am looking for suggestions for watching TV with headphones or a wireless headphone solution using equipment that I already have so that I can watch TV without waking the light sleeping toddler in the next room while holding the newborn, who refuses to go down before midnight, but will occasionally sleep on my chest while seated.

My TV is a 2010 Samsung smart TV (can't recall the exact model, may have started with UA46X..?). Having watched less than 10 hours of TV in the last 2 years, I'm going to be happy to be able to watch anything without being pedantic about sound quality and mainly just want a low cost (but listenable) solution.

I'm thinking that the cheapest solution (this is Ozbargain after all), would be if I can somehow use existing equipment to transmit (via bluetooth or using the home wifi) from the TV to my Nexus5X and the in-ear headphones that came with the phone. In terms of equipment that I could use to 'transmit' I have a Samsung USB wifi dongle connected to the TV, a Chromecast 1 and 2 and a couple ofspare phones (Samsung S2 or iphone 5). Could I use these somehow to transmit the sound from the TV to my main phone (Nexus 5X), which would have the headphones attached?

Alternatively, if I will need to outlay a bit more and buy dedicated TV headphones, does anyone have any recommendations for models?

Entertainment

Comments

  • flickr on 09/01/2017 - 15:25

    I would keep it simple. If you just want to hear sound from your TV, usually a Samsung smart TV has built in bluetooth. Buy a cheap QCY or Bluedio bluetooth headset (around $20-$40) depending on the model. They have a great sound quality and most of them support pairing with more than 1 device at the same time.

    • ProjectZero on 09/01/2017 - 15:39

      Samsung smart TV has built in bluetooth

      Considering the OP's TV was bought it 2010, it might not have been common to have BT in the TV back then. Still I agree with you regarding the cheaper BT headset if you just want sound.

      If the OP's TV does not have built in BT, i think the go to headphones is the Sennheiser RS 170 or the RS 120 or something like that.

      AFAIK, chromecast is for you to cast your phone's screen to the chromecast and not the other way around. Unless you can watch the TV from your phone, what you are suggesting should not work.

  • lesterfreamon on 09/01/2017 - 16:09

    Have you thought about activating CC subs on the TV instead of complicating your life with headphones while holding a sleeping baby?

  • John Kimble on 09/01/2017 - 17:21
    +1

    Firstly congrats on baby number two!

    Not a critism, but some advice (take it or leave it). I know every baby is different, but if you can, try to train/accustom your kids to be able to sleep with a bit of background noise/not being held. You are really painting yourself into a corner if they can only sleep if it's dead silent…some noises are out of your control, so they will wake up…

    Most babies like a bit of white noise I thought?

  • jennkei on 09/01/2017 - 17:24

    Check the TV first, see if it has Bluetooth. If it doesn't, you'll need a Bluetooth transmitter, even with the gear you already have…it basically plugs into the 3.5mm port. Can get a cheapo one for $5-$10 (I tried looking for a branded one but didn't find one in the end) that will support transmitting to a single pair of headphones, then a pair of Bluedio headphones like someone's mentioned for about $30.

  • scrimshaw on 09/01/2017 - 17:35

    I use a really old Acer TV and I plug in my Logitech BT Audio adapter (costs $23 on sale). If I want to listen privately, I just use my Meizu EP51's.

    There are loads of Bluetooth headphones out there, $30 will get you a cheap basic one, good enough for TV but upwards of $200 is where you will get more audiophile quality stuff.

    • belbo on 10/01/2017 - 18:02

      I'm curious about your comment re Logitetch BT Audio adapter. It seems to be a BT receiver, rather than a BT transmitter (?). How do you use that to transmit the audio from the TV to BT headphones?

  • wombat81 on 08/02/2017 - 21:45

    I had the task of finding a good wireless headphone solution for my elderly father-in-laws non smart TV recently. Obviously not exactly the same scenario, though. There seemed to be undesirable characteristics about both bluetooth and FM (and he doesn't have wifi) such as delay, short range, static/feedback etc. In the end I got him a pair of Sony PS3 Pulse headphones. EB Games currently sells the GTA V promo version for $77 (usually $169.95). https://ebgames.com.au/ps3-162927-Grand-Theft-Auto-Pulse-Wir…

    The have a little transmitter dongle that plugs into a powered USB port for power and then you attach the 3.5mm cable from the transmitter to your TVs headphone plug. The old fella loves them. He charges them every few days.

    Just an idea.

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