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Sennheiser RS175 (Refurbished) RF Wireless Headphone System $159.95 Delivered @ Sennheiser Outlet AU

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Previously posted a deal for these for $308 Delivered.
Get refurbished for half-price.
Includes full 2 years warranty the same as brand-new.

What’s in the box?

  • HDR 175 headphones
  • TR 175 transmitter
  • Optical cable
  • Audio cable
  • Power supply with 4 adapters (EU, UK, US & AU)
  • 2x AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
  • Quick guide

Be careful when searching prices, some places showing good prices are only selling the headphone (with wrong product number), without the transmitter (charger/signal stand).


These wireless RF Headphones for home listening receive glowing reviews, including audio-experts who are impressed by them.
Reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-RS-175-Wireless-Headphone/…

Radio Frequency Headphones usually have poor audio quality, static & interference, but apparently these headphones have high end sound & great signal, no audio interference.

Pros:

  • High level of sound quality
  • No sound delay
  • Great range performs surprisingly well through walls
  • Ease of Use (Just put them back on the stand every time you turn stop using them & never worry about them running out of battery)
  • Uses AAA rechargable batteries for easy replacements
  • Batteries are located 1 in each earcup to balance the headphone's weight

Cons:

  • When using, you have to use switch it on before putting them on your head. (Not the trigger in the headband like the sony version, which auto turns on by just putting it on your head)
  • All buttons are on right ear cup, can difficult to distinguish each one (also tricky for left handers)
  • Slightly tight headband tension (better for smaller heads)
  • Button for switching inputs is on the base station. (Better design would have it on the headphones)

Sennheiser RS175 RF Wireless Headphone System

Compact, ergonomic over-ear headphones.

Connectivity Technology: Wireless Radio Frequency
Frequency response: 17 - 22,000 Hz
Max. sound pressure level: 114 dB at 1kHz, 3% THD
THD, total harmonic distortion: <0.5 % at 1 kHz, 100 dB SPL
Transducer principle: dynamic, closed
Weight: 310 g (incl. batteries)
Operating time: up to 18 hrs
Range: Up to 100 m
Audio input: 1 x 3.5 mm stereo, 1 x optical digital (Toslink)

  • Closed, circumaural headphones with excellent digital wireless audio transmission
  • Exceptional digital audio clarity and transmission range of up to 328ft/100m (line of sight)
  • Enables switching between dynamic bass and virtual surround sound
    listening modes for situational sound customization
  • Supports analog and digital audio inputs and allows toggling between the inputs
  • Intelligently designed controls for maximum ease of use
  • Multi-purpose transmitter – also functions as ‘easy-charge’ cradle and docking station
  • Multi-receiver transmission – transmitter supports up to two pairs of headphones simultaneously
  • Ergonomic design for enhanced wearing comfort

  • 2-year warranty

Related Stores

Sennheiser Outlet
Sennheiser Outlet

closed Comments

  • Errr, no shop selected!

  • +1

    Got these recently from the outlet store. They are fantastic. Came as-new. Excellent service from the Sennheiser team. Product works fantastically well.

    • I’m really thinking about snagging a pair, especially since the ‘pleather’ on the old Sony RF Headphones I have is crumbling and falling off every time I put it on.

      • Normally, I would suggest getting the replacement earpads instead but these Sennheisers are fantastic and are worth the upgrade. Sony's the king of Bluetooth headphones but Sennheiser is still unbeatable when it comes to RF technology.

        • +1

          It’s the headband that’s peeling, the earpads on the Sony’s are fine mesh / fabric material, they are good as new and still very comfy.

          Yes I agree the Sennheiser is superior in where it counts.
          A few things I like about the Sony’s I own however that is missing from the Sennheiser.
          The headband switch, so when you put the headphones on they switch on, and switch off when you take them off.
          Very convenient and smart design, switching on may be such a simple thing you may think, but the headband switch is great.
          Also there are physical switches to choose between of 3 RF signals (1, 2, 3), I switch between occasionally to avoid interference sounds.
          We own 2 pairs with 2 transmitters (for separate source listening), and rarely use two on 1 transmitter, but when you do want 2 headphones connected to 1 transmitter you can easily switch to the signal of either transmitter (either 1, 2 or 3) and listen instantly.
          On the Sennheiser, the syncing of headphone and transmitter was a button pressing and waiting to connect scenario if I remember correctly (although it does end up with superior RF connection with pitch black background noise).

          • @thebadmachine: Thanks for the right up. Interesting points and probably highlight the fact that Sony is the technology / electronics company of the two…

            • +1

              @elektron: Yes I have come across a few flops by modern day Sony though.
              The technical side our Sony RF headphones is still bullet-proof, headband switch and all it works as new (another reason to stick with them).
              The original rechargeable battery died about a 2-3 years ago, we found replacements (they are on the unique side compared to the AAA’s of the Sennheiser, but still cheap), put them in gave them a full charge and they keep working, literally bullet-proof.

              To be fair I notice the interference more often on the Sony’s lately (maybe due to increased use of WiFi and Bluetooth), so I switch RF channels more often, and the Ssss (sibiliant) sounds crackle the sound (this may be an issue with source volume now I think of it).

              • +1

                @thebadmachine: Source volume being too high was the problem with distortion / crackling with loud sounds & sibilant sounds. Turned the source volume (TV volume) down a few notches and the sound issue went away.
                Just an update incase anyone is experiencing the same issue.

          • @thebadmachine: Will the RS175's work with a RS185 transmitter and vice versa?
            Was thinking of keeping the 175 transmitter connected to the TV and the 185 transmitter to the stereo and then two people could listen to either device at the same time if they wanted to.

            • @alidli: I just checked “what in the box” for both models.
              RS175 comes with TR 175 transmitter, RS185 comes with TR 185 transmitter.
              My guess would be negative.

              Edit: actually just found this from Sennheiser US website.
              https://sennheiserusa.happyfox.com/kb/article/211-can-differ…
              I think it works.

              • @thebadmachine: Thanks for finding that link; I may email Sennheiser to confirm for definite. I asked the question in case someone already had the 185's and 175's. Cheers MJS

        • -1

          The Sennheisers are lossless and deliver perfect CD quality whereas Bluetooth always loses quality by encoding the audio using lossy algorithms.

          Even at the blatantly deceptively named "CD quality" and "lossless" Bluetooth profiles Bluetooth does neither.

          • @Diji1: The opposite is true, my friend - LDAC (24 bit / 96khz) and AptX-HD (24 bit / 48khz) support hi-res audio, which the Sennheisers don't. If you are an iOS user, you have my sympathy but it's not the fault of Bluetooth.

            • @elektron: I think it’s worth noting according to measurements have been done here, LDAC only achieves Hi-Res in quality-priority mode (47khz before roll-off).

              I am happy with CD red-book quality myself, and fail to see that much to gain from frequencies above 22-24khz.

              • @thebadmachine: You're correct - it's the only mode I use though, and I have been using LDAC for a number of years - since the first compatible headphones (MDR-1ABT) and mobile phones (Xperia Z3+/Z5) became available.

            • -2

              @elektron: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LDAC_(codec)

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AptX#aptX-HD

              Lossy codecs.

              For a minute I thought you understood something but you are just repeating marketing for fools that calls lossy codecs "lossless" and "HD" because they pointlessly upsampled something.

              And Hi-Res audio is a pointless standard in any case because the human ear is incapable of resolving higher audio fidelity than 16bit 44.1kHz which is CD quality.

              • @Diji1: I still stand behind Bluetooth technology being too early to accept as HiFi.
                (The thought of someone streaming Bluetooth through hi-end gear makes you wince)
                I have considered giving it a go through headphones though, just to see if I could actually hear the difference.
                Concluded and decided to pass on LDAC, there a too few options (Headphones) that support it, and the prices are too high. Eventually there will be Lossless wireless audio like AirPlay in portable audio, and hopefully they just replace all other codecs with the single lossless one in products made after its release.
                The standards current Bluetooth follows and presents is a mess.

              • @Diji1: It think you're very confused about the meaning of lossless and lossy (and many other things from what I gather). Lossy or near-lossless (depending on whether your glass is half-empty or half-full) is relative to the actual spec being transmitted. So a near-lossless reproduction of 24 bit 96khz (or 48 khz for that matter) material is pretty okay in my book and is much better than what the RF Sennheisers are capable off, although I have no issues whatsoever with their sound.

                I can certainly hear the difference between Redbook and hi-res versions of some tracks, even in blind tests. The same was also the case when testing this on non-audiophile family members. At the same time, I could not hear the difference between wired reproduction of Redbook vs the same tracks over Bluetooth with AptX, which has near-lossless 16 bit / 44.1 kHz transmission.

  • I bought two a few months back. I didn't even get into trouble - my wife loves them.

    • +2

      It’s official, WAF +10.

  • I have the RS170s from a JB Hifi clear out a few years ago. I love how I can have 3 pairs running from the same transmitter and often use them that way. Shame the 175s can only do 2. Anyone know if the audio quality is substantially better?

    • +2

      The link below shows compatibility between headphones / transmitters & number of headphones per transmitter (says 4 for RS170).
      https://sennheiserusa.happyfox.com/kb/article/211-can-differ…

      Regarding sound quality, from my research apparently the RS175 sounds the best out of RS165 / 175 / 185.
      I assume RS175 is very similar to RS170 in terms of sound. What the RS185 has over the RS175 is just longer distance range with slightly less satisfactory sound apparently.

      I did a quick search for ‘RS 170’ in the Q&A section of Amazon US listing and here are a few answers that may interest you.

      “The most obvious upgrade on the RS 175's is the addition of an optical audio input and included optical cable. There are some spec changes between the two but they are not being rated in the same way to know if it's a major improvement. The RS 175's (from Sennheiser's Specs) show up to 18 hours battery life vs 16 hours on the RS 170's. The RS 175's also have larger buttons on the headphones for easier operation. There are other cosmetic and functional updates too. “

      “In addition to the optical input and on-headset controls, the 175 has a slightly wider range (more lows & highs) as well as 2 Surround settings ("Lo" & "Hi").”

      “i would rate the 170 over all much better in all areas. the 175 you can turn both the headset and the transmitter on and off from the headset this is the only feature which is better, everything else the 170 excells. this is a fact”

      “The RS 170 is based on the kleernet wireless audio technology, which despite having a lot of advantages (full CD quality audio over wireless with extremely short delay), never really took off. It allows up to four headsets to pair with a single base. I've not heard the RS175s, but I can say the RS 170 is the best sounding wireless headset I've heard.”

      • +1

        Wow thanks for such a great reply. Much appreciate the effort! I really like the sound from the 170's. The only negative are occasional dropouts - most likely due to interference from a very busy 2.4ghz environment even with direct line of sight to the transmitter.

        • Your welcome. I notice more interference through our Sony RF headphones as well. They had much less interference in the past. These days WiFi is much stronger and together with neighbours WiFi + all the connected devices I think the same thing, much more interference.

          The Sony has 3 different channels to choose from (I switch between RF channels when it gets bad), in your case I think the Sennheiser’s auto select the channel with least interference when syncing, so try factory reset or ‘re-syncing’ the headphones. You may be able to achieve less interference.

          • +1

            @thebadmachine: I solved the 2.4ghz interference in my RS 185's by turning off my wireless router for a bit, leave the Sennheiser's on, then turn the router back on, then it sees that the Sennheiser's channel is already in use and adjusts itself accordingly so not to introduce interference.

          • @thebadmachine: Good suggestion. Will try that tonight. Thanks!

        • Interesting…I haven't experienced dropouts with our 175's, and I thought I had a reasonably busy 2.4GHz footprint here - although I guess a lot of our 'fixed' devices (Mac, PS4, TV, AppleTV, network disks etc etc etc) are all plugged directly into ethernet.

          The sound I find is quite excellent, but I've never heard the 170's to compare with. It is a shame that it can't do more than two pairs though. Still, we only usually have the two of us watching anything - we use them to keep the noise down so our son doesn't have to imagine what's going on when he hears Ned Umber burning.

  • Anyone know where to get genuine Sennheiser velour pads for them? Or rs185 velour pads (apparently they're compatible)?

  • +1

    I found the exact Sony model which we own 2 pairs of on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRRF925RK-Headphone-Discontinue…
    Hard to believe they sell for US$349. I’m pretty sure we got them for under AU$200 each (many years ago).

    They have induction charging and the auto on/off headband switch. Had a closer look at the new Sony RF headphones, it looks like they have a conventional on/off switch like the Sennheiser, and are currently going for $149 at Sony Store AU.

    $159 for these Sennheiser RS175 is definitely a better buy when comparing both new models (Sony vs Sennheiser).

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