Five popular wireless headphones: The TV program on your ears!

Next door the children are sleeping, on the screen Godzilla is leveling a city – volume level: 100. Sounds ruthless, but it doesn’t have to be. With wireless headphones you ensure that the only victims of this scenario remain the hair cells of your eardrums – and of course the unfortunate civilians of the film city. COMPUTER BILD shows you five popular models.

Wireless headphones: which ones are there?

Wireless headphones are available as in-ear, over-ear or on-ear versions. Which of the fits is most suitable depends on personal taste. However, in-ear headphones may be particularly suitable for long periods of use, as they usually press less and, unlike the padded models, do not build up heat. Wireless headphones use a transmitter to transmit the audio signal, which you connect to the television or hi-fi system using a 3.5 mm jack, cinch or optical fiber cable. In contrast to Bluetooth headphones, you can also wirelessly transmit the audio signal from devices that do not have Bluetooth to your headphones. However, there are differences in the way the radio signal is transmitted from the transmitting station to the headphones, which you should pay attention to when buying. The stations use either infrared, an analogue or a digital radio signal.

Wireless headphones: you should pay attention to this

There are three methods of transmitting the audio signal from the transmitting station to the wireless headphones: via infrared, analogue or digital wireless signal. While you are absolutely dependent on visual contact between the headphones and the transmitting station when using infrared headphones, analogue and digital radio signals allow independent ranges. Analogue wireless headphones tend to offer the greatest freedom of movement, since the signal deteriorates with distance, but does not break off completely. However, they only transmit via one radio channel, which means that analog wireless headphones are more susceptible to interference. A technical background noise is also audible when the sound is played quietly. It is different with digital wireless headphones. You use several radio channels at the same time. Thus, the listening experience in digital wireless headphones is the most stable and noise-free. However, if the signal deteriorates due to distance, the signal transmission breaks off completely earlier, which means that they usually offer shorter ranges than analogue wireless headphones. With the exception of the Sony MDR-RF895RK, the products listed here are digital wireless headphones.

In October 2021, Sennheiser presented its latest digital wireless headphones, the Sennheiser RS ​​5200, which are specially designed for use with television. The in-ear model with a stethoscope look has large volume buttons and an additional button that you can use to improve speech intelligibility . Connect the transmitter, which also acts as a charging station, to the digital audio output of your TV set using the optical fiber optic cable supplied, or you can use the 3.5 mm jack connection. If you want to listen to your favorite performers every now and then with the Sennheiser RS ​​5200, you can switch between the film and music profiles at the push of a button. For the best fit, choose from the silicone, memory foam, or foam ear pads that come with Sennheiser wireless headphones. The range of the RS 5200 is 70 meters, and one battery charge should last for up to twelve hours of listening pleasure.

If the latest Sennheiser wireless headphones are too expensive for you, the Sennheiser RS ​​2000 is a cheaper model. You cannot avoid some compromises, so it does not offer any music or film profiles and the function for improving speech intelligibility is missing, but these wireless headphones represent a solid overall package. With the RS 2000 you can still go up to a range of 50 meters without sound interruption in the kitchen to make coffee. The battery life of up to nine hours should also be sufficient for most users.

In-ear models are not for everyone. It’s a good thing that wireless headphones are also available in the classic over-ear design. One of the most popular variants in this category is the analog Sony MDR-RF895RK, which you can secure from as little as 70 euros (according to the price comparison portal idealo.de, as of January 13, 2022). The headphones offer a lot for the comparatively low price: The radio transmitter transmits the sound signal to your ears at a distance of up to 100 meters and promises to last up to 20 hours with one battery charge. A special noise reduction technique is designed to prevent sound interference from other electronic devices, so you can listen to the sound of the 40mm drivers unhindered. In order not to miss any dialogue, the Sony MDR-RF895RK is equipped with a voice amplifier, which you activate via a switch on the headphones.

The digital over-ear headphones Philips SHD8850/12 are equipped in a similar way: They are also supposed to create a listening experience of up to 20 hours on one charge. However, the range of the transmitter is significantly lower at 30 meters. To use it, connect it to your TV set or home stereo system using either an optical fiber cable or a 3.5 mm audio cable – both cables are included with the headphones. Ear pads made of breathable velor should help to ensure a comfortable fit even after hours of use.

The Thomson WHP5407 over-ear headphones are more than just digital wireless headphones. Thanks to a tuner integrated in the transmitter, you can receive your favorite radio stations via FM and DAB+ and send the sound directly to your ears. A small LED display makes it easier for you to find the right frequency. A transmission radius of 30 meters ensures sufficient freedom of movement, the operating time of up to eight hours will take you through three blockbusters with ease. You can connect using the associated optical fiber optic cable, the cinch and 3.5 mm audio cable and thanks to a 3.5 jack to cinch adapter.