Wireless Headphones: Reviews

Updated October 2011

If you'd like to ditch the cord, wireless headphones are available in several technologies. Bluetooth headphones are a good choice for pairing with a phone or portable music player. Home-theater and gaming headphones, on the other hand, often use technology similar to that of cordless phones. For both types, we assessed expert reviews from enthusiast electronics magazines and websites, as well as user reviews for ease of use and durability.Below are our picks for best-bet headphones of both types.

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Budget wireless headphones for home theater

Sennheiser RS 120

*Est. $70 Compare Prices

Although the Sennheiser RS 120 wireless headphones are more than seven years old, they're still a favorite among users. Critics say that the headset's sound quality is very good, although because it uses RF technology, it… expandcan be subject to interference from other electronics (such as cell phones or wireless routers) that use the same frequencies. While placing walls between yourself and the transmitter can result in a weakened signal, the overall range of the unit is larger than most other wireless headphones. The headphones themselves are comfortable but loose-fitting on some. If you have a bit more money to spend, the Sennheiser RS 160's (*Est. $200) use of Kleer transmission technology eliminates interference as an issue, and they are a step up in sound quality and clarity. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Steve Guttenberg is impressed with the sound quality of the Sennheiser RS 120 wireless headphones, though he notes noticeable static.

Amazon.com: More than 1,800 users weigh in on their experiences with the Sennheiser RS 120.

NewEgg.com: Roughly 170 users share their opinions about the Sennheiser RS 120 on Newegg.com, and for the most part, they are satisfied with their purchase.

About.com: This brief review by former About.com guide Matthew Torres is sparse on words but manages to impart a great deal of information in the small space provided.

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Buy from Amazon for $70.67
Crutchfield for $79.99	eBay for $89.95	Discovery Channel for $99.95

Best wireless headphones for home theater

Sennheiser RS 160

*Est. $200 Compare Prices

Although the pickiest of audiophiles might opt for a pricier set of wireless headphones, most are nonetheless impressed with the Sennheiser RS 160 headphones, saying that their Kleer wireless transmission technology… expandreally does deliver CD-quality sound over great distances with no interference or drop-outs. The RS 160 headphones run on rechargeable AAA batteries, and their base station can run on battery or electricity. Some critics point to weaknesses in the bass but are otherwise satisfied with the Sennheiser RS 160's overall fidelity. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Pocket-lint.com: The U.K.'s Pocket-Lint.com reviews a variety of headphones, including some wireless models.

TechRadar.com: This U.K.-based website hosts reviews of electronics and gadgets that can quite often be found in U.S. stores, such as the Sennheiser RS 160.

Goodcans.com: GoodCans.com sells headphones for audiophiles, and it reviews the models it sells.

Amazon.com: Almost 100 users post reviews of the Sennheiser RS 160 at Amazon.com.

NewEgg.com: Only a handful of Sennheiser RS 160 user reviews have trickled in to Newegg.com, but the feedback has been very positive altogether.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $195.95

Best wireless headphones for gaming

Logitech G930

*Est. $140 Compare Prices

The Logitech G930 may be wireless, but reviewers say you'd never know it by listening to them. The unit's wireless signal stays strong for a remarkably long distance, critics say, and the hisses and crackles common in so… expandmany other wireless headphones almost never rear their ugly heads with the Logitech G930. Audio quality is equally strong; although some critics say the Dolby 7.1 simulated surround sound isn't especially effective, many say that the overall sound ranks among the best of any wireless headphones available, even with the volume at peak levels. Like so many other wireless headphones, reviewers say the bass could be a little richer, and the G930 works only for PC or Mac titles. Because of that, console gamers might consider the pricey but highly rated Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5 (*Est. $225) instead. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

PCMag.com: PCMag.com's Will Greenwald studies the physical design of the Logitech G930 before subjecting it to hands-on music, television and gaming testing.

Engadget.com: Sean Hollister takes a look at both the Logitech G930 wireless gaming headset and the Logitech G700 gaming mouse in this long review.

TechRadar.com: The Logitech G930 is the only wireless model on hand in this five-strong face-off, but despite the usual "poor audio quality" stigma attached to wireless headphones, it manages to trounce the competition with a 90 percent score.

NewEgg.com: Newegg.com users paint a rosy picture of the Logitech G930.

Amazon.com: More than 200 users share their experiences with the Logitech G930 on Amazon.com, and the majority award the headset a 4- or 5-star rating.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $174.99

Best stereo Bluetooth headphones

LG HBS-700

*Est. $50 Compare Prices

The LG HBS-700's design is a bit offbeat -- consisting of a flexible band worn around the neck, with wired, retractable earbuds extending from the ends -- but reviewers say it is one of the most comfortable Bluetooth… expandheadsets around. Although the headphones don't excel in any given area, reviewers say they perform admirably enough in every respect, as opposed to other headphones that, say, play music excellently but trip up on voice quality. They also have a longer battery life than many other stereo Bluetooth headphones. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Nicole Lee praises the LG HBS-700's comfort and design, calling it "one of the most comfortable stereo Bluetooth headsets we've ever tried." She says that voices can sometimes sound "digitized" and the bass is a bit weak, but overall, the headphones deliver "good audio quality at an affordable price."

PCMag.com: Jamie Lendino puts the LG HBS-700 through both music and call testing; he reports that the calls are free of the hissing and audio drop-outs that plague many Bluetooth headsets.

Amazon.com: Users report positive experiences with the LG HBS-700 on Amazon.com.

NewEgg.com: The users at Newegg.com rate the LG HBS-700 more highly than Amazon.com users; all but one of the 35-plus users who have left a review rate the Bluetooth headset 4 or 5 "eggs." The only complaint that pops up more than once is that the Bluetooth audio doesn't sound quite as good as the audio from wired headphones.

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Buy from Amazon for $50.36
Wireless Ground.com for $79.95	Amazon for $50.36

Best Bluetooth headphones for music

Plantronics BackBeat 903+

*Est. $55 Compare Prices

Reviewers are generally impressed with the wireless Plantronics BackBeat 903+ Bluetooth headphones. Popular for use while exercising, these headphones have been redesigned to prevent sweat from seeping into earbud seams.… expandThe BackBeat 903+ has a behind-the-ears design that reviewers say is comfortable, but some note that the nonadjustable one-size-fits-all headphones do not, in fact, fit all. Critics say that music played through the BackBeat 903+ sounds top notch for a Bluetooth headset, though they add that Bluetooth music standards wouldn't come close to satisfying audiophiles. These headphones aren't the best, however, for making cell phone calls, most reports say. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Nicole Lee's experience with the Plantronics BackBeat 903+ didn't start off on a high note; the one-size-fits-all headphones continually fell off her head.

CNET (Australia): Although the Plantronics BackBeat 903+ is mistakenly called the Plantronics BackBeat 903 -- an older, discontinued model -- throughout this article, the review itself is thorough.

TrustedReviews.com: This review of the Plantronics BackBeat 903+ is the longest one we could find, although it focuses more on the design of the headphones than hands-on testing.

Gizmodo.com (Australia): Reviewer Nick Broughall doesn't save the best for last; he tips his hand in this review's title.

Amazon.com: More than 200 users chime in with their opinions of the Plantronics BackBeat 903+, and like many of the professional critiques we've found, the results are mixed.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $47.98

Sennheiser RS 180 *Est. $300

5 picks by top review sites.

Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft Wireless Headset *Est. $125

3 picks including: Amazon.com, PC World…

Sennheiser RS 170 *Est. $250

3 picks including: Amazon.com, TechRadar.com…

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5 *Est. $225

3 picks by top review sites.

Sennheiser RS 110 *Est. $50

2 picks by top review sites.

Sennheiser MM 450 *Est. $450

2 picks by top review sites.


	Sennheiser RS 180 Digital Wireless Headphone System In Stock. Average Customer Review: