Sennheiser RS 180

Bottom line

The Sennheiser RS 180 wireless headphone sounds so good that critics say it can be hard to tell the difference from wired cans in the same price class. Compared to other wireless headphones, hiss and interference are greatly reduced. The wireless range is excellent as long as you don't let too many walls get in the way. While complaints are few, some users dislike the awkwardly placed controls and a somewhat hard-to-swallow selling price.

Performance

Wired sound quality without the wires. Many experts are surprised by just how clear the Sennheiser RS 180 sounds, particularly since many similar wireless headphone models suffer from hiss and interference. CNET's Steve Guttenberg says, "the RS 180 may be wireless, but it (mostly) doesn't sound like it is." Owners also appreciate the superb audio quality and sound balance across the range found in these headphones.

Automatic level controls equalize the sound volume when watching movies or TV, but some users say the range could be better and listening in another room with walls in between is a challenge. These cans use an open-back design that's prone to sound leakage. If that's a concern, the step-down Sennheiser RS 170 (Est. $250) is a closed-back model that's liked nearly as much by critics and users, and costs less.

Comfort

Easy on the ears, not the fingers. Guttenberg says the Sennheiser RS 180 is "remarkably comfortable to wear," an observation that's echoed by many users on sites like Amazon.com and Crutchfield.com. The open-back design cuts down on sweat from long listening sessions. However, both experts and owners say accessing the volume and power buttons on the right earphone is a bit of a pain; a tightly packed button design causes some to hit unintended buttons.

Value

Top quality doesn't come cheap. The RS 180's hefty price tag puts these cans in the upper mid-range of the cost spectrum, but the performance is right there despite a few quirks. Their cost is a hefty hit to the wallet, but most owners say these pristine-sounding wireless headphones are worth it, and some even say they'd pay more.