Our Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 165 are decent mixed usage headphones with an above average sound. They are best used for as critical listening or home theater headphones (coming soon) as they're not versatile enough for all environments and situations. That and the fact that they have a stand transmitter and no way to use the headphones wired means if you're not in direct line-of-sight or close to your source and the transmitter then the headphones are practically unsuable.
- Low latency connection.
- Well-balanced audio reproduction.
- Poor isolation.
- Limited range and usability.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Above-average for neutral listening. They have a good audio reproduction with a good bass that can be amplified through their additional Bass button. The mid and treble range are also decently balanced that instruments and vocals are not drowned out by the regular bass response. Unfortunately, they don't have a spacious soundstage which won't be ideal for more neutral listeners, and their bass performance varies a lot depending on your head shape and if you were glasses which makes them a bit inconsistent.
Not suitable for commuting and traveling. Although they have a decent overall performance that would suggest they're OK for commuting, the fact that you must have the transmitter in range means they won't be the ideal headphones to use anywhere but at home or at the office in front of your Tv or PC.
Not intended for sports. They have a fixed transmitter, they're bulky and a bit unstable which is not ideal for running or working out.
Average for office use since you will most likely have a fixed source. They have a decent line-of-sight range, they're comfortable and easy-to-use. However, they're a bit leaky and they don't isolate enough for particularly noisy office environments.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Aug 10, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Sennheiser RS 165 RF Wireless are better TV headphones than the Insignia Digital Wireless headphones. The Sennheiser are better-built and have a more comfortable fit suitable for long movies. Out of the box, they have a significantly more neutral sound profile, which some people may prefer, though their control scheme has a bass effect if you want more bass. They have a longer continuous battery life too.
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