Anybody have any experience with good wireless headphones? I'm especially interested in sets with "simulated" surround capability. Sennheiser has a new model called the RS 60 that looks very interesting, but I haven't been able to find a review anywhere.

I've got the latest Sony Dolby Digital/DTS model; I've been meaning to write up a review.

Daniel, in short, how do you like the Sony? I heard the last model (DD only) was lacking of bass. Thanks

I'm really looking forward to a review of these $1000 Cdn headphones...

So am I, especially since I auditioned the old MDR-DS5000 a few months back and was disappointed by the lack of bass as well as by the the hollow, artificial sound of the processor. Sure hope Sony has resolved these issues with the 5100.

Also, despite what Sony claimed about extra 5000 headphone units being available separately, I was unable to find a retailer with even the foggiest notion, nor did I find a part number or price at the Sony site. Now I see at the link mentioned in your "Sony press releases..." thread that the headphones are again purported to be sold separately. Please confirm in your review that additional headphone sets (MDR-IF5000) will indeed exist. :^)

I have the original "Auri" wireless surround sound headphone system. This is the system that is currently being sold under the Sennheiser name as the DSP Pro.(at Audio Advisor, you can get the DSP Pro and a pair of HD 580s for $200)
I prefer this system over the Sony or the new Sennheiser RS-60, because you can use your own headphones. Plus I disagree with the use of open-air design headphones with these systems. You can hear too much ambient noise with them( anybody out there with noisy New York radiators), I much prefer the closed air design. I use either Sony V-900s or MDR-CD 1000s.
As for the sound quality of the processor. I think the Toltec processing used by the Auri/DSP Pro is just outstanding.
And we must remember, we're only talking about a, at most, 2" driver in headphones. So while claimed frequency response may reach down to 5 Hz, it ain't the same as having a 12 incher pumping away with abandon.

So, if you're interested in this sort of thing, I suggest getting the separate processor and buying some good headphones.

Paul

Good points, Cool. But tell me: compared to a regular pair of cans (I own some pretty nice Sennheisers), what kind of spatial difference do you hear with a surround pair? To me, having the ears completely closed off and listening to sound, already creates incredible surround imaging with normal stereo feeds. ... Mike

For reviews on just about everything try www.audioreview.com.

Hey Mike,

Which Senn's do you have? Most Senn's are open air style, which is why I ask. You can tell if the outside of the ear piece is perforated or not.
The Open design of the Sony DS5000 is unique to the Sony. About 7 years ago they had out a similar pair called the VP 1000s that they used at their Sony store here in New York for demo listening in the CDs section. These were the most outstanding 'phones I'd ever heard. Imaging like I'd never heard before. But of course they'd been discontinued. Called Sony for a dealer list and called every name and nobody had 'em. Came very close to just cutting a pair off the demo rack.
Anyway, the design I think though is really predicated on a quiet environment. Which I guess it may be during the wee hours when you may not want to disturb the neighbors, but sometimes you just want to crank it during the day when and the girl friend/ wife yells to turn it down. So for those of us not yet blessed with dedicated rooms, audition carefully.

Paul

I have a pair of absolutely beautiful, comfortable Cool: Ovation HD560s that I bought about 8 or 10 years ago, and I figure I'll never have to buy another pair. They call them "open air" because of the perforation on the outside, but they do enclose my (large) ears. They are different from the Senn open-airs I used to use in the recording studio, which actually used yellow foam to sit on top of the ear, so I could talk and listen at the same time. I find the 560s really good for quiet listening, and they don't make me feel like I'm in a vacuum vice-grip.

Has anyone had a chance to try the Sennheiser RS series at all?

Any more comments on this one?

The best wireless earphones are the ones you don't have to wear.

It works like this... You simply turn on your CD/Tape/whatever source and amplifier, make sure your good speakers are connected and switched on, then sit back as the sound waves pass wirelessly thru the air to your ears.

Of course, everyone else around will be blessed with the same high quality sound... wirelessly!


On another train of thought... Sony figured out how to send audio and video via infrared from their Handycams to your TV. Many remote controls speak IR two-ways. How much extra cleverness would be required to design a handheld remote, with an earphone-out plug, that could pass on the audio sent via IR to the remote? Better yet, how about a remote like a color Pronto, that could receive audio AND video, then SHOW IT ON THE LCD? Preview TV channels on the remote, before switching the TV to the one you want! I'd buy one!

Dave

Dave: Um, I assume you've seen this remote? [Link: sel.sony.com]

Daniel, you sure do keep up with your research! They must have just added that puppy not too long ago!

-Greg :-)