Sennheiser RS 160: Meet One of The Best Cheap TV Headphones on The Market

The Sennheiser RS 160 is the most economical of the RS line. The RS 160 are one of the most popular TV headphones thanks to the Kleer RF technology. These Over-Ear headphones come with a wireless transmitter that allows you to enjoy high quality sound without any interference or noise.

Wireless headphones free you from the hassle of cables, but most don't offer sound of equal quality to wired ones. Sennheiser found the solution to this problem with Kleer technology, designed to wirelessly transmit sound that matches the quality of a CD.

All models in the Sennheiser RS line are excellent (RS 1160, 165, 170, 180 and 190). The model we review here is the cheapest, but it offers everything any user needs to listen to movies or music of any genre at home.

They are also portable, and the small transmitter is powered by AAA batteries, so you can take them outdoors if you need to. They have a remarkable autonomy, impeccable connectivity, and are very comfortable. The best part: they are inexpensive.

Design

These headphones feature the build quality to which we are accustomed from Sennheiser. The RS160 has an adjustable headband that adapts perfectly to any user. They feature soft padding on the headband and cups.

They are very comfortable to wear, and won't cause any discomfort or pressure, even after several hours. These are Over-Ear/circumaural closed headphones. They can get a bit warm during long sessions, but not to an annoying level.

It's hard to find portable RF headphones, but that's fortunately the case with the Sennheiser RS 160. They come with a small transmitter that is powered by two AAA batteries, just like the headphones themselves.

The transmitter has a power button. It also integrates a potentiometer for volume output that works independently of the volume controls on the headphones and the audio source.

Sennheiser RS160 – Accessories and Portability

These TV headphones are very easy to use, and the package comes with everything you need. You just need to install the batteries, connect them to your device and turn them on. Inside the box, we find the Sennheiser RS 160 headphones, the transmitter, a set of AAA batteries, the power cable and the 3.5mm audio cable to connect it to the sound source.

One thing we regret is that the charging cable is not long enough to use while charging. That said, it's a unique model among Sennheiser's RS line thanks to its portability.

The most complete TV headphones, such as the 165, 175, 185 and 195 use a base. Unlike these, the RS 160 transmitter doesn't serve as a charging base, and you can be carry it outdoors in any pocket. However, they are ultimately more suited for home use, for watching TV or listening to music.

The transmitter has dimensions of 87 x 97 x 27mm, and looks like a small field hockey puck. They are the best option in terms of portability, although they are not as flexible as other models, since you cannot do without the transmitter.

Sennheiser RS 160: Connectivity

These headphones work with Kleer radio frequency technology. It's an ideal technology for transmitting high-fidelity audio inside the home, as it offers flawless connectivity without interference or noise. The transmitter of the Sennheiser RS 160 is very small and the most basic of the line, but it works perfectly at a range of up to 20 meters.

Bluetooth headsets have the advantage in versatility, but if you're looking for a TV headset, Kleer connectivity is the best choice. It operates with minimal latency, very low power consumption and high resistance to interference. For this reason, it offers excellent autonomy.

Another unique feature is the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously, four in this case. This is ideal for families or friend groups who want to enjoy a movie at the same time, even in different places in the home.

In addition, all equipment compatible with Kleer technology is compatible, so you can use equipment of different brands without any problems.

The Sennheiser RS 160 is a great choice for home use, but not ideal as a portable headset for outdoor activities or errands. However, it's likely that speaker manufacturers will begin to include this technology in their products soon, as they had with Bluetooth and WiFi.

Sound quality

The RS 160s integrate neodymium drivers that produce rich, clear audio at all frequencies. They operate with a frequency range of 18-21kHz, and have an impedance of 32 ohms.

They offer superb performance and surround sound. We tried them with various genres of music and were impressed. Definition is remarkable at all frequencies, and bass sounds strong.

Kleer technology allows you to wirelessly transmit uncompressed audio with the same quality as a CD. When using the Sennheiser RS160, you will not notice audio dropouts, as is the case with many Bluetooth headsets. The sound is solid and totally reliable in terms of transmission quality.

We tested them by playing different podcasts, and noticed very clear audio. They also improve the TV audio experience considerably. The soundtracks and sound effects of the movies are loud and vivid.

The power is also noticeable, and if you turn up the volume too high, people close to you will be able to hear the sound. It passively isolates you from ambient noise thanks to the Over-Ear design, but not completely as these are not noise-cancelling headphones.

Overall, the sound Sennheiser RS 160 offer is excellent and very well balanced. The profile features deep lows, mids with a great presence and very crisp lows. If you are looking for a gaming headset, we recommend a model with stronger bass, but to enjoy movies and music the RS 160 are perfect.

Battery of the Sennheiser RS 160

The battery life of both the headphones and the transmitter is up to 24 hours of continuous playback. It's a great capacity, but the negative point is the charging process. In total, it takes about 16 hours. They are charged through a normal wall outlet or using AAA batteries.

Conclusion

The Sennheiser RS 160 headphones have an attractive design and good build quality. They are very comfortable, and you can wear them for several hours with no pressure or discomfort. They offer great audio for enjoying movies or music at home wirelessly, thanks to RF technology. In addition, the autonomy is great, and they are the most portable model in the line.

If you need to connect your wireless headphones to your TV, you can check our guide. We also recommend you check out the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless. If you want a headset with a microphone, you can check this review.