THE BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES FOR TV
There are a lot of things you can do with your television. Thanks to amazing technological advancements, you can now play a game, watch a 3D movie, connect to the internet, use a variety of entertainment apps, and so much more. How to enjoy your telly is another part of the story. Some people live in big houses where a super loud surround sound system will never bother a neighbour. Others, however, are staying in an apartment where a medium strength volume may wake up a sleeping neighbour or trouble a roommate already.
To enjoy watching shows or movies on the TV to their hearts’ desires, a lot of people use headphones. There are people who use headphones because they live in quite a small space. Headphones can help them hear the show well, often with a surround sound feature, without disturbing anybody. Others simply want to exclude themselves from society after a long day at work.
There are innumerable reasons on why one feels to use headphones in front of the television yet everyone who does so face one particular concern: the cable or cord is on the way.
When you need a bathroom break or just want to lie differently on the couch, the cord attached to the headphones just won’t let you go. Luckily, not all headphones are created equal. Although there may be headphones that are ultimately frustrating, wireless headphones can save you at the end of the day.
Wireless headphones do away with the dangling cord that distracts you during a movie night on the couch. Most wireless headphones use Bluetooth to transmit the sound. Wireless headphones may sound perfect for your apartment set-up but not all wireless headphones may give you what you really need. There are some things to consider when purchasing wireless headphones for your TV.
Things to consider when choosing wireless headphones for TV
There are several factors to keep in mind when searching for a pair of wireless headphones that can pair up with your telly the best. You should carefully evaluate the performance and features of headphones and compare them with each other before deciding which pair suit you needs perfectly. You should assess them based on their transmission range, sound quality, Dolby technology, battery life, comfort, and compatibility.
• Transmission Range
The range of transmission depends on the type of transmission a pair of headphones has. Some wireless headphones for TV use infrared (IR). Others use radio frequency (RF). Bluetooth and higher frequencies are other types of transmission used. Choose which one will work best for you, and you are good to go.
Headphones with IR transmission is has an average of 30 ft. They are perfect for short range transmission and useful when there is a clear, uninterrupted line-of-sight between the transmitter and the receiver. IR is a frequency of light and it does not pass through walls. Hence, your apartment set-up for headphones using IR should not have barricades between your telly and your couch. RF, on the other hand, uses 800 to 900 MHz FM radio signals.
Unlike IR, RF can pass through walls but it is already subject to certain interference. If you are moving around the house with your wireless headphones, you might not be able to hear what is on TV when you are several rooms inside the apartment. Bluetooth compresses audio signal and operates at around 2.4 GHz frequencies. However, because of compressed audio, it affects the fidelity of the sound. The best and the most expensive is the high frequency transmission that ranges of 4.5 GHz. It has less sound quality loss and does not suffer any interference.
• Sound Quality
Headphones will not do any good if their sound quality is down the drain. When an advertisement tells you that the sound quality of the headphones is top-notch, do not believe it outright. Some headphones have superior wireless connection paired with fantastic sound quality. However, there are headphones which make you hear static or popping sounds. There are even headphones which cannot be used at the fullest volume because it ruins the bass. Whenever possible, test the sound quality of the headphones first before purchasing a pair.
• Dolby Digital
Dolby technology is an audio format which gives viewers a clearer and realistic sound experience. It is commonly used in DVD and Blu-Ray movies. To tap the optimum sound quality of the movie you are about to watch on your telly, you should always check if your headphones are compatible with Dolby.
• Battery Life
Wireless headphones for TV depend a lot on their batteries to keep functioning. The shorter the listening time, the useless the headphones will be. High quality wireless headphones can provide more than 30 hours of listening while average headphones can give you up to 25 hours. Aside from the number of hours the headphones can be used, also check the amount of time this gadget needs to be charged. You do not need headphones which sit in the charger all day and use it for a single movie at night. You might as well get glued to your telly as close as possible and it will not cost you anything.
• Comfort
Buying headphones is like buying a pair of shoes. Why buy them if you cannot wear them? Comfort is one of the things you must put into consideration when finding the best headphones for your needs. Keep in mind that you might wear them for more than an hour especially when you are watching TV series or in a movie marathon. Your headphones should have proper and soft ear cushions. Moreover, they should be light enough to rest on top of your head for a while.
• Compatibility
Aside from compatibility with Dolby, there is another compatibility requirement you should consider. That is compatibility of the headphones to your telly. Although most televisions today have Bluetooth or can easily connect to it, not every TV is a smart one and may not have internet connection. Before purchasing wireless headphones, check on how your telly can connect externally. Make sure to write down the exact model of the TV to precisely check your targeted headphones.
Top 5 outstanding wireless headphones for TV - The Complete chart
| Picture | Name | Customer Ratings | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sennheiser RS120-II | High | $$ | 4.85 |
|
Sennheiser RS170 | High | $$ | 4.8 |
|
GOgroove Bluetooth | High | $$ | 4.75 |
|
Sony MDRRF985RK | High | $$ | 4.65 |
|
RCA WHP 141B 900MHZ | High | $$ | 4.6 |
It is a bit daunting to find the best wireless headphones that suit not only your TV but your needs as well. Even with the things to consider discussed above, finding a pair of perfectly suitable headphones still feels like finding a needle in a haystack. To help you begin your haunt, here are some marvellous wireless headphones for TV which, hopefully, will make it to your list.
1. Sennheiser RS120-II
Enjoy good sound quality with freedom of movement at an affordable price of less than $100. That is what Sennheiser RS120-II can provide. The headphones have three RF channels and use RF signal. You can use your RS120-II up to 328 feet line-of-sight. Every pair has high fidelity audio reproduction which allows them to have a wonderful sound quality. RS120-II can be used up to 20 hours. It is easy to charge because the transmitter doubles as automatic recharging station. Just put the headphones in there and it will automatically charge. It can be worn for long hours because it is very lightweight and has supra aural cans.
However, it is not good at noise cancelling and anyone near you might hear what you are listening to. It can easily connect to anything with analogue audio output, 3.5mm or 6.3mm sockets, or RCA audio jack. If your telly connects via Bluetooth, RS120-II is not for you because it is not compatible with it.
2. Sennheiser RS170
Sennheiser RS170 is another model of awesome wireless headphones for TV. It can deliver a home cinema experience and surround sound with 2.4 to 2.8 GHz KLEER carrier frequency. It can be used up to 260 ft. allowing you to move around while watching TV. It can function up to 24 hours and can be easily charged because its storage cradle doubles as a charging station. It provides comfort even during long hours of wearing with its leatherette cushioned pads and very lightweight. The earpads come in a circumaural design to prevent sound leak and help in isolation. It can connect to device with a 3.5mm analogue. RS170 is a cinema experience at your home at a sensible price.
3. GOgroove Bluetooth TV Headphones
Get the groove of the movie you are watching in your telly with Gogroove wireless headphones with Premium Comfort Plush Bluetooth Headphones and Bluetooth Transmitter . These super affordable headphones come only at a bargain price of less than $100. It has a dynamic amount of bass. The overall sound quality is good although it may suffer in clarity and vibrancy at times. It can be used up to 14 hours of TV marathon or playtime and needs only 3 hours to recharge. It is highly comfortable and lightweight. Its plastic body is durable to last for a long time. It has an integrated microphone to answer or make calls. It can connect to your TV in three ways: through a 3.5mm socket, RCA audio jack, or Bluetooth.
4. Sony MDRRF985RK Wireless headphones for TV
Sony’s wireless headphones for TV may be a bit pricey at $299 but it can give you a sound quality that is worth your money. It uses radio frequency of 900MHz FM signal. It has a rich, deep, dynamic bass and high fidelity sound reproduction. It can give you a long listening time of up to 25 hours.
Charging the headphones should not be a worry because its base station allows automatic charging. Moreover, it gives you an option to use AA alkaline batteries. As to comfort, Sony’s wireless headphones for TV have an over ear circumaural design which is perfect for noise cancelling. The ear cups are padded to make it comfortable to use for very long hours.
Another thing which makes Sony headphones fantastic for TV use is its ability to convert digital audio signals to analogue signals. It can connect to your telly through three ways: RCA audio jack, AUX, or 3.5 mm mini output.
5. RCA WHP 141B 900MHZ Headphones
Experience the full freedom of wireless technology with RCA’s headphones for TV. It has 40mm speakers and uses transmissions at 900MHz frequency. It can be used up to 150 ft. line-of-sight although a bit of static can be experienced when there are a lot of interference at 40 ft.
Aside from this, RCA wireless headphones use Phase-Lock Loop technology or PLL. This locks in the frequency and prevents signal losses. Hence, you can experience a continuous high quality sound even when you are roaming around your apartment as long as the frequency is locked. It has a long battery life and its transmitter doubles as a charging station. RCA’s wireless headphones for TV are compact and very lightweight. The ear cups are padded for maximum comfort even during long hours of wearing. The headband is adjustable to let the whole gear sit perfectly on your head. It can connect to your TV through a 3.5mm jack or RCA audio jack.
How to pick the ideal wireless headphones for TV
Choosing the perfect wireless headphones for your TV may be a bit difficult. You need to keep yourself abreast of certain technical information because it is where the greatness and uniqueness of each pair of headphones lie. Aside from this, no two headphones are the same. True, they may have similar features especially when they are manufactured under the same brand, but that does not mean there is no unique thing about them. Find that unique feature and maybe it is what can convince you to buy a particular pair.
As to physical attributes, some headphones have large controls, other have small controls that may not be ideal for people with bigger fingers. Usually, the headphones come in one base colour – black – but the designs or emphasis on lines comes in another shade. Choose the colour that suits you best.
Remember that before you actually decide which wireless headphones for TV you should purchase, check its transmission range, sound quality, battery life, comfort, compatibility, design, and price.
