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[B][U]Sony Wireless Stereo Headphone System (MDR-RF800RK)[/U][/B]Another Sony product with another cryptic title (MDR-RF800RK), this piece of kit is best described as a high-grade, general-purpose headphone set, rather than perhaps the be all and end all of its field.
This headphone set is probably best aimed at individuals who enjoy watching movies or shows at home on the TV, playing computer games on a PC or gaming console, or listening to music at higher volumes - without wanting to impose those sounds on others.
The headphones are the full over-the-head style and very light in weight, with each side enclosing and slightly resting on the ear, as opposed to the smaller in-ear designs. Each earpiece is fully padded, with the strap around your head not being too tightly pulled, resulting in a comfortable feel, without the worry of the headphones easily sliding off.
As mentioned in the products name, and is perhaps the main selling point, the headphones are wireless, meaning that they are not attached to the sounds source directly (such as a TV or Hi-Fi system), but via the included transmitter. The transmitter connects to your chosen source of sound, and beams it directly to the headphones via one of two radio frequencies.
The headphones include a small volume control dial on the right earpiece, so you don’t have to keep a remote control nearby or toggle with your PC volume settings.
To help combat signal crossover from other devices, Sony have included the use of two channels (radio frequencies) of broadcast, which are easily switchable on the transmitter and headphones, so if one channel provides a grainy sound, the other can be selected with ease, and hopefully result in a much clearer sound.
The headphones are powered from two Sony designed AAA sized batteries, which are included in the package. These batteries can be recharged via the transmitter with the provided cable, and last for around 10 hours when fully charged. You can use standard ‘dry’ AAA batteries, which apparently can last for up to 28 hours - but these cannot be recharged using the transmitter.
The transmitter does need to be plugged in to a standard electrical socket to operate, which can be a little problematic if you’ve not got any spare next to the TV, computer or Hi-Fi. This is to allow the transmitter to broadcast the sound, as well as make use of the recharge function. To save power, the transmitter will not attempt to broadcast when it is not receiving any sound, or when the sound signal is considered to faint to be enjoyable (which is an automatic process).
Included in the pack is a connector cable that allows you to connect any device via the standard headphone or 'audio out' socket on a Hi-Fi, CD or digital music player, as well as an adaptor to this cable that enables the connection of a DVD or set-top box via the red and white ‘left’ and ‘right’ audio output connectors, allowing for full stereo sound (where broadcast).
The advertised range is 100 metres, though this is dependant on the local surroundings (walls, etc). When plugged in to the back of a Sky Digital box tuned in to Lee Evans, walking away from the transmitter, down the stairs and in to the kitchen, out the door and in to the garden resulted in no signal or sound lose at all.
The sound quality that the headphones can provide is very impressive. When connected via the left and right audio out adaptor and watching a movie channel or DVD, it can feel like you’re watching in the cinema, as the circular design and padding enclose the ear in a way that blocks most external noise out, leaving you to enjoy the sounds of the movie, game or music you’re listening to.
Overall rating!
I’d give the Sony Wireless Headphone set an 8 out of 10, or 80%, as they do the basic job of providing a high quality sound to your ears, doing so comfortably, and with the added bonus of removing the chances of a tangle or restricting your range of movement.
The one downside to the product is the fact that the transmitter isn’t also powered by batteries, which means if you haven’t got any spare electrical sockets close enough, you’ll have to make an additional investment into an extender cord or a plug splitter.
The headphone set costs £40 from Argos or £33 from Amazon, though will no doubt be available elsewhere at other variable prices.
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[B][U]Sony Wireless Stereo Headphone System (MDR-RF800RK)[/U][/B]Another Sony product with another cryptic title (MDR-RF800RK), this piece of kit is best described as a high-grade, general-purpose headphone set, rather than perhaps the be all and end all of its field.
This headphone set is probably best aimed at individuals who enjoy watching movies or shows at home on the TV, playing computer games on a PC or gaming console, or listening to music at higher volumes - without wanting to impose those sounds on others.
The headphones are the full over-the-head style and very light in weight, with each side enclosing and slightly resting on the ear, as opposed to the smaller in-ear designs. Each earpiece is fully padded, with the strap around your head not being too tightly pulled, resulting in a comfortable feel, without the worry of the headphones easily sliding off.
As mentioned in the products name, and is perhaps the main selling point, the headphones are wireless, meaning that they are not attached to the sounds source directly (such as a TV or Hi-Fi system), but via the included transmitter. The transmitter connects to your chosen source of sound, and beams it directly to the headphones via one of two radio frequencies.
The headphones include a small volume control dial on the right earpiece, so you don’t have to keep a remote control nearby or toggle with your PC volume settings.
To help combat signal crossover from other devices, Sony have included the use of two channels (radio frequencies) of broadcast, which are easily switchable on the transmitter and headphones, so if one channel provides a grainy sound, the other can be selected with ease, and hopefully result in a much clearer sound.
The headphones are powered from two Sony designed AAA sized batteries, which are included in the package. These batteries can be recharged via the transmitter with the provided cable, and last for around 10 hours when fully charged. You can use standard ‘dry’ AAA batteries, which apparently can last for up to 28 hours - but these cannot be recharged using the transmitter.
The transmitter does need to be plugged in to a standard electrical socket to operate, which can be a little problematic if you’ve not got any spare next to the TV, computer or Hi-Fi. This is to allow the transmitter to broadcast the sound, as well as make use of the recharge function. To save power, the transmitter will not attempt to broadcast when it is not receiving any sound, or when the sound signal is considered to faint to be enjoyable (which is an automatic process).
Included in the pack is a connector cable that allows you to connect any device via the standard headphone or 'audio out' socket on a Hi-Fi, CD or digital music player, as well as an adaptor to this cable that enables the connection of a DVD or set-top box via the red and white ‘left’ and ‘right’ audio output connectors, allowing for full stereo sound (where broadcast).
The advertised range is 100 metres, though this is dependant on the local surroundings (walls, etc). When plugged in to the back of a Sky Digital box tuned in to Lee Evans, walking away from the transmitter, down the stairs and in to the kitchen, out the door and in to the garden resulted in no signal or sound lose at all.
The sound quality that the headphones can provide is very impressive. When connected via the left and right audio out adaptor and watching a movie channel or DVD, it can feel like you’re watching in the cinema, as the circular design and padding enclose the ear in a way that blocks most external noise out, leaving you to enjoy the sounds of the movie, game or music you’re listening to.
Overall rating!
I’d give the Sony Wireless Headphone set an 8 out of 10, or 80%, as they do the basic job of providing a high quality sound to your ears, doing so comfortably, and with the added bonus of removing the chances of a tangle or restricting your range of movement.
The one downside to the product is the fact that the transmitter isn’t also powered by batteries, which means if you haven’t got any spare electrical sockets close enough, you’ll have to make an additional investment into an extender cord or a plug splitter.
The headphone set costs £40 from Argos or £33 from Amazon, though will no doubt be available elsewhere at other variable prices.