Yea, the 185 base has more options if you're using analog input. But I'm using just digital into my TV. The bass and surround buttons don't have any affect on the 185, just the rs175. 

  Yea, so actually what I have now is the RS175 full set base + headphones and just bought a seperate RS185 headphone. As when I had both bases I did extensive testing and noticed no difference between an RS185 connected to it's own base and an RS175 base. I followed up with this with...

I did rebuy the rs175. I much prefer the RS 185 but every blue moon I need a closed back headphone for isolation.

I have both the RS 185 and RS 175 (connected to an RS175 base station). If I put the 185 velour earpads on the 175, you do loose a bit of that closed back "seal" which you get and a little base. BUT DAMN IS THAT VELOUR COMFORTABLE. I'd recommend it. Or better yet be like me and get both, closed...

If anyone is shopping around for the RS 185. I just put up my extra testing pair for sale finally on the Marketplace.   http://www.head-fi.org/t/770090/2015-sennheiser-rs-185-wireless-headphones-70-best-buy-protection-plan

  That's interesting. I experience no cutouts with my RS185 and the base station even sits on top of wireless subwoofer that's also 2.5ghz. 

  Yea, tough choice. I'd say go with the RS 175, that will have a bit less sound leakage. Although it's surprising how much sound it leaks for a closed back. $309 is a great price for the RS 185 though, very tempting. I paid over a hundred more for my RS 185. 

  I was actually really surprised how much sound leaked out of the RS 175. They are sealed but from some reason they leak a ton of sound. It was slightly less than the RS 185 though. 

  Seems like Sennheiser fixed the hiss sound on all the RS models which have the ability to connect via optical. Both the RS 175 and RS 185 were dead silent. The RS 185 is the superior headphone by far. If it's in your budget get that one, if not then you still can't really go wrong with the RS...

:D   So after testing with both of them I made some conclusions. The RS 185 has a way more open sound and the sound positioning is great, sounds nearly surround. It has clear bass in movies and the mids are higher. The RS 175 has way more bass, bass boost is too much. The bass is muddy from...

  Yea, darn them! I'm thinking since the RS175 is designed for tv/movies (RS195 more designed for hearing loss) that the amp/dac receiver is going to boost the volume higher. I'm going to pick a pair up and do some more testing. 

  Ah, darn. To use the level control I'd have to run analog, but my wireless sub is using the only analog out on my TV. I'd reconsider the 175 vs 185, maybe get more loudness there but I liked the openness of the 185.    I suppose you're right, because music played from my computer I run the...

@mark2410 or @Randolph Duke , When I watch movies off my PC with my RS 185 the headphone volume is at max (beeps when I press vol +) but I wish it could go one or two clicks louder. Have you guys experienced this? The headphones are on max volume most the time. I'm running no sort of dynamic...

  Monoprice is just consistently decent and works. You get a high chance of cables not working when they arrive from random Amazon manufacturers, from what I've seen. The Audioquest optical cables lock in nice to the optical port and they just have a nicer feel. It's a digital signal, so it...

  If you're buying a cable on a budget I'd get one from Monoprice.com. I mostly buy audioquest cables, decent stuff but expensive. 

you can use any optical cable. I got this one because I need something longer too   http://www.bestbuy.com/site/audioquest-optilink-forest-9-8-in-wall-optical-cable-black-green/4634909.p?id=1218501940396&skuId=4634909

Thanks for the new thread. I have been enjoying my RS 185. 

  Interesting! What was the environment like at the trade show, loud? I could see how in that environment the RS 175s would sound much better. I called my audio friends over, I'm more of a video guy and use their guidance, and it was unanimous that the 185s were the one to choose. The 185s...

Been about a week 1/2 with my RS 185s. My simple setup is a Sony W950B, Audio Quest optical cable running out the back, and into the RS 185.     I continued testing it vs the 175s. I could imagine getting the 175s without hearing the 185s and being completely happy. But once you have them side...

So RS 185 is the choice for me. Initially I liked the bass on the RS 175 but after some listening and comparing, I realized I liked the RS185 more. The stereo position was way better in the RS 185 too, nearly felt surround. I could see how some bass heads would prefer the RS 175 though, it's...

Well, I got both. Going to fully test and pick one. I'm a bit worried about my ears getting hot with the RS 175, otherwise that would have been my choice without testing.   

  Thanks everyone for the info. After much hand wringing I went with the RS 175, I think I'd use the surround processing for movies and bass boost way more than the EQ stuff on the 185. Also it will be a tad cheaper to get a second 175 headset for my girlfriend :P

Jude you mentioned that you were using the Sennheiser 185 for awhile, have you tried them out on movies? The model down, the RS 175, seems to be more geared towards movie listening (surround mode and bass boost). While the RS 185 seems to be geared more towards music. My use would mostly be...

  Ok. That's the understanding I got when reading their website descriptions. I wish the 175 had a bit of a better build quality, but if the 185 is more for music than I definitely should not buy it because I am looking for something for Movies and Games. 

Anyone have insight in RS 175 vs 185? My main use is movies/games through my HTPC. I was leaning towards the 185 because I try to buy the nicer versions. But I know I'll never use the extra equalizers on it ( I just don't enjoy that ), but was thinking an open back would give me a better...