[Coldsnap]

What difference does it make? Sound quality or just the build quality?

 
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 probably doesn't help sound quality much. 

 

[holyindian]

   
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 probably doesn't help sound quality much. 

Thanks for your response.
yea i agree the snapon thing is important for optical cables, as they tend to pull out and fall off. When i was researching on amazon, finding the cable with the snapon feature was the first thing i was looking for. The one i ordered click and fits the sources.
I've receieved the cable yesterday and it perfectly clicked when i attached it to the AVR and the transmitter base.
Having said so, i am struggling to figure out on how to get the audio sources changed to optical in the AVR.
I have a Denon 4311CI, I have attached the optical cable from the hp's transmitter to the optical out of the AVR, but does anyone know how to switch to get audio off the AVR?

 

[holyindian]

I need help in setting this up with the A/V Reciever. I am unable to get audio transmitted to the transmitter through the AVR.
Has anyone connected the transmitter base using the optical cables to their reciever?
I am using a Denon 4311CI, and i have all my sources such as the BD player, Xbox, Satellite cable receiver, XBMC Media Server connecting to the AV reciever's HDMI input.
Now, i am connecting the RS175 transmitter with the optical cable to the AVR's optical port.
But I am told on AVS forum, that i might be able to get the audio from switchng to Zone 2, plus i might also need additional audio cables connected from the sources to the avr, such as additional optical or analogue cables?
Is it true? how have you set up yours? any guidence will help.
Here is a rear view of my Denon 4311CI avr.
 
 

 

[Sennheiser]

Sorry for my late reply. Please see my answers below (in blue):
 
 
Quote:

   
On Q1: Since the VSS/BB features are TR 175 transmitter dependent, it might also be the case for the ALC/MLC feature of the RS 185. In which case my assumptions in Q1 above - (TR 175 + HDR 185 + HDR 175) MLC being the only feature lost, ALC still works - might be false if the ALC feature is also implemented on the TR 185 transmitter, and would not be possible using the TR 175 transmitter.
 
I searched the RS 175/185/195 PDF manuals, and the only one with "ALC" feature seems to be the RS 185. I also found it mentioned in a old cnet.com review of the old RS 180:
 
Guttenberg described its function, how it is particularly useful while watching video. Seems this nice feature was exclusive to the RS 180 back then. Can you confirm whether the current HDR 185 will retain the ALC function if paired to a TR 175 base? I assumed previously that the MLC required the knob on the TR 185, but ALC would be default mode; now it seems might be an exclusive feature requiring TR 185 transmitter. So would one gain VSS/BB with the TR 175 transmitter, but lose ALC/MLC, as there is no mention of ALC in the RS 175 manual? ALC does not function (and not designed to) if an optical input is used so might not be significant, right?
 
Thanks to feedback from customers and reviewers such as Guttenberg, we've now made ALC a common feature for all models in the new RS series. Simply put, we consider it a hygiene factor which everyone may expect from the new series. While we've not mentioned it in our product literature, you may rest assured that this feature has been embedded in RS 165, RS 175, RS 185 and RS 195. Only the MLC is unique to RS 185. 
 
On Q2: Good point about the open vs closed design.
 
In comparing just the headsets (TR transmitter features being equal):
 
I understand there is two tiers in build/comfort quality: 165/175 is the standard build, while the 185/195 is the better build — the 185/195 has *puffier* headband cushions in various product photos, and in the reviews posted to head-fi.org. If paired to the same transmitter, is there a sound difference between the 165, 175, and the 195? For the budget conscious (like me the HDR 165 might be a reasonable second pair closed headset. If comfort is more important in a closed design, the HDR 195 might be considered with understanding of button/function/transmitter etc.
 
About the RS 195:
 
For someone with hearing loss, requiring hearing aids to carry on a conversation, are the RS 195 useful in watching television? I know they are for people needing "assistive hearing". The manual says it features "hearing boost presets and an additional noise suppression mode". It's not clear if this is for people with mild hearing loss, but not needing hearing aids; especially since it touts great sound quality.
 
I understand the only way to know is for the person to try it out, as improvements while using the RS 195 would depend on the level of hearing loss. I know Sennheiser has other TV assistive listening devices, with bands hanging below the chin. Are those more suited to moderate hearing loss? Let me know if I should direct this kind of questions to someone specific at Sennheiser.
 
The RS 195 is not meant to replace hearing aids. However, for people with mild and moderate hearing deficits in general, the RS 195 can be helpful for TV and music listening. The technology and adjustable presets embedded address the most popular hearing preferences/needs. I'll try to reach out to the Product manager of our audiology segment to see if she can provide a bit more on this topic. Will update soon! 

 

[Fornax]

 
Thanks to feedback from customers and reviewers such as Guttenberg, we've now made ALC a common feature for all models in the new RS series. Simply put, we consider it a hygiene factor which everyone may expect from the new series. While we've not mentioned it in our product literature, you may rest assured that this feature has been embedded in RS 165, RS 175, RS 185 and RS 195. Only the MLC is unique to RS 185. 

 
ALC being an undocumented feature on all in the new RS 1x5 series is great piece of new info! Just to reaffirm, since it seems to be a handy feature: Automatic level control *only* works when the input is analog via the 3.5mm or RCA inputs? It does *not* operate when the input into the TR transmitters is digital via the toslink optical? (Might be technical reason for this, or that it is not needed or desirable for pure digital input.)
 

 
The RS 195 is not meant to replace hearing aids. However, for people with mild and moderate hearing deficits in general, the RS 195 can be helpful for TV and music listening. The technology and adjustable presets embedded address the most popular hearing preferences/needs. I'll try to reach out to the Product manager of our audiology segment to see if she can provide a bit more on this topic. Will update soon! 

 
Thanks for looking into this. Ultimately the person will need to try it out; but it's good to get some idea of what the product can reasonably do, especially for people needing assistive hearing.
 

 

[Sennheiser]

   
ALC being an undocumented feature on all in the new RS 1x5 series is great piece of new info! Just to reaffirm, since it seems to be a handy feature: Automatic level control *only* works when the input is analog via the 3.5mm or RCA inputs? It does *not* operate when the input into the TR transmitters is digital via the toslink optical?

 
That is correct. ALC only works for analog inputs - 3.5mm or RCA. For a pure digital input, ALC is not needed. The reason for this is that a digital audio output signal consists of pulses with 2 distinct fixed output levels (0 and 1) and is not susceptible to noise.  

 

[Sennheiser]

Below are a couple of video reviews of the new RS models:
 
Here's one on the RS 165 by Hardware Canucks:
 

 
And another on the RS 175 by JayzTwoCents: 
 
 

 

[Aithon]

Posted this in the RS 1X0 thread but maybe it's more appropriate here:

Has anyone tried to replace the earpads on the new RS 1X5 series with deeper cups like the Brainwavz HM5 pads?

The Brainwavz don't have exactly the same shape, but there is no alternative that fits the RS specifically.


The clamping pressure on the new RS is so strong that it causes discomfort after some time (at least if you have a prominent anti-helix).

 

[Randolph Duke]

Posted this in the RS 1X0 thread but maybe it's more appropriate here:

Has anyone tried to replace the earpads on the new RS 1X5 series with deeper cups like the Brainwavz HM5 pads?

The Brainwavz don't have exactly the same shape, but there is no alternative that fits the RS specifically.


The clamping pressure on the new RS is so strong that it causes discomfort after some time (at least if you have a prominent anti-helix).

Not sure that would help.
In fact- I had to reluctantly go back to the 180's due to the clamping.
The clamping on the RS185 was so tight. I tried to get use it, but they gave me a headache if I wore them longer than an hour.
And last week I actually had a small blister under my ear- where the pads clamp to the skin. Not cool.
 
The 180's do not sound as crisp and full- but they come close. The pads are softer and the clamping is just right. They are much more comfortable over long use.
It's a trade off for sure- but- in this case- the comfort out ways the difference in sound quality.
 
FWIW- the 180's have never lost signal. 175 did lose signal for every once in awhile. 
The 180's never gave me a headache or a pressure rash.

 

[lmyth]

Hello!
 
Maybe somebody has any idea -  is there any difference of bass between RS 165 and two RS 175 in normal mode (bass boost turned of)?
I prefer clear and bold sound in middle and highs that is not overpowered by bass. I have heard the sound of RS 165 (ordered from Amazon, but I`m considering to send those back and exchange for RS 175), and I`m more or less pleased with that, but the design of RS 175 is of more higher quality.
I would like to go for RS 175, but if bass in normal mode is more pronounced than in RS 165, than I would like to stick with 165. So I`m a bit perplexed.

 

[Sennheiser]

  Hello!
 
Maybe somebody has any idea -  is there any difference of bass between RS 165 and two RS 175 in normal mode (bass boost turned of)?
I prefer clear and bold sound in middle and highs that is not overpowered by bass. I have heard the sound of RS 165 (ordered from Amazon, but I`m considering to send those back and exchange for RS 175), and I`m more or less pleased with that, but the design of RS 175 is of more higher quality.
I would like to go for RS 175, but if bass in normal mode is more pronounced than in RS 165, than I would like to stick with 165. So I`m a bit perplexed.

 
Hi lmyth,
 
RS 175 has a flatter sound response as compared to the RS 165 (both with bass boost turned off). The former offers good highs and richer mids as compared to the latter. If you need more bass, you can easily turn on the bass boost. 
 
Hope this helps! 

 

[lmyth]

   
Hi lmyth,
 
RS 175 has a flatter sound response as compared to the RS 165 (both with bass boost turned off). The former offers good highs and richer mids as compared to the latter. If you need more bass, you can easily turn on the bass boost. 
 
Hope this helps! 

Thank you!
 
English is not my native - so you say that 175 has a bit more profound mid and heights than 165, but bass with boost off is at the same level?

 

[Sennheiser]

 
Thank you!
 
English is not my native - so you say that 175 has a bit more profound mid and heights than 165, but bass with boost off is at the same level?

 
Not really. With RS 175, you'll get a deeper and clearer bass as compared to RS 165 (both with bass boost turned off). 

 

[lmyth]

   
Not really. With RS 175, you'll get a deeper and clearer bass as compared to RS 165 (both with bass boost turned off). 

 
I see. Thanks! That was really helpful.
 
There are no real reviews at the moments, but Sennheiser homepage has only marketing type of information.
 
Maybe I can ask another question. I have read that 175 has a lot of bass compared to 165 and even 185, therefore I was so concerned. Of course 185 is another type of and another class of headphones, but could one really state that 175 stands out because of bass amount or that is just unexperienced interpretation? I have had headphones that tend to have too much bass, and that`s something I really want to avoid.

 

[networkn]

Well I just ordered my 175's after owning 170's for 5 Years. I am happy the source whine I have hated so much will be fixed in the 175 because of the optical connection. 
 
I desperately wanted the 185 but these are for bed for watching tv so my wife can sleep and the open nature of the 185 meant it leaks too much sound as I understand it. 
 
My wife can already hear people talking though the 170's. Someone from another thread said the 175's are already much worse for sound leakage compared to the 170's!