Sennheiser’s new TV headphones are ideal for boxset bingeing

My brother and his American wife live in two different time zones. Despite sharing the same house in the UK, my sister-in-law loves to watch late-night TV shows from the US, usually long after my brother has fallen asleep.

A couple of Christmases ago, to keep the peace and harmony in the marital home, I gave my sister-in-law a Sennheiser wireless headset designed specifically for late-night TV viewing.

Two years later, Sennheiser has just updated its wireless TV headphones with some new features and a redesign. The new RS 5200 wireless TV headphones have a receiver equipped with a rechargeable battery that offers up to 12 hours of use per charge, enough time for my sister-in-law to watch her favorite Netflix box.

Sennheiser RS ​​5200 headphones are supplied with various styles and sizes of interchangeable ear tips to create the ideal fit for enhanced acoustic performance. Whether you prefer a more open listening experience so you can hear what’s going on around you, or you want to block out more ambient noise, the RS 5200 can be tailored to deliver the perfect sound simply by changing the ear tips.

The RS 5200 has been redesigned and now features stethoscope-style headsets that are more comfortable to wear, especially if you have long hair or wear glasses. The stethoscope design is very effective at eliminating microphonics, those annoying scraping sounds that headphone cords often make and transmit down the wires. Volume control can be set separately for left and right ears; I like the way Sennheiser has also made the volume buttons more responsive and easier to use.

Compared to the previous model, the new RS 5200 headphones are more comfortable to wear, making them ideal for insomniacs who find themselves watching TV until the wee hours of the morning because they can’t sleep. The built-in rechargeable battery can power the headphones for up to 12 hours between charges. To recharge the battery, simply place the receiver back in the base of the transmitter unit and it will be fully charged in about three hours.

The transmitter unit is connected to the headphones or the optical output of the TV and then transmits the audio signal without any delay thanks to the use of RF transmission that does not have latency problems like Bluetooth.

The wireless receiver can be connected at a distance of up to 70 meters, which is very useful if you want to get up from your seat or bed and go to the kitchen to prepare a drink or have a snack while listening to the audio of the TV program.

Verdict: The Sennheiser RS ​​5200 are a great solution for people who want to watch TV late at night without disturbing others. They are also great for the hearing impaired and can make TV audio much clearer. The reception quality is crystal clear and it has almost zero latency. It conveniently connects via a 3.5mm headphone jack or TOSLink optical connection. It’s easy to set up, convenient to use, and won’t bother anyone when you want to watch Frasier reruns at 2am.

Prices and availability: The Sennheiser RS ​​5200 is available now and costs $249.95 / £229 / €199.99.

More information: sennheiser.com

Technical specifications:

• Wearing style: Stethoset
• Dimensions: 102 x 265 x 23 mm (receiver) / 50 x 42 x 270 mm (transmitter)
• Frequency response: 15 – 16,000Hz
• Sound pressure level (SPL): Max. 125dB at 1kHz, 3% THD
• THD, Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.5% at 1kHz, 100dB SPL
• Ear Coupling: Intraaural, Closed
• Approximate weight. 61 g (receiver, including batteries) approx. 235g (transmitter)
• audio input
• Digital input: optical, Analog input: 3.5 mm jack
• Charging time: Up to 3 hours
• Range: Up to 70m / 200ft
• Power supply: 3.7V⎓, 360mAh
• Battery life: up to 12 hours
• Charging reminder: Yes
• Warranty: 2 years