Audio T Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 175 remain a brilliantly straightforward solution for listening to television and music wirelessly around the home. Unlike ordinary Bluetooth headphones, the system uses its own dedicated TR 175 transmitter, giving you an impressive wireless range of up to 100 metres in ideal conditions.
The closed-back HDR 175 headphones are comfortable enough for long films and evening television, while the controls sit directly on the earcup so you can adjust volume, Bass Boost and Virtual Surround without getting out of your chair. The transmitter doubles as the charging cradle, making the whole system pleasantly simple to live with.
We also like the fact that Sennheiser uses replaceable AAA rechargeable batteries rather than sealing a proprietary battery inside the headphones. If you want a dependable wireless TV system with optical and analogue connections, long range and support for a second pair of compatible headphones, the RS 175 still makes a lot of sense.
Complete Wireless Headphone System
This product includes both the HDR 175 wireless headphones and the TR 175 transmitter / charging station. It is the complete RS 175 system, not the standalone HDR 175 replacement receiver.
Sennheiser RS 175 Wireless Headphone System
The Sennheiser RS 175 is a complete digital wireless headphone system designed primarily for television, films and music listening around the home.
The system combines the closed-back HDR 175 over-ear headphones with the TR 175 wireless transmitter. Connect the transmitter to your television, hi-fi system or AV equipment using either optical digital or 3.5mm analogue audio, and sound is transmitted wirelessly to the headphones.
The TR 175 also doubles as a convenient docking and charging station when the headphones are not being used.
- Complete digital wireless headphone system
- HDR 175 closed-back over-ear headphones included
- TR 175 transmitter and charging station included
- Optical digital audio input
- 3.5mm analogue audio input
- Up to 100m wireless range in ideal line-of-sight conditions
- Dedicated 2.4 to 2.48GHz digital wireless transmission
- 17Hz to 22kHz headphone frequency response
- 114dB SPL
- Less than 0.5% THD
- Dynamic Bass Boost
- Two Virtual Surround settings
- On-headphone volume controls
- Up to 18 hours battery life
- Replaceable AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
- Transmitter supports up to two compatible headphones
- Optical and analogue cables supplied
- Multi-country power supply included
Dedicated Wireless Transmission
The RS 175 do not rely on conventional Bluetooth.
Instead, the TR 175 transmitter creates a dedicated digital wireless connection to the HDR 175 headphones in the 2.4GHz frequency range.
This approach gives the system a specified range of up to 100 metres under ideal line-of-sight conditions, allowing considerably more freedom around the home than a conventional headphone cable.
100 Metres Is a Maximum Figure
The quoted 100m range assumes ideal line-of-sight conditions. Walls, floors, building materials, transmitter position and other wireless equipment can reduce the achievable range inside a real home.
TR 175 Transmitter Included
The supplied TR 175 is both the wireless transmitter and the charging station for the headphones.
Your source equipment connects to the rear of the transmitter, which then sends the audio wirelessly to the HDR 175 receiver.
This also means there is no need to pair the headphones directly with your television or hi-fi system.
Optical Digital Input
The TR 175 includes a digital optical input, making it particularly convenient with televisions and other AV equipment equipped with a TOSLINK audio output.
For many modern televisions, this is the cleanest and simplest connection method.
Set Your TV to PCM or Stereo
The RS 175 optical input accepts PCM / stereo digital audio. Dolby Digital and other multichannel surround formats are not decoded by the RS 175. If you have picture but no headphone sound from an optical connection, check your television or source audio menu and select PCM or Stereo.
3.5mm Analogue Input
A conventional 3.5mm stereo input is also provided for televisions, amplifiers and other equipment with an analogue audio output.
This makes the RS 175 compatible with a very broad range of both modern and older equipment.
Optical or Analogue?
If your television provides a suitable optical digital output, we would normally start there.
An analogue connection remains useful with:
- Older televisions
- Hi-fi amplifiers
- Audio systems without optical output
- Variable headphone outputs
- Other conventional analogue sources
Closed-Back HDR 175 Headphones
The supplied HDR 175 headphones use a closed-back around-ear design.
The cushions sit around the ears rather than directly on them, while the enclosed earcups help reduce surrounding noise and limit the amount of programme sound escaping into the room.
That makes them particularly appropriate for television and late-night listening.
17Hz to 22kHz Frequency Response
Sennheiser specifies the headphones from 17Hz to 22kHz.
This covers everything from low-frequency soundtrack effects and music through to speech and high-frequency detail.
Dynamic Bass Boost
A dedicated Bass function allows the low-frequency response to be increased when you want more weight and impact.
This can work particularly well with:
- Films
- Action programmes
- Music concerts
- Electronic music
- Games and television soundtracks
The setting can be controlled directly from the headphones.
Virtual Surround Sound
The RS 175 also includes Virtual Surround processing intended to create a wider and more immersive presentation from stereo material.
There are two intensity settings:
- LO - lower-intensity Virtual Surround
- HI - higher-intensity Virtual Surround
Virtual Surround can also be switched off completely for conventional stereo reproduction.
All the Important Controls Are on the Headphones
The main day-to-day controls are positioned on the HDR 175 themselves.
- Power
- Volume up
- Volume down
- Bass Boost
- Virtual Surround
This means you can adjust your listening without returning to the transmitter or relying on the television remote control.
Up to 18 Hours Listening
The rechargeable batteries provide up to approximately 18 hours of use.
That is enough for several films or a substantial amount of everyday television and music listening before the headphones need returning to their charging stand.
TR 175 Doubles as the Charging Cradle
When you have finished listening, place the HDR 175 onto the transmitter.
The charging contacts built into the stand replenish the rechargeable batteries while also giving the headphones a convenient place to live between listening sessions.
Replaceable AAA Rechargeable Batteries
The HDR 175 use two rechargeable AAA NiMH batteries, one housed within each earcup.
This is a particularly practical aspect of the design because the batteries can be replaced when they eventually lose capacity.
Sennheiser currently recommends rechargeable NiMH AAA batteries in the 600 to 900mAh range when replacements are required.
Use Rechargeable NiMH Batteries
The charging system is intended for rechargeable AAA NiMH cells. Do not attempt to charge disposable alkaline batteries, and Sennheiser does not support lithium AAA batteries in this charging system.
Approximately 8.5 Hours Charging Time
A normal full charge takes approximately 8.5 hours.
In practice, placing the headphones back onto the transmitter after an evening's use means they can simply recharge while you are not listening.
Listen With Two Headphones at Once
The TR 175 transmitter can serve up to two compatible Sennheiser headphone receivers simultaneously.
This is ideal if two people want to watch the same programme or film privately.
Compatible receivers include the HDR 175, while certain other Sennheiser HDR models can also operate with the transmitter.
Useful for Couples and Late-Night Viewing
Add a second compatible HDR receiver and two people can listen to the same programme without increasing the television volume for the rest of the house.
Automatic Frequency Management
The RS 175 automatically manages its wireless operating frequency within the supported band.
This helps the system coexist with other wireless devices around the home without asking the user to manually select and tune radio channels.
Not Conventional Bluetooth
The dedicated transmission system is one of the RS 175's strengths for home use, but it also means these are not general-purpose Bluetooth headphones.
You cannot pair the HDR 175 directly with:
- A smartphone
- A tablet
- A laptop via Bluetooth
- A Bluetooth transmitter built into a television
Audio must be routed through the TR 175 transmitter.
Ideal for Television
The RS 175 are particularly useful when you want television sound at your preferred level without raising the volume for everyone else.
Delivering sound directly to the headphones can also make dialogue easier to follow by reducing the influence of room acoustics and background noise.
Ideal for Films
The combination of closed earcups, Bass Boost and Virtual Surround makes the RS 175 particularly enjoyable for films.
You can add extra low-frequency weight for action scenes while using the Surround modes when you prefer a broader presentation.
Ideal for Late-Night Listening
The closed design keeps considerably more sound away from other people than television loudspeakers or open-back headphones.
This makes the system ideal when somebody else is sleeping, reading or simply watching something different.
Useful With Hi-Fi Systems Too
The RS 175 are not restricted to television.
The analogue and optical inputs allow the transmitter to be connected to suitable hi-fi and AV equipment for wireless music listening around the home.
RS 175 or RS 275?
RS 175
- Dedicated 2.4GHz wireless platform
- Up to 100m line-of-sight range
- 18-hour battery life
- Replaceable AAA NiMH batteries
- Optical and analogue inputs
- PCM stereo optical audio
- Bass Boost
- Virtual Surround
- Charging stand included
- Supports up to two compatible receivers
RS 275
- Newer Auracast-based wireless platform
- Up to 50m wireless range
- Up to 50 hours battery life
- BTA1 transmitter platform
- HDMI ARC support
- Optical and analogue inputs
- More modern sound personalisation
- Different approach to TV listening
Which Should You Choose?
The RS 175 remain particularly appealing if you want their very long home wireless range, charging stand, physical controls and replaceable AAA battery system.
The newer Sennheiser RS 275 take a more modern approach with Auracast, HDMI ARC and significantly longer battery life.
The right choice depends on how you connect your television and whether long range, familiar physical controls or newer connectivity matter most.
Who Are the Sennheiser RS 175 For?
- Television viewers wanting private listening
- Late-night television and film watching
- People wanting wireless listening around the home
- Listeners wanting a much longer range than typical Bluetooth
- Households wanting two headphone receivers on one transmitter
- Listeners wanting optical TV connectivity
- Users wanting analogue input compatibility
- People who prefer replaceable rechargeable batteries
- Film fans wanting Bass Boost and Virtual Surround
- Listeners who want a dedicated charging stand
Who Are They Not For?
- People wanting conventional Bluetooth headphones
- Listeners wanting direct smartphone pairing
- Customers wanting Active Noise Cancellation
- People wanting portable headphones for commuting
- Users wanting USB-C audio
- Customers needing Dolby Digital decoding through optical
- Listeners looking for an open-back hi-fi headphone
Key Features
- Sennheiser RS 175 / RS 175-U
- Complete wireless headphone system
- Current system article number 508676
- HDR 175 headphones included
- TR 175 transmitter included
- Closed-back headphones
- Over-ear / circumaural fit
- Dynamic transducers
- 17Hz to 22kHz frequency response
- 114dB SPL
- Less than 0.5% THD
- 2.4 to 2.48GHz digital wireless transmission
- Up to 100m line-of-sight range
- Optical digital input
- 3.5mm analogue input
- PCM / stereo optical compatibility
- Dynamic Bass Boost
- Virtual Surround
- LO and HI Surround modes
- On-headphone controls
- Up to 18 hours battery life
- 2 x AAA rechargeable NiMH batteries
- User-replaceable batteries
- Approximately 8.5-hour charging time
- Transmitter doubles as charging cradle
- Supports up to two compatible headphone receivers
- 310g headphone weight including batteries
- Optical cable supplied
- Analogue audio cable supplied
- Power supply supplied
- UK / EU / US / AU power adapters supplied
- No conventional Bluetooth pairing
- No Active Noise Cancellation
- 12-month manufacturer's warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the complete Sennheiser RS 175 system?
Yes. This product includes the HDR 175 headphones and TR 175 transmitter / charging station.
What is the difference between RS 175 and HDR 175?
RS 175 refers to the complete wireless system. HDR 175 refers only to the headphone receiver component.
What does TR 175 mean?
TR 175 is the transmitter and charging base used by the RS 175 system.
Is the TR 175 included?
Yes.
Are the headphones closed-back?
Yes. The HDR 175 use a closed-back over-ear design.
Are they Bluetooth headphones?
No. They use Sennheiser's dedicated digital wireless connection to the supplied TR 175 transmitter.
Can I connect them directly to my phone?
No. The headphones do not support conventional Bluetooth pairing with smartphones.
How do I connect the RS 175 to my television?
Use either the supplied optical digital cable or the supplied analogue audio cable between the television and TR 175 transmitter.
Does the optical input support Dolby Digital?
No. Set your television or source device to PCM or Stereo when using the optical connection.
Why do I get no sound over optical?
One of the most common causes is the television outputting Dolby or another unsupported multichannel format. Change the digital audio setting to PCM or Stereo.
What is the wireless range?
Up to 100 metres in ideal line-of-sight conditions. Walls, floors and interference can reduce real-world range.
What frequency does the wireless system use?
2.4 to 2.48GHz.
Can I use two pairs of headphones?
Yes. The TR 175 transmitter can support up to two compatible receivers simultaneously.
Can I add another HDR 175?
Yes. An additional HDR 175 can be paired with the transmitter for two-person listening.
Do the RS 175 have Bass Boost?
Yes. Dynamic Bass Boost can be switched on or off from the headphones.
Do they have surround sound?
The system provides two Virtual Surround processing levels, LO and HI. It does not decode Dolby Digital or other multichannel surround formats through the optical input.
Can Virtual Surround be switched off?
Yes.
What is the frequency response?
17Hz to 22kHz.
What is the maximum sound pressure level?
Sennheiser specifies 114dB SPL.
What is the total harmonic distortion?
Less than 0.5% at 1kHz and 100dB SPL.
How long does the battery last?
Up to approximately 18 hours.
What batteries do the headphones use?
Two rechargeable AAA NiMH batteries.
Can the batteries be replaced?
Yes. The batteries are user-replaceable.
How long do they take to charge?
Approximately 8.5 hours for a normal full charge.
How are the headphones charged?
Place them onto the TR 175 transmitter, which also functions as the charging station.
Can I use ordinary alkaline batteries?
Do not attempt to charge alkaline batteries in the transmitter. Sennheiser specifies rechargeable NiMH AAA cells for the charging system.
How much do the headphones weigh?
Approximately 310g including the rechargeable batteries.
Does the system include an optical cable?
Yes.
Does it include an analogue audio cable?
Yes.
Does it include the power supply?
Yes. Sennheiser supplies the power unit with UK, EU, US and Australian plug adapters.
What is the difference between RS 175 and RS 275?
The RS 175 use Sennheiser's established dedicated 2.4GHz platform with up to 100m range, an 18-hour replaceable-battery system and a charging stand. The newer RS 275 use an Auracast-based platform, offer HDMI ARC and up to 50 hours battery life, but have a shorter specified wireless range.
How long is the manufacturer's warranty?
Sennheiser's current European warranty schedule lists the RS 175 in its 12-month manufacturer warranty category. This voluntary warranty is separate from your statutory consumer rights.
What comes in the box?
The complete package includes HDR 175 headphones, TR 175 transmitter, optical cable, analogue audio cable, power supply with UK / EU / US / AU adapters, two AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries and the Quick Guide.
Related Sennheiser Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy the Sennheiser RS 175 From Audio T?
Connecting wireless headphones to a television can be more confusing than it first appears, particularly when choosing between optical and analogue outputs or dealing with television audio-format settings.
Audio T can help you connect the RS 175 correctly, configure PCM output where required and decide whether the established RS 175 or newer RS 275 is the better solution for your television and listening habits.
- Friendly wireless headphone advice
- TV connection guidance
- Optical and analogue setup advice
- PCM audio setup guidance
- RS 175 and RS 275 comparisons
- Second-headphone setup advice
- Battery replacement guidance
- Home wireless headphone demonstrations where available
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like help connecting the Sennheiser RS 175 to your television, hi-fi or home cinema system.