Sennheiser RS 220

Ever since CES 2012, we've been excited to finally test the Sennheiser RS 220, a wireless headphone system intended for home use. No, this is not like a Bluetooth pair, designed to help you answer calls and listen to music without cables on-the-go. Instead, the RS 220 is a large, circumaural (over-the-ear) headphone pair that delivers pristine wireless audio from a variety of sources, such as your home theater's main output, your computer, or the direct output from a DVD or Blu-ray player. At $599.95 (list), it's debatable whether this could ever really be a practical purchase. But if you have the money and this is the way you'd like to spend it, good news: The RS 220 ?is awesome, and a clear Editors' Choice.

Design
The all-black design of the RS 220's headphones is broken up only by the silver Sennheiser logo emblazoned on a grille surface on the outside of each earpiece. On either ear, there are some controls?the left side houses Power and Source buttons, the right ear has volume controls?including a Balance button that allows for individual adjustments of the left and right ears, for those that might have a legitimate use for it. Two separate battery compartments, each housing a rechargeable AAA-size battery (both are included), are situated on either ear cup. The padding fo the cups and on the underside of the headband is plush and generous?these are very comfortable headphones.

My only gripe is that it's fairly easy to press a button accidentally when removing or positioning the headphones. They happen to be situated where my fingers naturally ended up, which sometimes resulted in an inadvertent volume increase or power down. Also, while the RS 220 will let you enjoy home theater without disturbing your housemates, the headphones do project some sound outwards. But this is only a real issue for those nearby, and at very high volumes.

The wireless transmitter, which doubles as the charging stand for the headphones, is a glossy black plastic dock about 8.5 inches high, 5.7 inches wide, and 5.5 inches deep. Its front face has a Power button LED to indicate the power mode and whether the headphones are docked and charging, and a button to switch between the three possible input sources: Analog (an RCA cable is provided, as well as an RCA-to-3.5mm adapter for computers and mobile devices), Coaxial (a cable is provided), and Optical (no cable for this one). The inputs and outputs along the back are RCA, Coaxial, and Optical, corresponding to the selections on the front panel, as well as a Power adapter input for the included adapter. There's also a Pairing button and a Volume knob on the back panel. It's impossible to set the headphones on the stand without recharging the battery?an excellent feature.

Everything about the RS 220's design, from the comfortable headphones to the wireless transmitter base that doubles as a charger and stand, is well implemented. The headphones, as mentioned earlier, are designed for home use only, which is a good thing?they are huge, in spite of their comfortable design, and the ear pads are lined with velour that would be nice in the winter but borderline miserable on a hot summer day. For basements and living rooms, however, they are perfect.

Performance
Unlike previous Sennheiser wireless home theater headphones that used Kleer, the RS 220 uses an improved technology called DSSS (direct sequence spread spectrum). The main difference is that DSSS transmits an uncompressed audio signal over 2.4 GHz while Kleer uses compressed wireless transmission. The lack of compression means a far more accurate dynamic range and decreased latency?crucial for watching video on a home theater.

On Fiona Apple's new record, The Idler Wheel?, the wonderfully-recorded percussion that dominates the record snaps, pops, and resonates beautifully inside the RS 220's comfortable ear cups, while Apple's versatile voice, which transforms from a growl to a whisper in the space of a few syllables, comes through crystal clear, with a high-frequency edge that is never harsh.

John Adams' modern classical piece, "The Chairman Dances," sounds exciting through the RS 220?the high-frequency percussion and mid-range brass, the echoes of woodblocks, and the resonance of the lower register strings all presenting themselves as if they were being played on a stage in front of you. The bass is never too heavy, nor does it ever take a backseat, and when truly deep bass enters the equation, the RS 220 can provide serious rumble. The mids and highs are sharp, but never overly bright. Close your eyes, and it's as if you're in the actual hall the piece was recorded in.

There is some possibility of distortion with the RS 220, but this is because with a system like this, there are so many variables. For instance, you could have the output of your computer connected to the wireless transmitter base and turned all the way up; if the base is turned all the way up, as well as the headphones, you will most likely encounter distortion?not to mention a headache. However, when the transmitter's volume is adjusted to a reasonable level, it is possible to achieve very high volumes with nothing but pristine audio.

The range of the RS 220 seems to be about 30 feet. Beyond this distance, you will likely begin to experience audio drop-out.

There really aren't many products we've reviewed that are comparable to the RS 220, thus it's a bit difficult to suggest more affordable alternatives. The best I can do is point you in the direction of some decent Bluetooth headphones?these will not really work like the RS 200 does, as a home theater hub?but they'll at least stream from computers, cell phones, and tablets, and the upside is they can leave the house with you. The Phiaton PS 20 BT ($149, 4 stars) and Sony's XBA-BT75 ($299.99, 3.5 stars) are both pretty solid options in this department, but they are both in-ear. And, if you really need a budget offering that still sounds good, check out the Outdoor Technology DJ Slims ($69.95, 4 stars). However, if you've got the money, there's really no substitute for the RS 220. It easily earns our Editors' Choice?it simply sounds amazing, and I am bummed I have to send the test unit back.

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