Review: Sennheiser RS 180 Wireless Headphones: "Crystal clear audio"

NOTE: J&R is selling the Sennheiser RS 180 wireless headphones that use Kleer technology on Amazon for $349.95 (plus shipping if applicable) but J&R notes that currently there are only 5 left in stock (may change so don't quote me). So hurry up and buy one in time for the Holidays >>

First review I can find of the Sennheiser RS 180 wireless headphones that feature Kleer wireless audio technology on the J&R website, who seem to be the only company currently with any Sennheiser RS 180 and RS 170 wireless headphones in stock. Don't ask me how he/she got a hold of a set of RS 180s back in Mid-November, but he did. And I'm glad he did. Here's an excerpt from his review:

"Tried these headphones today (17 Nov 09). Crystal clear audio, including when I walked about 20 meters from the base station, 2 rooms distant, with a lot of AV equipment close by. No hiss when the CD was on pause, and no annoying clicks that happen on other headphones when the channel changes. The velour pads were comfortable, and didn't mechanically 'squeak' when moving my head or touched the cans. Good!"

And he writes that he would recommend it to friends.

Read the rest of the review on the J&R website >>

Purchase the Sennheiser RS 180 wireless headphones that use Kleer technology (no Bluetooth) on Amazon >>

Sennheiser RS 170 and RS 180 Headphones With Kleer’s KLR3012 Wireless Audio Module Win International CES 2010 Innovation Award

Fantastic news! The Sennheiser RS 170 and RS 180 wireless headphones that use Kleer wireless audio technology have won the International CES 2010 Innovation Award. The announcement is included below.

Interested in meeting Kleer at CES 2010 in Las Vegas? Contact sales@kleer.com and tell us about your project and how we can work together.

Purchase the Sennheiser RS 170 and RS 180 wireless headphones from Amazon (in stock!).

Award-Winning Sennheiser Wireless Headphones Powered by Kleer Technology

RS 170 and RS 180 Headphones With Kleer’s KLR3012 Wireless Audio Module Win International CES 2010 Innovation Award

Cupertino, CA-- (Marketwire) – December.7.2009 – Kleer, the company behind some of the world’s best-sounding wireless audio devices, today announced that Sennheiser RS 170 and 180 headphones have won the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show Innovations Design and Engineering Award. Based on the Kleer™ KLR 3012 wireless audio transmission technology, Sennheiser’s RS 170 and 180 headphones deliver unmatched audio quality for a wide variety of home audio applications including music, TV, and home theater use. Together, Kleer and Sennheiser have been delivering some of the most advanced wireless audio equipment on the market for several years covering multiple generations of high quality products.

The Innovations Design and Engineering Award is presented once a year in recognition of the most innovative consumer electronics products. An interdisciplinary jury made up of engineers and technical journalists chose the RS 170 and RS 180 this year because of their unparalleled advanced technology, innovative designs and incredible sound quality.

“When it comes to wireless transmission technology we are always looking for the perfect solution, and so once again, we have chosen Kleer wireless audio technology for our new RS wireless headphones,” says Maurice Quarré, Head of Product Management Consumer Electronics at Sennheiser. “With Kleer’s digital radio transmission, which works without compression and therefore without any loss of audio quality, we can offer our customers wireless earphones without compromising the outstanding Sennheiser sound.”

The RS 170 and RS 180 digital wireless headphones for home stereo systems deliver high-resolution, movie-theater-quality audio via uncompressed wireless transmission using the Kleer KLR 3012 wireless audio module. The RS 170 features a dynamic bass boost and switchable surround sound -- a must-have for any home theater set-up. The open-back RS 180 is designed for the audiophile: settings like speech intelligibility and balance can be precisely adjusted for the ultimate listening experience. Based on a unique radio architecture implemented in a custom integrated circuit, the KLR3012 module delivers not only unparalleled audio quality, but also long-lived battery performance and outstanding coexistence with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless products that also use the 2.4 GHz ISM band.

“We are thrilled that the Consumer Electronics Association has recognized Sennheiser with this prestigious innovation award,” said Steven Humphreys, Kleer CEO and President. “By working with world class leaders like Sennheiser, we are able to show the power of Kleer technology at its best.”

Read the press release on the Kleer website >>

Interested in meeting Kleer at CES 2010 in Las Vegas? Contact sales@kleer.com and tell us about your project and how we can work together.

Purchase the Sennheiser RS 170 and RS 180 wireless headphones from Amazon (in stock!).

Appletell Reviews the Sleek Audio SA1 Earphones: "I really can’t say enough good things about these earphones"

Great review of the Sleek Audio SA1 earphones on Appletell from yesterday. Here's are a bunch of excerpts (read the entire review on the Appletell website):

"Middle class audio lovers rejoice;, the earphones you’ve lusted after have finally arrived at a price you can afford. Sleek Audio’s new SA1s are the earphones you’ve been waiting for, you just may not have known that you’ve been waiting for them."

Here's more:

"The SA1s are encased in a rosewood body that gives them a pricey appearance. There are a handful of tips to fit every size ear. These tips seal off most outside noises, so you don’t need to listen to your music quite as loudly. They also enhance the bass response a bit, which most users are happy about. Just like all other Sleek Audio earphones, the cable disconnects from the earphones and can be replaced very easily (they intend to have a cable with a microphone and iPhone controls available soon). You could also replace the standard cable with a Sleek wireless unit, which makes your audio wireless without reducing its quality. And trust me, it actually does work as advertised."

And I like how he finishes:

"I really can’t say enough good things about these earphones. If you’re looking for a set of headphones that’s priced better than its features would suggest, this is it."

Read the entire review on the Appletell website >>

So what are you waiting for? Would make a fantastic Christmas present! Purchase the Sleek Audio SA 1 >>

And don't forget. You can purchase the Sleek Wireless Accessory separately so that you can switch from wired to wireless easily without any loss of audio quality as it uses Kleer wireless audio technology (no Bluetooth).

Sleek Audio giveaway reminder!

Sleek Audio giveaway reminder!

Review: DigiFi Opera S5 Wireless In-Ear Headphones on Australian MacTalk Website

Good thorough review by Raj Deut on the MacTalk Australian website of the Made for iPod DigiFi Opera S5 wireless earbuds that use Kleer wireless audio technology. These are the wireless earbuds that have remote track and volume control, meaning you don't have to fish your iPod out of your pocket every time you want to change a track or crank the music up!

So, the reviewer definitely gives them a good walk through, finds things he likes, and finds things he'd like to improve. Here's an excerpt from his review:

"My review unit was flat out of the box so after giving them a good charge for a couple of hours, the time it said would allow for a maximum charge. It took a whole five seconds from that point to connect the dongle to my iPhone, press the button on the headphones to link up and music to begin blaring. Each ear is adorned with a controller meaning you never have to get your iPod out of your pocket, the left ear to toggle between tracks, the right overseeing volume.

Tunes pumping I began to amble around my shoebox apartment to try and lose the signal. Fifteen minutes later having tried every extremity of distance I could in combination with cordless phones and microwaves turned on I barely heard a hiss. It took a trip down my elevator before things started to drop and a floor down when the connection ultimately dropped; all in all it left me impressed, on the connectivity & set up fronts at least."

So that's what he liked. Obviously he's a big fan of Kleer for many reasons: fantastic wireless audio quality, strong signal. But he's not sold however on the earbuds themselves, how they sound:

"In terms of audio quality I think Kleer are on a winner here, the actual transmission of audio was solid which leads me to think it may be DigiFi’s speakers that are letting the team down. Call me crazy but Apple’s 2nd gen in-ear headphones are still the ones to beat in the average consumer’s price range and these just weren’t up to that level. They weren’t by any means terrible you just need to be aware that whilst you’re getting the freedom of wires you are losing out a little on quality, more specifically a good lower end."

Read the entire review on the MacTalk website >>

So there you go. All the benefits of high-end wireless audio, but he's not keen on the earbuds. But, keep in mind. He may not like them, but you may LOVE them. Personally, I've found in this business, what one person thinks is so-so, another person thinks is just fantastic. We're all different, especially when it comes to our taste in listening to music.

Purchase the Opera S5 made for iPod (also works on iPhone as demonstrated above) wireless earbuds >>

Sennheiser MX W1 True Wireless Earbuds Make The TechRadar Christmas List

Photograph courtesy of Music TO GO!

The Sennheiser MX W1 true wireless earbuds that use Kleer wireless audio technology (no Bluetooth) are included on the TechOat website for their TechRadar Christmas wish list. Here's what one of the TechOat reviewers wrote (using a number of British words I might add):

"Bluetooth technology might be cool, but sound quality can be lost. I want these little ear buds because a) they stop you garrotting yourself on the commute to work thanks to no wires and b) the sound quality is so good you might need to stop and take a moment in the middle of your favourite Girls Alou... Pixies track.

They're so teeny that I'll blatantly lose them in a heartbeat... but that's one train ride I'll savour."

Read the rest of the TechOat Christmas wish list >>

Positive Cy-Fi Wireless Bike Speaker Review: Made for iPod, Uses Kleer Technology

Photo courtesy of Jenifer Shelamer

There's a well written and very positive review of the Made for iPod (MFI) Cy-Fi wireless bicycle speaker that uses Kleer wireless audio technology on the MobileTechReview website. Here's an excerpt:

"Bike rides, especially long ones, can be pretty tedious if you’re riding alone and the scenery isn’t new or interesting. It’s often tempting to bring along a music player for some entertainment, but headphones can reduce your awareness of approaching cars or other hazards, and in many states it’s illegal to wear headphones while operating a vehicle. The cy∙fi is a great solution for that situation and any other time you might want a wireless speaker, indoors or out."

Read the rest of the review on the MobileTechReview website >>