# In expensive wireless headset for watching tv **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 28, 2015, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730 "2015-04-28T17:39:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2015, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/1 "2015-04-28T17:39:10Z")
Anyone had any experience with using a wireless headset or headphones for watching tv? You know, the kind where you can turn the sound off to the room while you listen through the headset. I’m thinking about getting a set, but don’t want to spend $$$. Suggestions? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/2 "2015-04-29T00:08:38Z")
How attached are you to sound quality, and what price range are you looking at? On a lark, I bought a set of [these](http://www.biglots.com/p/sentry-wireless-headphones-and-transmitter)at big lots. They are normally $15, but I think they were on sale for $10 when I got them. They work, but they sound like those headphones you buy at the 99 cent store. I normally listen to music on a pair of [earbuds](http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RPHJE120K-In-Ear-Headphone-Black/dp/B003EM8008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430266070&sr=8-1&keywords=earbuds)and the quality difference is very noticeable between the two. With the wireless headphones the music sounds ‘subdued’ like it is coming through a filter, and there is a slight buzzing sound. However they do work and I can wear them and walk around w/o problems. I bought the set about 5 years ago and they still work so not bad for a $10 item. For whatever reason the sound quality of radio stations (since I can pick those up with the system) is better than music streamed via the 3.5 jack. If I could get the radio station quality sound on the 3.5 jack input it would be a great item at that price. So if you are comfortable with sound quality that reminds you of a 1980s TV, that big lot set aren’t too bad. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/3 "2015-04-29T00:18:32Z")
How low can you go? I got my wife [these](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001FTVEK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for Xmas and they’re solid. I’ve also seen them mentioned in other threads before. Currently $80 on Amazon. Fine sound and enough volume to be uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/4 "2015-04-29T01:12:58Z")
I have a wireless set like **Wesley Clark** , paid about the same amount, and get about the same results. For listening to TV they’re adequate. For the price, more than adequate. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/5 "2015-04-29T06:10:08Z")
Are you fixed on wireless ones? Wired headsets are generally cheaper for equal quality, and just plugging them in generally mutes the built-in speakers on the TV. ---
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/6 "2015-04-29T15:52:42Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Are you fixed on wireless ones? > > Wired headsets are generally cheaper for equal quality, and just plugging them in generally mutes the built-in speakers on the TV. I hadn’t really thought about wired ones – as in, they make them? So, I’d have a cord running from the tv around the room to the chair I usually sit in? Hmm, that sounds very doable. I’ll investigate. Do you have any brand/model that you’d recommend? Thanks to all for their input. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/7 "2015-04-29T23:45:12Z")
> [@jayrey](#): > > I hadn’t really thought about wired ones – as in, they make them? So, I’d have a cord running from the tv around the room to the chair I usually sit in? Hmm, that sounds very doable. I’ll investigate. Do you have any brand/model that you’d recommend? _Consumer Reports_ magazine had a recent article on them. That should be available in your local public library. Or see [http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/headphones.htm](http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/headphones.htm) online for most of it (but the specific ratings are only for subscribers). Persomally, I think the better ones are too expensive for TV listening – they are much higher quality\* than the audio signal you get from a TV transmission. So unless you also use them to listen to music, go for a cheaper model. \*Personally, I don’t think there iss anything on TV that is worth viewing at all. But obviously you want to watch it. ---
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/8 "2015-04-30T16:33:07Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > _Consumer Reports_ magazine had a recent article on them. That should be available in your local public library. Or see [http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/headphones.htm](http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/headphones.htm) online for most of it (but the specific ratings are only for subscribers). \* \* \* > > \*Personally, I don’t think there iss anything on TV that is worth viewing at all. But obviously you want to watch it. Thanks. I’ll check it out at the library. I agree that there is virtually nothing worth viewing on tv, but I do enjoy watching movies on Netflix. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-expensive-wireless-headset-for-watching-tv/718730/9 "2015-04-30T20:55:04Z")
What is your budget and preference as far as headphones, in ear, over ear, buds?