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Sony MDR-IF240RK Wireless Stereo Headphones System

Sony MDR-IF240RK Wireless Stereo Headphones System

List Price: $59.99
Your Price: $47.25
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Infrared Headphones
Review: These are good infrared headphones. Cons: infrared headphones have limited range. Pros: infrared interference has limited range! That is, you don't have to worry about your neighbor creating some signal that interferes with your headphones. Your walls, windows, etc are enough to block the interference. But the downside is that the device has limited field of view (only plus/minus 45 degrees from the stand, although you can rotate the transmitter to point that field of view where you want it). Range is not an issue; the headphones work well 20-30 feet to the back wall of my room. The signal doesn't go through walls so your headphones go silent if you go to the next room. Holding a newspaper or magazine high in front of your face is enough to make the signal cut out, too. Turning your head back and forth doesn't cause any reception problems (except when you turn *exactly* 90 degrees).

But I am very happy to have range and field of view limitations in exchange for interference-free reception. Another reviewer complained about an annoying hiss: this only occurs when you turn your TV down low and then crank up the headphone amplification (this is because the transmitter is then sending out such a small signal that the transmission noise is almost as large as the signal). Simply keep your TV volume high and the headphones amplification low and you will not be able to hear any hiss or static. To my untrained ears, they sound as good as corded headphones.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A noticable hiss which is distracting for most music/movies.
Review: These one is just either fair or below fair condition.A noticable hiss which is distracting for most music/movies.The headphone have built-in springs which force the bar on the top of your head, making it uncomfortable for people with bigger than average head.The sound quality is average and the range is reasonable. If your expecting better quality music, this is not it! Good for watching late night television or playing games without distracting others.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Okay for tv, games, nok for music
Review: These wireless headphones perform as advertised. Almost. I don't quite get the "24 feet" range but then again all the range I needed and expected was within a standard sized room. The convenience is freedom of movement within the room with decent fidelity to watch late night television or play computer games without distracting others. However the phones have a noticable hiss which is distracting for most music. Also a minor peeve is the plastic bar across the top. The bar is not padded and the phones have built-in springs which force the bar down on the top of your head. Noticably uncomforable for me after a while and I have a full head of hair. The comfort level is okay if you wear the phones draped along the back of your neck (which makes it tough to sit back in a high backed chair or lie down on the couch) or below your jaw (which makes it tough to munch on snacks in that position though). Or you can kludge it to a certain length with some electrical tape. Overall the phones are okay given the price. Just be sure that your expectations match what you are paying. If you want high fidelity and comfort and range, you will be better off paying up for another model.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Worth the price
Review: This review is on the Sony MDR-IF240R not MDR-IF240RK, not sure if there's any difference. I needed a wireless headphone for the bedroom because I watch TV over 2 hours every night while my wife sleeps and about 2 hours early in the morning. I've also owned a wireless Sennheiser HDR60 and a wired Panasonic RP-HT970 Vibration Series Headphone. The Sennheiser worked fine, but their rechargeable battery (two included) would only last me about two days. I always had one recharging so I could swap it out, but it was still annoying to have it cut out in the middle of a program. After a year one of the batteries wouldn't hold a charge any more and when I saw how much a replacement battery cost, I decided to buy the Panasonic. Because it was wired, the Panasonic RP-HT970 sounded great, especially the bass effects with DVD's. It was very comfortable and I would still be using it, if I hadn't tripped on the cable and broke it. It had also been an obstacle for my wife when she had to walk across the room.

I decided to go wireless again and bought the Sony MDR-IF240R after reading reviews. I wanted a headphone that used standard batteries and wouldn't need constant replacing. I have cordless phones and a wireless PC network, so I decided having no interference using infrared was better than having the ability to go room to room using other technology. Since I only used it for TV viewing, I was willing to accept decent, if not great, sound quality. This headphone met all my requirements. I put in one standard AAA battery instead of the rechargeable battery that came with it and I haven't had to change it in over two weeks of constant use (4 hours/day).

The headphones are mostly plastic and look a bit cheap. They are fairly comfortable, but if I tilt my head, they will fall off because the foam cushions are flat rather than cupped like the Sennheiser and the headband is rather flimsy. That would be my biggest complaint. Sony should also have provided a longer cable for the transmitter to allow more flexibility in placement. Sound quality is fine for TV viewing, but it can't compare to the quality of a wired headphone like the Panasonic which makes you feel like you're actually in a movie when played on DVD.

I have perfect reception using it at 12 feet and I've walked 45 degrees to the left and right without any loss. If something comes between the headphone and the transmitter, it will cut out, so positioning is very important. You can eliminate the hiss that others have mentioned, if you turn up the volume on the sound source (e.g. TV or Receiver) rather than turning up the volume control on the headphone. On the Sennheiser there was a tuning control, which I had to fiddle with in order to receive a signal, but the Sony doesn't have or need one.

In conclusion, this headphone met all my expectations, the price was reasonable and I would recommend it to others until someone comes out without something that has better sound quality and excellent battery life.

Sound quality - 4 stars (compared to other wireless)
Battery life - 5 stars
Range - 4 stars
Comfort - 4 stars
Fit and finish - 3 stars
Price - 4 stars

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Worth the price
Review: This review is on the Sony MDR-IF240R not MDR-IF240RK, not sure if there's any difference. I needed a wireless headphone for the bedroom because I watch TV over 2 hours every night while my wife sleeps and about 2 hours early in the morning. I've also owned a wireless Sennheiser HDR60 and a wired Panasonic RP-HT970 Vibration Series Headphone. The Sennheiser worked fine, but their rechargeable battery (two included) would only last me about two days. I always had one recharging so I could swap it out, but it was still annoying to have it cut out in the middle of a program. After a year one of the batteries wouldn't hold a charge any more and when I saw how much a replacement battery cost, I decided to buy the Panasonic. Because it was wired, the Panasonic RP-HT970 sounded great, especially the bass effects with DVD's. It was very comfortable and I would still be using it, if I hadn't tripped on the cable and broke it. It had also been an obstacle for my wife when she had to walk across the room.

I decided to go wireless again and bought the Sony MDR-IF240R after reading reviews. I wanted a headphone that used standard batteries and wouldn't need constant replacing. I have cordless phones and a wireless PC network, so I decided having no interference using infrared was better than having the ability to go room to room using other technology. Since I only used it for TV viewing, I was willing to accept decent, if not great, sound quality. This headphone met all my requirements. I put in one standard AAA battery instead of the rechargeable battery that came with it and I haven't had to change it in over two weeks of constant use (4 hours/day).

The headphones are mostly plastic and look a bit cheap. They are fairly comfortable, but if I tilt my head, they will fall off because the foam cushions are flat rather than cupped like the Sennheiser and the headband is rather flimsy. That would be my biggest complaint. Sony should also have provided a longer cable for the transmitter to allow more flexibility in placement. Sound quality is fine for TV viewing, but it can't compare to the quality of a wired headphone like the Panasonic which makes you feel like you're actually in a movie when played on DVD.

I have perfect reception using it at 12 feet and I've walked 45 degrees to the left and right without any loss. If something comes between the headphone and the transmitter, it will cut out, so positioning is very important. You can eliminate the hiss that others have mentioned, if you turn up the volume on the sound source (e.g. TV or Receiver) rather than turning up the volume control on the headphone. On the Sennheiser there was a tuning control, which I had to fiddle with in order to receive a signal, but the Sony doesn't have or need one.

In conclusion, this headphone met all my expectations, the price was reasonable and I would recommend it to others until someone comes out without something that has better sound quality and excellent battery life.

Sound quality - 4 stars (compared to other wireless)
Battery life - 5 stars
Range - 4 stars
Comfort - 4 stars
Fit and finish - 3 stars
Price - 4 stars

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perfect for the Spouse!!!!
Review: We bought these for the purpose of watching TV while the other person sleeps. They are perfect for that purpose! The Headphones are more comfortable than they appear. The only drawback is the range of the headphones. They work perfect in bed, but if we go to the bathroom with them, the reception cuts out. {Approx. 15 feet} I could not be happier with our decision to purchase this system.


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