Wireless headphones are a logical solution for my kinetic listening habits, so when I got a chance to test drive a pair of Sennheiser's RS 170 wireless headphones, I jumped at it. High-quality sound design The RS 170's are built for excellent sound reproduction. They feature amply padded earcups that effectively block out outside noise and feature Sennheiser's "Kleer"™ technology for lossless CD-quality digital audio. A Dynamic Bass Boost circuit augments the lows if you want more bass, and the selectable Surround Sound simulation circuit creates a simulated surround effect for an enveloping sound field. Easy hookup Setting up the RS 170 headphones was a snap. All the necessary connection cables were included, which gave me the option of plugging the transmitter into either the preamp outputs or the headphone jack of my receiver. I chose to use the headphone jack, mainly for the utility — when connected through the headphone jack, I could adjust the volume with my receiver's remote control. Otherwise, I would have been limited to the volume controls on the headphones themselves for adjustments. Useful in so many places Of course the main appeal of the RS 170's to me was utility. I could wear the headphones in a variety of settings while engaged in a variety of tasks without having to worry about tangling up the cord or having to stop listening if I needed to move. The RS170 excelled in every location and type of audio I tested it with. For quiet listening when reading, the RS 170's easily handled my usual diet of classical music. The warmth of the clarinet in the Adagio of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto was spot on, and the headphones never faltered on very quiet and very loud passages in my other listening. In particular the closed ear design effectively shut out external distractions. Sitting on my deck listening to a ball game was a fun experience. The headphones' wireless range was more than adequate, and I never missed a play. I found that the Surround Sound simulation added a nice sense of depth and "being there" presence to the play-by-play and crowd noise of a college football broadcast (Go Mountaineers!) Night time movies were a blockbuster hit. I enjoyed watching a movie with the volume cranked without worrying about disturbing the rest of the house when the action got intense.   But best of all... I compete in triathlons, so training is an ongoing exercise. But if the weather is bad or it's too dark outside, I've got to put my bicycle on an indoor stationary trainer. Watching the television or listening to music helps the time go by, but since the trainer is loud, headphones are a must if I want to hear what I'm watching. With the RS 170 headphones, I didn't have to worry about running a long extension cable from my bike to my receiver. It saved set up time, and the sound dampening and sound quality were excellent, so I never missed a word or note while working out.  The RS 170 definitely make the grade The RS 170 wireless headphones exceeded my expectations for wireless headphones. Sound quality was on a par with, or better than, many wired headphones I've used in the past, and they did a solid job getting my music or video audio track to where I was, with no transmission noise or dropouts. Setting them up was easy — a plug and play operation and the form factor of the headphones and their stand almost seemed to invite me to use them. If you want sound quality in a set of wireless headphones, you'll enjoy the Sennheiser RS 170 wireless headphones. The RS 170 wireless headphones exceeded my expectations for wireless headphones. Sound quality was on a par with, or better than, many wired headphones I've used in the past, and they did a solid job getting my music or video audio track to where I was, with no transmission noise or dropouts. Setting them up was easy — a plug and play operation and the form factor of the headphones and their stand almost seemed to invite me to use them. If you want sound quality in a set of wireless headphones, you'll enjoy the Sennheiser RS 170 wireless headphones.   [[ Note of post origination: http://community.crutchfield.com/blogs/staff_reviews/archive/2010/10/25/staff-review-sennheiser-rs-170-wireless-headphones.aspx ]] ... View more

Question How close to a real home theater experience can I get with a sound bar instead of surround sound? Answer Some sound bars with built-in amplification offer some of the same features you find on receivers. And they have the jacks on the back to prove it.  Depending on the equipment you have, very close indeed! Video switching — This is a great feature if your TV doesn't have enough of a certain type of video input. Just plug all your audio/video components into your sound bar and then switch between them from there. Some sound bars also offer video conversion. For example, they can accept video signals via composite video and output component video. This can make for easier system operation, since you'll only have to switch inputs on your sound bar, and not on your TV. And a handful of sound bars can upconvert non-HD video sources to better match the resolution of your HDTV. DVD playback — A few sound bars include a DVD player, either built into the sound bar itself, or as a separate unit. XM readiness — A few sound bars give you access to XM Satellite Radio. Just add the XM Mini-Tuner package to a compatible sound bar to enjoy more than 170 channels of music, sports, talk, and entertainment. MP3 compatibility — Some sound bars are compatible with optional iPod docks, which makes it really easy to enjoy all the music on your MP3 player. Simply connect the dock to the sound bar, and you can select songs and playlists using the sound bar's remote. (Of course, if you don't have a compatible MP3 player dock, you can simply plug your MP3 player in to a spare set of stereo RCA jacks using a stereo miniplug-to-RCA cable.) Multibrand remote — If you don't want another remote control on your coffee table, consider a sound bar with a multibrand remote. This will let you control your other audio/video gear, such as your TV, DVD player, and satellite receiver. Some sound bars take the opposite approach — they don't include a remote, but can learn the commands of your television's remote control. ... View more

Question Can you recommend some audio devices that I can clip onto a pair of shorts when running and doing other multisport activities? Answer You'd probably be happy with something like a Serengeti LX-500 Digital Pocket AM/FM Stereo Receiver. It's a nifty little electronic device that's about the size of a deck of cards. Radio reception is very good, although you might want to swap the "earbuds" it comes with and get a pair of headphones that fit over your head. These will have better stability. Or, wear a sweatband that can go over your ears and hold the buds in place. There are other choices. Nordilla, for instance, makes several radios that fit right on your head. One style, the YT7-H5 Street Style Sports Headset ($50), fits like regular stereo headphones. Stylo’s SRF-UT899 actually fits on like a headband—with nothing to loop over your skull or stick in your pocket. It's about $60. Paradonix makes a radio called the RF-NB199 ShockWave Headphone Radio ($50), which is designed to be carried in your hand, on a lanyard around your neck, or in a pocket. ... View more

Question What kind of cables do I need for my HT? Answer These are the most common cable types High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Cable Connection This digital audio and video interface does it all. HDMI delivers uncompressed high-definition video (up to 1080p with 12-bit color), eight channels of digital audio for 7.1 surround sound and an integrated control channel - all in one relatively compact cable and connection. Component Video: The Three Way Video Cable Connection Component connections are available most high definition televisions, DVD players, and modern satellite systems. Component video splits video information into three separate signals, two for color, and one for luminance or brightness. This further improves picture clarity, color, and sharpness above S-Video. DVI Cable Connection Available on many earlier HDTVs and computer LCD screens, DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is a digital interface with 24-bit color that is ideal for high-resolution displays. Because it comes in a few varieties, you will need to check the specific DVI connection on your equipment to match the cable. S-Video Connection S-Video is the next best connection when component video is not available. This connection is commonly found on many high quality analog and digital AV components such as VCRs, televisions, and video game systems. Breaking out the video signal into two separate parts, one for color and one for brightness, improves picture sharpness over composite video, and makes color reproduction more precise. Composite Video Connection Composite or RCA video it is a convenient and commonplace all-in-one video connection. Typically yellow in color, composite video ports are found on a multitude of video components from TVs to camcorders. Color and brightness signals are carried over a single cable, and they can be particularly susceptible to interference and noise. Digital Coax S/PDIF Audio Connection Digital coax's wider bandwidth produces less timing inaccuracy jitter than fiber optic cables. Digital Coax cable may appear similar to a standard composite video cable, but it carries signals at a much higher frequency, so standard RCA composite video cables should never be used to connect digital coax outlets. Fiber Optic / TOSlink Audio Connection Also known as TOSlink, fiber optic cables are commonly used to provide digital 5.1 or 7.1 home theater surround from DVD and CD players. Fiber optic cable delivers digital audio via pulses of light and is thus immune to RF interference and electrical noise. However, fiber optic cables can be subject to timing inaccuracies (knows as jitter) if the fiber optic terminations aren't precisely polished. Analog Stereo Audio Connection "Line level" audio cables deliver stereo audio sound signals via two cables, one for Left, and one for Right. These cables typically use standard RCA jacks colored red and white to connect components. Although it is a widespread connection, line level audio cannot deliver the precise, balanced sound that modern audio components deliver. In addition, these cables can be particularly susceptible to noise and interference, so proper shielding and termination is important to maintain sound quality. Thanks to Monster for the images and info, BTW. The community speaks! Here are some solid opinions about the relative value of high end cables. There are technical differences between the top of the line and the bottom. The question is can you see and hear that difference, especially over a short (less than 30 foot) distance? If you are going from any source to a 720p or 1080i TV set, you can get away with any old cheap cable. As long as you're not installing the wiring in your wall, start with the cheapo cable. If you hate the results and you only paid $20 for it, go back and spend more on something certified HMDI. Remember, good components can offset lousy cables: a PS3 and a Samsung 1080p TV can work around much of the problems. If you've put your money into the components and you're not digging into the walls, try out the lower grade stuff first. If you're happy, stop there. ... View more

Symptoms I have a new HDTV and was expecting it to rock my world, but the picture quality isn't so great. Is there anything I can do myself to improve the picture?   Diagnosis Walking yourself through some simple troubleshooting tips can help you discover a basic solution before you take your unit in for repair or spend your day on the phone with technical support. Solution Basics The exact terms and settings may differ depending on the make and model of your television. However, most of the problems that arise and the ways to remedy them are universal. Keep your TV away from air vents that can expose it overly hot or cold temperatures. Also keep it away from excessive moisture. If it starts to overheat or if the power indicator starts blinking, turn the TV off, unplug it and plug it into a different outlet. If you see black bars at the top and bottom of the screen or on the sides, adjust the aspect ratio, either to 4:3 for standard TV or 16:9 for widescreen. If you turn on the TV but no picture shows, or if the picture looks fuzzy and unclear, first check the connections. See that the cables are connected securely and to the input for the component you wish to view, and have the TV set to that input. Turn the TV to the correct channel, usually 3 or 4. Turn off or move any electrical devices that may cause interference with the picture. Switch between component inputs (cable and DVD, for example) to see if there's a noticeable difference. If so, the problem may be with that component. Settings HDTVs feature a number of adjustable video settings. They're a good place to start if the picture quality isn't what you want. Use the remote control to access the various menus. Set the picture resolution to 1080i to get optimal video from HD channels. These settings may differ between standard and HD channels, and between different components (cable/satellite and DVD). The components may have their own settings to adjust as well. Also use the menu features to adjust the sharpness, brightness and contrast to improve the picture. Some TVs may have other options as well, such as digital noise reduction to cut down on interference. Sound If you have video but no audio or if the audio is too low, double-check the cable connections. Make sure that "Mute" hasn't been activated, either on the TV or video component you're viewing. Adjust the volume, either manually or with the remote control, on both the TV and video component to see if it changes. Go into the menu. Different brands of TVs have different audio settings, such as "Mono" and "Stereo," or "Analog" and "Digital." See that audio is on the correct setting and enabled for that particular input. Change the channel or try a different component input---is there a substantial difference? Support If the issue or issues persist after you try these steps, your TV may need service. Before you call a professional, consult the owner's manual and visit the TV manufacturer's website support page for more troubleshooting tips. The support page will also provide terms and settings for your specific model, updates, accessories and customer and technical support. ... View more

Question I want to keep my home theater simple, so I'm opting for a sound bar rather than surround sound. I thought I had all the questions answered, but I'm stumped on whether I want a sound bar with a built-in amp.   Answer Most models have built-in amplification. As a result, they don't require a separate home theater receiver -- you just connect your audio components, and you're all set. Some virtual surround and Left-Right-Center sound bars don't have built-in amplification. These are called passive sound bars and you need to connect them to a separate home theater receiver. Passive sound bars are a good option if you already have a home theater receiver you'd like to use. Plus, a separate receiver can provide cleaner power and more sophisticated audio processing, so you might enjoy higher-quality sound. So like every other question, the answer is it all depends. ... View more

Question What's the best way to connect up a sound bar in a home theater? Answer The answer depends on the kind of sound bar you have. Stereo sound bars If you're just connecting components for stereo sound, use the red and white stereo RCA jacks. Many sound bars even include a stereo cable in the box. This makes it easy to connect the sound bar to your TV's stereo output for better television sound. If your TV doesn't have audio outputs, you can also use the outputs on your DVD player, cable box, satellite receiver, or other gear. Virtual surround sound models Sound bars with virtual surround sound generally offer digital audio inputs. This connection will deliver the best, most detailed sound and most convincing surround effects from DVD players and other components with digital audio outputs. Most virtual surround sound models offer one or more types of digital audio connections, including HDMI, as well as optical and coaxial digital audio. Passive sound bars Hooking up a passive sound bar to your receiver is also very straightforward — it basically connects just like any other speaker. These sound bars include positive and negative terminals for each of the audio channels they play — five for virtual surround models, three for LCR models (the other two channels connect to separate surround speakers). You'll just need to connect each pair of terminals to the corresponding outputs on your receiver. Speaker wire is usually included. Powered subwoofers Connecting a powered sub is simple. Sound bars with built-in amplifiers give you a dedicated subwoofer output. You'll just need to run a cable from the sound bar to the subwoofer. We recommend using a subwoofer cable instead of regular audio patch cables when making this connection since it's specifically designed to carry low bass frequencies. You won't need to make this connection if you choose a system that includes a wireless subwoofer, but you will still need to plug the sub into a wall outlet. ... View more

Question I've decided to go with a sound bar for my home theater. All the photos I see show them directly under the TV. Are there any other options that make sense?   Answer Sure there are! Although sound bars are often pictured on the wall below a wall-mounted TV, many of them are shallow enough to fit on a TV stand in front of a television. If you plan on going this route, double check the sound bar's depth to make sure it will sit safely on your TV stand. If you do plan to wall-mount your sound bar, think about cable management. You'll need to run at least a signal cable, plus a power cable if the sound bar is amplified. If you don't intend to run your cables through the wall, you can just let them hang down, or use a cable-hiding raceway to cover them. But if you do want to hide the wires in the wall, here are some important things to consider: Try to avoid mounting your sound bar on an exterior wall, since these walls have extra bracing and insulation that can make running wire difficult. Follow local building and fire codes. In many cases, this means you'll need to get UL-rated A/V cable labeled CL2 or CL3. The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) looks at heat generated from current flowing through wire, how quickly the cable will catch and spread fire when exposed to flame, and the wire's susceptibility to damage from external stresses. Don't run the power cable inside the wall. If you want the power cable hidden, you'll need to hire a licensed electrician to install a recessed AC receptacle in the wall, in a location where it will be covered by your sound bar or TV, and not obstructed by the sound bar's mounting bracket. You and your electrician may also want to consider in-wall power protection units. Another option is to route the A/V cable in-wall, and use a small wire raceway on the outside of your wall for the power cord. ... View more

Question I like the looks of a sound bar rather than speakers, but wonder how much I'm giving up on sound. Answer Those sleek sound bar-style speakers you're talking about look good with a  flat-panel TV, and require minimal space and wiring. Most models even offer built-in amplification, which means the only other gear you'll need is a DVD or Blu-ray Disc player and a subwoofer for deep bass roar and rumble. Some of  models even include a subwoofer. In a nutshell, single-speaker sound bars can deliver room-filling sound without taking up much space. This may be the solution for you if: You have very limited room for speakers or other equipment. The sound bar solution requires fewer pieces of gear than any of the other options out there, and you can easily wall-mount the main speaker right below your TV. Very simple setup is key. You only need a couple of cables to hook up these systems, and chances are they come in the box. You won't have to run wires from one side of your room to the other, either. You want the cinematic thrill of surround sound but your room can't accommodate a full-fledged surround system. Some of the more deluxe models feature advanced designs and special digital processing to create a convincing, three-dimensional sound field. However, you don't necessarily have to give up good sound for that sleek look. While some sound bars only deliver stereo sound, others create virtual surround sound. Now, they can't give you the same precise, enveloping sound you'd get from a system with five or more speakers. But they can offer more engaging audio than your TV speakers and give you a more complete sound experience. They accomplish virtual surround sound by bouncing beams of sound off your walls, or with special processing that controls timing and volume to make sound effects seem like they're coming from different directions. ... View more