Sony MDR DS3000 Infrared Wireless Digital Surround Headphones

Customer Reviews

A Good Buy

2008-07-16
Pros: Clear, crisp sound, Good Price, Sony Quality, easy set-up
Cons: It takes care to place accurately on charger, will not transmit to other headsets while one is on the charger

I purchased these about a month ago. I read every review I could find and had some hesitance. After receiving them (I bought the unit with the extra headset) I tried them out and was delighted. They were very easy to set up. I plugged the power source in and connected to an Optical cable. One reviewer was upset because the enclosed Sony batteries have square supports at either end (she referred to them as square thingies) and she thought it meant only Sony baterries would work. Actually any AAA battery will work, but don't try to charge them on the transmitter unless they are the Sony batteries. If you use dry batteries, don't place them on the charger. If you use another brand of rechargeable batteries, be sure to have an appropriate charger for them.. One advantage to this would be that the by not using the charger, it would always be in transmit mode.

Some people don't like the range or angle. That is the nature of Infrared wireless. I only use the headset to watch TV and videos. (I have a Sony Bravia LCD and BluRay Disk player) If you are a music listener and want to use them as you walk around the house, you should buy an RF set, not these. But if you want to watch TV without disturbing others, these are great. I have not experienced the Hissing that some reviewers wrote about. As far as being heavy or light, that is relative to what you are used to. They are heavier than my previous headsets, but are much better. They are also lighter than the headsets I use when I go private flying. I am quite comfortable with them. I charge one set after I am finished for the night and alternate every other night with the other set. I find that the charging light stays on the same length of time regardless of how much use the set has. I suspect the it does not necessarily go off according to with the set is fully charged, but stays on according to some timing device that will always insure a complete charge. I would say that if you want clear sound for TV and video watching these are a good purchace.

An excellent addition to a home theatre

2008-07-09
I bought these so that I could watch television late into the night as my wife sleeps. They are very well made and the battery lasts for quite a while. I like how you can swap the batteries out with AAs if they run low so you are never unable to use them. Like others have mentioned, the range is only about 33 feet and within an IR conical profile in front of the transmitter. This is to be expected because the information is transmitted via a wide "beam." I find this advantageous because I have a Home Theatre PC, a Wii, Roku box, and a PS3 that could be used with this and I did not want to encounter major interference with sound using any of those products. Because this is not based on a transmitted "radio" signal, there is no chance of interference. While I like the concept of the optical in, its just not convenient to keep switching back and forth between products that do not have that option so I just use the A/V jacks all of the time and quality of sound is great. One tip I would give to anyone to reduce any audible hiss they may encounter is to leave the volume for the headphones waaaaaay down and then just use your receiver to control the sound level. You will hear almost no hiss and the tiny fraction you do hear will be drowned out by your sound anyway. The sound is comparable to a really good pair of headphones but is admittedly not as good as a surround sound system. But hey, its a lot better to crank the sound up on these at night while my wife sleeps then it is to turn the sound way down so that I do not disturb her and not be able to hear anything.

Best sound ever

2008-06-22
This is the only way to hear every word spoken on TV. Great tone.

Home theater headphones.

2008-06-11
These are great for people who live in apartments but still want to watch tv and movies or play video games at night.
The surround effect actually works for thx/dts movies with the supplied optical cable.

Sony wireless head phones

2008-05-05
The sound quality is good, but the volume control could be easier to move. Also when charging the phones, you have to do a lot of fussing around to get contact with the base, and then one side is hanging off the unit at an angle.

good but limited

2008-03-09
Enter a world without wires with the new MDR-DS3000 Infrared Wireless Headphones. These headphones are ideal for DVD players and other components with Dolby Digital, Dolby Surround or DTS Surround Sound. These unique open-air headphones are comfortable, cordless and have a 23-foot transmission range, a 90? transmission angle and a self-adjusting headband. For superb sound and mobility, the MDR-DS3000 Infrared Wireless Headphones make the perfect addition to your home theater.

Peace and Quiet in the family

2008-02-14
The MDR-DS3000 sound great and are fairly comfortable. With the surround system on (even at low levels) it would keep my kids up later than we wanted. Now I can crank up the movies without bothering anyone. Only two minor annoyances. 1) getting the headphones on the charger just right is trickier than it should be, 2) with the IR connection I have to keep the dog from walking around while viewing the movie.

Incredible Headphones

2008-02-08
I connected these Sony surround headphones to the back of my cable box using the supplied fiber optic (Toslink) cable then plugged the unit into a nearby electrical outlet. That's it for the setup. Never bothered to open the instructions and I now get Dolby 5.1 surround sound coming in from the high def stations. The surround experience is incredible and I no longer get disapproving glares from the wife. (Many wives just don't understand the need to experience theater sound in the living room.) Good price for this class of wireless headphones.

Sony MDR-DS3000 Infrared Wireless Headphones

2008-02-08
Used these approx 2 hrs. before sending them back. Setting them in the cradle for recharging was very "location specific". The audio quality was less than anticipated especially given the digital (fiber optic) input. Sony's surround process was unusable. I will state the ear cushions were more comfortable than the Sennheiser's that I bought as an alternative.

Why the Hiss

2008-01-14
The hiss is dominant even with clean line of sight to IR transmitter.
It's annoying during quiet passages.

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