Wireless headphones have become extremely popular in recent years, allowing users to enjoy their audio without being tethered to a device. Two of the leading options for high-quality wireless headphones come from audio giant Sennheiser – the RS 175 and RS 195 models.
But with two excellent choices available, how do you decide which pair is right for you?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the Sennheiser RS 175 Vs. RS 195 wireless headphones across critical factors like sound quality, battery life, and features.
By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to select the best Sennheiser wireless headphones for your needs and budget.
A Brief Comparison Table
Feature | Sennheiser RS 175 | Sennheiser RS 195 |
Sound Quality | Very good, balanced sound | Excellent, audiophile-grade sound |
Design | Plastic/leather, lighter weight | Metal/leather, premium feel |
Battery Life | Around 18 hours per charge | Around 20 hours per charge |
Wireless Range | 328 feet | 328 feet |
Wired Mode | No | Yes, with included cable |
Features | Simple controls, ease of use | Smart Pause, app control, presets |
Price | $$ Upper mid-range | $$$ Premium |
Best For | Casual listening at home | Critical listening and studio use |
Overview And Design
The Sennheiser RS 175 and RS 195 are both over-ear style wireless headphones featuring Sennheiser’s renowned audio engineering. However, there are some key differences:
- The RS 175 is an entry-level model geared towards media consumption at home. The RS 195 is more premium, aimed at critical listening and home studio use.
- The RS 175 has a plastic and leather build while the RS 195 uses metal and leather with excellent craftsmanship.
- Both models are comfortable for extended wear but the RS 195 is heavier at 285g Vs. the RS 175 at 240g.
- The RS 195 feels more luxurious overall but the RS 175 still punches above its weight with impressive quality.
In terms of looks, the headphones share a similar design aesthetic with oval earcups and minimal branding. The RS 175 comes in black or white while the RS 195 is available in black or brown.
Sound Quality
When it comes to audio performance, both models sound excellent but the RS 195 edges out the RS 175:
- The RS 175 produces clear, balanced sound with tight bass and crisp treble. The soundstage feels open with good spatial imaging.
- The RS 195 takes it a step further with even better clarity, depth, and spatial imaging. The bass hits harder while the mids and highs are more detailed.
- The RS 195 also has a wider frequency range of 9 Hz to 22 kHz compared to the RS 175’s 16 Hz to 22 kHz range. This allows you to hear more details and nuance.
- Both headphones can get very loud without distortion. The RS 195 goes a bit louder but honestly both models go beyond what most listeners need.
The superior transducer technology and amplification clearly give the RS 195 an audible sound quality advantage. But the RS 175 still outperforms most competitors, delivering pleasing sound for the price.
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Features And Connectivity
When it comes to features, the headphones take different approaches:
- The RS 175 is focused on ease of use, with simple controls and wireless connectivity.
- The RS 195 adds more premium features like analog wired mode, sound customization via app, and automatic music pausing when removing the headphones.
Both models wirelessly connect to your audio source using an included transmitter base station. Simply plug the transmitter into your TV, stereo, phone, computer, or other device via 3.5mm or RCA input.
Here’s a quick rundown of their wireless connectivity and features:
RS 175
- Proprietary 2.4Ghz wireless signal with 328 foot range
- Supports balanced and unbalanced audio input
- On-ear controls for power, mute, volume
- Open-back design for natural soundstage
RS 195
- Proprietary 2.4Ghz and 1.9Ghz wireless signals with 328 foot range
- Supports balanced and unbalanced audio
- Smart Pause stops audio when removing headphones
- Analog wired mode with included cable
- Sennheiser Smart Control app for EQ, presets, firmware updates
- Open-back design for natural soundstage
- On-ear controls for power, mute, volume, Smart Pause, analog mode
Both models offer excellent wireless range from the transmitter base station. The RS 195’s extra wireless band avoids interference for studio use. Meanwhile, the RS 175 focuses on simplicity and ease of use for home enjoyment.
Battery Life
Battery life is an essential consideration for wireless headphones. Here is how the RS 175 and RS 195 compare:
- The RS 175 is rated for 18 hours of continuous playback per charge. Real-world results land close to the 18 hour estimate.
- The RS 195 achieves even longer battery life, rated for 20 hours of continuous use per charge. Real-world use lives up to the 20 hour rating.
- Both models charge via an included stand. The battery is not replaceable on either set of headphones.
- While good, the battery life is not class leading. Some competing models now offer 30+ hours per charge. But both models deliver enough for most users’ needs.
For typical mixed music/video/gaming use, you can expect to charge both the RS 175 and RS 195 every 2-3 days. The RS 195 does eke out slightly longer battery life between charges. But both deliver solid performance that shouldn’t leave you stranded without tunes.
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Cost And Value
With their premium branding and reputation, Sennheiser headphones command higher prices than most brands:
- The Sennheiser RS 175 has an MSRP of $279.95 but can be found for around $200 online.
- The Sennheiser RS 195 retails at $379.95 but generally sells for approximately $350.
That puts the RS 175 as an upper mid-range wireless headphone and the RS 195 firmly in premium territory. How do they stack up for value?
- The RS 175 delivers very good wireless sound and wearable comfort at a fair price. You’re paying a premium for the Sennheiser brand but get quality in return.
- The RS 195 performs like a high-end audiophile wireless headphone but carries the price tag to match. For discerning listeners, it may be worth the investment.
Overall, both models deliver performance that lives up to their pricing. The RS 175 gives you an affordable entry-point to premium Sennheiser sound. And the RS 195 is a wireless headphone capable of pleasing even hardcore audiophiles.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, the Sennheiser RS 175 are excellent wireless headphones for gaming. The open-back design provides good spatial imaging for positional audio. And the sound quality helps immerse you in the action. They work with PC, Mac, consoles, and mobile gaming.
The Sennheiser RS 175 headphones have an excellent wireless range of up to 328 feet from the transmitter base station. This gives you freedom to roam far from your audio source without dropouts.
The Sennheiser RS 175 headphones offer around 18 hours of battery life per charge, depending on your listening levels. This allows for multiple days of wireless use before needing to recharge.
No, the Sennheiser RS 175 is not compatible with Bluetooth. It uses a proprietary 2.4Ghz wireless signal to communicate with the included transmitter base station. The headset cannot pair directly to Bluetooth devices.
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The Verdict
So which of these superb Sennheiser wireless headphones is right for you? Here are some quick recommendations based on common user profiles:
- For average listeners who want impressive wireless sound at a fair price, the RS 175 is the best choice. You get premium Sennheiser quality at an upper mid-range price point.
- For audiophiles and home studio users needing reference-grade wireless sound, the RS 195 is worth the premium price. It delivers best-in-class clarity and spatial imaging.
- For watching TV and movies in wireless comfort, either model works extremely well. The RS 175 may make more sense to avoid overspending.
- For critical music listening, the RS 195 is the way to go. The improved drivers and amplification reveal more subtle audio details.
- If you’ll use the headphones outdoors, consider a different model. The open-back design of both models leaks sound in and out.
Overall, the RS 175 hits the sweet spot for most users needing excellent wireless sound on a budget. But discerning listeners who want an audible upgrade should go for the RS 195. Both deliver the renowned Sennheiser experience in convenient wireless form.