OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sennheiser RS 180 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£230Form factor:over-earConnectivity:WirelessBattery life:24 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sennheiser RS 180 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sennheiser RS 180
5.5/10

Overall score

Score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components

80%

5.0

Technical score

20%

7.6

User score

â–¼Worse than 87% of headphones
6.6

Value for money

Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

â–¼Worse than 89%
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

52%

4.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.0

Design

8%

6.1

Connectivity

6%

3.7

Battery

4%

5.0

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 93%
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

5.9

Number of reviews

â–¼Worse than 69%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sennheiser RS 180

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

52%

4.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.0

Design

8%

6.1

Connectivity

6%

3.7

Battery

4%

5.0

Calls & Controls

5.0
User score
User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

5.9

Number of reviews

7.6
Popularity
Popularity
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Popularity:
Sennheiser RS 180 has a popularity score of 5.9 points, which is higher than that of 49.8% of products in this category.
5.9
Value for money
Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components:

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

6.6
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
18 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 18 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 49.6% of headphones and equal to 3.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
Wireless
This pair of headphones supports Wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Audio latency
35 ms
Market range: <40 ms – >222 ms
This pair of headphones has audio latency of 35 ms, lower audio latency than 93.8% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
24 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 24 hours, lower battery life than 58.8% of headphones and equal to 3.3% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
16 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 16 hours to charge, higher charging time than 99.5% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
600 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 600 mAh, higher battery capacity than 50.2% of headphones and equal to 7.9% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Sennheiser
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
204 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 204 g, lighter than 53.9% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sennheiser RS 180 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 115 ms lower audio latency
    This pair of headphones has a lower audio latency than the average pair of headphones (35 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    35 ms vs 150 ms
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (Wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    Wireless vs wired
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 4 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • AptX support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 4 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Play while charging
    This pair of headphones can play while charging, the average pair of headphones cannot. 29.1% of headphones support play while charging.
  • Removable battery
    This pair of headphones has a removable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.8% of headphones have a removable battery.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • 115 ms lower audio latency
    This pair of headphones has a lower audio latency than the average pair of headphones (35 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    35 ms vs 150 ms
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (Wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    Wireless vs wired
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • AptX support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • Low-latency game mode
    This pair of headphones includes a low-latency game mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.2% of headphones support low-latency game mode.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 14 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (16 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    16 hours vs 2 hours
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 12 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (32 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    32 mm vs 44 mm
  • 7 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (53 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    53 mm vs 60 mm
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • 9.4% worse value for money
    Sennheiser RS 180 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.64 vs 7.3).
    6.64 vs 7.27
  • 2.56x more expensive
    Sennheiser RS 180 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£230 vs £90).
    £230 vs £90
  • 4.6% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sennheiser RS 180
    the average pair of headphones
    Sennheiser RS 180 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.65 vs 8).
    7.65 vs 8
  • 12 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (32 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    32 mm vs 44 mm
  • 7 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (53 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    53 mm vs 60 mm
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    no tangle-free listening cable is present or specified.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • 14 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (16 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    16 hours vs 2 hours
  • 6 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (24 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    24 hours vs 30 hours
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 6 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2010 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    January 2010
    2010 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Vintage Audiophile
≈ estimated
29/03/2020
Full review · range, pairing and sound tests
Verdict
Sennheiser RS 180 is highly recommended if you don't mind a transmitter; its range, pairing and bass impress.
8.0
TekBeatTV
≈ estimated
02/02/2011
Hands-on review · sound, range and build tests
Verdict
Sennheiser RS 180 delivers good wireless sound for home use, but the open design leaks sound and the build feels cheap.
8.0
technuba
≈ estimated
27/02/2015
Short review · setup and family use
Verdict
Sennheiser RS 180 offers clear sound and a comfortable fit, though setup is fiddly and bass and surround are limited.
9.5
mightymikey246
≈ estimated
20/06/2011
Short review · owned for months, padding and value
Verdict
Sennheiser RS 180 is very good for the money and probably the best wireless headphones available right now.
8.0
bilsta57
✓ explicit
15/10/2010
Short hands-on review · sound, range and dock
Verdict
Sennheiser RS 180 has excellent sound and range, with a plastic build as its main weakness.
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

whathifi.com
27/04/2010
Listening test · Hi-Fi wireless
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a premium, comfortable wireless headphone with punchy, detailed sound and great balance, though it isn't cheap.
theabsolutesound.com
15/07/2010
Listening review · Wireless hi-fi
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a balanced, cord-free headphone with clean treble and good separation, but it lacks the vividness and bass detail of costlier headphones.
H
headfonia.com
16/09/2010
Summary of the review
Sennheiser RS180: The Wireless Audiophile - Headfonia
wired.com
29/03/2010
Hands-on test · Home listening
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a comfortable wireless headphone with superb, natural sound and no interference, though its buttons are fiddly and it lacks noise cancelling.
techradar.com
24/11/2010
Hands-on test · Desktop wireless
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is comfortable with decent sound, but its short battery life and high price make a cheaper wired pair the better buy.
cnet.com
21/09/2012
Hands-on test · Open-back wireless
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a light, comfortable wireless headphone with near-wired sound, though its open back leaks sound.
headfonia.com
02/05/2012
Hands-on test · Compared with RS 220
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a thinner-sounding, less detailed wireless set that suits movies, though its loose bass trails the RS 220.
avguide.ch
07/02/2010
Hands-on test · Hi-Fi listening
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a wireless Hi-Fi headphone with airy, transparent sound and velour pads, but its range depends heavily on where the transmitter sits.
A
avguide.ch
08/02/2010
Summary of the review
Sennheiser RS 180 Wireless Headphone System Review - A True Pleasure
(Translated)Show original
testmagazine.de
01/10/2011
Hands-on test · Digital wireless
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a digital wireless headphone with clear, detailed sound, a solid build and easy setup, though its small buttons are hard to use.
avguide.ch
07/02/2010
Hands-on test · Hi-Fi wireless
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a wireless Hi-Fi headphone with no bass or surround effects, so music stays unaltered, though its small buttons are hard to find by touch.
kopfhoerer-berater.de
05/05/2014
Hands-on review · Digital wireless
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a comfortable digital wireless headphone with great sound and a fine buy for those who don't mind its price.
audiocasque.fr
06/08/2014
Hands-on test · Film and music
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a comfortable wireless Hi-Fi headphone with wide, rich sound for films and music, though its open design lets sound leak to people nearby.
cuffiewireless.it
12/03/2015
Hands-on test · Wireless reception
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 is a comfortable, sturdy wireless headphone with excellent reception and balanced bass, though it is expensive and the included batteries run only about 20 hours.
T
tweakers.net
28/11/2013
Summary of the review
Thorough and independent Sennheiser RS reviews
(Translated)Show original
bluetoothkoptelefoon.com
08/12/2014
Hands-on test · Open-back wireless
Verdict
The Sennheiser RS 180 sounds close to wired headphones costing about the same, is very comfortable, but leaks sound from its open back.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sennheiser RS 180

  • High-fidelity sound quality that competes with wired audiophile headphones
  • Open-back design providing a natural, airy soundstage and excellent tonal balance
  • Extremely comfortable for long listening sessions due to lightweight build and velour ear pads
  • Uses Kleer technology for lossless, CD-quality wireless audio without background hiss or static
  • Convenient charging stand that also serves as a storage hanger
  • Uses standard rechargeable AAA batteries, making replacements easy and inexpensive

What customers don't like about Sennheiser RS 180

  • Controls on the earcup are poorly positioned and difficult to distinguish by touch
  • Open-back nature leads to significant sound leakage, which may disturb others nearby
  • High initial retail price compared to similar wireless or wired alternatives
  • Lack of digital inputs (analog-only), which may affect compatibility with some modern setups
  • Transmitter automatically powers down after inactivity, requiring a manual walk-over to restart
  • Wireless signal can be sensitive to obstacles like walls, reducing the effective range

Verdict

The Sennheiser RS 180 is a premium digital wireless headphone system utilizing Kleer lossless transmission to deliver uncompressed, CD-quality audio over a 2.4 GHz frequency. These open-back, circumaural headphones feature dynamic drivers with a frequency response of 18 Hz to 21,000 Hz, an impedance of 32 ohms, and a weight of 204 g. Main characteristics include a 100-metre line-of-sight range, a multi-purpose transmitter that doubles as a charging cradle, and Automatic Level Control for improved speech intelligibility. Key pros are its exceptional comfort with velour earpads, a wide and natural soundstage, and the ability to pair up to four headsets to a single base. Cons include significant sound leakage due to the open-back design, controls that can be difficult to distinguish by touch, and a higher price point compared to entry-level wireless models.

Compare Sennheiser RS 180 with other products in the Headphones category

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