Customer Reviews:
 WIRELESS HEADSET April 28, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Like being in the middle of the action. Takes getting used to. I kept moving my head left and right to see what was over there where I heard the sound coming from. My hearing has been diminished due to jet engine noise from flying in the USAF, poor between 2000 and 3000 cycles and almost nothing above 3000 cycles; yet, I had no problems hearing and understanding what was said, much better than in the movies or a surround sound setting.
 Good - But buyer beware April 26, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
These are definately the best wireless headphones I have ever used, but the buyer should be aware that the plasma TV interference is NO JOKE! A few things: 1) It seems to be much worse on the 'analog' input, I can't get threw a whole movie without a few clicks on analog 2) While the digital is much better, if the screen goes completely white, it will click. 3) Fresh batteries seem to matter alot. Whenever i start to get alot of clicking, i change the batteries and it gets somewhat better. 4) positioning of the unit is key. I found that keeping it as close to eye level, and a bit off to the side was best.
So, all in all, these are AWESOME headphones, if you don't use them with a plasma TV, buy them RIGHT NOW. The surround technology is freakin cool. If you have a plasma, well what choice do you have? Its not like RF will be any better! At least not for me! I have neighbors with wireless, I have wireless....RF leakage everywhere. So whats that leave? Putting up with the minimal clicks in infrared I suppose.
I heard there was a company working on 'plasma safe infrared wireless'. That needs to come to consumer products!
From my cold dead hands.... April 23, 2008
...... that is the only way you will get this amazing pair of headphones from me.
Crystal clear sound you soon forget you are wearing them. Great volume knob on the side. The transmitter has a small compartment for charging your batteries. Nice touch. Very comfortable too. One tiny complaint the signal seemed to tun off when the batteries were inthe compartment charging. So put them in overnight.
My Wife and Kids also sing the praises of these headphones and sounds of "Dad turn down the darn TV yah deaf old fool" no longer ring through out the house.
Buy this for your deaf husband ;)
--B
Pioneer 800c vs. Panasonic WH5000s April 2, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Is it worth the extra $100?
I purchased the Panasonic model 2 years ago for about $200 and have been extremely satisfied with them. Even my non-technical wife enjoys using them and has even fallen asleep with them on. I use them while watching TV/movies since the infrared is line of site and limited distance. I liked them so much I decided to get a second pair. There isn't a huge choice of digital wireless headphones at a reasonable price and I narrowed it down to the Pioneer, Panasonic, and Sony. Then decided to see why the Pioneer was more expensive. Please keep in mind this is just my opinion, but I hope you find at least some of it useful.
Exceptional:
Sound quality- I first believe it is necessary to point out that this is wireless and cannot be held to the same measures that wired headphones are held to. Pioneer provides some very crisp sound with this headset. Background noise is almost non-existent and is about equal to the Panasonics. It is important to note that I am using the optical digital connection, so the source is digital quality. My point is that they hold the quality when using digital connections. The multiple selections for sound dynamics offer slight variations in sound, allowing you to choose your personal preferences, an expanded feature over the Panasonics, which offers music, cinema, and voice. The 5.1 simulation works to a point that you can appreciate what the headphones are attempting to do. But don't expect to get clear front to back movement. The appearance of movement is there but you have to be realistic about the sound coming from directly over your ear and the limitation this presents. This is emulation not true 5.1 with 6 speakers on your head. Maybe in the next version..... When cranking up the volume the Pioneer out performed the Panasonic by a noticeable margin. Where the Panasonic started to break up a bit the Pioneer held crisp sound. Either set will leave your ears ringing if you keep the volume too high too long. Analog connections on both headsets have a low hum in the background. I ignore it and after a few minutes forget that its there. I only notice it when I listen for it or during low or quiet scenes in movies/music.
Base features- The Pioneer base was the deciding factor for me. I really liked that it has multiple digital inputs as well as an analog input. Fantastic, now I can connect the PS3, Cable, and Ipod and just select at a touch of a button from the base. Unfortunately, if you want menu control you will have to opt for a Bluetooth headset and sacrifice the digital. Panasonic does have the auto
Comfort- Panasonic is slightly larger and heavier than the Pioneer due to its larger earpad with thick cushion. But the comfort is much better. The Pioneer isn't uncomfortable and I easily watch full length movies without irritation. I've only had then a short time but get the feeling they will be more comfortable after they are broken in. However, as stated in other reviews I have read, I can see how they might be uncomfortable due to the smaller size earpad and material.
Indifferent:
Charging- It would seem that not being able to base charge would be a simple feature Pioneer should have added. I would like to note that reviews on Sony's and the Panasonic that I have, which offer this feature, are cumbersome and can take just as long to get set perfectly on the stand to charge as it does to place the batteries in the charger of the Pioneer. I do think it should be a feature Pioneer included but it seems the other "guys" don't really get this right either. One way or the other it's not as easy as it should be.
Overall:
I am extremely satisfied with the Pioneer just as I was when getting the Panasonic. Audio performace and base features are better than the Panasonic. On the other hand, the Panasonic is more comfortable, more convenient to use, and less expensive. I don't think its worth the extra $100 but I was fortunate to have a gift card and went with the Pioneer at the $285 price. Certainly these are not worth the full $400 retail price and I would have returned them and purchased another Panasonic if not for the gift card. Pioneer should drop the price a bit or add convenience features (auto on/off and base charging).
TV headphones March 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
These are my 5th headphones for the tv, and certainly the best, though not perfect.
The previous headphones (900 mhz, 2.4, Sony infrared) each had irritating noise. The noise on the Sony Infrared came from my Panasonic flatscreen tv.
These Panasonic headphones are very expensive, but mostly serve their purpose. My wife goes to sleep later than I do and I dont want to hear the tv sound when I sleep. The sound quality is excellent and there is no noise. However, occasionally the sounds fades away without apparent reason.
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