Sony MDRIF330RK I/R Wireless Open Air Stereo Headphone System

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [2.84mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 10 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000051SDH
• Item model number: MDRIF330RK
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony MDRIF330RK allows you to listen to wireless stereo headphones over a 23-foot range, and at an angle up to 90 degrees from the source.

The self-adjusting headband allows you to comfortably fit the open-air stereo to your own head. Thirty-millimeter speaker drivers deliver deep bass sound, and an automatic on/off selector allows you to choose your input.

It comes with a ni-cad battery that can last up to 35 hours. Optional AA batteries, which can last up to 100 hours, can be used as well.

From the Manufacturer

With its brilliant cordless design, the lightweight Sony MDR-IF330RK Open Air Wireless Stereo Headphone lets you move around the room and enjoy the music you love for hours. It connects to TV, VCR and audio systems through the supplied cord and plug adapter, and has two audio inputs that let you switch easily between sources. Its high-power infrared transmitter incorporates multiple Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for extended coverage range. Ferrite magnets combine high energy and small size, for ample sound output. Complete kit includes high-powered transmitter/recharger, headphones, rechargeable battery, connecting cable, UniMatch plug adapter and AC power adapter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Near perfect upgrade of previous models, April 11, 2003

By 

Bob Hoffman (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony MDRIF330RK I/R Wireless Open Air Stereo Headphone System (Electronics)

We have been using Sony infrared headphones for years. This model is by far the best and simplest to use so far. The major improvements are:

1) As long as you place the headset back on the cradle when you are not using it, you can forget about changing batteries or recharging.

2) A switch on the cradle switches cleanly between 2 program sources, such as 2 TVs or a TV and a stereo.

3) It turns on automatically when you put it on your head, turns off when you take it off.

Looking at some of the reviews I have to point out the difference between infrared (I/R) and radio frequency (R/F) headphones. The Sony is I/R.

I/R works the same way as the common type of remote control. You have to be either in line of sight of the cradle or where the beam can reach you after 1 bounce from a wall. It is more suitable for watching TV rather than listening to stereo unless you are willing to limit yourself to one room.

R/F broadcasts like a radio and has the advantage of at least the potential for working around the house, but introduces the following problems:

1) Tuning to the exact frequency is required and it may need to be retuned as you move around.

2) Potential interference with other R/F sources such as wireless phones.

3) Making sure that the source is strong enough to give you a good signal to noise ratio. This is especially true if you are using them with a TV. This can usually be solved by just turning the TV's volume up.

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's OK, I was expecting more, March 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony MDRIF330RK I/R Wireless Open Air Stereo Headphone System (Electronics)

So I thought it would be a great item to be able to listen to music in my house and not disturbe my partner. Wrong. I have to stay within the area of the base and no walls can come between the base and I. Maybe they should say something about this when they advertise. I thought it would be just like my cell phone and I could move around the house freely.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'm reviewing a slightly different item, December 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony MDRIF330RK I/R Wireless Open Air Stereo Headphone System (Electronics)

THIS ISN'T THE EXACT MODEL I HAD. Feel free to ignore my review. However, the only difference is that the transmitter was smaller. I did enjoy using these for awhile, they turned off if I wasn't wearing them and they were dead silent if I was out of range. The quality was actually pretty good, assuming the battery is was charged. They didn't seem to run out of juice for awhile either.

The headphones, however, were not that comfortable. They hurt my ears after about 30 mins. Also, my ear pads tore off after about 4 months of use. I got replacement earpieces and I used them for about another 4 months. One day I just grabbed the headphones to take them off and they broke. I guess I should've taken them off with two hands, but that plastic on top is pretty weak.