Sony MDR-IF630RK Wireless Headphone System with Sound Mode Switch

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Product Details

• Item Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006I5TJ
• Item model number: MDRIF630RK
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 15, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

This wireless headphone system was designed to connect with your TV or stereo system. The wireless system allows you to move around the room without that pesky cord draping behind. It is easy to connect to TV, VCR, DVD or audio systems with the supplied connecting cord and plug adaptor. This system includes both transmitter and headphones.

The high power infrared transmitter incorporates multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for an extended coverage range. The MDR-IF630RKs have a transmission range of thirty-three feet (twelve feet when at a forty-five degree angle.) They also receive at a ninety degree transmission angle, ensuring that you have uninterrupted listening as you move around the room. The headband is self-adjusting and sports a snug-fitting wide band. The headphones come with a rechargeable NiMH battery. The system sports an automatic headphone battery charge system and will recharge the headphone's NiMH battery whenever they are set in the transmitter. You can expect an impressive twenty-two hours of use from a fully charged battery.

The headphones are lightweight and comfortable, delivering quality sound. Sony has installed several technical features to the headphones to ensure a quality listening experience. There are two options included in the sound mode. When listening to music, choose the normal sound mode; however, when you expect most of the sound to be voices, choose the voice enhanced mode. The voice enhanced mode is ideal for watching movies, especially at low volumes, and for individuals who might be hearing-impaired. Meanwhile, the noise reduction transmission system will minimize extraneous noise and hiss; this system gives the signal a better chance at coming through unobstructed and clear. The thirty millimeter drive units deliver deep bass, low distortion and a wide frequency response range (12 - 24,000 Hz). Neodymium magnets give the headphones maximum energy at a minimal size and weight. The PET diaphragms offer low distortion and resists bending and flexing. The closed circum-aural design keeps outside noises at a minimal level. The earpads are made of a cloth material; they are comfortable even after long hours of use.

With the supplied UniMatch plug, it is easy to connect the transmitter to various sound sources. These plugs accommodate both the phone jack found on high fidelity components or the mini-jack found on video components. A single volume control is found on the right earpiece for simple volume adjustments. Finally, there is a automatic power switch on both the headphones and transmitter to help conserve battery and equipment life. (The unit turns back on when the transmitter detects a signal, while the headphones turn on when they sense their placement on your head.) The headphones weigh 6.3 ounce and are a modern black color.

What's in the Box
Sony MDR-IF630RK headphones, high-powered transmitter/recharger, NiMH rechargeable battery, connecting cable, UniMatch plug adaptor, AC power adapter and user's manual.

Product Description

Ever wanted to kick off the annoying cord on your headphones? Now you can do it! Cordless Infrared Headphone system on the MDR-IF630RK has extended range up to 33 feet (10m) direct distance from the transmitter and offers full listening enjoyment throughout the room or listening area. Noise Reduction Transmission System is designed to reduce extraneous noise and hiss and allow the headphones to receive the signal more clearly (incompatible with other cordless headphone systems). Sound Mode Switch (Normal/Voice Enhanced) on headphones provides for Normal for high fidelity listening or Voice Enhanced to emphasize voice or dialogue, recommended when watching movies, especially at low volume and for individuals who may be slightly hearing-impaired (not a substitute for hearing aid).30mm Diameter Driver Units are larger than many portable headphones for deeper bass, lower distortion and wider dynamic range; low frequency response extends down to 12Hz. PET Diaphragms ensure high rigidity for minimum distortion, and low mass for excellent high-frequency response. Neodymium Magnets pack more magnetic energy per ounce than conventional ferrite, samarium cobalt or aluminum magnets and produce powerful bass and clear treble sound. Automatic Power On/Off for both headphones and transmitter conserves battery life; transmitter turns on when it senses an input signal; headphones turn on when you place them on your head. Comfortable Closed Circumaural Design with cloth covered ear pads offers added comfort for extended listening sessions. Automatic Headphone Battery Charge System with built-in Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery charges when headphones are set onto the transmitter.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly comfortable and sound great, June 10, 2005

By	Andante51 (Detroit burbs) - See all my reviews

We bought these headphones for my husband who watches too much TV, especially sports and news talk shows with really obnoxious sound. I had dreamed for years of having blissful quiet without success: Wired headphones he would never tolerate, and the 900 Megahertz sound quality was crummy with lots of fuzz.

I was leery of ordering these online because I am SO picky about headphone comfort - if I try to buy any in the store, I invariably find them uncomfortable, and I can't STAND feeling like my brains are getting squeezed together. Also knew if they weren't VERY comfortable, hub would not sit there for hours watching sports with them on. The comfort of these is absoloutely remarkable. They are VERY stable, without that head-squeeze feeling, with luxurious padding on your ears.

The sound quality is excellent, no hissy stuff or static. Also great for me when I do want to sit in that room and listen to music - quality is equal to my big wired headphones. My 78 year old Dad is now going to buy them because he is a bit hard of hearing, and has to blast the TV to hear it, driving his woman nuts. She also freaks out on the constant TV racket, as she is a reader.

The only drawback I suppose is that these babies are NOT small... you do look like a space cadet in them, but that is not an issue for us. The other great feature is that they turn off if you take them off your head to save batteries, and that they charge automatically when you replace them on the stand.
FINALLY I have peace and quiet, can listen to my nature sound software, and music in the other room without the constant roar of the TV!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Headphones. Poor Sony Warranty., August 25, 2005

By	Heather Macdougall (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although I am happy with the headphones, I am very disappointed in Sony. I expect more from that company.

Pros:
(1) Awesome wireless convenience that gives me the freedom to move around a room (up to 30 feet direct view, less distance at an angle).
(2) Very comfortable despite its large size.
(3) Sounds great for playing DVDs in my laptop.
(4) Infrared Transmitter/charger has a green light that lights "On" when the headset is well seated and charging appropriately.
(5) No significant static so far. I am in Iraq, and the Special Forces guys often jam radio signals when they are on patrol. My two way radio becomes useless at those times, which leads me to believe that RF headphones will also get jammed. These headsets will work perfectly during those times.

Cons:
(1) Sony's warranty on this particular product is awful. It is only 90 days, as opposed to 1 year, as most other electronics. I thought that I had a problem with my headset, and, despite being within the short 90-day warranty period, Sony offered to either fix it, or replace it with a refurbished headset with potential cosmetic blemishes. Thankfully, I got it to work properly, but it left me with a bad taste that a "brand new" product within the warranty period could be replaced with a refurbished one that may have cosmetic blemishes. Every batch of products will have a "lemon". Who will purchase that lemon? Who knows? What is for sure, Sony will not replace it with a new one.
(2) The transmitter is pretty bulky, making it cumbersome to fit in a back pack.
(3) Distance is limited to a maximum of 30 feet from the transmitter when facing the transmitter directly and less distance when the transmitter faces at an angle. Also, you need an uninterrupted direct line of vision between the headphones and the transmitter, as obstacles will block the signal.

I ordered the Sennheiser RS140 wireless headphone set, so that I can listen to music at longer distances from the transmitter, and through walls. The Sennheiser uses Radio Frequency (RF) technology (like cordless phones), as opposed to the Sony which uses Infrared (IR) technology (like typical remote controls). RF lets you listen at longer distances than IR, but IR is less vulnerable to signal distortion from other electronic equipment when compared to RF. I will update this review once the Sennheiser arrives.

I am not giving this product the full 5 stars because of the poor Sony warranty. By the way, Sennheiser's warranty is 2 years long.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very GOOD however, July 4, 2004

By	N. Rekem (Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Quality very very good, however one thing to think of is the magnetic fields of other electrics.
My purpose was to use it one an electric running strip in front of my TV, when I get on it I start hear interferences!!
The headphone are very comfortable & are with excellent quality I enjoy them sitting infront of the tv (better then my stereo system), but this flaw should be considered when buying the product.