Sony MDR-DS8000 Infrared Cordless Digital Surround Headphone System (Black)

Other products by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [1.28mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000095S9Z
• Item model number: MDRDS8000
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 15, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who demand the best sound quality and all the convenience of home listening will appreciate Sony's MDR-DS8000 infrared wireless digital surround-sound headphone system. The headphones are capable of creating the kind of multi-channel surround sound effects found in home and movie theaters through the fusion of Sony's audio analysis, digital signal processing, and the latest transducer technologies to produce VTP (Virtual Phones Technology) via the supplied digital processing unit.

The system's wireless technology lets you listen, untethered, from anywhere within a 33-foot radius of the processor unit. Listening with a friend? The system supports unlimited reception when used with additional wireless headsets (model MDR-IF8000, only one set supplied).

The MDR-DS8000 headphones employ Sony's Gyrotrak head-tracking system that measures the rotational angle of your head (while listening, of course) and compensates the sound space data to offset the effects of the rotation--that is, the current position or incline of your head. This allows the direction of the sound to remain unchanged even when you move your head to reach for the popcorn, ensuring a seamless, lifelike sensation of listening to sound in the room rather than merely in your head.

These top-of-the-line headphones feature a third-generation Logic 3D processor that is capable of 150 million instructions per second (MIPS), along with a high-accuracy, 24-bit surround decoder that supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS (DTS-ES), and MPEG2/AAC formats.

Connections include a stereo RCA analog input, a pair of optical digital-audio inputs, and a wired headphone output for use with optional wired headphones.

What's in the Box
Headphones, digital surround processor, stand for digital processor, an AC power adaptor (9V), rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries (two), a battery charger, an optical digital-audio interconnect (Toslink to Toslink), and a user's manual.

Product Description

Enjoy the surround sound equivalent to that of 6 speakers when you listen with Sony's MDR-DS8000 Infrared Cordless Digital Surround Headphone System. Using digital infrared transmission, this system is compatible with DTS ES, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic II and MPEG2 AAC. The Cordless, full open air headphones transmit audio information to a speaker, microphone or headset via an infrared signal. Infrared eliminates the common interference found in radio signals. In addition, an Optimum surround field is created anywhere within the infrared reception area of 33 feet. Also featuring Gyro head tracking which creates a realistic sound, these Headphones are powered by either rechargeable batteries or dry batteries, and are easy to operate - simply select Input, Effect Mode, & Output. For a more realistic surround sound experience, choose the MDR-DS8000.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great alternative to speakers., December 13, 2004

By	J. Hamilton "ACWoS.com" (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I use these as an alternative to PC speakers, I have a great set-up but the noise from PC games drives my Girlfriend crazy, she also dislikes most of the music I listen to so guess what I got for Christmas.

The Headphones themselves are fairly comfortable and light, considering all the stuff they have on them. The sound is fantastic, it took a little bit of messing around with EQ settings but after that was done they sound just like a 5.1 system.

The only thing that could be improved is battery life. Two AA's will get you two or three days before the headphones start beeping at you (to change the batteries). They give you a set of rechargeable but if you spend any significant time with them on you'll need to pick up another pair of rechargeable (maybe two, just in case).

If your wallet can take the hit I would highly recommend these headphones.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What you would expect, June 27, 2004

By	Phyllis E. Ericksen (Arcadia, CA United States) - See all my reviews

They are exactly what you would expect for surround sound headphones. The surround sounds do sound like they are coming from behind you, the sound is not ear-blowing, mind-numbingly "surroundific" but it is better than, lets say, the surround effect you would experience using a good pair of headphones on a surround reciever on headphones surround mode.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best headphones money can buy., October 13, 2004

By	oiecrew - See all my reviews

These headphones are pretty good. They're perfect for Apartments when you don't want to disturb the people living around you. I would suggest getting a home theatre system though, if you own a home. Headphones fit very comfortably, and have a surprising bass sound coming from such little speakers. If you have the money, they're worth it.