Description
Sony’s MDR-DS3000 Infrared Wireless Digital Surround headphones are designed for audiophile home theater enthusiasts, and are ideal for DVD players and other components with Dolby Digital, Dolby Surround or DTS Surround Sound. They feature a comfortable, open-air design and a self-adjusting headband, and work at a 23 foot transmission range and a 90 degree transmission angle.
The transmitter that comes with the headphones and enables their wireless transmission incorporates Sony VPT Virtual Phones Technology with advanced level 125MIPS (125 million instructions per second) Logic 3D Processor to provide richer and more natural sound quality, and weightier, more substantial bass sounds to enhance the sound’s live presence. There’s even a Decode-Mode indicator on the front which visually indicates when the system is in Dolby Digital, Dolby Surround, or DTS mode, and provides a snazzy, stylized representation of the virtual speaker placement relative to the listener. The optical digital input allows you to use the phones with Dolby Digital and PCM audio-enabled devices, and its gold-plated analog input provides noise-free Dolby stereo and pure stereo sources from external devices.
For you audiophiles out there, please note these phones sport a fifth order Delta/Sigma A/D converter that uses 64X over-sampling for high precision audio, as well as a multi-level Delta/Sigma D/A Converter that achieves 18 bit resolution. There’s also SILMIC Electrolytic capacitors at the analog stage, for more natural sound, and the copper board traces are literally twice as thick as conventional designs, giving you higher conductivity.
The phones sport a high power infrared transmitter with separate FM carriers for wide bandwidth, and high channel separation, and its 90-degree transmission angle further enhances your ability to enjoy uninterrupted surround sound listening without pinning you down to one spot. You’ll get superb transient response with the long-stroke 12um polyester film diaphragms: the new diaphragm shape resists bending and flexing to provide low levels of distortion. Plus, the oversized 30mm diameter drive units are larger than most headphones, for noticeably deeper bass sounds.
The built-in Dolby Pro Logic II decoder unlocks any Surround Sound tracks included in traditional VHS Hi-Fi, and stereo TV, sources to provide the maximum “live” entertainment experience available even here. Built in Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS 5.1 Decoders reproduce all popular surround sound systems, including state of the art 5.1 channel sound as well as Digital Theater Systems surround sound. Headphone functions include automatic On/Off, volume control, muting, power save, and the ability to recharge on the base.
Technical Details
- Comfortable, cordless, open-air headphones with a 23 foot transmission range and a 90
Users reviews:
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Amazon reviews:
I have an 11 month old daugther who goes to bed early. I wanted to watch movies and TV shows with my wife without waking up the baby up. THIS WORKS perfect.
The unit is comfortable and the sound is pretty good. (It could use a little more base) I never planted to walk around the house with the headphones on so the fact that it was infrared and not RF was not a factor for me. You should have the base at the same level as the heaphones when in use for the hiss to go away. If they are not aligned you may hear a low hissing noise when quiet scenes come on.
I haven't had any listeners fatigue while using the headphones yet. The volume and dolbu digital sound is pretty decent. ( Cannot be compared with a good surround system - no headphones ) of course but it does the job right.
I don't have a reference point to compare them with other units like the Pioneer or the DS6000 so I can't say that the others are better.
The ability to use a second headphone set with the same base is what sold it for me. Being able to use an unlimited amount of headphone sets is definitely a plus.
Note: You may want to buy an Optical sound splitter from amazon or somewhere like that so you can enjoy more than 1 unit. Ex. I have my Direct TV receiver's optical output connected to the splitter, and from the splitter I have two optical cables going out: one to the headphone's base and the other to my Yamaha receiver ( to listen to surround without the headphones).
Overall: This unit does exactly what I expected it to do. Haven't found anything really problematic with it EXCEPT: It's a mission to get the headphones attached correctly on the base for charging purposes (the design for this feature is just not up to par with the whole overall design of Sony DS3000)
Cons: It takes care to place accurately on charger, will not transmit to other headsets while one is on the charger
I purchased these about a month ago. I read every review I could find and had some hesitance. After receiving them (I bought the unit with the extra headset) I tried them out and was delighted. They were very easy to set up. I plugged the power source in and connected to an Optical cable. One reviewer was upset because the enclosed Sony batteries have square supports at either end (she referred to them as square thingies) and she thought it meant only Sony baterries would work. Actually any AAA battery will work, but don't try to charge them on the transmitter unless they are the Sony batteries. If you use dry batteries, don't place them on the charger. If you use another brand of rechargeable batteries, be sure to have an appropriate charger for them.. One advantage to this would be that the by not using the charger, it would always be in transmit mode.
Some people don't like the range or angle. That is the nature of Infrared wireless. I only use the headset to watch TV and videos. (I have a Sony Bravia LCD and BluRay Disk player) If you are a music listener and want to use them as you walk around the house, you should buy an RF set, not these. But if you want to watch TV without disturbing others, these are great. I have not experienced the Hissing that some reviewers wrote about. As far as being heavy or light, that is relative to what you are used to. They are heavier than my previous headsets, but are much better. They are also lighter than the headsets I use when I go private flying. I am quite comfortable with them. I charge one set after I am finished for the night and alternate every other night with the other set. I find that the charging light stays on the same length of time regardless of how much use the set has. I suspect the it does not necessarily go off according to with the set is fully charged, but stays on according to some timing device that will always insure a complete charge. I would say that if you want clear sound for TV and video watching these are a good purchace.