Wireless TV headphone systems have long relied on aging radio or 2.4-GHz technology to pipe audio to dedicated headsets — a closed loop that leaves no room for outside devices. Sennheiser‘s new RS 275 bundle steps into that gap with something different at its core.
The centerpiece of the package is the BTA1 transmitter, a compact block that supports Auracast — a newer form of Bluetooth capable of latency-free audio transmission up to 100 meters for an unlimited number of receiving devices. According to the review, Auracast carries long-term promise: the technology could eventually let users tap into public TV broadcasts in airports or gyms through their own headphones, functioning something like a blend of Wi-Fi and FM radio. Compatible devices, however, remain scarce for now.
That scarcity is precisely what makes the BTA1 notable. It bridges Auracast with virtually any television through an unusually complete set of inputs: HDMI ARC, a combined 3.5-mm/optical input with an included adapter, and a USB port that handles both power and audio with newer TVs. A USB-C side port allows headphone charging directly from the unit. At a time when many new soundbars are dropping optical and headphone jack connections, the transmitter goes the other direction.
Where the Transmitter Delivers — and Where It Gets Complicated
Sound quality tested as clear and, as the product claims, free of perceptible lag. The reviewer connected three sets of headphones simultaneously via Auracast — the included HDR 275, Sennheiser‘s Momentum 4 earbuds, and JBL‘s Tour Pro 3 earbuds — without issue. That said, those three were among the only Auracast-compatible options the reviewer had access to, which reflects how limited the ecosystem remains.
Volume control introduced a practical wrinkle. Across testing on both a Samsung S90F OLED and an older LG C1, neither television allowed remote-based volume control over HDMI ARC the way standard soundbars do. The C1‘s remote only controlled output through the headphone jack. The S90F responded through the USB connection. The reviewer noted this will vary by TV model, and found a practical upside — using alternative inputs kept the single HDMI ARC port free for primary speakers.
The Headphones Are a Different Conversation
The bundled HDR 275 headphones connect to the system automatically on power-up and can also pair over standard Bluetooth for use away from the TV. The flexibility is welcome. The hardware itself, less so.
After a week of testing, the reviewer described the headphones as feeling “kind of plasticky,” and the absence of noise canceling stands out at the $300 price point for the full bundle. The companion software was also noted as sluggish, and no carrying case is included.
The BTA1 transmitter is available separately for $130. For anyone who already owns Auracast-compatible headphones — or plans to acquire them — that standalone option sidesteps the question of whether the HDR 275 justifies the premium. The full RS 275 bundle is priced at $300.
The HDR 275 headphones can be taken off the home system entirely and connected to a phone over regular Bluetooth.
Photo by Talal elmountassir on Unsplash
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