Sennheiser RS 255 TV Headphones User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your Sennheiser RS 255 TV Headphones. These headphones, also referred to as HDR 275 in some contexts, are designed to deliver clear dialogue and immersive sound from your television without disturbing others. The included BTA1 TV Transmitter facilitates wireless audio transmission.

What's in the Box

Upon unboxing your Sennheiser RS 255 TV Headphones, you should find the following components:

• HDR 275 Headphones with User Replaceable Battery
• TV Transmitter BTA1
• TV Audio Digital (Toslink to Mini Toslink Optical Cable)
• TV Audio Analog (Audio Cable 3.5 mm)
• USB A-C Cable and USB C-C Cable
• User Information (this manual)

Figure 1: Contents of the Sennheiser RS 255 TV Headphones package.

Setup

1. Charging the Headphones

Before initial use, fully charge the headphones. The headphones feature a user-replaceable battery with up to 50 hours of battery life per charge.

1. Connect the larger USB plug (USB-A) of the provided USB A-C cable to your TV's USB port (ensure TV power is on).
2. Connect the smaller USB-C end to the charging port on the headphones.
3. Alternatively, connect the USB-C cable to the BTA1 TV Transmitter, which also charges the headphones.

The LED indicator on the headphones will show charging status: red (0-10%), yellow (20-90%), and green (90-100%).

Figure 2: Charging port on the HDR 275 headphones.

2. Powering the Transmitter

The BTA1 TV Transmitter receives power via a USB connection. This can be from your TV's USB port or a separate USB power adapter (not included).

1. Connect the provided USB A-C cable to the transmitter's power input.
2. Plug the USB-A end into a powered USB port (e.g., on your TV or a wall adapter).

3. Connecting to Audio Sources

The BTA1 TV Transmitter supports multiple audio input types. Choose the connection method best suited for your television or audio source.

Optical Audio Connection (Recommended for most TVs)

This digital connection provides high-quality audio and allows independent volume control for the headphones and TV speakers.

1. Remove the protective cap from the blue-tipped optical cable.
2. Connect one end of the optical cable to the "DIGITAL AUDIO OUT (OPTICAL)" port on your TV.
3. Connect the other end to the "TV AUDIO" optical input on the BTA1 TV Transmitter.

Figure 3: Connecting the optical cable to the TV and transmitter.

HDMI ARC Connection

If your TV has an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port, you can use this for digital audio. An HDMI cable is sold separately.

1. Connect an HDMI cable (not included) to the "HDMI ARC" port on your TV.
2. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the "HDMI" input on the BTA1 TV Transmitter.

Analog Audio Connection (3.5mm Headphone Out)

Use this connection for TVs or other devices with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Note that TV speakers may be disabled when using this output.

1. Connect the provided 3.5mm audio cable to the headphone output on your TV or audio device (e.g., laptop, portable projector, AV receiver).
2. Connect the other end to the "TV AUDIO" analog input on the BTA1 TV Transmitter.

Figure 4: Analog audio connection to the transmitter.

USB Audio Connection (PC/Mac)

For computers, the USB connection can provide both power and audio to the transmitter.

1. Connect the provided USB A-C cable to a USB port on your PC or Mac.
2. Connect the USB-C end to the power input on the BTA1 TV Transmitter.
3. On your computer, go to Sound Settings and select "BTA1 TV Transmitter" as the audio output device.

Operation

1. Turning On/Off

The headphones are pre-paired with the transmitter out of the box.

• To turn on: Press and hold the power button on the headphones.
• To turn off: Press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. The headphones will also automatically turn off after 15 minutes without an audio signal.

2. Volume Control

Adjust the listening volume using the dedicated volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons on the headphones.

3. Source Selection

The transmitter automatically detects active audio signals. If multiple sources are connected, you can manually switch between them:

• Press the "SOURCE" button on the BTA1 TV Transmitter to cycle through available inputs (USB, HDMI, TV Audio).
• A solid LED next to the source indicates active audio. A blinking LED indicates no audio signal.

4. Sound Modes

Enhance your listening experience with specialized sound modes:

• Speech Clarity: Improves dialogue intelligibility, making voices crisper and easier to hear over background noise. Activate by pressing the "SOUND MODE" button on the transmitter until the corresponding LED illuminates.
• Virtual Surround Sound: Enhances depth and immersion, recreating a theater-like audio experience. Activate by pressing the "SOUND MODE" button on the transmitter until the corresponding LED illuminates.
• You can activate either mode, both, or neither, based on your preference.

Figure 5: Sound mode controls on the BTA1 TV Transmitter.

5. Smartphone Pairing and App Personalization

The Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app (available on App Store and Google Play) offers advanced personalization and control features for both your headphones and transmitter.

1. Headphone Pairing:
   • Install the Smart Control Plus app on your smartphone.
   • Press and hold the multifunction button on the headphones for 6-7 seconds until the LEDs flash blue to enter pairing mode.
   • In your phone's Bluetooth settings, scan for devices and select "HDR 275" to pair.
   • Open the Smart Control Plus app to manage headphone settings, including equalizer, sound profiles, hearing enhancements (Speech Clarity, Noise Suppression), and transparency mode.
   • You can toggle hearing enhancements on/off with a quick press of the power button on the headphones.
2. Transmitter Pairing:
   • Press and hold both the "SOURCE" and "SOUND MODE" buttons on the BTA1 TV Transmitter until the LED blinks green to enter pairing mode.
   • In the Smart Control Plus app, use the device manager to add and connect to the "BTA1 TV Transmitter".
   • Through the app, you can customize Auracast broadcast settings (name, encryption, listening device type), manage sound modes, and adjust audio sync for video delay.

Figure 6: Sennheiser Smart Control Plus App for advanced settings.

6. Auracast Technology

The BTA1 TV Transmitter supports Auracast, an exciting new wireless technology that allows you to broadcast audio to an unlimited number of compatible Auracast earbuds, headphones, or speakers simultaneously. Each connected device can have its own independent volume and sound settings.

Figure 7: Auracast allows multiple devices to connect to one transmitter.

Maintenance

1. Earpads Replacement/Cleaning

The earpads are detachable for easy cleaning or replacement. To remove, gently pinch and pull them off. To reattach, align and press them back into place.

Figure 8: Detachable earpads for cleaning or replacement.

2. Replaceable Battery

The headphones feature a user-replaceable battery, extending the lifespan of your product. Refer to the full product manual or Sennheiser support for detailed battery replacement instructions.

Troubleshooting

1. No Audio Signal

If you are not hearing any audio, consider the following:

• Content Detection: Ensure your audio source is actively playing content. The transmitter requires an active audio signal to begin broadcasting. If you switch sources and hear nothing, try restarting the content.
• Dolby/PCM Settings: The transmitter can accept a Dolby-encoded digital signal. Most TVs handle this automatically. However, if you experience no sound, you may need to adjust the digital sound output format in your TV's settings menu. Look for options to switch between "Dolby" and "PCM" (Pulse Code Modulation). Refer to your TV's manual for specific instructions.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

Your Sennheiser RS 255 TV Headphones come with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty. For technical support, warranty claims, or additional questions, please contact Sennheiser customer support. You can also bookmark the official Sennheiser support website for future reference.

For further assistance, refer to the official Sennheiser support channels or the full product manual.

Quick Start Video Guide

For a visual guide to setting up and operating your Sennheiser RS 255 TV Headphones, please watch the official quick start video below.