The Sennheiser TV Clear are a new pair of truly wireless earbuds that have one job – to make watching TV enjoyable. Most people pair their earbuds to a phone, a tablet, or a computer. Although it is possible to pair them to a TV with Bluetooth, this isn't a common use case. Sennheiser wants to change that with its new earbuds.
Sennheiser isn't new to making headphones designed to be used with TVs. It has been doing so for a few years now. However, its TV headphones portfolio has so far included over-the-ear headphones and those with a neckband-style design similar to earphones like Motorola's 5G Neckband. The TV Clear are the first to take on the form of truly wireless earbuds.
The TV Clear earbuds have a closed-fit design with silicone tips for passive noise cancelation. Sennheiser claims that they are lightweight, but at 6.9 grams per bud, they are a tad heavier than the Pixel Buds Pro which weigh 6.2 grams per bud. Each earbud also has a wing tip for a secure fit. Coated in black with a matte finish, the TV Clear earbuds come in an oval carrying case with a matching paint job. The case has a set of LEDs in the front alongside a charging port like the Momentum Wireless 3. There is no mention of any type of water resistance, so it's best to avoid getting them wet.
A New Way To Watch TV
The earbuds are not the only items in the retail package. Sennheiser also includes a small box-shaped transmitter. Its function is to reduce latency and keep audio and video in sync when the earbuds are connected to any TV with optical or analog output. The earbuds connect to the transmitter which has a pairing button similar to the one on the charging case, and the transmitter, in turn, connects to the TV. Users can also bypass the transmitter and connect directly via Bluetooth to a TV or mobile device and use them just like any other Bluetooth earbuds.
The TV Clear, like Sennheiser's other wireless TV headphones, have a speech clarity setting. Users can switch between five different levels to improve the listening experience. Each earbud has a 6mm driver and supports touch controls. A companion app is available for Android and iOS so that users can customize the earbuds' settings. The app also has a 'Find My Earbuds' feature for when users need to locate their earbuds. When using the TV Clear, other people can still watch TV as the audio is not only routed to the earbuds. Sennheiser even adds that users can set their own preferred volume on the earbuds independently from that of the TV or audio source.
There is also an Ambient Awareness mode that allows users to hear what's happening around them. Sennheiser claims the earbuds have a battery life of 15 hours when used with the transmitter, and this goes up to 37 hours with the the wireless charging case. The Sennheiser TV Clear earbuds are already available in Europe for €399.90 and will be available later this summer in the U.S. for $399.95.
Source: Sennheiser