My dad, right, he’s got these Sennheiser Radio Frequency wireless headphones what have started “crackling” instead of working. He reckons he’s had them a “few years” which could mean as long ago as they were invented (he recently expressed dignified outrage that his electric shower conked out after a mere fifty-one years of operation – and that the firm could no longer supply replacement parts for that model – so much for modern customer service). So he’s had the same (rechargeable) batteries in there since he bought them. Before he orders up a new pair of cans from Amazon, my question to you is: could the batteries have effectively “died” after such a long period in use, and could that produce the “crackling” he hears? There is no audible signal from the transmitter/recharger device on which he “docks” the phones when not in use.
I have suggested he try a new pair of batteries but he’s convinced he knows all about wireless technology having designed carburettor parts for Lagonda between the wars and is disinclined to take my advice on anything. If you, dear reader, can say there is a possibility that dead batteries could conceivably produce the unwanted effect I will pass this on, as advice from a total stranger on the internet will carry considerably more weight than from his son. It will be fifty quid out of my inheritance otherwise, as I am at pains to point out to him.
Thanking you in advance ectect.
It is great to hear your dad is still in rude health!
Can’t help with regard to wireless batteries. Sorry.
If the headphones are “crackling” the batteries are probably fine (without batteries the headphones are just “dead”). Maybe the wireless connection got lost – try re-tuning and connecting to the base: there’s a kind of switch called “tune” (or something) on the headset that selects the proper frequency.
Change the batteries first, that’s a no brainer. Also reset the base station and try switching to a different channel as there may be interference on the one he’s using.
All of the above. And, yes, rechargeable batteries do lose their capacity. Most are only rated for 1000 charges.
If all else fails, Jabra Revo’s come in a wireless flavour – albeit Bluetooth.
Hmm. Thank ‘ee, but it’s a mystewy … he’s tried all the resetting/rebooting/retuning stuff. The problem is, if he buys new batteries (a million excuses for not – “funny size” “won’t have them at the paper shop” ectect) and it doesn’t fix it, I’ll get it in the neck for the wasted expense/trouble.
I’m tempted to just let him go ahead and fritter away my inheritance. Seems the easy option. The aged can be so selfish.
Can of compressed air and blast the fuck out of every orifice then err try the headphones, maybe never know might help on all counts.
This is so not going to happen. But thank you.
I found a short article which suggests that the transmission frequency might be 800 – 900 MHZ so could be affected by the digital TV signal (presumably a newer model woud work on a clear frequency). You could contact Sennheiser to try and confirm this. http://en-uk.sennheiser.com/service-support-home
Yebbut he’s been using it mostly for the TV, with no problem until suddenly a couple of days ago. Thank you, anyway!
So just to clarify: he’s got a wireless Bluetoothy tellyvision and antique headphones? There is a disjoint here but blowed if I can pinpoint it.
Do keep up. Even a cursory scroll through what teens are calling “the OP” will reveal tell-tale clues like the words RADIO FREQUENCY and WIRELESS and HEADPHONES in tellingly close proximity.
I’ll put you in touch with my Dad and you can come to blows about it without my help. You deserve each other.
Well yes but it could be a transmitter upgrade or a new 4g phone mast. Probably easier to replace them.
How is a man in his eighties meant to replace a transmitter and phone mast all by himself?
96, if you don’t mind! But good question, Mini. Mr Picture clearly didn’t think this through.
The Department for Work and Pensions have assessed him as fit for work. I blame Ian Duncan Smith. Hope your Dad has a safety harness.
Is it possible that something else is causing the interference? It doesn’t just need to be in the house, it could be next door. After changing the batteries (there will be several circuits in there doing different things, some of them will still work OK with a slightly lower voltage and some won’t) I would move the whole thing elsewhere to see if the problem persists. If it does then the system is probably knackered
Have flight paths altered recently? You could check with the aviation authority.
This just in – an electrician is arriving tomorrow to install his new shower unit and will find himself involved with the Headphone Question whether he likes it or not. I can quite imagine my Dad passing him the faulty unit – switched on – under the shower.
Just curious @h-p-saucecraft (and I know that feline lives might well be at risk), but what did the electrician say?
No role for a plumber there ?
Sorry, Junes. I’ll keep your card on file.
Not called Wells for nothin’