Own Zone is a set of wireless headphones that transmits stereo sound from your TV. Do they really work? Here is my Own Zone review.
About Own Zone
Own Zone is a wireless transmitter that relays stereo sound from your TV to a set of noise-canceling headphones. The official product website is getownzone.com, which was registered in July 2017. The screenshot below shows how the product website looked in November 2017 when it was first test marketed, and then in September 2018 after hitting stores. Note the price difference between the two. As of this 2020 update, the official website no longer works, but a helpful site under the name ownzonetips.com does exist.
Claims & Features
- Full stereo surround sound
- Transmitter connects to the audio out jack of most TVs
- Noise cancelling headphones allow you to hear better
- 100 foot wireless transmission range
- Cushioned ear cups and headband are fully adjustable
Cost
I picked up Own Zone at a local Walmart for $59.99 in 2018, and as of 2020 the price is unchanged at most retailers and on Amazon.
Own Zone Review
If you live in a household where television volume is problematic, the makers of Own Zone could have just the solution for you. This is a television audio transmitter and headphones that allow you to listen to your TV without disturbing others – or vice versa. To use Own Zone, you simply plug the transmitter into your television using one of three connection options, then put on the accompanying headphones, adjust the volume, and enjoy your favorite show without worrying about the volume or outside sounds.
Own Zone comes with the headphones and transmitter automatically paired. You can connect to your TV via RCA, Aux, or an Optical cable. The RCA and Optical cables allow you to listen to the headphones while the TV speakers still emit sound, but the Aux cable will only allow you to use the headphones with no sound coming from the TV speakers. If you use the aux cable, you can’t adjust the volume on the headphones. That must be done at the source.
The idea behind Own Zone certainly isn’t new. I had a similar device a couple decades ago, although that item required line-of-sight in order to work, but the idea was essentially the same. Its a simple design, but an elegant solution to many who have battled sounds around the home to hear their television, or those who have dealt with someone who prefers the volume much louder than everyone else. In short, if the advertising looks appealing to you, Own Zone could be a good fit. There are, however, a few details worth mentioning.
You may want to take a look at your TV and see how easy it is to access the audio ports. I have one television that would have to be removed from the wall in order to connect such a device. I found that Own Zone worked with an audio tuner I have attached to my TV, but the sound quality seemed to suffer due to occasional clipping of the audio. In regards to the claim that Own Zone can work up to 100 feet away, even through walls, I found that to be accurate. I went out to the very back of my yard and could still hear Own Zone clearly.
The headphones themselves are quite comfortable to wear, and the volume can be adjusted right on the headset. I didn’t feel like there was as much bass as I would have liked, but it didn’t detract from the overall experience.
If you want to use the headphones as a regular pair of headphones, you can plus the aux cable into a device such as your computer and listen as your normally would. This also doesn’t require the headphones to be powered on.
In short, you may want to inspect the TV you plan to use before getting such a product, just to make sure that it won’t be too much of a hassle to install or operate. Because Own Zone comes with all the cables you need, their claim that it should work with “virtually any make or model” is probably accurate, unless you happen to have a very old set without audio outputs.
The only “con” I could find with this product is the lack of rich bass, but for general television viewing, I don’t think that is a deal breaker. I believe that most people who buy Own Zone will be pleased with the product.
Be sure to watch my full Own Zone review below.
Alternatives
There is no shortage of television headphones on the market. If you have (or plan to buy) a Roku, you can already use any pair of headphones with that device in a similar manner. If you already have a pair of Bluetooth headphones, you really only need a Bluetooth transmitter such as this $26 model that will work with your existing headphones.
Your Own Zone Reviews
Have you used Own Zone or something like it? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Updated June 2020.
Use to have one but unfortunately the charging port is flimsy it gets damaged easily will look for replacement
But when it comes to transmission is excellent
I bought these for my mother. See loves them but, complains the volume shuts off after 45 min. to an hour after starting . They do turn back on if you push the button but will repeat shutting off again after the same amount of time. Is it a safety thing or bad headphones
Mine too. Turning themselves off automatically during usage is probably a battery saving feature, but it’s also an annoyance and interruption of service. A definite con.