H2d Hydrophone
General purpose listening hydrophone. Durable. Self-weighted. Conveniently powered by microphone input power.
Regular price
$256.00
- Great for listening to and recording marine animals, finding leaks in pools or water features, or as a sensor for aquaculture and other research
- Directly compatible with powered microphone inputs
- Low self-noise across the human auditory range
- Robust design handles accidental drops and temperature extremes
- Compact cable with tough urethane jacket
- Self-weighted to keep hydrophone down in water, including currents
What's Included:
- H2d Hydrophone
- Semi-rigid EVA travel case (not waterproof), excluded when length is over 20-meters
We are committed to prompt service. Many standard hydrophone variants are kept in stock and often ship the next business day. Custom builds are frequently completed within one week, depending on quantity and configuration.
We ship worldwide using trusted carriers including UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS. Shipping rates are calculated at checkout. International customers may be responsible for import duties, taxes, or brokerage fees assessed at delivery by their country and carrier.
Transit times and customs clearance can occasionally cause delays outside our control. Customers using their own courier account, freight forwarder, or uninsured shipping methods assume additional responsibility once the shipment leaves our facility.
For complete details on shipping methods, insurance, international shipments, delays, freight forwarding, and liability terms, please see our full Shipping Policy.
- Aquarian made products are backed by a 1-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
- Resold products manufactured by third parties may be covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty, where applicable.
- Returns of unused, like-new products are generally accepted, subject to inspection and approval.
Please review our full policies for details on custom products, misuse conditions, returns, exclusions, and limitations.
The H2 delivers high-quality audio performance in our most durable design. Support for both phantom and plug-in power enables easy use with microphone inputs on a wide range of recorders and audio interfaces. It provides excellent sensitivity and low self-noise across the human auditory range. The H2 is available with either XLR or 3.5 mm TRS output connectors to work with nearly any recording device that has a microphone input.
Microphone Power and Connector
XLR connector with Phantom power (H2dX)
XLR connector with Phantom power bias (e.g. 48V or 24V), common in professional audio equipment.
3.5mm TRS connector with Plug-in Power (H2dM)
3.5mm (1/8") TRS connector with Plug-in bias Power (e.g. 2-5V through approximately 2.2k-ohm per channel), common in microphone inputs on: recorders, computer sound interfaces, microcontrollers, radio transceivers, video cameras, etc.
Custom Cable Length
H2d can be customized up to 300 meters. Longer is possible but please inquire to discuss your application. Long cables can affect high-frequency response. Also consider the maximum rated depth of the H2 hydrophone is 80 meters, though some users run long cables out to where the hydrophone is deployed.
H2dX (XLR output)
The following specifications are based on typical response when using the H2dX with a standard 48V phantom power supply (48V with 6.8K pull-up resistors):- Sensitivity
- -165 dB re: 1V/µPa (+/- 4 dB 20 Hz–4 kHz)
- Useful range
- 10 Hz to 100 kHz (approximate sensitivity at 100 kHz = -210 dB re: 1V/µPa). 1
- Output impedance
- 6.8 kΩ (typical)
- Power
- 1.2 mA (typical)
Notes: Specifications are dependent upon the audio device to which the H2dX is connected. The output impedance of the H2dX is set by the phantom power supply from the audio device with which the hydrophone is used. Gain of the signal conditioning amplifier in the H2dX is related to the bias current and input impedance of the mic preamp. High-frequency performance is also limited by the output impedance of the hydrophone and the cable impedance, which is a function of length. For all of these reasons, we do not publish detailed response plots for this design. Please also note that further limitations in your overall system may result from the sampling rate of digital recorders and by the input stage of your audio device’s microphone preamp.
H2dM (3.5mm TRS output)
The following specifications are based on typical response when using the H2dM with a compliance voltage of 2.5 V and bias resistor of 1.1 kΩ (two channels at 2.2 kΩ each, 2.2 mA, typical of many compact digital recorders, including those that we sell).- Sensitivity
- -172 dB re: 1V/µPa (+/- 4 dB 20 Hz–4 kHz)
- Useful range
- 10 Hz to 100 kHz (approximate sensitivity at 100 kHz = -220 dB re: 1V/µPa). 1
- Output impedance
- 1.1 kΩ (typical)
- Power
- 0.7 mA (typical)
- Minimum PIP req.
- 2 V, 0.7 mA (compliance voltage, short-circuit current—the hydrophone will work with lower current, but with very unpredictable gain and greatly-reduced dynamic range)
Notes: There is no standard for plug-in power, devices can vary significantly. Specifications are dependent upon the audio device to which the H2dM is connected and whether the hydrophone is driving stereo inputs or a single channel. The output impedance of the H2dM is set by the PIP supply from the audio device with which the hydrophone is used. Gain of the signal conditioning amplifier in the H2dM is related to the bias current and input impedance of the mic preamp. High-frequency performance is also limited by the output impedance of the hydrophone and the cable impedance—which is a function of length. For all of these reasons, we do not publish detailed response plots for this design. Please also note that further limitations in your overall system may result from the sampling rate of digital recorders and by the input stage of your audio device’s microphone preamp.
1 Please note that we have specified a very wide useful range for this hydrophone because they are often used for simple detection and timing applications with high-amplitude ultrasound devices, such as acoustic beacons and anti-fouling systems. Take special note that sensitivity is substantially reduced at high frequencies. Note the linear range in the sensitivity specification. If needing a broadband hydrophone, consider the S1 hydrophone.
Shared
- Polar response
- Omnidirectional (horizontal)
- Operating depth
- <80 meters
- Dimensions
- 25 mm × 46 mm (cable and output plug excluded)
- Mass
- 105 grams
- Specific gravity
- 5.3
The H2dX is terminated with a 3-pin male XLR plug. Wiring is standard: pin 1 is ground, pin 2 is hot and pin 3 unused1. This configuration should be compatible with any standard female XLR microphone jack. Phantom power is required and will need to be switched on in your device. Any standard phantom power supply voltage will work. Do not exceed +48V when powering the H2dX. If your recorder or mic preamp offers options for phantom voltage, we recommend using the lowest voltage available for lowest noise and power consumption. With the connection firmly made and phantom power switched on, there’s nothing more to do but adjust levels and take in the sounds of the deep.
The H2dM is terminated with a 3.5mm TRS plug and wired for dual-mono output (output wired to both tip and ring; sleeve contact to ground). The most common application is driving a compact stereo digital recorder. This output configuration will also work with nearly all video cameras and computer sound interfaces1 with 3.5mm mic input. Plug-in power (PIP) is required and may need to be switched on in your device. When recording with only one hydrophone, direct connection is made to the recorder and both left and right channels will record the same information. If wanting to record true stereo sound with two hydrophones, an adapter is typically needed that breaks out the left and right channels of the recorder into separate input jacks.
Please note that the 3.5mm jack is used for many kinds of audio connections. The H2dM will only work with microphone inputs. The hydrophone plug will fit into auxiliary inputs on powered speakers or marine stereo systems, but these will not provide PIP to the signal conditioning board in the H2dM, nor will they provide adequate gain. This connector is also used with headphone outputs. An adapter will be needed for most headset jacks (TRRS jacks that are designed to have a microphone contact as well as headphone outputs). These are common on smart phones, tablets and laptop computers. Do not make the assumption that, if the plug fits, the system will work.