S1 Hydrophone

Preliminary page for S1e hydrophone

Price noted is for S1eX10. Contact us for pricing on other configurations.

Custom Cable Lengths: Cable length is easily modified. 10-meters is the base length. For alternate cable lengths, buy CA-70 cable (used with 'e' signal conditioning) separately and leave notes on order form to verify preferred cable length.  Cable length must be purchased in whole meters.  Cases are only provided for hydrophones between 3m and 15m length - a $10 credit will be refunded for S1 that do not require a case. 

Please note that this site will combine cable length discounts and volume/reseller discounts. This is due to functional limitations and will be manually corrected before any order is processed (i.e. there is a $0.5/m discount on 20+ cable lengths; however, if you if you purchase 10 hydrophones with 20+ meters of cable each with the 20% volume discount, we will calculate hydrophone price without the cable quantity discount).  Please contact us for an accurate quote for hydrophones with 20+  meters of cable being sold with resale or volume discounts.

The S1 is a modified version of the AS-1 which uses the same sensor assembly, but allows for installation of signal conditioning for P48 or IEPE devices, as well as future boards for use with PIP and 5V dedicated supplies. Internal signal conditioning alleviates the problem of capacitive loading of the sensor assembly by the cable, allowing for long cable lengths. It also has some positive effects with handling noise and simplifies connection to the user’s recording device or data acquisition system.

The S1 is offered in both the standard tapered back and with an M10 x 1.5 threaded stud for mounting onto underwater enclosures, focusing fixtures, sea floor pedestals, conduits, etc..

With various amplifier options and the two hydrophone body configurations, it may be helpful to understand Aquarian’s part number scheme:

<BRAND><MODEL><signal conditioning><OUTPUT CONNECTOR><cable length> - <OPTIONAL>

• BRAND: “A” for Aquarian Audio; “S” for Aquarian Scientific

• MODEL: As this is a variation of the traditional AS-1, we are keeping the “1” as the part number.

• signal conditioning: (lower case following precedent and to make the part number more readable) Current options in include:

  • “d”: Simple JFET buffer used with PIP mic preamps (same amp as used in our H2d hydrophone and others) Not recommended for measurement applications because gain changes significantly with bias current from the mic preamp, so sensitivity is unpredictable unless tested with the same mic preamp that is used in your application.

  • “e”: Use with mic preamps that offer phantom power (same as used in our PA6; find additional details on that page).

  • “f”: Use with DAQ devices that offer IEPE power (same as used in our IEPE-1; find additional details on that page).

  • “i” (EXPECTED JANUARY 2025) Use with plug-in power (PIP) mic preamps. 20dB stable gain, works with very low-current PIP supplies, drives long cables well with higher currents, can be used with our PIP-XLR balanced line driver. Note that there is no standard for PIP and dynamic range and output impedance is not predictable unless characterized for a specific device and number of channels driven (mono vs. stereo).

  • “n” Passive device; no signal conditioning installed. Useful when used with with multiple types of recording/DAQ equipment or when the hydrophone will be used as a projector.

• OUTPUT CONNECTOR Typically:

  • “B”: BNC used with “f” or “n” variants

  • “X”: XLR 3-pin full-size used with “e” variants

  • “M”: 3.5mm TRS used with “d” or “i” variants

  • “W”: Stripped and tinned wire (no connector)—useful when routing cable through penetrators and other small openings.

  • Wet mate, dry mate, SMA and other connectors are possible as custom builds. Other part number designators are applied.

• Cable length: Denoted in number of meters

• OPTIONAL: Typically not used, or “M10” for threaded body

Example 1: S1eX9 S1 hydrophone with built-in signal conditioning for use with microhone preamps phantom power. Includes 9 meters of cable with XLR output connector—standard tapered body.

Example 2: S1fW20-M10 S1 hydrophone with built-in signal conditioning for use with DAQ devices offering IEPE power. Includes 20 meters of cable with stripped and tinned wire output—optional body with M10x1.5 threaded mounting stem.

Example 3: S1n Not a full part number, but may be referenced to include any passive S1 hydrophone, regardless of output connector or cable length

We are making production-quality devices now and all our internal testing verifies that specifications match that of the AS-1, with the exception of sensitivity. The amplifier’s gain should be added and losses from cable loading of the passive sensor are made negligible with signal conditioning installed. For both the S1e (P48) and S1f (IEPE), add 26dB to the passive sensitivity specification. The 9m cable length specified as default will typically also reduce sensitivity by 1dB with the AS-1 or passive S1n. Therefore, expect sensitivity of approximately -180dBV re: 1uPa from the S1e or S1f. Hydrophones with installed signal conditioning may not be used as projectors, so transmit sensitivity is not applicable. Also not applicable are capacitance and impedance measurements.

The “M10” version will be supplied with nylon nut and o-ring. Please see the M10 Panel-Mount kit and Technical details about using this kit for additional detail. When equipping the M10 version with XLR output (typically the S1eX-M10) we will install pin contacts inside of the XLR connector so that the connector can be easily removed with no tools while routing the cable. With the Passive or IEPE versions (S1n-M10 or S1f-M10), we recommend stripped and tinned output for routing cable through the mounting hole. BNC-to-terminal block adapters or direct-to-board connections can be made inside of your enclosure. Shielding may be necessary for passive hydrophones.

The following text and images are copied from the AS-1 web page and are not guaranteed to be accurate for the S1. Please note comments above. Information Specific to the S1 will be posted when we send a significant sample group through our calibration lab.

Broadband measurement hydrophone

The AS-1 is designed to provide maximum sensitivity in a small size while also providing a linear response in the bandwidth of the highest-quality commercial digital sound recording interfaces. Response is omnidirectional in the human auditory bandwidth, as well as omnidirectional in the horizontal axis at all frequencies (theoretical). Given these qualities, the AS-1 is well-suited for absolute underwater sound measurements in marine and industrial environments. It can also be used as an omnidirectional reference projector.

Use directly with your scope or DAQ device or use with the PA6 preamp and any digital recorder or sound interface for high-quality, low-cost underwater sound analysis.

Fitted, breathable EVA case included with cable lengths of 20 meters or less (longer cable assemblies will not fit in case and will be bulk shipped in allowable packaging).

• Linear range: 1Hz to 100kHz ±2dB
• Receiving Sensitivity: -208dBV re 1μPa (40μV / Pascal)
• Transmitting Sensitivity: 140dB SPL re 1μPa, 1Vrms input at 1meter, 90kHz
• Maximum Input Voltage: 30V p-p (continuous); 150V p-p (<10% duty cycle, <100KHz)
• Horizontal Directivity(20kHz): ±0.2dB
• Horizontal Directivity (100kHz): ±1dB
• Vertical Directivity (20kHz): ±1dB
• Vertical Directivity (100kHz): +6dB -11dB
• Operating depth: 200m
• Survival depth: 350m
• Operating temperature range: -10°C to +80°C
• Nominal capacitance: 5nF +/- 15% (plus cable @ 118pF/m)
• Output connection: BNC (standard)
• Size: 12mm D x 40mm L
• Weight (in air): 8g (plus cable @ 28g/m)
• Cable length: 9 meters standard. Any length on request.
• Cable Jacket: Polyurethane, OD: 4.5mm
• Encapsulant: Polyurethane

The preceding specifications were obtained from the average of a limited sample group and were measured at the end of 9-meter cable lengths. The AS-1 is not individually calibrated. Standard quality control allows for a +/- 3dB deviation of nominal sensitivity plus measurement error with compensation for cable attenuation. Thus, any given AS-1--especially those with longer cable lengths--can deviate from the published specifications. Aquarian Scientific attempts to represent its products fairly, but no guarantee of compliance is offered.

See User Manual and Charts for additional information.

Options Detail:

CABLE LENGTH:

Cable length is easily modified. 9-meters is the base length. We can shorten this, but the price remains the same. For longer cables, buy CA-70 cable (for S1e models) or CA-52 cable (for S1f and S1n models) separately and leave notes on order form to verify preferred cable length. Please note that, with very long cables, output will be attenuated due to loading from cable capacitance. Keep cable length between AS-1 and preamp, such as PA6, to a minimum for best performance. Cable lengths of more than 30 meters not recommended.

CALIBRATION:

BRC Engineering has designed a coupler for the AS-1 to be used with the G.R.A.S. pistonphone calibrator. For sales and rental of these calibration items, please contact Richard Craig at BRC: 707-226-3332 or brcnorcal<at>aol<dot>com.

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