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S1 Hydrophone

$379.00
S1
+

The S1 hydrophone is a modified version of the AS-1 hydrophone, manufactured by Aquarian since 2013. The S1 is designed to provide stable and linear broadband response within the range of frequencies supported by the best mass-produced audio recording devices. It builds on the AS-1’s capability and convenience by supporting multiple in-built signal-conditioning options and two body styles. Integrated signal conditioning will generally improve sensitivity and lower noise, while making the hydrophone more convenient to use with standard devices.

For detailed information about S1 variants, care, and performance data, please view the S1 datasheet.

 

Standard Configurations:

 

Signal Cond. Code

For use with (additional details below)

Cable

Output

Product Code

n

Passive device. No signal conditioning. Select when the hydrophone will be used as a projector, when application-specific amplifiers are required, or when the hydrophone will be used with various types of equipment and external signal conditioning modules

CA-53

BNC

S1nB

e

Microphone preamps typically incorporated into higher-quality digital recorders, audio interfaces and mixing boards. 24 or 48-volt phantom power is required

CA-70

XLR

S1eX

f

Test and measurement equipment that offers IEPE power (proprietary terms include ICP, CCLD, and others) 24V at 4mA constant current is typical. Minimum 18V at 2mA required. Maximum of 20mA can be used for driving very long cables

CA-53

BNC

S1fB

i

Microphone preamps typically found in more compact, lower-cost recorders. Also used with adapters for smart phones, single-board computers and their daughter boards (“hats” or “shields” for Raspberry Pi or Arduino and similar), compact USB sound dongles and more.

CA53

3.5mm TRS

S1iM

Additional signal conditioning/output/cable configurations are available. For more information and options, please view the 'Parts Variants section' of the S1 datasheet, or scroll down to the 'Output Connector Options' below.

 

Body Style:

Standard: Smooth exterior minimises flow noise and gas bubble entrapment. Recommended for applications where the hydrophone will hang in the water from its cable.

M10: Threaded body style designed to allow mounting of the hydrophone to a panel or conduit. Nylon retaining nut and nitrile o-ring are included. Please see M10 Panel Mounting Guide

Be advised with the M10 option that most connectors will be larger in diameter than the mounting hole for this hydrophone. Consider the following:
 
S1n/S1f: Standard output is BNC male, which will not pass through an M10 mounting hole. If buying the M10 body option, consider ordering this hydrophone with “W” (bare wire) output option. BNC-to-terminal block adapters can be used, though we recommend using a grounded foil shield over these adapters with the use of hte S1n. When the smaller CA-80 cable is desired, order with “U” (microdot 10-32) connector and use BNC adapter if needed.
S1e: The S1e standard output is XLR male, which will not pass through an M10 mounting hole. We solve this problem by modifying the XLR connector so that the contact pins can be removed during wire routing. For additional detail, see NC3_MXX_MOD assembly notes.
S1i: The low-profile 3.5mm connector that is used on the S1i will easily pass through an M10 mounting hole. No special considerations are required.

 

Optional Weight: 

The WT150g clamps onto the cable with a rubber chuck and thumbscrew assembly. It must be installed before any connectors are added. NOT AVAILABLE FOR USE WITH CA-80 CABLE.  For more details, see 'Additional Options' in the S1 datasheet

 

Custom Cable Lengths:

Any cable length can be ordered up to 300 meters. We attempt to keep a few 10m cables in stock for quick shipment. Assembly and testing time for other lengths are tyipcally only a few business days.

For cable lengths that are not offered in the drop-down list above,  buy CA-53 cable for 'i', ‘f’, and ‘n’ signal conditioning, or CA-70 cable for 'e' signal conditioning. Select "Other:..." from the cable length selection list above, then buy cable as a separate line item. If buying only one hydrophone with "Other" cable length selected, the cable purchased will be added to the hydrophone. If ordering multiple hydrophones, buy the total amount of cable needed for all and leave notes on order form with assembly instructions for each.  Cable length must be purchased in whole meters, but any length can be specified in the order notes.  Storage cases are provided for hydrophones with 3m to 25m cable length - a $10 credit will be refunded for S1 hydrophones that do not ship with a case. 

Please note that, due to functional limitations of this site, custom cable length pricing will be calculated incorrectly when volume discounts are also applied. Please contact us for an accurate quote for hydrophones with 20+  meters of cable being sold with resale or volume discounts.

Fitted, breathable EVA case included with cable lengths of 25 meters or less (longer cable assemblies will not fit in the case and will be bulk shipped in allowable packaging). 

 

Specialty Cable:

CA-60 cable:  Recommended for use with 'e' conditioning for cable lengths of 30m or more.

CA-80 cable:  for use with 'i', ‘f’, and ‘n’ signal conditioning when small diameter cable is necessary for use with miniature connectors, or to minimize space requirements or bend radius in small enclosures.

 

Output Connector Options:

The following codes are bolded if they are a standard option. We commonly ship hydrophones with no connector attached. Others specifically listed here are less common, but typically stocked with some precedent for use in the given application. Aquarian can likely accommodate using the connector of your choice for OEM applications or when needed for specialized equipment. Contact us with your details for pricing and lead times.

Connector Code

Compatibility Sig.Cond./Cable

Description / Typical Application

W

Any

Bare wire output. All conductors stripped and tinned.

Any

Used with devices that have terminal block inputs, OEM applications, and when the cable must be routed through a penetrator for high pressure seals to equipment enclosures.

B

n, f

BNC (Male, standard size)

CA-53, CA-80

Common connector used in test and measurement equipment

X

e

XLR (Male, 3-pin, full size, standard wiring for mic preamps: pin1 ground; 2&3 straight and inverted differential signals)

CA-60, CA-70

Commonly used with pro-quality microphone preamps—either stand-alone or incorporated into recording devices, computer audio interfaces, or mixing consoles

M

i

3.5mm TRS (Male, “Mini” plug)

CA-53

Commonly used with compact digital recorders and single-board computers or USB audio dongles.

P

Any

¼” TS or TRS (Male)(6.35mm—traditionally called a “Phone” plug)

Any

This connector is primarily used today with musical instrument amplifiers, such as guitar amps or line-level balanced audio. The S1n would function at some level with these devices, but they are not recommended. TRS connectors would be used with balanced cables; TS would be used with coaxial cables.

S

n,f

SMA (Male)

CA-53, CA-80

Used primarily for RF applications, but also used in some hydrophone preamps.

U

n, f, i

Microdot (Male, 10-32 UNF)

CA-80

Used with many lapel-type microphones and also some small hydrophones. This is a very small, secure connection that can easily be passed through the mounting hole for the M10 body. Microdot-to-BNC adapters are inexpensive and readily available.

Custom

Contact us with your special needs. We often build these hydrophones with dry-mate connectors from Blue Trail Engineering. We’ve also used wet-mate connectors from Subconn. We build leak-finding hydrophones for application-specific amplifiers using Switchcraft circular connectors. Send us your requirements.

 

 

 

Charts

The following receive voltage sensitivity (RVS) and directional response (DR) charts are derived from data provided by the US Navy’s Underwater Sound Reference Division calibration labs at Newport. Three S1ns were calibrated—two at the open-tank facility and one in the low-frequency facility. Response reported here are the average of these hydrophones. S1 e, f, and i plots were derived by summing amplifier response and S1n response.

At the time of this writing, S1 hydrophones have not been calibrated for transmit voltage response (TVR) and impedance nor DR in the vertical plane, nor transmit DR. For more information on these, see the AS-1 data sheet. The AS-1 uses the same sensor as the S1. As the AS-1 has been made since 2013, we have collected substantially more data for that device. TVR and DRs in the horizontal plane should be very similar; DRs in the vertical plane may be affected by S1’s different body shape.

 

S1n

Transmit Voltage Response (TVR) and impedance plots: See AS-1
Low-frequency response will be affected by input impedance of the device to which the S1n is connected.
As a passive device, noise is below our measurement capabilities.

 

S1e

S1f

S1i

When comparing equivalent noise plots between the S1i and others, note that sensitivity of the S1i is 7dB lower. This should be added to the S1i plot line if making relative comparisons of signal-to-noise. Though noise levels appear similar while plotted as SIL equivalent, the S1i is noisier as a result of limitations with available power in plug-in power.

 

S1 Directional Response

 

 

“Horizontal” refers to sound originating from directions perpendicular to the lay of the hydrophone cable. For a more technical description, see USRD notes.