Rane HC6S HC6S Headphone Amplifier Data Sheet - Page 4

HC6S HEADPHONE CONSOLE Rear Panel Headphone Sensitivity Headphone manufacturers specify a "sensitivity" rating for their products that is very similar to loudspeaker sensitivity ratings. For loudspeakers, the standard is to apply 1 watt and then measure the sound pressure level (SPL) at a distance of 1 meter. For headphones, the standard is to apply 1 milliwatt (1 mW = 1/1000 of a watt) and then measure the sound pressure level at the earpiece (using a dummy head with built-in microphones). Sensitivity is then stated as the number of dB of actual sound level (SPL) produced by the headphones with 1 mW of input; headphone specifications commonly refer to this by the misleading term "dB/mW." What they really mean is dB SPL for 1 mW input. Think about these sensitivity definitions a moment: headphone sensitivity is rated using 1/1000 of a watt; loudspeaker sensitivity is rated using 1 watt. So a quick rule-of-thumb is that you are going to need about 1/1000 as much power to drive your headphones as to drive your loudspeakers since both of their sensitivity ratings are similar (around 90-110 dB SPL). For example, if your hi-fi amp is rated at 65 watts, then you would need only 65 mW to drive comparable headphones. (Actually you need less than 65 mW since most people don't listen to their loudspeakers at 1 meter.) And this is exactly what you find in hi-fi receivers-their headphone jacks typically provide only 10-20 mW of output power. Take another moment and think about all those portable MP3 players. They sound great, and loud. Why, you can even hear them ten feet away as the teenage skateboarder that ran over your foot escapes. Power output? About 12 mW. Architectural Specifications The headphone console shall have six (6) stereo inputs and two (2) master inputs driving six (6) stereo amplifiers wired to six (6) outputs on the front panel, in parallel with six (6) outputs on the rear chassis. Sufficient output power shall be provided to drive most stereo headphones to levels of 120 dB SPL. Automatic switching shall be included such that driving any of the separate inputs disconnects that one channel from the main stereo driving bus internally, allowing separate program material to be processed through the driven channel. Input level controls shall be provided on all inputs with a gain range from off to +28 dB. A stereo/mono switch shall be located on the front panel. The master inputs shall be active balanced/unbalanced designs terminated with ¼" TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) connectors. The outputs shall be ¼" TRS connectors wired tip-left, ring-right, sleeve-common. Ultrasonic filters shall be built-in, and LEDs provided to indicate Signal Present conditions on all amplifier inputs. The unit shall be capable of operation by means of its own built-in universal power supply operating at 100-240 VAC and meet CE requirements. The unit shall be UL and cUL listed. The unit shall be entirely constructed from cold-rolled steel. The unit shall be a Rane Corporation Model HC6S. ©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5000 USA TEL 425-355-6000 FAX 425-347-7757 WEB rane.com Data Sheet-4 All features & specifications subject to change without notice. 1-2014