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HX-3 User Guide and Technical Information 

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Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

General Description 

The HX-3 from Sound Devices is a portable, stereo headphone amplifier designed for critical audio 

monitoring. The audiophile-quality headphone amp is ideal for adding headphone feeds for portable 

and studio applications.

The HX-3 provides three independent headphone feeds from balanced or unbalanced, line sources. Each 

headphone output has its own level control, peak LED, and ¼-inch output connector. With its extended 

bandwidth and high drive capability the HX-3 can drive headphones of various impedances to high 

levels with very low distortion, important for monitoring in high SPL environments. It is powered from 

two-AA batteries or external DC.

The HX-3 will provide years of superb audio performance under the most punishing field conditions. 

Features 

High Performance Headphone Amplifier 

•  Three independent headphone outputs with individual volume controls. 

•  Dynamic range exceeding 120dB. 

•  10 Hz to 50 kHz audio bandwidth. 

•  Capable of driving headphones to high levels with very low distortion. 

•  Peak indicators show overload of each headphone feed. 

•  Stereo / Mono switch. 

Flexible Inputs / Outputs 

•  Two balanced XLR line level inputs or unbalanced ¼-inch and 1/8-inch stereo inputs. 

•  Loop output to connect additional HX-3’s in series for extra headphone outputs. 

Flexible Powering 

•  Internal battery power (two AA) for convenient, low cost power. 

•  Excellent battery life - greater than 10 hours (nominal drive level with alkaline batteries). 

•  External 5-17 VDC powering. 

Durable Mechanical Construction 

•  High strength aluminum chassis withstands punishing field conditions. 

•  Strap loops on each side for easy mounting or wearing. 

•  Panel-mounted connectors for strength and reliability. 

•  Easy access battery compartment for quick battery changes. 

Summary of Contents for HX-3

Page 1: ...istribution Amplifier User Guide and Technical Information Sound Devices LLC E7556 State Rd 23 33 Reedsburg WI USA 1 608 524 0625 fax 1 608 524 0655 Toll Free 800 505 0625 www sounddevices com support sounddevices com ...

Page 2: ...ars of superb audio performance under the most punishing field conditions Features High Performance Headphone Amplifier Three independent headphone outputs with individual volume controls Dynamic range exceeding 120dB 10 Hz to 50 kHz audio bandwidth Capable of driving headphones to high levels with very low distortion Peak indicators show overload of each headphone feed Stereo Mono switch Flexible...

Page 3: ... Note only one set of inputs balanced or unbalanced should be connected at a time Loop Output Unbalanced 200 ohm output impedance Internal Voltage Rails 15 V and 15V regulated Power Internal 2 AA alkaline batteries 12 hours life typical driving one 75 ohm headset External 5 17 VDC via threaded coaxial connector 5 5 mm outer diameter 2 1 mm inner diameter pin positive sleeve negative Voltages above...

Page 4: ...no for mono headphone monitoring 2 Headphone Gain Controls Volume of each headphone output 3 Headphone Peak LED Illuminates 3 dB before clipping to indi cate onset of headphone distortion 4 POWER LED Bi color LED illuminates green when the unit is powered and changes to red when approximately four hours of bat tery life remain 5 POWER Switch Powers the unit from either Internal bat teries or Exter...

Page 5: ...onnection enabling intercon nection of multiple HX 3 s Loop Out is T R S unbalanced stereo connection Output Panel Connectors 1 2 3 1 HEADPHONE OUTPUTS Panel mounted headphone jack for each output Output 1 has 1 8 inch jack in parallel with inch jack 2 BATTERY Compartment Requires two AA batteries for operation Insert positive end of battery first 3 DC Input Locking coaxial DC input accepts volt a...

Page 6: ...performance of the HX 3 does not vary throughout the life of the batteries Several factors affect battery life including battery chemistry ambient temperature of operation head phone impedances headphone drive levels and the number of headphones in use The chart below can be used as a starting point to estimate battery life Experimentation is recommended to determine bat tery life for each individ...

Page 7: ...nitor R One or more units can be added and daisy chained for additional headphone feeds from a mixing console Loop additional HX 3 amplifiers with the included Link cable Mixing Console Monitor L Monitor R The headphone outputs of portable audio electronics can be connnected to the HX 3 for additional headphone feeds The included 1 4 inch to 1 8 inch can be used to connect the line out or headphon...

Page 8: ...d RF immunity 10 V m 80 1 kHz amplitude modula tion EN61000 4 4 1995 IEC1000 4 4 1995 EFT Burst I O lines 0 25 kV to 1 0 kV EN61000 4 6 1996 IEC61000 4 6 1996 Conducted RF immunity 10 V 80 1 kHz amplitude modulation Tested by L S Compliance Inc Cedarburg Wisconsin February 15 2003 Matthew Anderson Director of Engineering Sound Devices LLC FCC Statement This device has been tested and found to comp...

Page 9: ...Y OR OTHER SIMILAR AUDIO OR VIDEO DEFECTS ARISING FROM RELATED TO OR OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PRODUCTS OR THE END USER S USE OR OPERATION THEREOF REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES ARE CLAIMED UNDER CONTRACT TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR WHICH SOUND DEVICES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE SHALL INCLUDE WITH OUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS PENALTIES DELAY DAMAGES LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AND OT...

Page 10: ... do not permit the exclusion or limitations set forth above they may not apply in all cases For all service including warranty repair please contact Sound Devices for an RMA return mer chandise authorization before sending your unit in for repair Product returned without an RMA number may experience delays in repair When sending a unit for repair please do not include ac cessories including SSD dr...

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Page 12: ...HX 3 User Guide and Technical Information Printed in U S A ...

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