Sony MDR-RF810RK - Wireless Stereo Headphone System Manual

Welcome

Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference. Some features are:

• Wireless system that allows you to listen to a programme free from the restriction of a cord.
• High fidelity sound reproduction.
• 13 hours of continuous use with supplied rechargeable battery.
• Easy connection with TV and HiFi Audio system equipment.
• Up to 100 metres reception range.
• Volume control function on the headphones.

Notes on receiving performance

This system utilises very high frequency signals in the 800 MHz band so the receiving performance may deteriorate due to the surroundings. The following examples illustrate conditions that may reduce the reception range or cause interference.

• Inside a building with walls containing steel beams.
• An area with many steel file cabinets, etc.
• An area with many electrical appliances capable of generating electromagnetic fields.
• The transmitter is placed on a metal instrument.
• An area facing a roadway.
• Noise or interfering signals exist in the surroundings due to radio transceivers in trucks, etc.
• Noise or interfering signals exist in the surroundings owing to wireless communication systems installed along roadways.

Charging the supplied rechargeable battery

The supplied rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery is not charged from the first time you use them. Charge them before use.
To charge the battery, connect the CHARGE plug of the transmitter to the headphones.

1. Remove the battery compartment lid on the left housing of the headphones.
   There are tactile dots on the upper side of the lid and the housing to check the position of the lid. Press and turn the lid counter-clockwise with your palm so that the dot on the lid aligns with the left side dot of the housing. Incline the headphones to drop the cover off the housing.
   
2. Insert the supplied rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery into the battery compartment, matching the terminals on the battery to the marks in the compartment.
   Do not use rechargeable battery other than the supplied ones.
   
3. Close the battery compartment lid.
   Press and turn the lid clockwise with your palm so that the tactile dot on the lid matches to right side dot of the housing.
   
4. Connect the supplied AC power adaptor to the transmitter.
   
5. Make sure to set the switch located on the left housing to OFF. After that, connect the CHARGE plug of the transmitter to jack located on the left housing.
   POWER indicator located on the transmitter lights up red. Prior to using for the first time, charge the rechargeable battery until the POWER indicator (red) turns off (approximately 16 hours). From the next time, charging time to the full charge will be almost equal to the previous operating time. Regardless of remaining battery charge, the POWER indicator (red) will turn off approximately 16 hours after charging starts.
   

When the transmitter's POWER indicator does not light up red
Check if the switch on the left housing of the headphones is set to OFF. If the switch is set to ON, the POWER indicator does not light up.
You cannot charge any rechargeable battery or dry-cell battery other than the supplied battery.

To recharge the headphone battery after use
Connect the headphones to the CHARGE plug of the transmitter in the same manner as described in step 5 of "Charging the supplied rechargeable battery" after use. Since the built-in timer recognises when charging is complete, there is no need to remove the headphones from the transmitter after charging.

Notes

• Do not connect the CHARGE plug to anything other than these headphones.
• The transmitter automatically stops sending RF signals while charging the battery.
• This system is designed to charge only the supplied rechargeable battery type BP-HP550-11 for safety. Note that other types of rechargeable battery cannot be charged with this system.
• If dry-cell batteries are installed, they cannot be charged.
• Do not attempt to use the supplied BP-HP550-11 rechargeable battery for other components. They are for use with this system only.
• Charge in an environmental temperature of between 0°C and 40°C (between 32°F and 104°F).

Charging and usage hours

*¹ at 1 kHz, 1 mW+1 mW output.
*² hours required to fully charge empty battery.
*³ Time stated above may vary, depending on the temperature or conditions of use.

Using the headphones with dry-cell batteries (sold separately)
Commercially available (size AAA) dry-cell batteries can also be used to power the headphones. Install the batteries in the same manner as described in steps 1 through 3 of "Charging the supplied rechargeable battery."
When dry-cell batteries are installed, the battery charge function will not be activated.

Battery life

*¹ at 1 kHz, 1 mW+1 mW output
*² Time stated above may vary, depending on the temperature or conditions of use.

Notes on Batteries

• Do not charge a dry-cell battery.
• Do not carry a dry-cell battery together with coins or other metallic objects. It can generate heat if the positive and negative terminals of the battery accidentally come into contact with metallic objects.
• If you are not going to use the unit for a long time, remove the batteries to avoid damage from battery leakage or corrosion.

Checking the remaining battery power
Turn on the switch located on the left housing of the headphone, and check the POWER indicator located on the left housing. The battery are still serviceable when the indicator lights up red.
Charge the rechargeable battery or install new dry-cell batteries if the POWER indicator light dims, flashes, or the sound becomes distorted or noisy.

Note
The rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery should be replaced with new ones when they last only half the expected time after a proper recharging. The rechargeable battery type BP-HP550-11 are not commercially available. You can order the battery from the store where you purchased this system, or at your nearest Sony dealer.

Setting up the transmitter

1. Connect the transmitter to audio/video equipment.
   
   * "WALKMAN" and "WALKMAN" logo are registered trademarks of Sony Coporation.
2. Connect the supplied AC power adaptor to the transmitter.
   

Notes

• Use only the supplied AC power adaptor. Do not use any other AC power adaptor.
  
  
• When the transmitter is placed on or near a TV, it may pick up a noise. In such a case, place the transmitter away from the TV.
• If the connected equipment has the AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System) function, be sure to turn the function off when using the transmitter. Otherwise, you will have to turn up the volume of the headphones, and that may cause noise.
• Do not lift the transmitter by the aerial. The aerial cover may become detached. If it becomes detached, attach it back where it was before.
  

Setting the input level
If the volume is high using the analogue input, set the ATT (attenuator) switch to "–6 dB."

Notes

• Be sure to lower the volume before setting the ATT switch.
• If audio input is distorted (sometimes, noise can be heard at the same time), set the ATT switch to "–6 dB."

Operating the system

Listening to a programme

Before listening
To reduce the risk of hearing damage, first lower the volume.

1. Turn on the audio/video equipment connected to the transmitter.
   If the transmitter is connected to the headphone jack, set the volume control of the audio source equipment as high as possible but not so high that the audio signal becomes distorted.
2. Disconnect the CHARGE plug from the headphones.
   The transmitter's POWER indicator lights up green.
   
3. Select the radio frequency with the CHANNEL selector switch.
   
4. Turn on the switch on the left housing of the headphones.
   Check if the power indicator on the left housing lights up red. Place the right housing on your right ear and the left housing on your left ear.
   There is a tactile dot on the hanger marked to distinguish the left side.
   
5. Select the channel to that of the transmitter with the switch on the right housing of the headphones.
   Turn up the volume to a moderate level with the VOLUME control on the left housing.
   

Sending RF signals from the transmitter
The transmitter starts sending RF signals automatically when it detects an audio signal from the connected equipment.
If the transmitter does not detect an audio signal for more than about 4 minutes, it will stop sending RF signals, and the POWER indicator will blink for 1 minute, and then turn off.
When the transmitter receives an audio signal again, it starts sending the RF signals, and the POWER indicator will light up green again.
You may not hear the beginning of the sound from the headphones until the transmitter starts sending the RF signals after detecting an audio signal.
RF signal transmission may stop when an extremely low sound is input for about 4 minutes. If this happens, raise the volume of the connected AV component within the range where the sound is not distorted, and lower the volume of the headphones.

Notes

• If hiss is heard, move closer to the transmitter.
• You may hear some noise when you disconnect the AC power adaptor from the transmitter before turn off the headphones.

The effective areas of the transmitter

The optimum distance is up to approximately 100 m without the system picking up some interference. However, the distance may vary depending on the surroundings and environment. If the system picks up some noise within the above mentioned distance, reduce the distance between the transmitter unit and the headphones, or select another channel.

Notes

• When you use the headphones inside the effective areas of the transmitter, the transmitter can be placed in any direction from the listener.
• Even within the signal reception area, there are some spots (dead spots) where the RF signal cannot be received. This characteristics is inherent to RF signals, and does not indicate malfunction. By slightly moving the transmitter, location of the dead spot can be changed.

Replacing the earpads

The earpads are replaceable. If the earpads become dirty or worn out, replace them as illustrated below.
The earpad is not commercially available. You can order replacements from the store where you purchased this system, or at your nearest Sony dealer.

1. Remove the old earpad by pulling it out of the groove on the housing.
   
2. Place the new earpad on the driver unit.
   Hang the edge of the earpad on one side of the driver unit's groove edge, then turn the edge of earpad around the driver unit as illustrated below.
   When the earpad is securely inserted into the groove, adjust the earpad to the vertical position.
   

Additional information

Precautions

• If the transmitter is not to be used for a long period of time, disconnect the AC power adaptor from the AC outlet by holding the plug. Do not pull on the cord.
• Do not leave the wireless stereo headphone system in a location subject to direct sunlight, heat or moisture.

Notes on headphones
To reduce the risk of hearing damage
Avoid using headphones at high volume. Hearing experts advise against continuous, loud and extended play. If you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce the volume or discontinue use.

Caring for others
Keep the volume at a moderate level. This will allow you to hear outside sounds and to be considerate to the people around you.
If you have any questions or problems concerning the system that are not covered in this manual, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.
Be sure to bring the headphones and the transmitter to the Sony dealer when requiring repair work.

Troubleshooting

No sound/Muffled sound

• Check the connection of the audio/video equipment or the AC power adaptor.
• Check that the audio/video equipment is turned on.
• Turn up the volume on the connected audio/video equipment, if the transmitter is connected to the headphones jack.
• Change the radio frequency with the CHANNEL selector on the transmitter, then select the same radio frequency with the switch on the right housing of the headphones.
• The mute function is activated.
  • Use the headphones near the transmitter.
• The headphones' POWER indicator light turns off, dims, flashes, or sound becomes distorted or noisy.
  • Charge the rechargeable battery if it is weak, or replace alkaline batteries with new ones. If the POWER indicator is still off after charging the battery, take the headphones to a Sony dealer.

The sound cuts off

• The transmitter stops transmitting if low sound or no signal is input for 4 minutes.
  • If you connect the transmitter to an AV component using the headphone jack, raise the volume level on the connected AV component within the range where the sound is not distorted.

Distortion

• If the transmitter is connected to the headphone jack, turn down the volume on the connected audio/video equipment.
• Change the radio frequency with the CHANNEL selector on the transmitter and the switch on the right housing of the headphones.
• The headphones' POWER indicator light turns off, dims, flashes, or sound becomes distorted or noisy.
  • Charge the rechargeable battery if it is weak, or replace alkaline batteries with new ones. If the POWER indicator is still off after charging the battery, take the headphones to a Sony dealer.

Loud background noise

• Move closer to the transmitter. As you move away from the transmitter, more noise is likely to be heard.
• If the transmitter is connected to the headphones jack, turn up the volume of the connected audio/video equipment.
• Change the radio frequency with the CHANNEL selector on the transmitter, then select the same radio frequency with the switch on the right housing of the headphones.
• The headphones' POWER indicator light turns off, dims, flashes, or sound becomes distorted or noisy.
  • Charge the rechargeable battery if it is weak, or replace alkaline batteries with new ones. If the POWER indicator is still off after charging the battery, take the headphones to a Sony dealer.

Specifications

General

Transmitter TMR-RF810R

Headphones MDR-RF810R

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.