Sony MDR-RF4000K Operating Instructions

4-170-882-61(1)
Wireless Stereo
Headphone System
Operating Instructions
Mode d'emploi
MDR-RF4000K
©2010 Sony Corporation Printed in China
English
Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing the Sony MDR-RF4000K Wireless
Stereo Headphone System. Before operating the unit, please
WARNING read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future
reference.
Some features are:
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
 Wireless stereo headphone system for music and movies
expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
 2.4 GHz digital transmission with high quality sound
 Impressive sound reproduction with 40 mm driver unit
To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer
equipped high quality closed type headphones
servicing to qualified personnel only.
 2 way transmitter design for convenient setting
 Easy battery charging system
For the customers in the Canada
 Lightweight headphones for long time listening comfort
 Real-time automatic tuning on headphones for best
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this
reception of signal
device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must
 Up to 30 meters reception range*
accept any interference, including interference that may
 7 hours playback with supplied Ni-MH rechargeable
cause undesired operation of the device.
battery
 Easy connection with TV/DVD/audio equipment with
This Transmitter complies with IC radiation exposure limits
supplied audio cable
set forth for uncontrolled equipment and meets RSS-102 of
 Automatic On/Off function on headphones to preserve
the IC radio frequency (RF) Exposure rules. This equipment
battery life
has very low levels of RF energy that it deemed to comply
 Free adjustable headband for precise and comfortable fit
without maximum permissive exposure evaluation (MPE).
 Volume control function on the headphones
This Transmitter is desirable that it should be installed and
* Transmission distance varies depending on conditions of use.
operated with at least 20 cm and more between the radiator
and person's body (excluding extremities: hands, wrists, feet
 Preparation
and ankles).
Checking the components and
This Wireless stereo headphones complies with IC radiation
exposure limits set forth for uncontrolled equipment and accessories
meets RSS-102 of the IC radio frequency (RF) Exposure
rules. This Wireless stereo headphones has very low levels of
Before setting up the system, check that all of the
RF energy that it is deemed to comply without testing of
components are included.
specific absorption ratio (SAR).
Transmitter TMR-RF4000 (1)
For the customers in the Canada
RECYCLING NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE
BATTERIES
Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are
recyclable.
You can help preserve our environment
Wireless stereo headphones MDR-RF4000 (1)
by returning your used rechargeable
batteries to the collection and recycling
location nearest you.
For more information regarding recycling of
rechargeable batteries, call toll free
1-800-822-8837, or visit http://www.rbrc.org/
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking Nickel
Metal Hydride batteries.
AC power adaptor (1)
Charging
1
Connect the supplied AC power adaptor to the
transmitter.
Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery BP-HP550-11 (1)
Transmitter
To DC IN
5.2 V jack
Connecting cable (stereo mini plug  pin plug × 2),
1 m (39 3 / in) (1)
8
To an AC outlet
Unimatch plug adaptor (stereo mini jack  stereo phone
plug) (1)
AC power adaptor
(supplied)
Notes
 Be sure to use the supplied AC power adaptor. Using AC
Stand (1)
adaptors with different plug polarity or other characteristics
can cause product failure.
Unified polarity plug
 Be sure to always use the supplied AC power adaptor. Even AC
power adaptors having the same voltage and plug polarity can
damage this product due to the current capacity or other
factors.
 Connect the AC power adaptor to an easily accessible AC
Inserting the supplied
outlet. Should you notice an abnormality in the AC power
adaptor, disconnect it from the AC outlet immediately.
rechargeable nickel-metal
2
Put the stand to the transmitter.
hydride battery
You can place the transmitter horizontally or vertically,
using the stand.
The supplied rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery is
not charged from the first time you use it. Be sure to charge
it before use.
To charge the headphones, place them on the transmitter.
1
Press the PUSH button of the left housing to open
the battery compartment lid.
The battery compartment lid comes off.
PUSH button
2
Insert the supplied rechargeable nickel-metal
hydride battery into the battery compartment,
matching  terminal on the battery to the  mark Notes on the transmitter with stand and
in the compartment. installation surface
 The stand should not be placed on a surface that is cloth-
Do not attempt to charge any other kind of battery with
covered, textured, dirty or dusty.
this unit.
 Peel off the protection films (transparent) on the adhesive
sheets (4 corners) of the stand. The stand cannot be
installed with the protection films on the adhesive sheets.
 When placing the transmitter, press it down softly to
steady the stand.
If the power of the adhesive sheets becomes
weak
Use a soft cloth slightly moistened to remove dust. A soft
cloth with mild detergent solution may be used to remove
finger marks or grease. The power of the adhesive sheets will
be restored for repeated use.
Note To change the installation place
The battery compartment has a tab on the  side which holds the
Move the stand slowly with your fingers on the edge of the
rechargeable battery in place. Insert the  terminal first when
stand. The adhesive sheets will not be detached with a sharp
installing the rechargeable battery.
move.
3
Close the battery compartment lid.
 Insert the tab in the hole at the top left.
3
Turn the left and right headphones so as to be flat.
 Close the lid until it clicks.

4 Connection
Insert the headphones in the transmitter so that
the headphones' contact point meets the
Setting up the transmitter
transmitter's contact pin, and make sure that the
CHG indicator lights up.
1
Connect the transmitter to an AV component.
It takes approximate 16 hours to fully charge the battery
(the CHG indicator goes off when charging is complete.) Select one of the hookups below depending on the jack
When placing the headphones on the transmitter, be type:
sure to insert the left and right housings completely.  To connect to a headphones jack
When the transmitter's contact pin meets the
headphones' contact point, the CHG indicator lights up
in red.
Transmitter
To PHONES IN jacks
Left channel
(white)
Right channel
(red)
Connecting cord
(supplied)
Unimatch plug
To headphones jack
adaptor (supplied)
(Stereo mini jack)
To headphones WALKMAN®*,
jack (Stereo TV, etc.
If the CHG indicator is not lit
phone jack)
 Be sure to close the battery compartment lid. The battery
 To connect to LINE OUT or REC OUT jack
charge function is not activated when the lid is not fully
closed.
 Check that the left and right headphones are inserted in
the transmitter correctly.
 The indicator will not light up if the headphones' contact
point does not meet the transmitter's contact pin. In this
case, remove the headphones and insert them in the
Transmitter
transmitter again so that the indicator lights up.
 Make sure that the supplied rechargeable nickel-metal
hydride battery is installed in the battery compartment.
 You cannot charge any rechargeable battery or dry-cell
battery other than the supplied battery.
To recharge the headphone battery after use
Place the headphones on the transmitter after use. The CHG
To LINE IN jack
indicator lights up, and then charging starts.
Since the built-in timer recognizes when charging is
complete, there is no need to remove the headphones from
the transmitter after charging has completed.
Notes
 The transmitter automatically turns off 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. Connecting cord
 You cannot charge any rechargeable battery or dry-cell battery
(supplied)
other than the supplied battery.
 Do not attempt to use the supplied BP-HP550-11 rechargeable
battery with other components. It is for use with this system only.
 Charge in an environmental temperature of between 0 °C and 40 °C Right channel (red) Left channel (white)
(between 32 °F and 104 °F). Otherwise, the battery may not be fully
charged.
 Do not touch the contact pin of the transmitter. If a contact pin To LINE OUT or
becomes dirty, charging may not be possible.
REC OUT jacks
 Charging may not be completed if the transmitter's contact pin and
headphones' contact point are dusty. Wipe them with a cotton bud,
etc.
Stereo system,
VCR, etc.
Charging and usage time
Approx. charging time Approx. usage time*
1
* "WALKMAN" and "WALKMAN" logo are registered trademarks
16 hours* 7 hours*
2 3
of Sony Corporation.
* 1 at 1 kHz, 1 mW + 1 mW output
* 2 hours required to fully charge an empty battery 
Operation
* Time may vary, depending on the temperature or conditions of
3
use.
Listening to a programme
Checking the remaining Before listening
To reduce the risk of hearing damage, first lower the volume.
battery power
1
Turn on the AV component connected to the
Pull up the self-adjusting band and check the POWER
transmitter.
indicator located on the right housing. The battery is still
serviceable when the indicator lights in red.
If the transmitter is connected to the headphone jack, set
Charge the rechargeable battery or install new dry-cell
the volume control of the audio source component as
batteries if the POWER indicator light dims, flashes, or the
high possible but not so high that the audio signal
sound becomes distorted or noisy. becomes distorted.
Note 2
Remove the headphones from the transmitter.
The rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery should be replaced
The transmitter's POWER indicator lights up in green.
with a new one when it lasts only half the expected time, after a full
charge has been performed. The rechargeable battery, type BP-
HP550-11, is not commercially available. You can order the battery
from the store where you purchased this system, or at your nearest
Sony dealer.
Using the headphones with
alkaline batteries (sold
separately)
Commercially available (size AAA) alkaline batteries can
also be used to power the headphones. Install the batteries
in the same manner as described in "Inserting the supplied
rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery. "
When dry-cell batteries are installed, the battery charge
function is not activated.
Battery life
Battery Approx. hours* 1
Sony alkaline batteries 10 hours* 2
LR03/AM-4(N)
* 1 at 1 kHz, 1 mW + 1 mW output
* Time may vary, depending on the temperature or conditions of
2
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. Heat can be generated by the battery if its positive and
negative terminals are accidentally shorted.
 If you are not going to use the unit for a long time, remove the
batteries to avoid damage from battery leakage or corrosion.

3 Additional information
Put on the headphones.
When you put on the headphones, the headphones'
Troubleshooting
power turns on automatically.
The POWER indicator on the right housing lights up. Be
If you run into any problems using this headphone system,
sure to put the right housing  on your right ear and
use the following checklist. Should any problem persist,
the left housing  on your left ear. Wear the
consult your nearest Sony dealer.
headphones vertically on your head so that auto power
on function is properly activated. No sound
 Check the connection between the transmitter and the AV
component.
 Check that the connected AV component's optical digital output
" "
is set to ON when selecting digital input.
 Turn on the AV component connected to the transmitter, and
start the playback.
 If you connect the transmitter to an AV component using the
headphone jack, raise the volume level on the connected AV
component.
 Make sure you are wearing the headphones correctly.
 Raise the headphone volume.
 The headphones' POWER indicator goes off.
4  Charge the rechargeable battery if it is weak, or replace alkaline
Adjust the volume.
batteries with new ones. If the POWER indicator is still off
after charging the battery, take the headphones to a Sony
dealer.
Distorted or intermittent sound
Volume control
(sometimes with noise)
 Charge the rechargeable battery if it is weak, or replace alkaline
VOL
batteries with new ones. If the POWER indicator is still off after
charging the battery, take the headphones to a Sony dealer.
 Check if there is any wireless apparatus using 2.4 GHz frequency,
or a microwave oven in the vicinity.
 Change the position of the transmitter.
 If you connect the transmitter to an AV component using the
headphone jack, lower the volume level on the connected AV
Notes
component.
 When watching films, be careful not to raise the volume too
Low sound
high in quiet scenes. You may hurt your ears when a loud scene
is played.
 If you connect the transmitter to an AV component using the
 You may hear some noise when you disconnect the AC power
headphone jack, raise the volume level on the connected AV
adaptor from the transmitter before removing the headphones.
component.
 Raise the headphone volume.
RF signal transmission area
The approximate RF signal transmission area from the Loud background noise
transmitter is up to 30 m (100 ft).  Check if there is any wireless apparatus using 2.4 GHz frequency,
The transmitter detects the optimum frequency or a microwave oven in the vicinity.
 If you connect the transmitter to an AV component using the
automatically when the headphones are removed from the
headphone jack, raise the volume level on the connected AV
transmitter. The sound may be interrupted if the
component.
headphones are out of RF signal transmission area or
 Charge the rechargeable battery if it is weak, or replace alkaline
reception conditions deteriorate. In this case, move closer to
batteries with new ones. If the POWER indicator is still off after
the transmitter.
charging the battery, take the headphones to a Sony dealer.
Notes
The sound cuts off
 Because this system transmits signals at 2.4 GHz, sound may be
 The transmitter stops transmitting if no signal is input for 10
interrupted if interference occurs. This is due to radio frequency
minutes.
characteristics, and is not a malfunction.
 If you connect the transmitter to an AV component using the
 Any noise you hear through the headphones may vary depending
headphone jack, raise the volume level on the connected AV
on the transmitter position and room conditions. It is
component.
recommended that you place the transmitter in a location that
produces the clearest sound. The battery cannot be charged
 Sound may be interrupted if the transmitter is used with other
 Check if the CHG indicator turns on. If not, put the headphones
wireless apparatus using 2.4 GHz frequency, or a microwave oven. on the transmitter correctly so that the CHG indicator turns on.
 Dry batteries are installed.
If an audio signal is not input for 10 minutes
 Insert the supplied rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery.
RF signal transmission from the transmitter automatically
 Rechargeable batteries other than the supplied are installed.
stops when an audio signal is not input for 10 minutes.
 Insert the supplied rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery.
When the transmitter stops, the transmitter's POWER  The transmitter's contact pin and headphones' contact point are
indicator blinks in green for 30 seconds and then turns off.
dusty.
The RF signals are automatically transmitted when an audio  Wipe them with a cotton bud, etc.
signal is input again. RF signal transmission may stop when
A repeated beep sounds.
an extremely low sound is input for about 10 minutes. If this
 The headphones cannot receive the signal from the transmitter.
happens, raise the volume of the connected AV component
 Move within the RF signal transmission area.
and lower the volume of the headphones. If signal noise is  Check the connection of the transmitter, AC power adaptor,
output from a component connected to the PHONES IN and AC outlet.
jacks, RF signal transmission may not stop.  Check if there is any wireless apparatus using 2.4 GHz
frequency, or a microwave oven around the transmitter and
The headphones automatically turn off when
headphones.
they are removed  Change the position of the transmitter.
 There is no audio signal input for about 10 minutes and RF
— Auto Power On/Off function
signals are not transmitted.
Do not pull up the self-adjusting band when not in use, as
 Input the audio signal to the transmitter.
this will consume the battery power.
The unit does not operate properly.
 Reset the system.
 Push a small pin, etc., into the hole of the transmitter until you
feel a click.
Self-adjusting
The POWER indicator on top starts blinking in green.
band
Replacing the earpads
The earpads are replaceable. If the earpads become dirty or
worn out, replace them as illustrated below. The earpads are
Once the POWER indicator starts blinking, pull up and hold
not commercially available. You can order replacements the self-adjusting band to turn on the headphones, and push a
from the store where you purchased this system, or at your
small pin, etc., into the hole of the right headphone until you
nearest Sony dealer. feel a click.
The POWER indicator of the transmitter stops blinking and
1
Remove the old earpad by pulling it off.
stays lit in green.
2
Place the new earpad around the housing.
Precautions
On safety
 Do not drop, hit, or otherwise expose the headphones to
strong shock of any kind. This could damage the product.
 Do not disassemble or attempt to open any parts of the
system.
On power sources and placement
 If you are not going to use the system for a long time,
unplug the AC power adaptor from the AC outlet. When
removing the plug, grip the AC power adaptor.
Do not pull on the cord.
 Do not place the system in any of the following locations.
– Location exposed to direct sunlight, near a heater, or
other extremely high-temperature location
– Dusty location
– On an unsteady or inclined surface
– Location exposed to large amounts of vibration
– Bathroom or other high-humidity locations
On headphones
Act considerately
When the volume is too high, the sound leaks outside the
headphones. Be careful not to raise the volume so high that
it bothers people around you.
There is a tendency to raise the volume when using in noisy
places. However, for reasons of safety, it is advised to keep
the volume at a level whereby you can still hear sounds
around you.
On cleaning
Use a soft cloth slightly moistened with mild detergent
solution. Do not use solvents such as thinner, benzene or
alcohol as these may damage the surface.
When the product breaks
 When the product breaks, or if a foreign object gets inside
the unit, immediately turn off the power and consult your
nearest Sony dealer.
 When taking the system to a Sony dealer, be sure to take
both the headphones and transmitter.
Specifications
Wireless stereo transmitter (TMR-RF4000)
Modulation System
GFSK
Carrier wave frequency
2.404 GHz - 2.476 GHz
Transmission distance
Approx. 30 m (100 ft) of longest
Frequency response
10 Hz - 22,000 Hz
Distortion rate
1% or less (1 kHz)
Audio inputs
Phono jacks (left/right)
Stereo mini jack
Power requirements
DC 5.2 V (from the supplied AC power adaptor)
Dimensions
Approx. 246 mm × 62 mm × 129 mm (9 3 / in ×
4
2 1 / in × 5 1 / in) (w/h/d)
2 8
Mass Approx. 430 g (15.2 oz)
Wireless stereo headphones (MDR-RF4000)
Playback frequency range
12 Hz – 22,000 Hz
Power requirements
Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery
(supplied) or commercially available (size AAA)
alkaline batteries
Mass Approx. 300 g (10.6 oz) (including the supplied
rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery)
Supplied accessories
AC power adaptor (5.2 V) (1)
Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery
BP-HP550-11 (550 mAh) (1)
Connecting cable (stereo mini plug  pin
plug × 2), 1 m (39 / in) (1)
3
8
Unimatch plug adaptor (stereo mini jack 
stereo phone plug) (1)
Stand (1)
Card warranty (1)
Operating Instructions (this manual) (1)
Recommended accessories
Optical digital connecting cable POC-15AB
(1.5 m, 59 1 / in) (mini-plug  rectangular plug)
8
Design and specifications are subject to change without
notice.