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Wireless Stereo
Headphone System
© 2006 Sony Corporation Printed in China
MDR-RF800RK
Operating Instructions
2-684-424-11(1)
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock,
do not expose this apparatus to rain or
moisture.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not place
objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the
apparatus.
To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet.
Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
Connect AC power adaptor to an easily accessible AC
outlet. Should you notice an abnormality in AC power
adaptor, disconnect it from the AC outlet
immediately.
Do not install the appliance in a confined space,
such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.
Hereby, Sony Corp., declares that this equipment is in
compliance with the essential requirements and other
relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.
For details, please access the following URL :
http://www.compliance.sony.de/
Disposal of Old Electrical &
Electronic Equipment
(Applicable in the European
Union and other European
countries with separate
collection systems)
This symbol on the product or on its packaging
indicates that this product shall not be treated as
household waste. Instead it shall be handed over to
the applicable collection point for the recycling of
electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring this
product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent
potential negative consequences for the environment
and human health, which could otherwise be caused
by inappropriate waste handling of this product. The
recycling of materials will help to conserve natural
resources. For more detailed information about
recycling of this product, please contact your local
Civic Office, your household waste disposal service or
the shop where you purchased the product.
Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing the Sony MDR-RF800RK
Wireless Stereo Headphone System. 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
program free from the restriction of a cord
•High fidelity sound reproduction
•10 hours of continuous use with supplied
rechargeable battery.
•Easy connection with TV and HiFi Audio system
equipment
•Up to 100 meters reception range
•Volume control function on the headphones.
Notes on receiving
performance
This system utilizes 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.
N Getting started
Unpacking
Check that you have the following items:
•The headphones (1)
•The transmitter (1)
Note
If the antenna cover come off from the transmitter,
put the cover back into the transmitter.
•AC power adaptor (1)
•Unimatch plug cord (1) (stereo mini jack y phono
plugs)
• Connecting cord (1) (stereo mini plug y stereo
mini plug), 1 m
• Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries (2)
Charging the supplied
rechargeable batteries
The supplied rechargeable nickel-metal hydride
batteries are not charged from the first time you use
them. Charge them before use.
To charge the batteries, 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 batteries into the battery
compartment, matching the 3 terminals on
the batteries to the 3 marks in the
compartment.
Do not use rechargeable batteries 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/CHG. 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. Charging will take about 16 hours, after
which the charging indicator will go off.
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/CHG. If the switch is set to
ON, the POWER indicator does not light up.
To recharge the headphone batteries 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 batteries”
after use. Since the built-in timer recognizes 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 batteries.
• This system is designed to charge only the supplied
rechargeable batteries type BP-HP550 for safety.
Note that other types of rechargeable batteries
cannot be charged with this system.
• If dry batteries are installed, they cannot be charged.
• Do not attempt to use the supplied BP-HP550
rechargeable batteries 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
Approx. charging hours Approx. usage time*
1
1 hour 30 minutes*
3
16 hours*
2
10 hours*
3
*
1
at 1 kHz, 1 mW+1 mW output
*
2
hours required to fully charge empty batteries
*
3
Time stated above may vary, depending on the
temperature or conditions of use.
Using the headphones with dry batteries
(sold separately)
Commercially available (size AAA) dry 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
batteries.”
When dry batteries are installed, the battery charge
function will not be activated.
Battery life
Battery Approx. hours*
1
Sony alkaline battery
LR03/AM-4(N) 28 hours*
2
*
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 battery.
• Do not carry a dry 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 batteries are still serviceable
when the indicator lights up red.
Charge the rechargeable batteries or install new dry
batteries if the POWER indicator light dims, flashes, or
the sound becomes distorted or noisy.
Note
The rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries
should be replaced with new ones when they last only
half the expected time after a proper recharging. The
rechargeable batteries type BP-HP550 are not
commercially available. You can order the batteries
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.
Select one of the hookups below depending on the
jack type:
* “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.
N 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.
CHANNEL
1 2
Polarity of the plug
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 (R) on your
right ear and the left housing (L) on your left ear.
POWER
CHG
OFF
ON
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.
1CH 2CH
VOLUME
Sending RF signals from the transmitter
The transmitter starts sending RF signals
automatically when it detects an audio signal from the
connected equipment.
If it does not detect an audio signal for more than
about 4 minutes, the transmitter will stop sending RF
signals, and the POWER indicator will 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.
If the audio signal is very weak, the transmitter does
not send RF signals. If the transmitter is connected to a
headphone jack, make sure the volume of the
equipment connected is set to 5 - 6 or higher.
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.
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 ear pads
The ear pads are replaceable. If the ear pads become
dirty or worn out, replace them as illustrated below.
The ear pad 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 ear pad by pulling it out of
the groove on the housing.
2 Place the new ear pad on the driver unit.
Hang the edge of the ear pad on one side of the
driver unit’s groove edge, then turn the edge of
ear pad around the driver unit as illustrated
below.
When the ear pad is securely inserted into the
groove, adjust the ear pad to the vertical position.
CHG
Transmitter
Headphones
CHARGE plug
N 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.
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 batteries 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
Carrier frequency
863.52 MHz, 864.52 MHz
Channel Ch1, Ch2
Modulation FM stereo
Frequency response
20 – 20,000 Hz
Transmitter TMR-RF800R
Power source DC 12 V: supplied AC power adaptor
Audio input Stereo mini jack
Dimensions Approx. 105 × 135 × 105 mm
(4
1
/
4
× 5
3
/
8
× 4
1
/
4
in) (w/h/d)
Mass Approx. 115 g (4.06 oz)
Rated power consumption
2.5 W
Headphones MDR-RF800R
Power source Supplied rechargeable nickel-metal
hydride batteries BP-HP550 or
commercially available (size AAA) dry
batteries
Mass Approx. 220 g (7.77 oz) incl. Batteries
Design and specifications are subject to change
without notice.
CHG
CHG
OFF
ON
Transmitter
Headphones
CHARGE plug
INPUT
CHARGE
CHANNEL
DC IN 12V
1 2
Transmitter
AC power adaptor
(supplied)
To an AC
outlet
To DC IN 12V jack
INPUT
CHARGE
CHANNEL
DC IN 12V
1 2
Transmitter
AC power adaptor
(supplied)
To an AC
outlet
To DC IN 12V jack
INPUT
CHARGE
CHANNEL
DC IN 12V
1 2
Transmitter
To INPUT jack
Connecting cord
(supplied)
Unimatch plug cord
(supplied)
Right
channel
(red)
Left channel
(white)
To LINE
OUT or
REC OUT
jacks
To headphones
jack (Stereo
mini jack), LINE
OUT or REC
OUT jacks
WALKMAN*, TV,
etc.
Stereo system,
VCR, etc.