David Clark Company
Pro Audio

Frequently Asked Questions

The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins.
The new M-2H is a much better frequency response and output level than the original M-101 that's been on the H8500 Series headsets in the past.

Standard M-101:

Microphone Principle

Dynamic

Microphone Impedance

150 Ω nominal

Microphone Sensitivity

160uV nom. into 150-ohm load re: 94dB SPL ¼” 1kHz

Microphone Frequency Response

100Hz – 4kHz

Microphone DC Supply V

N/A

Source Resistance

150 Ω nominal

 

M2 Pro Audio:

Microphone Principle

Dynamic

Microphone Impedance

150 Ω nominal

Microphone Sensitivity

320uV nom. into 150-ohm load re: 94dB SPL ¼” 1kHz

Microphone Frequency Response

100Hz – 10kHz

Microphone DC Supply V

N/A

Source Resistance

150 Ω nominal




Equipment that is compatible with the David Clark Pro Audio series of headsets will have a four pin male or female XLR connector. If there is a different number of pins that your equipment requires then either the H8530 (dual ear) or H8590 (single ear) may be used. These two models come with no connector attached. The correct mating XLR connector needs to be purchased separately and attached per the wiring pin out found in the user manual of your equipment. A wiring diagram of the headset is provided in the box with the headset and is available on this website on the 8500 Series page.
Pin 1: Chassis ground (cable shield)
Pin 2: Positive polarity terminal for balanced audio circuits (aka "hot")
Pin 3: Negative polarity terminal for balanced circuits (aka "cold")

*Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:XLR_pinouts.svg
These are the standard connectors for intercom headsets, such as systems made by ClearCom and Telex. Two pins are used for the mono headphone signal and two pins for the unbalanced microphone signal. Models vary and it is best to consult the manufacturers documentation such as operation manuals.

5 pin XLR connectors are becoming increasingly common in Pro Audio wireless belt packs as they afford the ability to have a stereo headset. These typically have 3 pins for the stereo headphone signal - left, right, and ground, and 2 pins for the unbalanced microphone signal. Models vary and it is best to consult the manufacturers documentation such as operation manuals. 

The wires on the 8500 Series and 8600 Series headsets are color coded, red(hi) and white for the mic, black and green(hi) for the earphones.  For a typical 5 pin camera pin out for mono, wire them to the 5 pinXLR as follows: Red- pin 2, White- pin 3, Green- pin 4, Black- pin 3, Shield-shield

Stereo models H8530 and DC 8632 include additional conductors for the second earphone signal. The H8530 adds yellow and blue for the left earphone. The DC 8632 adds Yellow for left earphone. So you'd wire them this way to the camera 5 pin XLR connector: Red- pin 2, Yellow- pin 4, Green- pin 5, Blue, White & Black- pin 3, Shield-shield.


David Clark headsets have information including model number and part number on the headband of the headset.
The first character in a model number is usually a letter:
H = Headset
C = Cord, Adapter, PTT adapter or Extension Cord
M = Module
U = Utility intercom module

Model numbers are set up in series. The first two digits indicate the series i.e. H3341 is a headset in the 3300 series, C38-12 is a 3800 series cable.

The second two digits tell about the configuration of the headset. The pattern is as follows:
Hxx10 & Hxx20 = Mic shield microphone
Hxx30 = Boom microphone, over the head style
Hxx40 = Boom microphone, behind the head style
Hxx50 & Hxx60 = Listen only, no microphone
Hxx70 & Hxx80 = Cap attachable or lightweight model
Hxx90 = Single ear over the head style

You'll note that the fourth number sometimes changes. That just means the product is a variant on the series. In other words there could be two headsets that are very similar and vary on some feature and so have the same basic number but one digit different i.e. H3340 and H3341. The difference is that the H3340 has two speakers and the H3341 has only one.

Additionally, some products only have part numbers and you will need to check the compatibility table or with your two way dealer to see what series the part you have belongs to.
OTH = Over the head style headset
BTH = Behind the head style headset
ULW = Ultra Light Weight, Single Ear, Over the head style