View Full Version : Minimum allowable impedance for PMW200 headphone output?


Shaun Roemich
November 15th, 2013, 07:28 PM
Hey folks. I'm starting a project shortly where it would be ideal to Y-split the audio out on the camera to two sets of headphones. My 'phones of choice are Sennheiser HD202 with an impedence of 32 ohms each... If my math is right, two sets gives me an impedance of 16 ohms.

Does anyone have a definitive answer on whether any damage will result from this configuration? I can't find any minimum impedance figures in Sony's literature online.

16 ohms seems fine as I have used a number of earbuds over the years with 16 ohm impedance.

Shaun Roemich
November 15th, 2013, 07:29 PM
Running an external monitor fed by HDMI or HD-SDI won't be prudent in this application or I would...

Dave Sperling
November 15th, 2013, 10:55 PM
I'd be more worried about possible volume loss with both plugged in if in a noisy background situation.
Radio Shack (and others) made a 'Headphone Volume Booster' that was small, inexpensive, and has three headphone output jacks-- powered by two AA batteries -- I've found it a better option than Y cables.

Shaun Roemich
November 16th, 2013, 02:20 PM
Thanks for the input, Dave. I already factored in the 6dB of gain loss. Thankfully, the headphone amp on the PMW200 is actually quite decent and feeding 32 ohm headphones I rarely turn it up all the way (I'm partly deaf - a notch filter effect around 4500 Hz) when averaging audio levels between -18 and -12 dBfs on the camera meters.

As well, this scenario SHOULD prove to be quite quiet - seated interviews.