Oct 22, 2025

Sonarworks EREF Binaural In-ear Microphone (2025) user manual

Eref In Ear Binaural Microphone

1. Disclaimer

Sonarworks SIA (“Sonarworks”) makes no representations or warranties concerning this user manual (“Manual”), and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, expressly limits its liability for breach of any warranty that may be implied to the replacement of this Manual with another. Sonarworks reserves the right to revise this Manual at any time without incurring an obligation to notify any person of the revision.

The information provided in this Manual contains general descriptions and/or technical characteristics of the performance of the Product. This Manual is not intended as a substitute for and is not to be used for determining the suitability or reliability of the Product for specific user applications. Any such user or integrator must perform the appropriate and complete risk analysis, evaluation, and testing of the Product concerning the relevant specific application or use thereof. Neither Sonarworks nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be responsible or liable for misuse of the information contained herein. Please notify us if you have any suggestions for improvements or amendments, or if you have found any errors in this manual.

All pertinent state, regional, and local safety regulations must be observed when installing and using this Product. The Product shall only be used by persons who have fully read and understood the contents of this Manual. It is the Product owner's responsibility to make sure each person who uses the Product has read this Manual and follows the instructions and warnings provided. Failure to do so may result in damage to property and/or severe or fatal injuries.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, please contact the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” using the contact information below.

Sonarworks SIA

Šmerļa iela 3, Building No. 5, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia

2. Product identification

This Manual applies to the Sonarworks MREF Measurement Microphone (2025) ("Product"). The Product can be identified by the profile number ("Profile ID") associated with the individual microphone calibration profile ("Microphone Profile"). The Profile ID is printed on the measurement microphone ("Microphone") product element. Learn more in Section 7.1.

For other Sonarworks microphone products, see these user manuals:

3. Product documentation

The latest version of the documentation is available under the Legal page on the Sonarworks website. Supplementary documentation is available under the Support, Resources, and Downloads pages:

To receive documentation, user instructions, and technical information, or provide documentation feedback, or obtain information about special tools, materials, and service-related questions, contact Sonarworks Support or Legal teams by submitting a Support Request, or by using the contact form under the Contact Us page on Sonarworks website:

4. Intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse

The Product is intended to be used as a tool for making high-precision measurements of acoustic sound pressure and acoustic pressure differences within the audible frequency spectrum of 20Hz to 20kHz.

The Product shall be used with the following software and hardware components only:

2.0 stereo speaker setup and over-ear headphone measurements with the SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring PRO software. 

USB-C port with USB 3.0 (or higher) support. If a USB connector hub/adapter has to be used, it also has to support USB 3.0 (or higher). 

5. Product elements

The Sonarworks EREF Binaural In-ear Microphone includes four product elements:

Sonarworks EREF Binaural In-ear Microphone ("Microphone").

Sonarworks EREF Microphone Preamp

Sonarworks EREF Microphone Preamp USB-C Cable

Sonarworks EREF Microphone Sleeve

Eref Components

6. Sonarworks EREF Binaural In-ear Microphone

6.1. Specifications

Parameter

Unit

Device name

Sonarworks EREF Binaural In-ear Microphone

Type

Electret condenser

Weight

20 g (0.7 oz)

Chemical composition

Aluminum chassis

Transducer type

MEMS

Frequency response

20Hz to 20kHz

Polar pattern

Omni-directional

Output impedance

200 Ω

Open circuit sensitivity

14 mV/Pa (-37 dBV/Pa)

Input operating voltage

5V

Maximum sound pressure level

128 dB SPL

Signal-to-noise ratio

65 dB (A)

Binaural microphone connector type

3.5 mm 5-pole TRRRS

Microphone preamp connector type

USB-C (USB 3.0)

Operational sample rate

44.1 kHz


7. Safety information

7.1. Vulnerable users

This Product is not suitable for use by children. If children use any product element, make sure that they use it according to all safety instructions specified in this Manual.

7.2. Intended use

Do not use this Product for anything other than its intended use, as described in Section 4 of this Manual.

7.3. Installation

Make sure +48V phantom power is turned OFF while the XLR connections are being made to protect the internal electronic components of the Microphone from electric surge damage.

7.4. Usage

Do not use damaged USB cables. Unsecured connections can cause electric shock or fire.

Do not pull the cable excessively when disconnecting it from the device. Doing so may cause electric shock or fire.

Do not attempt to disassemble the chassis of the device. If parts of the chassis are loose, contact the manufacturer immediately.

Only use accessories that are compatible with the product. Using incompatible accessories may result in injury and/or property damage.

Do not drop or cause excessive impact to the device. This may damage your device or its internal components, cause the device to malfunction, or shorten its lifespan. This may also cause overheating, combustion, fire, or other hazards.

Never place the device on or in heating devices, such as microwave ovens, stoves, or radiators. The device may explode when overheated.

Avoid exposing the device to high external pressure. This can lead to an internal short circuit and overheating.

Avoid exposing the device to very cold or scorching temperatures. Extreme temperatures can damage the device, and reduce its life span.

Do not store the device near or in heaters, microwaves, hot cooking equipment, or high-pressure containers. Your device may overheat and cause a fire.

Do not use or store your device in areas with high concentrations of dust or airborne materials. Dust or foreign materials can cause your device to malfunction and may result in fire or electric shock.

Do not expose the device to heavy smoke or fumes. Doing so may damage the electrical components of the device or cause it to malfunction.

Do not store or carry flammable liquids, gases, or explosive materials in the same compartment as the device, its parts, or accessories.

If any part of the device is broken, smokes, or emits a burning odor, stop using the device immediately.

Keep your device dry. Humidity and liquids may damage the parts or electronic circuits in your device.

Do not connect the device to the computer if it is wet. If your device is already on, turn it off, then, dry the device with a towel and take it to a service center.

Do not drop your device or cause impacts to your device. Your device may be damaged or may malfunction. If bent or deformed, your device may be damaged, or parts may malfunction.

7.5. Maintenance

Prevent the device from being exposed to dust, sweat, ink, oil, and chemical products, such as cosmetics, antibacterial spray, hand cleaners, detergents, and insecticides. The exterior and interior parts of the device may be damaged or it could result in poor performance. If your device is exposed to any of the previously mentioned substances, use a lint-free, soft cloth to clean it.

Do not use chemicals or detergents to clean the device. Doing so may corrode the outside of the device or may result in electric shock or fire.

When cleaning the device, avoid hitting, poking, piercing, or otherwise touching the tip of the Microphone to prevent damage to the trancducer.

7.6. Service and repairs

Do not attempt to take apart, open, modify, disassemble, or repair your device. If your device needs servicing, contact Sonarworks. Any evidence of any attempt to open and/or modify the device will void the warranty.

7.7. Disposal

Handle and dispose of the device with care. Never dispose of the device in a fire. Follow all local regulations when disposing of the device.

8. Disposal and recyclyng

Dispose of the Product via a collection point for recycling electrical and electronic equipment waste if you live within the EU or in another European country that operates separate collection systems for electrical and electronic equipment waste. By properly disposing of the Product, you help to avoid possible hazards for the environment and public health that could otherwise be caused by improper treatment of waste equipment. The recycling of materials contributes to the conservation of natural resources. Therefore, do not dispose of your old electrical and electronic equipment with unsorted municipal waste.

Household users should contact either the retailer where they purchased this product, or their local government office, for details of where and how the items can be environmentally safely recycled. Business users should contact their supplier and check the terms and conditions of the purchase contract. 

9. Graphical symbols on the product and packaging

The QR code printed on the product elements contains a link to the Resources page on the Sonarworks website, where the latest Product documentation can be found. It can be scanned and used by a camera smartphone, tablet, or a similar device.

The Special Disposal symbol on the product elements indicates that this Product must not be treated as unsorted municipal waste but must be collected separately.

The CE marking on the product elements is the manufacturer's declaration that the Product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety, and environmental protection legislation. 

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