Hanwha HNW-SS-800 Ceiling Mounted Microphone

Hanwha HNW-SS-800 Ceiling Mounted Microphone

The HNW-SS-800 is a line-level ceiling microphone designed for integration with IP cameras and network video recorders that accept audio input. It addresses a specific deployment gap: synchronized ambient sound capture in retail, hospitality, and access-control environments where video alone leaves compliance and investigation gaps. The omni-directional design and compact recessed form factor fit standard 3 1/8" ceiling knockouts, minimizing visible infrastructure while maintaining clean audio fidelity across the monitored space.

Key Features

• Omni-directional pickup pattern with 12-foot effective radius: Captures ambient sound across the entire monitored area without directional bias — meaningful for retail point-of-sale and interview rooms where dialogue and background activity matter equally. A cardioid or directional microphone would miss side conversations; this pattern ensures no blind spots in the audio record.
• 60dB signal-to-noise ratio: Clean audio capture without excessive hum or background noise bleeding into recordings. Combined with the –38dB ± 2 sensitivity specification, this maintains intelligible speech even at lower volume levels — critical for evidence retention and dispute resolution. Lower SNR values introduce audible hiss that obscures dialogue; 60dB is the threshold for forensic-grade clarity.
• Line-level output at 2.2kΩ impedance: Matches standard audio input terminals on IP cameras and recorders without requiring adapters or preamps. If your recorder expects line-level signals (as most do), the HNW-SS-800 plugs directly in — no intermediate amplification required, reducing points of failure and signal degradation.
• Frequency response 30Hz–15kHz: Covers human speech fundamentals (roughly 85–180Hz for male voices, 165–255Hz for female) plus intelligibility harmonics up to 5kHz. The 15kHz upper limit captures detail without unnecessary ultrasonic noise that would waste storage. Frequencies below 30Hz (footsteps, HVAC rumble) are intentionally rolled off to reduce unwanted ambient noise.
• Compact ceiling-recessed form factor, 3 1/8" diameter × 1" height: Fits standard 4" ceiling boxes and remains visually discrete. The 1" height means it won't protrude below acoustic tiles, avoiding visual clutter and snag hazards. Recessed polycarbonate design is field-proven in retail and hospitality ceilings.
• Wide operating temperature range, –25°C to 70°C (–13°F to 158°F): Suitable for unheated storage areas, walk-in refrigeration zones, and outdoor-adjacent covered spaces. Many venues with seasonal HVAC variations or intermittent climate control benefit from this margin — specify this requirement during planning if your facility experiences temperature swings beyond typical office ranges.
• Low power consumption, 12Vdc @ 20mA (240mW): Moderate current draw that fits into most security power supplies. At 240mW total consumption, it won't load a single dedicated supply or strain a PoE-powered camera's auxiliary output if your recorder supports powered audio devices. This is low enough to run alongside other auxiliary devices on the same 12V rail.
• 18/2 or 22/2 AWG shielded cable connectivity: Standard twisted-pair shielded mic cable (stock at any AV supplier) keeps hum out of the audio path. Run shielded cable separately from power and video cabling when possible — interference is rare but preventable with basic cable discipline.

Integration & Compatibility

Installation requires three steps: (1) run shielded audio cable from the ceiling microphone to the camera's audio input terminal or recorder's auxiliary audio input, (2) supply 12Vdc power from a separate 12V supply or the recorder's 12V auxiliary output (if supported), and (3) enable audio input in the camera or recorder's web configuration interface. Verify your recorder supports audio input before ordering — not all IP cameras do, and some may require licensing or firmware updates. The HNW-SS-800 works with any Hanwha Wisenet IP camera or recorder and third-party ONVIF-compatible systems that accept passive line-level audio. Test audio levels during commissioning to ensure the recorder's input gain is set appropriately — clipping or underdriven levels are common during initial setup and easily corrected via software.

When to Choose a Different Approach

If you need directional pickup (isolating conversation at a single point like a reception desk away from background noise), consider a cardioid or shotgun microphone instead — Hanwha offers alternatives in their audio accessory line. If your ceiling cavity is shallower than 1", recess mounting may not be feasible; surface-mount options exist but are less discrete. For extremely high-noise environments (manufacturing floors, heavy machinery), the 60dB SNR may not provide adequate separation — specify the ambient noise floor (dBA) during evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the HNW-SS-800 require a separate power supply, or can it run on PoE?

A: The HNW-SS-800 requires a dedicated 12Vdc power supply (240mW). It does not support PoE. You can draw 12V from the recorder's auxiliary output if available, or use a separate 12V supply. Verify your recorder's 12V output capacity before wiring — most can supply multiple accessories, but confirm the spec sheet.

Q: Can I run the microphone cable alongside power and video cables?

A: You can, but it's not recommended. Shielded audio cable is grounded to reduce interference, but running it separately from AC power and high-current video feeds minimizes hum and noise ingress. If bundling is necessary, keep the audio cable on the opposite edge of the bundle and use ferrite clamps on the audio cable near the recorder.

Q: What's the maximum cable run length from the microphone to the recorder?

A: Standard 18/2 or 22/2 shielded mic cable can run 50–100 feet without significant signal loss, depending on cable quality and recorder input impedance. Runs beyond 100 feet may require a preamplifier or balanced XLR-to-RCA converter. Consult your recorder's audio input documentation for impedance specifications.

Q: Is the HNW-SS-800 made in the USA?

A: Yes. Domestic sourcing is relevant for compliance environments (government, military, critical infrastructure) where NDAA or TAA compliance is mandated. Verify your contract requirements before ordering.

Q: Will the microphone work in a walk-in freezer or outdoor-covered area?

A: Yes. The operating temperature range is –25°C to 70°C (–13°F to 158°F), so it handles walk-in refrigeration and seasonal outdoor-adjacent spaces. Ensure the 12V power supply itself is rated for the same temperature range — the microphone will work, but the power supply may not.

Q: What audio levels should I expect from the HNW-SS-800?

A: The microphone outputs line-level signals at 2.2kΩ impedance with –38dB ± 2 sensitivity. During commissioning, test the recorder's input gain to avoid clipping on loud transients (cash register, doors slamming) or underdriven levels on quiet speech. Most recorders provide real-time audio metering in the web UI for this purpose.

Ted Perry

Perspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.

The HNW-SS-800 is a solid fit for retail and hospitality environments where ambient audio sync is a compliance requirement — but it's not a universal microphone. The 12-foot omni-directional pattern is its core strength and its limitation. You get full-room coverage with no dead zones, which is exactly what you want in a point-of-sale area or interview room. Where it falls short: if you need to isolate a single speaker or reject background noise, this microphone will capture everything equally, and you'll spend hours in post-processing trying to separate signal from noise.

Technical Highlights:

• 60dB SNR with –38dB ± 2 sensitivity: This combination ensures clean speech capture without excessive system noise. In practice, you're getting forensic-grade intelligibility — dialogue remains clear even when the recorder's input gain is set conservatively to avoid clipping on sudden loud events.
• Line-level output at 2.2kΩ impedance: Direct integration with standard recorder audio inputs eliminates the need for an external preamp or matching transformer. This reduces latency, lowers cost, and simplifies commissioning — fewer components mean fewer failure points.
• 240mW power budget (12Vdc @ 20mA): Low enough to share a 12V rail with other accessories (alarm inputs, relay outputs). Most security recorders can supply 500–1000mA on their auxiliary 12V output — you can run 3–4 of these microphones on a single supply without strain.
• 30Hz–15kHz frequency response: Intentional high-pass filtering at 30Hz rolls off HVAC rumble and floor vibration. The 15kHz ceiling captures voice intelligibility and subtle consonants without wasting storage on ultrasonic noise that adds nothing to the forensic record.

Deployment Considerations:

• Cable routing discipline matters: The shielded cable specification is there for a reason — I've seen installations where unshielded mic cable bundled with power cabling introduced 60Hz hum that required re-runs to fix. Budget extra time for cable layout during the site survey.
• Input gain setup during commissioning is non-negotiable: The microphone's output is fixed; the recorder's input gain is your only control. Test with actual ambient noise (cash registers, foot traffic, doors) to set the gain correctly. Too high = clipping on loud transients; too low = intelligibility loss on quiet speech. This is a 30-minute job that prevents weeks of complaints.
• Temperature range is wide but check your power supply: The microphone itself runs –25°C to 70°C, but most 12V wall supplies are rated 0°C to 40°C. If you're deploying in a walk-in freezer, the power supply, not the microphone, will be your bottleneck. Specify industrial-rated 12V supplies for cold environments.

Deploy the HNW-SS-800 (often searched as HNW SS 800) in retail loss-prevention, hospitality front-desk, and access-control interview scenarios where you need synchronized ambient audio without the complexity of directional pickup or noise cancellation. It's straightforward to install, reliable once configured, and requires minimal maintenance — the right choice when simple omnidirectional coverage is your goal.