GRAS 45BB KEMAR Head & Torso, Non-configured

Introduction

The KEMAR head and torso simulator was introduced by Knowles in 1972 and quickly became the industry standard for hearing-aid manufacturers and research audiologists (visit KEMAR.us to read the full story). The GRAS KEMAR has the same dimensions and acoustical properties as the original KEMAR from 1972 and is 100% backward compatible.

When fitted with pinna simulator, ear canal extension, and IEC 60318-4 Ear Simulator, KEMAR closely mimics the acoustic properties of the human ear.

KEMAR meets the international standards as specified by IEC: 60318-7 and ANSI: S3.36, S3.25.

The 45BB KEMAR is a non-configured KEMAR – without a mouth simulator. The 45BC KEMAR is identical, except that it has a built-in Mouth Simulator. Read more about 45BC KEMAR here.

Design

Anthropometric Head and Torso

The major difference between KEMAR and the standard commercially available head and torso simulators (HATS) is that KEMAR is built on large statistical research of the average human body – meaning that the KEMAR has the same acoustical properties as an average human, including distinct facial features. Therefore it provides acoustic diffraction similar to that encountered around the median human head and torso, both in the proximity and in the far-field. Because of its anthropometric shape, it does so more realistically than any other manikin. KEMAR is the only manikin with a changeable ear-to-shoulder ratio simulating both male and female median values.

True to the Legacy – but Improved 

The current KEMAR has the same dimensions and acoustical properties as the original KEMAR, but has been developed further by GRAS to meet the industry’s demand for realistic measurements. Today, more than 40 years after its inception KEMAR can test any device that contains both loudspeakers and microphones as well as perform binaural recordings of product sound and music.

At GRAS, we safeguard KEMAR’s legacy, but are also continuously expanding the range of features and functionalities leading to new applications and uses – without compromising KEMAR’s original form.

In 2013, KEMAR underwent a substantial rejuvenation that introduced major improvements to build quality, user-friendliness and configurability. KEMAR’s previous fiberglass construction was updated to a plastic composite that provides a more user-friendly and ruggedized construction. At the same time, many other improvements were introduced, making KEMAR much easier to configure, calibrate and service.

Ease of Use

The interior of KEMAR’s head can be accessed easily by pushing a button and lifting the scalp.

The transducers are mounted and removed by a simple snap-fit mechanism.

Standard pinnae are push mounted from the outside. The anthropometric pinnae, however, are secured from the inside by two screws in addition to the push mounting.

A scale around KEMAR’s neck indicates the head angle and allows for repeatable measurements.

In most cases, calibration can be done from the outside without dismantling the ear simulator(s). However, for some configurations – with microphones and anthropometric pinnae –  dismounting of the transducers before calibration is necessary.

The interior of KEMAR’s head can be accessed easily by pushing a button and lifting the scalp.

Mounting the neck is a simple push fit.

The transducers are mounted and removed by a simple snap-fit mechanism.

A scale around KEMAR’s neck indicates the head angle and allows for repeatable measurements.

Standard pinnae are push mounted from the outside. The anthropometric pinnae, however, are secured from the inside by two screws in addition to the push mounting.

In most cases, calibration can be done from the outside without dismantling the ear simulator(s).

Cabling and Connections

All internal cabling is factory mounted. The sockets for connection to ear simulators or microphones are easily accessible at the top of the neck, the sockets for connection to instrumentation are located at the lower back.

Mounting Options

KEMAR is delivered with two tripod adapters, one for tripods with 3/8” thread and one for ø35 mm loudspeaker stands.

Typical Applications and Use

A Multi-configurable Test Tool

The 45BB KEMAR Head and Torso, non-configured is a KEMAR without any application-specific accessories. As such, this KEMAR is intended for customers who want to reuse accessories already in their possession. But the non-configured KEMAR is also the core of all configured 45BB KEMARs.

The main application-specific accessories are:

• 60318-4 ear simulators, both externally polarized and  prepolarized
• A low-noise ear simulation system, externally polarized
• ½ inch or ¼  inch. microphones, externally polarized and  prepolarized
• Preamplifiers selected to match the actual configuration
• Straight and conical ear canal extensions, made from steel
• Straight and conical ear canal extensions, made from POM
• 12 different standard pinnae, small and large, soft and hard, normal or VA-style
• 2 anthropometric pinnae, with anthropometric concha and ear canal.

With these, KEMAR can be configured for a wide range of both standard and special applications, making it the most versatile manikin for in-situ anthropometric testing today.

KEMAR is used in various industries around the world and is the recognized industry-standard for in-situ anthropomorphic testing in the fields of:

• Hearing aid testing
• Ear and headphone testing
• Sound recording and sound-quality evaluation

A KEMAR with Mouth Simulator can be configured for headset testing and telephone test. Read more here.

KEMAR is available in a number of configurations that are delivered fully assembled, tested and calibrated as complete out-of-the-box systems. Each configuration is optimized for a specific application, with transducer(s), preamplifiers, pinna simulators, and cables and accessories.

The pre-configured KEMARs are listed below:

KEMAR for Hearing Aid test

Single-channel Test of Hearing Aids

For single-channel testing of hearing aids, a LEMO version and a CCP version are available. They are configured with a 60318-4 ear simulator and large pinnae 55 Shore OO. Read more here:

GRAS 45BB-1 KEMAR for Hearing Aid test, 1-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BB-2 KEMAR for Hearing Aid test, 1-Ch CCP

Test of Binaural Hearing Aids

For testing of binaural hearing aids that use RF communication, similarly configured KEMARs are available, but these use non-metal (POM) ear canal extensions and ear holder plates that do not interfere with RF communication. Read more here:

GRAS 45BB-7 KEMAR for Test of Binaural Hearing Aid, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BB-8 KEMAR for Test of Binaural Hearing Aid, 2-Ch CCP

KEMAR for Ear and Headphone Test

Testing of Ear and Headphones

For ear and headphone testing, a KEMAR configured with 60318-4 ear simulators and standard large straight pinnae 55 Shore OO is available, both in a LEMO and a CCP version. Read more here:

GRAS 45BB-5 KEMAR for Ear and Headphone Test, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BB-6 KEMAR for Ear and Headphone Test, 2-Ch CCP

Testing of Ear and Headphones with Anthropometric Pinnae

For testing of modern in-ear type ear and headphones, a KEMAR configured with 60318-4 ear simulators and anthropometric pinnae 35 Shore OO is available. Both a LEMO and a CCP version are available. The anthropometric pinna introduces better fit and repeatability when testing anthropometrically shaped insert types of ear and headphones. Read more here:

GRAS 45BB-9 KEMAR with Anthropometric Pinnae for Ear and Headphone Test, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BB-10 KEMAR with Anthropometric Pinnae for Ear and Headphone Test, 2-Ch CCP

Low-noise Testing of Ear and Headphones

For low-noise testing of ear and headphones, a single channel and a dual-channel version are available. The combination of a special low-noise version of the ear simulator and the anthropometric pinnae introduces major improvements to fit, accuracy, repeatability, and low- and high-frequency performance when testing ear and headphones. This KEMAR can also test at or below the threshold of human hearing. It is available for single and dual-channel testing. The low-noise artificial ear is available in a LEMO version only. Read more here:

GRAS 45BB-11 KEMAR with Anthropometric Pinnae for Low-noise Ear and Headphone Test, 1-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BB-12 KEMAR with Anthropometric Pinnae for Low-noise Ear and Headphone Test, 2-Ch LEMO

High-frequency Testing of Ear and Headphones with Anthropometric Pinnae

For testing of modern in-ear type ear and headphones, a KEMAR configured with high-frequency ear simulators and anthropometric pinnae 35 Shore OO is available. The high-frequency ear simulators extend the useful frequency range to 20 kHz. Both a LEMO and a CCP version are available. The anthropometric pinnae introduce better fit and repeatability when testing anthropometrically shaped insert types of ear and headphones. Read more here:

GRAS 45BB-13 KEMAR for High-Frequency Test of Ear and Headphones, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BB-14 KEMAR for High-Frequency Test of Ear and Headphones, 2-Ch CCP

Hi-Res Testing of Ear and Headphones with Anthropometric Pinnae

For testing of modern in-ear type ear and headphones, a KEMAR configured with hi-res ear simulators and anthropometric pinnae 35 Shore OO is available. The hi-res ear simulators extend the useful frequency range to 50 kHz. Both a LEMO and a CCP version are available. The anthropometric pinnae introduce better fit and repeatability when testing anthropometrically shaped insert types of ear and headphones. Read more here:

GRAS 45BB-15 KEMAR for High-Frequency Test of Ear and Headphones, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BB-16 KEMAR for High-Frequency Test of Ear and Headphones, 2-Ch CCP

KEMAR for Sound Quality Recording

A KEMAR configured with 1/2″ pressure microphones for sound quality evaluation and recording is available, both in a LEMO and a CCP version. Read more here:

GRAS 45BB-3 KEMAR for Sound Quality Recording, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BB-4 KEMAR for Sound Quality Recording, 2-Ch CCP

KEMAR with Mouth Simulator

In addition to the 45BB KEMARs, a number of pre-configured KEMARs with mouth simulator are available. These are:

GRAS 45BC-1 KEMAR for Headset Test, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BC-2 KEMAR for Headset Test, 2-Ch CCP

GRAS 45BC-3 KEMAR for Telephone Test, 1-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BC-4 KEMAR for Telephone Test, 1-Ch CCP

GRAS 45BC-9 KEMAR with Mouth Simulator and Anthropometric Pinnae for Headset Test, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BC-10 KEMAR with Mouth Simulator and Anthropometric Pinnae for Headset Test, 2-Ch CCP

GRAS 45BC-11 KEMAR with Mouth Simulator and Anthropometric Pinnae for Low-noise Headset Test, 1-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BC-12 KEMAR with Mouth Simulator and Anthropometric Pinnae for Low-noise Headset Test, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BC-13 KEMAR for High-Frequency Headset Test, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BC-14 KEMAR for High-Frequency Headset Test, 2-Ch CCP

GRAS 45BC-15 KEMAR for Hi-Res Headset Test, 2-Ch LEMO

GRAS 45BC-16 KEMAR for Hi-Res Headset Test, 2-Ch CCP

Performance and Warranty

KEMAR is made of components from our standard portfolio and is manufactured of high-quality material and branded parts that were chosen and processed to ensure life-long stability and robustness. This enables us to offer 2 years warranty against defective materials and workmanship.
Exceptions: Microphones included in KEMAR as for these our normal 5-year warranty apply. The warranty period for cables is 6 months.