18Gbps 4K60 HDMI Audio Extractor with Optical 5.1 and Analog Stereo Out, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Pass-Through
KanexPro HAECOAX3 18Gbps 4K60 HDMI audio extractor: Toslink optical 5.1 and 3.5mm stereo out, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X HDMI pass-through, 10-bit HDR, HDCP 2.2…
Need sound from a 4K HDMI source to reach a soundbar, AV receiver or amplifier that has no HDMI input? The KanexPro HAECOAX3 is a 3rd-generation 4K HDMI audio extractor. It passes 18Gbps HDMI 2.0b video, up to 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 with 10-bit HDR, through to the display. At the same time it sends the audio to an S/PDIF Toslink optical output and a 3.5mm analog L/R output. The optical output carries LPCM 2CH, and 5.1 as Dolby Digital or DTS (2/5.1CH). The analog output is stereo 2CH, up to 192kHz at 24-bit. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio pass through on the HDMI output only. They do not come out of the optical or analog outputs. A front-panel 3-position switch (TV / Bitstream / 2CH) sets the audio format. Something that surprises people: 4K@60Hz at 4:4:4 and 12-bit is more than 18Gbps, so set the source to 4:2:2 or 10-bit. HDCP 2.2 and CEC pass through. The HAECOAX3 takes audio from HDMI sources such as Blu-ray players, game consoles and streamers, not from a TV's ARC port. For ARC use the AUD-DEBED-8K, and for eARC the AUD-EARC-8K.
- 4K/60 HDMI audio extractor: Toslink optical (up to 5.1) and 3.5mm analog stereo outputs
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X pass through on the HDMI output via High Bit Rate (HBR) audio
- 18Gbps bandwidth — full HDMI 2.0b specification compliance
- Video resolutions up to 4K@50/60Hz (YUV 4:4:4), 4K@30Hz, 1080P@120Hz, 1080P 3D@60Hz
- 10-bit HDR (High Dynamic Range) pass-through; 4:4:4 at 12-bit exceeds 18Gbps at 4K@60Hz, so use 4:2:2 or 10-bit
- Front-panel 3-position switch: TV / Bitstream / LPCM 2CH audio mode selection
- HDMI audio pass-through: LPCM 2/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, DTS 5.1, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
- Optical audio output: LPCM 2CH, Dolby Digital 2/5.1CH, DTS 2/5.1CH
- Analog L/R output: stereo 2CH, up to 192kHz at 24-bit
- HDCP 2.2 compliant with automatic input cable equalization
Specifications| HDMI Compliance | HDMI 2.0b |
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| HDCP Compliance | HDCP 2.2 and HDCP 1.4 |
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| Video Bandwidth | 18Gbps |
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| Video Resolution | Up to 4K@50/60Hz (YUV 4:4:4); 4K@30Hz; 1080P@120Hz; 1080P 3D@60Hz |
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| Color Space | RGB, YCbCr 4:4:4, YCbCr 4:2:2 |
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| Color Depth | 10-bit, 12-bit |
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| HDR | 10-bit HDR (High Dynamic Range) pass-through |
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| HDMI Audio (Pass-through) | LPCM 2/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X |
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| Optical Audio Output | LPCM 2CH, Dolby Digital 2/5.1CH, DTS 2/5.1CH |
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| L/R Audio Output | Analog Stereo 2CH |
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| Audio Sampling Rate | Up to 192kHz (24-bit, 2CH) |
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| ESD Protection | ±8kV Air-gap discharge; ±4kV Contact discharge |
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| Input | 1× HDMI Type A [19-pin female] |
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| Output | 1× HDMI Type A [19-pin female]<br>1× L/R Audio Out [3.5mm Stereo Mini-jack]<br>1× Optical Out [S/PDIF Toslin |
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| Dimensions | 73.5mm [W] × 60.7mm [D] × 17mm [H] |
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| Weight | 0.28 lb (~127g) |
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| Housing | Metal Enclosure — Black |
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| Power Supply | Input: AC 100–240V 50/60Hz; Output: DC 5V/1A (CE/FCC/UL certified) |
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| Power Consumption | 1W (Max) |
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| Operating Temperature | 0°C – 40°C / 32°F – 104°F |
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| Storage Temperature | -20°C – 60°C / -4°F – 140°F |
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| Relative Humidity | 20–90% RH (non-condensing) |
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| Includes | 1× HAECOAX3 18Gbps Audio Extractor<br>1× 5V/1A Power Adapter |
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Questions
- Which audio formats can it extract?
- Optical output carries LPCM 2CH, Dolby Digital 2/5.1CH and DTS 2/5.1CH; the analog output is stereo 2CH. HDMI pass-through covers LPCM 2/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital Plus.
- Does it support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
- Yes, through High Bit Rate audio pass-through on the HDMI output.
- What is in the box?
- The HAECOAX3 18Gbps audio extractor and a 5V/1A power supply.
- What is the video bandwidth and maximum resolution?
- 18Gbps, full HDMI 2.0b compliance, up to 4K@50/60Hz YUV 4:4:4, 4K@30Hz and 1080P@120Hz, with HDCP 2.2 and 1.4.
- Does HDR survive the extractor?
- Yes, 10-bit HDR passes through, with RGB, YCbCr 4:4:4 and YCbCr 4:2:2 colour space at 10-bit or 12-bit depth.
- How is it powered?
- An included CE/FCC/UL certified AC 100-240V to DC 5V/1A supply. It draws 1W at most.
- How large is the unit?
- 73.5mm x 60.7mm x 17mm in a black metal enclosure, 0.28 lb (about 127g).
- The analog stereo output sounds wrong on a surround source.
- The L/R output is stereo 2CH. A 5.1 or 7.1 bitstream must be sent to the optical output, or the source set to output stereo.
- The display lost picture after adding the extractor.
- Check the source is within 18Gbps. 4K@60Hz at 4:4:4 and 12-bit exceeds that budget; 4:2:2 or 10-bit stays inside it.
- What is the audio sampling rate on the analog output?
- Up to 192kHz at 24-bit, 2CH.