Aquarian, Ambient, JrF, Etsy… When you're looking for a hydrophone, prices range from around €70 to over €1,500! To help you see clearly, here's a simple hydrophone comparison, with prices checked on 13 September 2026 and the specifications stated by each manufacturer. We make one of these microphones, so we'll also tell you, honestly, when another model will suit you better.

The comparison at a glance

Key takeaways

Price

At €79.99, our hydrophone costs less than a JrF D-Series+ (about €82) and only slightly more than a hydrophone sold on Etsy (about €70 on average), which usually has a single plug and no accessories. On the other side, the Aquarian H2d comes to about €198 before shipping and taxes, and the Ambient ASF-1 MKII to about €1,788 including VAT.

Shipping

Our microphones ship from France, and we deliver everywhere in Europe and around the world within 7 days. In the European Union, our prices include taxes: nothing extra to pay on delivery. Outside the European Union, import taxes may apply on arrival, as with any purchase from abroad.

Conversely, from the European Union, a JrF comes from the UK and an Aquarian from the US: VAT and import fees may then be added on delivery.

Accessories: what really sets us apart

Aquarian offers a contact microphone adapter. On our hydrophone, six heads screw on in a few seconds: the weight for sinking (supplied), the float, the magnet, the suction cup, the ground spike and the bait. And the same heads also screw onto our geophone!

Connection

Our hydrophone is passive: no power needed, it plugs into any mic input. The Aquarian H2d requires plug-in power or phantom power, the Ambient ASF-1 MKII 48 V. Nothing complicated with a field recorder, but worth checking before you buy.

Plug and cable

Three plugs to choose from with us, in 3 or 8 metres. The JrF comes with a large jack and 5 metres of cable. Aquarian goes up to 15 metres, and Ambient supplies 10 metres of underwater cable.

When to choose another model?

• For scientific measurement : a model with documented sensitivity, such as the Aquarian H2d or the Ambient ASF-1 MKII.
• To go very deep : the Ambient ASF-1 MKII is rated down to 100 m.
• For the tightest budget : a hydrophone sold on Etsy may cost a little less, if a single plug and no accessories are enough for you.

Why choose the Manalive Audio hydrophone?

• Handmade and tested in France
• Three plugs to choose from: mini-jack, large jack or XLR
• 3 or 8 metre cable
• No power needed
• Six interchangeable heads, compatible with our geophone
• Waterproof acoustic gel, from 20 Hz to 80 kHz
• Shipped from France worldwide, taxes included in the European Union

• See the hydrophone versions and prices
• Hydrophone: what is it and how to choose one?
• Geophone comparison: Manalive Audio, LOM and Leaf Audio

Your questions

What is the best hydrophone?

It all depends on the use. For field recording, sound design or creative work, a passive, versatile hydrophone that's easy to plug in is more than enough. For scientific measurement or deep diving, a calibrated professional model makes sense.

Which hydrophone for beginners?

A passive model that plugs into a standard recorder without power, with a plug that matches your device. That's exactly why we offer three plugs to choose from.

Is a hydrophone sold on Etsy worth it?

Some are very well made. Check above all the cable length, the plug, and whether the mic can grow with accessories.

Sources

• Aquarian Audio H2d, manufacturer's website
• Ambient ASF-1 MKII, manufacturer's website
• JrF D-Series+, manufacturer's website