Clarion APX400.2M User's Manual
Contents
1. Cag ee che line 2300 225 Segessese 2252558 ees 33888 EE SS oe z E ES Clarion APX400 2M Power System Amplifier INTRODUCTION The Clarion APX400 2M is a full featured two channel amplifier incorporating the following features e Full frequency response with low distrotion and exceptional signal to noise performance e Advanced circuit design that features bridgeable and mixed mode operation for use 1n various systems including those with satellite speakers and or subwoofers e Variable high pass low pass electronic crossover with a 12dB per octave slope and full adjustable range from 55Hz to 5 5kHz to aid in audio system design e Variable bass boost circuit to reinforce low frequency signals that may be lost due to subwoofer box design e Adjustable input level controls with ground loop isolation accepting a wide range of input signals e Remote turn on with soft start muting to prevent turn on thump e Pulse Width Modulated PWM MOSFET power supply with low AM RFI and protection circuits for overheating and speaker shorts e 2 ohm load capability to drive a variety of speaker systems e Gold plated input output connectors and an extenal automotive type fuse e Aluminum heat sink for efficient heat dissipation e Low profile compact size for space limited installations ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY To start enjoying your new Clarion two channel amplifier please read the instructions2. gt PRODUCT SPECS APX400 2M A Frequency Response 20Hz 20kHz ni Signal Noise Ratio gt 98db A THD 05 all channels driven LJ Input Sensitivity Low Level 250mV 2 5 V pl Input Sensitivity Speaker Level 500mV 5V RA Max Power Output 380w 190 x 2 Cont Power Output 200w 100w x 2 08 THD O 2 Ohm Stereo Output 190 x 2 0 05 THD A Bridged Power 280 x 10 05 THD E Dimensions 2 1 8 H x 8 1 4 W x 12 L Current Consumption at output max power 43A 382 Watts 12 OWNERS MANUAL NOTES 13 Clarion CAR AUDIO BEYOND 661 W Redondo Beach Blvd Gardena CA 90247 1 800 GO CLARION www clarion usa com APX400 2M 10 Rev 2 05 00
3. high Q i e narrow frequency band Bass Boost circuit It acts much like an equlaizer with adjustable gain from 0 to 18dB fixed at 45Hz Use this feature to tune low frequency audio response to compensate for a less than ideal subwoofer enclosure design The added boost produces rich full bass tones that are normally difficult to reproduce in the car audio environment NOTE If Bass Boost is undesired set Bass Boost to OdB High pass Low pass Filter Controls e Frequency Hz Selection Control The crossover frequency is fully adjustable between 55Hz and 5500Hz via the Crossover Frequency Multiplier for a wide range of crossover points Use this feature along with your speaker manufacturer s recommended crossover frequencies to quickly design a more advanced system see Applications on page 5 NOTE If the X Over Mode Switch is set to OFF varying the Freq Hz Control will produce no effect e Crossover Frequency Multiplier Switch When engaged this switch increases the crossover frequency by a factor of 10 Example If the Freq Hz dial is set for 240 Hz pushing in the Multiplier Switch changes the setting to 2400 Hz e X Over Mode Switch This switch is equipped with a 12dB per octave electronic filter for precise frequency attenuation with minimal phase distortion The steep crossover slope keeps midrange tones out of the subwoofer and thereby eliminates an unnatural nasal tone quality in the audio system A fi
4. Gain Control all the way counter clockwise 2 Turn the vessel s Ignition Switch to the ON position Then turn the ON OFF Switch on the source units to the ON position Set all Tone or Equalization Controls to flat positions and turn Loudness off 3 Play a CD or Tape and set the Volume Control at 75 of full level NOTE If the system uses an equalizer set its frequency controls to flat positions 4 Slowly increase the Gain Control Stop when you hear a slight distortion of audio SETTING THE CROSSOVER The Clarion APX400 2M features a fully adjustable crossover To set the crossover follow these steps 1 Using the X Over Mode Switch select the desired mode LP for Low Pass HP for High Pass and OFF for Full Range 2 Using the Freq Hz Control select the desired frequency If the desired frequency exceeds the range of the Freq Hz Control press the Crossover Frequency Multiplier Switch to increase the value by a multiplier of 10 For example 55Hz x 10 550Hz or 550Hz x 10 5 5kHz SETTING THE BASS BOOST 1 Initially set the Bass Boost control to its full left position i e OdB 2 Listen to a variety of music styles e g Rock Rap etc and slowly increase the Bass Boost control until a noticeable increase in low bass response is perceived 3 Slowly adjust the Bass Boost control up or down to realize the best bass response O A gt tan E aa A CAUTION If you hear a pop
5. amplifier is bridged for mono operation to drive a subwoofer OWNERS MANUAL 2 Channel Full Range Satellite or Subwoofer Stereo System Set INPUT SELECT Switch to STEREO nt et ff ni STA i 4 tl Set X Over Mode as shown 1H En wb b i adjust FREQ to speaker specifications L Saal iba A Saale TT L Maat mj Dn Set X Over Mode as shown adjust FREQ to speaker specifications y EEEN WFH fis i E LJ oy ES LF am op S gt gt Figure 4 In this application the amplifier is used in stereo and drives two full range or satellite or subwoofer speakers NOTE A passive crossover must be used with satellite speakers Clarion APX400 2M Power System Amplifier Mixed Mode Satellite and Subwoofer System Set INPUT SELECT Switch to STEREO PAS LEFT i HHEH t Bs 5 ua E Ga Dm esi iFa FREQ hz L mH CADETE Para kaj PARAEMCY e ES 115 ULTIPLJER Fi E A ue we are EE Set X Over Mode to OFF NOTE Chart values based on 4 ohm speakers Figure 5 The amplifier can be configured for a mixed mode operation The table provides component values to create a 6dB per octave crossover at specified frequencies Use components that have a 5 tolerance and capacitors rated at 100V NOTE Choose the same frequency for both LP and HP crossovers Do not overlap frequencies as this may damage the amplifier A Q bo S A A x OWNERS MANUAL INSTALLAT
6. can result in serious damage to the amplifier 8 Make sure that your vessel s electrical system alternator battery etc 18 capable of handling the additional load If you are planning a multi amplifier system you may need to add a second battery and possibly upgrade the alternator with a higher output rated model Consult your authorized Clarion dealer for recommendations 9 To avoid noise problems run the amplifier s positive power lead along one side of the vessel to the battery Run the remote turn on wire and RCA audio cables down the center and route the speaker wires along the remaining side If wires must cross run them perpendicular to each other 10 When creating passage holes for the power wire use grommets to eliminate any sharp edges created during drilling This will protect the wire from being nicked and causing a short circuit 11 Extra cable can cause signal loss and act as an antenna for noise Use only high quality RCA cables that are no longer than necessary to make a direct connection with the source unit or equalizer OWNERS MANUAL BATTERY Chasis Grou Bere Metal Remote Turn on Right Speaker sr Left Speaker Figure 6 Electrical connections for the APX400 2M Clarion APX400 2M Power System Amplifier SETTING THE GAIN After completing the installation follow these steps to set the Gain Control and then perform the Final System Checks 1 Turn the
7. due to speaker over excursion lower the Bass Boost to prevent speaker damage If the system sounds muddy and distorted due to amplifier clipping lower Bass Boost to avoid shutdown from overheating 10 OWNERS MANUAL FINAL SYSTEM CHECKS 1 Start the engine and turn on the source unit After a two second delay slowly increase the Volume Control and listen to the audio If you hear any noise static distortion or no sound at all check the connections and also refer to Troubleshooting Depending on your system design the levels may become quite loud even at low Volume Control settings Until you get an audio feel of the system s power use care when adjusting controls 2 Turn the Balance Controls to their extreme positions and listen to the results Audio imaging should match control settings audio from the left speaker when balance is left 3 Increase the volume and verify that the amplifier reproduces audio at full frequencies without distortion If you hear distortion check the connections and verify that the Gain Control is set correctly Another possibility is damaged speakers or under powered speakers Once again refer to Troubleshooting for additional help TROUBLESHOOTING Problem No Audio Solution Low or no remote turn on voltage Check remote connections at amplifier and source unit Blown amplifier fuse Replace with new fast blow fuse same rating Power wires not connected Check battery and g
8. ION This section lists Mounting and Wiring Precautions for installing a Clarion APX400 2M marine amplifier Combined with the experience of a professional installer these safeguards provide enough detail to successfully complete an installation If you do not have the necessary skills do not install the amplifier yourself Instead see your authorized Clarion dealer for installation recommendations MOUNTING PRECAUTIONS Although the Clarion APX400 2M incorporates heat sinks and protection circuits mounting the amplifier in a tight space without any air movement can still damage internal circuitry over time Choose a site that provides adequate ventilation and is isolated from the marine environment For easy system set up mount the amplifier so the front panel controls will be accessible after installation In addition observe the following precautions 1 For the most efficient cooling mount the amplifier so cool air runs along the length of the fins rather than across them Remember any moving air will dissipate heat 2 Mount the amplifier on a rigid surface Avoid mounting to subwoofer enclosures or areas prone to vibration 3 Prior to drilling make sure proposed mounting holes will not cut into the fuel tank fuel lines or electrical wiring WIRING PRECAUTIONS Read all wiring precautions If you are not sure of the connections contact your authorized Clarion dealer 1 Before installation make sure the source unit Pow
9. er supply for superior control of output wattage A toroid coil transformer yields maximum power transfer with minimum heat loss Careful attention to circuit design keeps AM RFI at low levels so you won t hear unwanted noise when the level is cranked up Protection circuits safeguard the amplifier when overheating and speaker shorts or improper load conditions occur All connections and controls of the APX400 2M are on the end panels and are easy to understand We use gold plated RCA and barrier connectors to ensure the best electrical connection for your system Included is an external automotive type fuse that is easy to replace INPUT CONNECTIONS AND AUDIO CONTROLS The front panel of the APX400 2M contains connections for RCAInputs Speaker Level Inputs and Audio Controls as shown below The RCAInput Connections are gold plated RCA Jacks and are labeled as RIGHT and LEFT gt A T Y S 1 RCA Input Jacks 5 Crossover Frequency Multiplier Switch 2 Gain Control 6 X Over Mode Switch 3 Bass Boost Control 7 Input Select Switch 4 Freq Hz Selection Control 8 Speaker Level Inputs Clarion APX400 2M Power System Amplifier Gain Control This allows you to set the nominal operating level of the amplifier The amplifier s range 250mV to 2 5V for RCA inputs or 500mV to SV for speaker level inputs can accommodate input levels from virtually any brand of source unit e Bass Boost Control The amplifier also features a
10. er switch is in the OFF position 2 Disconnect the negative lead of the battery before making any power connections Manny r D D S 3 When making connections be sure that each connection is clean and secure Insulate final connections with electrical tape or shrink tubing Failure to do so may damage your equipment 4 A secure clean ground connection is critical to the performance of your Clarion amplifier Use the shortest ground wire possible and securely connect to the vessel battery to minimize resistance and avoid noise problems Clarion APX400 2M Power System Amplifier 5 Add an external fuse on the amplifier s positive power lead and connect it as close as possible to the vessel s battery terminal Use a rating that equals the total current consumption at full output of all amplifiers in the system Adding an external fuse will protect the electrical system from short circuits that can cause a fire 6 Refer to Figure 6 when making electrical connections Connect the amplifier s positive lead via a fuse directly to the positive terminal on the battery Do not connect this wire to the vessel s fuse panel Use red insulated 10 gauge or larger wire for the amplifier s positive power lead and the same gauge black insulated wire for the ground 7 When replacing the amplifier s fuse always use one having the same current rating Substituting a higher rated fuse or a slow blow type
11. listed in this manual Keep all instructions for future reference Please fill out and send in the enclosed warranty card to protect your purchase and aid in warranty service Also save your original sales receipt as proof of purchase TABLE OF CONTENTS Description e 000000000000000000000000 00000000 Input Connections and Audio Controls eeeeeeeceeeeoeeoeeoeoeoe Connections for Power and Speakers eeeeeeeoeoeeoeoeoeooeoe 3 Applications e eeeeeeeeveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeveeevoee 4 Installation eeeececseceseceseecesecesecesecesecesecsesecesecesecsesecesecsesecseecsesese 7 Mounting Precautions ee eeeeeeeoeeoeoeeoeeoeoeoeoeoeooeooeoeo 7 Wiring Precautions eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeoeeeeeeeeoeeoo 7 Setting the Gain e 0 00000000000000000000 0 0 0 0000 Setting the Crossover e 00 000000000000000000000 0 0 0 0 Setting the Bass Boost e 0 000000000000000000000 0 0000 Final System Checks eeeeeeeeeveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeoee Troubleshooting eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeveeeeeoee Product Specseeeeeeeeeeveeeeeeveeeeeeevoeeeeeeeoeee 12 Notes 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000060 13 Q e Q lt OWNERS MANUAL DESCRIPTION The Clarion APX400 2M two channel amplifier provides 2x70 watts of power into a 4 ohm load and 2x110 watts of power into a 2 ohm load This full featured model is an excellent choice for a variety of marine audio sound system configurations The APX400 2M uses an unregulated MOSFET pow
12. lter is activated by sliding the X Over Mode Switch to either LP or HP Input Mode Switch This switch allows you to set the input mode Stereo input allows full left and right stereo operation Right bridged input allows single channel input for bridged operation This is especially useful in high powered systems when using one amplifier for each subwoofer speaker L R sum mono allows a stereo input to be summed into a mono output Wy S bo i 3 e Speaker Level Inputs These provide connections for a high level stereo source In addition these connections are provided for installations where the source unit s RCA outputs are unavailable WARNING When using the speaker high level inputs the Black wire must be grounded at the Radio Failure to do this will result in noise and improper operation OWNERS MANUAL CONNECTIONS FOR POWER AND SPEAKERS The rear panel of the APX400 2M contains power and speaker connections as shown below Figure 2 1 Left Speaker Output 4 Ground Input 2 Right Speaker Output 5 Battery 12V Input 3 Remote Turn on Input 6 25 Amp Fuse A 2 e S a Clarion APX400 2M Power System Amplifier APPLICATIONS The Clarion APX400 2M 2 channel marine audio amplifier can be used in a variety of system applications Here are some examples to help plan your own installation Bridged Mono Subwoofer System A Q ba y md A A x Figure 3 In this application the
13. round wiring at amplifier also check battery connections Speaker leads shorted Check speaker continuity to ground it should not show a common ground Speakers not connected or are blown Check speaker connections at amplifier measure coil impedance Problem Audio cycles on and off Solution Thermal protection circuits are shutting amplifier off Check location for adequate ventilation consult an authorized Clarion Audio Dealer Fr La E Q a 11 Clarion APX400 2M Power System Amplifier Problem Distorted audio Solution Gain 1s not set properly or damaged speaker cones Review Setting Gain inspect each speaker cone for signs of damage i e frozen cone burning smell Audio lacks punch Solution Speakers wired incorrectly which causes cancellation of bass frequencies Check polarity of wires from amplifier to each speaker as defined by the system design Problem Amplifier fuse keeps blowing Solution Incorrect wiring or short circuit Review Installation and check all wiring connections Problem Whining or ticking noise in the audio with engine on Solution Amplifier is picking up alternator noise or radiated noise Turn down input gain move audio cables away from power wires Check power and ground connections on amplifier install an in line noise filter on source unit s power wire check alternator and or voltage regulator test for weak battery or add water to battery
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search