Clarion APX401.4 Stereo Amplifier User Manual
Contents
1. Clarion APX401 4 4 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER OPERATION INSTALLATION MANUAL Clarion 4 Channel Power System Amplifier TABLE OF CONTENTS IntioduUellOfl scopum 2 heim eas 3 Input Connections and Audio Controls 3 Connections for Power and Speakers 5 FADDIICATIONS 5 sss Sete Saee v ene ee tentes 6 instalation 43 dk adn Men 11 Mounting Precautions 11 Wiring Precautions 11 Setting the iau gei estet 13 Setting the Crossover 13 Setting the Bass Boost 13 Final System Checks 14 MOUDIESHOOUNG 5 enw ee eae d 14 Product SDG6S 15 Warranty Information 16 INTRODUCTION The Clarion APX401 4 is a full featured four channel amplifier incorporating the following features Full frequency response with low distortion and exceptional signal to noise performance Advanced circuitry design features bridgeable and mixed mode operations for use in a variety of 4 3 or 2 channel audio systems Independent front and rear low pass or high pass electronic crossovers each with a 12dB per octave slope and full adjustment range from 55Hz to 550Hz Front and 55Hz to 5 5kHz Rear to aid in any audio sy2. The Gain Controls provide a wide adjustment range to accommodate output levels from any brand of source unit Gain Controls Seperate Front and Rear Gain Controls allow you to set the nominal operating level of the amplifier The amplifier s range 250mV to 2 5V for RCA inputs or 500mV to 5V for speaker level inputs can accommodate input levels from virtually any brand of source unit e Bass Boost Control The amplifier also features a high Q i e narrow frequency band Bass Boost circuit It acts much like an equalizer 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 Freq Hz Controls The front crossover frequency is fully adjustable between 55Hz and 550Hz The rear crossover frequency is fully adjustable between 55Hz and 5500Hz via the Rear Crossover Frequency Multiplier for a wider range of crossover points Use this feature along with your speaker manufacturer s recommended crossover frequencies to quickly design a more advanced system NOTE If either of the X Over Mode Switches is set to OFF varying the Freq Hz Control will produce no effect Rear X Over Frequency Multiplier Switch
3. WRITING CLARION CORPORATION AT THE ADDRESS LISTED BELOW 2 This warranty will become void if service performed by anyone other than an approved Clarion Warranty Service Center results in damage to product 3 This warranty does not apply to any product which has been subject to misuse neglect or accident or which has had the serial number altered defaced or removed or which has been connected installed adjusted or repaired other than in accordance with the instructions furnished by Clarion Corporation 4 This warranty does not cover car static or other electrical interferences tape head cleaning or adjustments or labor costs for the removal or reinstallation of the unit for repair 5 The sole responsibility of Clarion Corporation under this Warranty shall be limited to the repair or replacement thereof at the sole discretion of Clarion Corporation 6 If it becomes necessary to send the product or any defective part to Clarion Corporation or an authorized warranty service station the product must be shipped in its original carton or equivalent carton fully insured with shipping charges prepaid Clarion Corporation will not assume any responsibility for any loss or damage incurred in shipping 7 ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW SHALL HAVE NO GREATER DURATION THAN THE WARRANTY PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL CLARION CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE DIRECT OR CO
4. a multiplier of 10 For example 55Hz x 10 550Hz or 550Hz x 10 5 5kHz 3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 for both the front and rear crossovers 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 CAUTION If you hear a pop 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 13 Clarion 4 Channel Power System Amplifier 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 agjusting controls 2 Turn the Balance Controls to their extreme positions and listen to the results Audio output should match control settings audio from the left speaker when balance is left 3 Increase the volume and
5. fire 11 Clarion 4 Channel Power System Amplifier 6 Refer to the Figure 8 when making electrical connections Connect the amplifier s positive lead via a fuse directly to the positive terminal the battery Do not connect this wire to the fuse panel Use red insulat ed 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 amplifiers fuse always use one having the same cur rent rating Substituting a higher rated fuse or a slow blow type can result in serious damage to the amplifier 8 Never ground the speakers to the vehicle chassis or body 9 Make sure that your vehicle s electrical system alternator battery etc is 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 10 To avoid noise problems run the amplifier s positive power lead along one side of the vehicle from 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 11 When creating passage holes for the power wire use grommets to elimi nate any sharp edges created during drilling This will protect the wire from
6. 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 ground 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 Problem Distorted audio Solution Gain is not set properly or damaged speaker cones Review Setting Gain inspect each speaker cone for signs of damage i e frozen cone burning smell etc Owner s Manual 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 pi
7. NSEQUENTIAL ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS OR EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU 8 THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE 9 For instructions on how to obtain warranty service please call 1 800 GO CLARION or visit our web site at www clarion com for a listing of Authorized Warranty Service Centers in your area or contact the Clarion Customer Service Manager at the address listed below Clarion Corporation of America 661 W Redondo Beach Blvd Gardena CA 90247 4201 U S A Clarion Fever SYST er 16 APX401 4 Rev 1 11 01
8. System On Rear Full Range Speakers On Front NOTE Chart values based on 4 ohm speakers Figure 7 The amplifier can be configured for a mixed mode operation on either channels 1 2 or 3 4 amplifier sections 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 Owner s Manual INSTALLATION This section lists Mounting and Wiring Precautions prior to installing the Clarion APX401 4 These safeguards provide enough detail to complete an installation successfully If you do not have the necessary skills do not attempt to install the amplifier yourself Instead see your authorized Clarion dealer for installation recommendations MOUNTING PRECAUTIONS Although the Clarion APX401 4 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 around the amplifier For easy system set up mount the amplifier so the front panel controls can 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
9. When engaged this switch increases the crossover frequency of the rear channels by a factor of 10 Example If the Freq Hz dial is set for 240Hz pushing in the multiplier Switch changes the setting to 2400Hz X Over Mode Switches These switches are equipped with 12dB per octave electronic filters for precise frequency attenuation with minimal phase distortion Each filter is activated by sliding the X Over Mode Switch to either LP or HP Output Mode Switches These switches allow you to set the output mode for front and rear channels Stereo output allows full left and right stereo oper ation Bridged Mode uses a single input Right In to produce a bridged output that is useful in high powered systems L sum mono allows a stereo input to be summed into a mono output Owner s Manual Rear Channel Input Select This switch allows the flexibility of using either 2 or 4 inputs to operate the amplifier e Speaker Level Inputs These provide connections for a high level stereo source These connections are provided for installations when the source unit does not have RCA outputs 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 or improper operation CONNECTIONS FOR POWER AND SPEAKERS The rear panel of the APX401 4 contains power and speaker connections as shown below SENEC 2 G amp o0 1 Left Front Spea
10. any moving air will dissipate heat 2 Mount the amplifier on a rigid surface Avoid mounting to subwoofer enclo sures or areas prone to vibration Do not install the amplifier on plastic or other combustible materials 3 Prior to drilling make sure proposed mounting holes will not cut into the fuel tank fuel lines brake lines under chassis 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 Power switch is in the OFF position 2 Disconnect the negative lead of the battery before making any power connections 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 car chassis to minimize resistance and avoid noise problems Be sure to clean off any paint prior to making this connection 5 Add an external fuse on the amplifier s positive power lead and connect it as close as possible to the vehicle s battery terminal Use a fuse rated to the total current consumption of the amplifier s Adding an external fuse will protect the electrical system from short circuits that can cause a
11. being nicked and causing a short circuit 12 Excess 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 Figure 8 Electrical connections for the APX401 4 12 Owner s Manual 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 Gain Control all the way counter clockwise 2 Turn the vehicle 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 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 APX401 4 features fully adjustable front and rear crossovers To set the crossovers follow these steps 1 Using the X Over Mode Switch select the desired mode LP for Low Pass HP for High Pass or OFF for Full Range 2 Using the Freq Hz Selection Control select the desired frequency If the desired frequency exceeds the range of the Freq Hz Selection Control press the Crossover Frequency Multiplier Switch to increase the value by
12. cking 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 units power wire check alternator and or voltage regulator test for weak battery or add water to battery PRODUCT SPECS Frequency Response 20Hz 20kHz Signal Noise Ratio gt 95db THD 05 all channels driven Input Sensitivity Low Level 250mV 2 5V Input Sensitivity Speaker Level 500mV 5V Max Power Output 380w 190 x 2 Cont Power Output 200w 50w x4 9 0896 THD 2 Ohm Stereo Output 90 x 4 8 THD Bridged Power 190 x 2 8 THD Dimensions 2 1 8 8 1 4 12 Current Consumption 2 46A 380 Watts Power Output 15 WARRANTY INFORMATION This product is warranted against all defects in material workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original purchase Clarion ProAudio products except for speakers are covered by a two year warranty when installed by an authorized Clarion dealer The conditions of this warranty and the extent of responsibility of Clarion Corporation under this warranty are as follows PROOF OF DATE OF PURCHASE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR WARRANTY SERVICE OF THIS PRODUCT IN CASE OF 2 YEAR WARRANTY FOR CLARION PROAUDIO PRODUCT PROOF OF INSTALLATION BY AUTHORIZED DEALER IS REQUIRED INFORMATION ABOUT CLARION AUTHORIZED WARRANTY SERVICE CENTERS MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING OR
13. djustable crossover frequencies for high pass or low pass filtering The amplifier also uses an unregulated MOSFET power supply for superior control of output wattage A toroid coil transformer yields maximum power transfer with minimal heat loss Extensive circuit design keeps AM RFI at low levels so you wont hear unwanted noise when the level is cranked up Protection circuits safeguard the amplifier when overheating speaker shorts or improper load conditions occur All connections and controls are on the end panels and are easy to under stand Gold plated RCA and barrier connectors are used to ensure the best electrical connection for your system Integrated into the endpanel is an external automotive fuse that is easy to replace INPUT CONNECTIONS AND AUDIO CONTROL The front panel of the APX401 4 contains connections for RCA Inputs and Audio Control as shown below Figure 1 0 2 GU d U n a APTAS 12 fis 1 Front RCA Input Jacks 8 Rear Mode Switch 2 Rear RCA Input Jacks 9 Speaker Level Inputs 3 Front Gain Control 10 Front Frequency Control 4 Rear Gain Control 11 Front X Over Mode Switch 5 Bass Boost Control 12 Rear Frequency Control 6 Rear Channel Input Selector 13 Rear Multiplier Switch 7 Front Mode Switch 14 Rear X Over Mode Switch Clarion 4 Channel Power System Amplifier The Input Connections are gold plated RCA Jacks and are labeled as FRONT RIGHT FRONT LEFT REAR RIGHT and REAR LEFT
14. ker Output 5 Battery 12v Input 2 Right Front Speaker Output 6 40 Amp Fuse 3 Remote Turn on Input 7 Left Rear Speaker Output 4 Ground Input 8 Right Rear Speaker Output Clarion 4 Channel Power System Amplifier APPLICATIONS The Clarion APX401 4 4 channel car audio amplifier can be used in a variety of system applications Here are some examples to help plan your own installation 4 Channel Full Range Stereo System FR Ful Range Ri Full Range Figure 3 In this application the APX401 4 is used as a 4 channel amplifier to drive four full range speakers in stereo Owner s Manual 4 Channel Stereo System 2 Channel High Pass 2 Channel Low Pass Figure 4 In this 4 channel system the APX401 4 drives a pair of stereo satellites for the front and a pair of subwoofers for the rear Note the filter settings Clarion 4 Channel Power System Amplifier 2 Channel Stereo System with Low Pass Bridged Mono Channel Figure 5 The APX401 4 can also be used to drive a pair of stereo satellites for the front and a single mono subwoofer for the rear Note the filter settings Owner s Manual 2 Channel High Power System Satellite or Subwoofer L Satale ap Panis FA Ft Satin S7 Yz zs Figure 6 The APX401 4 can be set up a 2 channel high power amplifier to drive a pair of satellites or subwoofers Clarion 4 Channel Power System Amplifier Mixed Mode
15. stem configuration Variable bass boost circuit to reinforce low frequency signals that maybe lost due to subwoofer box design Adjustable input level controls with ground loop isolation which allows a wide range of input signals Remote turn on with soft start muting to prevent turn on thump Pulse width modulated PWM MOSFET power supply with low AM RFI and protection circuits for overheating and speaker shorts 2 ohm load capacity to drive a variety of soeaker systems Gold plated input output connectors and an external automotive type fuse Aluminum heat sink for efficient heat dissipation Low profile compact size for space limited installations ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY To start enjoying your new Clarion four channel amplifier please read the instructions stated in this manual Keep all instructions for future reference Also save your original sales receipt as proof of purchase Owner s Manual DESCRIPTION The Clarion APX401 4 4 channel car audio amplifier is an excellent choice for creating a variety of multi channel sound systems The amplifier features flexi bility of 2 3 or 4 channel system by a flip of a switch You can also configure the front or rear amplifier sections for a mixed mode operation to drive a set of satellite soeakers and or subwoofer The built in 12 dB per octave electronic crossover lets you custom tailor the sound of the front and rear channels using two independent filters with a
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