QUALITY, RELIABILITY, & PURE BLISS 4000 WATT RMS CLASS D COMPETITION AMP A4KDN OPERATING INTSTRUCTIONS PLEASE RETAIN MANUAL FOR FUTRE USE AND REFERENCE The Audiobahn Way To bring the product to market that excites the consumer through sound and vision from an orientation of integrity and customer service. We make you look as good as you sound. We strive to take car audio to an extreme the world has never seen, and a world that never stops evolving. Audiobahn was established in 1997 with one long-term goal in mind, "Build it Bigger, Badder, & Better, and the people will take notice!" We back this statement with an engineering team that has brought home several Innovations, Design & Engineering Showcase Awards, and a marketing team from around the world that spends countless hours developing our no compromise products to satisfy the most discriminating enthusiasts. Our global manufacturing facilities feature ISO9002 ratings (the highest level of quality control awarded in the electronics manufacturing industry), fully robotic assembly lines and a state of the art, California based R & D laboratory. Due to overwhelming response from our competitors, and our goal to participate in even more events this year, we created *"TEAM AUDIOBAHN." This organization is designed to create a support network along with shirts and perks for team members. "TEAM AUDIOBAHN" is not only for the diehard competitor, but also for anyone that loves car audio as much as we do. With four levels of play, one is right for you to get started in the Audiobahn family. Our Technical Department and entire staff look to strive above and beyond the rest of the pack by going that extra mile to help you out. Whether you happen to be a veteran competitor, or a beginner car audio enthusiast who does not know a voice coil from a spider. We are all her to help you get the best system you can with what you have. Judge for yourself, and remember what it's all about, "If it's not Bigger, Badder & Better, it's not Audiobahn." If audio is your life, Audiobahn is the brand for you! We make you look as good as you sound. People never stop trying to get the best product, so we will never stop making it. *To learn more about "TEAM AUDIOBAHN" please give us a call, see our website at website at www.audiobahn.com, or email us at team@audiobahn.com to learn about all the details. Table of Contents Table of Contents Introduction Features and Specifications Control and Functions Planning / Mounting Your System Wiring Diagram Bridging 2 Amplifiers Adjusting and Tuning Troubleshooting Warning and Disclaimer Warranty 3 4 5-10 11 12 13-14 15 16 17 18-19 2 Introduction Dear Customer, Congratulations on your purchase of the worlds finest brand of car audio products. Here at Audiobahn Inc. we are devoted to making our musical reproduction the very best, and we are pleased you have chosen our product. Through years of engineering expertise, hand craftsmanship, and critical testing procedures, we have created a wide range of products that reproduce music with all the clarity and richness you deserve. For maximum performance we recommend you have your Audiobahn product installed by an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer, as we provide specialized training through our Audiobahn Installer Training Programs. Please read your warranty, keep your receipt, and original carton for possible future use. Great products and proper installation are only a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to your system. Make sure that your installer is using only 100% authentic installation accessories from the Audiobahn Connections. The Audiobahn line has everything ranging from the smallest terminal, to power wires up to 0 gauge, and 4 channel RCA cables. To get a free brochure on Audiobahn products in the U.S. call (714) 988-0400 or e-mail us at sales@audiobahninc.com. WARNING Continuous exposure to sound pressure levels over 100 dB may cause permanent hearing loss. High powered autosound systems may produce sound pressure levels well over 135dB. Need we say more! Use common sense. If after reading this manual, you still have questions regarding your product, we recommend that you see your nearest Audiobahn Dealer. A list of Authorized Audiobahn Dealers can be found on our web page. If you need further assistance, feel free to call us at (800)488-8595 and ask for the Technical Department. Be sure to have the model number, date of purchase, and invoice number available when you call. The model number can be located on the outside of the carton. Record this in the space provided below along with the date of purchase. It is a good idea to keep your receipt with this, as you will need it in the case of a warranty repair or exchange. Model Number:___________________ Date of Purchase: _____________________ 3 Features and Specifications > Class D MOSFET Amplifier > Multi-Stranded Power Supply Toroids > Double-Sided Glass Epoxy Circuit Board > Remote Bass Control with BLUE Backlight Knob > Large Display Volt meter with BLUE Illumination > 4-Way protection circuitry: Thermal, Short circuit, Over load , and DC Offsct > Dual Cooling FANS > Cobalt BLUE Illumination > Chrome Flame FAN Grills > High Gloss Chrome-Plated Finish > Nickel-plated Block Terminals > RMS Power , INTO 4 Ohms 2000W Mono > RMS Power , INTO 2 Ohms 3000W Mono > RMS Power , INTO 1 Ohms 4000W Mono > THD at 1 Watt , 4 Ohm 0.05% > Input sensitivity 200mV-8V > Frequency response, at 1 Watt, 4 Ohm 15Hz~150Hz (+/-3dB) > Variable Low Pass Filter 50Hz~150Hz, 24dB/Octave > Variable Subsonic Filter 15Hz~40Hz, 24dB/Octave > Variable Bass Boost Control 0~ +18dB > Phase Shift Control 0~180 degree > Input Impedance 10K Ohm > Source Voltage (Automobile battery) 11~16V DC > Maximum DC current (1 Ohm, 1% THD +n) 456 amperes DC > Dimensions : WxHxL 11.97" x 2.76" x 23.54" NOTE: As the A4KDN amplifier is a competition grade Class D Amplifier, no fuses are included on the amplifier. It is recommended to fuse the power wire no further then 18" away from the battery. The fuse rating you need to use will vary depending on the setup of your system, impedance the amplifier is running, and use of the system. 4 Controls and Functions Controls and Functions 1. Bass Boost Gain Remote Control This plug connects the amplifier and the remote bass knob using the supplied cable. 2. Input Sensitivity Control This control adjusts the amplifier's input sensitivity. The input sensitivity is variable from 200 Millivolts to 8 volts. Turning clockwise increases sensitivity. Turning counterclockwise decreases sensitivity. This knob is not a volume control for the amplifier. The amplifier can be driven to full power with a wide range of input signals. A lower signal level will require increased sensitivity to reach full power. A higher signal level will require decreased sensitivity. 3. Low level Input RCA Jacks These inputs are for signal cables from the source. Always use high quality, shielded RCA cables. Controls and Functions 4. Low Level LINE OUT RCA Jacks The LINE OUT allows you to build a multiple amplifier system without having to use splitter cords or Y-adapters to distribute the signal. Now it is simply a matter bringing one set of RCAs into the first amplifier, then using the line out RCA jacks as the feed to the next amplifier. 5. Bass Boost Control By using the bass boost function, bass notes at 45Hz are emphasized as much as 18dB. 6. Phase Shift Control Allows you to change the phase of your subwoofer from 0 to 180 degrees to help compensate for timing differences between drivers. Controls and Functions 7. Low-Pass Filter Control For use as a dedicated subwoofer channel, set the filter switch to the "LPF" (Low Pass Frequency). Adjust the variable crossover frequency with control knob as desired. The amplifier input circuit filters out everything above 50Hz ... 150Hz (dependant on the adjustment of the frequency control), so only the lowest bass notes are amplified. 8. Sub Sonic Control The sub sonic control will cut all frequencies below what it is set to from going to your sub(s). This will prevent your subs from playing any frequencies that may harm them. 9. Bridged Connection This is the connection used to bridge 2 two of the same class D amplifiers together. Later in this manual it is explained how to bridge the amps and what settings to use. CLIPPING INDICATOR Included on the front of this amplifier is a clipping indicator. You will notice that the lights on the front of the amplifier light up blue. This happens during normal good operation. If the light start to turn red, it indicates that the amplifier is clipping. This can lead to permanent damage to both your amplifier and any speakers hooked up to it. Clipping can be caused by low voltage supply to the amplifier, having the gain / level or bass boost setting adjusted to high, or too low of a ohm load causing the amplifier to overdrive itself. Controls and Functions 10. Speaker Terminals These terminals are used to wire your subwoofer(s) to the amplifier. 11. B- Terminal (Chassis Ground) To avoid unwanted ignition noise caused by ground loops, it is essential that the amplifier be grounded to a clean, bare, metal of the vehicle's chassis. This metal surface should be solid, strong and connected directly to the frame of the car. Note: GROUND WIRE SHOULD NOT BE EXTENDED MORE THAN 3 FEET (1 METER) 12. B+ Terminal (Battery Positive) Due to the power requirements of the amplifier, this connection should be made directly to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. For safety purposes, install an in-line fuse holder (not included) as close to the battery positive (+) terminal as possible with an ampere rating not to exceed the total value of fuses in the amplifier. Controls and Functions 13. Remote Turn-on Input The remote terminal needs to be wired to the car's stereo or source unit remote turn on wire. This amplifier is turned on remotely when the vehicle's stereo is turned on. NOTE: iF YOUR RADIO DOES NOT HAVE A +12 VOLT OUTPUT LEAD WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON, THE "REMOTE" TERMINAL ON THE AMPLIFIER CAN BE CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE'S ACCESSORY CIRCUIT THAT IS LIVE WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON. 14. LED Indicators PWR (Power): This BLUE LED will illuminate when the amplifier is turned on. If it fails to illuminate, check the fuses and power connections to the amplifier. PROT (Protection): The amplifier protection circuitry will disable the amplifier if there is an imput overload, short circuit, or extremely high temperature conditions are detected. When the protection mode is in operation, the LED indicator on the side panel will be illuminated RED, indicating the amplifier has gone into a self-preservation mode. If you observe that the protection LED is lit, please check the system carefully to determine what has caused the protection circuit to engage. The amplifier can be reset by turning the remote power off and then on again. If the amplifier shut down due to a thermal overload condition, please allow time for the amp to cool down before restarting. If the amplifier shut down because of an input overload or short circuit, be sure to repair these conditions before attempting to power up the amplifier again. Planning and Mounting Your System Planning Your System Before beginning the installation, consider the following: a. If you plan to expand your system by adding other components sometime in the future, ensure that adequate space is left, and cooling requirements are met. If your radio/source is equipped with Pre-Amp outputs, it is possible to utilize them to drive an Amplifier and connecting (amplifier) to the 2 rear speakers. Then, use the built-in power of your radio to drive the 2 front speakers. NOTE: DISTORTION LEVEL IS CONSIDERABLY LOWER FROM PRE-AMP (LOW LEVEL) OUTPUTS, THAN SPEAKER (HIGH LEVEL) OUTPUTS. b. Are your components matched? The RMS power rating of your speakers must be equal or greater than the amplifier's. They also must be 1-8 Ohms impedance (this information is normally printed on the speaker magnet). c. Consider both the length of your leads, and routing when determining the mounting location. Pre-Amp input Jacks require a length of high quality shielded male to male RCA patch cord. Mounting Your System The mounting position of your amplifier will have a great effect on its ability to dissipate the heat generated during normal operation. It has an ample heat sink for heat dissipation, and also is designed with a thermal shut-down (for heat protection) circuit, having enough air directed over the cooling fins will improve heat dissipation dramatically. DO NOT enclose the amplifier in a small box or cover it so that air can not flow around the fins. Temperatures in car trunks have been measured as high as (155 F) in the summer time. Since the thermal shut-down point for the amplifier is (158 F) it is easy to see that it must be mounted for maximum cooling capability. To ach ...