APX4241 - Car stereo CLARION - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL APX4241 CLARION

Thank you for purchasing this Clarion product.

• Please read this owner’s manual in its entirety before operating this equipment.

• After reading this manual, keep it handy, such as in your glove compartment.

• Save your sales receipt. The warranty at the end of this manual and your sales receipt are essential for warranty service. FCC Approval This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installa- tion. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful inter- ference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful inter- ference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to consult the dealer or an experi- enced radio/TV technician for help. apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 2English

The Clarion APX2121, APX4241, and APX1301 amplifiers fit a variety of system configurations and provide these features:

• Full frequency response with low distortion and exceptional signal-to-noise performance.

• Advanced circuitry design provides bridgeable outputs for use in a variety of applications.

• Independent electronic crossovers, each with a 12dB per octave slope and full adjustment range (from 50Hz to 300Hz) to aid in audio system design.

• Bass boost circuit to reinforce low frequency signals that may be lost due to subwoofer box design.

• Adjustable input level controls with ground loop isolation to accept a wide range of input signals.

• Remote turn-on with “soft start” muting to prevent turn-on “thump”.

• Protection circuits for overheating and speaker shorts.

• 2-Ohm load capable of driving a variety of speaker systems.

• Gold-plated input/output connectors and an on-board automotive-type fuse.

• Aluminum heat sink for efficient heat dissipation.

• Low profile, compact footprint to accommodate space limitations.

• Do not operate this product in ways other than those described in this manual.

• Do not disassemble or modify this product.

• Do not pour liquid or poke foreign objects into the unit. Water and humidity will damage internal circuitry.

• If the unit becomes wet, turn off all power and ask your authorized Clarion dealer to clean or service the unit. Failure to observe these precautions may damage your car or the amplifier, and may void the warranty. WARNING! Exposure to continuous sound levels of 85dB or higher may result in hearing loss. Although Clarion products are capable of producing high sound pressure levels, please use your product at reasonable levels. While operating your vehicle, please observe all local sound ordinances for your safety. Installation Installation of mobile audio and video components requires experience with a variety of mechanical and electrical procedures. Although this manual provides general installation and operation instructions, it does not show the exact installation meth- ods for your particular vehicle. If you do not have the required knowledge and experience to successfully complete the installation, consult an authorized Clarion dealer about professional installation options. apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 5English

5. Front gain control

6. Rear gain control

9. Front speaker level

10. Rear speaker level

13. Front frequency control

15. Rear frequency control

APX 1301 controls and input connections APX 2121 controls and input connections APX 4241 controls and input connections apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 6English

Setting the operating level The gain controls allow you to set the nominal operating level of the amplifier from 250mV to 2.5V for RCA inputs or 500mV to 5V for speaker level inputs.This wide adjustment range accommodates virtually any source unit brand. Improving bass sound The amplifiers feature a narrow-frequency band bass boost circuit (known as “high-Q”). The bass boost control acts much like an equalizer with switchable gain fixed at 50Hz. Use this control 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 you don’t want to boost the bass frequencies, set this control to “OFF.” Designing a more advanced system Freq (Hz) controls The crossover frequency is fully adjustable between 50Hz and 300Hz (30-300Hz on the APX1301). Use the high-pass/low-pass filter controls, along with your speaker manufacturer’s recommended crossover frequencies, to quickly design a more advanced system. Note: If you set either of the X-Over mode switches “OFF,” varying the Freq (Hz) control has no effect. X-Over mode switches These switches are equipped with 12dB per octave electronic filters for precise frequency attenuation with minimal phase distortion. To activate each filter, slide the X-Over mode switch to either HP or LP (APX4241 and APX2121 only). Connecting a source unit without RCA outputs The speaker level inputs provide connections for a high-level stereo source. Use them if your source unit does not have RCA outputs. apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 7English

Care and maintenance Cleaning the cabinet Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe dust and dirt from the unit. Do not use benzene, thinner, car cleaner, or other cleaners. These substances may damage the unit or cause the paint to peel. Servicing the unit In the event that trouble arises, never open the case or disassemble the unit. The internal parts are not serviceable by the user. Opening any components will void the warranty. CAUTION! Changes or modifications to this product not approved by the manufacturer will void the warranty and will violate FCC approval. Read these instructions and the following precautions carefully. What is included in the box In addition to this manual, the box contains:

• High-level speaker input harness Mounting precautions If you lack the necessary skills, do not install the amplifier yourself. See your authorized Clarion dealer for installation recommendations.

• This unit is exclusively for vehicles with a negative ground, 12V power supply.

• This unit requires additional mobile audio components for proper operation.

• Choose a location in the vehicle that provides adequate ventilation around the amplifier. Although any moving air dissipates heat, cool air should run along the length of the fins rather than across them. CAUTION! Although Clarion amplifiers include heat sinks and protection circuits, mounting an amplifier in a tight space without any air movement will damage the unit’s internal circuitry over time. apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 8English

• Mount the amplifier on a rigid surface away from subwoofer enclosures or to any area that is prone to vibration. Do not install the amplifier on plastic or on any other combustible material.

• For easy system setup, mount the amplifier so that the front panel controls are accessible after installation.

• Always use great care when attaching anything to a vehicle! Check clearances on all sides of the planned installation before drilling any holes or installing any screws.

• Make sure the holes you drill will not cut into the fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines (under the chassis) or electrical wiring. Wiring precautions Read all wiring precautions. If you are not sure of the connections, contact your authorized Clarion dealer.

• Before you start, make sure the source unit’s power switch is off. WARNING! To prevent short circuits during installation, disconnect the vehicle’s negative (-) battery lead before making any power connections.

• Extra cable can cause signal loss and act as an antenna for noise. Use only highquality RCA cables that are no longer than necessary to make a direct connection with the source unit and amplifiers.

• Make sure each connection is clean and secure. Insulate final connections with electrical tape or shrink tubing. CAUTION! Improper connections may damage the equipment.

• When routing RCA cables, keep the cables away from the power cables and out put speaker wires.

• A good chassis ground connection is critical to minimize resistance and avoid noise problems. Use the shortest wire possible. Clean off any paint prior to making connections. Securely connect the ground wire to the car chassis and the source unit ground.

• Add an external fuse to the amp’s positive (+) power lead and connect it as close as possible to the vehicle’s plus (+) battery terminal. Use a fuse rated to the total current consumption of the amplifier. Adding an external fuse protects the electrical system from short circuits that can result in a fire.

• Do not open the case. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. If you require assistance, consult your Clarion dealer or an authorized Clarion service center. apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 9English

Power and speaker connections

1. Left front speaker output

9. Left rear speaker output

APX1301 power and speaker connections APX4241 power and speaker connections APX2121 power and speaker connections apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 10English

Applications The APX1301 car audio ampifier can be used in a variety of system applications. Mono subwoofer system This application shows the amplifier in mono operation to drive a subwoofer. Set X-Over mode to LPF and adjust the frequency to the subwoofer specifications. 2Ω MIN4Ω 4Ω FUSE

Subwoofer system In this application, the amplifier is used in a subwoofer system. 2Ω MIN4Ω 4Ω FUSE

Four-channel stereo system In this application, the APX4241 is used as a four-channel amplifier to drive four full-range speakers in stereo. FRONT REAR 4Ω BRIDGED

Two-channel high power system In this application, the APX2121 is used to drive a pair of subwoofers. Setting the gain After completing the installation, follow these steps to set the gain control and perform the final system checks. 1.Turn the gain control all the way counterclockwise. 2.Turn the vehicle’s ignition switch on. 3.Turn the source unit on. 4.Set all tone or equalization controls to flat positions and turn loudness off. 5.Play a CD or tape and set the volume control to 75% of full level. Note: If the system uses an equalizer, set all frequency controls to the flat position. 6.Slowly increase the gain control. Stop when you hear a slight audio distortion. FUSE 30A

Setting the crossover Clarion amplifiers feature fully-adjustable crossovers. 1.Using the X-Over mode switch, select either LP (low pass) or HP (high pass) or OFF for full range. 2.Using the Freq (Hz) control, select the frequency. Setting the bass boost

1. Initially set the bass boost control to off.

2.Listen to a variety of music styles (for example, rock, rap, etc.) and switch the bass boost control on until you notice an increase in low bass response. CAUTION! If you hear a pop caused by speaker overexertion, lower the bass boost to prevent damage to the speaker. Final system checks 1.Start the engine and turn on the source unit. 2.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 refer to Troubleshooting. Depending on your system, the volume may become quite loud even at low level settings. Until you get an “audio feel” for the system’s power, use care when adjusting the controls. 3.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). 4.Increase the volume and verify that the amplifier reproduces the audio at full frequencies without distortion. If you hear distortion check the connections and verify that the gain control is set correctly. Another cause of distortion could be underpowered or damaged speakers. Refer to Troubleshooting. apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 15English

• Low or no remote turn-on voltage: check remote connections at the amplifier and source unit.

• Blown amplifier fuse: replace with a new fast-blow fuse (same rating).

• Power wires not connected: check battery and ground wiring at the amplifier and check the 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 the amplifier; measure coil impedance. Audio cycles on and off

• Thermal protection circuits are shutting the amplifier off.

• Check the location for adequate ventilation. Consult an authorized Clarion audio dealer. Distorted audio

• Gain is not properly set or the speaker cones are damaged.

• Review the instructions for setting the gain. Inspect each speaker cone for signs of damage, such as a frozen cone, burning smell, etc. Amplifier fuse keeps blowing

• The wiring is connected incorrectly or there is a short circuit.

• Review the installation precautions and diagram in this manual and check all wiring connections. Whining or ticking noise when engine on

• The amplifier is picking up alternator or radiated noise.

• Turn down input gain.

• Move the audio cables away from the power wires.

• Check the power and ground connections on the amplifier and install an in-line noise filter on the source unit’s power wire.

• Check the alternator and/or voltage regulator. Test for a weak battery or add water to the battery. apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 16English

Crossover: A device that limits the range of frequencies sent to a speaker or amplifier. dB: decibel, a measurement of the relative difference in power or intensity between two acoustic signals. Equalizer: Component that boosts or cuts sound signal frequencies to improve the quality of the sound. Gain control: gain is the amount of amplification (voltage, current or power) of an audio signal expressed in dB. Hz: Abbreviation for Hertz, a unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second. Octave: the musical principle of dividing sound frequencies into the eight notes of the musical scale. Ohm : unit of electric resistance RCA input/output: port through which sound travels in and out of the system; “RCA” refers to the type of connector, which was first manufactured by the Radio Corporation of America. Slope: how fast the sound gets quieter rated in dBs. The higher the dB number, the faster the frequency drops off. Note: The technical data and the design of the equipment may change without prior notice for the sake of technical improvements. APX4241 Maximum power output Continuous rated power * Typical power in bridged mode ** Typical power in 2-Ohm load ** IM distortion S/N (A-weighted) Floor noise Channel separation Frequency response Line level input sensitivity Speaker level input sensitivity Input impedance Allowable battery voltage Size 400W 60W x 4 100W x 2 80W x 4 0.1% 75dB A / N 60dB 20-20kHz full range 200mV to 5.5 Volts 2V to 9 Volts 22K Ohm

• THD 0.1%, 10Hz-20kHz, into 4-Ohms, @ 14.4V, all channels driven ** THD 0.1%, 10Hz-20kHz, @ 14.4V, all channels driven apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 17English

APX2121 Maximum power output Continuous rated power * Typical power in bridged mode ** Typical power in 2-Ohm load ** IM distortion S/N (A-weighted) Floor noise Channel separation Frequency response Line level input sensitivity Speaker level input sensitivity Input impedance Allowable battery voltage Size 200W 60W x 2 100W x 1 80W x 2 0.1% 72dB A / N 60dB 20-20kHz full range 200mV to 5.5 Volts 2V to 9 Volts 22K Ohm

• THD 0.1%, 10Hz-20kHz, into 4-Ohms, @ 14.4V, all channels driven ** THD 0.1%, 10Hz-20kHz, @ 14.4V, all channels driven APX1301 Maximum power output Continuous rated power * Typical power in bridged mode ** Typical power in 2-Ohm load ** IM distortion S/N (A-weighted) Floor noise Channel separation Frequency response Line level input sensitivity Speaker level input sensitivity Input impedance Allowable battery voltage Size 420W 300W x 1 N/A 400W x 1 0.1% 70dB A/N A/N 20-20kHz full range 200mV to 5.5 Volts 2V to 9 Volts 22K Ohm

• THD 0.1%, 10Hz-20kHz, into 4-Ohms, @ 14.4V, all channels driven ** THD 0.1%, 10Hz-20kHz, @ 14.4V, all channels driven apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 18English

This Clarion product purchased from an authorized Clarion dealer are warranted against all defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase, when purchased from AND installed by an authorized Clarion dealer. The conditions of this Limited Warranty and the extent of responsibility of Clarion Corporation of America ("Clarion") under this Limited Warranty are as follows :

2. This Limited Warranty will become void if service performed by anyone other than an approved Clarion Warranty

Service Center results in damage to the product.

3. This Limited 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.

The laws of the State of California shall govern and control this Limited Warranty, its interpretation and enforcement.

11. Should you have any difficulties with the performance of this product during the warranty period, please call

Clarion or visit our web site for a listing of Authorized Warranty Service Centers in your area. You may also contact Clarion Customer Service at the address listed below for any service help you may need with Clarion products.

GREATER DURATION THAN THE WARRANTY PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL CLARION BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE, DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL, 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.In USA:Clarion Corporation of AmericaAttn:Customer Service Manager 6200 Gateway DriveCypress, CA 906301-800-GO-CLARIONwww.clarion.comIn Canada:Clarion Canada Inc.Warranty Service Center2239 Winston Park DriveOakville, Ontario L6H 5R1(905) 829-4600www.clarion.com

6. Product must be shipped in its original carton or equivalent carton, fully insured, with shipping charges prepaid.

Clarion will not assume any responsibility for any loss or damage incurred in shipping.

5. The sole responsibility of Clarion under this Limited Warranty shall be limited to the repair of the product or

replacement of the product, at the sole discretion of Clarion.

4. This Limited Warranty does not cover car static or other electrical interferences, tape head or laser pick-up

cleaning or adjustments, or labor costs for the removal or reinstallation of the unit for repair. All Clarion cables, wires and other accessories if purchased from an authorized Clarion dealer are warranted against all defects in materials and workmanship for ninety (90) days from the date of original purchase. ALL PURCHASES OF CLARION PRODUCTS FROM NON-AUTHORIZED CLARION DEALERS ARE SUBJECT TO FURTHER WARRANTY RESTRICTIONS AS DESCRIBED BELOW. For USA and Canada only apx2121_4241_1301.qxd 2/6/2008 11:57 AM Page 19Français