AudioControl Concert 24XS Owner's Manual

Programmable Frequency Match (PFM) Filter

This module programmable low cut filter allows the system
designer to custom tune the bass response of the speaker system.
Smaller woofers can be protected against the voice-coil-charring
bass they are too small to reproduce. Tuned (Ported) subwoofer
enclosures benefit by having the frequencies below their tuning
cut off to reduce distortion and save system power.

Speaker Wave Alignment Technology (SWAT)

Speakers in a car stereo system have a lot to put up with;
different types of cars, different placement of speakers, different
brands of speakers. All of these things add up to a difficult time
for any installation. The Speaker Wave Alignment control takes
care of one of the most annoying (and hardest to fix) problems
with a turn of a knob: sound cancellation between speakers at the
crossover point. By allowing you to move the cancellations away
from the listener, the frequency response is smoothed out without
wasting a huge amount of the system’s power trying to fill an
acoustical black hole.

®

®

making good stereo sound better

®

22410 70th Avenue West • Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]

www.audiocontrol.com

®

making good stereo sound better

®

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Concert Series

tm

Crossover with Speaker Wave Alignment

Technology

Owner’s Manual

Congratulations!

You have purchased one of the most innovative autosound
products available- The AudioControl 24XS. The 24XS will help
you make your stereo system sound its best. Please take a moment
to kick back, reflect on things and read this manual.

Features of the 24XS

• Sharp two way 24dB/octave electronic crossover

• Linkwitz-Riley alignment for minimum lobing error

• Speaker Wave Alignment Technology

• Programmable Frequency Match Filter

• Optimum output indicator LEDs

• Selectable power supply ground isolation

• Made in America

The Most Important Instruction of all

FILL OUT AND SEND IN YOUR WARRANTY CARD!

Also, save your invoice or sales slip as proof of purchase. These
actions will protect your investment and help prove that you really
owned such a great piece of audio gear in case somebody takes a
liking to it while you’re tanning in Cabo.

Important

For the best product performance and the lowest use of Tylenol,
nothing is better than a professional system installation. Your
AudioControl dealer has the training and equipment to take care
of the job quickly and to get the best sound out of your system. If
you are a solid do-it-yourselfer then this manual should give you
all the information you need to successfully make music with the
24XS. Happy Listening.

Features

Programmable 24dB/Octave 2-way Crossover

With module programmability, the two way electronic crossover
in the 24XS can be matched up to any stereo system. By simply
changing a resistor module, you can select almost any crossover
frequency imaginable. The 24dB/Octave Linkwitz-Riley (a couple
of real nice audio engineers) design is normally reserved for the
best home and professional systems, but now this state of the art
crossover is yours also.

24XS Specifications

All specifications are measured at 14.4 VDC (standard automotive

voltage)

Frequency response .......................................................... 10-20 kHz ±1dB

Total harmonic distortion ............................................................... 0.007%

Signal to Noise ratio......................................................................... 120dB

Maximum output level ................................................................. 9.5 Vrms

Crossover Slope...................................................................... 24dB/Octave

Crossover type ......................................................... 2 Way Linkwitz-Riley

Programmable Crossover frequency ...Shipped @ 90 Hz (Programmable)

PFM filter slope ..................................................................... 18dB/Octave

PFM filter frequency ............................ Shipped @ 33Hz (Programmable)

Power supply .......................... Optically isolated PWM DC/DC converter

Power draw...................................................................................... 250mA

Recommended fuse rating ................................................................ 1 Amp

Size ............................................................................ 1.2"h x 8"w x 5.7" d

Weight................................................................................................... 3lbs

Balanced in ............................................................................................ Yes

Output ground isolation jumpers .......................................................... Yes

Country of origin ................................................................................. USA

©AudioControl 1998, AudioControl is a division of Electronic Engineering and

Manufacturing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

AudioControltm, Performance Matchtm, Making Good Stereo Sound Better

tm,

24XS

are all trademarks of Electronic Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc.

This manual was written, designed, printed and stuffed into a neat box with a really

neat product on a grey, misty day; considering where we live.

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A BRIEF TOUR OF THE 24XS

The Outside

OUTPUT LEVELS CONTROLS- These variable gain

controls adjust the high pass and low pass output levels indepen­dently.

WAVE ALIGNMENT CONTROL- This control adjusts how

much the sound of a speaker is shifted. The internal switches
select whether this leans toward the high pass or low pass.

OUTPUT STATUS LEDS­POWER: Shows when the 24XS is turned on (need we say

more?)

INPUT MAXIMIZED: Shows when the input levels are

within 3dB of clipping,

5 VOLT: Shows when the output levels are at five volts (make

certain your amplifier can handle this much input)

2 VOLTS: Shows when the output levels are at two volts (this

is a common input level for most amplifier manufacturers. Don’t
guess on this, check your amp’s owners manual to be certain.)

SPEAKER WAVE ALIGNMENT BUTTON-

Bypasses the speaker wave alignment circuitry for simple

comparison of with versuswithout.

POWER CONNECTOR- A wonderful, removable connector

that allows you to hook up all the power wires in the convenience
of daylight and then plug them into the 24XS in the dark recesses
of your trunk.

The Inside

PROGRAMMABLE CROSSOVER MODULE-

This 16 pin resistor module controls the crossover frequency. It
is set from the factory at 90Hz. Different modules may be
obtained from your dealer or custom built yourself. See the section
on Making Your Own Modules for instructions. Note: The 24dB
crossover module is different than the 18dB PFM frequency
module.

PROGRAMMABLE FREQUENCY MATCH (PFM)

FILTER MODULE-

This 14 pin Module controls the cutoff frequency for the PFM
Filter. The PFM is the bottom limit for the low pass output. It is
set from the factory at 33 Hz.

SPEAKER WAVE ALIGNMENT SELECTOR SWITCHES-

This pair of switches select whether the SWAT control moves
the nulls in your speaker response towards the outputs on the high
pass side or the outputs on the lowpass side. NOTE: Both of these
switches MUST be in the same position (i.e. both in Hi or both in
Low)

GROUND ISOLATION SELECTOR-Allows the installer to
change the power supply ground isolation for different systems.
This is shipped in the fully isolated position from the factory. The
other selections can help if you have a ground loop noise in the
system that doesn’t seem to want to go away.

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INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS

Do not mount the 24XS where it will be exposed to outside
elements or extreme temperatures. Avoid areas of severe vibration
or shock. The front bumper is out.

Use high quality, 100% shielded audio cables.

Plan on a single-point (star) grounding scheme so all compo­nents, including the head unit, connect to a common ground
point. Use no less than 14 gauge wire for the ground connections.

Make certain that there are no fuel lines, brakes lines, electrical
wires or anything else that you don’t want to run a drill bit
through. That includes things on the back side of that floor panel
you’re about to punch a hole in.

Make certain the 3XS is firmly mounted with screws so it won’t
come flying off the next time you blast over a speed bump.

The Speaker Wave Alignment Technology (SWAT) in your
24XS shifts the output of the crossover slightly so you can move
the dead zones in the sound pattern away from the listener’s ears.
This tilting will always go towards the output that you have
selected with the internal switches on the 24XS. See the next
section on adjusting the Speaker Wave Alignment control for
more information.

ADJUSTING THE SPEAKER WAVE
ALIGNMENT CONTROL

The easiest method of setting the SWAT control is with a one­third octave audio analyzer such as the AudioControl SA-3055

real-time analyzer. With the analyzer,
simply play the pink noise test sound
through your system. Make certain that
you have the microphone of the analyzer
at ear level in the driver’s seat for an
accurate reading. Look at the frequency
response around the crossover frequency
where the 24XS is set. Now adjust the
Wave Alignment control until the dropout
goes away. You may need to change the
internal switch settings on the 24XS to
move the SWAT to the other outputs. If
the High output is selected the dead zone
will move up towards the tweeter as you
adjust the wave alignment control towards
max. If the switch is in the opposite
position the dead zone will move in the
opposite direction.

If you are adjusting the SWAT controls
by ear, pink noise is still your best bet for a
test source. A good piece of acoustic music
that covers the sound spectrum will also
work. Listen to the sound of the system

while you adjust the Wave Alignment knob. You will be able to
hear part of the music fade out as the control is moved from MIN
to MAX. Pick the point where it sounds the best to you. Now sit
back and enjoy your new stereo for a bit while you finish your
espresso.

Making Your Own Modules

Additional crossover and PFM filter modules are available from
your authorized AudioControl dealer, or you can create custom
modules by using the following formula:

7200

Frequency (Hz)

Example- For a 2500 Hz module, the formula yields a resistor
value of: 7200÷ 2500 = 2.88 K

The 24 dB crossover module requires eight of this resistor
value; the 18 dB PFM module needs six.

Note: Use ¼ watt carbon or metal film resistors of a 5%
tolerance or better.

A QUICK LESSON ON SOUND WAVES

Waves are waves. It doesn’t matter whether they are water
splashes in the Saturday night bath tub or musical sounds bounc­ing around your car, all waves behave the same. If two positive
going waves collide, they add up to one bigger wave. If a positive
and a negative wave collide they will cancel each other out. Try it
out in your bath tub (it gives you a good excuse to splash.)

Around the crossover frequencies in a multiple speaker stereo
system, at least two speakers are trying to reproduce sound at the
same time. Since these drivers are not coincidental (i.e. the same
point in space) the sound waves from each speaker run into each
other slightly out of sync. This causes hot spots in the sound
dispersion pattern where waves of similar polarity meet and dead
spots where waves of opposite polarity hit. That’s why sometimes
you have dropouts in the frequency response around crossover
points.

and now a word from the legal department...

24XS Limited Warranty

People are scared of warranties. Lots of fine print, lots of

noncooperation, months of waiting around.

Well, don’t be scared of this warranty. It’s designed to make you
rave about us to your friends. It’s a warranty that looks out for you
and helps you resist the temptation to have your friend “Who’s
good with electronics”, try to repair your AudioControl 24XS. So
go ahead and read through this warranty, then enjoy your new
component for a few days before sending in the warranty card and
comments.

“Conditional” doesn’t mean anything ominous. The Federal
Trade Commission tells all manufacturers to use the term to
indicate certain conditions have to be met before they’ll honor the
warranty. If you honor these conditions, we will warrant all
materials and workmanship on your 24XS for FIVE YEARS from
the date you bought it if installed by an authorized AudioControl
dealer. We will fix or replace it, at our option, during that time. If
you are a “do-it-yourselfer” we will offer the same warranty for a
period of ONE YEAR.

Here are the conditions that make this warranty conditional:

1. You have to fill out the warranty card and send it to us within

15 days after you purchased your 24XS.

2. You must keep your sales slip or receipt so you have proof
when and from whom you bought your 24XS. We’re not the only
company to require this, so it’s a good habit to be in with any
stereo equipment purchase.

3. Your 24XS has to have been originally purchased from an
authorized AudioControl dealer. You do not have to be the
original owner to take advantage of the five year warranty, but the
date of the purchase is still important so be sure to get a copy of
the sales slip from the original owner.

4. You cannot let anybody who isn’t (a) The AudioControl
Factory; (b) An authorized service center; or (c) Someone autho­rized in writing by AudioControl to service your 24XS. If anyone
other than (a), (b), or (c) messes with your 24XS, that voids the
warranty.

5. The warranty is also void if the serial number has been
altered or removed, or if the AudioControl 24XS is used improp­erly. Now that sounds like a big loophole, but here is all we mean
by it. Unwarranted abuse is; (a) Physical damage (our mobile
products are not meant to be used as jack stands for your car); (b)
Improper connection. We have done the best we can to protect the
inputs, however, 120 volts into the jacks can fry the innards of the
poor beasty. (c) Sadistic things. This is the best mobile product we
know how to manufacture, but if you use it for the front bumper of
your Baja bug and get it full of water, things will go wrong.

Assuming you conform to numbers 1-5, and it isn’t all that hard
to do, we get the option of deciding whether to fix your old unit or
replace it with a new one.

Legalese SectionLegalese Section

Legalese SectionLegalese Section

Legalese Section

This is the only warranty given by AudioControl. This warranty
gives you specific legal rights that vary form state to state.
Promises of how well your 24XS will work are not implied by this
warranty. Other than what we’ve covered in the warranty, we have
no obligation, express or implied. Also, we will not be obligated
for direct or indirect damages to your system caused by hooking
up the AudioControl 24XS.

Failure to send in a properly completed warranty card negates
any service claims.

Zone moves this
way if high pass
is selected

Zone moves this
way if low pass
is selected

= Resistor Value (in Kilohms)

EXAMPLE SYSTEMS

Simple Bi Amp

The Kitchen Sink & Everything System

Triamping with two 24XSs Equalized System