AudioControl EQL Concert Owner's Manual
EQUALIZER/LEVEL MATCHER
22410 70th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Phone 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166
www.audiocontrol.com
®
making good stereo sound better
®
®
OWNER’S MANUAL
tm
Concert Series
Concert Series Owner’s Manual
Quick Installation Info
Refer to Figures 4, 5, and 6 (on pages 9, 10, and
11) when installing the EQL Equalizer.
The unit is shipped from our factory with
the Programmable Frequency Match filter
module set at 30 Hz (see page 18 to change
this).
For information on other system applications or related topics, please read further.
Table of Contents
Introduction ...................................1
Description ......................................4
Installation .......................................8
Upgrading A Factory
(OEM) System ................................16
Making Your Own Programmable
Frequency Match Modules ............18
Troubleshooting ............................20
Warranty ........................................ 22
Specifications ................................24
We design, test, and build each EQL Equalizer right here in the misty rain forests1 of the
Pacific Northwest. When you look inside the
rugged two-piece steel chassis, you’ll find we
use only premium electronic parts and goldplated RCA jacks.
It all adds up to a product that will provide
you with many years of listening enjoyment
and will literally outlast your vehicle.
Congratulations!
You have purchased one of the most exciting
and innovative audio products available for
your car stereo system – the AudioControl
EQL Equalizer/Level Matcher.
The EQL can make any system sound better.
Even if you have followed the true path of
enlightenment and are having your new EQL
professionally installed, it doesn’t hurt to
read this manual. There’s nothing but reruns
on the tube anyway!
The EQL carries on a great tradition started
back in 1985, when we introduced the original EQL. Since then, AudioControl has gone
on to win numerous awards and collect
many glowing reviews for its innovative
autosound products. We have learned a great
deal about cars, stereos, and acoustics over
the years. All of this has been poured into the
new EQL to give you the tools to make your
car stereo the envy of all your pals.
1
Introduction
1
At last count, we see the sun only 129
days each year, so we use the abundant
indoor hours doing what we do best
– improving and inventing audio products – besides, it keeps us from going
insane.
Concert Series Owner’s Manual
Ø Dual Bandwidth Equalizer – 13 bands
The dual bandwidth design of the EQL
concentrates more control in the lower
bass frequencies where the interior of an
automobile causes problems. The higher
frequency controls are spaced on octave
centers to give you complete control
up to 16,000 Hz. No simple dash-mount
equalizer gives you this kind of flexibility.
Ø Level Matching
True standards in car stereo are hard to
find. Every manufacturer has a slightly
different interpretation of things. The input and output level controls on the EQL
bring everything together. Now any head
unit can be connected to any amplifier
and the will system sound great.
Ø Balanced Input
The EQL takes noise rejection a step fur-
ther than the average by incorporating
balanced differential input circuitry. By
looking at the output from your source
unit in a different way the EQL can reject
up to 60 dB of radiated noise.
Ø Programmable Frequency Match Filter
Our exclusive Programmable Frequency
Match (PFM) filter system brings out the
best in any system. A modular programmable low-cut frequency filter allows the
system installer to easily customize the
bass roll-off to match any speaker design.
Unruly subwoofer boxes can finally be
brought under control.
2
Ø High Level Inputs
The EQL is so flexible that you don’t
even need to have pre-amp outputs on
your deck to enjoy the benefits of total
control. Speaker level signals can be run
directly into the EQL, equalized and levelmatched to use any aftermarket amplifier
or crossover with your system. There are
no limits.
IMPORTANT
For maximum product performance, nothing is better than a professional system
installation. Your AudioControl dealer has
the training and tools to take care of the job
quickly and without the anxiety of drilling
holes in your car. If you are just a dyed-inthe-wool do-it-yourselfer, then this manual
should provide all the info you need to successfully make music with the EQL.
The Most Important
Instruction Of All
FILL OUT AND SEND IN THE WARRANTY
CARD! Also, save the invoice or sales slip as
proof of purchase. These actions will protect
your investment and allow us to better help
you with any service-related questions.
3
Introduction
Concert Series Owner’s Manual
Figure 1.Top panel
layout for EQL
Equalizer/Level Matcher.
4
Description
We’ve created the EQL Equalizer/Level
Matcher to make any system sound better.
This Performance Match™ Component2
features straightforward connections and
easy-to-adjust equalizer and level controls. To
learn more, read on.
Equalizer and Input/Output Level
Controls and Indicators
The top panel contains all equalizer controls,
input/output controls, and system indicators. The equalizer controls are grouped by
channels in ascending frequencies from left
to right, as shown in Figure 1 on the previous
page.
Each equalizer control provides 12 dB of
boost or cut for each channel. The Input
Gain con- trols allow you to adjust the Left
or Right Input gain over a range of ± 18 dB.
Output attenuators provide up to 30 dB of
gain trim. The top panel
2
Our line of Performance Match Components takes the guess-work
out of creating the best-sounding system by “matching” autosound
components to your vehicle. For more information, see page 21.
also includes several indicators to confirm
power and help set output levels.
Ø HALF OCTAVE BASS EQUALIZER – six
half-octave bass equalizer controls for
each channel with frequency centers at
31.5, 45, 63, 90, 125, and 180 Hz.
Ø OCTAVE EQUALIZER – seven full octave
equalizer controls with frequency centers
at 250 and 500 Hz; and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16
kHz.
Ø INPUT GAIN – variable gain controls to
adjust Left and Right Input levels.
Ø OUTPUT LEVEL CONTROLS – output at-
tenuators for Left and Right Outputs.
Ø INPUT MAXIMIZED – indicator for set-
ting the proper input gain. When this
light flickers you have juust the right
amount of input gain.
Ø 2 VOLT OUTPUT – indicator for monitor-
ing output level to detect and set a 2 volt
level.
Ø POWER – indicator confirms power is
reaching the EQL.
5
Description
Concert Series Owner’s Manual
Connections and Equalizer Bypass
The front panel contains power and input/
output connections, as well as an equalizer
bypass button, as shown in Figure 2 (above.)
Ø HIGH LEVEL INPUT – Our handy plug
for connection of speaker outputs from a
deck or factory stereo.
Ø EQUALIZE IN/OUT – Press in to engage
the equalizer settings on your EQL.
Figure 2. Front panel layout for EQL
Equalizer/Level Matcher.
6
Ø LINE LEVEL INPUT – RCA jacks for con-
nection of low-level stereo signals from a
head unit.
Ø OUTPUT – RCA jacks for connection of
EQL outputs to the inputs of an amplifier.
Ø REMOTE/+12/GROUND - Another handy
plug for power connections of your Remote Turn-On lead, +12 Volts, and Power
Ground.
High Level
Input
L R
+ – – +
Equalize
In
Out
Line Level
Input
L R
Output
L R
Remote Ground
+12
Programmable Frequency Match
Filter Module and Ground Isolation
Selector (Inside)
The Programmable Frequency Match filter module, as well as the Ground Isolation
Selector, are internal and can be accessed by
removing the four top screws and lifting the
top panel off the base, as shown in Figure 3
(also see Figure 8 on page 19). Be sure to turn
off the power before you open the EQL.
We ship each EQL with the Programmable
Frequency Match filter set at 33 Hz. Refer to
page 18 for information on how to create
your own custom PFM module.
Figure 3. Removing the four top screws and lifting
the top panel provides access to the Programmable
Frequency Match filter module .
7
Description
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