Beale Xpress A4X40 User Manual

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A4X40

Class D 4 Channel x 40W Amplifier

User Guide

CHANNELS CHANNELS

CH 1&2

BRIDGE

CH 3&4

BRIDGE

• Explanation of Graphical Symbols

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert you to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert you to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.

APPLICABLE FOR USA, CANADA OR WHERE APPROVED FOR USAGE

CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK,

MATCH WIDE BLADE PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, INSERT FULLY.

ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER JUSQU AU FOND.

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOQUE ÉLECTRIQUE

N'OUVREZ PAS

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15. The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.

16. CAUTION: Servicing instructions are for use by qualified service personnel only. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not perform any servicing other than that contained in the operating instructions unless you are qualified to do so.

17. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

18. Where an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.

19. CAUTION: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type.

PORTABLE CART WARNING

Important Safety Instructions

Table of Contents

Important Safety Instructions ........................................................................2

Table of Contents .............................................................................................3

Introduction ......................................................................................................4

Features ............................................................................................................ 5

What’s Included ...............................................................................................5

Front Panel Features .......................................................................................6

Rear Panel Features ......................................................................................... 7

Installation .......................................................................................................8

Shelf Mount ...................................................................................................................8

Speaker Wire .................................................................................................................9

Connections ....................................................................................................10

Four Channel .............................................................................................................. 10

Three Channel With Audio Bus ............................................................................. 11

Two Channel Bridged Mode ................................................................................... 12

Trigger Input ............................................................................................................... 13

AC Select/Fuse ..........................................................................................................13

Operation/Settings ........................................................................................14

ON/OFF ........................................................................................................................14

Volume ........................................................................................................................ 14

Flat ................................................................................................................................ 14

Freq ............................................................................................................................... 14

Bridge/Stereo ............................................................................................................15

Specifications .................................................................................................16

Limited Warranty ...........................................................................................17

Notes...............................................................................................................18

Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Xpress A4X40 multi-channel, multi-purpose amplifier!

The A4X40, keeping in line with several other Xpress amplifiers, may be small in physical appearance, but has more tricks up its sleeve than a magician at a state fair!

The A4X40 is a Class D, 4 Channel x 40 Watts amplifier that when properly installed, runs cool under almost any load.

First trick...the A4X40 can be setup as a four channel amp that can be used for two discreet audio zones. It can be setup as a three channel amp with one stereo pair and a high power sub. It can also be setup as a two channel amp in a high power stereo bridged mode configuration.

Next trick...the A4X40 features selectable bandpass that allows selecting a Low Pass, High Pass or Flat setting to contour the speaker level out specifically for the given application. That is, let’s say the A4X40 is setup in a three channel (2.1) configuration. The bandpass switch allows the stereo speakers connected to Channels 1 & 2 to be set to a high pass for high bass/low mids to high frequency output, while the sub, connected to bridged Channels 3 & 4, gets a separate low pass setting for low mids to low bass. And...drum roll please...the low pass and high pass settings each have their own adjustable crossover to fine-tune the system for the given speakers and room conditions!

For an extra touch of magic, the A4X40 is audio-sensing so anytime an audio signal hits any one of the A4X40 inputs, the amp will instantly turn ON. The amp will also turn itself OFF if no audio signal is present for 15 minutes. There is also a 12VDC Trigger Input that will turn the A4X40 ON when 12-24VDC is applied and turn the amp OFF when the voltage is removed for additional control trickery, if desired.

The A4X40 is the perfect match for many applications and is always ready for new tricks, (other applications not mentioned in the manual, just in case the ‘magician at a state fair’ reference got lost somewhere along the way).

Please read and follow the instructions in this User Guide to assure you are getting the most from your new Xpress a4X40 Digital 4 Channel Amplifier.

Thank you again for choosing Xpress!

Features

• Compact Size...Fits Almost Anywhere

• Cool, Efficient Digital Design

• Multiple Input and Output Configurations

• Audio Bus IN

• High Power Bridged Speaker OUT

• Audio Inputs - 2 x Stereo Line Level IN or 1 x Stereo Line Level Bus IN

• Speaker Outputs - 4ch x 40W; 2ch x 40W + 1ch x 80W; 2ch x 80W

• 2Ω Stable - Stereo Mode

• 4Ω Stable - Bridged Mode

• Volume Controls For Each Stereo/Bridged Speaker Pair

• Adjustable Crossover Frequency

• Low Pass, High Pass, Full Band Switch

• Audio Sensing

• 12/24VDC ON/OFF Trigger Input

• 110/220V Switchable

What’s Included

1 - A4X40 Amplifier 1 - AC Power Cord 1 - User Guide

This is the stuff on the front panel...

CHANNELS CHANNELS

CH 1&2

BRIDGE

CH 3&4

BRIDGE

1 2 3 4

6 7 8

1. LEVEL (CHANNEL 1 & 2) - Adjusts the volume to the speakers connected to the CH1 and CH2 Speaker OUTs. RANGE: MIN (OFF/Turn it up!) to MAX (Can you hear me now?)

2. FREQ (CHANNEL 1 & 2) - Sets the frequency above or below where audio content will pass to the speakers connected to the CH1 and CH2 Speaker OUTs when the LPF (Low Pass Filter) or HPF (High Pass Filter) is engaged. See: LPF/HPF below.

RANGE: 40 Hz to 160 Hz.

3. FLAT (CHANNEL 1 & 2) - Sets the crossover mode to which audio content will pass to the CH1 and CH2 Speaker Outs.

LPF - Low Pass Filter. When set to LPF, audio content will pass to the speakers connected to the CH1 and CH2 Speaker OUTs below the frequency set with Channel 1 & 2 FREQ. FULL - Full Band. When set to FULL, audio content will pass to the speakers connected to the CH1 and CH2 Speaker OUTs at the full bandwidth of the audio content (within of course the 20 Hz to 20 kHz capability of the A4X40). HPF - High Pass Filter. When set to HPF, audio content will pass to the speakers connected to the CH1 and CH2 Speaker OUTs above the frequency set with Channel 1 & 2 FREQ.

4. CH 1/2 BRIDGE/STEREO (CHANNEL 1 & 2) - Sets the CH1 and CH2 Speaker OUTs to normal stereo mode or Bridged mono mode. (Bridged/Mono mode = CH1 and CH2 INPUTs summed/mono using both CH1 and CH2 Speaker OUTs for high power output.)

5, 6, 7, 8. CHANNEL 3 & 4 - LEVEL, FREQ, FLAT, MONO/STEREO settings as described above

but relative to the CH3 and CH4 INPUTs and Speaker OUTs.

9. POWER - One, green LED. Illuminates solid green when A4X40 is connected to AC power and an audio signal is being played. The LED is OFF when the amp is in standby, (connected to AC power, no audio signal being played).

Front Panel Features

This is the stuff on the rear panel...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1. AC MAINS - One, two-prong socket. Use the supplied 2-pin ground power cable to connect the unit to an unswitched external AC power supply.

2. POWER - One, switch. Set to AUTO position to turn power to the amp ON (Standby) and enable audio sensing. Set to OFF position to turn power to the amp OFF.

3. AC SELECT - One, switch. Select either 110V-120V or 220V-240V as appropriate for local AC line voltage. Please confirm local voltage prior to use or making changes to the setting.

4. SPEAKER OUT - Two, four-position plug-in screw terminals. One outputs speaker level audio to CH1 and Ch2 speakers the other outputs speaker level audio to CH3 and Ch4 speakers. Using 16AWG (min) speaker wire, connect to the appropriate speaker terminals. Before connecting the speaker wire to the amp and speakers, twist the ends of the speaker wire so there are no strays that can cause shorts. See section: ‘Connections’ for information regarding normal power stereo/high power bridged connections.

5. TRIGGER - One, 3.5mm mini jack. Connect to the DC voltage Control OUT on a preamplifier, audio processor or other device to automatically turn the A4X40 ON/OFF. When DC voltage is applied, the A4X40 will turn ON. When DC voltage is removed, the A4X40 will turn OFF. RANGE: +12 to +24V DC. POLARITY: Tip: +VDC, Sleeve: GND.

6. BUS SWITCH - One, switch. When set to the OFF position, Channels 1, 2, 3, 4 pass through to their respective Speaker Outs. Channels 1/2 can be left/right audio for one zone and channels 3/4 can be left/right for a second zone. In the ON position, Channel 1 is passed through to the Channel 3 Input and Channel 2 is passed through to the Channel 4 Input. In this configuration two stereo zones can play the same source. The BUS Switch can also be used to feed Channel 1/2 Input to Channel 3/4 with Channels 3/4 set to Bridged mode for a high power sub OUT. See section: ‘Connections’ for options.

7. INPUT - Four, RCA jacks. Can be configured as four mono, two stereo or two stereo BUS audio sensing line level audio inputs. A4X40 will turn ON when a line level audio signal is present on any jack. Amp will turn OFF after 15 minutes of no audio signal. See section: ‘Connections’ for options.

Rear Panel Features

SHELF MOUNT

The A4X40 can be conveniently mounted on a shelf top in a cabinet, closet, or even out in the open!

• Leave room for wires.

• Allow adequate space for airflow.

• Do not set objects on top of the amp.

• Do not block vent holes on the bottom of the amplifier.

CHANNELS CHANNELS

CH 1&2

BRIDGE

CH 3&4

BRIDGE

Shelf

Installation

SPEAKER WIRE

The A4X40 is a flexible multi-channel amplifier capable of many different applications. Please review the information below and apply these guidelines to your particular application(s).

MULTI-ZONE AUDIO

If the A4X40 is being used with a multi-zone preamp/controller then pull home-runs of speaker wire directly from the speaker locations, or speaker terminal plates, to the amplifier

location. Use quality stranded speaker wire based upon the 4/8Ω Speaker Wire Gauge Table

below.

MULTI-ROOM AUDIO - STEREO OR BRIDGED

If the amp is being used to distribute audio from the A4X40 to rooms with individual room volume controls, pull speaker wire from each speaker to the volume control location in each room and then home-runs from each volume control to the amplifier location. Use quality

stranded speaker wire based upon the 4/8Ω Speaker Wire Gauge Table below.

4/8Ω SPEAKER WIRE GAUGE

SPEAKER WIRE LENGTH SPEAKER WIRE GAUGE

150’ (46m) 16 AWG

400’ (122m) 14 AWG

1000’ (305m) 12 AWG

Installation

Connections

The A4X40 can be configured for a variety of applications. For the purpose of this User Guide, we will feature three. One as four channel amp, (two stereo sources x two stereo zones) one as a three channel amp, (normal power stereo plus a bridged high-power sub channel) and one as a two channel stereo amp with two bridged high power zones.

FOUR CHANNEL (Two Stereo Sources x Two Stereo Zones)

Beale Street Audio In Ceiling Speakers

Zone 1 Zone 2

Zone 1 Audio Source

Zone 2 Audio Source

A4X40 Amplifier

BUS Switch OFF

Stereo Stereo

This illustration shows a typical multi-room system with two stereo audio sources and two stereo audio zones. The sources can be individual devices or the output of an audio matrix switcher or other multi-source controller.

SOURCE CONNECTIONS

1. Connect the Zone 1 Audio Source left channel line OUT to the A4X40 CH1 INPUT.

2. Connect the Zone 1 Audio Source right channel line OUT to the A4X40 CH2 INPUT.

3. Connect the Zone 2 Audio Source left channel line OUT to the A4X40 CH3 INPUT.

4. Connect the Zone 2 Audio Source right channel line OUT to the A4X40 CH4 INPUT.

SPEAKER CONNECTIONS

1. Connect A4X40 CH1+/- to the +/- terminals on the left channel speaker for Zone 1.

2. Connect A4X40 CH2+/- to the +/- terminals on the right channel speaker for Zone 1.

3. Connect A4X40 CH3+/- to the +/- terminals on the left channel speaker for Zone 2.

4. Connect A4X40 CH4+/- to the +/- terminals on the right channel speaker for Zone 2

SWITCH SETTINGS

1. Set both Front Panel Bridge/Stereo switches to Stereo.

2. Set the Rear Panel BUS Switch to OFF.

THREE CHANNEL WITH AUDIO BUS (One Source x 2.1 Speakers w/Bridged Sub)

This illustration shows the A4X40 in a typical home entertainment system driving an in ceiling stereo pair, (Stereo, 40W x 2ch) and an in ceiling subwoofer, (Bridged, 80W x 1ch) for high performance audio from an audio source (shown) or TV.

The BUS switch will feed the CH 1&2 audio inputs to CH 3&4. The CH 3&4 Bridge/Stereo switch will bridge speaker channels 3&4 for high power and sum the left/right BUS audio to mono.

Beale Street Audio In Ceiling Speakers

Beale Street Audio

In Ceiling Subwoofer

4/8Ω Stereo Out Bridged Sub Out

Audio Source

A4X40 Amplifier

BUS Switch ON

Stereo Bridged

CAUTION: Be sure the A4X40 is turned OFF and disconnected from AC power when making these connections and switch settings. Failure to do so can cause major damage to the amp, speakers or you! This type of damage is not covered under warranty. Confirm connections and settings prior to connecting power and turning the amp ON.

SOURCE CONNECTIONS

1. Connect the Audio Source left channel line OUT to the A4X40 CH1 INPUT.

2. Connect the Audio Source right channel line OUT to the A4X40 CH2 INPUT.

SPEAKER CONNECTIONS

1. Connect A4X40 CH1+/- to the +/- terminals on the left channel speaker.

2. Connect A4X40 CH2+/- to the +/- terminals on the right channel speaker.

3. Connect A4X40 CH3+ to the + terminal on the in ceiling subwoofer.

4. Connect A4X40 CH4- to the - terminal on the in ceiling subwoofer.

SWITCH SETTINGS

1. Set the Front Panel CH 1&2 Bridge/Stereo switch to Stereo.

2. Set the Front Panel CH 3&4 Bridge/Stereo switch to Bridge.

3. Set the Rear Panel BUS Switch to ON.

Connections

TWO CHANNEL BRIDGED MODE (One Source x 2 Speakers High Power Bridged Mode)

This illustration shows the A4X40 driving an in ceiling stereo pair in Bridged Mode, ( 80W x 2ch) for high power stereo audio from an audio source (shown) or TV.

The audio source will connect to the CH 1 (left) & CH 3 (right) audio inputs. The CH 1&2 and CH3&4 Bridge/Stereo switches will bridge speaker channels 1&2 and 3&4 for two high power channels.

Beale Street Audio

In Ceiling Speaker

CH 3&4 Bridged

Audio Source

A4X40 Amplifier

Beale Street Audio

In Ceiling Speaker

CH 1&2 Bridged

BUS Switch OFF

Bridged

CAUTION: Be sure the A4X40 is turned OFF and disconnected from AC power when making these connections and switch settings. Failure to do so can cause major damage to the amp, speakers and you! This type of damage is not covered under warranty. Confirm connections and settings prior to connecting power and turning the amp ON.

SOURCE CONNECTIONS

1. Connect the Audio Source left channel line OUT to the A4X40 CH1 INPUT.

2. Connect the Audio Source right channel line OUT to the A4X40 CH3 INPUT.

SPEAKER CONNECTIONS

1. Connect A4X40 CH1+ to the + terminal on the left channel speaker.

2. Connect A4X40 CH2- to the - terminal on the left channel speaker.

3. Connect A4X40 CH3+ to the + terminal on the right channel speaker.

4. Connect A4X40 CH4- to the - terminal on the right channel speaker.

SWITCH SETTINGS

1. Set the Front Panel CH 1&2 Bridge/Stereo switch to Bridge.

2. Set the Front Panel CH 3&4 Bridge/Stereo switch to Bridge.

3. Set the Rear Panel BUS Switch to OFF.

Connections

TRIGGER INPUT

This connection allows voltage control of A4X40 ON/OFF. When DC voltage (+12 to +24VDC) is applied, the amp will turn ON. When voltage is cut, the amp will turn OFF. (OFF, not Standby.) NOTE: The Power Switch must be in the OFF position when using this feature.

Keep in mind that the A4X40 Audio Inputs are audio sensing and will turn the amp ON with the presence of an audio signal and turn OFF after 15 minutes of no audio signal on any input. The Trigger Input is available as an option for automatic power management.

+12VDC

(Tip)

2 Circuit

Mini plug

GND

(Sleeve)

Stripe

Trigger Connections

1. Using a 2 circuit 3.5mm mini plug, connect +12VDC from the trigger device to the striped

wire (tip).

2. Connect GND from the trigger device to the unmarked wire (sleeve).

AC SELECT/FUSE

This switch sets the voltage to the AC Mains. Be sure to check AC voltage at the geographic location where the A4X40 will be installed.

1. AC Select - Set as appropriate for geographic location. NEVER CHANGE THIS SWITCH

SETTING WHILE THE A4X40 IS CONNECTED TO AC POWER!

2. Fuse- Confirm that the proper fuse is installed for the selected AC Voltage. If set

to 220V-240V/50Hz use a T2.AL/250V fuse. If set to 110V-120V/60Hz use a T3.15AL/250V fuse.

Once installed and setup, the A4X40 doesn’t typically need a whole lot of attention. But just in case you need to tweak something, here’s what you’ll want to do...

ON/OFF

The A4X40 is audio-sensing, so typically once the system is installed and setup, the power will automatically turn ON with the presence of an audio signal on any of the CH 1, 2, 3, 4 Inputs. The amp will automatically turn OFF when no audio signal has been detected for 15 minutes.

TRIGGER - If you are using the Trigger IN, the amp will automatically turn ON when DC voltage is applied to the Trigger jack and turn OFF when DC voltage is removed.

POWER - If however you are a major control freak and just have to have the ability to turn the amp ON/OFF, toggle the Power ON/OFF button to turn the amp ON/OFF.

VOLUME Use the appropriate Level control to adjust the volume to the speakers connected to

either the Channel 1&2 or Channel 3&4 Speaker OUTs. If using one for stereo speakers and the other for a subwoofer, adjust the volume so the balance of highs and mids sounds natural relative to the lows. Otherwise adjust as appropriate for the given connection and application.

FLAT Set as appropriate for the given connection and application. These settings have the same

affect in all configurations.

LPF - Low Pass Filter. When set to LPF, audio content will pass to the speakers connected to either the Channel 1&2 and Channel 3&4 Speaker OUTs below the frequency set with Channel 1&2 and Channel 3&4 FREQ controls.

FULL - Full Band. When set to FULL, audio content will pass to the speakers connected to the Channel 1&2 and Channel 3&4 Speaker OUTs at the full bandwidth of the audio content (within of course the 20 Hz to 20 kHz capability of the A4X40).

HPF - High Pass Filter. When set to HPF, audio content will pass to the speakers connected to the Channel 1&2 and Channel 3&4 Speaker OUTs above the frequency set with Channel 1&2 and Channel 3&4 FREQ controls.

FREQ Sets the frequency at which audio content will pass to the A4X40 Speaker Outs, based

upon the setting of the FLAT switch (see previous). Adjust the crossover so there is a slight overlap with the low-midrange cut-off to produce a natural sounding transition to low frequencies.

RANGE: 40Hz to 160Hz.

Operation/Settings

BRIDGE/STEREO Never change the setting of this switch while the amp is on or connected to AC power!

Doing so can cause major damage to the amp, speakers or you! This type of damage is not covered under warranty.

With that said...This switch sets the Channel 1&2 or Channel 3&4 Speaker OUTs to stereo

mode or high power bridged mode. (Bridged/Mono mode = Channel 1&2 INPUTs summed/ mono/high power to both Channel 1&2 Speaker OUTs; or Channel 3&4 INPUTs summed/ mono/high power to both Channel 3&4 Speaker OUTs.) See section: ‘Connections’ for additional information and clarifying diagrams.

AUDIO

Maximum Output Power (Stereo) ......................................................................................... 40Wx4Ch/8Ω

Maximum Output Power (Bridged) ...................................................................................... 80Wx2Ch/8Ω

Impedance ................................................................................................................. 2Ω Stable Stereo Mode

4Ω Stable Bridged Mode

THD ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1%

Frequency Response ...............................................................................................20 Hz-20 kHz +/-3 dB

Signal to Noise ...........................................................................................................................................90 dB

Input Sensitivity ..................................................................................................................................... 200mV

Crossover ........................................................................................................................................... 40-160Hz

GENERAL

Trigger Input .................................................................................................................... +12VDC to +24VDC

Line Voltage Range ................................................................................................110-120/220-240 VAC

Standby Power .........................................................................................................................................≤0.5W

Max Power Consumption .......................................................................................................................400W

Dimensions ....................................... 11.4”W x 1.73”H x 9.4” D (290mm W x 44mm H x 240mm D)

Dimensions (without rack ears) ....9.4”W x 1.73”H x 9.4” D (290mm W x 44mm H x 240mm D)

Weight ........................................................................................................................................... 5.5lbs (2.5kg)

Specifications

Limited Warranty

All in-wall, in-ceiling, outdoor speakers, volume controls, and freestanding loudspeakers have a Lifetime Limited Warranty. This warranty includes lifetime parts and repair on components. Powered subwoofers and Xpress amplifiers have a two (2) year limited warranty. This warranty includes two (2) year parts and repair labor on components. Xpress obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing any component found defective in material or workmanship under normal conditions of use. This warranty shall not apply to products which have been abused, modified, disassembled, or repaired by anyone other than Xpress or one of its appointed service centers. Products to be repaired under this warranty must be returned to the factory or designated service center with all transportation and insurance charges pre-paid.

IMPORTANT: This warranty is ONLY valid if the product is purchased through a Certified Xpress Dealer. Proof of purchase may be required.

Note: It is the policy of Xpress to continuously incorporate improvements into our products. All specifications, warranty terms, and prices are subject to change without notice.

Notes

Beale Xpress

122 Gayoso Street, Suite 101

Memphis, TN 38103

Phone: 844.489.2700 Fax: 901.205.0900

www.bealexpress.com

A4X40UG060215 Rev 1

Beale Xpress A4X40 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual