Boss Audio ONYX NX1600.2, ONYX NX1800.1, ONYX NX2000.2, ONYX NX2000.4, ONYX NX2500.4 User Manual

CONTENTS

ONYX MOSFET Amplifier User’s Manual - page 1

U S E R ’ S M A N U A L

2 Introduction

2 What is included?

3 Features

3 About 2 Ohm operation

4 General precautions

4 Installation precautions

4 Mounting the amplifier

5 Connecting the amplifier

6 Low level input wiring

9 High level input wiring

11 MonoBlock Power and

Speaker wiring

12 2CH Power and Speaker wiring

2CH Mode

13 2CH Power and Speaker wiring

Bridged Mode

14 2CH Power and Speaker wiring

TriMode

15 4CH Power and Speaker wiring

4CH Mode

16 4CH Power and Speaker wiring

Bridged Mode

17 4CH Power and Speaker wiring

TriMode

18 Troubleshooting

19 Specifications

page

NX3000.2
NX2000.2
NX1600.2

Two Channel
MOSFET Car Audio
Amplifiers

NX3000.4
NX2500.4
NX2000.4

Four Channel
MOSFET Car Audio
Amplifiers

Congratulations on your
purchase of a ONYX
Amplifier.

It has been designed, engineered
and manufactured to bring you
the highest level of performance
and quality, and will afford you
years of listening pleasure.

Thank you for making
your choice for car audio
entertainment!

NX2800.1
NX1800.1

MonoBlock
MOSFET Car Audio
Amplifier

ONYX MOSFET Amplifier User’s Manual - page 2

Introduction

With the ONYX MOSFET
amplifier series, we are introducing
twelve new amplifiers, all designed in
the USA. This new series includes a
two monoblock amps, three 2-channel,
and three 4-channel amplifiers.

All ONYX models feature variable low
pass crossovers and variable input
gain controls. The two and four­channel models also have high pass
crossovers.

For further flexibility in the use of a
subwoofer, a 0/+9dB/+18dB Bass
Boost selector has been included on
all amplifiers. You can control the
subwoofer level with the remote level
control module.

For flexibility in use in a variety of
installations, the two- and four-channel
models feature both line level (RCA)
and high level (speaker output) inputs,
and the monoblock models integrate
a line out for system building.

understands that amplifiers are
placed in many different kinds of
installations, so we incorporated a very
flexible system of controls in these
amplifiers in order to help you integrate
the amp into your system regardless
of the nature of your input source.

What is included?

When first unpacking your new
amplifier, please check first that the
package contains all of the items
below. If something is missing, contact
the store where you purchased the
amplifier.

• ONYX amplifier

•High input cable with connector
(2- and 4-channel models only)

• Remote subwoofer level control

• Four (4) mounting screws

ONYX MOSFET Amplifier User’s Manual - page 3

Features About 2 Ohm operation

Your new ONYX amplifier features the
following:

• Class A-B operation

• Bridgeable outputs
(except NX2800.1 and NX1800.1)

• Tri-Mode capable
(except NX2800.1 and NX1800.1)

• MOSFET PWM (Pulse Width
Modulated) Power Supply

• 2 Ohm stable stereo operation
with output power increase
(except NX2800.1 and NX1800.1,
which are 2 ohm mono stable)

• Thermal and speaker short
protection

• Soft turn-on circuit

• Remote turn-on/turn-off circuit

• Variable input gain control(s)

• Variable low pass crossover(s)

• Variable high pass crossover(s)
(except NX2800.1 and NX1800.1)

• Variable 0 to +18dB Bass Boost

• Chrome-plated RCA low level and
high level inputs

• LED power and protection
indicators

• Gunmetal aluminum heatsink

• Remote subwoofer level control

Your ONYX amplifier has been
designed to operate efficiently at loads
down to 2 Ohms. This means that you
can install four 8 Ohm speakers per
channel, when using parallel wiring.

Increasing the number of woofers per
channel at low frequencies (below
100Hz) produces an acoustic coupling
effect. This acoustic coupling effect
increases your power output by about
3dB per speaker, or the equivalent of
an additional 10W per speaker.

When operating at 2 Ohms, the
amplifiers will increase their output
power by approximately 50%. The

current draw will also increase by
about the same amount, so be sure
you have enough current to run the
amplifiers into a 2 Ohm load.

If you lack adequate current, your
music reproduction will be distorted.

ONYX MOSFET Amplifier User’s Manual - page 4

General precautions

SHOCK HAZARD! Do not open the case
of this product. There are dangerous

voltages present within the unit. There are
no user-serviceable parts within the unit.

Before making or breaking power
connections in your system,
disconnect the vehicle battery. Confirm
that your head unit or other equipment
is turned off while connecting the input
jacks and speaker terminals.

If you need to replace the power fuse,
replace it only with a fuse identical to
that supplied with the amplifier. Using
a fuse of a different type or rating may
result in damage to your audio system
or your amplifier which is not covered
by the manufacturer's warranty.

Before installing and using your
new amplifier, please be­come familiar with all the infor­mation contained in this manual.
Please keep this manual in a safe
place for future reference.

• Do not open or attempt to repair
this unit yourself. Dangerous high
voltages are present which may result
in electric shock. Refer any repairs to
a qualified service technician.

• To avoid risk of electronic shock or
damage to the amplifier, do not permit
any of this equipment to become
damp or wet from water or drinks. If
this does occur, immediately unplug
the power wires and send the amplifier
to your local dealer or service center
as soon as possible.

• If there is smoke or any peculiar
odor present during use or if there is
damage to any of the component
enclosures, immediately unplug the
power wire and send the amplifier to
your local dealer or service center as
soon as possible .

Installation precautions

Before you drill or cut any holes,
investigate your car's layout very
carefully. Take special care when you
work near the gas tank, fuel lines,
hydraulic lines and electrical wiring.

Never operate the amplifier when it is
unmounted. Attach all audio system
components securely to prevent
damage, especially in an accident.

Mounting the amplifier

1. Find a suitable location in the vehicle
in which to mount the amplifier.

2. Make sure there is sufficient air
circulation around the intended
mounting location.

3. Mark the location for the mounting
hole screws by positioning the amplifier
where you wish to install it. Use a
scribe or mounting screw, inserted
through each of the amp's mounting
holes, to mark the mounting surface.
If the mounting surface is carpeted,
measure the hole centers and mark
with a felt tip pen.

4. Drill pilot holes in the mounting
surface for the mounting screws. Place
the amplifier in position, and attach
the amplifier to the mounting surface
securely using screws.

ONYX MOSFET Amplifier User’s Manual - page 5

Before doing any wiring, look through
this manual and identify the diagrams
to follow for power, input and speaker
connections for your particular
installation. Be sure you understand
all the connections before you proceed.

1. Connect the power ground terminal
to the closest point on the chassis of
the car. Keep this ground wire to less
than 39" (100 cm) in length. Use 8
gauge (or heavier) wire.

2. Connect the remote terminal to the
remote output of the head unit using
16 gauge (or heavier) wire.

3. Connect an empty fuse holder within
18" (45 cm) of the car battery, and run
8 gauge (or heavier) cable from this
fuse to the amplifier location.

4. Check that the fuse holder is empty.
Then connect the fuse holder to the
"BATT+" connection on the amplifier.

5. If multiple amplifiers are being used
in your system, either:

• Run a separate pair of cables from
the battery and a chassis ground point
to each amplifier. Each (+) cable must
have its own inline fuse.

-or-

• Run a #4 cable from the fuse holder
at the battery to a distribution block
at or near the amplifier's location. Then
run separate cables from the amplifier
to this distribution block and to
independent chassis ground points.

6. Connect all line inputs and outputs
(if used) using high-quality cables.
Connect all speakers, following the
diagrams in this manual. Be sure to
observe proper polarity to avoid audio
phase problems.

Connecting the amplifier

7. Insert fuse(s) into the battery fuse
holder(s).

8. Recheck all connections before
powering up the amplifier.

9. Set all level controls to minimum
position, and set all crossover
controls/switches to the desired
frequency points.

10. Power up the head unit and the
amplifier. Then set the volume control
on the head unit to about 3/4 volume,
and adjust the amplifier’s input level
control(s) to just below the level of
distortion.

11. Further fine tuning of the various
controls may be necessary to obtain best
results.

Do not mistake the input level control
for a volume control! It is designed
ONLY to match the output level of
your audio source to the input level
of your amplifier.

Do not adjust this input level to
maximum unless your input level
requires it.

Ignoring these instructions will result
in an input overload to the amplifier,
and excessive audio distortion. It
can also cause the protection circuit
to engage.

Don't misuse the
level control!

ONYX MOSFET Amplifier User’s Manual - page 6 ONYX MOSFET Amplifier User’s Manual - page 13 ONYX MOSFET Amplifier User’s Manual - page 14

Low Level Input Wiring

Low-level (RCA) input wiring is preferred for best audio performance. Always use
a high-quality RCA cable for best audio performance.

NOTE: Do not connect BOTH the high level and low level inputs from your
receiver to your amplifier at the same time!

MonoBlock Amplifiers

NX1800.1
NX2800.1

To Audio

Outputs of head

unit or signal

processor

SPEAKER

+

+12V GND REM

POWER CONNECTIONS

SUBWOOFER

LEVEL

CONTROL

INPUTS

L+

L

FUSES

POWER

PROTECTION

CROSSOVER

MODE

LOW PASS

FULL RANGE

HIGH LEVEL

INPUTS

L–

R

R+

R–

GND

INPUT
LEVEL

MIN MAX

BASS

BOOST

0 +18

LOW PASS

FREQ

45Hz 90Hz

INPUT

SENSITIVITY

100mV-2V

2V-8V

Remote

Subwoofer Level Control