Clarion APX201.2, APX401.2 User Manual

2-CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER

OPERATION

INSTALLATION

MANUAL

2 Channel Power System Amplifier

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Input Connections and Audio Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Connections for Power and Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Mounting Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Wiring Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Setting the Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Setting the Crossover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Setting the Bass Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Final System Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Product Specs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

INTRODUCTION

The Clarion APX201.2 and APX401.2 are full-featured two-channel amplifiers
incorporating the following features:

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

• Advanced circuitry design that features bridgeable and mixed mode operation

for use in various audio systems, including those with satellite speakers
and/or subwoofers.

• Variable high-pass/low-pass electronic crossover with a 12dB per octave

slope and full adjustable range (from 55Hz to 5.5kHz) to aid in any audio
system configuration.

• Variable 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, allowing a wide

range of input signals.

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

• Pulse-width modulated (PWM) MOSFET power supply with low AM RFI

and protection circuits for overheating and speaker shorts.

• 2-ohm load capability to drive a variety of speaker systems.

• Gold-plated input/output connectors and an external automotive type fuse

• Aluminum heat sink for efficient heat dissipation.

• Low profile, compact size for space limited installations.

ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY

To start enjoying your new Clarion two-channel amplifier, please read the
instructions stated in this manual. Keep all instructions for future reference.

Save your original sales receipt as proof of purchase.

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Owner’s Manual

Owner’s Manual

DESCRIPTION

The APX201.2 and APX401.2 use an unregulated MOSFET power supply for
superior control of output wattage. A toroid-coil transformer yields maximum
power transfer with minimal heat loss. Extensive attention to circuit design
keeps AM RFI at low levels, so you won’t hear unwanted noise when the level
is cranked up. Protection circuits safeguard the amplifier when overheating,
speaker shorts, or improper load conditions occur.

All connections and controls of the APX201.2 and APX401.2 are on the end
panels and are easy to understand. Gold-plated RCA and barrier connectors
are used to ensure the best electrical connection for your system. Integrated
into the power and speaker end panel is an external automotive type fuse that
is easy to replace.

INPUT CONNECTIONS AND AUDIO CONTROLS

The front panel of the APX201.2 and APX401.2 both contain connections for
RCA Inputs or Speaker Level Inputs and Audio Controls as shown below.

The RCA input connections feature gold-plated RCA jacks and are labeled as
RIGHT and LEFT.

Figure 1-

1. RCA Input Jacks

2. Gain Control

3. Bass Boost Control

4. Freq (Hz) Selection Control

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

5. Crossover Frequency Multiplier Switch

6. X-Over Mode Switch

7. Input Select Switch

8. Speaker Level Inputs

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2 Channel Power System Amplifier

• Gain Control - This allows you to set the nominal operating level of the
amplifier. The amplifier’s range, 250mV to 2.5V for RCA inputs or 500mV to
5V for speaker level inputs, can accommodate input levels from virtually any
brand of source unit.

• Bass Boost Control- The amplifier also features a “high-Q” (i.e. narrow
frequency band) Bass Boost circuit. It acts much like an equalizer, with
adjustable gain (from 0 to +18dB) fixed at 45Hz. Use this feature to tune low­frequency 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 Bass
Boost is undesired, set Bass Boost to 0dB.

High-pass/Low-pass Filter Controls

• Frequency (Hz) Selection Control - The crossover frequency is fully
adjustable between 55Hz to 5500Hz (via the Crossover Frequency Multiplier)
for a wide range of crossover points. Use this feature, along with your speak ­er manufacturer’s recommended crossover frequencies, to quickly design a
more advanced system (see Applications on page 5.) NOTE: If the X-Over
Mode Switch is set to OFF, varying the Freq (Hz) Control will produce no
effect.

• Crossover Frequency Multiplier Switch - When engaged, this switch
increases the crossover frequency by a factor of 10. Example: If the Freq (Hz)
dial is set for 240 Hz, pushing in the multiplier switch changes the setting to
2400 Hz.

• X-Over Mode Switch - This switch is equipped with a 12dB per octave
electronic filter for precise frequency attenuation with minimal phase distor­tion. The steep crossover slope keeps midrange tones out of the subwoofer
and thereby eliminates an unnatural “nasal” tone quality in the audio system.
The filter is activated by sliding the X-Over Mode Switch to either LP or HP.

• Input Mode Switch - This switch allows you to set the input mode. Stereo
input allows full left and right stereo operation. Right (bridged) input allows
single channel input for bridged operation. This is especially useful in high
powered systems when using one amplifier for each subwoofer/speaker.
L + R (sum mono) allows a stereo input to be summed into a mono output.

• Speaker Level Inputs - These provide connections for a high-level stereo
source. These connections are provided for installations when the source unit
does not have RCA outputs.

WARNING:When using the speaker (high-level) inputs, the Black wire must
be grounded at the radio. Failure to do this will result in noise and/or improp­er operation.

4

Owner’s Manual

CONNECTIONS FOR POWER AND SPEAKERS

The rear panel of the APX201.2 and APX401.2 contains power and speaker
connections as shown below.

Figure 2- 1

1. Left Speaker Output

2. Right Speaker Output

3. Remote Turn-on Input

4. Ground Input

2 3 4 5

5. Battery +12V Input

6. 25 Amp Fuse (APX201.2)
40 Amp Fuse (APX401.2)

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