Clarion APX400.2M User Manual
INTRODUCTION
The Clarion APX400.2M is a full-featured two-channel amplifier incorporating
the following features:
• Full frequency response with low distrotion and exceptional signal to noise
performance
• Advanced circuit design that features bridgeable and mixed mode operation
for use in various 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 audio system
design
• 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 accepting 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 extenal 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 listed in this manual. Keep all instructions for future reference.
Please fill out and send in the enclosed warranty card to protect your purchase
and aid in warranty service. Also, save your original sales receipt as proof of
purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1
Input Connections and Audio Controls • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1
Connections for Power and Speakers • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3
Applications • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4
Installation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7
Mounting Precautions • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7
Wiring Precautions • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7
Setting the Gain • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10
Setting the Crossover • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10
Setting the Bass Boost • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10
Final System Checks • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11
Troubleshooting • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11
Product Specs • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12
Notes • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13
DESCRIPTION
The Clarion APX400.2M two-channel amplifier provides 2x70 watts of power
into a 4 ohm load and 2x110 watts of power into a 2 ohm load. This full
featured model is an excellent choice for a variety of marine audio sound
system configurations.
The APX400.2M uses an unregulated MOSFET power supply for superior
control of output wattage. A toroid-coil transformer yields maximum power
transfer with minimum heat loss. Careful 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 and speaker
shorts or improper load conditions occur.
All connections and controls of the APX400.2M are on the end panels and are
easy to understand. We use gold-plated RCA and barrier connectors to ensure
the best electrical connection for your system. Included is an external
automotive type fuse that is easy to replace.
INPUT CONNECTIONS AND AUDIO CONTROLS
The front panel of the APX400.2M contains connections for RCAInputs,
Speaker Level Inputs and Audio Controls as shown below.
The RCAInput Connections are 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
5. Crossover Frequency Multiplier Switch
6. X-Over Mode Switch
7. Input Select Switch
8. Speaker Level Inputs
1
• 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 equlaizer, 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 and 5500Hz (via the Crossover Frequency Multiplier)
for a wide range of crossover points. Use this feature, along with your speaker
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. A 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 highpowered 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. In addition, these connections are provided for installations where the
source unit’s RCA outputs are unavailable.
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 improper
operation.
2
CONNECTIONS FOR POWER AND SPEAKERS
The rear panel of the APX400.2M contains power and speaker connections as
shown below.
Figure 2-
1. Left Speaker Output
2. Right Speaker Output
3. Remote Turn-on Input
4. Ground Input
5. Battery + 12V Input
6. 25 Amp Fuse
3
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