Clarion MCD360 User Manual

INTRODUCTION

The Clarion MCD360 is a full-featured Three-Way Crossover. When used to
build a 2-way system with front and rear fader capability or a full three-way
system, the Clarion MCD360 electronic crossover allows you to choose from a
wide range of crossover points between the front, rear and subwoofer outputs.
The MCD360 includes the following features:

• 6-channel electronic crossover

• Continuously variable crossover frequency with Multiplier Switch

• Separate inputs for front, rear and subwoofer

• Front and rear high-pass outputs

• Non-fade low-pass output

• Adjustable low-pass gain

• Subwoofer Bass Boost

• Remote Subwoofer Level Control

• Ground loop isolation input circuit

• Gold-plated RCA input/output connectors

• Remote turn-on circuit

• Power-on LED

ABOUT THE MANUAL AND WARRANTY

To start enjoying your new Clarion MCD360 Three-Way Crossover, 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 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •2
Input/Output Connections and Audio Controls • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •3
Mounting Precautions • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •5
Wiring Precautions • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •6
Applications • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •8
Troubleshooting • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •14
Product Specs • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •15

DESCRIPTION

The Clarion MCD360 has the ability to accept one, two or three sets of RCA
cables as an input.

Both the front and rear outputs of the MCD360 make use of a built-in 18dB per
octave electronic crossover that is continuously variable from 32Hz to 8kHz.
The subwoofer output also uses an 18dB electronic crossover, and it is
adjustable from 45Hz to 250Hz.

The dash mounted bass level control provides a convenient way to adjust the
bass to suit your taste without having to leave your seat.

2

INPUT/OUTPUT CONNECTIONS AND AUDIO CONTROLS

The top panel of MCD360 contains the controls for the crossover and output
levels as shown below.

Figure 1-

1. Front RCA Input

2. Front Crossover Frequency Control

3. Front/Rear Input Selection Switch

4. Rear RCA Input

5. Rear Crossover Frequency Control

6. Sub Input Selection Switch

7. Sub RCAInput

8. Sub Crossover Frequency Control

9. Frequency Multiplier Switch

10. Sub Bass Boost Frequency

11. Sub Bass Boost Level

12. Ground Input Connector

13. Battery +12V Input Connector

14. Remote Turn-On Input

15. Front RCA Output

16. Front Output Level

17. Rear RCA Output

18. Rear Output Level

19. Phase Switch

20. Sub RCAOutput

21. Sub Output Level

22. Remote Sub Level Connector

23. Remote Sub Level Control

3

• Front High-Pass Crossover Frequency Adjustment - Adjusts the crossover
to match your speaker system. The crossover frequency can be adjusted from
32Hz - 400Hz or from 640Hz - 8kHz with the crossover frequency multiplier
switch.

• Rear High-Pass Crossover Frequency Adjustment - Adjusts the crossover
to match speaker your system. The crossover frequency can be adjusted from
32Hz - 400 Hz.

• Subwoofer Crossover Frequency Adjustment - Adjusts the crossover to
match your speaker system. The crossover frequency can be adjusted from
45Hz - 250 Hz.

• Frequency Multiplier Switch - When engaged, this switch increases the
crossover frequency by a factor of 20. Example: If the frequency is set for
70Hz, moving the frequency multiplier switch to X20 changes the setting to

1.4kHz.

• Output Level Controls - Seperate Front, Rear and Subwoofer Output Level
Controls allow you to set the nominal operating level of the crossover. The
crossover’s output level ranges can accommodate virtually any brand of
amplifier.

• Subwoofer Boost Control - The crossover also features a “high-Q” (i.e.
narrow frequency band) Bass Boost circuit. It acts much like an equalizer, with
adjustable gain (from 0 - +18dB) with a center frequency adjustable from 25Hz

- 100Hz. Use this feature to tune low-frequency 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. Use the Freq dial to set the Boost Freq and the Sub Boost Level
dial to set the amount of boost. Note: If Bass Boost is undesired, set Sub Boost
Level to 0dB.

• Phase Switch - When set to 180 degrees, this switch reverses the phase of the
subwoofer output signal. This is used for fine tuning the bass response after the
installation is complete.

• Power Indicator - The power indicator will light up when the crossover is
on.

• Front/Rear Input Switch - This switch allows use of a 2 channel input to
drive both the front and rear inputs.

• Sub Input Switch - This switch allows the signal from the front and rear
channels to be directed to the sub input when a dedicated sub input is not
available.

• Remote Sub Level Control - When the remote sub level control is plugged
into the MCD360, the sub output level control on the MCD360 will be
defeated. Instead the remote sub level control will set the sub output level.

4

MOUNTING PRECAUTIONS

The MCD360 crossover can be mounted in any convenient location in your
vehicle that allows access to the controls and is away from moisture. The
flanges on the chassis have mounting holes which can be used as a template for
screw holes. For easy system set-up, mount the crossover so the front panel
controls will be accessible after installation.
In addition, observe the following precautions:

1. Mount the crossover on a rigid surface. Do not install the crossover on
plastic or other combustible materials.

2. Prior to drilling, make sure proposed mounting holes will not cut into the
fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines (under chassis), or electrical wiring.

3. Avoid mounting to subwoofer enclosures or areas prone to vibration.

Figure 2-

5