Coustic 400SE, 600SE Owner's Manual

Welcome
… to the Coustic world of power and clarity. The new 240/400/600SE amplifiers deliver the clean-

est music you’ve ever heard at any power level in the 12-volt environment. Besides their sleek
contoured design, the 240/400/600SE amplifiers have all the latest and most sophisticated audio
features. This manual offers you a guided tour of all these exciting features. For the best sonic
reproduction, please follow the installation suggestions and recommendations as closely as pos­sible. The time you spend will prove to be worthwhile when you sit back and enjoy the high fideli­ty music!
To further explore the potential of your Coustic amplifier, we recommend you match it with our
full-feature high performance AM/FM CD/cassette source units, dynamic full-range speakers or
subwoofers, state-of-the-art equalizers and electronic crossovers.
Whatever you need for your ultimate car audio system, look to Coustic - we have the fullest
range of car audio components to meet the most critical demands.

That’s because …….COUSTIC ROCKS!

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any
form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, or otherwise, without the prior written permis­sion of Coustic or Mitek Corporation.

Please take a moment to complete and mail in the Owners’ Registration Card. (The serial num­ber of your amplifier is marked on the bottom of its metal chassis.) Please also record the serial
number of your amplifier in the space provided below and keep this manual for future reference.

Serial Number: ________________________________________________________________

Date of Purchase: ______________________________________________________________

FEATURES

MULTI-FUNCTION CIRCUIT DESIGN
These 2-channel amplifiers have built-in high-pass/low-pass filters. With the filter switched off,
they can be configured as a quasi 3-channel amplifier.

BUILT-IN ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER WITH CONTINUOUSLYADJUSTABLE CROSSOVER
FREQUENCIES
You have a choice of selecting full-range, high-pass only or low-pass only. These filters feature
18 dB per octave high-pass and low-pass. Furthermore, the crossover frequencies are
continuously variable for fine-tuning of your audio system.

OVER-CURRENT, SHORT CIRCUIT AND DC OFFSET PROTECTION
The sophisticated circuitry monitors abnormal conditions such as voltage spikes, oscillation, DC
offset or short circuit. When any of these undesirable conditions exceed their respective preset
limits, the circuit will shut down the audio system briefly and lights up the protection indicator to
identify the problem for immediate attention. Once the problem is resolved, the amplifier will
resume operation automatically.

HIGH SPEED HIGH CURRENT MOSFET SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY
High current MOSFET transistors are used in the power supply section to minimize internal heat
and maximize reliability. Furthermore, the combination of the very high pulse-width-modulated
(PWM) switching frequency and the extra large filter capacitance guarantees stronger and
deeper transient bass response.

TRIPLE DARLINGTON HIGH CURRENT/HIGH VOLTAGE FULLY COMPLEMENTARY OUTPUT
STAGE
Complementary output stage audio circuitry has long been a hallmark of "exotic" home amplifier
design. Coustic is one of the very few car audio manufacturers to incorporate such elaborate
audio circuitry into its power amplifiers. Triple Darlington configuration ensures the audio
amplifier is always operating at its optimum conditions.

LINE OUPTUTS
The full-range line outputs can be used to feed signals to another amplifier for your future
expansion or for setting up a more sophisticated system.

WIDE RANGE INPUT SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT
The input sensitivity level of the Coustic 240/400/600SE Series amplifiers can be easily varied
from as low as 100 mV to as high as 5.0 volts by adjusting the control on the End Panel.

HIGH/LOW IMPEDANCE INPUT
If you are using a floating or common ground car radio, these amplifiers are the best fit for your
system. They are compatible with floating or common ground car radio speaker outputs even
without a floating ground adapter. If, in the future, you decide to change to a higher quality after
market source unit with RCA pre-amp outputs (like the Coustic CD527), this same amplifier is
there to give you improved frequency response and better sonic performance.

STABLE INTO 2-OHM LOADS
With the over-designed power supply section and a sophisticated power management circuitry,
these amplifiers can maintain their stability even in the highly reactive low impedance environment.

ADJUSTABLE BASS BOOST
This feature allows you to enhance the bass performance of your sound system. The control is
continuously variable with a maximum boost level of 18 dB.

BUILT-IN REMOTE SUBWOOFER LEVEL CONTROL PORT
This amplifier has a built-in remote subwoofer level control input port. With the optional RS
remote control, the subwoofer output level can be adjusted to compensate for bass fluctuations
in a moving vehicle.

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CONTROLS, INDICAT ORS, AND TERMINALS

FRONT PANEL

Figure 1: Front Panel Terminals and Controls

1. FILTER MODE SELECT SWITCH (MODE)
"HPF": Slide switch to this position if the amplifier is used as a mid/tweeter amplifier.
"OFF": Slide switch to this position if the amplifier is used as a full-range amplifier.
"LPF": Slide switch to this position if the amplifier is used as a subwoofer amplifier.

2. HIGH-PASS / LOW-PASS FREQUENCY SELECTOR KNOB (FREQ)
Adjust high/low-pass crossover frequency between 30 to 300Hz.

3. BASS BOOST CONTROL (BOOST)
Select a boost level between 0 dB and +18 dB to enhance the bass performance of your
sound system.

4. INPUT SENSITIVITY LEVEL CONTROL (SENS)
The input sensitivity level can be varied from 5.0 volts to 100 mV depending on the output
voltage of the source unit (refer to sub-section titled INPUT SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT).

5. HIGH IMPEDANCE INPUT (RCA)
To be connected to RCA pre-amp outputs from a source unit (i.e., radio, tape deck or CD play­er).

6. LOW IMPEDANCE INPUT (SPKR LEVEL)
To be connected to speaker outputs from a source unit (i.e. radio, tape deck or CD player)
when RCA outputs are not available.

7. LINE LEVELOUTPUT
This output can be used to connect to another amplifier for system expansion.
Note: This line level output is full range.

8. REMOTE SUBWOOFER LEVELINPUT
To be connected to the optional RS remote subwoofer volume control.

REAR PANEL

Figure 2: Rear Panel Terminals and Indicators

9. POWER AND PROTECT INDICATOR (PWR/PRT)
Green light indicates that the amplifier is "ON".
Red light indicates either a high current, short circuit or DC offset is detected at the speaker
outputs. The amplifier will revert to normal operation once the problem is rectified.
This indicator also lights up at a high operating temperature. Under this condition, the
amplifier will automatically shut down. As soon as the temperature falls to a safe level, the
amplifier will automatically resume operation.

10. POWER INPUT TERMINAL (B+)
To be connected to the positive terminal of the vehicle’s battery or other constant +12 V
source.

11. GROUND INPUT TERMINAL (GND)
To be wired to the vehicle’s chassis for ground.

12. REMOTE TURN-ON INPUT TERMINAL (REM)
To be connected to the remote control wire or power antenna lead of the source unit for
remote ON/OFF.

13. FUSE RECEPTACLE

14. LEFT/RIGHT SPEAKER OUTPUT TERMINAL
For connection to the speaker system.

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SPKR LEVEL

INPUT OUTPUT

R

L

SENS

MIN MAX

MODE

HPF OFF LPF

FREQ

30 300

60 180

0 +18

BOOST

REMOTE

+ L - + R -

FUSE

PWR / PRT

BRIDGE

GRD REM B+

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SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

By purchasing the 240/400/600SE power amplifiers, you are already one step closer to experi­encing the purest and most natural sound quality in the automobile environment. To take full
advantage of the potential of this amplifier, before installation, we strongly recommend that you
acquaint yourself with all its available features and then spend some time in designing a system
most suitable for you. Consider the components you have now and those that you plan on
adding or upgrading in the future.

BUILT-IN ELECTRONIC CROSSOVERS
An electronic crossover has many advantages over passive crossovers - lower cost, simplified
yet more flexible system design, lower distortion and higher gain structure. The 240/400/600SE
power amplifiers are equipped with built-in 18 dB per octave continuously adjustable electronic
crossovers that can be configured for full-range, high-pass or low-pass applications. The line out­put is designed to provide additional expansion capability to your sound system.

BI-AMPLIFICATION
A bi-amplified system normally consists of an active crossover and two amplifiers. The active
crossover divides the audio frequency spectrum into two ranges: frequencies below the
crossover point are directed to the amplifier driving the subwoofer(s), while all frequencies above
the crossover point are directed to the amplifier driving the mid-range/tweeters.
Because of the versatility of the Coustic amplifiers, you are quite free to build whatever mobile
audio system you want or to plan a long term expansion scheme for your car’s audio system.
For example, with the low impedance input, you can use the amplifier as a full-range amplifier to
upgrade your existing factory sound system to drive the front full-range speakers. Or you can
make a "parallel" connection on the amplifier to run both the front and rear speakers.
The full-range line output can be used to drive an additional amplifier driving the rear full-range
speakers
You can also configure the amplifier as a mid/tweeter amplifier.
If you need more power, you can bridge the amplifier as a mono subwoofer amplifier.

3 CHANNEL CONFIGURATION
The Multi-Function Circuit enables the amplifier to be configured as a 1-channel, bridged, mono
amplifier driving a single speaker, 2-channel, stereo amplifier driving a pair of speakers, or quasi
3-channel amplifier.
The bridged mono mode is commonly used for subwoofer amplification. The amplifier provides
more power in the bridged mono mode than it does in stereo mode.
With the assistance of passive crossovers and in its quasi 3-channel mode, the amplifier can be
configured as a 2-way amplifier driving a pair of left- and right-channel, full-range mid-tweeters
and a mono woofer. Care must be taken to choose capacitors and inductors of correct value; oth­erwise damage could be done to the speakers and/or the amplifier.
For approximate passive crossover components’ value, please refer to Coustic’s website,
http//:www.coustic.com.

MULTI-FUNCTION PROTECTION INDICATOR
When the red protect indicator light up it signifies a high operating temperature is detected and
the amplifier is temporarily shut down to allow for a cooling period. As soon as the temperature
returns to a safe level, the amplifier will restart and resume normal operation.
This indicator also lights up when the amplifier detects either an over-current situation, shorted
speaker outputs or a DC offset at the outputs. Turn off the amplifier, double-check all inputs and
speaker connections to make sure there is no short or inappropriate inputs. If all connections are
in order, turn on the amplifier to resume operation.

SPEAKER IMPEDANCE
Although extremely low impedance speaker loads will not damage the amplifier, for stereo mode,
we recommend speaker loads of 2, 4 or 8 ohms; for bridged mono mode, 4 or 8 ohms. (Note: In
bridged mono mode, the amplifier sees only half of the speaker impedance.)
NOTE remember that we are not defying the laws of Physics! IF you decide to connect ANY
Coustic amplifier into a bridged mono load BELOW 4 ohms, Physics dictates that current draw
doubles! This is not too big a problem with the 240SE or 400SE. But with the 600SE this is
DANGEROUS. The current draw could be as great as 200 amps (peak). Make sure you wire
your system properly.
With the 600SE we recommend ONLY a 4 gauge wire OR larger!

POWER CABLES
Power cables are as important as battery capacity. Use only high quality power cables of gauge
size AWG 8 (AWG 4 for the 600SE) or bigger for installation.
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO BIG OF APOWER/GROUND WIRE!

CIRCUIT BREAKER/FUSES
It is also advisable to install a circuit breaker/fuse close to the battery. This would effectively
lower the risk of the power cable catching fire should a short circuit occur in the audio system. A
circuit breaker or fuse 50% with of the main batteries amp hour rating is recommended. Going
larger in circuit breaker or fuse value means that you have NO protection. DO NOT over fuse!
Fuses on the amplifier DO NOT protect the amplifier, they protect the car.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS & ACCESSORIES
Quality equipment and proper system design and installation are the ingredients for the ultimate
car audio system. With your wise decision to purchase this Coustic amplifier, you are already
one big step closer to realizing your dream. The next step is simple - have an experienced pro­fessional Coustic dealer install your audio system. However, if you prefer to install the system
yourself, we have the following commendations for your reference:

Caution: Improper installation will void the product warranty and Coustic is not responsible for
any consequential damage to the amplifier and/or other audio components and/or electrical com­ponents of the vehicle.

TERMINALS, LUGS AND CONNECTORS
High current terminals, lugs and/or connectors are also required to ensure a safe and sure elec­trical connection and conduction.

NEGATIVE GROUNDING SYSTEM
The 240/400/600SE power amplifiers are designed for use with a 12-Volt negative ground sys­tem. Installing this amplifier in a vehicle with a POSITIVE ground system will result in severe
damage to the amplifier, other audio components and/or the vehicle’s electrical components. If
your vehicle happens to run on a positive ground system, please consult your Coustic dealer.

WARNING: These power amplifiers are very powerful. We strongly recommend

installation in the following manner:

(1) by professional mobile audio installers;and
(2) incorporating all of the above special precautions and accessories.

Failure to comply with either one or both of the above conditions will render the warranty void
and Coustic is not responsible for any consequential damage to the amplifier, other audio compo­nents and/or electrical components of the vehicle.

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