Directed Audio A502, A404 User Manual

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models

A502 A404

OWNER’S MANUAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations for choosing a Directed Audio power amplifier from Directed Electronics, the industry leader in high quality automotive security and audio equipment since 1990.

Directed Audio power amplifiers continue to set new standards of performance, reliability, and affordability in the mobile electronics industry.

Featuring high-efficiency MOSFET power supplies, flexible on-board crossovers, and state of the art audio design, Directed Audio power amplifiers will excite and delight the mobile sound

enthusiast with years of high-quality audio reproduction.

Directed Audio power amplifiers come with a two-year limited warranty if installed by an authorized Directed dealer. If not installed by an authorized dealer, Directed Audio power amplifiers are covered by a one-year, parts-andlabor limited warranty.

Be sure to retain your original sales receipt and refer to the warranty section of this guide for full details about your coverage.

Limited two-year consumer warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Installation guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Front panel connections/controls A502-A404 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Rear panel connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Speaker wiring diagrams A502 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Speaker wiring diagrams A404 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Crossover settings and gain adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

LED Tube Installation (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

CEA Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

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LIMITED TWO-YEAR CONSUMER WARRANTY

Directed Electronics, Inc. promises to the original purchaser, to replace this product should it prove to be defective in workmanship or material under normal use, for a period of two years from the date of purchase by the dealer as indicated by the date code marking of the product PROVIDED the product was installed by an authorized Directed dealer. During this twoyear period, there will be no charge for this replacement PROVIDED the unit is returned to Directed, shipping pre-paid. If the unit is installed by anyone other than an authorized Directed dealer, the warranty period will be 1 year from the date of purchase by the dealer as indicated by the date code marking of the product. During this 1-year period there will be no charge for this replacement PROVIDED the unit is returned to Directed, shipping pre-paid. This warranty is non-transferable and does not apply to any unit that has been modified or used in a manner contrary to its intended purpose, and does not cover damage to the unit caused by installation or removal of the unit. This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by accident or unreasonable use, neglect, improper service or other causes not arising out of defects in materials or construction. ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDING

BUT NOT LIMITED TO EXPRESS WARRANTY, IMPLIED WARRANTY, WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND

WARRANTY OF NON-INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, AND DIRECTED NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT ANY LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF THE PRODUCT. DIRECTED HAS ABSOLUTELY NO LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL ACTS OF THIRD PARTIES INCLUDING ITS AUTHORIZED DEALERS OR INSTALLERS. Unit must be returned to

Directed, postage pre-paid, with: consumer’s name, telephone number, and address, authorized dealer’s name and address, and product description. IN ORDER FOR THIS

WARRANTY TO BE VALID, YOUR UNIT MUST BE SHIPPED WITH PROOF OF INSTALLATION BY AN AUTHORIZED DIRECTED DEALER. ALL UNITS RECEIVED BY DIRECTED FOR WARRANTY REPAIR WITHOUT PROOF OF DIRECTED DEALER INSTALLATION WILL BE COVERED BY THE LIMITED 1-YEAR PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY. Note: This warranty does not

cover labor costs for the removal and reinstallation of the unit. BY PURCHASING THIS

PRODUCT, THE CONSUMER AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN THE CONSUMER AND Directed SHALL BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA LAWS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

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High-powered car audio systems may produce sound pressure levels that exceed the threshold at which hearing loss may result.

They may also impair a driver’s ability to hear traffic sounds or emergency vehicles. Use common sense and practice safe listening habits when listening to or adjusting your audio system.

WARNING

FEATURES

 High-speed MOSFET switching

power supply and complimentary bipolar outputs.

 Stereo, mono, or simultaneous

stereo/mono operation.

 Thermal, DC offset, reverse polarity.

 Selectable 12dB/octave two-way

crossover.

 Switchable 8 dB bass EQ function.

 Variable input sensitivity optimizes

match with different signal sources.

 Chrome-plated wire terminals and

RCA connectors ensure maximum signal transfer.

 Rugged two-piece extruded heat

sink and cover.

 Unity gain pass-through RCA jacks.

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INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

1. Please read this owner’s manual carefully before installing this amplifier.

2. Disconnect the battery ground terminal prior to making any electrical connections.

3. Check for any hazards or obstructions such as gas tanks, fuel or brake lines, and wiring harnesses before mounting the amplifier.

4. Pick a mounting location that will provide adequate access and ventilation and protect the amplifier from heat, moisture, and dirt.

5. Avoid sharp metal areas when routing cables to the amplifier, and run RCA cables away from the power cables and other potentially noisy car harnesses.

6. The amplifier should be grounded with a short, heavy gauge wire connected directly to the car at a bare metal surface, preferably scraped body sheet metal. Do not use factory ground locations, seat bolts, or brackets that are spot welded.

7. Always fuse your power connection within 8 to 10 inches of the battery

terminal. Use a fuse or circuit breaker rated slightly more than the on-board fuse(s) of the amplifier(s). The gauge of power wire used should take into account the total current draw of the system, and the length of wire used. IASCA and other auto sound competition organizations have charts available for this; you can also find a chart in the MECP study guide. Minimum wire gauge recommendations for the individual amplifiers are listed on the specification page. Always use the same gauge wire for the amplifier ground that you use for the power wire. Be sure to examine the battery ground cable of the vehicle, and if necessary, upgrade it by adding an additional ground wire that is the same gauge as the amplifier power wire. Remember, the amplifier can only deliver its rated output when it is not current limited by the power and ground supply wires.

8. This amplifier is designed to drive a speaker load that measures from 2 to 8 ohms. Keep in mind that heat is the long-term enemy of automotive electronics and the lower your

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speaker load, the more heat is generated. For low impedance speaker applications or restricted ventilation installations, an external cooling fan may be advisable.

9. Battery and ground connections to the vehicle should be made with crimped ring terminals of the appropriate size (surface area is what counts); soldering the terminals after crimping is also recommended.

10. Due to the high-frequency MOSFET switching power supply, filtering the power cable is not generally required (remember that the amp can’t deliver full output if the power supply is restricted). Proper grounding of the signal source is mandatory for the amplifier to reach its performance peak. If the RCA inputs are not grounded adequately via the signal source, electrical noise from the vehicle may be picked up in the system.

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RRCCAA IInnppuutt JJaacckkss --

Accepts line level outputs from head units or signal processors at voltages between 150mV and 7.5 volts.

RRCCAA OOuuttppuutt JJaacckkss --

These pass through RCA jacks can be used to send the input signal to a second amplifier.

GGaaiinn CCoonnttrrooll --

Controls amplifier sensitivity and is used to match the input level of the amplifier to the output level of the signal source.

CCrroossssoovveerr SSeelleeccttiioonn SSwwiittcchh -- Controls the type of filter for the onboard active crossover. FLAT does not attenuate any frequencies and is for full-range speaker systems. HPF attenuates low frequencies and is used for mid-range speakers and tweeters. LPF attenuates high

frequencies and is used for subwoofers speakers.

aassss EEQQ SSwwiittcchh

- Adds an additional 8 db of boost to the speaker output when on.

LLiigghhtt BBaarr//FFaann

- Allows connection

of an

ooppttiioonnaall

LED light bar or

ooppttiioonnaall

additional cooling fan for

the amplifier.

SSttaattuuss LLEEDD

- Will illuminate GREEN to indicate the amplifier is on and operating normally, and will be illuminated RED if the amplifier shuts down due to short circuit, DC offset, or overheating detected by onboard protection circuitry.

IInnppuutt MMooddee SSwwiittcchh

- Selects 2 or 4 channel operation (model A404 only).

FRONT PANEL CONNECTIONS/CONTROLS A502-A404

FIGURE 1—AMPLIFIER CONNECTIONS A502 FRONT

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PPoowweerr FFuussee --

This fuse protects the amplifier against internal electrical damage and is meant to protect the amplifier only. All other power connections should be fused at the source. The A502 uses 1-30A fuse, and the A404 uses 1-30A fuse.

((++)) 1122 VVoolltt PPoowweerr

- Connect this terminal through a FUSE or CIRCUIT BREAKER to the positive terminal of the vehicle battery or the positive terminal of an isolated audio system battery.

WWAARRNNIINNGG::

Always protect this power wire by installing a fuse or circuit breaker of the appropriate size within 12 inches of the battery terminal connection.

RReemmoottee TTuurrnn OOnn

- This terminal turns on the amplifier when (+) 12 volt is applied to it. Connect it to the remote turn on lead of the head unit or signal source.

GGrroouunndd --

Connect this terminal directly to the sheet metal chassis of the vehicle using the shortest wire necessary to make this connection. Always use wire of the same gauge or larger than the (+) 12 volt power wire. The chassis connection point should be scraped free of paint and dirt. Use only quality crimped and/or soldered connectors at both ends of this

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS

FIGURE 2—AMPLIFIER CONNECTIONS A404 FRONT

FIGURE 5—LED/FAN HARNESS

BLACK

BLUE

BLACK

RED

TO LEDs

TO FAN

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FIGURE 3—AMPLIFIER CONNECTIONS A502 REAR

FIGURE 4—AMPLIFIER CONNECTIONS A404 REAR

wire. DO NOT connect this terminal directly to the vehicle battery ground terminal or any other factory ground points.

SSppeeaakkeerr TTeerrmmiinnaallss

- Connect the speakers to these terminals. (Refer to the

Wiring Diagram

section of

this guide.)

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SPEAKER WIRING DIAGRAMS A502

L CH

Stereo operation (top view)

Mono operation (top view)

Simultaneous stereo/mono operation (top view)

R CH

INDUCTOR

SUB

CAP

L CH

R CH

L CH

R CH

B R I D G E D

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SPEAKER WIRING DIAGRAMS A404

NNOOTTEE::

For bridged two channel operation as shown in this diagram, connect right channel RCA cables to the front inputs of the amplifier, and left channel RCA cables to the rear inputs of the amplifier. For summed subwoofer applications, connect RCA cables per the input jack marking.

Stereo Operation - 2 Channel (top view)

FRONT (RIGHT)

L CH

R CH

B R I D G E D

REAR (LEFT)

L CH

R CH

B R I D G E D

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1122

Simultaneous Stereo (top view)

Stereo Operation - 4 Channel (top view)

FRONT (LEFT)

FRONT (RIGHT)

L CH

R CH

B R I D G E D

REAR (LEFT)

REAR (RIGHT)

INDUCTOR

SUB

FRONT

INDUCTOR

SUB

REAR

CAP

L CH

R CH

L CH

R CH

L CH

R CH

B R I D G E D

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SUB

2 Channel Stereo with Mono Sub (top view)

L CH

R CH

B R I D G E D

REAR (LEFT)

REAR (RIGHT)

L CH

R CH

B R I D G E D

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CROSSOVER SETTINGS AND GAIN ADJUSTMENT

Your Directed Audio power amplifier needs to be adjusted carefully to achieve maximum performance. These are some guidelines to follow when fine-tuning the amplifier.

 For full-range and simultaneous stereo/mono bass applications, the crossover

selection switch should be set to FLAT. If the amplifier is driving your subwoofers, set the switch to LPF, and for mid-bass/midrange output, set to HPF.

 The gain adjustment allows you to set proper signal match for clean, quiet ampli-

fier operation. For full-range and simultaneous stereo/mono bass applications, start by playing some music you are familiar with. With the gain adjustment on the amplifier in the middle of its rotation, bring up the volume on your head unit to the 3/4 volume setting or until you start to hear distortion or clipping. If you hear distortion before you reach the 3/4 volume setting of your head unit, reduce the gain setting on the amplifier and start to raise the head unit volume again. When you can listen to the music at or slightly above 3/4 on your head unit without audible distortion, slowly raise the gain of the amplifier until distortion is heard, then back off the gain until the distortion is not audible. This setting will allow you to reach full output with all but the quietest of source material, while avoiding excessive noise in the system.

 The same procedure should be used for adjusting the amplifier when the on-board

crossover is set to LPF or HPF, but you will also have to take into consideration the effect that gain adjustment has on system frequency response and imaging. Again, plan on spending some time with music that you know, getting the gain and crossover settings the way you like. Test discs and analyzers may help with this process, but in the end it's your ears that count - listen to the music!

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1155

LED TUBE INSTALLATION (OPTIONAL)

This Directed Audio amplifier has been designed with a custom heat sink that can accommodate two (optional—not supplied) VARAD LED tubes.

1. Before installing the LED tubes, remove and discard the mounting feet from the VARAD LED tubes.

2. Slide each LED tube assembly into your Directed Audio amplifier heat sink. Ensure that the LEDs are facing out for optimal visibility. The wires from the LED tube assembly should be on the signal input end of the amplifier. The Black wire from the LED tube is ground and the Black/White wire from the LED tube is power.

4. Run the two wires from the tube assembly and connect them to the 4-pin LED/FAN input connector. Refer to the LED/FAN harness diagram given earlier in this manual.

NNOOTTEE::

If the optional fan IS NOT being used, it is recommended that the second LED tube be wired to this circuit. If the optional fan is being used, it is recommended that the second LED tube be wired in parallel with the first LED tube.

Directed Amplifier—VARAD Cross Reference Chart

Directed Part Number Directed Model VARAD Model QTY Required

45120 A502 HLX6, HL6, HLW9 2 45125 A802 HLX6, HL6, HLW9 2 45150 A404 HLX6, HL6, HLW9 2 45155 A1004 HLX12, HL12, HLW15 2 45095 D600 HLX6, HL6, HLW9 2 45100 D800 HLX6, HL6, HLW9 2 45105 D1200 HLX6, HL6 2 45110 D2400 HLX12, HL12 2 45165 D2205 (2) HLX12, (2) HL12

2 or 4

Use the following cross reference chart to select the proper length VARAD LED tube for use with your Directed Audio amplifier.

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CEA SPECIFICATIONS

AA550022 Power Output: 90 Watts RMS x 2 at 4 ohms and <

1% THD+N

Signal to Noise Ratio: -70 dBA (reference 1 Watt into 4 ohms)

Additional Power: 125 Watts RMS x 2 at 2 ohm and <

1% THD+N

AA440044 Power Output: 45 Watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms and <

1% THD+N

Signal to Noise Ratio: -80 dBA (reference 1 Watt into 4 ohms)

Additional Power: 50 Watts RMS x 4 at 2 ohm and <

1% THD+N

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1177

SPECIFICATIONS

AA550022 AA440044 RMS continuous Power 4 Ohm

75W x 2 35W x 4

RMS continuous Power 2 Ohm

125W x 2 50W x 4

RMS continuous Power Bridged 4 Ohm

250W x 1 100W x 2

Dynamic Power Rating (IHF-202 Standard) 4 Ohms

200W 300W

Signal-to-Noise Ratio Greater than 90 dB Greater than 90 dB Frequency Response 20-20,000 Hz ± 0.25 dB 20-20,000 Hz ± 0.25 dB Damping Factor Greater than 100 Greater than 100

Crossover

Switchable high or low pass

12 dB/octave,100Hz

Switchable high or low pass

12 dB/octave,100Hz Bass Equalization +8 dB, centered at 40Hz +8 dB, centered at 40Hz Input Impedance 20K ohms 20K ohms

Input Sensitivity

Variable from 250 mV to

7.5 volts

Variable from 250 mV to

7.5 volts

Output Impedance

2 to 8 ohms, stereo

4 to 8 ohms, bridged

2 to 8 ohms, stereo

4 to 8 ohms, bridged Supply Voltage 10 to 16 VDC 10 to 16 VDC Fusing and Power 30A 30A Minimum Cable Requirements

(AWG) (Per amp, trunk mounted)

#10 #10

1. RMS continuous power driven into 4 ohms from 20 to 20,000 Hz @ 14.4VDC with less than 0.08% THD+N.

2. RMS continuous power driven into 2 ohms from 20 to 20,000 Hz @ 14.4VDC with less than 0.15% THD+N.

3. RMS continuous power bridged into 4 ohms from 20 to 20,000 Hz @ 14.4VDC with less than 0.15% THD+N.

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2200

The company behind this system is Directed Electronics, Inc. Since

its inception, Directed has had one purpose, to provide customers with the finest

vehicle security, car stereo products, rear seat entertainment, and accessories avail-

able. The recipient of more than 20 patents in the field of advanced electronic tech-

nology, Directed is ISO 9001 registered.

Directed® is committed to delivering world-class quality products and services that excite and delight our customers.

Directed Electronics, Inc. Vista, California 92081 www.directed.com

Quality Directed products are sold and serviced throughout North America and around the world

Call 800 274 0200 for more information about our products and services

Directed Audio A502, A404 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual