DLS A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 User Manual
...
How to install and
operate the
DLS ULTIMATE
A-series amplifiers
A2, A3, A4, A5, A6,
and A7
Welcome!
This owners manual is written in easy english and
uses a lot of drawings to simply the installation and
use of the above amplifiers.
Your DLS amplifier must be installed correctly in
order to work well. This manual will show you how
to install the amplifier like a pro. Please read the
entire manual before beginning the installation.
Install the amplifier yourself if you feel confident with
our instructions and if you have the proper tools.
However if you feel unsure, turn over the installation job to someone better suited to it.
Contents
Caution………………………..…….. 2
Installation…………………….……. 2
Tools and materials needed………. 3
Amplifier installation kit………….... 3
Routing Wires…………………….... 3
Wiring
Power terminals.....……………..…. 4
Inputs and controls…….…………... 5
Input wiring................................... 5
Input level control.......................... 5
Phase control................................ 5
Remote bass level......................... 5
Protection circuits.......................... 5
Input & controls A7…………........... 6
Crossovers / filters………………..... 7
Crossovers / filters A7.................... 8
Professional tips............................ 9
Wiring examples:
DLS A2......................................... 10-11
DLS A3......................................... 12-13
DLS A4......................................... 14-16
DLS A5......................................... 17
DLS A6......................................... 18
DLS A7......................................... 19-22
Testing……………………………….. 23
Trouble-shooting…………………….. 23
Specifications………………………... 24-25
Warranty Service
This amplifier is covered by warranty, depending
on the conditions in the country where it is sold. If
the amplifier is returned for service, please include
the original dated receipt with the product.
For technical assistance ask the shop where the
product was sold, or the distributor in your country.
You can always phone the DLS Helpdesk in Sweden
+ 46 31 84 00 60 or send an e-mail to info@dls.se.
Information can also be found on our WEB-site
www.dls.se
Technical Assistance
Approval of electromagnetic compatability
according to the EEC Directive 95/54/EC for
DLS A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7.
E 11 Approval No: 10R-020962
ULTIMATE A-series
Congratulations, you have just purchased the finest mobile audio amplifier that today´s technology can
offer. DLS offers a series of high quality car audio products for real music lovers, and we are sure that you
will enjoy a high class car sound for many years.
CAUTION!
Some of our amplifiers are capable of producing a sound pressure level that can cause permanent
damage to your hearing system. High sound pressure levels combined with long time listening can give
permanent damage to your hearing system. Choose a listening level that is comfortable for your ears.
To establish a safe level:
Start your volume control at a low setting. Slowly increase the volume until you can hear the music
comfortly and clearly, without any distortion. Sudden sound shocks are dangerous.
The following noises can be dangerous with constant exposure:
90 dB Subway, motorcycle, lawn mover 4 hours max
100 dB Chain saw 2 hours max
120 dB Rock band live concert 30 minutes max
140 dB Gunshot blast, jet plane 0 minutes
Installation
Before you begin to install
Before you begin you need to read the manual, to have
some tools, cables and other material available. There
is one such list of material on the following page.
Amplifier location
Important
Allow air circulation around the amplifier.
The DLS ULTIMATE amplifiers have a great
flexibility in mounting but the best is to mount it
somewhere in the trunk.
When you select a location, do remember that the
amplifier generates a lot of heat.
Choose a location where air can circulate freely
around the amplifier. Do not cover the amplifier with
carpets or hide behind trim panels.
Do NOT mount the amplifier upside down under
the hat rack.
In the amplifier case there are four mounting holes.
If the surface where you intend to mount the
amplifier isn´t big enough you can mount it on a
separate fibre board or similar. This will also isolate
the amplifier chassies from ground.
WARNING!
Check all locations and placements carefully before
making any cuts, drilling any holes or making any
connections.
Disconnect Battery
Before starting the installation, always disconnect
the negative terminal of
the battery.
Professional Tip:
If amplifier installation kits are available with different size of power cable, chose the most heavy power
cable to improve sound quality and to allow more
amplifiers to be installed now or later.
These are the minimum sizes of power cables we
recommend for the different models:
Cable length:< 1,5 m 1,5 - 4 m >4 m
A2 10 mm
A3 / A4 / A5 16 mm
A6 21 mm
A7 16 mm
A8 10 mm
The ground cable must have the same size.
Max fuse values for different cable sizes:
2
6 mm
16 mm2 (5AWG) :60 A 21 mm2 (4AWG) :100 A
33 mm2 (2AWG) :150 A 42 mm2 (1AWG) :200 A
(9 AWG) :25 A 10 mm2 (7AWG) :40 A
2
16 mm
2
21 mm
2
33 mm
2
21 mm
2
16 mm
2
21 mm
2
33 mm
2
50 mm
2
33 mm
2
21 mm
2
2
2
2
2
2
ULTIMATE A-series
Tools and material needed
Tools:
Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
Wire cutter
Wire stripper
Electric drill with drills
Crimping tool
Digital multimeter or test lamp
Wire brush, scraper or a piece
of an abrasive sheet to remove
paint for a good ground connection
Grease to protect the ground
connection from oxidation
Material:
Speaker wire: minimum
12 AWG = 4 mm2 for subwoofers
13 – 16 AWG = 1,5-2,5 mm2 for other
speakers
Sheet metal screws for mounting the
amplifier to the amplifier board and the
amplifier board to the car + some extra
for fuse holder, amplifier ground etc.
Electrical insulation tape
Routing wires
Stereo
head unit
½ inch thick plywood or particle board for
the amplifier to be mounted upon.
Amplifier installation kit:
If available,buy an amplifier installation kit. It
contains normally all you need. This is what you
have to buy if you buy the items separately
20- 25 feet = 6- 7.5 meter power cable,
preferably AWG 5 = 16 mm2 or heavier. See
the table on previous page to find out what
cable size you need.
1 pc of fuseholder to install close to the
car battery + fuse 80 Ampere, or other value
depending on what cable and amplifier you
use. See the table on page 2.
20 feet of AWG 15 = 1,5 mm2 wire for
remote turn on / off cable from head unit.
RCA-cable for input from head unit.
- 20 feet or 5 meter for trunk installations
You can connect all inputs together and use
only one RCA-cable, or use separate wires
to each input.
Two min. 5 gauge ring crimp terminals –one
for connection to the battery plus and one
for the amplifier ground connection.
Wire ties
Insulating grommet or insulating tube
Professional Tip:
Gauge (ga) is an American measure for cable size,
also called AWG (American Wire Gauge).
CONVERSION GAUGE - mm
0 AWG = 50 mm
1 AWG = 42 mm
2 AWG = 33 mm
3 AWG = 27 mm
4 AWG = 21 mm
5 AWG = 16 mm
6 AWG = 13 mm
7 AWG = 10 mm
8 AWG = 8 mm
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
9 AWG = 6,8 mm
10 AWG = 5,3 mm
11 AWG = 4,2 mm
12 AWG = 3 mm
13 AWG = 2,7 mm
14 AWG = 2 mm
15 AWG = 1,65 mm
16 AWG = 1,3 mm
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
Wiring
Power, remote and fan terminals
Power terminal for A2, A5, A7
Connect the fuse holder as close to the vehicle battery
+ as possible, using AWG 5 = 16 mm2 or heavier cable
(see table on page 2). Use ring crimp terminal cable
to connect to battery +. Apply silicon grease to the
fuse to prevent corrosion.
DLS
Battery 12V
DLS FH1B or
FH2B
fuse holder
POWER IN
BATT+ REMOTE GND
ULTIMATE A-series
Remote terminal ( REM )
For RCA cable signal input:
Connect the radio power antenna lead = remote
turn on/off from the head unit to the amplifier remote
connection. This turns on the amplifier whenever
the car stereo is turned on.
You can either use the built in remote cable in the
RCA cable itself, or use a separate cable.
Sometimes a small disturbance may enter the
amplifier coming from the remote voltage, through
the built in remote wire and into the RCA cable.
Thus we recommend to use a separate remote wire
and run the RCA lead separate from remote wire,
power cables and speaker cables.
You can insert the cable directly into the amplifier
terminal. If there is no remote voltage available from
the stereo, you must connect to the ignition key,
through the radio, or any accessories fuse.
POWER IN
BATT+ REMOTE GND
FM1 107,3
Connect the battery cable to the +12 Volt terminal
on the amplifier. Model A2, A5 and A7 accepts AWG
4 = 21 mm2 direct into the terminal. Be sure to use
a rubber grommet or a plastic insulating tube where
the cable passes the firewall or other places where
it can easily be jammed.
Use wire ties to secure to existing cables in the
engine compartment.
Power terminal for A3, A4 & A6
POWER IN
Fuse
150 A
BAT+ REM GND
To remote
on head unit
POWER
PROTECT
+
Battery
12 volt
These models have double DC inputs. The terminals are internally connected so it´s enough to
connect just one of them. If you want to reduce the
voltage drop to the amplifier, use both inputs. The
extra DC input can also be used for the connection
of a Power Capacitor or an extra battery. See the
example above. These amplifiers requires a
powerful fuse holder like the FH2B with an ANL 150
Amp fuse (when using 2AWG / 33 mm2 power
cable).
4
POWER IN /POWER CAP
GND FAN OUT POS+
Fan12 V
Power
capacitor
Ground Terminal ( GND )
Connect to a good chassis ground. The ground
connection should be clean, unpainted metal to provide a good electrical connection. Use a wire brush,
a scraper or a piece of an abrasive sheet to clean
the metal. Use a lock washer or two to secure
contact. Protect with silicon grease or by paint
applied afterwards.
POWER IN
BATT+ REMOTE GND
Fan terminal
DLS A3, A4, A5, A6 and A7 has a fan
output terminal. On A3, A4 and A6
the terminal is combined with the
extra DC-terminal. The output is
electronically controlled and starts if
the amplifiers is overheated. The terminal is marked "FAN”.
Use a 12 volt DC fan.The speed of
the fan increases when the temperature rises. Direct the fan towards the
amplifier cooling ribs. Full speed is
obtained at 70 degrees C. NOTE!
Maximum load on the FAN terminal
is 0,5 Amp.
FAN
- +
Fan 12 V
Fuses
Use only ATC blade type
fuses. Make sure to replace
with the same value. The
value is printed above the
fuse holders. DLS A4 has no
internal fuses, use an
external fuse instead.
ULTIMATE A-series
Phase control on A5, A6 and A7
Input and controls
Input Wiring
Inputs are low level from the RCA output of the head
unit.
Low level input
Use a pair of shielded stereo audio cables with RCA
type jack. Most trunk-mount amplifiers need a 20
feet RCA cable ( appr 5 – 6 meters). Most under
the seat installations require 12 feet ( 2 – 3 meters)
RCA cables. Avoid placing the RCA cable close to
speaker cables, power cables and remote control
cable.
DLS A2 and A3 uses a single
pair of RCA inputs while
three and four channels
amplifiers like A4 & A5 uses
dual pairs of RCA inputs
A7 is a multi channel
amplifier with three separate
inputs. On next page you can see how to connect
the RCA inputs of A7.
Use high quality interconnects like the DLS SL5
PRO or SL5 Ultimate that has an effective shielding.
When you run the signal cables remember to keep
them well spaced from the wiring loom and the
power feed to the amplifier to avoid picking up
interference. Lay the power cables and signal
cables separated on each side of the car. Any extra
cable must be laid in zig-zag style and definitely
not coiled.
Input Level control
LEVEL
The phase control on can be set
continuously from 0 - 180
degrees. This is very useful when
you want to adjust the bass sound
for best front stage image. Start
at 0 and turn the control slowly
PHASE
clockwise until you experience
that the bass sound is coming
from the front. If you dont get the
0
DEGREE
result you want, also try to phase
reverse the subwoofer
connections and make a new
adjustment. On A5 you find this
control on the amplifiers left side.
Remote bass level and phase shift
control on A5, A6 and A7
A remote level and phase
shift control is included with
A5, A6 and A7 amplifiers.
You can adjust the bass
level and phase from the
front seat of your vehicle.
Connect it to the socket
marked Remote Bass
Level. When using a
remote level control you
must activate it by pushing
the switch besides the
socket, to IN-position.
Remote Bass Level &
phase shift control
Remote Bass
Level
IN
OUT
Phase
180
Level
7V
0,5V
The input level control, 7V – 0,2 V, matches the
output of your head unit to the input of the amplifier.
After installation is complete, make sure the input
of the amplifier is turned down all the way ( counterclockwise at 7V ). Play a tape or CD, make sure all
bass or treble settings or equalizer are flat, and
turn the volume of the radio up until you just start
to hear distortion. Turn the volume control down
just a bit. On the amplifier increase the input level
control ( clockwise or to the right ) until you just
start to hear distortion, then back the level control
just a bit. Now your radio and amplifier levels are
matched.
On three/ four channel amplifiers like the A4, A5 or
A7 it´s necessary to adjust the levels indiviually to
achieve a good sound balance between the different speakers, different speakers have different
sensitivity. When using two of the channels for
subwoofer operation, start the level adjustment on
these channels. After having adjusted the bass level
for good performance, adjust the level to the front
system for a good sound balance.
Power / Protect light
The power light (blue) is turned on when
Power
(Blue)
Protect
(Red)
The amplifiers have an internal high current
protection circuit shutting down the amplifier if the
current draw is too high. It is indicated with a LED
marked ”PROTECT”. The protection circuits will
reset by turning the head unit off and on again.
The amplifiers also have a thermal protection that
turns off the amplifier if getting to hot. It will resume
operation after cooling down. If necessary install
an external cooling fan.
There are one or two fuses on the front. Disconnect
the main fuse before replacing any of these. Always
replace with the same type and value.
the amplifier is turned on.
The protect light ( red ) is turned on
when the amplifier shuts down from
overheating, or a short circuit (speaker
failure)
5
Input and controls A7
ULTIMATE A7
FRONT SPEAKERS
+LEFT- +RIGHT-
LEVEL
3,5V
7V 0,2V
HP-filter
240
80 400
Hz
x20 change
by bottom switch
SIGNAL INPUTS
IN
FRONT REAR
LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT
OUT
Input Wiring
DLS A7 has a more sofisticated input configuration and
can be connected in different ways which are described
here. Inputs are low level from the RCA output of the
car stereo head unit.
Low level input
Use a pair of shielded stereo audio cables with RCA
type jack. Most trunk-mount amplifiers need a 20
feet RCA cable ( appr 5 – 6 meters). Most under
the seat installations require 12 feet ( 2 – 3 meters)
RCA cables. Avoid placing the RCA cable close to
speaker cables, power
cables and remote control
cable.
The amplifier has separate
input sockets for front, rear
and sub channel.
There are two switches
located under the amplifier bottom plate. With these
switches you can choose different ways to connect
the RCA input sockets internally. You can use either
one, two or three separate RCA cables for the feed.
Use any of the following:
1. One RCA cable feed to all amplifier inputs.
If you want to use only one RCA cable to feed all
inputs set the switches like in the example below:
3,5V
7V 0,2V
REAR SPEAKERS
+LEFT- +RIGHT-
HP-filter
240
80 400
Hz
IN
OUT
LP-filter
IN
2
0,3 4
kHz
OUT
x10 change
by bottom switch
LEVEL
2. Two RCA cables. One to front input and the
other to rear and sub inputs.
If you want to use a separate RCA cable to the front
channels and another RCA cable to rear and sub
channels connect the cables and set the switches
like in the example below:
Separate input cables to front and rear. Then
internally connected to the sub channel.
Input
Front Rear
x 1
HP
x 20
Front
nput to
rear & sub
Amplifier front
Rear
input to
sub
LP
x 1
x 10
Input
Sub
3. Three RCA cables. One to front input, one to
rear input, and the third to sub input.
If you want to use separate RCA cables to all inputs,
set the switches like in the example below:
Sub input
separate
Sub input
from rear
A singhle RCA feeds all channels
Input
Front Rear
x 1
HP
x 20
Front
input to
rear & sub
Amplifier front
Rear
input to
sub
LP
x 1
x 10
6
Input
Sub
Sub input
separate
Sub input
from rear
Separate input cables to all channels.
Input
Front Rear
x 1
HP
x 20
Front
input to
rear & sub
Amplifier front
Rear
input to
sub
LP
x 1
x 10
Input
Sub
Sub input
separate
Sub input
from rear
Crossovers / filters (general)
DLS A-series amplifiers include highpass filter
(HP) and lowpass filters (LP).
The HP-filters can be used in one of two ways.
Either as a subsonic filter together with a
subwoofer to remove the lowest frequencies which
often causes a rumbling bass reproduction. A normal setting is 20 - 30 Hz.
The HP-filter can also be used together with a front
or rear stereo system to remove frequencies below
the crossover setting. In a system with a separate
subwoofer it´s normal to limit the bass reproduction
to the front system. A normal setting is between 80
- 100 Hz, but feel free to try other settings.
If you have problems with the mid bass driver
”reaching the bottom” (the voice coil reches the
bottom pole plate) at high volumes, use the HPfilter to avoid this with a setting at 50 - 80 Hz.
A subsonic filter is actually a HP-filter.
The LP-filters are normally used when you connect
a subwoofer in bridge mode. The filter can be
switched in and out. A normal setting is 70 - 80 Hz.
The filter slope is 12 dB.
Active crossover.
A4 and A7 the LP and HP-filters have a frequency
range making it possible to use them for active
crossover to a 2-way speakersystem.
Crossovers on each model
DLS A2 och A3
DLS A2 and A3 has an adjustable LP-filter that can be
switched in/out. It can be set from 50 - 125 Hz. There
is also an adjustable HP-filter that can be switched
in/out.The filter is adjustable from 20 - 200 Hz.
ULTIMATE A-series
DLS A4
DLS A4 is equipped with adjustable HP-and LP- filters on all channels. These can also be switched in/
out. The filters are equipped with a multiplication
button for improved flexibility.
The filter setup are as follows:
Front:
Lowpass (LP) 50 - 125 Hz
Highpass (HP) 20 - 200 Hz alt 60 - 600 Hz (x 3 button)
Rear:
Lowpass (LP) 45 - 200 Hz alt. 90 - 400 Hz (x 2 button)
Highpass (HP) 20 - 200 Hz
The x2 and x3 buttons are used if you run a 2-way
system with active crossover between mid-bass and
tweeter.
DLS A5
Front channels:
DLS A5 has an internal adjustable HP-filter that can
be switched in/out. It can be set from 50 up to 150
Hz.
Sub / mono channel:
The mono channel filters are for use only with one or
more subwoofers There is a LP-filter adjustable from
40 up to 90 Hz, and a subsonic filter at 25 Hz that
can be switched in-out.
DLS A6
DLS A6 is a mono amplifier for use only as a
subwoofer amplifier.
It has a fixed 25 Hz subsonic filter that can be switched
in/out.
It also has a LP-filter adjustable from 50 - 125 Hz.
This filter can not be disconnected.
DLS A7
This is a five channel amplifier with a lot of filter
possibilities described in detail on page 8.
PHASE SHIFT BUTTON ON A3:
DLS A3 has a button marked ”PHASE”. Use this
button to phase reverse the speaker output. The
button is only working when the lowpass filter is in
use. Only use this button when you want to phase
reverse a subwoofer to get the best sound.
7
ULTIMATE A7
FRONT SPEAKERS
+LEFT- +RIGHT-
LEVEL
3,5V
7V 0,2V
HP-filter
240
80 400
Hz
x20 change
by bottom switch
SIGNAL INPUTS
IN
FRONT REAR
LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT
OUT
Crossovers / filters on A7
DLS A7 amplifier include highpass filter (HP),
lowpass filter (LP). On the two front channels the
HP-filter can be switched between two different
frequency ranges, likewise for the LP-filter on the
rear channels.
Highpass filter on front channels
The slope of the HP-filter is
12 dB / octave.
The filter can be switched
off if you want to run the
amplifier in full range mode.
Or use as a HP-filter for
tweeters if you want to run
a 2-way speaker system
with active crossover. The
HP x20 switch under the
bottom plate changes the
filters frequency range from
the normal 80-400 Hz to
1600 - 8000 Hz. A normal
setting is 3-5 kHz.
If you run a 3-way system
on the amplifier you can use
this filter for active crossover between midbass and
midrange speakers, a
typical setting is 400 Hz.
Input
Front Rear
Amplifier front
HP-filter
240
80 400
Hz
x20 change
by bottom switch
Input
Sub
IN
OUT
3,5V
7V 0,2V
REAR SPEAKERS
+LEFT- +RIGHT-
HP-filter
240
80 400
Hz
IN
OUT
LP-filter
IN
2
0,3 4
kHz
OUT
x10 change
by bottom switch
LEVEL
Lowpass filter on rear channels
LP-filter
2
0,3 4
kHz
x10 change
by bottom switch
The LP-filter on the rear channels is used when
you run a 2-way or 3-way speaker system with
active crossover. It will allow low frequencies only
and blocks higher frequencies. The filter can be
switched in and out.
The normal frequency range is from 0,3 to 4 kHz.
With the LP x10 switch, under the bottom plate,
you can change the filter frequency range from the
normal to 3 - 40 kHz. A normal x-over setting is 3-4
kHz when used for active crossover in a 2-way system.
If you run a 3-way system on the amplifier you can
use this filter for active crossover between midbass
and midrange speakers. A typical setting is 400 Hz.
Input
Front Rear
Front
x 1
input to
HP
rear & sub
x 20
IN
OUT
Amplifier front
Rear
input to
sub
LP
x 1
x 10
Input
Sub
Sub input
separate
Sub input
from rear
Front
x 1
input to
rear & sub
HP
x 20
Filters on sub
channel
x 1
Rear
input to
sub
LP
x 10
Sub input
separate
Sub input
from rear
Lowpass
90
50 125
Hz
The sub channel is made only for subwoofer use
and has a variable LP-filter that can be switched
on-off. A normal setting for the LP-filter is 60-80
Hz.
8
LP x10 swith under the bottom plate
Highpass filter on rear channels
This HP-filter is normally
used as a high pass filter
blocking very low frequencies
from reaching the speakers.
It is mostly used at say 80 Hz
to protect small speakers
( like 6 inch and smaller ) from
deep bass.
The slope of the HP-filter is
12 dB / octave.
The filter can be switched off
if you want to run the amplifier
in full range mode.
HP-filter
240
80 400
Hz
IN
OUT
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