DLS DLS CAD11, DLS CAD15 User Manual

How to install and operate

the

DLS CAD11

&

DLS CAD15

digital mono amplifiers

Welcome!

This owners manual is written in easy english and
uses a lot of drawings to simply the installation and
use of the above amplifier.

Contents

Specifications................................ 1

Features…………………………….. 2
Installation…………………….……. 2
Tools and materials needed………. 3

Amplifier installation kit………….... 3

Routing Wires…………………….... 3

Wiring

Power and Outputs……………..…. 4
Inputs and controls………………... 5

Input level control.......................... 5

Crossovers…………...................... 5

Phase control.....………………...… 5

Bass boost control......................... 6

Remote bass level control............. 6

Speaker wiring:

Single amplifier system………….…. 6

Testing............................................. 6

Bridging two CAD11......................... 7

Bridging two CAD15........................ 8

Subwoofer connections…………….. 9

Professional tips............................... 10

Technical data.................................. 11

Trouble shooting.............................. 11

DLS Svenska AB - 2007-01-10

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.

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 very coun­try.
You can always phone the DLS Helpdesk in Sweden
+ 46 31 84 00 60 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].
Information can also be found on our WEB-site
www.dls.se

Technical Assistance

DLS Svenska AB

P.O. Box 13029

S-40251 Göteborg, Sweden

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

www.dls.se

Approval of electromagnetic compatability according
to the EEC Directive 95/54/EC

E 13 CAD15 approval No: 022944

CAD11 approval No: 022495

We follow a policy of continuous advancement in
development. For this reason all or part of specifications
& designs may be changed without prior notice.

CAD11 &15 include

 RCA input and output


 High level input with auto start


 Continuous variable low pass crossover


 Continuous variable subsonic crossover


 Bass boost feature
 Remote bass level control

 Phase control cont. variable 0-180 degrees
 Bridge mode master / slave selector
 Electronic protection circuitry against

short-circuit, DC offset and thermal overload.

Installation

Before you begin the 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.

CAD11, CAD15

Amplifier location

Important
Allow air circulation around the amplifier.

The DLS Peformance series of amplifiers have a
compact design that allows great flexibility in
mounting. You can mount it under a seat or 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 in an inverted or upside
down position.

Check all locations and placements carefully before
making any cuts, drilling any holes or making any
connections.
This is the best direction to
mount the amplifier to get
the best cooling.

DLS logo on amplifier cooling flange

The DLS logo on top of the amplifier is attached
with two hex. screws. The logo can be removed
and twisted 90 or 180 degrees, and then screwed
back in wanted position. The logo can be mounted
in four different ways to match your installation.

Removal of side flanges

In order to fasten the amplifier to the surface and
connect speaker and power cables, the flanges on
the sides must be removed. This is done by
loosening the hex screws on top of the amplifier.
Use a 3 mm hex key.

Disconnect Battery

Before starting the instal­lation, always disconnect
the negative terminal of
the battery.

2

Remove these
screws using a 3
mm hex. key for
removal of side
flange. Remount
after fastening the
amplifier and
connection of the
speaker and power
cables.

CAD11, CAD15

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 corrosion

Material:

 Speaker wire: minimum

12 AWG = 4 mm2 for subwoofers

 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 0 (50 mm2 ) for CAD15 &
4AWG (21mm2) for CAD11

 1 pc of ANL fuseholder to install close to the

car battery + fuse. CAD11= 150A, CAD15=
200A

 20 feet of AWG 15 = 1,5 mm2 wire for

remote turn on / off cable from radio.

 RCA-cable for input from radio.

- 20 feet or 5 meter for trunk installations

-12 feet or 2 – 3 meter for under seat
installations

 One ring crimp terminal

for the amplifier ground connection.

High current draw

The CAD11 / 15 are mono amplifiers with high power
output. The current draw is also high so you must make
sure that your vehicles power system (battery and
alternator) can provide all the power you need. If you
have a bad battery or alternator in can result in a poor
sound or even worse, a broken battery or alternator.

 Wire ties

 Insulating grommet or insulating tube

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.
If possible buy AWG 0 = 50 mm2 (or heavier) cable
for best performance of CAD15, or AWG4 (21 mm2)
for CAD11.

3

Remote terminal ( REM )

CAD11, CAD15

Wiring

Power and Outputs

Power terminal ( +12V)

Connect the fuse holder as close to the vehicle
battery + as possible, using AWG 0 = 50 mm2.
Use ring crimp terminal cable to connect to
battery +. Apply silicon grease to the fuse to
prevent corrosion. Use a fuse holder for ANL
fuses like the DLS FH2B.

+12V REM GND

CAD11 DC input

DLS

DLS FH 2B
fuse holder

Connect the battery cable to the +12 Volt on the
amplifier. If you want to improve the power capacity
you can add a Power capacitor of 1 Farad in parallel
with the DC input. See the drawing on page 7.
Be sure to use a rubber grommet or a plastic
insulating tube where the cable passes the firewall
or other places when it can easily be jammed.
Use wire ties to secure to existing cables in the
engine room.

Ground Terminal ( GND )

+12V REM GND

REM +12V GND

CAD15
DC input

For RCA cable signal input:

Connect the radio power antenna lead = remote
turn on/off from the car stereo 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.
If there is no remote voltage available from the ste­reo, you must connect to the ignition key through
the radio or any accessories fuse.

For High Level input:

We recommend you to connect the remote wire
as described above. The amplifier will produce soft
on / soft off operation this way. You must set the Hi
level/Low level switch to Low level position in this
case.
In the case that there is no remote voltage available
from the car stereo or you want to simplify the in­stallation, the amplifier can be turned on/ turned
off by the high level input voltage. This is done
when the Hi level/Low level switch is set to Hi level
position. There is a small disadvantage that this
function gives soft turn off operation but some plop
sound when switching off.

+12V REM GND

+12V REM GND

REM +12V 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. Use the same cable area for the
ground cable as for the + cable.

+12V REM GND

+12V REM GND

REM +12V GND

CAD11 DC input

CAD15
DC input

4

CAD11 DC input

Power Light / Protect light

The power light (green ) comes on when
the amplifier is turned on.

The protect light ( red ) comes on
when the amplifier shuts down from
overheating or short circuit.

Fuses

Use only ATC blade
type fuses. CAD11 uses
four 30 amp fuses.
CAD15 use four 40 amp
fuses

CAD15
DC input

Power
(Green)

Protect
(Red)

40A

Input and controls

CAD 15

CAD11, CAD15

Input Wiring

Inputs may be low level from the RCA output of the car
stereo or high level from the car stereo speaker
output.Low level = RCA is to prefer for the best sound
quality.

Important

Use either the low level or the high level input, do
not use both at same time.

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. Connect to in­put socket A & B.

High Level Input

Connect left and right speaker wires coming from
the car stereo to the high level input as shown. You
must connect both plus and minus as the inputs
are balanced, connecting plus only gives lower level
and bad sound quality. By changing the polarity of
plus and minus, you can change the phase.

High Input

Hi level input plug on amp.

White : Ach.+
White/Black : A ch.­Grey/Black : B ch.­Grey : Bch.+

Input Level control

The input level control, 5V – 0,15 V,
matches the output of your radio to the
input of the amplifier. After installation
is complete, make sure the input of the
amplifier is turned down all the way (
counter-clockwise at 5V ). 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.

Subsonic filter

The Subsonic filter blocks the very
deepest frequencies from reaching the
subwoofers. It has a variable
frequency from 15 to 50 Hz. A typical
setting is 25-30 Hz.

Low Pass Filter

The LPF ( low pass filter ) allow low
frequencies only and blocks higher
frequencies. A typical setting is 60 – 80
Hz. Choose the setting that sounds best
in your car.

Level

5 V 0,15 V

Subsonic

15Hz 50Hz

LPF

15Hz 150Hz

Automatic turn on when using high level input.

With the Hi/Low input swich set to Hi, the amplifier turns
on automatically on high input. You dont need to connect
a separate remote wire from your head unit.

When using High Level input:

Set the switch to position ”Hi / Level”

When using Low level input:

Set the switch to position ”Low / Level”
If the switch is set to wrong
position, the amplifier still

Hi / Level

works, but the risk for
disturbances or distortion
increases.

Low / Level

Phase control

The phase control 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
clockwise until you experience the bass
sound coming from the front.
You may have to change the polarity of
the speaker connection to get the best
result.

Phase

0o180

o

5

CAD11, CAD15

Bass boost control

Bass boost control is used to set

the bass volume. You can select the
amplification between 0 dB and +18
dB at a 45 Hz center frequency.

Bass
Boost

This function is used to compensate
for the bass box function and to adjust
for your own taste of bass. Set level

0 dB 18 dB

control at 0 dB if you want it to be
inoperative.

Single amplifier system

CAD 15

Remote Bass level (bass boost) control

You can fine tune your bass sound
from the front of your car. Connect
the external bass level control box to
the remote socket on the rear panel.
The remote control will replace
the bass boost function on
the amplifier while the level
control is unaffected.

Bass Level

Remote

To input of
additional amps.

From low level
output of head unit

Connection of DC-input and Remote level control,
see page 7 & 8.

Testing

Before you finish the installation, you should do the
following tests to make sure the wiring is correct
and everything is operating properly.

Reconnect Battery

When wiring is complete,
reconnect the battery
negative terminal.

Test power wiring

1. Turn on the head unit but do not turn up
the volume. The amplifier power light
should come on. If not, check the remote
and +12 volt wires. Also check the ground
connection.

2. Turn up the head units volume slightly. All
speakers should operate. if not, check
wiring connections at amplifier and
speakers.

Master / Slave switch
must be set to Master

Bridged

mode

Slave

Master

NOTE!
Minimum speaker load is one (1) ohm. You can
connect four 4 ohm subwoofers or two 2 ohm
subwoofers to the amplifier. Loads or speaker
impedances less than 1 ohm could result in poor
sound quality and/or damage to amplifier.

Filter settings

Subsonic

15Hz 50Hz

The Subsonic filter at 25-30 Hz and the LPF filter
setting at 60-80 Hz.

LPF

15Hz 150Hz

RCA Output

Ouput Input

AA

B

Use RCA Outputs to
connect additional
amplifiers.

B

6

CAD11

3

3

Bridging two CAD11

Connecting two CAD11 in bridge mode will
double the output power. Minimum speaker
load is then 2 ohms. The RCA signal must be
connected only to the amplifer set to run as
”Master”. The filters as well as the level control
is only working on the ”Master” amplifier.

Bridging two amplifiers can be done only
between amplifiers of the same model

Output power in bridge mode with
two CAD11:
4 ohm load: 1500 watts
2 ohm load: 2000 Watts
1 ohm load: Do not use!!!

Master slave selector & Data link
connection

You can connect two CAD11 in
bridge mode.
One of the amplifiers is ”Master”
that controls the signal to the
second amplifier that should be
used in ”Slave” position. The sig­nal is fed through the Data link
cable. Connect the amplifiers as
in the drawing below.

Modular 4-pole cable to connect
between Data Link sockets

Bridged

Slave

mode

Master

Data
Link

Bridged

From low level
output of head unit

Slave

mode

Master

Bridged

mode

Bridged switch:
Master position

Bridged switch:

Slave

Master

Slave position

Connection of DC-input (to both amplifiers) and Remote sub level
control (to Master amplifier).

Speaker
impedance:
4 ohm/2 ohm

2

2

2

2

Fuse

GROUND

To Remote on
head unit

Remote bass
level control.

Distribution
block

Power Cap

Battery

7

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

CAD15

Bridging two CAD15

Connecting two CAD15 in bridge mode will
double the output power. Minimum speaker
load is then 2 ohms. The RCA signal must be
connected only to the amplifer set to run as
”Master”. The filters as well as the level control
is only working on the ”Master” amplifier.

Bridging two amplifiers can be done only
between amplifiers of the same model

Output power in bridge mode with
two CAD15:
4 ohm load: 1800 watts
2 ohm load: 3200 Watts
1 ohm load: Do not use!!!

CAD 15

Master slave selector & Data link
connection

You can connect two CAD15 in
bridge mode.
One of the amplifiers is ”Master”
that controls the signal to the
second amplifier that should be
used in ”Slave” position. The sig­nal is fed through the Data link
cable. Connect the amplifiers as
in the drawing below.

Modular 4-pole cable to connect
between Data Link sockets

Bridged

Slave

mode

Master

Data
Link

Bridged

From low level
output of head unit

Slave

mode

Master

Bridged switch:
Master position

CAD 15

Bridged

mode

Bridged switch:

Slave

Master

Slave position

Connection of DC-input (to both amplifiers) and Remote sub level
control (to Master amplifier).

Speaker
impedance:
4 ohm/2 ohm

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Remote bass

To Remote on
head unit

Distribution
block

Fuse

GROUND

Battery

level control.

Power Cap

8

CONNECTION OF SUBWOOFERS TO DLS MONO AMPS

Amplifier speaker terminal

- - + +

+-

4Ω

Connection of a subwoofer
with 4 ohm single voice coil
Impedance = 4 ohm

Amplifier speaker terminal

- - + +

+

-

4Ω

-

+

4Ω

Connection of two subwoofers
with 4 ohm single voice coil
Impedance = 2 ohm

Amplifier speaker terminal

- - + +

+

­4Ω

4Ω

-

Connection of a subwoofer
with 4 ohm dual voice coils

Impedance = 2 ohm

+

Amplifier speaker terminal

- - + +

+

­4Ω

4Ω

-

-

+

+

4Ω

4Ω

-

Connection of two subwoofers
with 4 ohm dual voice coils
Impedance = 1 ohm

+

Amplifier speaker terminal

- - + +

-

+

4Ω

-

+

4Ω

-

+

4Ω

4Ω

+-

Connection of four subwoofers
with 4 ohm single voice coil
Impedance = 1 ohm

Amplifier speaker terminal

- - + +

On DLS mono amplifiers, with dual speaker connectors,
both the + and - terminals are internally connected in
parallel.
CAD11 and CAD15 has a speaker terminal different
from this illustration, but we hope you understand what
we mean.

+

­4Ω

4Ω

-

-

+

+

4Ω

4Ω

-

Connection of two subwoofers
with 4 ohm dual voice coils in
parallel and then in series to the
amplifier with a resulting
impedance of 4 ohms.

If you connect two subwoofers with
2 ohm voice coils in this way the
resulting impedance is 2 ohms.

+

9

CAD15

Professional Tip:Professional Tip:

NOISE PROBLEMS

WHINING NOISE VARYING WITH ENGINE
REVOLUTIONS:

Do this:

1. Rewire the power supply (12 V) to source

unit direct from battery.

2. Rewire ground wire from source unit to

clean position on chassis.

3. Check all power connections to ensure that

they are clean and tight.

4. Check quality of system ground connection.

5. Install a Power Cap capacitor. This can be

helpful against most noise problems.

CONSTANT WHINING NOISE:

Do this:

1. Ensure that all equipment has a common

ground point.

2. Check quality of earth strap connection from

battery negative terminal to chassis.

3. Disconnect signal cables from amplifier to

see if noise disappears. If so the leads are
picking up noise. Test this by laying a new
cable over the seats and reconnecting to the
amplifier. If the noise does not return, re­route original cable away from source of
interference.
If noise remains regardless of cable position,
try to use so called Quasi-balanced signal
cables. DLS PRO or ULTIMATE cables are
quasibalanced.

SPEAKER POLARITY CHECK.

All speakers in a car audio system should be
connected in phase (the same polarity). All spea­ker cones must move in the same direction. Out of
phase speakers will cause a lack of bass, and a
poor stereo soundstage.

Checking polarity:

Hold the - connection of the speaker wire to the ­terminal of a 1,5 Volt flashlight battery. Tap the +
wire on to the + terminal of the battery, and observe
the movement of the cone. The cone should move
outwards when the wire touches the battery, and
inwards when the battery is removed. If it is the other
way around, the speaker has been connected
backwards and it must be removed and connected
correctly.
If your system also has a subwoofer connected
through a passive 6 or 12 dB crossover, try to
connect this with various polarity and judge what
sounds best. The phase shift in passive crossovers
sometimes makes it necessary to change polarity.

+

Battery
1,5 Volt

+

-

-

Professional Tip: Professional Tip:

Installing in trunk

When installing the amplifier in the trunk, run the
power wires along the same path as the other
vehicle wiring. Many cars have insulated channels
for wiring. you will have to remove the door sill trim
and the carpet.

Securing wires

Use wire ties to bundle together when possible.
(But never bundle speaker wires or signal cables
together with power wires.

Professional Tip:

Crimp connections

Purchase crimp connectors and crimping tool.
Connectors are color coded.

1. Strip 1/4 inch (6 mm) of insulation from the wire.

2. Insert into connector

3. Crimp tightly

10

Professional Tip:

Speaker and power wires

Do not run speaker and power wires next to each
other. Power wires can generate a ”siren” sound in
the speakers. Runs speaker and power wires on
opposite sides of the car.

Specifications

DLS PERFORMANCE CAD11 CAD15

Number of channels 1 1
Power output in 4 ohm (0,4% THD) 1 x 400 W 1 x 550 W
Power output in 2 ohm (0,7% THD) 1 x 750 W 1 x 900 W
Power output in 1 ohm (1% THD) 1 x 1050 W 1 x 1600 W
All above output power ratings at 13,8 Volt
Signal to noise ratio, A-weighted >100 dB >100 dB
Damping factor >100 >100
Frequency response 15 Hz - 160 Hz 15 Hz - 160 Hz
Input impedance, low level 10 kohm 10 kohm
Input impedance, high level 100 ohm 100 ohm
Input sensitivity 0,15 - 5V 0,15-5 V
Phase control 0-180 degrees variable yes yes
Remote bass boost level control yes yes
Bass boost adjustable gain @45 Hz 0 - +18 dB 0 - +18 dB
Filter subsonic, 24 dB slope 15 - 50 Hz 15 - 50 Hz
Filter lowpass 24 dB slope 15 - 150 Hz 15 - 150 Hz
Bridge mode (master/slave selector) yes yes
Max size for power cables 21 mm2 (4AWG) 50 mm2 (0AWG)
Max size for speaker cables 10 mm2 (7AWG) 6 mm2 (10AWG)
Power consumption, idle 1,5 A 2 A
Maximum current draw 120 A 160 A
Built-in fan cooling yes yes
Fuse 4 x 30A 4 x 40A
Dimensions (mm) 70x444x268 70x473x268
Dimensions (inch) 2,92x17,48x10,55 2,92x18,62x10,55
Weight 5,8 kg (12,79 lB) 6,4 kg ( 14,33 lb)

CAD11, CAD15

Troubleshooting

If problems occur during the installation, or later,
this guide might help you to find out whats´s
wrong.

The amplifier is dead:

1. Check power lead, ground and connections at

the amplifier using a multi meter.

2. Check the battery terminal connections.

3. Check the power lead fuse or circuit breaker. If

fuse damage continues, inspect the power lead
for short circuits.

4. Check the amplifier protection fuses. Are these
broken change to new ones with the same value.
If short circuiting continues, contact your local
DLS dealer. A fault may exist in the amplifier.

5. To start the amplifier requires a remote voltage
of 9-15 volt. Check the voltage with a multi meter.

Amplifier protection fuse blows at low
volume:

One or more speaker cables are shorted. Make an
insulation test with a multi meter. The cables must
not have a connection to earth.

The amplifier turns off after 10-30 minu­tes:

The amplifier is overheating due to inadequate ven­tilation. Check mounting position is free from
obstruction.

Do this:

1. Move the amplifier to a place with better ventil-

ation.

2. Install one or two fans to cool down the heat­ sink.

3. Overheating can also be caused by an
impedance load below the level permitted.

No output from the speakers:

Check the following:

1. Speaker cable connections to both amplifier and

subwoofers.

2. Signal lead plugs and cables.

11

DLS Svenska AB

P.O. Box 13029

SE-40251 Göteborg, Sweden

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

www.dls.se