FOCAL POWER AMPLIFIERS User Manual

User manual
focal power AMPLIfiers

We thank you for choosing Focal amplifiers for your Car Audio system and for sharing our philosophy:
“the Spirit of Sound”. This product offers the latest advances in Focal amplifiers. In order to obtain
the best results, we highly recommend you have your new amplifier installed by your local Focal
distributor. To maximise the use of all the functionalities of your amplifier and to fully enjoy its
performance levels, we recommend that you read the entire instructions in this booklet, and then
keep it in a safe place for future reference. Any problems caused by not respecting the rules of use
may render your guarantee null and void.

In order to validate your guarantee, please fill out and return the last page of
this document within 10 days of purchase .

WARNING

This symbol denotes important instructions. Non respect of these instructions may lead to serious
injuries and even fatal injuries.

CAUTION

This symbol denotes important instructions. Non respect of these instructions may lead to injury or
material damage

Contents of the packaging:

- 1 amplifier

- 1 user’s manual

- 4 mounting screws

- Fuses

- 1 remote control (only supplied with the
FP 1.800 and FP 5.500 amplifiers)

- 5m cable for remote control (only supplied
with the FP 1.800 and FP 5.500 amplifiers)

- 1 quality control sheet

- Allen keys

Français page 25

Focal-JMlab® - BP 374 - 108, rue de l'Avenir - 42353 La Talaudière cedex - France - www.focal-fr.com

Due to constant technological advances, Focal reserves the right to modify the technical specifications without prior notice.

Tél. [phone] - Fax [phone]

WARNING

• Do not turn on any function which may distract you while driving the vehicle. Functions requiring

sustained attention must only be used when the vehicle is at a complete standstill. Make sure to always stop
your vehicle in a safe place before operating these functions. There is a risk of causing an accident.

• Keep the volume at a low level so as to be able to hear exterior noises while driving the vehicle.

There is a risk of causing an accident.

• Do not open the amplifier or undertake any modifications of the product. There is a risk of accident,

fire or electric shock.

• Only use this amplifier with 12V. mobile applications. Any other use other than the use for which this

product has been designed may lead to fire, electric shock or injury.

• Use fuses of the correct amperage. There is a risk of fire or electrocution.

• Do not obstruct radiators and/or vents. Internal overheating may occur and cause a fire.

• Ensure all connections are properly made. Check the section of cable and the type of cable if it does not

correspond with the use. There is a risk of fire, injury and/or damage to the product.

• To be used only with 12V. batteries. Check with your distributor if required. There is a risk of fire, injury

and/or damage to the product.

• Do not use nuts or fasteners part of the steering or braking systems for ground connection. The

fasteners and nuts used for the brake and steering systems (or any other security system) as well as various
tanks must never be used for grounding. Use of these parts as ground may deactivate the vehicle’s control
system and cause a fire or other technical problem.

• Keep all small objects which could be swallowed, such as the fasteners and screws, out of the reach

of children. Swallowing such objects may cause serious injuries. In the event of swallowing any of these

objects, seek medical advice immediately.

• Before commencing the installation, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid any

risk of injury, fire or damage to the equipment.

02

CAUTION

Listening for prolonged period at a high volume level, over 100dB, can lead to permanent
deterioration of your hearing. Listening at a volume of over 130dB, even for short periods of time, can

cause incurable damage and injury to your hearing.

Stop operation in the event of a problem. Failure to heed this precaution may result in injuries or damage
to the product. If a problem persists, return the product to your Focal distributor for repair.

Use the specified accessories and be sure to install them correctly. Only use the accessories specified in
the user’s manual and those which are supplied with the package. The use of other components could cause
internal damage to the product, and their installation risks to not being correctly installed. The parts being used
risk becoming loose and causing damages or technical faults with the product.

Do not assemble in very humid or dusty places. Avoid assembling the product in places with high levels of
humidity or an excessive presence of dust. Humidity or dust getting inside the product may cause a technical fault.

Installation of the amplifier

The installation of this product requires technical knowledge and experience. In case you are uncertain of your
ability to correctly install the amplifier, we strongly recommend you contact your Focal distributor to install it for
you, so that you will be able to take full advantage of all the different possibilities of the amplifier.

Wiring of the amplifier

Only use the wires recommended in this manual. The loudspeaker wire must ONLY be used for connecting the
amplifier to the loudspeakers. The section of power cables must correspond with that which is detailed in the
table (p. 7) and correspond with the power of the amplifier and the length of the cable. Use double or triple
shielded RCA cables to avoid any interference of the low level signal.

Duration of operation of the amplifier

Avoid operating the amplifier for a long period of time (from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amplifier)
without starting the vehicle. Extensive use before starting the vehicle’s engine may lead to the battery going flat.

03

FOREWORD NOTES

Material required for the installation:

• 2 conduits of suitable cross-section (1 conduit for the power cable, 1 conduit for the loudspeaker, REMOTE,

• RCA signal and REMOTE CONTROL cables).

• Multimeter (voltage/amperage)

• Soldering iron + solder

• Crimping tool

• Stripping pliers

• Wire cutter

• Spanner for battery terminal

• Hand drill and assorted drills

• Heat shrinks of suitable diameter for the different cables.

• Power cable of suitable length and section

• Remote switch on cable (REM input) of suitable length and section

• Ground cable of suitable length and section

• Assorted connectors

• Fuse holder and suitable fuse

• Joint tag for the battery’s positive (+) terminal

• Joint tag for the vehicle’s chassis (-)

• Screw with minimum 6mm screw head and its nut for ground connection to the chassis of the vehicle.

04

installation

The below section deals with issues regarding the vehicle which are necessary to take into account for the
installation of the amplifier. You’ll save time by planning the system layout and wiring in advance. Ensure that
during this preliminary step all the adjustments are accessible once the installation is complete.

Before starting the installation, please follow the following rules carefully:

1 - After reading the whole manual, be sure that you have understood all the instructions before installing

the amplifier.

2 - Disconnect the battery’s negative wire before starting the installation. (fig. 1).

3 - To facilitate the assembly, we strongly recommend that you unwind all the wires before installing

the amplifier.

4 - Put aside all the RCA cables, loudspeaker, REM and REMOTE CONTROL {REMOTE CONTROL only

supplied with models FP 1.800 and FP 5.500} from the power cables in order to avoid any interference
of the signal.

5 - Use quality connectors to ensure a reliable installation and to minimise any losses of signal or power.

6 - Think carefully before drilling anything. Be extremely careful not to cut or drill the petrol (fuel) tank, the

fuel, brake, hydraulic or vacuum pipes, as well as the electrical wiring.

7 - Never route a wire under the vehicle. It is absolutely imperative to install them inside the vehicle for

better protection. While routing the wires, verify that they do not impair the driving of the vehicle.
Cables obstructing or routing through areas such as the steering wheel, pedals (brake, accelerator and
clutch, etc.) may be extremely dangerous.

8 - Avoid routing wires above or through sharp rims. Any wire routed through metal must be protected

with a grommet. Route the wires well away from mobile parts (seat rails,…) and from sharp or pointed
cutting edges. This will avoid catching or damaging the wires.

9 - Always protect the battery and electrical circuit from potential damages with the help of fuses. Install a

fuse holder and suitable fuses on the 12V positive (+) power cable at less than 40cm from the battery
terminal. Ideally, this abovementioned distance should be the shortest possible. (fig. 7).

10 - Prepare the chassis ground by scraping any trace of paint on the metal surface in order to ensure correct

grounding. The grounding connections should also be as short as possible and ALWAYS connected to
the metal welded to the body or the chassis of the vehicle. (fig. 4).

11 - NEVER install this product in the engine compartment of the vehicle. This will void the guarantee.

05

installation

I - Set-Up and Cabling

Where to install the amplifier?
The amplifier power is such that substantial heat is generated when it is operation. This is why the amplifier has
to be placed in a well-ventilated area of the car.

2 - Attaching the Amplifier (fig. 2)

The surface onto which you want to attach the amplifier (boot of the car, etc.) may not be smooth enough (due
to bumps, ribs, etc) to make it easy or even possible to fasten the amplifier. If this is the case, we recommend
that you mount the amplifier and its attachment system on a wooden base – i.e. MDF, plywood – which itself
is attached to the surface in question.
Position the amplifier at the desired location. Mark the location of attachment holes using appropriate means
– i.e. an indelible marker, a screwdriver, etc. Make sure that there is nothing below the surface which could
be damaged during drilling – i.e. tanks, bundles of cables, etc. Remove the amplifier, making sure that you
are using a 3mm-diameter drill bit, and then drill. Put the amplifier back into the initial position you chose
for it. Attach the amplifier using the four self-tapping screws supplied. For additional help, see the “General
Installation Guidelines” section.

WARNING

Think carefully before drilling anything. Be extremely careful not to cut or drill the petrol (fuel) tank,
the fuel, brake, hydraulic or vacuum pipes, as well as the electrical wiring.

Fig. 2

 - Screws
 - Holes
 - Steel base
 - MDF base

06

installation

3 - Cabling

WARNING

If there is a doubt as to your ability to install the amplifier and to cable the system properly, get a
Focal distributor to do it for you.

WARNING

Before you begin the connection phase of set-up, remove the vehicle battery’s negative (-) terminal.
(fig. 1).

CAUTION

Avoid routing power supply cables close to low-level input cables (RCA), to your car’s radio aerial, or to
sensitive units. High-current power supply cables can cause static/interference that affects audio signals.

CAUTION

Keep cables as short as possible to optimise the system’s set-up performance and to reduce
signal loss.

3.1 - What power supply wire gauge should I use?

Amplifiers Main fuse Length of Cable in Metres

Power 2.75 1 x 40A

Power 2.150 2 x 40A

Power 4.75 2 x 40A

Power 5.500 4 x 30A

Power 1.800 3 x 30A

AWG : American Wire Gauge

0-1m 1-1.8m 1.8-2.5m 2.5-3.3m 3.3-4.1m

8mm

10mm

2

2

10mm

2

16mm

2

16mm

4.1-5.6m 5.6-7.1m

2

25mm

2

25mm

8AWG 7AWG 7AWG 5AWG 5AWG 3AWG 3AWG

16mm

2

16mm

2

25mm

2

25mm

2

35mm

2

35mm

2

53mm

5AWG 5AWG 3AWG 3AWG 2AWG 2AWG 0AWG

16mm

2

16mm

2

25mm

2

25mm

2

35mm

2

35mm

2

53mm

5AWG 5AWG 3AWG 3AWG 2AWG 2AWG 0AWG

25mm

2

25mm

2

25mm

2

35mm

2

53mm

3AWG 3AWG 3AWG 2AWG 0AWG

2

16mm

16mm

5AWG 5AWG

2

25mm

2

3AWG 2AWG 2AWG 2AWG 0AWG

35mm

2

35mm

2

2

2

53mm

53mm

0AWG 0AWG

2

35mm

53mm

2

2

2

2

2

07

installation

3.2 - Route the low-level audio cables (RCA), the loudspeaker cables, the REMOTE cable, and the REMOTE

CONTROL cable together (a REMOTE CONTROL is ONLY supplied with product references FP 1.800 and FP

5.500} and insulate them from other high-power car accessories, and in particular insulate them from electric

motors (i.e. the windscreen-wiper motor, etc.). Retain the full length of the cables – adjustments can be made
later.

3.3 - Route the positive power cables (+). Make sure when doing so to route them opposite the cables that you

have previously drawn – this is to avoid any interference. DO NOT CONNECT THE CABLE YET.

3.4 - Get hold of the negative power cable. This cable should be as short as possible and ideally should not

be any longer than 1 metre, to ensure effective coupling between the amplifier and the car’s chassis. The cable
and its wire gauge should comply with the table on page 7. Find a suitable ground point (see fig. 4), then sand
it to remove any traces of paint or other covering and in so doing optimise the contact point. Pierce the metal
that you have previously sanded, making a hole the same size as the screw you are using, making sure that
there are no tank cables or any other sensitive vehicle devices nearby. Remove the plastic around 1 cm of cable
and then tin it. Screw the cable firmly down onto the amplifier’s GND terminal. Tin the other end of it and then
crimp or weld it onto the terminal lug provided. Insert the terminal lug in the screw, and then put the screw and
nut in place and screw-drive the screw in firmly.

1cm/0.45“

fig. 3

fig. 4

08

installation

3.5 - You can now start the connection phase – i.e. connection of the audio signal (RCA), REMOTE, and

loudspeaker cables. Connect the RCAs to the amplifier, making sure that the polarities are correct (i.e. INPUT
Left = black or white, INPUT Right = red). Connect the other end of the RCAs to the car radio’s RCA* outputs
(Left = left ; Right = right).

* If the car radio is not equipped with RCA outputs, high-level to low-level adapters

(loudspeaker outputs that are used as RCA outputs) are available from all Focal

distributors. These adapters will enable the cables to be connected via the car radio’s

fig. 5

Then connect the REMOTE cable to the amplifier (the REM terminal) – screw it in firmly. Connect the other end
of the REMOTE cable to the car radio’s REMOTE terminal.
Finally, connect the loudspeaker cables to the amplifier and make sure the polarities are correct

Connect the REMOTE CONTROL cable (a remote control is supplied with the FP 1.800 and FP 5.500 model
amplifiers) to the amplifier, and then put the remote control in its holder at the desired location.

WARNING

Focal amplifiers are not recommended for use with impedance levels of less than 2Ω (apart from the
FP 1.800 model).

loudspeaker outputs instead of via the requisite RCA outputs, which they replace.

fig. 6

3.6 - Get the positive (+) power supply cable ready for connection to the amplifier by removing 1cm of the

plastic coating from the end of it. Tin this part of the cable using a soldering iron and tin the wire. Insert the
plastic-free tinned part of it in the amplifier’s “+ BATT” terminal, then secure the cable in place by screwing
it in tightly.

09

installation

WARNING

The cable that links the positive (+) terminal to the battery at the amplifier’s “+ BATT” binding post terminal
must ABSOLUTELY be fused (see current ratings listed in the table on page 19) not more than 40cm from the
vehicle’s battery. The connections on the fuse-holder must be fully insulated.

3.7.1 - You can now start the fuse-holder (the role of which is to make the system safe) installation phase.

The fuse-holder must be connected on both sides to the positive (+) power supply cable. It has to be near
the battery (i.e. 10cm - 40cm from the battery). Disassemble the fuse-holder, taking care to remove the fuse.
Attach the base of the fuse-holder. Cut the red power supply cable at a distance of between 10cm and 40cm
(maximum) from the battery. Retain the cable you do not use here, as it will be used later, to link the other end
of the fuse-holder to the positive (+) terminal of the vehicle’s battery. Strip 1cm of the cable end, then tin it.
Screw the cable into the fuse-holder binding post terminal. Do not throw away the spare cable that is left over.
Strip 1cm of the cable end, then tin it. Screw the cable into the other fuse-holder binding post terminal (fig. 7).

40 cm max

fig. 7

Note: The FP 5.500 amplifier use internal fuses (as opposed to other amplifiers witch have fuses on the rear
panel). Replacing these components requires opening the bottom cover of the amplifier. Only a Focal dealer
is authorized to change this component. Thank you for bringing the amplifier back to your dealer in order to
place the fuse, so to avoid any risk of electric shock, product damage or voidance of guarantee.

WARNING

Do not open the amplifier or undertake any modifications to the product. There is a risk of accident, fire or
electric shock.

3.7.2 - THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE IS INTENTED TO FOCAL DEALER ONLY. DO NOT CHANGE THE

FUSE BY YOURSELF.

FP 5.500 fuse replacement procedure:

- Switch off the amplifier and the other components of the car audio system.

- Disconnect the positive terminal of the battery powering the amplifier.

- Unscrew the fixing screws of the amplifier.

- Turn the amplifier upside down, bear in mind that wires musn’t get twisted or crushed.

- Unscrew the screws securing the bottom cover of the amplifier.

- Take the cover off.

- Remove the blown fuses.

10

installation

- Insert the new fuses in the fuse holder. Make sure that the new fuse rating corresponds to the product
specifications.

- Put the bottom cover back on and secure it with the screws then screw.

- Turn the amplifier back into position with its bottom facing the attachment surface.

- Screw in the fixing screws of the amplifier.

- Connect the positive terminal of the battery powering the amplifier.

3.8 - Tin the end of the power supply cable before you connect it to the battery’s positive (+) terminal. Weld

the end of the cable to the terminal lug that is going to be used for the battery’s positive (+) terminal. Connect
the terminal lug to the battery’s positive terminal.

3.9 - Insert the fuse into the fuse-holder(s), and screw in tightly.

3.10 - Connect the loudspeaker cables to the right and left channel crossover networks, making sure that

the polarities are the same (note: + = cable with a red border if you are using a Focal kit) as those used for
standard cabling set-ups. Focal amplifiers can operate in bridged mode (see product specifications page 19)
for amplifying subwoofers. To do so, simply connect the positive (+) loudspeaker cable to the left channel’s
(“LEFT”) positive (+) binding post terminal and connect the negative (-) loudspeaker cable to the right channel’s
(“RIGHT”) negative (-) binding post terminal.

WARNING

If you are connecting several subwoofers to a single output, check that the amplifier’s impedance rating is
compatible (p 19).

3.11 - The connection phase has now been completed. Now all you need to do is to check that you have the

right power supply and verify that the overall set-up – car radio + amplifier + loudspeakers – works properly.
Set all gains (both source gains and amplifier gains) to their minimum levels. Switch on the various parts of the
system. Once you have switched on all of the parts, test the system at low sound level.

fig. 9

11

installation

fig. 10

3.12 - Focal amplifiers can be interlinked to facilitate upgrades to the Car Audio system. If you want to create

a system that uses several amplifiers, it is therefore possible to save time by not having to connect the source
audio cable (from the car radio) to the amplifier again. You simply need to use the “LINE OUT” output on the
first Focal amplifier you have installed and connect it to the “INPUT” connector on the new amplifier you are
installing. The line level signal from the source will be forwarded directly to the newly-installed amplifier. The
settings you have chosen for the first amplifier (GAIN, HI PASS, etc.) will not be duplicated to the line level
signal (RCA) – this means that your amplification system will always be 100% reconfigurable.

fig. 11

12

installation

Focal Power 1.800 bridge mode

fig. 12. A

fig. 12. B

13

the amplifiers

Focal Power 2.150 and Focal Power 2.75

Focal Power 4.75

14

the amplifiers

Focal Power 1.800

Focal Power 5.500

15

LEGENDS

Connections, features and controls

 INPUT(S): the RCA sockets are used for input of the line level signal.

NOTE: the RCA inputs on the FP 4.75 and FP 5.500 model amplifiers relate to channels 1, 2, 3 and 4.

 LINE OUT: the RCA sockets enable a second amplifier to be connected into an existing system, without

having to install additional RCA cables to connect the front of a vehicle with an additional amplifier.
NOTE: the FP 5.500 amplifier system does not include a LINE OUT output.

 GAIN: you can adjust the level of input signals to the amplifier using the GAIN potentiometer.

NOTE: increasing input gain does not mean more power, but rather more noise. Gains in voltage vary

from 0.2V to 5V.
NOTE: the GAIN potentiometers on the FP 4.75 and FP 5.500 models can ONLY be used on channels 1,
2, 3, and 4. The GAIN potentiometers located at the top of control panels on the FP 4.75 and FP 5.500
amplifiers relate to channels 1 and 2, whereas those located at the bottom correspond to channels 3 and 4.

This potentiometer must be set depending on the level of the source (level of line output). Start by putting
amplifier gain at its lowest level. Gradually increase the level (volume) of the source to 75% of maximum.
Increase the amplifier gain level until the required listening volume is reached. Lower the level should sound
distortion occur.

If you are using the amplifier in conjunction with one or more subwoofers, the “GAIN” control will enable
you to set the levels of the subwoofer(s) in relation to that of sub-systems that are amplified by the source
(i.e. the car radio, etc.) or by another amplifier. Set the source at a medium volume level, and then set
amplifier gain in order to obtain consistent sound levels from kits/sub-systems and from the subwoofer(s).

 HI PASS (high pass): the HI PASS potentiometer lets you set the HI PASS filter frequency. The value selected

is the frequency above which the signal will be amplified.

NOTE: the FP 1.800 amplifier has a HI PASS filter called SUBSONIC.
NOTE: the HI PASS feature on the FP 4.75 and FP 5.500 amplifiers ONLY works on channels 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The HI PASS potentiometers located at the top of control panels on the FP 4.75 and FP 5.500 amplifiers
relate to channels 1 and 2, whereas those at the bottom correspond to channels 3 and 4.

Example: X-OVER in HPF position, HI PASS set to 80Hz: The full range kit connected to the amplifier will
reproduce an amplified signal at 80Hz and above.

 X-OVER (filter mode): the X-OVER switch enables you to switch on either a high pass filter (a HPF), a low

pass filter (an LPF) or to not activate any filter at all (Full mode)..
NOTE: the X-OVER switch located at the top of the control panel on the FP 4.75 amplifier relates to
channels 1 and 2, whereas that at the bottom corresponds to channels 3 and 4.

NOTE: the FP 1.800 amplifier does not have an X-OVER switch.
NOTE: the X-OVER feature on the FP 5.500 amplifier ONLY works on channels 1, 2, 3 and 4. This

X-OVER switch enables you to switch on, according to your requirements, a high pass filter (a HPF), or not to
activate any filter (Full mode). The X-OVER switch located at the top of the control panel relates to channels
1 and 2; whereas the one at the bottom corresponds to channels 3 and 4.

16