FOCAL Solid 1 User Manual [fr]

SOLID

Amplifier / user manual

F

Manuel d'installation (p 19) Manual de instalaçãoes (p 24)

GB

Installation Manuel (p 20)

D

Bedienungsanleitung (p 21)

Manual de instrucciones (p 22)

ES

Manuale d'usco (p 23)

I

Focal-JMlab® - BP 374 - 108, rue de l'Avenir - 42353 La Talaudière cedex - France Tel. [phone] - Fax

([phone] - www.focal-fr.com

Due to constant technological advances, Focal reserves its right to modify specifications without notice. Images may not conform exactly to specific product.

P

RU

CN

CN

(p 25)

(p 26)

(p 27)

SOLID AMpLIfIer

User manual/Manuel d'utilisation

2

Solid 1 Solid 2

Solid 4

Remote
Control

SOLID AMpLIfIer / AMpLI SOLID

User manual/Manuel d'utilisation

3

A

C

B

D

E

F

SOLID AMpLIfIer / AMpLI SOLID

User manual/Manuel d'utilisation

4

Mise sous tension automatique : ne pas connecter la remote

G H

High level input with Auto turn on : Do not connect remote wire

Câblage haut-parleur Solid 1 / Solid 1 speaker wiring

I

Câblage stéréo Solid 2 / Solid 2 stereo wiring

Mise sous tension automatique : ne pas connecter la remote

High level input with Auto turn on : Do not connect remote wire

J

Mode bridgé Solid 2 / Solid 2 bridged mode

K

SOLID AMpLIfIer / AMpLI SOLID

User manual/Manuel d'utilisation

Câblage Solid 4 : 4 RCA, 4 haut-parleurs / Solid 4 wiring : 4 RCA, 4 speakers

L

Câblage Solid 4 : 2 RCA, 4 haut-parleurs / Solid 4 wiring : 2 RCA, 4 speakers

5

M

Câblage Solid 4 mode bridgé : 2 RCA, 2 haut-parleurs / Solid 4 bridged mode wiring : 2 RCA, 2 speakers

N

Câblage Solid 4 : 2 RCA, 2 haut-parleurs, 1 subwoofer / Solid 4 wiring : 2 RCA, 2 speakers, 1 subwoofer

O

SOLID AMpLIfIer / AMpLI SOLID

User manual/Manuel d'utilisation

Câblage Solid 4 : 4 RCA, 2 haut-parleurs, 1 subwoofer / Solid 4 wiring : 4 RCA, 2 speakers, 1 subwoofer

P

Câblage Solid 4 : 2 RCA, 2 subwoofers / Solid 4 : 2 RCA, 2 subwoofers

6

Q

Câblage Solid 4 : 2 entrées haut niveau, 4 haut-parleurs / Solid 4 : 2 high level input, 4 speakers

Ne pas se connecter sur remote avec

l'entrée haut niveau

Do not connect with high level input

R

Câblage Solid 4 : 1 entrée haut niveau, 2 haut-parleurs, 1 subwoofers / Solid 4 : 1 high level input, 2 speakers, 1 subwoofer

Ne pas se connecter sur remote avec

l'entrée haut niveau

Do not connect with high level input

S

SOLID AMpLIfIer

User manual

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 maximize 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.

Français page 13

Contents of the packaging:

• 1 amplifier

• 1 remote control (Solid 1 and Solid 4)

• 1 user’s manual

• Replacement fuse(s)

• High-level connector(s)

• 1 hexagonal key set

• 1 screw set to fix the amplifier

• 1 screw set to fix the remote control (Solid 1 and Solid 4)

t h E F o C a l G U a R a N t E E o N l y a P P l I E S IF P a G E 28 I S
R E t U R N E D t o U S w I t h I N 10 D a y S o F P U R C h a S E .

Focal® is a registered trademark of Focal-JMlab® - BP 374 - 108, rue de l'Avenir - 42353 La Talaudière cedex - France - Tel. [phone] - Fax (+33) 04
77 43 57 04 - www.focal-fr.com

Due to constant technological advances, Focal reserves its right to modify specifications without notice. Images may not conform exactly to specific product.

SOLID AMpLIfIer

User manual

Connections and settings (cf page 2)

1

+BATT : The power supply connector +BATT is dedicated to receive the power supply wire linking the amplifier and the battery positive

terminal (+).

2

GND : The GND power supply connector (ground) is dedicated to receive the negative power supply wire linking the amplifier and the

vehicle chassis.

3

FUSE : The FUSE connector is dedicated to receive the fuse(s) of the amplifier. In case of replacement, make sure of the perfect

conformity of the amperage.

4

INPUT : The RCA sockets permit to convey the low level signal of the head unit to the amplifier. CAUTION: The Solid 4 amplifier has
4 RCA inputs for channels 1, 2, 3, 4. The FRONT input corresponds to the speakers situated in the front of the vehicle, whereas the REAR
input corresponds to the speakers situated at the rear of the vehicle.

5

HI LEVEL INPUT : The HI LEVEL INPUT permits to connect the head unit to the amplifier via the speaker outputs of the head unit and
the high-level connector supplied in the packaging.
CAUTION: Only use these inputs if the head unit doesn’t have RCA type low level output.
CAUTION: The Solid 4 amplifier is supplied with 2 high-level connectors. The first connector is dedicated to channels 1 and 2, whereas the
second connector is dedicated to channels 3 and 4.

6

SPEAKERS : The SPEAKER connectors provide the link between the amplifier and the speaker crossovers (or the speakers if the crossovers
are integrated). You MUST respect the polarities (+ amplifier + crossover or + speaker / - amplifier – crossover or – speaker)
CAUTION: the speaker output of the Solid 1 amplifier is ONLY dedicated to the connection of one or several subwoofer(s).

8

7

REMOTE CONTROL PLUG: The REMOTE CONTROL connector is dedicated to the connection of the remote control supplied with the
Solid 1 and Solid 4 amplifiers. This attachment permits a setting of the amplifier gain.
CAUTION: The REMOTE CONTROL connector of the Solid 4 amplifier ONLY works on the rear channels.

8

LINE OUT : The RCA sockets of the Solid 1 amplifier permit the connection of a second amplifier in order to transmit the original signal
from the head unit, without having to convey additional RCA wires from the vehicle front to the additional amplifier.

9

GAIN : The GAIN rotary potentiometer permits to adjust the signal level coming in the amplifier. CAUTION: increasing the input gain
doesn’t mean more power, but more noise. The tension gain varies from 0.2V to 5V.
CAUTION: The Solid 4 amplifier has 2 GAIN rotary potentiometers. The CH 1-2 GAIN permits to control the FRONT speaker outputs,
whereas the CH 3-4 GAIN permits to control the REAR speaker outputs.

10

SUBSONIC : The SUBSONIC selector is the equivalent of a HI PASS crossover ONLY dedicated to the subwoofer output of the Solid
1 amplifier. The crossover activation permits to avoid distortion. The SUBSONIC crossover has a cut-off frequency situated at 35Hz for a
24dB/octave slope.

11

LO PASS : The LO PASS rotary potentiometer (Solid 1 amplifier only) permits the setting of the low-pass filter value. The selected value
defines the frequency until which the signal is amplified. The filtering slope is 24dB/octave. This crossover is to use only when the amplifier
is linked to a subwoofer, but IN NO CASE A LARGE BAND KIT.

12

BASS BOOST : The BASS BOOST rotary potentiometer (Solid 1 amplifier only) permits to increase the bass level from 0 to +9dB. The
central frequency is 60Hz.

13

PHASE : The PHASE selector (Solid 1 amplifier only) permits to adjust the bass channel phase setting according to the installation.

14

CROSSOVER : The CROSSOVER switch (Solid 2 and Solid 4 amplifier only) permits to activate, up to your choice, a high-pass filter
(HPF), a low-pass filter (LPF) or no filter at all (FULL).
CAUTION: The CROSSOVER switch situated on top of the setting panel of the Solid 4 amplifier is related to channels 1 and 2; whereas the
one at the bottom of the panel works on channels 3 and 4.

15

FREQ : The FREQ potentiometer permits to determine the cut-off frequency of the selected filtering mode. In HPF position, this frequency
will be the frequency from which the signal will be transmitted to the speakers.

16

WARNING LIGHT : The warning light permits to check the good working of the amplifier. The white color of the LED (light-emitting
diode) means that the amplifier is live and that its working is normal. The red color of the LED indicates that the amplifier is on protection
after any dysfunction (thermal overload, faulty wiring, …).

17

EXTERNAL REMOTE CONTROL : The remote control supplied with the Solid 1 amplifier permits to control the speaker output level
in order to independently manage the subwoofer level. The remote control supplied with the Solid 4 amplifier permits to control the REAR
speaker output level only for channels 3 and 4.

SOLID AMpLIfIer

User manual

1) Amplifier fixing

The SOLID 2 amplifiers can be fixed with the 4 supplied screws and the SOLID 1 and 4 with the 5 screws. It is recommended to insert a
MDF sheet between the fixing surface of the vehicle and the amplifier (fig. B).

2) Installation :

Unplug the negative power supply terminal of the battery before starting the installation (fig. A).

2.1) Remove the protection cap of the amplifier with the help of the supplied Allen key (fig. C).

2.2) Connect the positive power supply terminal of the amplifier to the battery
Please refer to the table below to know the suitable power supply wire gauge. Connect the positive power supply wire to the amplifier
(“+BATT”), then convey this wire towards the battery. Install a fuse-box integrating a fuse with the same value as the one in the amplifier
at 40cm maximum of the battery positive terminal (fig.D). Connect the fuse-box to the battery positive terminal. The SOLID amplifiers are
supplied with the Auto Power function. This function replaces the traditional “remote” terminal and provides an automatic switch-on of the
amplifier as soon as it gets a high-level signal (starting the head unit).

9

Positive power
supply wire length

SOLID 1

SOLID 2

SOLID 4

* AWG : American Wire Gauge

0-1m 1-2m 2-3m 3-4m 4-5m 5-6m

6mm2 /
9AWG*

2,5mm2 /

13AWG

6mm2 /

9AWG

8mm2 /

8AWG

6mm2 /
9 AWG

10mm2 /

7AWG

16mm2 /

5AWG

8mm2 /
8 AWG

16mm2 /

5AWG

20mm2 /

4AWG

10mm2 /

7 AWG

20mm2 /

4AWG

25mm2 /

3AWG

16mm2 /

5 AWG

25mm2 /

3AWG

35mm2 /

16mm2 /

35mm2 /

2AWG

5 AWG

2AWG

2.3) Connect the amplifier ground to the vehicle chassis
Use a power supply wire with the same gauge as the one linking the positive power supply terminal of the amplifier and the one of the
battery. Always connect the ground on a metallic part perfectly scrubbed of any paint or varnish trace. Then connect the other extremity of
the ground wire to the “Power GND” ground terminal of the amplifier.

2.4) Connect the source to the amplifier
Connect, up to your choice, the low-level (INPUT) or high-level (HI-LEVEL INPUT) wires.
Low-level wiring (INPUT): This connection mode offers a higher quality compared to the high-level wiring. You should then favor the low­level wiring if you have this possibility. Connect the RCA wire to the “INPUT Left” and “INPUT Right” terminals of the amplifier. Convey the
wire to the source and connect it to it on the RCA terminals respecting polarities (fig. E).
High-level wiring (HI LEVEL INPUT): This connection mode permits to convey the signal between the head unit and the amplifier in the case
that the head unit has no low-level outputs (RCA). Use the supplied high-level connector and weld each wire to the corresponding speaker
wire respecting polarities (fig. G). Link the head unit speaker outputs to the connector wires and plug in the connector to the amplifier.

NOTE : The SOLID 4 amplifier is supplied with two high-level connectors in order to link together the whole head unit speaker outputs with
the amplifier inputs (see fig. H for the wiring polarities).

NOTE : The SOLID 1 amplifier is provided with a low-level output (LINE OUTPUT). This output permits to convey the low-level signal towards
another amplifier. This output is not filtered and thus retranscribes the transmitted low-level signal by the head unit without any change.

2.5) Connect the REMOTE CONTROL (only supplied with Solid 1 and Solid 4 amplifiers). Connect the remote control wire with the REMOTE
CONTROL input of the amplifier, then connect it to the remote control. This control must be placed next to the driver, easy to access and it
permits the gain control of the amplifier (channels 3 and 4 of the SOLID 4 amplifier and channel 1 of the SOLID 1 amplifier).

2.6) Connect the speakers to the amplifier
The SOLID 2 and SOLID 4 amplifiers are compatible with an impedance load between 2 and 4 Ohms. The SOLID 1 amplifier can take an
impedance load between 1 and 4 Ohms.

Use a wire with 1.5mm2 minimum gauge. Connect the speaker(s) to the SPEAKER terminals of the amplifier respecting polarities
(fig. I to R).

SOLID AMpLIfIer

User manual

2.7) Connect the ground supply wire to the battery
Make sure once more that all the previous steps of the installation have been respected.
Check the state of connection of the different wires on the amplifier, the fuse-box as well as the battery. If all is correctly plugged-in, end the
installation by connecting the ground supply wire to the vehicle battery.

3) Setting of your audio system

3.1) GAIN setting (from the amplifier potentiometer or via the remote control)

Increasing the input GAIN value doesn’t mean more power, but rather more noise. The GAIN setting is not a power setting.

The SOLID amplifiers are provided with an adjustable GAIN. This potentiometer permits to make the signal input tension vary between
200mV and 5V in order to make the amplifier input tension correspond to the source output tension. It is often better to rise the output level
of the source to its “maximum”. It means that you have to find the maximum output level of the head unit before any audible distortion
appears. Once it is done, it is also better to maintain the GAIN level of the amplifier to the lowest possible value. It will have the effect to
optimize the sound quality through a better signal/noise ratio.

How to set the input GAIN of the amplifier?

3.1.1) Lower completely the input GAIN of the amplifier as well as the BASS BOOST (only available with the Solid 1 amplifier).

3.1.2) Adjust the sound level of the head unit to its maximum value (value until which no distortion is audible).

3.1.3) Rise the GAIN level of the amplifier until you hear a distortion, then slightly lower the GAIN level until the total disappearance of this
distortion.

10

3.2) High-pass and low-pass filter setting

3.2.1) High-pass filter (HPF) setting 12dB/oct.
The high-pass filter permits to determine the frequency from which the signal will be amplified and then conveyed to the speakers. This
setting permits:

• to avoid the dissipation of the amplification power on frequencies that are not retranscribed by the speakers (see “speaker specifications”

to know the lowest frequency that is retranscribed by the speaker kit).

• to optimize the speaker/subwoofer (or bass enclosure) coupling while avoiding the speakers and the subwoofer to retranscribe an

identical frequency range.

Put the cursor on the “HPF” position then choose the suitable value.

3.2.2) Low-pass filter setting (LPF) 12dB/oct.
The low-pass filter permits to determine the frequency until which the signal is amplified and then conveyed to the subwoofer. This setting
permits:

• to avoid the dissipation of the amplification power on frequencies that are not retranscribed by the subwoofer.

• to optimize the subwoofer/speaker coupling by avoiding the subwoofer and the speakers to retranscribe an identical frequency range.
Put the cursor on the “LPF” position then choose the suitable value.
It is recommended to choose an identical cut-off frequency (high-pass and low-pass) in order to ensure a perfect speaker/subwoofer
coupling.

3.2.3) PHASE setting (only available with Solid 1 amplifier)
This setting permits to put the subwoofer in phase with the rest of the installation (speakers). The cursor has 2 positions: 0° and 180°. In
order to make sure of the good phase setting of the subwoofer with the rest of the installation, you just have to sit down on the driver’s seat
and to make the cursor position vary between the two values. The good value will be the one with which you will notice a rise of the bass
level in the vehicle.

3.2.4) SUBSONIC filter setting (only available with the Solid 1 amplifier).
The SUBSONIC filter (35Hz – 24dB/oct) permits to determine the frequency from which the signal is amplified and then conveyed to the
subwoofer. It avoids the dissipation of the amplification power on frequency ranges that are not retranscribed by the subwoofer, but it also
protects the subwoofer from the potentially dangerous frequencies. It is highly recommended to activate the SUBSONIC filter.

3.2.5) BASS BOOST setting (only available with the Solid 1 amplifier)
This setting permits to rise the bass level. The BASS BOOST central frequency is steady (60Hz). This setting permits to personalize the
amplification according to your listening typology and your musical tastes.

To have a high BASS BOOST level doesn’t mean that the sound quality is better.