MTX Audio TA81001 User Manual

TA81001 Owner’s Manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing MTX to help reach the ultimate goal with your vehicle. Adding MTX amplifiers and

matching MTX speakers and subwoofers with StreetWires connections will put you in a better position to
hear, feel, and experience all of the music the artist intended.

Specifications

Primary Ratings:
Power Output: 500 watts RMS x 1-channel at 4 ohm and ≤ 1% THD+N
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (1 watt): 68dB

Secondary Ratings:
Power Output: 1,000 watts RMS x 1-channel at 2 ohm and ≤ 1% THD+N
Power Output: 1,500 watts RMS x 1-channel at 1 ohm and ≤ 1% THD+N

Power Output: 2,000 watts RMS x 1/2-channel** at 4 ohm and ≤ 1% THD+N
Power Output: 3,000 watts RMS x 1/2-channel** at 2 ohm and ≤ 1% THD+N
** Two Amplifiers Strapped

THD+Noise (Distortion) (1 watt): ≤ .5%
Frequency Response (-3dB): 20Hz-200Hz
Maximum Input Signal: 10V
Maximum Sensitivity: 100mV
Dimensions: 9-5/8” x 20-11/16” x 2-1/2” (245mm x 525mm x 65mm)

Patented Smart Engage™ Auto-Turn-On (Patent No: US06556683)
Patented Adaptive Class D Technology (Patent No: US06753729)
Patented Power Supply (US05598325)

Input Sensitivity Switch: 100mV-1V/1V-10V
Crossover: Low @ 40Hz-200Hz, 24dB
Subsonic @ 20-50Hz, 12dB/oct
Parametric EQ: Boost/Cut +/-12dB, Freq. 30Hz-80Hz, Q 0.5-4.0
Remote Subwoofer Level Control
Selectable Phase: 0 or 180 degrees

Features

1. Prizm EFX – All MTX amplifiers include backlit adjustment controls on the top surface of the product.

• Color – The backlit controls offer unlimited colors on the display -- from RED, GREEN, and BLUE to any color
in between.

• EFX – You can switch Prizm EFX lighting to “pulsate” with the beat of the music.

2. Xtant Technology Cooling (XTC) – A thermal-regulated turbo-charged intercooler supplies fan forced cool air
evenly and constantly through tightly packed bonded fins. Fan speed is continuously variable and controlled
by the amplifier’s output, temperature of the heatsink, and transformers. Exhaust from the internal heatsink is
strategically positioned to cool the transformers to maintain maximum performance at all volumes.

3. Bi-Level Inputs with Smart Engage™ – All MTX amplifiers feature RCA type input connections. All MTX
amplifiers allow both high level and line level input into the RCA type input connections.

• Low Level Input – Source units with an output signal level of 100mV–10V may be used. See “Input
Sensitivity” for proper voltage level setting.

• High Level Inputs with Smart Engage™ – All MTX amplifiers allow high level inputs through RCA type input
connections using provided high level adapters. Source units with an output signal level of 100mV–10V may
be used. See “Input Sensitivity” for proper voltage level setting.

• Smart-Engage™ Auto-Turn-On - An auto-turn-on circuit is included within the amplifier. A remote turn-on
wire is not necessary when connecting the amplifier’s high-level input to a high-powered source unit (car
stereo). The amplifier will automatically turn on when music is received through this type of connection.

Note: Smart Engage™ is only active on the left input.

4. Input Sensitivity – The Input Sensitivity switch is used to set the proper input voltage range:

X1 POSITION: 100mV–1V (Typically for RCA Input)

X10 POSITION: 1V–10V (Typically for Speaker Level Input)

5. Gain Control – This feature is used to fine-tune the input sensitivity of the amplifier to the source unit’s output
level.

6. Low-Pass X-over Frequency Control with 24dB per octave Slope – This control allows the user to choose the
exact low pass frequency range the amplifier will play for the best possible performance. The upper end of
the crossover frequency point can be selected from 40Hz–200Hz at 24dB per octave.

7. Variable Subsonic Filter – This feature limits the lower end of the frequencies sent to the subwoofers. The
subsonic feature includes a control knob used to adjust subsonic setting from 15Hz-60Hz at 12dB per octave.

8. Parametric Equalizer – This one band parametric equalizer provides individual frequency, Q/bandwidth, and
+/-12dB gain adjustment controls. Any frequency from 30Hz to 80Hz can be chosen and boosted or cut up to
12dB. The “Q” ranges from 0.5 to 4.0 in value to allow a wide variety of bandwidth adjustment and address
the subtle tuning requirements common to mobile audio systems.

9. Remote Subwoofer Level Control (Remote Gain) – This port allows the use of the optional “remote level
control”. The Remote Subwoofer Level Control is a bass control module that can be installed in any location
within the vehicle for remote adjustments.

10. Phase Switch – The phase select switch allows you to invert the amplifier’s output phase by 180 degrees to
ensure the frequency interaction between the speakers is consistent within the vehicle. This also enables the
advanced bridging operation when using two amplifiers on one speaker.

11. StreetWires Connectors – All MTX amplifiers include StreetWires connectors for efficient current and
maximum voltage transfer.

12. Speaker Connection – Two sets of speaker terminals are provided for dual woofer applications. When
connecting a single woofer, use only one set of speaker terminals. (8 and 9 series are Bridgeable with a Phase
Switch)

13. Power Terminals – This is the main power connection for the amplifier. The power and ground wire size
should be the same gauge.

• GND – The ground wire from this connection must be attached to bare metal on the vehicle. The distance to
the ground should be as short as possible and no more than 18”.

• REM – To turn the amplifier on/off, this terminal must be connected to the source unit’s “remote or electric
antenna” wire.

• +12V – The power wire from this connection must be attached to the positive side of the vehicle’s battery.

• CAP+ - Capacitor Positive Input – The ideal connection point for the positive sides of the capacitor to increase
the amplifier’s performance.

• CAP- - Capacitor Negative Input – The ideal connection point for the negative side of the capacitor to increase
the amplifier’s performance.

Before Starting

MTX recommends that you have your new Thunder amplifiers installed by an authorized MTX retailer, preferably

MECP certified. If you do decide to do it yourself, make sure you have read the instructions carefully and have
the following tools:

• Electric drill

• Phillips bit or screwdriver

• 1/8” bit

• Wire cutters/crimpers

• Safety glasses

• X-Acto knife

Disconnect the vehicle’s negative battery connection. Any deviation from the recommended connection

procedures may cause serious damage to the amplifier, speakers, and/or vehicle electrical system. Please
double check the connections before turning the system on.