Phoenix Gold Z Series User Manual

USER MANUAL

Z8150

8” Slim Active Bass Enclosure

CONTENTS

1

USER MANUAL

2 Introduction

2 What is included?

2 Features

3 General precautions

3 Protection circuitry

4

4

6

Mounting the subwoofer

Connecting the subwoofer

7

8

Front panel controls and features

Low Level Input Wiring

8

Rear panel controls and features

Remote level control connection

Power Connections

High Level Input Wiring

10

9

11 Specifications

12 Troubleshooting

Page

Congratulations on your
purchase of a PHOENIX GOLD
amplified subwoofer.

It has been designed, engineered and
manufactured to bring you the highest
level of performance and quality, and
will afford you years of listening
pleasure.

Thank you for making PHOENIX GOLD
your choice for car audio entertainment!

2

Introduction

With the Z8150,we are introducing
a slim-profile amplified subwoofer.
Slim enough to fit underseat or in a hide
away location. It is a quick and easy
way to add a high-powered subwoofer
solution to your audio system.

The integrated amplifier in the
subwoofer features both subsonic
and low pass crossovers, and a control
for adjusting the input sensitivity from

0.2V to 6V.

Both high level (speaker level) and low
level (RCA type) inputs are present,
making this a universal solution for use
with any head unit or other input
source.

For further flexibility in the use of a
subwoofer, a variable bass boost
control has been included. You can
control the subwoofer level with the
remote level control module.

Features

Your new Amplified subwoofer features
the following:

*

MOSFET PWM (Pulse Width

Modulated) Power Supply

*

Thermal, overload and speaker

short protection

*

Soft turn-on circuit

*

Remote turn-on/turn-off circuit

*

Variable input gain control

*

Variable low and subsonic

crossovers

*

Variable bass boost (0 to 18dB)

*

Variable phase (0 to 180 degree)

*

RCA low level and high level inputs

*

Auto Power On: ON/OFF

*

LED power and protection indicators

*

Remote subwoofer level control

What is included?

When first unpacking your new
amplified subwoofer, please check
first that the package contains all of
the items below. If something is
missing, contact the store where you
purchased the product.

*

Amplified subwoofer

*

Remote subwoofer level control

*

Remote subwoofer control cable

*

High level input harness/wire

*

Mounting hardware

3

The built-in amplifier incorporates
special protection circuitry which will
disable the amplifier if any of the
following should occur:

*

Input overload

*

Short circuit

*

Extremely high temperatures

If any of these conditions are detected,
the amplifier will go into a self-protection
mode, and the PROTECT LED on the

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What should I do if the POWER STATUS
LED turns RED?

If

you observe that the POWER STATUS
LED IS RED, please check the system
carefully to determine what has caused
the protection circuit to engage.

To reset the amplified subwoofer when
it is in PROTECT mode, turn the power
off to the system (usually by turning off
the head unit or other signal source
which feeds the amplifier) and then turn
it on again.

If the internal amplifier has shut down

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allow it to cool down before restarting.

If the shut down was due to either an
input overload or a short circuit, be sure
to correct these conditions before
attempting to power up the subwoofer
again.

Protection circuitryGeneral precautions

SHOCK HAZARD! Do not open the case
of this product. There are dangerous

voltages present within the unit. There are
no user-serviceable parts within the unit.

installing and using your new
amplified subwoofer, please become
familiar with all the information

contained in this manual.

Please keep this manual in a safe
place for future reference.

*

Do not open or attempt to repair this

unit yourself. Danger

ous high voltages
are present which may result in electric
shock. Refer any repairs to a qualified
service technician.

*

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damage to the unit, do not permit any
of this equipment to become damp or

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unplug the power wires and send the
product to your local dealer or service

center as soon as possible.

*

If there is smok

e or any peculiar odour
present during use or if there is damage
to any of the enclosures components,
immediately unplug the power cord
and send the product to your local
dealer or service center as soon as
possible.

Before

1. Find a suitable location in the vehicle
in which to mount the amplifier.
A typical location is shown below:

2. Make sure there is sufficient air
circulation around the intended
mounting location.

3. Mark the location for the mounting
hole screws by positioning the cabinet
where you wish to install it. Make a
small mark to identify the position and
remove the unit.

Thoroughly clean the area you plan to
atta

ch the subwoofer, using a vacuum

cleaner.

4

Mounting the subwoofer Connecting the subwoofer

Before connecting any wiring look through
this manual and identify the diagrams
to follow for power, input and speaker
connections for your particular
installation. Be sure you understand
all the connections before you proceed.

1. Connect the ground terminal to the
closest point on the chassis of the
vehicle. Keep this ground wire to less
than 39" (100cm) in length. Use 8
gauge (or heavier) wire.

2. Connect the

remote terminal to the
remote output of the head unit using
16 gauge (or heavier) wire.

3. Connect an empty fuse holder within
18" (45cm) of the car battery, and run
8 gauge (or heavier) cable from this
fuse to the amplifier location.

4. Check that the fuse holder doesnt

Then connect the fuse

holder to the "BATT+" connection

on the amplifier.

contain a fuse.

under vehicle seat

5

5. Connect all line inputs and outputs
(if used) using high-quality cables.

6. Insert fuse(s) into battery fuse holders.

7. Recheck all connections before
powering up the subwoofer.

8. Set all level controls to minimum
position, and set all crossover
control/switches to the desire

d

frequency points.

9. Power up the head unit and the
subwoofer. Then set the volume control
on the head unit to about volume,
and adjust the subwoofer's input level
controls to just below the level of
distortion.

10. Further fine tuning of the various
controls may be necessary to obtain
best results.

Do not mistake the input level control
for a volume control! It is designed
ONLY to match the output level of
your audio source to the input level
of your subwoofer.

Do not adjust this input level to
maximum unless your input level
requires it.

Ignoring these instructions will result
in an input overload to the amplifier
in the subwoofer, and excessive
audio distortion. It can also cause
the protection circui

t to engage.

Don't misuse the
level control!

75%

6

Front panel controls and features

REMOTE LEVEL CONTROL PORT

Attach the included remote level
control to control the volume level of
the subwoofer independently.

①

LOW PASS FILTER

This control permits you to define the
frequency range you want the
subwoofer amplifier to receive.
The subwoofer will reproduce all sound
BELOW the frequency you set.

⑤

If the rest of your system is weak on
the mids, you may wish to set this
control relatively high. If the midrange
is well covered by the rest of your
system, you will probably want the
subwoofer to only receive lower
frequency signal.

PHASE

Use this control to help compensate
for time alignment problems in the
system. Such problems usually result
from having the subwoofer at a
different distance from t

he listener

than the other speakers in the system.

⑥

BASS BOOST

The bass boost feature will increase
the sound level in the bass frequencies.

④

SUBSONIC FILTER

Use this control to filter out low
frequency noise and rumble.

③

INPUT GAIN CONTROL

After you have installed your system,
turn this control to minimum.

②

Turn the head unit on (and the
subwoofer will turn on via the remote
connection). Turn the head unit
volume to about 75% full level.

Slowly turn up the subwoofer input
gain control until you hear a small
amount of distortion. Then reduce the
level until the distortion is completely
gone. Leave the control at this setting.

AUTO POWER ON

⑦

The AUTO POWER ON (ON / OFF) is

for

high

level (speaker-level) connections.
When the switch is in the "ON" position,
the subwoofer AUTO POWER ON when
there is signal input. If the amplifier
detected no signal input, the amplifier
will auto turn off. If you prefer to use the
remote turn on/off connection, the switch
is in the OFF position.

POWER STATUS LED

This bi-color LED glows green when
power is on

and no problems are

pre

sent. If one of the protection circuits

comes on, it will change to red.

⑧

① ②③④⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧

7

Rear panel controls and features

① ②③ ④

⑤

POWER TERMINALS

HIGH LEVEL (speaker level)
INPUTS

If your head unit does not have RCA
outputs, you can use the speaker
outputs for the audio source for the
subwoofer. Use the supplied cable
and wire harness and connect the
outputs properly as shown in the
connection diagram in this manual.

④

LOW LEVEL RCA INPUTS

Low level inputs are the recommended
way to introduce the audio signal to the
subwoofer if RCA outputs are present
on your head unit or other signal
source (such as a sound processor).

⑤

①

The fuse in the left socket is the
fuse which provides protection for the
circuitry.

FUSE

②

Do not use a fuse with a different value
and NEVER replace the fuse with a wire
or coin.

SPARE FUSE

The right fuse socket is a storage
location for a spare fuse. If the left
fuse blows, you may replace it with
this fuse.

③

8” Slim Active Bass Enclosure

Please ensure it is the

correct fuse ampage.

8

Low Level Input Wiring

Low-level (RCA) input wiring is preferred for best audio performance. Most boot
or hatchback installations will require a 15-20 feet RCA cable, while pickup trucks
and under-seat installations will require a 6-12 feet RCA cable. Always use a
high quality cable.

NOTE: Do not connect BOTH the high level and low level inputs from your
receiver to your amplifier at the same time!

T

High Level Input Wiring

he high level input(s) should only be used when your receiver lacks RCA outputs.
If the RCA outputs are not present, connect the speaker outputs from the receiver
to the high level input connector of the amplifier. Be sure to observe polarity to
avoid audio phase

problems.

NOTE: Do not connect BOTH the high level and low level inputs from your
receiver to your amplifier at the same time!

WHITE L+

GREY R- GREY/BLACK

To Speaker Terminals
of head unit

L- WHITE/BLACK

BLACK

To Audio outputs of head
unit or signal processor

R+

8” Slim Active Bass Enclosure

8” Slim Active Bass Enclosure

9

Power Connections

Chassis
ground
point

Battery

FUSE

to REMOTE TURN-ON
terminal of head unit

Chassis
ground
point

Battery

FUSE

Connect the ground terminal to the closest point on the chassis of the vehicle.
Keep this ground wire to less than 39" (100 cm) in length. Use 8 gauge
(or heavier) wire.

Connect the remote terminal to the remote output of head unit using 16 gauge
( or heavier ) wire.

Connect an empty fuse holder within 18" (45 cm) of the car battery, and run 8 gauge
(or heavier) cable from this fuse to the amplifier location. Then connect the fuse
holder to the "BATT+" (+12V) connection on the subwoofer rear panel.

Power Connections

8” Slim Active Bass Enclosure

8” Slim Active Bass Enclosure

IF you are using the High Level Inputs and
wish to use the auto turn on feature you must
set the auto turn on switch to ON.
The subwoofer will then turn on when a
signal is detected. If there is no signal
detected then the subwoofer will switch off.

10

Specifications

RMS power

THD

Signal-to-noise ratio

Frequency response

Input sensitivity, high level

Input sensitivity, low level

Low Pass Filter

Bass Boost
Subsonic Filter

Variable Phase

MODEL:

150Wrms @ 2 ohm

<0.4% @ 100Hz

>90dB

20Hz - 150Hz

0.5V

110mV

50Hz - 150Hz

0-18dB @ 45Hz

20Hz - 50Hz
0 - 180°

Subwoofer

8inch,2 ohm

Fuse rating

Dimensions(L x W x H) mm

15A

354 x 250 x 68

Remote Level Control Connection

Install the remote control securely under the
dash or in a similar location where using it will
not distract the driver.

Remote

Level Control

Z8150

Troubleshooting

11

If you experience operation or performance problems with this product, compare your
installation with the electrical wiring diagram on the previous pages. If problems persist,
read the following troubleshooting tips which may help eliminate the problems.

Amplifier will not
power up.

Check to make sure you have a good ground connection.
Check that the Remote Input (Turn-On) has at least 5VDC.
Check that there is battery power on the (+) terminal.
Check that there is at least 12V.
Check all fuse, replace if necessary.
Make sure that the Protection LED is not illuminated. If it is

the amplifier briefly, and then repower it.

Protection LED
comes on when
amplifier is
powered up

Check for short circuits on speaker leads and reverse polarity.
Turn down the volume control on the head unit to prevent overdriving.
Remove speaker leads, and reset the amplifier. If the Protection LED still
comes on, then the amplifier is faulty and needs servicing.

No output.

Check that all fuses are OK.
Check that unit is properly grounded.
Check that the Remote Input (Turn-On) has at least 5VDC.
Check that the RCA audio cables are plugged into the proper inputs.
Check all speaker wiring.

Low output.

Reset the Level Control.
Check the Crossover Control settings.

High hiss in the
sound.

Disconnect all RCA inputs to the power sub's control panel. If the hiss
disappears, then plug in the component driving the amplifier and unplug
its inputs. If the hiss disappears at this point, go on until the faulty/noisy
component is found.
It is best to set the amplifier's input level control as low as possible. The
best subjective signal-to-noise ratio is achieved in this manner. Try to
set the head unit as high as possible (without distortion) and the amp
input level as low as possible.

Squealing noise
is present.

Check for improperly grounded RCA interconnects.

Distorted sound.

Check that the Input Level Control is set to match the signal level of the
head unit. Always try to set the Input Level as low as possible.
Check that all crossover frequencies are properly set.
Check for short circuits on the speaker leads.

Amplifier gets
very hot.

Check that the minimum speaker impedance for the amp model is correct.
Check that there is good air circulation around the amp. In some
applications, it may be necessary to add and external cooling fan.

Engine noise
(static type)

This is usually caused by poor quality RCA cables, which can pick up
radiated noise. Use only the best quality cables, and route them away
from power cables.

Engine noise
(alternator whine)

Check that the RCA grounds are not shorted to the vehicle chassis
Check that the head unit is properly grounded.

SYMPTOM POSSIBLE REMEDY

glowing red

shut off

Phoenix Gold is a brand of AAMP of America
www.phoenixgold.com