a/d/s/ P450 Owner's Manual

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analog and digital systems

P4 5 0 /P6 5 0 /P8 5 0

owners manual

00-3009 REV A

300 wildwood avenue, woburn, massachusetts 01801

781.729.1140 www.adst.com

table of contents

introduction

about this manual

features of your PowerPlateTM

warning and tips

system planning

signal sources

system configurations

mounting locations

installation

controls and connections

multi-crossTM crossover and configurations

tuning

troubleshooting

specifications

warranty information

introduction

Although it may be hard to remember, back in the 1970’s, car audio as we now know it didn’t
really exist. Sure, music lovers could buy a cassette or 8-track tape deck and some 6" x 9"
three-way speakers. Advanced stereo buffs might even add a "power-booster" to increase output
to as much as 12 watts RMS! But none of this really delivered the power to cut through road
noise with sound quality that compared with the best home audio. Not until 1979 that is, when
a/d/s/ introduced the revolutionary PowerPlate

P100 amplifier and 300i 2-way plate

loudspeakers. Aesthetically, the P100 introduced the low profile design which has been an a/d/s/
trademark to this day. Technologically, the P100 combined a high efficiency switching power
supply with a state-of-the-art, discrete high-cur rent stereo power amplifier. For the first time, a car
audio system existed with the musical integrity and dynamic range that made you want to take
long drives to nowhere, just to listen to the music. High quality car audio was born, and the
original a/d/s/ PowerPlate

P100 made it happen.

The latest improvements to the PowerPlate

line-up include increased heatsink area to facilitate

higher power output, and fully balanced high-level inputs compatible with any source. The
amplifier you have purchased is an enhancement of the respected P-series multichannel amplifiers.
In this version, we have improved upon the already acclaimed sound quality by addressing internal
details, and upgrading selected components to incorporate the latest technology which may not
have been available when the P-series was originally designed. Selected low-noise, high-speed
Burr-Brown op amps are used in critical circuits. Class-A biasing is used throughout the
voltage-gain and active crossover stages. Numerous modifications and "tweaks" were also
performed which improve the power supply dynamics and reduce noise. These changes improve
transparency and dynamic linearity, resulting in a smoother and more detailed top-end, tighter
bass, more explosive dynamic contrasts, and virtually holographic imaging. Left intact are the
P-series unequalled flexibility, high efficiency and superb reliability. These, along with multi-channel
design, are fundamental in the a/d/s/ approach to systems engineering, which makes achieving
true high fidelity reproduction simple and predictable in any installation.

warranty

There are two things you must do to ensure trouble free service in the event you need warranty repairs.
1. Keep your original sales receipt in a safe place. A copy of the receipt will be required to obtain

warranty service.

2. Be sure your retail dealer has written the date, model number and serial number (if applicable) of the

product on the receipt. To give yourself an extra measure of protection, make a separate record of
the information about your purchase and keep it in a safe place. In the event you misplace the sales
receipt, your dealer may be able to give you a copy.

Take a moment now to read the terms of your warranty. Check to be sure your sales receipt is dated
and has the product model number and serial number (if applicable) on it. Then put it away in a safe
place.

When shipping a Product in for service:

• Enclose a copy of your original sales receipt that has the date, product model number and serial
number (if applicable) written on it.
• Always ship Products in the complete original packing material.
• Avoid shipping Products via the postal service. If you must use the postal service, be sure to register
and insure the package.

a/d/s/ Limited Warranty

Analog and Digital System, Inc. (a/d/s/) warrants to the original consumer purchaser of the a/d/s/ Prod-
ucts described in this manual, that the Product will be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one (1) year after the date of purchase, if the Product is installed by an
authorized a/d/s/ retail dealer, the warranty is extended to three (3) years. a/d/s/’ sole obligation under
the warranty shall be to provide, without charge, parts and labor necessary to remedy the defects, if
any, that appear during the warranty period.
This warranty is the sole and exclusive express warranty given with respect to the Product. All other
express warranties are hereby excluded. Neither a/d/s/ nor the authorized dealer who sells the Product is
responsible for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply
to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.

IMPORTANT

– Keep your original sales receipt. Be sure the retail dealer has written on it the date,

model number and serial number (if applicable) of the Product. This information is required for warranty
service.

This warranty is limited to:

• Products purchased from authorized a/d/s/ retail dealers in the United States. a/d/s/ will supply a list of

authorized dealers on request.

In order to obtain warranty service you must:

• Return the Product, freight prepaid, to the a/d/s/ dealer from which it was purchased, an authorized

a/d/s/ independent service agency, or to a/d/s/. If necessary you may call the a/d/s/ Customer Service
Department for the names and addresses of authorized independent service agencies in your area.

• Provide proof of purchase in the form of a copy of your original sales receipt. The date, model num

ber and serial number (if applicable) of the Product must be written on the sales receipt.

This warranty does not cover:

• Damage that is the result of misuse, abuse, accident (including but not limited to damage by water),

faulty hookup, defective or maladjusted associated equipment, or the use of the Product with equip
ment of which it was not intended.

• Cosmetic defects that appear more than thirty (30) days after the date of purchase. Cosmetic damage

caused by improper handling is also excluded.

• Products that are used for commercial purposes.
• The cost of removing or reinstalling the Product.
• Damage that occurs while the Product is being shipped to whoever will service it. See the information

above regarding shipping procedures.

This warranty is void if:

• The Product identification or serial number is removed or defaced in any way.
• The Product is serviced or repaired by anyone other than a/d/s/ or an authorized a/d/s/ dealer or

service agency.

specifications

amplifier section

power output 4

(watts)

50/channel 150/bridged channel pair

power output 2

(watts)

75/channel

distortion all channels driven 0.1%

20Hz to 20,000Hz

frequency response ±1dB

10Hz to 30,000Hz

signal-to-noise ratio full

bandwidth @ rated output power

>90dB

damping factor @ output

connector full bandwidth

>150

input sensitivity

100mV to 8Vrms for full output

input impedance

47 k

recommended fuse type

P850

2 X 40 ATC

P650

2 X 30 ATC

P450

1 X 40 ATC

crossover section

ch 1 & 2

high-pass

ch 3 & 4

high-pass & low-pass

ch 5 & 6

high-pass & low-pass (P850), low-pass (P650)

ch 7 & 8

low-pass

dimensions

P850

13" X 2" X 16 1/8" (330mm X 50mm X 410mm)

P650

13" X 2" X 141/8" (330mm X 50mm X 359mm)

P450

13" X 2" X 11 1/8" (330mm X 50mm X 283mm)

1 All channels driven, continuous FTC rated 4

load, 20Hz to 20,000Hz, <0.1% THD,

power input voltage at 13.8DVC.

2 All channels driven, continuous FTC rated 2

load, 20Hz to 20,000Hz, <0.1% THD,

power input voltage at 13.8DVC.

3 All channels are selectable with infinitely variable adjustments from 45Hz to 5,000Hz

with a slope rate of 12dB/octave and a "Q" of .707.

about this manual

To get the most from your a/d/s/ PowerPlate

, we recommend that you have the installation

performed by your qualified authorized a/d/s/ dealer. If this unit is installed by your dealer, we will
extend the warranty to three years instead of the standard one year. However, if you feel that you
have the necessary skills and prefer to perform the installation yourself, this manual will guide you
through the process of installation and set-up. Please read through it completely before beginning
the installation so that you may familiarize yourself with the total procedure before you begin. If
there is anything that you do not fully understand, please consult with your a/d/s/ dealer before
attempting the installation.

keep listening, but be safe!

Sustained listening to loud music over 100dB has been shown to cause permanent hearing dam-
age. Systems using a/d/s/ components are capable of achieving volume levels which substantially
exceed this level. When operating your system for sustained periods at high volume, be sure to
use hearing protection to prevent long-term exposure. We want you to be able to enjoy the music
for many more years.

features of your PowerPlate™

Transient Perfect

MOSFET Power Supply

– The heart of the P-series, this supply frees the

PowerPlate

from the constraints of common pwm (pulse width modulated) supplies. The advan-

tages are: extremely fast overload recovery time, low output
mpedance for superior damping, and stability during voltage fluctuations for reliable performance
in the harsh automotive environment.

Remote Subwoofer Control Capability

– Can be used with accessory control AC502 to provide

a dashboard mounted subwoofer or rear channel level control

Detachable Plug in Connectors

– High current speaker and power connectors

simplify installation.

Multi-cross

Variable Built-in Crossovers

– High-pass, Low-pass and Bandpass functions are

built-in, virtually eliminating the need for external crossover networks in even the most elaborate
systems.

PowerPlate

Design

– a/d/s/ original low profile, high efficiency heatsink design keeps size mini-

mum and allows mounting where space is limited.

Wide Input Sensitivity Range

– Allows connection to virtually any source unit from factory OEM

radios through low output preamps.

Simultaneous Stereo and Mono

– Each channel pair may be used Stereo, Mono, Bridged or

both Stereo and Mono simultaneously. This allows an additional Mono speaker to be used with a
stereo pair for center-channel or subwoofer applications from each channel pair.

Same Side Adjustments

– The P-series PowerPlate

makes system adjustment easy by

organizing all signal processing controls on one side of the amplifier. This layout allows convenient
system adjustment and facilitates a variety of installation possibilities when access to the controls is
desired.

Warnings and tips

Always disconnect the battery ground wire before doing any work on your vehicle. Reconnect the
cable only after the installation is complete and the wiring has been checked to make sure that
there are no problems. If your radio features a code type security system, be sure you know the
code before disconnecting the battery!
Your a/d/s/ PowerPlate

should be installed in 12V negative ground vehicles only. Connection to

other types of electrical systems may cause damage to the vehicle or the amplifier.
Wear Eye and Ear protection when using power tools.
Before cutting or drilling carefully inspect the area to make sure there is no electrical wiring, fuel
lines or brake lines which could be damaged. Sometimes these components may be hidden
between double-walled panels, so be very careful.
Do not bypass or modify the fuses, or replace with one of a higher rating. The fuse should not fail
under normal operation. Repeated blowing indicates a problem with the amplifier or improper
installation.
An additional power supply line fuse (not supplied) must be installed on the 12V supply line and
located as close as possible to the battery in order to protect the wire in the event of a short
circuit.
Make sure the system is turned off when making or breaking any connections.
Do not use your PowerPlate

with speakers which have either terminal connected to the speaker

frame or to the vehicle chassis.

symptom

possible cause

action to take

distorted output (cont’d)

speakers are blown

check system with known
working speakers and repair or
replace as needed

poor bass response

Speakers wired with wrong

check speaker polarity and

polarity causing cancellation

repair as needed

at low frequencies

crossover set incorrectly

reset crossovers referring to the
multi-cross

crossover

configuration section of this
manual for detailed instructions

battery fuse blowing

impedance load to amplifier

check speaker impedance load,

too low

if below 2

stereo or 4

mono

rewire speakers to achieve a
higher impedance

short in power wire or incor rect

check power and ground

power connections

connections and repair as
needed

fuse used is smaller than

replace with proper fuse size
recommended

too much current being drawn

check speaker impedance load,
if below 2

stereo or 4

mono

rewire speakers to achieve a
higher impedance
check power and ground
connections and repair as
needed

amplifier fuse blowing

too much current being drawn

Check speaker impedance load,
if below 2

stereo or 4

mono

rewire speakers to achieve a
higher impedance and replace
with recommended fuse size
check power and ground
connections and repair as
needed

fuse used is smaller than

replace with proper fuse size

recommended

Mounting locations

PowerPlate

in a place that protects it from the elements. In addition, mount the PowerPlate

a stable, flat mounting surface. Whenever possible, pre-drill the mounting holes. Remember to
check behind the panel for hidden dangers in the form of hoses, fuel or brake lines or electrical
wiring. Use a marking pen or awl to mark the hole locations and pre-drill using a 1/8" bit.

Passenger compartment mounting

All PowerPlates

have been designed with a low profile to make under

seat mounting possible. Regardless of where you choose to mount your
PowerPlate

be sure to keep a minimum of 1" of clearance around the

amplifier for adequate airflow to prevent overheating.

Trunk compartment mounting

The most common mounting location is in the
trunk or cargo compartment. For optimum cooling, mount the Power-
Plate

chassis vertically with the fins running vertically, or mount the

PowerPlate

horizontally with the fins pointing upward. Avoid horizon -

tal mounting locations with the fins pointing downward.
Also, locate the PowerPlate

where it, and connections to it, will not be

damaged by cargo or tools which may shift during vehicle operation.

Engine compartment mounting

Don’t even think about it! The PowerPlate

was not designed to endure the

harsh chemical and heat environment of the engine compartment. Failure to
obey this warning will void your warranty.

Troubleshooting

symptom

possible cause

action to take

no output

low or no remote turn-on input check remote turn-on voltage

output at amplifier and correct
as needed

fuse blown

check power wire integrity
and reversed polarity, repair
as needed and replace fuse

power wires not connected

check power wire and ground
connections and repair or
replace as needed

audio input not connected or

check input connections and

no output from source

signal integrity, repair or
replace as needed

speaker wires not connected

check speaker wires and repair
or replace as needed

audio cycles on and off

speakers are blown

check system with known
working speaker and repair or
replace speakers as needed

thermal protection engages

make sure there is proper

when amplifier heatsink

ventilation for amplifier and

temperature exceeds 90° C

improve ventilation as needed

loose or poor audio input

check input connections and
repair or replace as needed

distorted output

amplifier level sensitivity set too reset gain referring to the
high; exceeding maximum

tuning section of the manual

output capability of amplifier

for detailed instructions

impedance load to amplifier too check speaker impedance load
low

if below 2

stereo or 4

mono rewire speakers to
achieve a higher impedance

shorted speaker wires

check speaker wire
connections and repair or
replace as needed

speaker not connected to

check speaker wiring and

amplifier properly

repair or replace as needed
refer to the installation section
of this manual for detailed
instructions

internal crossover not set

reset crossovers referring to the

properly for speaker

multi-cross

crossover

configuration section of this
manual

system planning

Proper system planning is the best way to maximize your PowerPlate

’s performance. By planning

your installation carefully you can avoid situations where the performance or the reliability of your
system is compromised. Your authorized a/d/s/ dealer has been trained to maximize your
system’s sonic potential. Your a/d/s/ dealer is a valuable resource in helping you with your system
design and installation.

speaker requirements

Each channel of your PowerPlate

can easily drive 2

speak-

er loads when used in the stereo mode. When a channel-pair
is bridged, the recommended minimum load impedance is
3

for subwoofer use, and 4

for full range operation.

Although operation with lower impedances is not likely to
cause immediate damage to the internal circuitry, the unit
will most likely overheat, causing the thermal protection cir-
cuitry to shut down the amplifier. When the chassis cools
down, normal operation will resume. Continuing to operate
the amplifier under these conditions is not recommended
and will reduce its life expectancy.

Most speakers designed for car audio operation are 4

impedance. Connecting two such speakers in parallel will
result in a 2

impedance load as seen by the amplifier. Some a/d/s/ sub-
woofer models feature a dual 4

voice coil design. Connect-

ing these voice coils in parallel will result in a 2

nominal

impedance which is not recommended for use with bridged
channels of your PowerPlate

system configurations

All a/d/s/ PowerPlates

provide extensive features which make a variety of system configurations

possible. It is not feasible to cover all of the possibilities within the few pages of this manual.
There are a few system configurations, however, which are extremely popular when used alone or
as a "building block" of a larger more elaborate system. Please review systems 1 through 4
described below for suggestions on how to configure the most popular combinations. Larger
systems may be built from a combination of the simpler building blocks as shown in systems

5 and 6.

button is disengaged

control is non-operational

control is operational

button is engaged

P450 system diagrams

System 1

- P450 used in 4-channel mode with front and rear full range speakers.

System 2

- P450 used in 2-channel bridged mode with full range speakers.

System 3

- Two P450’s; one is used to drive front tweeters and midrange drivers, the second is

used in 2-channel bridged mode for subwoofers. Subwoofer level can be controlled by using the
source’s front output for the first P450 and the rear output for the second P450.

System 1

– P650 used in 6-channel mode. Channels 1/2 are high-passed for front speakers. Chan-

nels 3/4 are high-passed for rear speakers. Channels 5/6 are low-passed for subwoofers. Although
shown with 4-channels of input, the source unit can be either 2- or 4-channel.

System 2

– P650 used in 6-channel mode. Channels 1/2 are high-passed for front speakers. Chan-

nels 3/4 are high-passed for midrange speakers, and channels 5/6 are low-passed for subwoofers.

adjusting input sensitivity

The input sensitivity setting is important to ensure proper performance, low noise levels, and maxi-
mum system reliability. As a general rule, components at the "front end" of the system should be
set as high as possible with the input sensitivity of the amplifier set as low as possible while still pro-
viding adequate volume levels. Using a high signal level from the source and a low input sensitivity
setting on the amplifier will keep the background noise levels of the system low. The following pr o-
cedure will help you get the widest dynamic range from your system:

Start with the input level controls of your PowerPlate

at the minimum (counterclockwise)

position.

Set the tone controls and any controls on any equalizers or other signal processors to their
flat or bypassed positions.

Set the input and output level controls, if any, on any associated equipment such as equalizers
or outboard electronic crossover as recommended by their manufacturers.

Select a well recorded CD or Tape containing material recorded at a fairly high level. Musical
content is not important except that the music chosen should be recorded such that any
system distortion can be clearly heard, not masked by musical content.

Increase the source unit volume control about halfway. Increase the PowerPlate

level control

associated with the front full range (or midrange in a bi-amplified front system) until you can
hear sound at a low but clear level.

While listening carefully for any signs of distortion, slowly increase the source unit volume cont
rol until you either hear the first signs of distortion or you can’t turn it up any more. Back down
on the volume control slightly until the distortion goes away. You have just found the maximum undis-
t o rted output level of your source unit. Do not exceed the level in normal operation, as doing so will just
send a distorted signal to the rest of the system.

Returning to the PowerPlate

level control associated with the front main speakers, slowly

increase it until you reach the point where distortion just begins to appear. This will be at the
point where either the amplifier reaches its maximum output level, or the speakers reach their
output limits. Either way, you have just calibrated the system so that the maximum system out
put occurs at the same point as the maximum output from the source. This will give you min-
imum system noise yet the system will reach its maximum output capability.

Reduce the source unit volume to a comfortable listening level. With the balance and fader
controls still centered, adjust the remaining level controls for the proper system balance. If you
are adjusting a system with multiple amplifiers, it is easiest to adjust the controls in the fol-
lowing order: 1. Front speakers 2. Rear speakers 3. Subwoofers

If using an AC502 remote level control, adjust the subwoofer level with the AC502 in the mid
position. This will give you the ability to boost the subwoofer level approximately 6dB when
the AC502 is turned fully clockwise.

10. Double check your system levels by increasing the source unit volume control to the previous

ly determined maximum position. If you hear distortion from any of the channels, reduce the
PowerPlateTM input level for those channels until the distortion goes away.

Adjusting the input levels in this way will get maximum undistorted output from your system
and will make it unlikely that you will cause damage to any of the components of your system
by overpowering them.

System 3

– P650 used in 3-channel mode. Channels 1/2 and 3/4 are high-passed and bridged for

front speakers. Channels 5/6 are low-passed and bridged for a single subwoofer.

P850 system diagrams

System 1 – P850 used in 6-channel mode. Channels 1/2 are high-passed for front speakers chan-
nels 3/4 are high-passed for rear speakers, and channels 5/6 and 7/8 are bridged low-pass for sub-
woofers. Although shown with 4-channels of input, the source unit can be either 2- or 4-channel.

System 2

– The P850 is used in 8-channel mode. Channels 1/2 are high-passed for front tweeters.

Channels 3/4 are band-passed for front midrange. Channels 5/6 are high-passed for rear speakers,
and channels 7/8 are low-passed for subwoofers. Although shown as a 4-channel input, the
source unit can be either 2- or 4-channel.

Using the AC502 (optional)

The AC502 remote level control, available as an accessory from your a/d/s/ dealer, may be used with
your PowerPlate™ to remotely adjust the level of your subwoofer. On the P450, the AC502 will con-
trol the level of the low-pass output of the 3/4 crossover. If the 1/2 crossover switch is in the 3/4 posi-
tion the 1/2 level will also be controlled. You can use P450 as a bridged two channel subwooofer
amplifier this way. On the P650 the AC502 will control the level of the low-pass output of the 5/6
crossover. On the P850 the AC502 will control the level of the low-pass output of the 7/8 crossover.
To use this feature, simply connect the AC502 into the DIN connector on the Powerplate and install
the AC502 in the desired location. Refer to the "adjustments" section for information on setting up
the AC502 for the appropriate adjustment range.

tuning

tuning the crossover

All of the crossover controls in the multi-crossTM crossover section are marked at
four reference frequency points. These are 45Hz, 175Hz, 600Hz and 5,000Hz. Spe-
cific crossover points should be chosen based on the operating range recommended
by the manufacturer of your speakers.
The 85Hz position is a good starting point to use for subwoofer low-pass or
midrange high-pass use. When bi-amping a/d/s/ loudspeaker components 2500Hz is
a good starting point for the midrange low-pass, and 3500Hz is recommended as the tweeter high-
pass. Once installed, you can fine tune the crossover points using your ears or with the aid of an RTA
to achieve maximum performance. With any loudspeaker, minor deviations from the recommended
frequency ranges may provide superior results, depending on your speaker locations and your vehi-
cle’s acoustics. Setting crossover frequencies higher than recommended will not cause damage and
may provide good results. However, DO NOT set high-pass tweeter crossover points below the
tweeter’s recommended operating range. Doing so will likely cause damage not covered by the man-
ufacturer’s warranty. If you are using non-a/d/s/ speakers, refer to the manufacturer’s recommenda-
tion for selecting the proper crossover frequencies.

xover control 5/6 (P650)

– The crossover selection for channels

5&6 has three possibilities:

When the switch is in the left position, the crossover section of the
amplifier is bypassed. Channel 5&6 output is full range.

When the switch is the center position, channels 5&6 are filtered
through a 12dB per octave high-pass crossover that is infinitely
variable from 45Hz to 5,000Hz.

When the switch is in the right position, channels 5&6 receive signal
from the crossover output of channels 3&4.

xover control 7/8

– The crossover selection for channels 7&8 has

three possibilities:

When the switch is in the left position, the crossover section of the
amplifier is bypassed. Channel 7 & 8 output is full range.

When the switch is the center position, channels 7 & 8 are filtered
through a 12dB per octave high-pass crossover that is infinitely

variable from 45Hz to 5,000Hz.

When the switch is in the right position, channels 7 & 8 receive signal
from the crossover output of channels 5 & 6.

System 3 – The P850 is used in fully active 8-channel mode. Channels 1/2 are high-passed for
front tweeters. Channels 3/4 are bandpassed for front midrange. Channels 5/6 are bandpassed for
front midbass. Channels 7/8 are low-passed for subwoofers. The P850 is configured for 2-channel
input.

Note: Optional AC502 can be used in this system to adjust the level of the subwoofers.

System 4

– The P850 is used in bridged 4-channel mode. Channels 1/2 and 3/4 are high-passed

bridged-mono for front speakers. Channels 5/6 and 7/8 are low-passed summed bridged for sub-
woofers. Front speaker level control is adjusted by the ch3/4 level control. Subwoofer level is con-
trolled by the ch5/6 level control. the P840.2 is configured for 2-channel input.

Note: Optional AC502 can be used in this system to adjust the level of the subwoofers.

installation

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Reconnect the ground cable only after the installation is

complete and the wiring has been checked to make sure that there are no problems. If your
radio features a code type security system, be sure you know the code before disconnecting
the battery!

2. Run a minimum AWG #8 power wire directly from the battery to the PowerPlate™ mounting

location. Install a fuseholder at the battery end of this cable either within 18" of the battery
or before the wire runs through any metal partitions. Do not install the fuse at this time.

3. Attach a minimum AWG #8 ground wire to a solid chassis ground point near the mounting

location. Keep this wire as short as possible. Scrape all paint and primer off of the sheet
metal at the ground point to ensure a good electrical connection. Attach the wire to the
ground point with a nut, bolt and star washer.

4. Run the signal leads and remote turn-on leads from the head unit to the PowerPlate™ loca

tion. If using an internally powered radio or factory radio refer to the "signal sources" sec
tion for the proper wiring connections.

5. Install the speakers and run each of the speaker leads to the PowerPlate™ location. Connect

the speaker, remote, and power wires to the appropriate terminals on the plug-in terminal
blocks. Refer to the "controls and connections" or "system planning" sections for informa
tion on the proper connections. The terminal blocks install with the set screws facing down.

6. Preset the 2/4 channel selector switch, crossover and channel mode switches, and crossover

frequency switches to the desired positions. Refer to the "controls and connections" section
for more information.

7. Adjust all amplifier input level controls to the 1/4 position.

8. Mount the amplifier into position and plug in the power and speaker terminals. Attach the

input signal cables.

9. Reattach the battery ground cable.

10. Double check your switch and control settings. Install a 80A fuse in the fuseholder you have i

nstalled near the battery.

11. Turn on the signal source at a low volume level. Using the balance and fader controls, check

to see that each channel is connected to the proper speakers. Make sure that the proper fre
quency range is being sent to each speaker if you are using the crossover features built in to
your PowerPlate™.

12. Adjust the input sensitivity and crossover frequencies as described in the "tuning" section.

13. Read the rest of this manual to get maximum enjoyment from your system.

controls and connections

power connections
Use AWG #8 or larger power and ground cable.
Install a 80A fuse in the power wire within 18" of the battery.
Keep the ground wire to a minimum length and attach solidly to a clean metal part of the vehicle.
The addition of a .5 Farad to 1 Farad power supply capacitor, mounted as close as possible to the
PowerPlate™, may improve performance in some systems.

multi-cross

™

crossover configuration

xover control 1/2

– The crossover selection switch for channels 1 & 2 has three possibilities:

When the switch is in the left position, the crossover section of the
amplifier is bypassed. Channels 1 & 2 output is full range.

When the switch is the center position, channels 1 & 2 are filtered
through a 12dB per octave high-pass crossover that is infinitely vari-
able from 45Hz to 5,000Hz.

When the switch is in the right position, channels 1 & 2 receive
signal from the crossover output of channels 3 & 4.

Note: When the switch is in the right position, the output
level is controlled by the ch 3/4 level control.

xover con-
trol 3/4

– The crossover section dedicated for

channels 3 & 4 are activated by depressing the
switch next to each frequency adjustment con -
trol. Both high-pass and low-pass crossovers
are infinitely adjustable from 45Hz to 5,000Hz.
The high-pass and low-pass sections may be
used individually or together to create a band-

pass filter.

xover control 5/6 (P850)

– The crossover sec-

tion dedicated for channels 5 & 6 are activated
by depressing the switch next to the frequency
adjustment control. Both high-pass and low-pass
crossovers are infinitely adjustable from 45Hz to
5,000Hz. The high-pass and low-pass sections
may be combined to create a bandpass filter.

Note: When using both sections to create a bandpass filter, make sure you have selected
a low-pass frequency which is higher than the high-pass frequency!

internal signal routing, cont’d

Channels 5/6 input switch (P650 and P850)

– selects input from three possibili-

ties.

When the switch is in the left position, channels 5/6 receive input from the 5/6 DIN
inputs.

When the switch is in the center position, channels 5/6 receive input from channels
1/2 RCA input.

When the switch is in the right position, channels 5/6 receive input from a summed
input of channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 RCA input. Channel 5 receives the summed input
of channels 1 and 3. Channel 6 receives the summed input of channels 2 and 4.

Channels 7/8 input switch (P850)

– selects input from three possibilities.

When the switch is in the left position, channels 7/8 receive input from the 7/8 DIN
inputs.

When the switch is in the center position, channels 7/8 receive input from channels
3/4 RCA input.

When the switch is in the right position, channels 7/8 receive input from a summed
input of channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 RCA inut. Channel 7 receives the summed input of
channels 1 and 3. Channel 8 receives the summed input of channels 2 and 4.

Level controls

– Independent level controls for channels 1/2, 3/4,

5/6 and 7/8 adjust the input sensitivity from 90 mV to 5 VRMS.

Note:

When crossover 3/4 output is selected for channels 1/2 and 3/4,

the 3/4 level control adjusts the output level for channels 1/2 and 3/4 simultaneously. When
crossover 5/6 is selected for channels 5/6 and 7/8, the 5/6 level control adjusts the output level for
channels 5/6 and 7/8 simultaneously.

Output

– Three-position switches determine the output configuration. Each stereo pair of chan-

nels can be configured in either stereo, summed-bridged or bridged-mono.

When the switch is in the left position, the output channels are configured for stereo operation.

When the switch is in the center position, the output channels are configured for summed mono
bridged operation by mixing the left and right input signals together.

When the switch is in the right position, the output channels are configured for a bridged-mono
output using a single RCA input. Ch 1 input is used for channels 1 & 2, ch 4 input is used for
channels 3 & 4, ch 6 is used for channels 5 & 6 and ch 7 is used for channels 7 & 8.

speaker connections for stereo configurations

Minimum recommended impedance is 2

stereo.

Speaker terminals accept up to AWG #12 speaker wire.

speaker connections for bridged configurations

Minimum recommended impedance is 3

when bridged to subwoofers and 4

when bridged to

full range speakers.
Speaker terminals accept up to 12 gauge speaker wire.

signal sources

Due to the wide input level adjustment range, all a/d/s/ PowerPlates

can be driven with either a

conventional preamplifier drive signal or the amplified signal from a powered source unit. This
makes the PowerPlate

perfect for upgrading an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) stereo

system while retaining the factory installed radio.
Because of the high impedance of the a/d/s/ input stage, the factory radio drives an easy load. This
ensures lower distortion levels than if it was driving speakers or a Line Output Converter accessory.
As a result, a high quality factory installed radio can deliver high quality sound which is nearly as
good as the sound from a high-end aftermarket source unit. The speaker outputs of the factory
radio are simply connected to a mini-DIN adapter as shown below. From this point on, the signal
can be treated exactly as you would a preamp-level signal, except that the input level controls on
the PowerPlate

will be set to a lower than usual level when you make your final adjustments.

Conventional aftermarket sources may be connected using standard shielded RCA cables from the
source unit’s preamp outputs to the PowerPlate

inputs.

Note: When using 4 channels of input, be sure to configure the 2ch/4 ch input switch to
4ch input. Failure to do so may result in damage to the source unit.

High-level MiniDin input connections:
Pin

Wire Color

Connects to Head Unit

gray

front right +

violet/black

rear right -

white

front left +

gray/black

front right -

white/black

front left -

green

rear left +

green/black

rear left -

violet

rear right +

Channels 3-8 can be accessed through the din 3-8 connector by using the optional AC202 RCA to
DIN adapter.
DIN ch 3-8 connections:
pin 1

ch 6

pin 2

audio signal ground

pin 3

ch 4

pin 4

ch 5

pin 5

ch 3

pin 6

ch 8

pin 7

ch 7

pin 8

remote power control

AC202 RCA audio inputs are color-coded as follows:

white

ch 3 & 4 input

blue

ch 5 & 6 input

yellow

ch 7 & 8 input

Note: ch 1/2 input not available through the DIN.

internal signal routing

The 2-channel/4-channel input switch routes RCA input from channels 1/2 to channels 3/4. When
the switch is engaged, channel 1 input is routed to both amplifier channels 1 and 3 with input
channel 2 routed to amplifier channels 2 and 4.

Switch in the engaged position.

When the switch is disengaged, channels 1, 2, 3,
and 4 receive signal individually from their respec -
tive inputs.

Switch in the disengaged position.

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