Audio Control LC7i User manual

Six Channel Line Output Converter with AccuBASS™ for
interfacing with factory installed audio systems
The LC7itransforms your under-performing factory audio sys-
tem into a supreme audio machine! It is a compact, six-channel,
high-performance active line output converter with AudioControl’s
patent-pending AccuBASS™ compensation that corrects the bass
roll-off present in many factory equipped audio systems. The LC7i
accepts up to six channels of speaker-level signal from factory-
installed ampliers or a source unit and converts it to a high-
quality, after market low-noise, pre-amp level signal that can be
fed to ampliers and speakers. You may also add an optional
ACR-1, remote level control, so you can adjust the output of the
bass channels from the convenience of the driver’s seat. With the
LC7iyou have a high performance audio system while maintaining
the features, functions and
aesthetics of your factory
source unit!
This manual covers the
features, functions, instal-
lation and usage of the
LC7iso please take a few
moments to read through
it. If it’s easier, read 140
characters at a time, just
make sure to remember
where you stopped reading last time! We’ve
tried to cover all possible situations and have included lots of facts
and useful information. For more information visit our web site at
http://www.audiocontrol.com
Making Good Sound Great
®
page 1

Key features of the LC7i
• AccuBASS™ bass compensation corrects the bass roll-off in factory
• systems
• Speaker-level inputs can accept 400 watts per channel
• Six input and output channels!
• Internal channel summing eliminates factory crossover settings
• AutoMode turns 2 inputs into 3 outputs
• GTO™ - signal sensing turns the LC7ion automatically
• 12 volt 1 amp remote output to power up processors and ampliers
• Level matching controls
• Compact chassis for easy installation
• Recyclable cardboard box for easy storage or emergency
• heating needs
• Optional dash control (ACR-1) for remote level adjustment
• Bulletproof 5-year warranty (when installed
by an authorized AudioControl dealer)
Quick Install Guide
Since some of you high energy enthusiasts will want to install
your LC7ion your own, we offer a few reminders in the following
short section to speed up your installation. You should also refer to
diagrams on page 9 as guidelines.
1. Physically mount the LC7iin a location that keeps it away
from soda spills, food crumbs, and curious ngers. Select a loca-
tion that allows you access to the top panel controls.
2. The LC7ineeds to be installed in the signal path between
your factory source unit (or factory amplier) and after-market
amplier(s) and/or processor(s). Do not connect the LC7i between
the factory head unit and the factory amplier. Locate the ampli-
ed speaker wires that are coming from your factory source unit
page 2

page 3
and/or amplier and connect them to the speaker-level inputs on
your LC7i. In many cases you can nd factory speaker leads in the
rear of the vehicle or at the factory amplier.
Note: If your source unit has front, rear, and subwoofer speaker-
level outputs, connect them to the three sets of inputs on your LC7i.
If the source unit only has front and rear outputs, the AutoMode
circuitry in your LC7i automatically routes the Channel 2 input
signal to the Channel 3 (subwoofer) input.
3. Use RCA cables to connect the RCA outputs of the LC7ito
your aftermarket amplier(s). If the use of these connections are
not familiar to you, quickly pack up your LC7iand run to your
nearest authorized AudioControl dealer to have them perform the
installation. You will thank us later.
4. Connect +12V power and ground. Note: The LC7idoes have a
12-volt remote input but in most systems the GTO™ circuit turns
the LC7ion automatically.
5. Connect the 12-volt remote output of the LC7ito your ampli-
ers remote input.
6. Turn your amp gains fully down before turning on the system.
7. Turn on the system and level match your LC7ito your source
unit, signal processor and ampliers. For more help on level
matching see our technical videos at http://www.audiocontrol.com
8. If your authorized AudioControl dealer installs your LC7i,
we will extend the normal one-year warranty to a full ve years.
AudioControl products are, by nature, more technical than many
others and we spend a good deal of time training our dealers and
installers so we know our products will be installed correctly. We
do this so you will get the best possible results from your Audio-
Control purchases.

page 4
Under the Hood - Internal Jumpers
Here are the internal jumpers that allow you to customize the LC7i
for your particular installation.
1. Output Summing Jumpers: Many of today’s better factory
stereo systems include separately-amplied and crossed-over tweet-
ers, mid-ranges, and subs. If you are going to add your own amps
and speakers to the car you will need to combine (or sum) these
separate signals into a single full-range signal for the new system.
With the LC7i, summing is a snap. The LC7i has internal jumpers
that allow you to select which input signals will be summed to the
Main outputs. When the jumper is moved to the “summed” position,
there will also be a corresponding green indicator light on the top
front of the LC7i. The shipped-from-the-factory setting is the non-
summed (separate) position.
2. Ground Isolation Selector: Occasionally alternator noise may
appear in a system because the source unit and amplier are us-
ing different grounding schemes. To help in this situation, we have
provided alternative grounding connections. Make sure your system
is turned OFF before you move these jumpers. We ship them in the
Isolated position, which usually gives the best results.
3. GTO™: The GTO™ jumper enables/disables the Great Turn-
On (GTO™) automatic turn-on circuit. Some cars have a network
of connected systems (integrated mobile phone, assistance services,
etc) that can turn the factory amplier on at a time when the audio
system is actually off. To prevent this from turning your system
on unexpectedly, you can bypass the GTO™ circuit by moving
the GTO™ jumper, and using an applied 12-volts at the Remote
In terminal. However, defeating the GTO™ circuit may result in
some factory features not working fully. Specically, if the original
factory system communicated via the factory amp and speakers, it
cannot do so if the amplier is off. We ship the LC7i with GTO™
in the “On” position.
4. AutoMode: Some cars have unusual signals on their speaker
leads and will not be easily read by the AutoMode circuit. When this
occurs you can manually bypass the AutoMode function. This is ac-
complished by moving the internal AutoMode jumper to

“Defeat”. In this mode, you will need signal on the Channel 3
inputs to output signals on the Channel 3 output. We ship the LC7i
with the jumpers in the “On” position. See the “AutoMode Input”
section under “More Highlights” on page 8 for more details.
page 5
Internal Jumper Conguration
A Guided Tour of LC7 i
Speaker-level Inputs: The LC7ihas six speaker-level inputs.
These inputs get their signals from the speaker-level outputs of
your factory-installed source unit or amplier. If your source unit
has front, rear, and subwoofer speaker-level outputs, connect them
to the three sets of inputs on your LC7i. If the source unit only has
front and rear outputs, the AutoMode circuitry in your LC7iauto-
matically routes the Channel 2 signal to the Channel 3 (subwoofer)
output.
The GTO™ circuit, mentioned previously, monitors the main
speaker inputs for the presence of signal. If your installation does
not use the main speaker inputs GTO™ will not function.

  
  
AccuBASS™ Controls: The threshold and level controls let
you determine when the AccuBASS™ circuit activates and the
level of bass correction desired. More info on page 8.
Ground: Connect to a good, veried chassis ground. Warn-
ing: factory radio ground wires already have multiple devices con-
nected to them and are not recommended.
+12V Power: Connect to a good source of 12-volt power.
Make sure you install the proper size fuse on the power wire near
the power source (i.e. battery) so that the power wire is protected
in case of a short to ground or an installation mishap.
page 6

Remote In: In some installations, you may not want to use
the GTO™ to turn on your system. For these cases the LC7ican
be turned on remotely with a +12-volt trigger. When you use the
+12-volt remote in, you should set the internal GTO™ jumper (see
“Under the Hood” on page 6) to “Defeat”. This will prevent the
car’s network system from turning the system on unexpectedly.
Remote Out: Supplies 12 volts “+” when the LC7iis pow-
ered up, and is used to turn on external devices like signal proces-
sors and ampliers. Recommend fusing at 1 amp.
Maximized Indicator: This brightly colored LED indicates
when the signal level is just below clipping within your LC7i.
When properly level matched, this LED should icker occasionally
when your system is playing at its maximum volume level.
Power: If you have connected all of your power wires cor-
rectly, this light should be bright red when your system turns on.
Optional (ACR-1) Dash Mounted Control Input: You can
add a dash control that allows you to set remotely the level of the
subwoofer.
Pre-Amp Outputs: These RCA plugs should be connected to
the next component after the LC7i, such as a crossover or ampli-
er. Do not connect any speakers directly to your LC7ioutputs.
Output Levels: These knobs allow you to adjust the signal
level from your source unit to match the input of your after-market
ampliers. Ideally you want to keep the output of the LC7ihigh
and keep the amplier gain(s) as low as possible.
Channel Summed Indicators: Under the cover of your LC7i
are jumpers that will allow you to sum selected channels into the
main (#1) channels. This is especially useful for factory-installed
systems with actively crossed over speaker systems. These indica-
tor LED’s let you know which channels are being summed into the
main inputs.
page 7

Awesome Information
AccuBASS™ Processing
Factory installed ampliers and speakers are NOT designed to
reproduce bass frequencies at high volume levels. These factory
systems actually remove the bass when you turn up the volume!
AudioControl developed the patent pending AccuBASS™ circuit
to restore the bass that the factory takes away. After a quick and
easy one-time setting, the AccuBASS™ circuit adds the bass just
as the factory system rolls off. You get smooth, seamless, and rock
solid bass response regardless of volume level. The chart below
shows how the AccuBASS™ operates to correct for the factory
bass roll-off.
Setting the Accu-
BASS™ is a simple one-
time operation:
After you have hooked
up the system and are
listening to music, play
something with a good
bass line, and set the vol-
ume at low.
• On the LC7i, set the Ac-
cuBASS™ Level Control to the 12:00 position.
• Turn the Threshold fully down (counter clockwise).
• Now turn up the volume on your stereo until you hear the bass
start to drop out in relationship to the high frequencies
and leave the
volume there.
• Slowly turn up the Threshold control until you hear the bass
come back up and leave it in that position.
• Adjust the level control to ne tune the amount of bass restora-
tion you want.
• You’re done! Now, every time the stereo gets to that volume, the
AccuBASS™ will take over and restore the bass. You have
smooth, seamless bass at all volumes and you can even use the
level control to give a little extra kick to the bass if you want. It’s
your music your way!
page 8

More Highlights
Summed Outputs
The LC7i has the capability to combine together multiple (2, 4,
or 6) input signals from the factory source unit into 2 channels. In
some vehicles there is an actively crossed-over tweeter, midrange,
and woofer all in the front of the vehicle. The LC7ilets you take
all of those signals and sum them together to get a high-quality,
full-range, pre-amp signal. Simply move the summing jumper
located under the cover for the desired channel into the “Sum” po-
sition. If the green LED for that channel is on, you know it is being
summed into the main output.
AutoMode
We have equipped your LC7i with an AutoMode feature that is
designed to feed signal to the channel 3 section when the factory
system only has front and rear outputs. AutoMode takes the chan-
nel 2 (rear) input signal and automatically feeds it to the channel 3
outputs to drive a subwoofer amp and crossover. This means your
LC7i will accept two input channels (say, front and rear) and give
you three output channels (front, rear, and sub).
ACR-1 Dash Control (Purchased Separately)
The ACR-1 is a remote that gives you control over the level of
the channel 3/Subwoofer output so you can adjust the bass level
from the driver’s seat.
Placement and Mounting
The ACR-1 dash control may be mounted under the dash using
its own bracket or through a custom hole in the dash. It should be
within reach of the driver and in a spot where the LED is plainly
visible. You could mount it in the trunk, but that defeats the whole
purpose.
Bracket Installation
The dash control mounts with two screws, which attach to the
underside of the dashboard. Slide under the dash and place the
dash control in its mounting position, mark the two mounting
holes, drill pilot holes, and secure with two screws.
page 9

Dash Control Assembly
Custom Installation
For that custom, nished look, the dash control can be ush
mounted directly on the dashboard (or anywhere else). Disas-
semble the dash control from the mounting bracket. Start
by pushing the LED from its holder followed
by removing the circuit board and rotary
control from the bracket. Drill a
9/32” hole in the dashboard
for the control along with a
1/8” hole for the lock tab and
a 13/64” hole for the
LED holder. Reas-
semble the ACR-1
components in
their new custom
location.
page 10

Basic Factory Upgrade System
If the factory radio doesn’t have a bass output, the LC7i will
provide it via automode.
Upgrade for Factory System with Remote Mounted Factory
Amplifier
page 11

Block Diagram of the LC7i
Feeling lost? Here’s an internal “roadmap” to help you out. This
simplied block diagram is a map of the paths the signals take
through the LC7i. With this map you can follow each input through
the processor. If you have an issue with the hook-up of your LC7i
and need to call for technical assistance, please have this diagram
available. We can help you trace the problem to get your system up
and running.
page 12

The WARRANTY
People are scared of warranties. Lots of ne print, months of
waiting around. Well, fear no more, this warranty is designed to
make you rave about us to your friends. It’s a warranty that looks
out for you and helps you resist the temptation to have your friend,
“who’s good with electronics”, try to repair your AudioControl
product. So go ahead, read this warranty, then take a few days to
enjoy your new LC7ibefore going on-line to register your unit at
www.audiocontrolregistration.com. We also look forward to your
comments while you are registering your LC7i. “Conditional”
doesn’t mean anything ominous. The Federal Trade Commission
tells all manufacturers to use the term to indicate that certain condi-
tions have to be met before they’ll honor the warranty. If you meet
all of these conditions, we will warranty all materials and work-
manship on the LC7i for one year from the date you bought it (ve
years if it is installed by an authorized United States AudioControl
dealer) and we will x or replace it, at our option, during that time.
Here are the conditional conditions:
1. You have to go to www.audiocontrolregistration.com warranty
and register your LC7i within 15 days after purchase.
2. You must keep your sales receipt for proof of purchase show-
ing when and from whom the unit was bought. We’re not the only
ones who require this, so it’s a good habit to get into with any
major purchase.
3. Your LC7imust have originally been purchased from an au-
thorized AudioControl dealer. You do not have to be the original
owner, but you do need a copy of the original sales slip.
4. You cannot let anybody who isn’t (A) the AudioControl facto-
ry; (B) somebody authorized in writing by AudioControl to service
your LC7i. If anyone other than (A) or (B) messes with your LC7i,
that voids your warranty.
5. The warranty is also void if the serial number is altered or
removed, or if the LC7i has been used improperly. Now that may
sound like a big loophole, but here is all we mean by it. Unwar-
ranted abuse is: (A) physical damage (don’t use the LC7i for a car
jack); (B) improper connections (120 volts into the power jack can
fry the poor thing); (C) sadistic things. This is the best product
page 13

we know how to build, but if you mount it to the front bumper of
your car, something will go wrong. If an authorized United States
AudioControl dealer installs the LC7i, the warranty is ve years.
Assuming you conform to 1 through 5, and it really isn’t all that
hard to do, we get the option of xing your old unit or replacing it
with a new one.
LEGALESE SECTION
This is the only warranty given by AudioControl. This warranty
gives you specic legal rights that vary from state to state. Prom-
ises of how well the LC7iwill perform are not implied by this war-
ranty. Other than what we have covered in this warranty, we have
no obligation, express or implied. Also, we will not be obligated
for direct or indirect consequential damage to your system caused
by hooking up the LC7i. Failure to register warranty information
negates any service claims.
page 14

LC7 i SPECIFICATIONS
All specications are measured at 14.4 VDC (standard automo-
tive voltage). As technology advances, AudioControl reserves
the right to change our specications, like our Pacic Northwest
weather although we are working on it.
Maximum speaker-level input ... 400 watts per channel at 4 ohms
Maximum output level..................................................... 8.5Vrms
Output gain ......................................................................+/-15 dB
Frequency response................................................... 10Hz-22kHz
Total harmonic distortion.....................................................0.01%
Input Impedance............................................................ 20 Kohms
Output Impedance......................................................... 150 Ohms
Power supply..............................High headroom PWM switching
Power draw ........................................................................ 350mA
Recommended fuse rating..................................................2 Amps
Remote trigger max output current..................................... 1 Amp
Size....................................................... 7.5”W x 4.72”D x 1.22”H
Weight .................................................................................... 3 lbs
Patent.................................................................................Pending
©2012 AudioControl, Inc. All rights reserved
AudioControl, Making Good Sound Great, LC7i, AccuBASS, GTO and AutoMode are
all trademarks of AudioControl Inc. This manual was conceived, designed, and written
while on a road through the Pacic Northwest on a spectacularly rare, sunny, and cloud-
less day. The top was down and we were banging our head to 80’s metal!
page 15
®
Making Good Sound Great

22410 70th Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98043 USA
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
www.audiocontrol.com
®
P/N 913-115-0
Making Good Sound Great