AudioBahn ABC525J User manual

PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL
BEFORE OPERATING THIS UNIT.
RETAIN FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
ABC525J / ABC600J
OWNER’S MANUAL

To bring the product to market that excites the consumer through sound and
vision from an orientation of integrity and customer service. We make you look as
good as you sound. We strive to take car audio to an extreme the world has never
seen, and a world that never stops evolving.
Audiobahn was established in 1997 with one long-term goal in mind, “Build
it Bigger, Badder, & Better, and the people will take notice!” We back this statement
with an engineering team that has brought home several Innovations, Design &
Engineering Showcase Awards, and a marketing team from around the world that
spends countless hours developing our no compromise products to satisfy the most
discriminating enthusiasts.
Our global manufacturing facilities feature ISO9002 ratings (the highest level
of quality control awarded in the electronics manufacturing industry), fully robotic as-
sembly lines and a state of the art, California based R & D laboratory.
Our Technical Department and entire staff look to strive above and beyond
the rest of the pack by going that extra mile to help you out. Whether you happen to
be a veteran competitor, or a beginner car audio enthusiast who does not know a
voice coil from a spider. We are all her to help you get the best system you can with
what you have.
Judge for yourself, and remember what it’s all about, “If it’s not Bigger, Bad-
der & Better, it’s not Audiobahn.” If audio is your life, Audiobahn is the brand for you!
We make you look as good as you sound. People never stop trying to get the best
product, so we will never stop making it.
The Audiobahn Way

Getting Started_________________________________________________ 2
Introduction___________________________________________________ 3
Features and Specications_______________________________________ 4
Mounting and Setup_____________________________________________ 5-6
Choosing a Location_____________________________________________ 7
Installation_____________________________________________________ 8-10
Troubleshooting________________________________________________ 11
Warning and Disclaimer__________________________________________ 12
Warranty______________________________________________________ 13-14
Notes_________________________________________________________ 15-16
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Getting Started
Welcome to Audiobahn.. This manual has been designed to provide information for the
owners, salesperson, and installer. For those of you who want quick information on how
to install this product, please turn to the installation section of this manual. Other infor-
mation can be located by using the table of contents. We at Audiobahn have worked
very hard to make sure that all information in this manual is current, but, as we are con-
stantly nding new ways to improve our product, this information is subject to change
without notice. All updated information can be found on our web page in the technical
support section.

Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase of the worlds nest brand of car audio products. Here at
Audiobahn Inc. we are devoted to making our musical reproduction the vert best, and we
are pleased you have chosen our product. Through years of engineering expertise, hand
craftsmanship, and critical testing procedures, we have created a wide range of products
that reproduce music with all the clarity and richness you deserve.
For maximum performance we recommend you have your Audiobahn product installed by
an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer, as we provide specialized training through our Audiobahn
Installer Training Programs. Please read your warranty, keep your receipt, and original
carton for possible future use.
To get a free brochure on Audiobahn products in the US call [phone] or e-mail us at
[email protected].
WARNING
Continuous exposure to sound pressure levels over 100dB may cause permanent
hearing loss. High powered autosound systems may produce sound pressure levels
well over 135dB. Need we say more! Use common sense.
If after reading this manual you still have questions regarding your product, we recom-
mend that you see your nearest Audiobahn Dealer. A list of Authorized Audiobahn
Dealers can be found on our web page. If you need further assistance, feel free to call
us at [phone] and ask for the Technical Department. Be sure to have the model
number, date of purchase, and invoice number available when you call.
The model number can be located on the outside of the carton. Record this in the space
provided below along with the date of purchase. It is a good idea to keep your receipt
with this as you will need it in the case of needing a warranty, repair service or ex-
change.
Date of Purchase: _____________________Model Number:___________________
INTRODUCTION
3

FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS
4
SPUN ALUMINUM 1 PIECE CONE
BUTYL RUBBER SURROUND
2-LAYER HIGH-TRMP ASV VOICE COIL
4 OHM IMPEDANCE
COMPONENT MATHED 12dB PER OCTAVE CROSSOVER NETWORK
1” SILK DOME TWEETER (SURFACE OR FLUSH MOUNT)
COMPLETE WITH MOUNTING HARDWARE
STRONTIUM MID-WOOFER MAGNET
NEODYNIUM TWEETER MAGNET
ABC600J: 40 RMS POWER
ABC525J: 120 RMS POWER
ABC600J: 15oz.
ABC525J: 15oz.
ABC600J: 30Hz - 25kHz
ABC525J: 35Hz - 25kHz
ABC600V: 91dB
ABC525V: 90dB
POWER HANDLING
MAGNET WEIGHT
FREQUENCY
SENSITIVITY
FEATURES

Mounting and Setup
5
Amplifier
Tweeter
Midwoofer
Tweeter
Amplifier / Source

Mounting and Setup
6
From left to right you have three sets of terminals. The left terminal in each set is
negative (-) and the right terminal is positive (+).
1. is the input terminals. This is the speaker wire coming from your amplier or source unit.
2. is the tweeter output. This is the speaker wire going to the tweeter.
3. is the midwoofer output. This is the speaker wire going to the midwoofer.
4. is the tweeter gain switch. This allows you to adjust the gain of your tweeter. It allows you
to switch between 0dB and -3dB. Setting the switch in the left position
5. sets it at 0dB, and setting the switch in the right position
6. sets it at -3dB.
1 2 3

Choosing A Location
7
It is always best to plan the complete installation prior to attempting to install any product.
The routing of wires, power connections and mounting locations should be planned rst.
As with any car stereo installation, and all work performed should be checked thoroughly
and carefully prior to the operation of the system.
The placement of your Audiobahn speakers within your vehicle will greatly affect the
overall performance of your audio system. Every vehicle is different, so installation into
particular locations of the vehicle may not be possible without modications. Factory pro-
vided locations are generally preferable due to ease of installation. In all cases speakers
should be placed in a location free of obstruction by body panels, window cranks, storage
compartments or anything that may hinder the speakers performance. Avoid areas that
do not provide a at, sturdy mounting surface.
Audiobahn ABC speakers are designed to t into almost any factory location. Again, if
at all possible it is recommended that you use a factory location. This applies mostly
to later model vehicles. For those earlier models that do not have factory locations or
are limited to front locations, it is recommended that you choose an area with sufcient
airspace.
If you allow an insufcient amount of airspace, the speaker may not reproduce low
frequencies very well. It is recommended to mount the speakers in door panels, kick
panels, rear decks, etc. Ideally the speaker should be mounted where it will be in an
enclosed airspace allowing for extended bass response.

Installation
8
NOTE: Audiobahn strongly recommends that you operate your system at low
volumes prior to the completed installation of your Audiobahn speakers. This will allow a
test of the speaker before securing it to its permanent location.
Caution: Make sure that all speaker wiring is fully protected from cuts, tears
and possible wear. All short circuits developing as a result could severely damage the
source unit or possibly the amplier as well as the speakers themselves. Make sure all
speaker wires are placed easily within reach of the speaker terminal with no stress on
the wire connectors.
1. Conrm the mounting location and depth requirements by inspecting the area where
the speaker will be mounted. Most speakers will t into stock locations on the ve-
hicle. In this case only depth consideration is important.
2. If the location you have picked does require cutting, you may use the supplied tem-
plate to help your locate and mark the mounting location and cuts to be made. Be
careful when cutting out the template. If you cut the template properly, the speaker
will be a perfect t.
3. If there is a cosmetic panel where the speaker will be mounted, we recommend us-
ing a utility knife to carefully cut a hole in it. Conrm the cut by placing the speaker
in the hole. You may need to modify the hole cut as necessary.
4. If it is necessary to cut steel, reinstall the cosmetic panel in place and use the hole
you have previously cut as a template. This will help to insure proper cutting and
a good t. Mark the locations for the speaker mounting screws. Then remove the
panel and drill the screw holes. When nished you can replace the panel.
5. After cutting and drilling all holes, inspect the mounting areas for any metal burrs or
rough edges. File any area that may interfere with the mounting of the speaker.
6. Clean any metal shavings from the mounting area and check for areas in which
water may enter the speaker cavity. Treat the area for water protection when neces-
sary.
Make sure your source unit (Cassette, CD, DAT, DVD etc.) is turned off while connecting
the speaker terminals. Turn on the various components and slowly advance the volume.
Remember to check and recheck all connections to insure you have a secure tting.
Installation
Mounting

Installation
9
Audiobahn recommends using at least 18-gauge wire with your new speaker system.
Thinner gauge wire may easily be severed and can cause damage to your system
should any bare wires come in contact with the vehicles chassis.
Make sure that your audio system is off while installing and connecting your new Au-
diobahn speaker. Failure to do so could result in damaging the speaker beyond repair.
This is not something that would be covered under the manufacturer warranty.
Be sure to route the wires to the speakers with the insulated terminal ending at the
speaker. This will insure a good contact with the speaker. If you need to shorten the
speaker lead, do so on the opposite end of the insulated terminals or the bare end.
Be sure the polarity is correct at all times. The speaker leads are color coded for nega-
tive and positive. Make sure that the leads connected to the positive terminal of your
amplier or source unit is correctly connected to the positive terminal of the speaker.
To insure long-term reliability all bare wires and wire-to-wire connections should be
soldered and insulated with heat shrink or electricians tape. Under no circumstances
should you leave any bare wires uncovered, as this can and will lead to the failure of
your speakers and possibly other components.
When mounting in a door it is imperative to have the right amount of slack in the con-
necting wire as to not get crimped or torn when the door is opened or closed. Avoid
areas of the door jam that pinch. This will cause damage to the speaker and other
components over long-term use.
Once the speaker wiring is complete, you can connect the opposite end to the amplier
or source unit. Again, be sure to observe correct polarity. Solder and wrap all stripped
connections.
Wiring

Installation
10
Once you have tested your system and conrmed that it is operating properly, turn off
your system and prepare for the mounting of the speaker.
1. Position the speaker into the mounting hole and conrm the correct mounting loca-
tion and hole placement. Screw clips are provided to insure a snug t. Place crew
clips over the metal surface and line up the hole with the hole you have previously
drilled. Place the speaker into the hole. Align the mounting holes and proceed to
insert the screws. Be sure to tighten the screws evenly as not to warp the speaker
frame.
2. Turn you system back on to conrm the speakers proper operation. First test at low
volume and then you may steadily increase the volume as desired.
3. The next steps will aid in the proper mounting of the speaker grills. Follow these
steps carefully and be patient. First, locate the special bonding rubber which is
located between the wax paper in the hardware package.
4. Carefully inspect the mounting ring where the grill will be inserted. You will notice 4
to 6 channeled areas. This is the area where the bonding rubber will secure the grill
to the speaker.
5. Break off pieces of the bonding rubber that correspond to the size of the channels
and insert it snugly in place. Once all of the channels have been lled, carefully
insert the grill and press rmly into place.
Securing the Speaker
It is extremely important that the mounting ring is correctly installed around the speaker.
You may notice differences in the inner shape of the grill. These cutouts are so the
bridges holding the tweeters and or mids do not touch. You should be able to see the
bridge unobstructed when the ring is mounted.
Warning

Troubleshooting
11
In the event that your Audiobahn speakers appear to require service we ask that you
rst do a little troubleshooting to determine if the problem is actually the speaker, or a
problem located in a different part of the vehicle such as the amplier, wiring, fusing or
possibly the source unit.
If your Audiobahn speakers have been installed professionally by an authorized Audio-
bahn Dealer, we recommend that you return to the dealer and demonstrate the problem
to a qualied installer or repair technician. If you installed the speaker yourself, use the
following guidelines to help nd the problem.
1) No Sound
*Check the source or amplier for power and be sure they are operating properly
*Check all signal connections
*Check for any wiring that may be shorting together or touching the metal chassis
*Check all ground connections
2) Distorted Sound at All Volumes
*Check for bad speaker connections
*Check wiring for correct polarity
3) Distorted Sound at High Volumes Only
*Check for loose mounting of the speaker
*Check the woofer cone for any damage or defects
*Inspect the speaker for debris in the cone or other obstructions
4) Poor Bass Response
*Check wiring for correct polarity
*Check for unstable or loose mounting surface
*Check bass & treble controls at the source unit or amplier
5) Poor High Frequency Response
*Check wiring for correct polarity

Warning And Disclaimer
12
Investigate the layout of your automobile thoroughly before drilling or cutting any holes. Take care
when you work near gas tanks, gas lines, hydraulic lines, and electrical wiring. Do not use the power ampli-
er unmounted. Attach the system securely to the automobile to prevent damage, particularly in the event of
an accident. Do not mount the system so that the wire connections are unprotected or are subject to pinching
or damage from nearby objects.
The +12V DC power wire must be fused at the battery positive terminal connection. Before making or break-
ing power connections at the system power terminals, disconnect the +12V wire at the battery end. Con-
rm your radio/head unit and/or other equipment is turned off while connecting the input jacks and speaker
terminals. If you need to replace the power fuse, replace it only with a fuse identical to that supplied with the
system. Using a fuse of a different type or rating may result in damage to this system which is not covered by
the warranty.
Disclaimer
Specications are subject to change without notice.
For the most updated Specications call Audiobahn,
your local Authorized Audiobahn Dealer,
or check the Audiobahn web site.
www.audiobahn.com

Audiobahn Consumer
Product Warranty Policy
Audiobahn products are manufactured with the highest quality components and some of the most advanced
technology available. Because of this we recommend that you have your new products installed by an Au-
thorized Audiobahn Dealer. (A list of Authorized Audiobahn Dealers can be found on our web page).
Warranty Period: One year from the original date of purchase.
Warranty Coverage: This warranty covers manufacturer defects only. The warranty is applicable to the
original purchaser, and is non-transferable. You must provide a receipt from an Authorized Audiobahn
Dealer that shows the location of purchase, price paid, and date of purchase.
(Products purchased by consumers from an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer outside the United States are
covered only by the Distributor of that specic country and are not covered by Audiobahn).
NOTES:
Complete subwoofer enclosures (Audiobahn will replace defective subwoofers, plexiglass, or neon only. Do
not send the entire enclosure, unless the enclosure is defective itself. You must receive prior authorization
and an RA# before sending in any complete enclosure).
AUDIOBAHN DOES NOT WARRANTY ANY PRODUCTS NOT PURCHASED THROUGH AN AUTHO-
RIZED DEALER.
(A list of Authorized Audiobahn Dealers can be found on our web page).
AUDIOBAHN WARRANTIES DO NOT COVER THE FOLLOWING:
• Any product not purchased from an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer (including Internet dealers)
• Damage caused by abuse, misuse, accident, water / ood, or theft (including any cosmetic damage to
the body of the product)
• Damage caused by improper installation
• Any cost or expense related to removal or reinstallation
• Any unauthorized services
• Any product that has the serial number removed, altered, or defaced
• Subsequent damage to any other components
• Pinched, cut, or stripped wires / terminals
• Any product that is new, and/or found to be in working condition
• L.E.D. indicators on electronics (Audiobahn will only replace L.E.D.(s) found to be defective at the time
of purchase)
WARRANTY
13

How to receive warranty service: Contact your local Authorized Audiobahn Dealer, or call Audiobahn at
[phone] between the hours of 9:00AM and 5:00PM PST.
If you are having problems with your system, we recommend you check the product carefully and thoroughly
to conrm that the product truly has a manufacturer defect; as opposed to abuse, or other components in the
system caused the failure. This might include having an Authorized Audiobahn Dealer look at the product
to conrm the source of the problem. Any product found to have a manufacturer defect will be replaced with
a new piece of the same or similar model, or repaired at the discretion of Audiobahn. Any product found to
have no manufacturer defect will be returned to the sender at their cost.
You must acquire a Return Authorization Number (#) prior to returning ANY product to Audiobahn.
That Return Authorization Number (RA#) must be prominently and clearly marked on the outside of the ship-
ping carton, or product delivery will be refused (no exceptions will be made).
Please note: All shipping and handling (to and from) charges will be the sole responsibility of the consumer.
Please record and keep your Return Authorization Number (RA#) in the event that further communication is
required.
Return Authorization Number (RA#): ______________________________________
Date product was sent: ______________________________________
Contact Information
Audiobahn Headquarters
7050 Village Drive Bldg. G
Buena Park, CA 90621
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
Pacic Coast Time: 9am - 5pm Mon. - Fri.
[email protected]
WARRANTY CONTINUED
14

NOTES
15

NOTES
16

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Buena Park, CA 90621
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