B2 Ref Four User manual
model: ref four product id: reffour17f
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www.b2audio.com / www.facebook.com/b2audio
®
Ref four
4 ch Reference amplifier
Class A-Ab
owner’s manual
Introduction
Ref Four - Making the heritage appear clearly.
that B2 audio products might not have been designed with SQ as a cornerstone.
The Ref Four is a statement to show the contrary. It took numerous prototypes and revisions to ensure it would be catering to the purists.
Better Bass
Better Bass is our philosophy of adding something extra.
Keep in mind that continious exposure to SPL above 100 dB can seriously
damage your hearing. Today’s high power auto sound systems can easily
produce SPL over 140 dB. Enjoy your music with sense.
Table of contents
Design features 3
Panel layout 4 - 5
Installation 6
*Preparations 6
*Power connectors 6
*remote & RCA input 6
2
speaker wiring 7
*preparations 7
*stereo wiring 8
*bridged wiring 8
troubleshooting 9
warranty information 10
fuse rating: 120a (3 x 40a)
power terminal gauge: 4 GA
dimensions: 15.35” x 8.64“ x 2.56” / 390 mm x 219.5 mm x 65 mm
Design features
Circuit Configuration: Class a > class ab (bias)
Frequency Response: 10 Hz ~ 30 KHz
Signal to Noise Ratio: > 95 dB
Input Sensitivity: 8 V ~ 0.1 V
Input impedance: 47 Kohm
Low Pass Crossover: 40 Hz ~ 4 KHz
High Pass Crossover: 40 Hz - 4 KHz
Band pass crossover: 40 Hz - 4 Khz
Total Harmonic distortion: <0.15% (1 Khz)
Specifications
Continious output power (RMS)
(12.5 V < 0.2% THD) (13.8 V < 0.2% THD) (14.4 v < 1 % thd)
Power @4 Ω: 75 W x 4 100 w x 4 125 w x 4
Power @2 Ω: 135 W x 4 180 w x 4 225 w x 4
Power @1 Ω: 190 W x 4 265 w x 4 325 w x 4
Description of specifications
Stable impedance load of the Ref Four is 1 Ohm stereo or 2 Ohm bridged.
* Speaker overload
* Short circuit
* Input Voltage - RCA & Power Supply
3
Ref Four
Opera�onal voltage 11 V - 15 v.
4
Panel layout
Ref four
front speakers REar inputs
Speaker connection in stereo or bridge for the front Rca input signal from source unit routed to rear channels.
speakers. Ensure polarity is correct. Left & right input relates to to the speaker output.
SQ selection Level
Bias setting of the amplier. When pressed, the amplier Gain setting to match the source unit, adjustable from
will emulate a class A mode. Unpressed it will be class A/B. 0.1 V ~ 8 V input. Remember it is not a volume control.
To ne tune your SQ system, try both modes.
HIGH pass - front channels (40 Hz~4 KHz)
low pass - Front channels (40 Hz~4 KHz) High pass crossover with 24 dB slope per octave.
Low pass crossover with 24 dB slope per octave.
low pass - Front channels (40 Hz~4 KHz)
HIGH pass - front channels (40 Hz~4 KHz) Low pass crossover with 24 dB slope per octave.
High pass crossover with 24 dB slope per octave.
band pass - front channels (40 Hz-4 khz)
band pass - front channels (40 Hz-4 khz) Using low pass and high pass crossovers at the same time
Using low pass and high pass crossovers at the same time creates an adjustble band pass crossover from 40 Hz to 4 KHz.
creates an adjustble band pass crossover from 40 Hz to 4 KHz.
SQ selection
level Bias setting of the amplier. When pressed, the amplier
Gain setting to match the source unit, adjustable from will emulate a class A mode. Unpressed it will be class A/B.
0.1 V ~ 8 V input. Remember it is not a volume control! To ne tune your SQ system, try both modes.
Front inputs rear speakers
Rca input signal from source unit routed to front channels. Speaker connection in stereo or bridge for the rear speakers.
Left & right input relates to the speaker output. Ensure polarity is correct.
Power / protect power in
Power led lit, amplier is on, protect led lit, amplier Power cable input, Batt + is for 12 V positive from the battery.
has gone into protect mode, read the troubleshooting. Remote is for switched remote, used to turn on the amplier.
Gnd is for the ground cable connected to chassis or battery,
(closed system).
5
Panel layout
Ref four
BATT+ (POWER CONNECTION) remote
Connects to the positive terminal of the battery. Connects to switched +12 V from the source unit.
For specied performance 4 Ga cable is required.
Fuses shall be placed within 8”/ 20 cm of the battery.
GND (REMOTE)
Connects to the vehichle’s chassis.
Keep as short as possible (< 20” / 50 cm).
Use minimum 4 Ga cable for optimal conditions.
We recommend to use minumum10 Ga speaker cables to acquire the intended performance.
Run the speaker cables from your speakers to the amplier’s mounting location.
Ensure these are ran separately and away from high current cables and if possible the RCA cables as well.
In all cases where cables are penetrating the vechile’s chassis use grommets to protect the cable.
Connect the speaker wires according to the terminals on the speaker(s).
Strip 3/8’’ / 1 cm of insulation of the end of each cable and twist the cable strands together tightly.
Make sure there are no stray strands that could touch other cables or terminals as it can cause a short circut.
Crimp spade plugs over the end of the cable or tin the ends with solder to provide a solid terminal.
Connect the cable ends to the amplier as shown in the diagram.
CAUTION
Installation of the amplifier shall be done in the following steps:
1. Connect the +12V wire, keep in mind this wire has to be fused at the battery as well. 2. Ensure the ground is
appropriate, then connect it to the amplier. 3. Connect the switched remote. 4. Reattach negative wire (ground)
to the battery. 5. Operation over 15V will cause the amplier to go into protect & can void the warranty!
Installation
Installation considerations
If you choose to install the amplier by yourself, please read the entire owner’s manual carefully.
Before you start your installation, please take all steps into consideration.
If in doubt, please go to www.b2audio.com for authorized distributors / dealers that will be able to
congure your set up & ensure the warranty of your amplier.
Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable before mounting or making any connection.
Check the battery & alternator ground (-) connection. Make sure they are properly connected/dimensioned
& free of corrosion. Before selecting a mounting location for the amplier, please take cooling & safety
into consideration. Avoid areas with excessive vibration & up side down installation!
In order to avoid excessive heat from the amplier, it is recommended to nd a mounting location
that allows for vertical positioning of the heatsink ns. For safety purposes, install the amplier in a dry and
well ventilated location and make sure no cables or other harness of the car is interfaced with the mounting
location or will present a hazard to the car’s cable, control cables, fuel lines/tanks, hydraulic lines or other
components of the vechicle. Route the RCA cables away from high current wires, if possible run RCA, Power and Speaker
cables individually and with a good distance from each other.
batt+ (Power connection)
Before mounting the amplier, disconnect the negative (-) wire from the battery to protect any accidental
damage to the amplier or the audio system. The amplier is equipped with single 4 AWG power & ground
terminals. It is crucial that all terminals are used with the adequate cable to ensure correct operation.
Connect the power cables to the power terminal labeled as BATT+.
The amplier has 3 x 40A internal fuses, however external fuses are required at both the battery and the amplifer.
Connect one end of the fuse holder to the power cable and the other end of the fuse holder to the positive
battery terminal within 8’’/ 20 cm of the same cable. The same shall be done at the other end of the cable that
connects to the amplier. The fuses will protect the system and the vehicle against the possibility of
a short circuit in the power cable. Make sure that the fuses and the fuse holder is according to the system requirements.
GND (Ground connection)
Locate a secure grounding connection as close as possible to the amplier.
Make sure the location is clean and provides a direct electrical connection to the chassis of the vehicle.
Connect one end of an equal sized cable as the positive cable to the location of ground.
It is important that the ground cable is as short as possible, but no longer than 20’’ / 50 cm at maximum.
Run one end of the cable to the grounding point. Run the other end of the cable to the mounting location.
Connect the ground cable to the terminals labeled as GND.
REMote ( REMOTE CONNECTION )
Run a remote turn on cable from the switched +12V source.
This may be a toggle switch, a relay, the source unit's remote ouput cable or power antenna trigger cable.
Connect the remote turn on cable to the power terminal labeled as REM.
INPUT (RCA CABLE)
Run the RCA cables away from the high current cables / speaker cables and connect to the amplier.
Use high qualtity cables with a secure grounding point to avoid amplier malfunction and / or alternator whine.
6
Power connectors
Preparation
7
Ref four
BATT+ (POWER CONNECTION) remote
Connects to the positive terminal of the battery. Connects to switched +12 V from the source unit.
For specied performance 4 Ga cable is required.
Fuses shall be placed within 8”/ 20 cm of the battery.
GND (REMOTE)
Connects to the vehichle’s chassis.
Keep as short as possible (< 20” / 50 cm).
Use minimum 4 Ga cable for optimal conditions.
We recommend to use minumum10 Ga speaker cables to acquire the intended performance.
Run the speaker cables from your speakers to the amplier’s mounting location.
Ensure these are ran separately and away from high current cables and if possible the RCA cables as well.
In all cases where cables are penetrating the vechile’s chassis use grommets to protect the cable.
Connect the speaker wires according to the terminals on the speaker(s).
Strip 3/8’’ / 1 cm of insulation of the end of each cable and twist the cable strands together tightly.
Make sure there are no stray strands that could touch other cables or terminals as it can cause a short circut.
Crimp spade plugs over the end of the cable or tin the ends with solder to provide a solid terminal.
Connect the cable ends to the amplier as shown in the diagram.
CAUTION
Installation of the amplifier shall be done in the following steps:
1. Connect the +12V wire, keep in mind this wire has to be fused at the battery as well. 2. Ensure the ground is
appropriate, then connect it to the amplier. 3. Connect the switched remote. 4. Reattach negative wire (ground)
to the battery. 5. Operation over 15V will cause the amplier to go into protect & can void the warranty!
Speaker Wiring Diagram
8
Ref four -stereo
Speaker Wiring Diagram
HEAD UNIT
Speaker impedance 1 Ohm ~ 8 Ohm
will reach thermal at a faster rate & will eventually go into protect.
Impedance load under 1 ohm stereo is not warranted!
HEAD UNIT
Ref four -bridge
Speaker impedance 2 Ohm ~ 8 Ohm
will reach thermal at a faster rate & will eventually go into protect.
Impedance load under 2 ohm bridge is not warranted!
.
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9
The protection circuits of the amplier prevents severe damages from faulty conditions & improper use.
The protection indicatior will switch on due to short circuit connection & speaker overload, thus the amplier will be turned o.
Prior to inspecting the occurred problem, turn all levels down & all power o, then carefully check the installation for
wiring mistakes, shorts or faulty ground (GND). If the amplier shuts down due to excessive heat, the protection indicator will
light up; please allow time for the unit to be cooled o. Before removing your amplier, refer to the list below and follow the
suggested procedures step by step. If not at ease, contact an authorized installer which can assist you.
PROTECTION LED IS LIT ONCE THE AMPLIFIER IS TURNED ON
FUSE BLOWING
Measure the speaker impedance & that it is in accordance with the configuration.
Check speaker shorts.
Ensure airflow around the amplifier is sufficient & that the amplifier is not installed in
areas of excessive vibration & upside down!
AUDIO OUTPUT INSUFFICIENT - DISTORTED SOUND
Ensure that the gain settings on the amplifier is matched with the output level of the head unit.
Adjust the head unit volume.
Check speaker shorts.
Adjust the crossover frequencies in accordance with the setup.
HIGH HISS-ENGINE NOISE IN SPEAKERS
Measure the speaker impedance & that it is in accordance with the configuration.
Inspect the power cable for shorts along with vehicle chassis.
AMPLIFIER DOESN’T TURN ON
Measure voltage on the +12V terminal.
Ensure that the remote terminal has min. 13.8 V DC remote connection.
Recheck the ground (GND) connection. Inspect the in-line fuses.
Check the protection LED is not on.
Check shorts on speaker wires & the connected load / impedance. Check power cables & GND.
Disconnect the speaker cables and reset the amplifier.
High / Low voltage, operation voltage is 11 V ~ 15 V+. Voltages below / beyond this will cause the amplifier to go into protect.
OVERHEATING
If no output at all, check the RCA connections & the cable itself.
Ensure that all signal transferring wires (RCA, speaker cables etc) are kept seperately / away from
the power and the ground wires.
Bypass all electrical components between the Head unit and the amplifier.
Connect the Head unit directly to the amplifier’s input. If the noise is eliminated, the unit bypassed
is the one causing the noise.
Remove the existing ground wires for all electrical components installed. Ensure that the point of
ground is 100% metal which has been grinded free of rust, paint etc.
Replace the ground cable from the OEM battery / alternator and ensure it is grounded accordingly.
Test the battery and alternator load (can be carried out by a professional).
Ensure that the vehichle’s electrical system is in a good condition, this includes distributor, alternator,
spark plugs / wires, voltage regulators etc.
TURN ON THUMP
Disconnect the signal input to the amplifier, then turn it on and off.
a) If the noise is cancelled, then connect a delay turn on module on the REM wire running from
the source unit to the amplifier.
b) Use another 12V source for REM lead to the amplifier. If the noise is cancelled, use a relay
to isolate the amplifier from the turn on thump.
Troubleshooting
LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION
B2 audio offers a limited warranty under the following terms:
The product is to be free of defects in material & workmanship under normal use for a period of 1 year from the date of the original purchase, when installed by
an authorized dealer. Items not installed by authorized dealers will be warrantied for 30 days from the original purchase. Original sales receips must be accompanied
with all returns.The warranty applies to the original purchaser of the product & it being sold by authorized B2 audio dealers.
The warranty does not cover: 1. Damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, improper operation, water / solvents & shipping.
2. Product modification, neglect, failure to follow installation instructions & misrepresentation by the seller.
3. Products used for competition purposes or are of such a charachter 4. Any product that has been opened.
5. Products that has had the serial number defaced, altered or removed.
6. The cost of shipping the product back for repair to an authorized repair centre & cost of return of non-defective items.
Table of contents
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