Clarion APA4203 User manual

clarion
APA4203
APA4162
4-CHANNEL
CAR AUDIO
AMPLIFIER
OPERATION
INSTALLATION
MANUAL

Clarion APA4203/APA4162
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . 3
Description . 4
Amplifier Inputs/Controls/Power Indicator. . 5
Connections for Speakers/Power .7
Applications . 8
4-Channel Full-Range Stereo System . 8
4-Channel Satellite/Subwoofer System . 9
3-Channel Stereo/Mono System . 1 0
2-Channel High Power System .7 7
Pre-Out Bi-Amped Stereo System . 1 2
Mixed-Mode System . . . 1 3
Installation . 7 4
Mounting Precautions . 7 4
Wiring Precautions . 7 4
Setting Gain . 7 7
Using The HP/LP Filter . 1 8
Using The Bass Extender . 1 8
Final System Checks . 7 9
Troubleshooting . 7 9
Everyone Wants "More Bass" . 2 1
Specifications . 2 2
2 ♦ Table Of Contents

OPERATION/INSTALLATION MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
Whether you’ve purchased a Clarion APA4203 or APA4162 4-channel car
audio amplifier, you’ve selected one of the finest mobile products on the
market today. The APA4203 puts out 50 watts of continuous power into a
4-ohm load and delivers 75 watts (typical) into a 2-ohm load. The APA4162
is rated at 40 watts of continuous power or 65 watts (typical) for the same
loads. Both models come with the following features:
♦ Full frequency response with low distortion and exceptional signal-to-
noise performance
♦ Advanced circuit design features bridgeable and mixed-mode operation
for use in a variety of 4-, 3-, or 2-channel systems
♦ Independent front/rear, LP (low-pass)/HP (high-pass) electronic
crossovers each with a 12 dB per octave slope and full adjustment
range (from 50 to 200 Hz) to aid in audio system design
♦ Variable bass extender circuit to reinforce low frequency signals that
may be lost due to box design
♦ Non-fade summed-stereo outputs (on APA4203) for system expansion
♦ Ground loop isolation inputs with adjustable input level controls to
accept a wide range of input signals (from 200 mV to 5 V)
♦ Remote turn-on with “soft-start” muting to prevent turn-on “thump”
♦ Regulated MOSFET power supply with low AM RFI and protection
circuits for overheating and speaker shorts
♦ 2-oh m load capability to drive a variety of speaker systems
♦ Gold-plated input/output connectors and an external automotive-type fuse
♦ Aluminum heat sink for efficient dissipation of heat
In order to start enjoying your new Clarion 4-channel car audio amplifier
as soon as possible, please read the remaining pages to plan your
installation. When you’re finished, fill out and send in the enclosed
warranty card to protect your purchase and to aid us in any service-related
questions. Also, save your original bill of sale as a proof of purchase.
Introduction ♦ 3

Clarion APA4203/APA4I62
DESCRIPTION
The Clarion APA4203 (or APA4162) 4-channel car audio amplifier is an
ideal choice for creating a variety of multi-channel sound systems. Both
models features built-in system design flexibility that allows you to create a
2-, 3-, or 4-channel amplifier with a flip of a switch. Or you can configure
the front (CHI/2) or rear (CH3/4) amplifier sections for mixed-mode
operation to drive a set of satellite speakers and a subwoofer.
Figure 1. Clarion APA4203 4-channel car audio amplifier.
The built-in 12 dB-per-octave electronic crossovers let you tailor the sound
of front and rear channels. Other amplifiers may offer a single filter, but
this unit comes with two independent filters with adjustable crossover
frequencies for high-pass or low-pass filtering. And you don’t need to add
external crossovers and cables, resulting in a cost-effective, efficient way
to implement your design ideas.
Either amplifier uses a regulated MOSFET power supply for superior
control of output wattage, regardless of input voltage or musical energy
content. MOSFETs are chosen for their inherent characteristics to provide
superior accuracy, stability, and control. A toroid-coil transformer yields
maximum power transfer with minimum heat loss. Careful attention to
circuit design keeps AM RFI at low levels, so you won’t hear unwanted
4 ♦ Description

OPERATION/INSTALLATION MANUAL
noise when the level is cranked up. Protection circuits safeguard the
amplifier when overheating and speaker shorts or improper load
conditions occur. All connections and controls are on end panels and are
straightforward and easy to understand. We use gold-plated RCA and
barrier connectors to ensure the best electrical connection for your system.
Included are external automotive-type fuses that are easy to replace.
Amplifier Inputs/Controls/Power Indicator
The APA4203’s (or APA4162’s) front panel (see Figure 2) has SPEAKER
LINE INPUT connections, (RCA) INPUT jacks, a GAIN CHI/2 control,
an INPUT MODE switch, a GAIN CH3/4 control, FILTER CHI/2 and
CH3/4 controls (for setting crossover frequencies for LP or HP filters), a
BASS EXTENDER gain control, and a POWER indicator.
Figure 2. Front panel of a Clarion APA4203 or
APA4162 amplifier. A reference chart (see detail) shows
which inputs are active for a selected mode.
Low-Level/Speaker-Level Inputs
The gold-plated RCA INPUT jacks, labeled CH 1 through CH 4, provide
connections for a low-level front/rear stereo source. In addition, SPEA K ER
LEVEL INPUT connections are provided for installations where the source
unit’s RCA outputs are unavailable and direct connection to speaker outputs
is the only choice (see Specifications on pages 22 and 23 for wire codes).
Gain Controls
The CHI/2 GAIN and CH3/4 GAIN controls allows you to independently
set the nominal operating levels of the amplifier’s front and rear channels.
The amplifier’s wide range, 200 mV to 5 V for RCA inputs or 400 mV to
10 V for speaker-level inputs, can accommodate input levels from virtually
any brand of source unit.
Description ♦ 5

clarion APA4203/APA4I62
DESCRIPTION
Amplifier Inputs/Controls/Power Indicator
(Continued)
Channel Mode Switch
The INPUT MODE switch allows you to select 4-, 3-, or 2-channel
operation. A reference chart above the switch (see Figure 2 on the previous
page) indicates which channel inputs, gain controls, and fdters are active for
your selection.
High-Pass/Low-Pass Filter Controls
The APA4203 (or APA4162) is equipped with 12 dB per octave electronic
filters on front and rear channels for precise frequency attenuation with
minimal phase distortion. The steep crossover slope keeps midrange tones
out of the subwoofer and thereby eliminates an unnatural “nasal” tone
quality in the audio system. A filter is activated by sliding the CHI/2 or
CH3/4 FILTER switch to either HP or LP. Each one is fully adjustable
between 50 and 200 Hz (via the CHI/2 FREQ or CH3/4 control) for a wide
range of crossover points. Use this feature, along with your speaker
manufacturer’s recommended crossover frequencies, to quickly design a
more advanced system (see Applications starting on page 8).
NOTE: If CUl/2 FILTER (or CH3/4 FILTER) is set to OFF, varying the
CHI/2 FREQ (or CH3/4 FREQ) control will produce no effect.
Bass Extender Control
The APA4203 (or APA4162) also features a “high-Q” (i.e., narrow frequency
band) BASS EXTENDER circuit on channels 3 and 4 for 4- or 3-channel
modes and is also active for mono connections. It acts much like an equalizer,
with adjustable gain (from 0 to +12 dB) fixed at 40 Hz. Use this feature to
tune low-frequency audio response to compensate for a less-than-ideal
subwoofer enclosure design. The added boost produces rich, full bass tones
that are normally difficult to reproduce in the car audio environment.
NOTE: If bass extension is undesired, set BASS EXTENDER to 0 dB.
6 ♦ Description

OPERATION/INSTALLATION MANUAL
Connections for Speakers/Power
The APA4203’s rear panel (see Figure 3) contains summed non-fade output
jacks, speaker connections, external fuses, and power connections.
Figure 3. Rear panel layout of the Clarion APA4203 amplifier.
The APA4162’s rear panel (see Figure 4) is similar, but without the summed
non-fade output jacks.
Figure 4. Rear panel layout of the Clarion APA4162 amplifier.
Summed L/R Preamplifier Outputs (APA4203 Only)
The APA4203 includes stereo (gold-plated RCA) NON-FADE LINE OUT
jacks, labeled CHI/3 and CH2/4, for sending summed L/R preamplified
signals to additional amplifiers, as shown in Figure 9 (on page 12).
Speaker Connections
The speaker terminals are gold-plated terminals and are labeled as FRONT
CHI (left) and CH2 (right) for front amplifiers and REAR CH3 (left) and
CH4 (right) for rear amplifiers.
Power Connections
The power connections are also gold-plated and are labeled REMOTE (for
remote turn-on via source unit), GROUND, and BATTERY (+12 Vdc).
Automotive-type 25 A fuses protect the front and rear amplifier circuits.
Description ♦ 7

APPLICATIONS
The Clarion APA4203 (or APA4162) 4-channel car audio amplifier can be
used in a variety of system applications. We’ve enclosed six example
systems to help plan your own installation (see Figures 5 through 10).
4-Channel Full-Range Stereo System
FRONT PANEL SETTINGS
Figure 5. In this application , theAPA4203 (or APA4162) is used as a
4-channel amplifier to drive four full-range speakers in stereo.
8 ♦ Applications

OPERATION/INSTALLATION MANUAL
4-Channel Stereo System
2-Ch High Pass, 2-Ch Low Pass
FRONT PANEL SETTINGS
FK.TEP HUBS
CHI/2 CH3/4
INPUT MODE OfTLpSlP OfF" LP HP
Sef Filter Frequencies to speaker manufacturer's specifications.
Channel 1
(LF Satellite)
Channel 2
(RF Satellite)
(Each satellite
requires an
external passive
crossover network)
Channel 4
(RR Subwoofer)
Figure 6. In this 4-channel system, an APA4203 (or APA4162) drives a pair
of stereo satellites for the front and a pair of stereo subwoofers for the rear.
Note the filter settings for this application.
Applications ♦ 9

Clarion APA4203/APA4I62
2-Channel Stereo System With
Low-Pass Bridged Mono Channel
FRONT PANEL SETTINGS
HLTER FILTER
CHI/2 CH3/4
Set Filter Frequencies to speaker manufacturer's specifications .
Bridged Mono
(Subwoofer)
Figure 7. An APA4203 (or APA4162) can also be configured to drive a
pair of stereo satellites for the front and a single mono subwoofer for the
rear . Note the filter settings and connections.
10 ♦ Applications