Crown ce 4000 User manual

CE 4000
© 2001 by Crown Audio, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, Elkhart, IN 46515-1000 U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Trademark Notice: Crown
®is
a registered trademark of Crown International, Inc. Other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.
127393-2A
3/01
Note: The information provided in this manual was deemed accurate as of the
publication date. However, updates to this information may have occurred. To
obtain the latest version of this manual, please visit the Crown website at
www.crownaudio.com.
Some models may be exported under the name Amcron.®
Obtaining Other Language Versions:
To obtain information in another language about the use of this product, please contact your
local Crown Distributor. If you need assistance locating your local distributor, please contact
Crown at 219-294-8200.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Contents
Da Rules ...................................................................... 4
Quick Start ................................................................... 6
1 Welcome ............................................................... 8
How To Use This Manual ..................................... 10
Unpacking Your
CE 4000 Amplifier ...................... 10
Features .............................................................. 11
Controls, Indicators & Connectors ....................... 12
2 Installation ........................................................... 14
3 Operation ............................................................ 24
4 Crown Pro Information Guides:
Balancing the Line .............................................. 29
The Dastardly Duo: Hum and Buzz ..................... 30
Guide to Neutrik Speakon NL4FC Connector
Assembly ............................................................ 33
5 Advanced Features and Options:
BCA .................................................................... 37
Switching Power Supply with PFC ....................... 37
Crown SST Modules ............................................ 38
Fault Monitoring .................................................. 43
Handle Kit ........................................................... 44
Optional Output Connectors ................................ 44
6 Principles of Operation ........................................ 46
7 Specifications ..................................................... 52
8 Service ................................................................ 57
Important Safety Instructions
1) Read these instructions.
2) Keep these instructions.
3) Heed all warnings.
4) Follow all instructions.
5) Do not use this apparatus near water.
6) Clean only with a dry cloth.
7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat.
9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or ground-
ing-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one
wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades
and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third
prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does
not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement
of the obsolete outlet.
10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched,
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.
11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manu-
facturer.
12) Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is
used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combina-
tion to avoid injury from tip-over.
13) Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when un-
used for long periods of time.
14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has
been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.
15) To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this
apparatus to rain or moisture.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Da Rules
Da Rules
Hey! I'm Eric
Let me fill you
in about your
new CE 4000
Amp!!
3. WARNING: Shock
hazard. To reduce the
risk of fire or electric
shock, do not expose
this unit to rain,
oisture or splashing.
Do not i erse your CE
4000 a plifier in any
liquid. Do not operate
your a plifier near a
pool, bathtub or other
standing water (even on
a dare).
4. Do not bypass or defeat
the grounding or
polarization means used
on the CE 4000
amplifi-
ers. Make sure all blades
on the polarized power
plug can be fully inserted
into the receptacle or
other outlet that will be
used with the unit.
. Your CE 4000 amp should
be cleaned only with a
dry cloth.
6. Take care of the power
cord attached to your CE
4000 amplifier. Avoid
situations where your
cord might be stretched,
pinched, or otherwise
abused. Route it to avoid
foot traffic. Pay special
attention to the cord
connector and attachment
points.
7. Do not attempt to service
this unit beyond instructions
contained in this manual.
Refer all servicing to the
Crown Service Department.
8. Keep your CE 4000 amplifier
away from sources of heat,
such as a radiator or oven.
Do not cover or surround
your amp with material
which may retain heat, such
as a blanket or curtain.
9. Obtain assistance
fro qualified service
personnel if any of the
following occurs:
• The power cord or plug
has been damaged in
any way.
• Foreign objects or
liquid have fallen into
the amplifier enclosure.
• The amplifier has been
exposed to rain or has
been partially or totally
immersed in any liquid.
• The amplifier has been
dropped or the chassis
has been damaged.
• You notice a marked
change in perfor-
mance, or your CE
4000 amp does not
Lightning Bolt Sy bol:
This symbol is used to alert the
user to the presence of dangerous
voltages and the possible risk of
electric shock.
Excla ation Mark Sy bol:
This symbol is used to alert the
user to make special note of
important operating or mainte-
nance instructions found in the
reference manual.
1. Read all safety and operating instructions
before operating the CE 4000 amplifier.
Follow all instructions carefully and heed
any warnings given.
2. Do not drop or spill any foreign object or
liquid into the CE 4000 amplifier.
Keep these
instructions
where you can
look at em
later!
appear to operate
normally.
10. CAUTION: Do not locate
sensitive, high-gain
equipment such as
preamplifiers or tape
decks directly above or
below the unit. If an
equipment rack is used,
we recommend locating
the amplifier(s) in the
bottom of the rack and
the preamplifier or other
sensitive equipment at
the top.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
The Fault light blinks a few times, and the “Power” light will
glow a bright green to indicate power is on.
8. (Now comes the fun!) Supply input, adjust amp levels and
enjoy.
9. You can check the green signal light to verify input, if nec-
essary.
CAUTION:Excessive output levels may toast your speak-
ers. Crown’s CE 4000 amplifiers have such low distortion,
you may not realize the actual level being reached until
it’s too late. Please exercise caution and drive your speak-
ers responsibly (or at least warn your neighbors!).
Quick Start!
You’ve waited a long time for this! We know you just can’t wait
to crank up your new Crown®CE 4000 amplifier. And you sure
don’t want to flip through pages of tech-talk just to find out
where the on switch is. So that’s why we provided you with this
quick and simple page to get you up and running right away.
Just take a few minutes to read through this—no more than
five or ten, max—you’ll be glad you did.
1. Make sure the CE 4000
amp and all other equipment is
turned off (“O”) before you begin wiring. By the way, the
amp power switch is located on the far left side of the front
panel. It is off (“O”) when depressed on the left.
2. Mount your CE 4000 amp securely in the rack, or position
it on a solid surface.
3. Connect the left and right inputs coming from your mixer,
preamp, or processor. You can use either balanced 1/4-inch
(6.35-mm) phone, 3-pin XLR or barrier block connectors. You
can also choose to run in MONO mode. (See Figure
2.5.)3.2.2 Output Wiring
WARNING: Output terminals marked with the symbol
are dangerous when live. External wiring connected to
these terminals requires installation by an instructed per-
son, or should make use of prebuilt wiring and connec-
tors.
4. Connect the output wiring (left and right speakers). You
can use your choice of Neutrik®Speakon®NL4FC, ba-
nana, spade lug or bare wire, depending on the output
connector configuration you have chosen.
5. Connect your CE 4000
amp and other equipment to your
power source.
6. Turn on your mixer, preamp, signal processor, or any
other equipment in your system EXCEPT your CE 4000
amplifier. (Remember: the best is worth waiting for.)
7. Make sure the Channel 1 and Channel 2 level (volume) con-
trols on your CE 4000 amplifier are turned all the way down
(counterclockwise), then flip the power switch on (“I”). Note:
Did You Remember To Get Your Speakons®?
Typical Stereo
Hookup

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Fig. 1.1
The CE 4000
Amplifier
easily add a sub-bass system. Additional signal control is avail-
able via Crown’s optional SST (System Solution Topologies)
modules, which offer a wide variety of active crossover con-
figurations.** Your choice of optional output connectors is also
available: Neutrik Speakon®plus 5-way binding post, 5-way
binding post plus barrier strip, or dual Neutrik Speakon.
Weighing in at a mere 33.3 pounds, the CE 4000 is easy to
transport and set up. What’s more, Crown’s enhanced, switch-
mode power supply (featuring power factor correction) results
in a universal power supply, so you can plug it in anywhere.
And with the lowest cost per watt of any amp in its class, the
CE 4000 is the obvious choice for serious musicians every-
where.
Thanks for buying this CE 4000 amplifier. Here at Crown, we
appreciate your support, and we think you’ll find that you’ve
also done yourself a favor by choosing Crown. You see, CE
4000 amplifiers have been engineered from the bottom up for
top-notch performance and unmatched reliability.
Designed using Crown’s patented, award-wining BCA®(Bal-
anced Current Amplifier) engineering, the CE 4000 provides
superior power output, increased efficiency, legendary Crown
sound and extraordinary reliability. With typical output power
at 3,600 watts*, the CE 4000 not only handles but excels at
handling 2-ohm loads. In repeated stress tests, the CE 4000
continued to perform at levels 12 dB into clip, long after the
competition had shut down.
Designed for the utmost in flexibility, the CE 4000 features se-
lectable on-board high- and low-pass filter sets, so you can
1 Welcome
** Your amplifier may have come already outfitted with a factory-installed SST
module, or your choice of SST modules can be added to an existing ampli-
fier by an authorized Crown Service Center. For more information on fac-
tory-installed SST modules, please refer to the Crown SST Crossover
Reference Manual included in your literature package.
* 3,600 watts in Bridge-Mono mode at 4 ohms, 1,800 watts per channel at 2
ohms. See the Specifications Section for details.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Features
How to Use This Manual
This manual will help you correctly install, set up and operate
your CE 4000 amplifier, including mounting, mode selection,
standard input and output wiring, advanced features and op-
tions setup, and typical operation. Please be sure to read all
instructions, warnings and cautions.
If your amplifier came equipped with an optional Crown SST
crossover module, please refer to the
SST Crossover Refer-
ence Manual
included in your literature package for informa-
tion on amplifier setup.
For your protection, please send in the warranty registration
card today. And save your bill of sale—it’s your official proof
of purchase .
Unpacking Your CE 4000 Amp
Please unpack and inspect your amplifier for any damage that
may have occurred during transit. If damage is found, notify
the transportation company immediately. Only you can initiate
a claim for shipping damage. Crown will be happy to help as
needed. Save the shipping carton as evidence of damage for
the shipper’s inspection.
We also recommend that you save all packing materials so
you will have them if you ever need to transport the unit.
NEVERSHIPTHEUNIT WITHOUT THE FACTORYPACK.
* See Specification section for details.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Fig. 1.2
The Big
Picture:
Controls,
Indicators &
Connectors*
Controls, Indicators & Connectors
* Shown with standard input module and Neutrik Speakon®/ 5-way binding
post output connectors option.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Fig. 2.1
Mounting
Dimensions
Fig. 2.2
Mode Switch
2 Installation
Follow these instructions for a detailed explanation of CE 4000
installation procedures and options. If you just want to get up and
running as quickly as possible, see the Quick Start section on
page 6.
2.1—Begin with the amplifier turned off and disconnected
from the power receptacle. The CE4000 power switch is
located on the left side of the front panel; it is off (“O”) when
depressed on the left. Equipment that will be connected to
the inputs of the amplifier (such as mixers,equalizers or signal
processors) should also be turned off.
2.2—Mount the amplifier. Your CE 4000 amp can be mounted in
a standard, 19-inch (48.3-cm) equipment rack, or it can be
simply stacked with other equipment. The CE 4000 amp is
provided with a convenient 3-foot (1-meter) power cord to
minimize excess cordage when installed in a rack. Do not
use extension cords. Properly wired power outlets must be
provided close to the mounted amplifier.
If you choose to mount your amp in a rack, you should secure
the back of the rack as well as the front. Securing the amp at
both front and rear will assure that the amp stays in place,
even when the rack is transported or accidentally dropped
(which we know never happens).
2.3—Set the mode switch. Make sure your amplifier is turned
off (“O”) before moving this switch. The Mode switch
should be in the “Stereo” position when you’re running in
Stereo Mode. Stereo Mode allows independent inputs on
the left and right channels to feed separate speakers at
the output. It’s the configuration typically chosen for ev-
eryday audio applications.
Turn the Mode switch to “Bridge-Mono” to have a single
input that feeds to a single output with twice the voltage
of Stereo Mode. Use this configuration if you want to give up
stereo capabilities in order to drive your speakers louder.
Note that the wiring will also need to be adjusted for this
configuration—that includes both input and output wir-
ing.SeeStep2.5 (Connecting the Outputs) and Figure 4.8
later in this section for correct wiring when running in
Bridge-Mono mode.
2.4—Connect the inputs of the CE 4000
amp to your mixer,
equalizers, or signal processors ahead of the amp. Three
types of balanced input connectors are provided, allow-
ing you to choose barrier strip,1/4-inch (6.35-mm) phone
or 3-pin XLR connectors.* You can also choose to use ei-
ther balanced or unbalanced wiring. (See the information
on “Balancing the Line” in the Crown Pro Information
Guide section for an explanation of balanced vs. unbal-
anced wiring.)
If the Mode switch is in “Bridge-Mono” position, only
the Channel 1 input connectors should be used.
*Optional SST crossover may provide other input connector options.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Input Wiring Tips
1. For all input connectivity, use shielded wire only. Cables with a foil
wrap shield or a high-density braid are superior. Cables with a
stranded spiral shield, although very flexible, will break down over
time and cause noise problems.
2. Try to avoid using unbalanced lines with professional equipment.
If you have no choice, keep the cables as short as possible. (Refer to
the information on “Balancing the Line” in the Crown Pro Information Guide section.)
3. To minimize hum and crosstalk, avoid running low-level input, high-level output and AC
power feeds in the same path. Try to run differing signal paths at 90° to one another. If you
must use a common path for all cables, use a star-quad cable for the low-level signals.
4. When changing input connectors or wiring, turn the amplifier level controls all the way
down (counter-clockwise) before connecting or disconnecting input plugs.
5. When changing output connections, turn the amplifier level down and the AC power off to
minimize the chance of short-circuiting the output. * Some optional output configurations may not offer Neutrik Speakon® con-
nectors.
Fig. 2.3
Typical Input
Wiring
You will need two high-quality speaker cables terminated
with the appropriate connectors to fit your
CE 4000 amp at one end and your speak-
ers at the other end. Output Connector op-
tions for the CE 4000 ampflifier include
Neutrik Speakon® plus 5-way binding
post, 5-way binding post plus barrier strip,
or dual Neutrik Speakon®outputs.
If you prefer, you can wire custom
speaker cables to fit your exact requirements. For de-
tailed instructions on wiring and assembling the Neutrik®
Speakon®NL4FC connectors, see the “Guide to Neutrik
Speakon NL4FC Connector Assembly” in the Crown Pro
Information Guide section of this manual .
You may also choose to connect to the amplifier using
banana, spade lugs, or bare wire connectors depending
on the output options specified for your amplifier.
IMPORTANT: Custom wiring should only be installed
by qualified personnal.
Output Wiring Tips
1. This amp offers Neutrik Speakon®connectors to minimize wiring
mistakes.* We also encourage you to choose carefully when select-
ing speaker enclosure connectors.
2. To prevent possible short circuits, wrap or otherwise insulate ex-
posed loudspeaker cable connectors.
3. Do not use connectors that might accidentally tie conductors to-
gether when making or breaking the connection (for example, a standard, 1/4-inch
(6.35-mm) stereo phone plug).
4. Never use connectors that could be plugged into AC power sockets. Accidental AC
input will be an electrifying experience for your equipment. But you will find out real
quick if your speakers are any good at 60 Hz.
5. Avoid using connectors with low current-carrying capacity, such as XLRs.
6. Do not use connectors that have any tendency to short.
7. To maintain good bass response, use the lowest DC resistance cable you can af-
ford which will terminate safely in your connectors.
WIRING SPEAKON®
OUTPUTCONNECTORS:
See the Crown Pro Informa-
tion Guide section of this
manual.
2.5—Connect the outputs of the CE 4000 amp to your loud-
speakers. For Stereo mode, refer to the Stereo Output
Hookup diagram (Figure 2.4). For Bridge-Mono mode, re-
fer to the Bridge-Mono Output Hookup diagram (Figure
2.5).
WARNING: Output terminals marked with the symbol
are dangerous when live. External wiring connected to
these terminals requires installation by an instructed per-
son, or should make use of prebuilt wiring and connec-
tors.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
If you are running your equipment in dusty or dirty environ-
ments, it is advisable to pre-filter the air using industrial
furnacefilters.These filterscan betaped orfastened to the
front of the equipment rack, ensuring a clean air supply
through a large surface area that will require minimum
maintenance.
2.7—Check once more to make sure the amplifier has
been set up correctly.Thenfollow thesteps inthe Opera-
tion section to operate the amplifier.
2.6—Check to make sure that adequate ventilation has
been provided. Even though this amplifier has some of
the most efficient heat sinks in the marketplace, it must be
able to breathe. So make sure that the front vents are
never blocked and that the exhaust fan (out the back)
notblocked or covered by cables.
An amplifier running at high sound pressure levels into
low-impedance loads will typically put out lots of hot air,
so make sure it can go somewhere.
Cooling Tips
If you allow spaces between pieces of equipment in your rack,
make sure you block the front with blank, solid (not perforated) pan-
els. This will allow the rack to act as a chimney with hot air exhaust-
ing at the top, not recirculating between adjacent amplifiers.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Fig. 2.4
Stereo Hookup—
Two Stacks, One
Amp, Stereo In,
Stereo Out

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Fig. 2.5
DJ Application
Note: Mono hookup requires custom wiring on Neutrik
connectors. See Figure 4.8 for more information.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
3 Operation
Your CE 4000 amp is really very easy to operate, once it has
been properly configured. If your amplifier has not yet been
set up or configured, please refer to the installation instruc-
tions found in Section 2 of this manual, or consult with your
system installer.
Follow these steps when first turning on your amplifier:
1 Turn down the level of your audio source. For example,
set your mixer’s volume to “
¥ ” off.
2 Turn down the amplifier’s level controls (counter-clock-
wise to “
¥ ”).
3 Turn the power switch to the on (“I”) position. The power
indicator beside the switch will turn on.
4 After the Power light turns on, test the operating range of
your input by turning up the level of your audio source to
the highest possible operating level before distortion. You
should notice the green signal indicators glowing on your
amplifier.
5 S-L-O-W-L-Y turn up the level controls on the front of the
amplifier until the maximum desired loudness or power
level is achieved. Be prepared for astounding output!
6 Turn down the level of your audio source to its normal
range.
Controls & Indicators
Refer to the following for information on how to operate
and read your CE 4000 controls and indicators. See Fig-
ures 3.1 and 3.2 for location of controls and indicators.
Power Switch: The power switch is conveniently located on
the front panel so you can easily turn the amplifier on (“I”) or
off (“O”). When the switch is depressed left, the amp is off.
Note that dangerous voltages may still be present in the
amplifier even when the power switch is in the off (“O”)
position.Before moving the amplifier ormakingany wiring
or installation changes, it is important to also disconnect
the power cord from the amplifier or power source.
Figure 3.1 Front
Panel Indicators
& Controls
Fault Indicators: Two red LEDs (one for each channel) are
located on the front panel. The Fault Indicators are normally
OFF, but will blink under five different conditions:
1. When the amplifier is first powered up, until the unit is
ready for operation.
2. If the heatsinks reach a temperature above normal work-
ing limits.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
3. If the transformer thermal protection circuit is activated.
4. If amplifier output wires develop a short-circuit.
5. Should the amplifier output stage become non-operational.
The fault status of the amplifier can also be monitored remotely
by attaching a signalling device to the Fault jack located on
the amplifier back-panel. See the Advanced Features and
Options section of this manual for more information on fault
monitoring and suggestions for signalling device circuity.
Some fault conditions may cause the output of the amplifier to
be muted.
Clip Indicator: Two red LEDs (one for each channel) are lo-
cated on the front panel. The Clip indicators turn on when dis-
tortion is audible in the amplifier output.
Signal Indicator: Two green LEDs (one for each channel) are
located on the front panel. Unlike some of our other amplifiers,
the Signal indicators on the CE 4000 amplifier lluminate when
a signal (>–40 dBm) is present at the INPUT of the amplifier for
that channel. Because these indicators receive the signal be-
fore the level controls, they can be used to troubleshoot wiring
problems within a system. If the Signal indicator for a channel
is not lit, no signal is reaching the amplifier on that channel.
Power Indicator: A green LED is located on the front panel.
The Power indicator lights when your CE 4000 amp has been
turned on and has power.
Level Controls: Two rotary level controls (one for each chan-
nel) are located on the front panel. Use these controls to adjust
each channel’s output. To decrease the level, rotate the control
counter-clockwise (to “
¥ ”). To increase the level, rotate it clock-
wise (to “0”).
Input Sensitivity Switch: A three-position Input Sensitivity
switch is located on the back panel near the input connectors.
Your amplifier is shipped from the factory with this switch set to
the 1.4-V position. At this setting , a 1.4-V input signal will drive
the amplifier to full power into an 8-ohm load when the level
controls are turned to maximum. This translates to an amplifier
gain of 33.8 dB or +4 dBu—a level at which most professional
equipment operates.
If required, the Input Sensitivity switch can be moved to the
3.46-volt (26-dB) position, so that the amplifier provides a fixed
voltage gain of 20 (or 26 dB: 1 volt in, 20 volts out). This setting
works best with output levels of +10 dBu (2.5 volts RMS) or
more. Some brands of DJ mixers, in particular, have output
levels in this range.
You can also choose the 0.775-volt setting for a gain of 39.0
dB. This setting operates with a lower-level output and so may
be appropriate for use with consumer-grade CD players and
similar items. Consult the owner’s manual of your input device
for recommended sensitivity settings.
Selecting the correct sensitivity will allow your equipment to
operate at its optimum level and improve the signal-to-noise of
the system.
Figure 3.2 Back
Panel Controls

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
On the other hand, an unbalanced circuit usually holds one
leg at ground potential, while the second leg is “hot.” Unbal-
anced line is less expensive, but is much more susceptible to
noise, and is not usually used in professional applications. For
the cleanest signal, without unwanted hum and buzz, bal-
anced line is always recommended. It is especially helpful if
you have a long cable run (over 10 feet (3 m)), since noise is
easily introduced into long, unbalanced lines.
–
+
3
1
2
GND
FROM
SOURCE
INPUT
BALANCED
+–
SHIELD
FROM
SOURCE
INPUT
UNBALANCED
+
SHIELD
+
3
1
2
SHIELD
4 Crown Pro Information Guides
Balancing the Line
A balanced audio circuit typically will have both positive (+)
and negative (–) legs of the circuit isolated from the ground
circuit. These balanced legs exhibit identical impedance char-
acteristics with respect to ground, and may also carry the au-
dio signal at the same level, but with opposite polarities. This
results in a line that offers excellent rejection of unwanted noise.
Fig. 4.1
Balanced &
Unbalanced
Input Wiring
Fig. 4.2
Polarity
Conversions
Mode Switch: This two-position switch, located on the back
panel, allows the selection of either Stereo or Bridge-Mono
mode of operation.
Stereo mode provides identical power output to each of the
two amplifier output channels. Bridge-Mono Mode combines
the two amplifier output channels into a single mono channel
with twice the voltage of a single stereo channel. This means
the output will be much more powerful! It does this by bridging
the outputs, and it requires special output wiring. Do NOT se-
lect Bridge-Mono mode without first making sure the am-
plifier has been wired in a Bridge-Mono configuration. For
more information on wiring for Bridge-Mono mode, see the In-
stallation section of this manual
, or consult your system in-
staller.
When Bridge-Mono Mode is selected, only the Channel 1 Level
control and the Channel 1 Signal LED will work. If the Channel
2 input is wired, the Channel 2 Level control should be turned
to “ ¥ ”
ÿ (counter/anti-clockwise) to prevent distortion.
CH1 and CH2 Filter Switches : A three-position low-pass
and a four-position high-pass filter switch for each channel
are located on the back panel below the input and output
modules. Low-pass filter is switchable among settings for
Flat, 80 Hz and 100 Hz, with a 24-dB per octave rolloff. High-
pass filter is switchable among settings for Flat, 30 Hz, 40
Hz, and 50 Hz, with an 18-dB per octave rolloff.
Fault Jack: This RJ11 jack (which looks like a phone jack) is
located on the back panel. By attaching a signalling device to
the Fault jack, you can monitor the amplifier’s Fault status from
a remote location. See the Advanced Features and Options
section of this manual
for more information on fault monitoring
and suggestions for signalling device circuitry. 1/4 inch XLR
(6.35 mm)
Tip = += Pin 2
Ring = –= Pin 3
Sleeve = = Pin 1
Refer to Figure 4.2 for proper pin assignments for both ¼ inch
(6.35-mm) and 3-pin XLR balanced audio wiring.

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Hum and Buzz Tips
1. It is imperative that all of your electrical equipment share the same
power ground reference.
2. Unless you are interfacing to a microphone, the shield of the cable
should only be connected at one end. (See Fig.4.3)
3. Do not pass signal ground between electrical components in a
grounded source system.
4. If you wish to avoid ground loops, it doesn’t matter if you lift the input or output signal
ground for your system topology, just be consistent. Personally I prefer to lift the input
signal ground and it has always been successful...so far!
5. NEVER use a ground lift adapter to lift the power ground on a 3-wire AC cord; this is not
its intended purpose. It is better to have it SAFE than SILENT!! Look for the true source
of the noise.
6. Even when interfacing to an unbalanced load, it is preferable to use two-conductor
shielded cable.
7. Get rid of the lighting company!
Fig. 4.3
Balanced
Input Wiring
The Dastardly Duo: Dr. Hum and Mr. Buzz
If you have noticeable hum or buzz in your system, you may
want to check your cable connections to see if the unwanted
noise is being introduced via a ground loop. To determine the
proper wiring, first check whether the output from your source
is unbalanced or balanced (if you don’t know, refer to the unit’s
back panel or instruction manual). If the source is balanced,
refer to Figure 4.3; if it is unbalanced refer to Figure 4.4. Next,
determine if the source’s power cable is floating (ungrounded,
2-prong) or grounded (3-prong). Finally, if the source is unbal-
anced, check the type of wiring: twin-lead or single coax.
Check Figure 4.4 to see if your cable has been wired with the
proper shield and ground connection. If the cabling is incor-
rect, you may be able to avoid the ground loop (and associ-
ated hum) by plugging all of your equipment into the same AC
circuit (on the same breaker). If this is impractical, you will need
to fix the cable to match the appropriate illustration. Or you
may want to simply replace the offending cable with a com-
mercially manufactured cable of the appropriate type.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
Fig. 4.4
Unbalanced
Input
Wiring
To custom wire Neutrik Speakon NL4FC connectors, you willl
need the following materials: two (2) Neutrik Speakon®NL4FC
connectors* plus high-quality two- or four-conductor speaker
cable with the appropriate end-connectors to fit the inputs on
your speakers, a pair of needle-nosed pliers and a (1.5-mm) Allen
wrench or a flat blade screw driver.
IMPORTANT: Custom wiring should only be installed
by qualified personnal.
clearly not advantageous to the customer who wants to reconfigure his system or
quickly change out a defective product. It is possible that similar regulatory con-
trols will appear worldwide over the next few years.
One solution to this problem is to use the Neutrik®Speakon®connector. Here at
Crown, we wanted to develop a system for you that eliminated the need for spe-
cialized, time-consuming, interface cables. The major loudspeaker manufactur-
ers have been using Speakon®connectors for the input termination on their
products for several years now, so you can be assured of the connector’s reliabil-
ity in the workplace. With Speakon®connectors, you can plug straight from the
amp to the speaker, and start making those great sounds right away.
The Speakon®connector meets all known safety regulations. Once wired cor-
rectly, the connector cannot be plugged in backwards, causing the type of in-
verted polarity situations that are common with banana hookups. It will provide a
safe, secure and reliable method of interfacing your amplifier to the load.
Why Speakon?
For amplifiers, the most popular termination device on profes-
sional products has been the dual banana (which incidentally
was pioneered by Crown with the DC300 model). However, re-
cent regulatory requirements in Europe have outlawed the use
of the dual banana plug and forced users to terminate speaker
cables with spade lugs or bare ends—an approach that is
Guide to Neutrik
®
Speakon
®
NL4FC Connector Assembly
NOTE: You can purchase the Speakon®NL4FC connectors from your
local dealer, or contact NEUTRIK AG, Im alten riet 34, Schaan FL-9494,
Furstentum Liechtenstein, 41-75-237-2424, FAX [phone],
www.neutrik.com or Neutrik USA, Inc., 195 Lehigh Ave., Lakewood, NJ
08701-4527, 908-901-9488, FAX [phone], www.neutrikusa.com or
Crown Audio, Inc., 1718 West Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, IN 46517-4095,
USA, 219-294-8000, FAX [phone], www.crownaudio.com.

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
To assemble the Neutrik Speakon NL4FC connector,
complete the following steps:
1. Slide the bushing (E) and chuck (D) onto the end of the
cable as shown in Figure 4.5.*
* Your NL4FC connector kit should contain both a black and a white chuck.
Use the white chuck for cable with a diameter of 0.25 to 0.5 inch (6.35 to
12.7 mm). Use the black chuck for cable with a diameter of 0.375 to 0.625
inch (9.525 to 15.875 mm).
Fig.4.5
Order of
Assembly for
theNeutrik®
Speakon®NL4FC
Connector
Fig.4.5
Wiring for the
Neutrik®
Speakon®
NL4FC
Connector
2. Strip approximately 3/4-inch (20-mm) of casing from the cable
end. Strip approximately 3/8-inch (8-mm) from the end of each
of the conductors down to bare wire (C).
3a. Insert each wire into the top of appropriate slot of the con-
nector insert (B) as shown in Figure 4.6. Use a (1.5-mm)
Allen wrench or flat blade screwdriver to tighten the side
connecting screws.
3b. If the Mode switch is in the “Stereo”position (for stereo
configuration), connect the positive (+) and negative (–)
leads of each wire to the appropriate Channel 1 and
Channel 2 connectors as shown in Figure 4.7. You may
use all 4 poles of the Channel 1 output connector to feed
both speakers, if you wish.
Fig.4.7
Stereo Output
Wiring
Fig.4.8
Bridge-Mono
Output Wiring
Fig. 4.9
Connector
Assembly: Insert
into Connector
3c.If the Mode switch is in the “Bridge”position (for mono
configuration), connect the load across the positive (+)
terminals of the connector as shown in Figure 4.8. For
Bridge-Mono Mode, non-inverting output, Ch1+ is the
positive (+) and Ch2+ is the negative (–).
3d. Never short or parallel the output channels of an
amplifier to itself or any other amplifier.
4. Slide the connector insert (B) into the connector housing
(A), making sure that the large notch on the outer edge of
the insert lines up with the large groove on the inside of the
connector housing. The insert should slide easily through
the housing and out the other side until it extends approxi-
mately 3/4-inch (19-mm) from the end of the housing. (See Fig-
ure 4.9.)

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CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
5 Advanced Features & Options
BCA®
BCA®(Balanced Current Amplifier) is Crown’s patented, cut-
ting-edge technology that gets more power out of an amplifier
with less waste than was ever before possible. A completely
new adaptation of standard amplifier design, Crown’s BCA
“switching” amplifier design provides for high output, excep-
tional reliability and nearly twice the efficiency of typical ampli-
fier designs.
While switching designs have been used successfully in other
applications, these designs were never before suitable for use
in precision, high-power audio amplifier applications. Crown’s
BCA technology changes that, with a totally new paradigm for
amplifier design that represents the future of professional am-
plifiers.
With their superior efficiency, BCA amplifiers can help to keep
your power bills down, while still putting out amazing, bass-
thumping lows and crystal clear highs. And your Crown BCA
amp is tough—easily handling very low (and highly reactive)
load impedances, even under extreme conditions. In fact,
Crown BCA amps have far out-performed competitive amplifi-
ers in tests where the amplifier was run as much as 12-dB into
clip for extended periods of time.
High efficiency, tough robust design and great Crown sound
make Crown BCA amplifiers the clear choice for professional
musicians everywhere.
Switching Power Supply with PFC
Crown’s new Switching Power Supply with PFC provides a
range of benefits over both non-switching and conventional
switching power-supply designs.
5. Slide the chuck (D) along the cable and insert into the
housing, making sure that the large notch on the outer
edge of the chuck lines up with the large groove on the
inside of the connector housing. The chuck should slide
easily into the insert/housing combination until only approxi-
mately 3/8-inch (9.5-mm) of the chuck end extends from the
back end of the connector as shown in Figure 4.10.
Fig.4.10
Connector
Assembly: Chuck
into Connector
Housing
Fig.4.11
Connector
Assembly: Bushing
onto Connector
Housing Assembly
6. Slide the bushing along the cable and screw onto the end
of the connector combination as shown in Figure 4.11.
Note that the bushing features a special locking con-
struction which will prevent disassembly of the
NL4FC connector once this cap is tightened into
place. Before tightening, you may want to test the con-
nector in a live system to make sure it has been as-
sembled properly.

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Reference Manual Reference Manual
CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!CE 4000 The amp with an Attitude!
For information on wiring and configuration of amplifiers
equipped with an optional Crown SST crossover module,
please refer to the SST Crossover Reference Manual included
in your literature package.
Refer to the following descriptions for an overview of available
Crown SST crossover modules.
SST-MX Crossover
The SST-MX crossover module features 24-dB/octave Linkwitz-
Riley tuned filters and stereo sub-bass outputs for biamp op-
eration of subs. See Figure 5.1 for SST-MX block diagram.
Features of the SST-MX
crossover include:
• Stereo biamp.
• 100-Hz fixed crossover
• 24-dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley tuned filters.
Typical non-switching power supplies require large, heavy
transformers in order to produce the required power at the out-
put stage. These transformers must be large to absorb the
substantial waste that occurs when operating at 50 to 60 Hz
(standard AC supplied by the power company).
By contrast, switching power supplies can operate with a much
smaller (and lighter) transformer because they first convert the
AC up to a much higher frequency, thereby reducing waste.
However, in both non-switching and conventional switching
designs, phase differences occur within the power supply due
to the inductance of the transformer. This phase difference pre-
vents much of the available power from the AC mains from
making its way to the load.
PFC, however, compensates for phase differences in the
power supply, allowing more true power to be transferred to
the amplifier. The result is more power with less waste than any
other conventional switching or non-switching design.
As an added benefit, PFC also allows the amp to be connected
to any common AC line voltage, without converting the power
supply. This means that whether you’re running one or two
amps on a household circuit or several amps on a power distro,
your CE 4000 amplifiier is ready—right out of the box.
Crown SST Modules
Crown’s optional SST (System Solution Topologies) modules
were specially designed to improve the fidelity and versatility
of your audio system. They feature a variety of professional
signal routing and filtering capabilities, with active crossovers
that allow the audio signal to be split and sent to auxiliary am-
plifiers. Your amplifier may have come with an SST module
already factory-installed, or your choice of SST modules can
be easily added to the amplifier by any authorized Crown Ser-
vice Center.
Why Biamped?
When you use one of Crown’s SST crossover modules to split the power
drive to your loudspeaker components, you gain a wide range of advan-
tages, including:
1. Increased gain because the insertion loss of passive crossover net-
works is eliminated.
2. Consistent power bandwidth: power bandwidth is changed in multi-
way passive systems if transducers change impedance or vaporize
(blow up).
3. Levels can be matched more accurately to the components.
4. Quicker troubleshooting.
5. Improved dynamic range.
6. Better protection of components due to steep 24-dB/octave filters.