Crowson D-500 User manual

D-500
Tactile Motion Amplifier

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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
WARNING:
1. Read and keep these instructions for future reference.
2. Do not use this apparatus near water.
3. Clean only with a dry cloth.
4. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install according to manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus
6. Do not override the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades -
one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
7. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plug, convenience receptacles, and
the point where it exits from the apparatus.
.
,
or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the
cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
10. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
in any way, such as when the 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.
12. To completely disconnect this equipment from the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from
the AC receptacle
13. This is CLASS II apparatus with double insulation, and no protective earth provided.
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclosure
shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equivalent triangle is intended
to alert the user to the presence of important operating
and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
CAUTION
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO
NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
Congratulations ___________________________________________________________1
Product Features ___________________________________________________________1
Front Panel Features________________________________________________________2
Rear Panel Features _______________________________________________________3, 4
Installation ________________________________________________________________5
Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s
Operation _________________________________________________________________6
Specifications and Troubleshooting ____________________________________________7

Congratulations
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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
Congratulations on your purchase of a Crowson D-500 amplifier and Actuators
This system represents the state-of-the-art in low frequency reproduction. Read
and follow the instructions below to ensure safe and proper system operation.
Warning!
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture. To avoid
electrical shock, do not open the amplifier enclosure or the chassis cover. Please observe
all warnings on the equipment itself. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Please refer
all service questions to your authorized Crowson or dealer.
Prior to Installation
Please unpack the system carefully. Please save the carton and all packaging materials
for future use. Record the serial number in the space provided on the warranty card and
page 15 of this manual for future reference.
D-500 TACTILE MOTION AMPLIFIER
•500 watts RMS high efficiency, Class D
•High current output easily drives up to four Crowson Actuators
•Mute control
•Line-level (RCA) inputs
•Signal sensing auto turn on/off (defeatable)
•Variable intensity (volume) control
•Selectable phase control (0 or 180 degrees)
•Built-in adjustable (40-160 Hz) digital low-pass crossover with 24 dB/octave slope
•Blue power indicator LED
•12 Volt trigger
•Universal IR repeater mini-jack
P r o d u c t F e a t u r e s
•Music and Movie EQ modes
•115V or 230V operation

Figure 1: Front Panel Features of the D-500 amplier.
(1) Power Switch
This button forces your D-500 amplifier into standby mode. The power LED turns red
and the amplifier puts out no power. The unit will remain in this mode until the POWER button
is pressed again. To fully deactivate (i.e. power down) the unit, use the main power switch on
(2) Power LED
This LED illuminates when the power is on. Blue indicates normal operation. The LED turns
red when the unit is in standby mode or the remote has been used to deactivate the unit,
and dims when the unit is in night mode.
(4) Remote Eye
This is the eye that receives infrared commands from the supplied remote control.
Front Panel Features
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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
the back panel.
(3) EQ Modes
The Music or Movie toggle button changes the EQ to an appropriate curve for the source material.
LEDs placed above the Music or Movie text on the front panel indicate the EQ mode.
Music mode is flat; Movie is bumped 8dB between 30Hz and 80Hz for added impact
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4
3
5
2
(5) Intensity (Gain) Control
This continuous rotary knob allows you to balance the output from the motion system with the
output of the main speakers in your audio system. The intensity should be set to achieve a
natural blend between the subwoofer and motion system.
Note: Intensity can also be controlled by using the supplied remote.
WARNING: Some manufacturers preset their receivers with the Sub-Out (a.k.a. LFE)
channel signal at a minimum level. It is very important to verify that your receiver Sub-Out
channel is set to the same output level as your front right and left channels.
(6) Optional Rack Mount Ears (Included)
These ears can be attached to the D-500 amp to allow standard 19” rack mounting.
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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
Figure 2: Rear Panel Connections of the D-500 amplier.
(7) Audio Inputs
Connect these jacks to the LINE OUT preamp output, LFE output, or subwoofer output jacks
of your receiver/processor . If using the LFE output from your receiver or processor, plug
the single cable into the jack labeled LFE input or, for more signal, use a “Y” connector
(optional) and feed the signal into both “R” and “L” inputs.
(8) Cross-Over
Crossover frequency setting of the Low Pass Filter. Factory-set at 100Hz. The Low Pass
Filter can be adjusted from 40 to 160Hz.
(9) Phase
Factory-set at 0° and can be changed to 180°. The phase of the actuators can be
adjusted to align the signal coincidence of the subwoofer and Tactile Motion System.
(1 Power Modes
a. ON ---------------- Always On
b. AUTO ------------ On, triggered via signal sense; when signal is off, amp will stay on for
approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
c. TRIGGERED ----- On, triggered by 12 VDC, 100mA minimum. NOTE – Use the 1/8˝ mono
mini-jack to connect a 12 volt trigger wire from other devices. Connector
polarity is tip positive.
(1 Control Input
Use this 1/8˝ Mono mini-jack to connect to most IR emitter output connections. The signal
will be transferred and flashed to the IR receiver internally behind the front panel. This will
eliminate the need to add “stick-on” emitters in most systems.
NOTE: Due to variations in IR system types, not all are compatible with this control jack.
In some cases, an emitter will be needed to place over the front panel IR window.
Rear Panel Features
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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
Figure 2: Line-Level and Speaker Level Connections.
Line-Level Mono Signal
from Source (LFE)
Note: A “Y” connector can
be used as an option.
Or
Stereo Line-Level
Input from Source
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Optional 3rd and 4th
Actuators are connected
in parallel with the 1st
and 2nd Actuators.
18 to 14awg speaker wire
12 14
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(1 Outputs
Actuator Connection 5-way Binding Post Terminals. Connect the output terminals to the Actuators
being controlled by the D-500 amplifier. Connect a max of two Crowson 8ohm Actuators to each
red/black pair of output terminals.
Caution!!! To avoid damage to your D-500 amp and Actuators, be sure to maintain correct
polarity when making all speaker connections; red (positive) to red, and black (negative)to
black. Be sure that all connections are tight, and that there are no loose strands or frayed wires.
Caution!!! The output is a push-pull design, do not ground the negative.
(1 Voltage Selector
Input voltage setting selects the appropriate 115V or 230V setting. The 115V position of this
switch is correct for North America; most other regions require setting it to 230V. Make sure
the 115/230V switch is set for the correct AC line (mains) voltage before you connect the D-500’s
power cord. THE D-500 MAY BE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED IF THIS SWITCH IS SET INCORRECTLY.
(1 Power Switch
Master Power ON/OFF power switch for the amplifier.
(1 IEC Power Cord Socket
15
8ohm
8ohm
8ohm
8ohm
Rear Panel Features
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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
Installation
Rackmount Installation
1. Remove the amplifie’s four feet from the bottom of the chassis.
2. Attach the included rack-mount ears to the front sides of the amplifier chassis.
3. Securely mount the amplifier into the 19” equipment rack. The amplifier will
occupy 1U of rack space.
4. For best results leave room for ventilation between amplifiers.
Ventilation
Be sure that the amplifier is in a well-ventilated area that provides adequate cooling.
If your installation lacks good air flow, such as some solid door cabinets or
wall-mounted racks, it may be necessary to create some ventilation to air outside
the cabinet or rack.
Do not block ventilation holes, or impede air flow by placing objects on or around
the amplifier. Do not place the amplifier on carpeting or any similar material.
Do not install the amplifier near a source of heat, or in an extremely humid or wet location.
Positioning
If your D-500 is not rack mounted, position it with all feet resting on a solid level surface.
Make sure that there is a minimum of 5” of free air space above the amplifier and 3”
on each side for proper ventilation. Allow a minimum of 2” of depth behind unit to
accommodate cables and connectors.
CAUTION: All connections and switching must be done with the amplifie’s power switch
positioned to ‘Off’. Connect the power cord last to be sure that the amplifier is off during
all of your connections and set up.
Interconnect Cables
When connecting the D-500 amplifier to your Actuators using the speaker level connections,
use a high quality speaker cable. It is recommended that you keep the length ofcable as short
as possible to avoid any potential external interference problems. When connecting the D-500
amplifier to your actuators, use quality speaker cable that is at least 18-gauge. Be very careful
to avoid any loose or frayed strands that could result in a short, causing a dangerous condition
and possible damage to your unit. Cables of extremely large size are typically not required.
Extremely large gauge wire may not properly fit in thebinding posts, resulting in a poor
connection and possible short circuits.
Caution! The power cord should berouted in such a way that it will not be walked on, pinched
or compressed in any way that could result in damaging the insulation or wire.

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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
operation
Music or Movie EQ Mode
The Music or Movie toggle button changes the EQ to an appropriate curve for the source material.
You can use the hand-held remote to change the curve between Music and Movie modes.
LEDs placed above the Music or Movie text on the front panel indicate the EQ mode. Music
mode is flat; Movie is bumped 8dB between 30Hz and 80Hz for added impact.
Intensity (Gain) Control
Adjust the intensity of motion by turning the Gain knob clockwise
to increase, or counter-clockwise to decrease. The Gain knob on the front panel is a continuous
rotary control. Set the intensity to preferred levels. The intensity should be set to achieve a natural
blend between the subwoofer and motion system.
The remote control has the following functions:
1. POWER - Toggles between Standby Mode and ON.
2. VOL+/- – Adjusts the Intensity (Gain).
3. MUTE – Mutes the motion system. Press again to unmute.
4. MUSIC/MOVIE – Selects the corresponding EQ mode.
About Low-Pass Filter (LPF)
The D-500 amplifier inputs sum the left and right channels together and the resulting
signal is passed through an adjustable low-pass crossover before being amplified. The crossover
control allows you to adjust the upper limit of the Actuator’s frequency response from 40 to
160 Hz. The Actuator’s response will begin rolling off above the frequency you set this control
to. The slope is 24 dB/octave.
You should set the crossover frequency to obtain a smooth and seamless blend with the
subwoofer and the main speakers in your system. Adjusting the LPF to the preferred setting
Most receivers and processors provide a menu option in which you can characterize main
speakers as “large” or “small” speakers. This affects the bass signals passed to the main
speakers. We recommend in most cases setting the main speakers to “small,” despite their
size and frequency response characteristics, allowing all multi-channel bass and LFE signals to
be passed to the D-500.
high-frequency content (such as motion from human voices) is not. Proper adjustment of the
motion experience to most closely resemble a real-world experience.
Start with the LPF set to 100Hz. Reduce the frequency setting if unwanted high frequency content
such as voices is present during testing. Increase the setting if you feel that desirable content
is being unnecessarily removed.
will ensure that desirable low-frequency motion is present, while undesirable
LPF will allow your

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D-500 Amplifier User’s Manual
Specifications and troubleshooting
Continuous Power Output 312 watts RMS powering 2 Actuators (8 ohms ea)
500 watts RMS powering 4 Actuators (8ohms ea)
Input Sensitivity 200 mv for full output, 500 watts, with level control set to max.
Frequency Response 10 - 160 Hz
Distortion .04% THD+N 1W/2W 100 Hz
Auto On Sensitivity 3 mv
External Trigger Voltage 5 V - 20 V
EQ Modes Music: Flat
Movie: +8dB@40Hz (30-80Hz)
Dimensions 17˝ W (18.9˝ including rack mounts)
1.7˝ H (1.9˝ including feet)
10.4˝ D (11.2˝ including speaker connections)
Weight 19.7 lbs.
ETL Listed and tested under UL/EN60065 for US and Canada
No audio output
into an outlet that does not have power. Check connections and
verify power at the outlet.
•Audio cable to the source component is not connected properly,
connected to output or the cable is defective. Check connections
• Check the connections of the speaker wire at both the speaker
• The level adjustment is turned down. Turn it to the right slowly to
raise the volume.
Hum or buzzing
sound is heard
• Check RCA input cables by removing them one at a time (powering
connection or cable is to blame.
not turn on • The Power Switch on the front panel must be on.
• The Power Mode switch may be set to the wrong mode for your system.
Specifications
Warranty
Trouble Shooting
Crowson dealer or Crowson technical support at 888-427-6976.
2-Year Limited Warranty
components found to be defective in material or workmanship under normal conditions of use. This warranty shall
authorization number (RA).
Crowson
Crowson