Dd audio Dm1500 User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

DM1500, DM2500

CLASS D

MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER /1

Thank you for purchasing a DD Audio amplifier. DD Audio amplifiers are

painstakingly designed to provide years of high-performance listening

pleasure. To achieve optimum performance we suggest you have your

amplifier installed by an Authorized DD Audio Dealer. It is also highly

recommended that you read this Owner's Manual to familiarize yourself

with the many features of your amplifier.

The DM Series contains monoblock amplifiers. These amps are

engineered specifically for low frequency car audio reinforcement.

Designed with the goal of being the best amps on the market for

everyone from the everyday enthusiast to the hardcore competitor.

The DM Series will be the soul of your audio system delivering clean,

powerful audio. These amps feature compact chassis, strong power,

logical controls and efficient design. No shortcuts were taken when

deciding on the internal components and feature sets. Our engineers

paid extremely close attention to every stage of the DM Series circuit

design; and utilized high speed controller chipsets, efficient power

devices, precise thermal management and the latest in IC technology.

We hope you enjoy using this DD Audio product, and if you have any

questions regarding setup or installation, please contact the DD Audio

technical support team.

INTRODUCTION

WARNING

DD Audio amps are built to play at high volumes beyond

what your ears can safely handle for extended periods of

time. Prolonged exposure to excessively high volume

can cause permanent damage to your hearing.

In addition, operation of a motor vehicle while

listening to audio equipment at high volume levels may impair your ability

to hear external sounds such as: horns, warning signals, or emergency

vehicles; thus, constituting to a potential traffic hazard. You may also find

your state has laws governing the volume of an audio system in a car.

Please be aware of all local and state laws in your area. So, be smart,

and behave yourself… As much as possible.

DM1500 & DM2500 SERIES DESIGN FEATURES:

• MOSFET POWER SUPPLY AMPLIFIER

• 0 GAUGE POWER TERMINALS

• 10 GAUGE SPEAKER LEAD TERMINALS

• DOUBLE SIDED THROUGH HOLE PCB

• VARIABLE 24dB/oct. CROSSOVERS

• STRAPPABLE CONNECTION

• REMOTE SUBWOOFER CONTROL: DASH MOUNT CONTROL

WHICH ALLOWS CONVENIENT LEVEL CONTROL, MONITORING

OF BATTERY VOLTAGE, AND CLIPPING INDICATOR

• 6-WAY PROTECTION: CLIPPING LIMITER, SPEAKER SHORT,

THERMAL, OVERLOAD, HI/LOW VOLTAGE, DC OFFSET

• 12~16V WORKING VOLTAGE

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER /2

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER / 3

DM1500 DM2500

1 1

581 813

1006 1413

1583 2503

2300 3000

230A 300A

15~200Hz 15~200Hz

>85dB >85dB

>150 >150

4V - 0.1V 4V - 0.1V

Y Y

0 0

10 10

13.5x7x2 18x7x2

340x175x55 450x175x55

Test Voltage

14.4V

Channels

Continuous

Wattage

4Ohm

2Ohm

1Ohm

Dynamic Wattage

Maximum

Current Draw

Frequency

Response

S/N Ratio

Damping Factor

RCA Input

Voltage

Sensitivity

Remote

Subwoofer

Control

Power Wire

Gauge In

Speaker Wire

Gauge Out

Dimensions: in

Dimensions: mm

PRE-AMP PANEL

INPUT:

Used for connecting RCA preamp

signal cables from the source unit to

the amplifier.

PWR LED:

Indicates the amplifier is grounded,

and receiving +12V and REM power.

PRO LED:

Indicates a general malfunction due

to speaker short, faulty connection or

thermal protection.

GAIN:

Matches the output voltage of the

source signal to the amplifier’s

input section.

SUBSONIC:

Controls the high pass cutoff point for

the speaker outputs. This helps to

eliminate extremely low frequencies

that can waste amplifier power and

cause damage to your subwoofers.

REMOTE:

This port is for connecting the remote

subwoofer control.

LPF:

Controls the low pass cutoff point for

the speaker outputs.

OUTPUT MASTER/ INPUT SLAVE:

This switch enables the STRAP or

LINK function when connecting two or

more DM SERIES amplifiers.

IN:

Used when Strapping or Linking DM

Series amplifiers. Connects to the

OUT RCA terminal.

OUT:

Used when Strapping two DM

SERIES amplifiers. Connects to the

IN RCA terminal.

GND:

Connect to a ground wire going

directly to the chassis of your

vehicle. Minimum cable size is

0 gauge.

REM:

Connect to a switched +12V

cable.

+12V:

Connect to a fused positive cable

(+12V) from the battery. Minimum

power cable size is 0 gauge.

SPEAKER OUTPUT TERMINALS:

Connect to the speaker's + and -

terminals. Minimum suggested

speaker cable size is 12~10 gauge.

DM Series amplifiers have two + and

two - terminals for easier connection

of multiple speaker cables. Minimum

impedance is 1 ohm.

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER / 4

CONTROL AND CONNECTION FOR

DM SERIES AMPLIFIERS

POWER PANEL

INPUT:

Used for connecting RCA preamp

signal cables from the source unit to

the amplifier.

PWR LED:

Indicates the amplifier is grounded,

and receiving +12V and REM power.

PRO LED:

Indicates a general malfunction due

to speaker short, faulty connection or

thermal protection.

GAIN:

Matches the output voltage of the

source signal to the amplifier’s

input section.

SUBSONIC:

Controls the high pass cutoff point for

the speaker outputs. This helps to

eliminate extremely low frequencies

that can waste amplifier power and

cause damage to your subwoofers.

REMOTE:

This port is for connecting the remote

subwoofer control.

LPF:

Controls the low pass cutoff point for

the speaker outputs.

OUTPUT MASTER/ INPUT SLAVE:

This switch enables the STRAP or

LINK function when connecting two or

more DM SERIES amplifiers.

IN:

Used when Strapping or Linking DM

Series amplifiers. Connects to the

OUT RCA terminal.

OUT:

Used when Strapping two DM

SERIES amplifiers. Connects to the

IN RCA terminal.

GND:

Connect to a ground wire going

directly to the chassis of your

vehicle. Minimum cable size is

0 gauge.

REM:

Connect to a switched +12V

cable.

+12V:

Connect to a fused positive cable

(+12V) from the battery. Minimum

power cable size is 0 gauge.

SPEAKER OUTPUT TERMINALS:

Connect to the speaker's + and -

terminals. Minimum suggested

speaker cable size is 12~10 gauge.

DM Series amplifiers have two + and

two - terminals for easier connection

of multiple speaker cables. Minimum

impedance is 1 ohm.

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER / 5

CONTROL AND CONNECTION FOR

DM SERIES AMPLIFIERS

STRAP MODE CONNECTION

Strap Mode allows the connection of two pieces of the same DM SERIES

amplifier. In STRAP Mode the MASTER amplifier’s pre-amp settings will control

the audio signal for both amplifiers. The outputs of both amps will work as a

single output section. The minimum speaker impedance in STRAP mode should

be 2Ohm. Please follow the instructions and diagram carefully for the correct

connection method.

1. Connect the master amplifier to the head-unit and set its OUTPUT MASTER/INPUT

SLAVE switch to the OUTPUT MASTER position.

2. Set the SLAVE amplifier’s OUTPUT MASTER/INPUT SLAVE switch to the INPUT

SLAVE position.

3. Connect the MASTER and SLAVE amplifiers via the IN and OUT RCA jacks as shown

in the diagram.

4. Connect SPEAKER terminal ( + ) of MASTER amplifier to subwoofer ( + ) lead wire.

5. Connect SPEAKER terminal ( + ) on SLAVE amplifier to subwoofer ( - ) lead wire.

6. Connect SPEAKER terminal ( - ) on MASTER amplifier to SPEAKER terminal ( - ) on

SLAVE amplifier.

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER / 6

Set Master amp’s mode

switch to Master

Set Slave amp’s mode

to INPUT Slave

Master Amp

Slave Amp

STRAP MODE CONNECTION (Continued)

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER / 7

MOUNTING YOUR AMPLIFIER

POWERING YOUR AMPLIFIER

Make sure your vehicle’s charging system is adequate

for the amplifier you’re installing. Amplifiers don’t make

power, they simply convert the current and voltage you

give them into wattage. If your charging system is

insufficient, your amp will not produce its full rated output. If the current

or voltage supply drops too low, even for milliseconds, damage can be

caused resulting in amplifier failure. This type of failure is not considered

a manufacturer's defect. The addition of even a small amplifier will

increase the demand on your charging system. If you are unsure or have

questions about your charging system, have it tested by a professional

technician to determine its capability.

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER / 8

• Mount your amplifier in a dry, well-ventilated environment.

• Before mounting the amplifier be sure the mounting location and

screw placement will not present a hazard to any cables, wiring,

fuel lines, fuel tanks, hydraulic lines or other vehicle systems or

components.

• Securely mount the amplifier using appropriate hardware so that it

does not come loose in the event of a collision or a sudden jolt to

the vehicle.

• Do not mount the amplifier to any area that may have excessive

vibration (like the subwoofer box).

• Take into consideration your vehicle’s safety equipment (air bags,

seat belt systems, ABS brake systems, etc.) and avoid interfering

with such equipment.

1. Disconnect the negative cable from the car battery.

2. Due to the power requirements of the Amplifier, the +12V

connection should be made directly to the positive (+)

terminal of battery. For safety measures, install an in-line

fuse holder (not included) as close to the battery’s positive (+)

terminal as possible . The fuse ampere rating should not exceed the total

value of the amplifier’s rated maximum current draw. If the fuse is further

than 18 inches (wire length) from the battery you should re-evaluate the wire

and fuse placement.

Run the power wire from the battery to the amplifier. To avoid a potential

short to the body and a possible fire, this cable should never be ran outside

of the vehicle. You will also need to make sure no trim screws or sharp body

metal will penetrate the power cable shielding. Don’t install the fuse yet. This

will be the last thing you do.

3. Connect the ground wire directly to the chassis of your vehicle. The

grounding location should be made on metal as close to the amplifier as

possible. Remove all paint, sound deadener, etc. from the area of grounding

connection. Do not use seat belt bolts for grounding. It is advisable to test the

ground with an ohmmeter. Test between the grounding point and the negative

battery cable to insure a good low resistance connection (<0.5 Ohm).

4. Run the REM Turn-On wire from the an ignition controlled +12V source. This

will turn “ON” the amplifier remotely when the vehicle’s stereo is turned “ON”.

NOTE IF YOUR RADIO DOES NOT HAVE A +12 VOLT OUTPUT LEAD

WHEN THE RADIO IS TURNED ON, THE AMPLIFIER CAN BE

CONNECTED TO AN ACCESSORY CIRCUIT IN THE VEHICLE THAT IS

LIVE WHEN THE KEY IS “ON”.

5. Run the RCA cables if they will be used for the application or make your

high-level signal connections.

5. Run the speaker wire to the speakers. It is advised that you leave some extra

wire at this point. You can “clean it up” later.

6. Connect the power and ground to the amplifier. Make sure the polarity (+ and

-) is correct to avoid damaging the amplifier. Only after this step should you

install the fuse at the battery.

7. Connect the remote wire from the head unit to the amplifier. At this time you

should turn on the amp and make sure it turns on properly and does not go

into protect.

DD AUDIO / CLASS D MONOBLOCK AMPLIFIER / 9

INSTALLATION

8. Turn the amp off and connect the speaker wire to the amp. Pay attention to

the polarity (+ and-). If hooked up incorrectly it can cause poor sound due to

phasing issues.

9. Connect the RCA cables or high-level harness to the amp.

10. Double check the amplifier controls to verify they are set correctly for your

system.

11. Now you can turn on the system and begin the fine tuning process. Turn the

amp gain all the way down. Turn the head unit volume to somewhere

around 75%.

12. Now you can tune the amp. Take your time and make only one adjustment at

a time. It may take some time to get the system fully adjusted. During this

time the amp is drawing current from the battery. You should check the

battery voltage from time to time and re-charge it if it gets low. Battery voltage

can affect the way the amplifier performs.

13. You may have to do some slight re-tuning at a later date if you are installing

new speakers at the same time as the amp due to the speakers breaking in.