Directed Electronics 204 User manual

®
Two-Way 6 Channel Active Crossover
OWNER’S MANUAL
Model 204

© 2000 Directed Electronics, Inc.
1
© 2000 Directed Electronics, Inc.
1. Please read the owner's manual care-
fully before you install the crossover.
2. Disconnect the battery ground
terminal prior to making any electrical
connections.
3. Pick a mounting location that will
provide adequate access and ventila-
tion and protect the crossover from
heat, moisture, and dirt. When
mounting the unit to the floor pan or a
fire wall, check both sides for any
hazards or obstructions such as gas
tanks, fuel or brake lines, and wiring
harnesses.
4. Avoid sharp metal areas when routing
cables to the signal processor, and run
RCA cables away from power cables
and other potentially noisy car
harnesses.
5. Power - connect this terminal to a
constant +12V source. The battery
+12V terminal of the amplifier or the
constant +12V supply to the head unit
are good locations for this connection.
6. Ground - connect this terminal to the
car chassis. Make sure your chassis
connection is secure by removing any
paint at the ground point, and using a
crimped, soldered terminal at the end
of the wire. Do not connect this
terminal to the ground terminal of an
amplifier in the system.
7. Remote in - connect this terminal to
the amplifier remote output from your
head unit or signal source, if it
provides one. The remote terminal of
an amplifier is a good source for this
connection. This input requires a
switched +12V signal to activate the
crossover.
8. Remote out - Connect to remote input
of the amplifier(s).
9. RCA inputs - connect to RCA output
from radio or signal source. Always use
shielded RCA signal cables for this
input.
10. High-pass RCA outputs - connect to
amplifiers driving mid or high
frequency speakers using a shielded
RCA cable.
11. Low-pass RCA outputs - connect to
amplifiers driving subwoofers or lower
frequency speakers using a shielded
RCA cable.
CROSSOVER MOUNTING AND CONNECTIONS
CONGRATULATIONS
Thank you for choosing a Directed signal
processor. Directed has been the leader in
high-quality and innovative security prod-
ucts in the U.S. since 1990. Now we intro-
duce to the car audio industry the same
winning formula - products that meet the
stringent standards of today's mobile elec-
tronics enthusiast yet priced for anyone's
budget. Featuring variable crossover
settings and 30 volt-driven balanced circuits
for more headroom with 8 volt outputs, this
Directed signal processor will satisfy every
music lover's needs for years to come.
Your Directed signal processor comes
with a two year limited warranty if it is
installed by an authorized DEI dealer.
Please save your sales receipt and refer to
the warranty section of this manual for
complete details.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Crossover Mounting and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 1
Crossover Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2-3
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4
Limited Two Year Consumer Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5
High-powered car audio
systems may produce sound
pressure levels that exceed the threshold at
which hearing loss may result.
They may also impair a driver’s ability to
hear traffic sounds or emergency vehicles.
Use common sense and practice safe
listening habits when listening to your
audio system.
WARNING

© 2000 Directed Electronics, Inc.
3
© 2000 Directed Electronics, Inc.
1. Pick the correct frequency range switch
settings for the high and low-pass
filters. The X1 setting is used for
subwoofer and mid-bass crossover
applications. Use the X20 setting when
using the model 204 for mid-
bass/midrange and tweeter crossover
applications. You can also use the
switch settings to create 3-way
bandpass filtering with amplifiers that
incorporate built-in crossovers. Set the
low-pass mode switch to mono if
required by the system architecture.
The phase switch should be set to 0°
initially.
2. Set the MLF (Maximized Low
Frequency) switch to either “V” or “S”
for vented or sealed woofer enclosures.
3. Preset the output levels for the high
and low-pass sections to the 12
o'clockposition.
4. Preset the crossover frequency controls
to 100Hz for subwoofer and mid-bass
applications, or 300Hz (6kHz with the
X20 switch on) for midrange/tweeter
applications.
5. Activate the head unit, and slowly
increase the volume to a comfortable
level. Verify that sound is coming out of
each speaker in the system, and that
each speaker is reproducing appropriate
frequencies.
6. Turn the output level controls all the
way down. Raise the head unit volume
to about 80%, or a few clicks down
from maximum.
CROSSOVER ADJUSTMENTS
2
7. Turn the high-pass output levels up
slowly until the sound begins to distort,
then back off until the distortion goes
away. Adjust the high-pass crossover
points up and down, listening for the
best sound quality. Smaller speakers
will distort if too much low-frequency
signal is sent to them. The crossover
points should be set as low as possible
without over-driving the speakers
audibly at higher output levels.
8. Once the high-pass settings are deter-
mined, increase the low-pass output
level until the bass begins to distort,
then back it off until the distortion
goes away. Adjust the low-pass
frequency up and down listening for
the best sound quality. The crossover
setting should be kept as low as prac-
tical without creating a "hole" in the
system frequency response.
9. Use the bass frequency and equaliza-
tion controls to adjust the bass level.
The remote sub level control is used to
set bass levels while driving.
10. You may have to make adjustments to
the high or low-pass output levels to
keep the overall system frequency
response smooth.
11. Listen to some music that you are
familiar with, moving the low-pass
output phase switch from 0° to 180°
and back. Pick the setting that gives
the most realistic integration of the
subwoofer or mid-bass with higher
frequency drivers.
Crossover filters
Power indicator LED Low-pass output level control
Bass equalization controls
Remote sub level jack
High-pass output level controls High-pass frequency range switches
MLF infrasonic filter switch Low-pass mode selector switch
Low-pass crossover
frequency control
Low-pass phase inversion switch
Input Parallel Switches Input attenuation switches
High-pass crossover frequency controls

5
© 2000 Directed Electronics, Inc.
LIMITED TWO YEAR CONSUMER WARRANTY
Directed Electronics, Inc. (DEI) promises to the
original purchaser, to replace this product
should it prove to be defective in workmanship
or material under normal use, for a period of
two years from the date of purchase by the
dealer as indicated by the date code marking of
the product PROVIDED the product was
installed by an authorized DEI dealer. During
this two year period, there will be no charge for
this replacement PROVIDED the unit is
returned to DEI, shipping pre-paid. If the unit is
installed by anyone other than an authorized
DEI dealer, the warranty period will be 1 year
from date of purchase by the dealer as indi-
cated by the date code marking of the product.
During this 1 year period, there will be no
charge for this replacement PROVIDED the unit
is returned to DEI, shipping pre-paid. This war-
ranty is non-transferable and does not apply to
any unit that has been modified or used in a
manner contrary to its intended purpose, and
does not cover damage to the unit caused by
installation or removal of the unit. This war-
ranty is void if the product has been damaged
by accident or unreasonable use, neglect,
improper service or other causes not arising out
of defects in materials or construction. ALL
WARRANTIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO EXPRESS WARRANTY, IMPLIED WAR-
RANTY, WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND
WARRANTY OF NON-INFRINGE-
MENTOFINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ARE
EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, AND DEI NEITHER
ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY PERSON TO
ASSUME FOR IT ANY LIABILITY IN CONNEC-
TION WITH THE SALE OF THE PRODUCT. DEI
HAS ABSOLUTELY NO LIABILITY FOR ANY
AND ALL ACTS OF THIRD PARTIES INCLUD-
ING ITSAUTHORIZEDDEALERSOR
INSTALLERS. Unit must be returned to DEI,
postage pre-paid, with: consumer's name, tele-
phone number, and address, authorized
dealer's name and address, and product
description. IN ORDER FOR THIS WARRANTY
TO BE VALID, YOUR UNIT MUST BE SHIPPED
WITH PROOF OF INSTALLATION BY AN
AUTHORIZED DEI DEALER. ALL UNITS
RECEIVED BY DEI FOR WARRANTY REPAIR
WITHOUT PROOF OF DEI DEALER INSTALLA-
TION WILL BE COVERED BY THE LIMITED 1
YEAR PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY. Note:
This warranty does not cover labor costs for the
removal and reinstallation of the unit. BY PUR-
CHASING THIS PRODUCT, THE CONSUMER
AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ALL DISPUTES
BETWEEN THE CONSUMER AND DEI SHALL
BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALI-
FORNIA LAWS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA.
© 2000 Directed Electronics, Inc.
SPECIFICATIONS
4
•Crossover Slope 12 dB/octave
•Crossover Frequency Range 30Hz-400Hz, X1 mode
600Hz-8kHz, X20 mode
•Bass Equalization -0,+12 dB @ 40-85Hz,variable
•Frequency Response 10Hz-50kHz, ± .5 dB
•THD 0.002%
•Signal-to-Noise Ratio 100dB(high-pass),85 dB(low-pass)
•Separation 70 dB
•Input Sensitivity 150mV ~ 7V RMS
•Input Impedance 47k ohm
•Output 56 ohm
•Maximum Output Voltage 8V RMS
•Supply Voltage 9VDC to 16VDC
•Dimensions (mm) 162 W x 40 H x 177 D
•30 volt balanced circuit design
•Low-noise J-FET op-amps
•X20 crossover frequency range switches
•Mono/stereo low-pass output switch
•Phase inversion low-pass output switch
•MLF infrasonic filter
•Separately adjustable filters for greater tuning flexibility
•Quasi-parametric bass equalization
•Remote sub level control
•Remote out with delay to turn on amplifiers
•Gold-plated power terminals and RCA jacks
FEATURES

•SINGLE AND DUAL VOICE COIL SUBWOOFERS
•COAXIAL SPEAKERS
•COMPONENT SPEAKER SYSTEMS
© 2000 Directed Electronics, Inc • Vista, CA 92083 • All Rights Reserved G204 02/00
Always use a DEI is a proud member of
•CLASS D MONO AMPLIFIERS
•2 CHANNEL AMPLIFIERS
•4 AND 5 CHANNEL AMPLIFIERS
•SIGNAL PROCESSORS
•SINGLE AND DUAL VOICE COIL DIE-CAST SUBWOOFERS
•HIGH PERFORMANCE POWER CABLES
•PREMIUM SPEAKER/AUDIO CABLES AND ADAPTERS
•POWER CAPACITORS
•GOLD-PLATED POWER DISTRIBUTION AND FUSING BLOCKS
•GOLD-PLATED POWER AND SPEAKER TERMINALS
•TUBE SUBWOOFERS
•POWERED SUBWOOFERS
•SINGLE AND DUAL VOICE COIL SUBWOOFERS
•COAXIAL SPEAKERS
•SINGLE AND DUAL VOICE COIL DIE-CAST SUBWOOFERS
•COMPONENT NEODYMIUM SPEAKER SYSTEMS
®
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