DLS XM20 User manual

How to install and operate the
DLS amplifier models
Welcome!
This owners manual is written in easy english and
uses a lot of drawings to simply the installation and
use of the above amplifiers.
Your DLS amplifiers must be installed correctly in
order to work well. This manual will show you how
to install the amplifier like a pro. Please read the
entire manual before beginning the installation.
Install the amplifier yourself if you feel confident
with our instructions and if you have the proper tools.
However if you feel unsure, turn over the installation
job to someone better suited to it.
Warranty Service
This amplifier is covered by warranty, depending on
the conditions in the country where it is sold. If the
amplifier is returned for service, please include the
original dated receipt with the product.
Contents
Features…………………………….............. 2
Installation…………………….……............. 2
Routing Wires……………………................ 2
Tools and materials needed………............. 3
Wiring & crossovers
Power and remote wiring............................. 3-4
Low & High level input wiring ...................... 4
Input level control, BASS EQ....................... 5
Features on each model ............................. 5
XM20 speaker wiring:
Front speakers…...………………................ 6
Subwoofer…………………………............... 6
XM40 speaker wiring:
Four speakers……………………................ 7
Two speakers and bridged subwoofer........ 7
Two subwoofers ........................................ 8
Testing………………………………............ 8
Troubleshooting……………………............ 9
Professional tips………………….........….. 10
Specifications………………………............ 11
Technical Assistance
For technical assistance ask the shop where the
product was sold or the distributor in your very coun-
try. Information can also be found on our WEB-site
www.xprogram.com
We follow a policy of continuous advancement in
development. For this reason all or part of specifica-
tions & designs may be changed without prior notice.
DLS Svenska AB
P.O. Box 13029 - SE-40251 Göteborg - Sweden
Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.dls.se
DLS amplifiers are designed and engineered by:
This product must be returned to the
separate collection system for electronic
products. Do not dispose this product
together with general household waste.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
DLS amplifiers for vehicles are manufactured in
accordance with the EU directive EEC 95/54 (72/245/
EEC) and are marked with the approval number.
They are also marked in accordance with the WEEE-
directive 2002/96/EC.
The products are also produced in accordance with
the EU RoHS directive 2002/95/EC.
XM20
XM40

The models include the following
features:
- Analogue class AB technique
- High efficiency
- Low profile design
- RCA line inputs
- High level input
- Powerful cable terminals
- Built-in active crossovers
Installation
Before you begin installation
Before you begin you need to read the manual, to
have some tools, cables and other material available.
There is one such list of material on the following page.
Amplifier location
Important
Allow air circulation around the amplifier.
Stereo
head unit
2
Disconnect Battery
Before starting the instal-
lation, always disconnect
the negative terminal of
the battery.
Professional Tip:
If amplifier installation kits are available with dif-
ferent size of power cable, chose the most heavy
power cable to improve sound quality and to allow
more amplifiers to be installed now or later.
The amplifier power terminals accept AWG 4
cables, so If possible buy AWG 4 = 21 mm2cable
for best performance.
Both the positive wire and the ground wire must
have the same size. To avoid cable fire, be sure
not to oversize the main fuse value for the power
wires.
THE DC-FEED
Maximum main fuse values for different cable
sizes.
6 mm2(9 AWG) :25 A 10 mm2 (7AWG) :40 A
16 mm2 (5AWG) :60 A 21 mm2(4AWG) :100 A
33 mm2(2AWG) :150 A 42 mm2 (1AWG) :200 A
The DLS series of amplifiers have a compact
design that allows great flexibility in mounting. You
can mount it under a seat or in the trunk.
When you select a location, do remember that the
amplifier generates a lot of heat.
Choose a location where air can circulate freely
around the amplifier. Do not cover the amplifier
with carpets or hide behind trim panels.
Do not mount the amplifier in an inverted or upside
down position.
Check all locations and placements carefully be-
fore making any cuts, drilling any holes or making
any connections.
IMPORTANT!
Use the metal screws coming with the amplifier
when you do the install. Do not use oversized
screws, you may destroy the plastic ears by
doing so.
Routing wires

3
Tools and material needed
Tools:
Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
 Wire cutter
Wire stripper
 Electric drill with drills
Crimping tool
Digital multimeter or test lamp
Wire brush, scraper or a piece
of an abrasive sheet to remove
paint for a good ground connection
Grease to protect the ground
connection from oxidation
Material:
Speaker wire: minimum
12 AWG = 4 mm2for subwoofers
13 – 16 AWG = 1,5-2,5 mm2 for other
speakers
Sheet metal screws for mounting the
amplifier to the amplifier board and the
amplifier board to the car + some extra
for fuse holder, amplifier ground etc.
Electrical insulation tape
½ inch thick plywood or particle board
for the amplifier to be mounted upon.
Amplifier installation kit:
If available,buy an amplifier installation kit. It con-
tains normally all you need. This is what you have
to buy if you buy the items separately
20- 25 feet = 6- 7.5 meter power cable,
minimum AWG 8 = 10 mm2 or heavier
1 pc of fuseholder to install close to the
car battery + fuse 40 -50 Ampere.
20 feet of AWG 15 = 1,5 mm2wire for
remote turn on / off cable from radio.
RCA-cable for input from radio.
- 20 feet or 5 meter for trunk installa
tions
-12 feet or 2 – 3 meter for under seat
installations
Two ring crimp terminals (RT22) –one
for connection to the battery plus and
one for the amplifier ground connec-
tion.
Four to eight splicers to connect spea
ker cables to high level input cable, if
high level input is used.
Wire ties
Insulating grommet or insulating tube
Power wiring
Use only 25 ampere ATC
blade type fuses when repla-
cing a blown fuse.
Fuses
Power terminal ( +12V)
Be sure to use a rubber grommet or a plastic insu-
lating tube where the cable passes the firewall or
other places where it can be easily jammed.
Use wire ties to secure to existing cables in the
engine compartment.
Connect the fuse holder as close to the vehicle
battery + as possible, using AWG 4 /5 = 21 / 16
mm2 power cable. Use a ring crimp terminal to
connect to battery. The AWG4 cable can use an
80 Amp fuse, if the cable is smaller, the fuse va-
lue must be lower (see table on previous page).
BATT+ REMOTE GND
DLS FH1
fuse holder
Battery
+ pole
DLS
Ground Terminal ( GND )
Connect to a good chassis ground. The ground
connection should be clean, unpainted metal to
provide a good electrical connection. Use a wire
brush, a scraper or a piece of an abrasive sheet
to clean the metal. Use a lock washer or two to
secure contact. Protect with silicon grease or by
paint applied afterwards.
BATT+ REMOTE GND
Power
(Blue)
Protect
(Red)
Power Light / Protect light
The power light (blue ) comes on when
the amplifier is turned on.
The protect light ( red ) comes on when
the amplifier shuts down from over-hea-
ting, or a short circuit (speaker failure).
Turn off your audio system to reset the
amplifier if the red protect light is turned
on. If the red lamp doesn’t turn off, con-
tact your local dealer for advice.
A cable up to
AWG 4 (21
sq mm) fits
the amplifier
ground (GND)
terminal

Connect left and right speaker wires coming from
the car stereo to the high level input as shown. You
must connect both plus and minus as the inputs are
balanced, connecting plus only gives lower level and
bad sound quality. By changing the polarity of plus
and minus, you can change the phase. Connect the
black wire to minus ground.
XM20
On this model you connect as in this example:
XM40
The four channel amplifier is connected likewise,
however we have four channels.
You can feed two channels from RCA and two chan-
nels using high level input from rear speaker cables,
or all channels from high level input.
Important
Use either the low level or high level input, do not
use both at same time.
Low level input
Use a pair of shielded stereo audio cables with RCA
type jack. Most trunk-mount amplifiers need a 20
feet RCA cable ( appr 5 – 6 meters).
Connect to input socket CH1 / CH2 on XM20.
XM40 has dual inputs CH1 / CH2 / CH3 / CH4 De-
pending on your chosen configuration you can use
either two separate RCA cables, or a single RCA
cable together with an Y-split to connect both inputs.
Remote terminal ( REM )
Low level Input Wiring
Inputs may be low level from the RCA output of the car
stereo or high level from the car stereo speaker output.
Low level = RCA is to prefer for the best sound quality.
4
For RCA cable signal input:
Connect the radio power antenna lead = remote
turn on/off from the car stereo to the amplifier
remote connection. This turns on the amplifier
whenever the car stereo is turned on.
You can either use the built in remote cable in the
RCA cable itself or use a separate cable.
Sometimes a small disturbance may
enter the amplifier coming from the remote voltage
, through the built in remote wire and into the RCA
cable. Thus we recommend to use a separate
remote wire and run the RCA lead separate from
remote wire, power cables and speaker cables.
If there is no remote voltage available
from the stereo, you must connect to the ignition
key through the radio or any accessories fuse.
To head unit Power
Antenna lead or
remote output.
A cable up to
AWG 7 (10 sq
mm) fits the
amplifier re-
mote (REM)
terminal.
High Level Input wiring
BATT+ REMOTE GND
For High Level input:
Most headunits are pre-installed from the car factory
and have no RCA output, in this case you can take
the signal from the speaker output instead.
The remote wire must be connected as described
in the text to the left.
Hi level input plug.
Green: CH2 +
Green / black: CH2 -
Black: To ground
Grey / black: CH1 -
Grey: CH1 +
Hi level input plug.
Green: CH1 +
Green / black: CH1 -
Black: To ground
Grey / black: CH2 -
Grey: CH2 +
Hi level input plug.
Green: CH3 +
Green / black: CH3 -
Black: To ground
Grey / black: CH4 -
Grey: CH4 +
CH1 CH2
+ - - +
HIGH INPUT
CH2 CH1
+ - - +
HIGH INPUT
CH4 CH3
+ - - +
HIGH INPUT

Input Level control - GAIN
The GAIN control, MIN – MAX,
matches the output of your radio
to the input of the amplifier. After
installation is complete, make sure
the input of the amplifier is turned
down all the way to MIN. After tur-
ning on the head unit you can adjust
the GAIN level, A normal setting is
from 12 - 14 o’ clock.
The high pass filter blocks
very low frequencies from
reaching the speakers. It is
mostly used to protect small
speakers ( like 5 inch and
smaller ) from deep bass.
High Pass filter (HPF) - all models
The low pass filter is most-
ly used for subwoofers. It
will allow low frequencies
only and blocks higher
frequencies.
A typical setting is 60 –
70 Hz.
The XM20 is a 2-channel amplifier.
Can be used for a pair of stero speakers or a sub-
woofer connected in mono bridge mode.
The amplifier has the following filters / features:
❒Lowpass filter adjustable from 50 to 500 Hz, the
filter can be switched off.
❒Highpass filter adjustable from 50 to 500 Hz, the
filter can be switched off.
❒Bass EQ in three steps, 0, 6 dB or 12 dB
5
The XM40 is a 4-channel amplifier for use with a
front speaker and a subwoofer, or two speaker pairs
in front and rear.
The amplifier has the following filters / features:
❒Lowpass filter adjustable from 50 to 500 Hz, the
filter can be switched off.
❒Highpass filter adjustable from 50 to 500 Hz, the
filter can be switched off.
❒Bass EQ in three steps, 0, 6 dB or 12 dB
Set the switch in position HPF to activate the filter.
Test which setting sounds best.
The filter can be set at FULL position if you want to
run the amplifier in full range mode without limiting
the frequency range.
Set the switch in LPF position to activate the filter.
Set the switch in FULL position if you want to run
the amplifier in full range mode.
Low Pass filter (LPF) - all models
Features on each model
BASS EQ
Bass EQ is used to increase the
bass volume at a low frequency.
frequencies. You can select the
amplification in three steps 0 dB
( no amplification ) 6 dB or 12 dB.
The 6dB position is often the best
choise to avoid distorted sound.
This function is used to compen-
sate for the bass box function
and to adjust for your own taste
of bass. Set level control at 0 dB
if you want it to be inoperative.
6dB 0 12 dB
BASS
EQ
50 Hz 500 Hz
FILTER HPF
HPF FULL LPF
50 Hz 500 Hz
HPF FULL LPF
LPF FILTER
MIN MAX
GAIN

XM20
Speaker wiring XM20
Two fullrange speakers to channel 1 / 2 One 4 ohm subwoofer bridged
6
For power wiring, see page 3-4
For high or low level input wiring, see page 4
NOTE!
Minimum amplifier load is 2 ohm in stereo mode,
lower impedances may damage the amplifier.
NOTE!
Minimum speaker impedance in bridged connec-
tion is 4 ohm, this connection gives a 2 ohm load
with a 4 ohm subwoofer (the load is halved when
connected in bridge mode).
Do NOT use subwoofers with lower impedance
than 4 ohm. Connect speaker + to CH2+ and
speaker - to CH1 -.
Filter settings CH 1/2 for 2-channel stereo use
The high pass filter (HPF)
blocks very low frequencies
from reaching the spea-
kers. It is mostly used to
protect small speakers ( like
5 inch and smaller ) from
deep bass.
Set the swich in position HPF to activate the filter.
Adjust with the HPF control after your own taste,
a normal setting is 50 - 70 Hz.
The filter can be set at FULL position if you want to
run the amplifier in full range mode without limiting
the frequency range.
Filter settings CH 1/2 for subwoofer use
The low pass filter (LPF)
is mostly used for subwoo-
fers. It will allow low fre-
quencies only and blocks
higher frequencies.
A typical setting is 60 –
70 Hz.
Set the switch to LPF position to activate the filter.
Use this position when conncted to a subwoofer.
Set the switch to FULL position if you want to run
the amplifier in full range mode.
+ CH2 - + CH1 -
50 Hz 500 Hz
FILTER HPF
HPF FULL LPF
+ CH2 - + CH1 -
- +
- +
- +
50 Hz 500 Hz
HPF FULL LPF
LPF FILTER
BRIDGEABLE
BRIDGEABLE

7
2. Two fullrange speakers and one subwoofer
bridged to XM40 (3-channel mode).
Filter settings front channels CH 1 / 2
Speaker wiring XM40
1. Four fullrange speakers to XM40. One pair
in front and one pair in rear.
Front
speakers
Filter settings front channels CH 1 / 2
Filter settings rear channels CH 3 / 4
XM40
For power wiring, see page 3-4
For high or low level input wiring, see page 4
Rear or front stereo speakers
connected to channels 1 / 2 and subwoofer
to channels 3 / 4.
Rear
speakers
Front and rear stereo speakers
connected to front & rear channels
The high pass filter (HPF)
blocks very low frequen-
cies from reaching the
speakers. It is mostly
used to protect small
speakers ( like 5 inch and
smaller ) from deep bass.
Set the swich in position HPF to activate the filter.
Adjust with the HPF control after your own taste,
a normal setting is 50 - 70 Hz.
The filter can be set at FULL position if you want to
run the amplifier in full range mode without limiting
the frequency range.
Filter settings rear channels CH 3 / 4
For the rear channels 3/4 the filter should be ad-
justed in the same way as for channels 1/2.
The low pass filter (LPF) is
mostly used for subwoofers.
It will allow low frequencies
only and blocks higher fre-
quencies.
A typical setting is 60 – 70
Hz.
Set the switch to LPF position to activate the filter.
Use this position when conncted to a subwoofer.
The high pass filter (HPF)
blocks very low frequen-
cies from reaching the
speakers. It is mostly
used to protect small
speakers ( like 5 inch and
smaller ) from deep bass.
Set the swich in position HPF to activate the filter.
Adjust with the HPF control after your own taste,
a normal setting is 50 - 70 Hz.
The filter can be set at FULL position if you want to
run the amplifier in full range mode without limiting
the frequency range.
50 Hz 500 Hz
FILTER HPF
HPF FULL LPF
50 Hz 500 Hz
FILTER HPF
HPF FULL LPF
50 Hz 500 Hz
HPF FULL LPF
LPF FILTER
+ CH1 - + CH2 -
+ CH3 - + CH4 -
+ -
+ -
- +
- +
+ CH3 - + CH4 -
+ CH1 - + CH2 -
- +
- +
4 ohm
+ -
BRIDGEABLE

Testing
Before you finish the installation, you should do the
following tests to make sure the wiring is correct and
everything is operating properly.
Reconnect Battery
When wiring is complete,
reconnect the battery
negative terminal.
Test speaker connections
Make sure the speakers are connected right. Use
the balance control on the head unit to make sure
right channel is on right speaker etc. If speakers
don´t play at all, one or both speaker wires may
be disconnected.
Test power wiring
1. Turn on the head unit but do not turn up the
volume. The amplifier power light should come
on. If not, check the remote and +12 volt wires.
Also check the ground connection.
2. Turn up the head units volume slightly. All spea-
kers should operate. if not, check wiring
connections at amplifier and speakers.
8
3. Two subwoofers bridged to XM40.
Filter settings front channels CH 1 / 2
Speaker wiring XM40
Filter settings rear channels CH 3 / 4
XM40
For power wiring, see page 3-4
For high or low level input wiring, see page 4
One 4 ohm subwoofer connected to channels 1 / 2
and one 4 ohm subwoofer to channels 3 / 4.
The low pass filter (LPF) is
mostly used for subwoofers. It
will allow low frequencies only
and blocks higher frequencies.
A typical setting is 60 – 70 Hz.
Set the switch to LPF position to activate the filter.
Use this position when conncted to a subwoofer.
+ CH3 - + CH4 -
+ CH1 - + CH2 -
4 ohm
+ -
50 Hz 500 Hz
HPF FULL LPF
LPF FILTER
4 ohm
+ -
BRIDGEABLE
BRIDGEABLE

9
If problems occour during the installation, or later,
this guide might help you to find out whats´s wrong.
THE AMPLIFIER IS DEAD:
1. Check power lead, ground and remote connec
tions at the amplifier using a multi meter.
2. Check the battery terminal connections.
3. Check the power lead fuse or circuit breaker. If
fuse damage continues, inspect the power lead
for short circuits.
4. Check the amplifier protection fuses. Are these
broken change to new ones with the same value.
If short circuiting continues, contact your local
DLS dealer. A fault may exist in the amplifier.
5. To start the amplifier requires a remote voltage of
9-15 volt. Check the voltage with a multi meter.
AMPLIFIER PROTECTION FUSE BLOWS AT LOW
VOLUME :
1. One or more speaker cables are shorted. Make an
insulation test with a multi meter. The cables must not
have a connection to earth.
THE AMPLIFIER TURNS OFF AFTER 10 - 30 MI-
NUTES.
The amplifier is overheating due to inadequate ventila-
tion. Check mounting position is free from obstruction.
Do this:
1. Move the amplifier to a place with better ventil-
ation.
2. Install one or two fans to cool down the heat-
sink.
3. Overheating can also be caused by an
impedance load below the level permitted.
NO OUTPUT FROM ONE OR MORE SPEAKERS:
Check the following:
1. Balance control position.
2. Fader control position.
3. Speaker cable connections to both ampli
fier and drivers.
4. Signal lead plugs and cables.
5. Change left and right signal lead plugs in the
amplifier to see if the problem moves to a diffe-
rent speaker, the lead has a fault.
If the problem remains, the speaker or amplifier
are at fault.
Troubleshooting

NOISE PROBLEMS
WHINING NOISE VARYING WITH ENGINE
REVOLUTIONS:
Do this:
1. Rewire the power supply (12 V) to source
unit direct from battery.
2. Rewire ground wire from source unit to clean
position on chassis.
3. Check all power connections to ensure that
they are clean and tight.
4. Check quality of system ground connection.
5. Install a Power Cap capacitor. This can be
helpful against most noise problems.
CONSTANT WHINING NOISE:
Do this:
1. Ensure that all equipment has a common
ground point.
2. Check quality of earth strap connection from
battery negative terminal to chassis.
3. Disconnect signal cables from amplifier to
see if noise disappears. If so the leads are
picking up noise. Test this by laying a new
cable over the seats and reconnecting to the
amplifier. If the noise does not return, re-
route original cable away from source of
interference.
If noise remains regardless of cable position,
try to use so called Quasi-balanced signal
cables. DLS PRO-cables are Quasibalanced.
SPEAKER POLARITY CHECK.
All speakers in a car audio system should be con-
nected in phase (the same polarity). All speaker
cones must move in the same direction. Out of
phase speakers will cause a lack of bass, and a
poor stereo soundstage.
Checking polarity:
Hold the - connection of the speaker wire to the -
terminal of a 1,5 Volt flashlight battery. Tap the +
wire on to the + terminal of the battery, and observe
the movement of the cone. The cone should move
outwards when the wire touches the battery, and
inwards when the battery is removed. If it is the
other way around, the speaker has been connected
backwards and it must be removed and connected
correctly.
If your system also has a subwoofer connected
through a passive 6 or 12 dB crossover, try to
connect this with various polarity and judge what
sounds best. The phase shift in passive crossovers
sometimes makes it necessary to change polarity.
+
-
+
-
Battery
1,5 Volt
NOTE! Tweeters can not be tested this way, dou-
ble check the connections instead.
Professional Tip:Professional Tip:
Professional Tip: Professional Tip:
Installing in trunk
When installing the amplifier in the trunk, run the
power wires along the same path as the other
vehicle wiring. Many cars have insulated channels
for wiring. you will have to remove the door sill trim
and the carpet.
Securing wires
Use wire ties to bundle together when possible.
(But never bundle speaker wires or signal cables
together with power wires.
Professional Tip:
Professional Tip:
Speaker and power wires
Do not run speaker and power wires next to each
other. Power wires can generate a ”siren” sound
in the speakers. Run speaker and power wires on
opposite sides of the car.
Crimp connections
Purchase crimp connectors and crimping tool.
Connectors are color coded.
1. Strip 1/4 inch (6 mm) of insulation from the
wire.
2. Insert into connector
3. Crimp tightly
10

Specifications
We follow a policy of continuous advancement in de-
velopment. For this reason all or part of specifications
& designs may be changed without prior notice.
11
XM20 XM40
Number of channels 2 2
Amplifier class AB AB
Power output, 4 ohm (0,1% THD) 2 x 50 W 4 x 50 W
Power output, 4 ohm (1% THD) 2 x 56 W 4 x 56 W
Power output, 2 ohm (0,2% THD) 2 x 70 W 4 x 70 W
Power output, 2 ohm (1% THD) 2 x 80 W 4 x 80 W
Peak power, 2 ohm 2 x 100 W 4 x 100 W
Power output, 4 ohm bridged (1% THD) 1 x 170 W 2 x 170 W
Signal to noise ratio, A-weighted >90 dB >90 dB
Damping factor >80 >80
Frequency response 20 Hz - 30 kHz 20 Hz - 30 kHz
Input impedance, low level 22 kohm 22 kohm
Input impedance, high level 220 ohm 220 ohm
High level input Yes Yes
Input sensitivity 0,25 - 5V 0,25 - 5V
Filter high-pass variable 50 - 500 Hz* 50 - 500 Hz*
Filter low pass variable 50-500 Hz* 50-500 Hz *
* can be switched in/out
Bass EQ @ 50 Hz +6 dB / +12 dB + 6dB / +12 dB
Power consumption, idle 0,4 A 0,5 A
Power consumption, max 25A 50A
Fuse 1 x 25 A 2 x 25 A
Dimensions HxWxD(mm) 46 x 189 x 210 46 x 189 x 322
Dimensions (inch) 1,81 x 7,44 x 8,26 1,81 x 7,44 x 12,67
Weight 2 kg 3 kg
All output power ratings
are RMS Watts @ 14,4
VDC.
The 1% figures are
CEA2006 standard

DLS Svenska AB
P.O. Box 13029
SE-40251 Göteborg, Sweden
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.dls.se