Dual SD12 Operating instructions

INSTALLATION/OWNERS MANUAL
SD12
Car Audio Subwoofers

2
SD12 PREPARATION
Getting Started
Safety
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important instructions. Failure to heed the instructions can
result in injury or unit damage.
To prevent injury and damage to the unit, please read and follow
the instructions in this manual.
If you feel unsure about installing this system yourself, have it
installed by a qualified audio technician.
Before installation, disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal to
prevent damage to the unit, fire and/or possible injury.
Thank you for purchasing a Dual SD12 subwoofer. Although Dual has attempted to make
sure all of the information contained within this manual is accurate, please be aware that
any part of it is subject to change without notice.
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION

3
SD12 INSTALLATION
Installation
The following installation instructions are very basic. If you feel
unsure about personally installing this speaker system, Dual
recommends aquiring the services of a professional car audio
installation center.
CAUTION
Before installation, please follow the following rules:
1. Be sure to carefully read and understand the instructions before attempting to install
this product.
2. For safety, disconnect the negative terminal from the battery prior to beginning the
installation.
3. For easier assembly: If additional wiring is required, we recommend running all wires
prior to mounting your speaker in place.
4. Use the highest quality connectors for a reliable installation and to minimize signal or
power loss.
5. Use caution before you drill or cut! Be careful not to cut or drill into gas tanks, fuel
lines, brake or hydraulic lines, vacuum lines or electrical wiring when working on any
vehicle.
6. Never run speaker wires underneath your vehicle. Running speaker wires inside the
vehicle provides the best protection from exhaust heat and environmental elements.
7. Avoid running wires over, near, or through sharp edged surfaces. We suggest you also
use rubber grommets to protect any wires routed through metal, especially the firewall.

4
SD12 SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications
Sensitivity: 88dB
Freq. Response: 28Hz-125Hz
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
Peak Power: 500 watts
RMS: 175 watts
Voice Coil Size: 2"
Magnet Size: 38.2oz.
Note: All specifications are subject to change without notice.

5
SD12 GUIDELINES
Enclosure Guidelines
To achieve the best possible sound from this subwoofer enclosure, Dual recommends
aquiring the services of a professional car audio installation center.
If you feel confident in your ability to install this product without the assistance of a
professional, please read this section thoroughly. We have provided a number of
placement recommendations and installation tips to assist you. Keep in mind these
are provided as a guideline and you may find that other placements specific to your
vehicle may provide better results.
• Make sure all moving parts and factory electrical wires are out of the way and will not
interfere after installation.
• Ensure the wire is of sufficient length to avoid pulling or stretching. This is even more
important if the wires will be run under or through the factory interior.
• Use electrical tape and wire ties to ensure all wires are properly secured.
• Avoid installing speakers or electronics where they can be subject to moisture.
• Ensure the speaker wires are connected using correct polarity. The positive polarity is
marked by a (+) sign. Incorrectly connected subwoofers will result in limited bass
output.
• Speaker wire should be isolated from the vehicle’s electrical system to avoid noise
being picked up by the amplifiers.
• We recommend using 14 gauge or larger sized speaker wire to ensure your subwoofer
receives the full power output of your amplifier.
• Remember to listen responsibly and respect your ears. Being exposed to sounds over
125dB for even short periods of time can create permanent hearing loss!

6
SD12 GUIDELINES
Enclosure Guidelines
We at Dual are diligent in checking the dimensions provided.
The engineers, staff and installers provide this information to
make your installation go as smoothly as possible. Errors do
occasionally occur. We highly recommend that you personally
measure your subwoofer prior to installation to avoid any
damage. Please follow the rule “Measure twice, cut once".
To work properly, the walls of your enclosure must be free from flexing during high
sound pressure generated by your subwoofer(s).
For best performance, always use MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) or Baltic Birch
Plywood to build your enclosure. We highly recommend that your wood be at least 3/4" in
thickness. The enclosure should be sealed internally with silicon or glue and secured with
screws every 4".
Assemble the box before cutting the subwoofer hole(s). If the box will be mounted in a
vehicle, it should be fastened securely using metal "L" shaped brackets.
To build an enclosure, calculations will need to be made using the information found on
the following 3 pages.
Remember:
• Use 3/4" MDF or Baltic Birch Plywood
• Use silicon or glue in joints
• Use screws every 4 inches
CAUTION

7
SD12 ENCLOSURE DIMENSIONS
Sealed Enclosure
Good Bass Performance
Mini-Enclosure
(Vb) Box Volume=.75 Cu. Ft.
Example
Dimensions: 14" W x 14" H x 11.5" D
Better Bass Performance
Small Enclosure
(Vb) Box Volume=1.00 Cu. Ft.
Example
Dimensions: 15" W x 14" H x 13" D
Best Bass Performance
Medium Enclosure
(Vb) Box Volume=1.25 Cu. Ft.
Example
Dimensions: 17" W x 15" H x 13" D
Note: All specifications are subject to
change without notice.
Attention/Notice:
Dimensions are external.

8
SD12 ENCLOSURE DIMENSIONS
Vented Enclosure
Good Bass Performance
Mini-Enclosure
(Vb) Box Volume=1 Cu. Ft.
Example
Dimensions: 14.25" W x 17" H x 12" D
(P) Port=3" ID x 9.7" Long
Better Bass Performance
Small Enclosure
(Vb) Box Volume=1.25 Cu. Ft.
Example
Dimensions: 14.50" W x 17" H x 14" D
(P) Port=3" ID x 10.25" Long
Best Bass Performance
Medium Enclosure
(Vb) Box Volume=1.5 Cu. Ft.
Example
Dimensions: 14" W x 20.25" H x 14" D
(P) Port=3" ID x 11.75" Long
Note: All specifications are subject to change
without notice.
Attention/Notice:
Dimensions are external.

9
SD12 ENCLOSURE DIMENSIONS
Bandpass Enclosure
Good Bass Performance/Mini-Enclosure
(Vf) Box Volume .84 Cu. Ft.
(Vr) Box Volume .47 Cu. Ft.
(P) Port 4" ID x 1.0" Long
(Sb) Speaker baffle location/outside front: 9.25"
Example Dimensions: 15" W x 16.5" H x 15" D
Better Bass Performance/Small Enclosure
(Vf) Box Volume .84 Cu. Ft.
(Vr) Box Volume .69 Cu. Ft.
(P) Port 4" ID x 2.625" Long
(Sb) Speaker baffle location/outside front: 9.25"
Example Dimensions: 15" W x 18.5" H x 15" D
Best Bass Performance/Medium Enclosure
(Vf) Box Volume .84 Cu. Ft.
(Vr) Box Volume .91 Cu. Ft.
(P) Port 4" ID x 4.25" Long
(Sb) Speaker baffle location/outside front: 9.25"
Example Dimensions: 15" W x 20.75" H x 15" D
Note: All specifications are subject to change without
notice. Attention/Notice:
Dimensions are external.

10
SD12 WARRANTY
Limited One-Year Warranty
This warranty gives you specific legal rights.
You may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.
Dual Electronics Corp. warrants this product to
the original purchaser to be free from defects in
material and workmanship for a period of one
year from the date of the original purchase.
Dual Electronics Corp. agrees, at our option,
during the warranty period, to repair any defect
in material or workmanship or to furnish an
equal new, renewed or comparable product
(whichever is deemed necessary) in exchange
without charges, subject to verification of the
defect or malfunction and proof of the date of
purchase. Subsequent replacement products
are warranted for the balance of the original
warranty period.
Who is covered? This warranty is extended to
the original retail purchaser for products
purchased and used in the U.S.A.
What is covered? This warranty covers all
defects in material and workmanship in this
product. The following are not covered:
installation/removal costs, damage resulting
from accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, product
modification, improper installation, incorrect
line voltage, unauthorized repair or failure to
follow instructions supplied with the product,
or damage occurring during return shipment of
the product.
What to do?
1. Before you call for service, check the
troubleshooting guide in your owner’s
manual. A slight adjustment of any custom
controls may save you a service call.
2. If you require service during the warranty
period, you must carefully pack the product
(preferably in the original package) and ship
it by prepaid transportation with a copy of the
original receipt from the retailer to an
authorized service center.
3. Please describe your problem in writing and
include your name, a return UPS shipping
address (P.O. Box not acceptable), and a
daytime phone number with your shipment.
4. For more information and for the location of
the nearest authorized service center please
contact us by one of the following methods:
• Call us toll-free at 1-866-382-5476
• E-mail us at [email protected]
Exclusion of Certain Damages: This warranty
is exclusive and in lieu of any and all other
warranties, expressed or implied, including
without limitation the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose and any obligation, liability, right,
claim or remedy in contract or tort, whether
or not arising from the company’s negligence,
actual or imputed. No person or representative
is authorized to assume for the company any
other liability in connection with the sale of
this product. In no event shall the company be
liable for indirect, incidental or consequential
damages.

11
SD12 NOTES
Notes

Dual Electronics Corporation
Toll Free: 1-866-382-5476
www.dualav.com
©2009 Dual Electronics Corp. All rights reserved.
NSA1208-V01.1