Ground Zero DSP Series User manual

DSP-SERIES
AMPLIFIER
MANUAL
GZDSP 4.60ISO
Feature list
•4-channel ISO Plug & Play amplifier with integrated signal processor (DSP)
•For vehicles with ISO connectors (without active OEM sound system)
•4-channel high-level input (via ISO harness with auto-on function)
•4-channel line output (RCA)
•AUX input (RCA)
•TOSLINK input (sampling rate up to 24-bit/96kHz)
•Plug for optional wireless interface (for music streaming)
•8-channel signal processor (DSP) - Cirrus Logic single core 32-bit/192 kHz
•Realtime setup of all functions (via PC)
•Simple handling one-page graphical user interface (Windows compatible)
•Channel separated parametric equalizer (6x 31 band / 2x 11band)
•Channel separated time alignment (0-15 ms / 0-510 cm)
•Adjustable crossover (HPF / LPF / BPF) in the range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz
•Selectable crossover slope (6 to 48 dB/Oct)
•Selectable phase shift for each channel (0˚ or 180°)
•Memory for 10 user presets (selectable with optional remote control)
•Two optional remote control available (one with LED display or one with LCD color display
with touch screen to adjust main and subwoofer level, select one of the presets and the input
mode
•Power and status indicator (protection circuit)
•High temperature / short circuit / overload protection circuit)

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Package contents
•1 x GZDSP 4.60ISO amplifier
•1 x Universal ISO harness
•1 x USB cable (A- to Mini-B connector) 1.5 m / 4.92 ft
•1 x 4-channel line output harness
•1 x AUX input harness (incl. remote connection)
•1 x CD-ROM incl. PC software and driver package (for Windows)
•Owner´s manual (German and English)
Optionally available:
•Remote control unit GZDSP Remote with LED display incl. connection wire
•Remote control unit GZDSP Touch-Remote with color LCD display incl. connection wire
•Interface GZDSP BT-Box with connecting cable (for wireless music streaming)
Table of contents
Important safety notes and installation instructions
4
Audio connections
5
ISO harness connection
5
Note about the vehicle´s ISO plug pinout
6
Note about the current requirement
7
PC software installation
8
Connecting the unit with a Windows PC
8-9
USB port selection
9
Wrong COM port error message
10
Software user interface
11
Channel selection
12
Channel matrix 13
Channel configuration (level adjustment and time alignment)
14
Application example (time alignment)
15
Adjustment of the crossover
16
Frequency chart and equalizer
17
File dropdown menu
18
Preset memory saving and loading
18
Remote setting / Application examples of the GZDSP 4.60ISO
19
Technical specifications
20
Error diagnosis
21
Warranty conditions
22

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Required parts and tools for the installation
•screwdriver
•electric drill, 3 mm / 0.12“ carbide drill bit
•mounting screws
IMPORTANT!
•Disconnect the vehicle battery before starting the installation! (Note the vehicles operating manual)
•Never drill any holes into the fuel tank, brake pipes, wiring or any other sensitive parts of the vehicle!
•Keep the installed wires away from any sharp edges!
Selecting a mounting position
Select a suitable location that is convenient for mounting, is accessible for wiring and has an ample room for air circulation and cooling.
The unit must not be covered or mounted close to heat emitting objects. Because of the high operation temperature (up to 80°C), it is
important to ensure sufficient distance to any heat-sensitive object. Especially the distance between GZDSP 4.60ISO and any plastic part or
electronic component should be at least 3 cm (1.18”).
Mounting the Unit
You may use the unit as a template to mark the mounting holes, then remove it and drill the marked holes. Finally mount the unit with the
mounting screws.
Caution
Choose a mounting position where all electric wires are protected from being damaged by sharp edges, heat or other conditions. +12 Volt
DC electrical connections must be fused on the battery side. Make sure your head-unit and all other devices will remain turned off while
connecting parts of the system. If it is necessary to replace any fuse make sure to use only an equivalent one. Using inferior fuses may cause
serious damage to your unit, wiring or even your cars electric. Any kind of damage traced back on disregard of these notes will not be
covered by the warranty!
WARNING!
High powered audio systems in a vehicle are capable of generating "Live Concert" levels of sound pressure.
Continued exposure to excessively high volume sound levels may cause hearing loss or damage. Also, 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! This may lead to potential traffic hazards. In the
interest of safety, consumer electronics recommends listening at lower volume levels while driving.

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Audio connections
1
LINE OUT socket
To connect the included 4-channel RCA line out harness delivering the audio signal of channel E/F
and G/H for further amplifiers. The signal can be set using the PC software
2
MAIN INPUT socket
To connect the included ISO harness for power and high-level input as well as speaker output
3
POW & PRT status
indicator
The amplifier is in operation mode as soon as the POW indicator turns on. When the amplifiers
protection circuit is activated the PRT indicator turns on (see chapter Error diagnosis)
4
REMOTE socket
To connect one of the optionally available remote-control units
GZDSP Remote
or
GZDSP Touch-Remote
5
OPTICAL INPUT
socket
(TOSLINK)
To connect a digital audio source using the optical signal (SPDIF / stereo PCM)
Attention: If the digital audio source has no level control, we strongly recommend using one of the
available remote-control units. Otherwise the audio reproduction will be applied at max level!
6
PC CONNECT
(MINI USB socket)
and
status indicator
To adjust the audio setting the unit must be connected to a PC using the included USB cable
(compatible Windows PC with installed DSP software from the CD). The PC can be disconnected
when the adjustment is done. The USB cable should not be extended to ensure an accurate
communication between the DSP unit and the PC. The indicator next to the MINI USB socket will
turn blue as soon as the connection has been established.
7
AUTO TURN ON
switch
Selects the turn-on mode. When ON has been selected the amplifier will turn on automatically as
soon as an audio signal is detected at the high-level input. In OFF position, the amplifier has to be
turned on using a separate remote wire (via AUX harness).
8
BT BOX socket
To connect the wireless audio interface GZDSP BT-Box or remote control GZDSP Touch-Remote –
both of them are available optionally.
9
AUX INPUT socket
(REM IN/OUT)
To connect the 2-channel RCA AUX harness for an additional audio source.AUX can be selected as
audio source using the PC software or one of the available remote-control units.
If the input is limited to the AUX input, the
auto-on
switch must be in OFF position and a separate
remote wire has to be connected to the AUX harness (remote in). The remote out wire can be used
to turn on further amplifiers when the DSP unit is in operation. A wire diameter of at least 0.5 mm²
is required. The current of the remote out wire is limited to
130 mA
. In case of using several units
with a common current exceeding the limitation, an additional relay is required.

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ISO harness connection
The GZDSP 4.60ISO will be connected directly to the wiring of the factory or after market head unit (power and
speaker cables) by integrating the included ISO harness as shown below. Cars with other than ISO connectors (e.g.
Quadlock) require an optional adapter available at your car audio dealer.
Note about the vehicle´s ISO plug pinout
Please note, that the pinout of the car specific ISO plug may vary in some cases. Amongst some others the cars of the
VAG group (VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda) the pins for constant and accessory power are inverted. This has to be noticed
previous to the installation of the GZDSP 4.60ISO. For this reason, the according wires (blue and yellow) can be
repositioned at the ISO harness (see above / chapter ISO harness connection).
ATTENTION!
Please note that the GZDSP 4.60ISO cannot be used in vehicles with a factory active system installed. That might lead
to serious defects of the amplifier as well as of the vehicle´s electronic system. In case of uncertainty contact your car
audio dealer or the car´s manufacturer.

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Note about the current requirement
The GZDSP 4.60ISO amplifier has been developed to be installed using the factory wiring. For some vehicles however,
it might be necessary to connect the power wires of the GZDSP 4.60ISO directly to the car´s battery and the ground
wire to the car´s body.
ATTENTION
-The factory´s wiring of the head unit should have a fuse with a value of at least 20A. Otherwise the power
supply might be insufficient for an accurate operation of the amplifier. (see fuses / car´s owner´s manual)
-If there are further aftermarket units like a handsfree, GPS system, charging cable or similar consumers
connected to the head unit´s factory wiring, the current might exceed the fuse value.
-It is not possible to install more than one GZDSP 4.60ISO using the factory´s head unit wiring. If further
amplifiers are to be installed, the power wire has to be connected directly the battery and ground wire
directly to the car´s body.
-For the best result, it is recommended to connect the power wire of the GZDSP 4.60ISO directly to the
battery and the ground wire to the car´s body. For this, the cable connectors of the harness have to be
dispatched and connected to separate wires (not included). Please, contact your car audio installer if
necessary.

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PC software installation
In order to install and use the PC software, a Windows™ XP (SP3) operating system (or later) with a USB port is
required. The installation will need about 25 MB free memory space. We recommend using a laptop for easier
handling. Insert the enclosed CD-ROM into the CD drive of your PC. If there is no CD drive available, the software can
be downloaded from the following link: www.ground-zero-audio.com
Run the setup.exe file. The installation wizard will install the software for the DSP as usual. We recommend creating a
desktop icon. The drivers will be installed automatically during the DSP software installation. The PC requires a restart
after the installation of the software
Important note for 64 bit operating systems:
It might be necessary to install the 64 bit driver manually. The driver can be found on the CD-ROM or:
www.ground-zero-audio.com
Software update:
It´s strongly recommended running always the latest DSP software. The actual version can be downloaded here:
www.ground-zero-audio.com
Connecting the DSP to the PC
Note about the USB connection:
The included USB cable should not be extended to avoid any kind of malfunction of the communication between the
DSP unit and the PC. The LED next to the USB port on the unit will light up blue as soon as the GZDSP 4.60ISO has
established a connection to the PC.

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Demo Mode (Off-Line Mode):
It´s possible to use the software in offline mode without having the GZDSP 4.60ISO connected to the PC to become
familiar with most of the features and to create sample setups.
USB port selection
In order to configure the DSP,
the GZDSP 4.60ISO has to be
connected to the PC with the DSP
software installed using the included
USB wire.
The head unit and the DSP unit have
to be turned on before running the
DSP software on the PC.
The DSP software starts by double
click on the desktop icon.
The start screen will appear and the
GZDSP 4.60ISO should be selected
as device (Select Device).
The latest software version can be
downloaded from this page:
www.ground-zero-audio.com
After having the DSP unit selected at the
Select Device
menu,
the
RS232 Setting
window will appear.
Usually the correct COM port will be selected automatically. The port number
may vary depending on the computer´s environment. It can be selected
manually using the drop down menu.
Note:
The COM port will be assigned automatically by the Windows operating
system. Please note that this should be one of the ports COM1 to COM9. In
case of any problem, please follow the instructions on the next page.
A click on the
Connect
button will start the automatic connection process of
the GZDSP 4.60ISO to the PC.
Next click on
Click here to test
connects the unit to the PC.
A number of automatic tests will be initiated now and each of them marked as
OK
after successful examination.
Finally, a click on
[OK] Click here to start
will open the user interface of the
DSP software.

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Wrong COM-Port error message
If this message will appear, the operating system
assigned the wrong COM port or it was not possible
to assign one of the COM1 to COM9 ports due to
environmental issues of the PC. The COM port
assignment may be checked with the operating
system´s device manager.
In this case the correct COM port is number 3
Close the pop-up window by clicking
OK
. Now it is
possible to select the correct COM port at the Select
COM window.
Important note:
If the assigned COM port will be COM10 or even
higher one of the unused COM ports 1 to 9 has to be
deleted in order to change the previously automatically
assigned COM port for the
USB-SERIAL CH340
device.
Subsequently, the COM port can be selected in the
properties
of the
USB-SERIAL CH340
device (right click
on the device at the device manager).

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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1
Software user interface
SOURCE
Input selection
MAIN
- high-level audio input (via ISO harness)
AUX
- RCA input (via AUX harness)
SPDIF
- optical input (TOSLINK socket)
Main volume control
Gain
- Main volume (-40dB to +12dB).
Caution: The controls have to be used carefully to avoid damaging the
speakers.

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2
CH SETTING
Channel selection
Clicking the -Icon will link the relevant pair of channels allowing function
adjustments simultaneously (Crossover / Slope / Equalizer) for both channels.
Simultaneous adjustment of channel A and B
Independent adjustment of channel A and B
Clicking will copy the current adjustment of the left channel to the right channel.
Clicking will copy the current adjustment of the right channel to the left channel.
Clicking the -Icon will invert the left and right inputs.
Warning
Trying to synchronize (link) two channels, which have already been adjusted separately, will cause
a pop-up warning.
Confirming this with OK will reset all channel wise done previous adjustments. This cannot be
revoke. Therefore, either a separate adjustment is recommended or alternatively the copy-
functions or can be used.

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3
CHANNEL MATRIX
Configuration of in- and outputs
Input
– Assignment of the corresponding input channel to the respective
output A – H.
The following input options are available:
Channel A/B : F-L (Front-L) and F-R (Front-R)
Channel C/D/E/F : F-L (Front-L) and F-R (Front-R)
or R-L (Rear-L) and R-R (Rear-R)
Channel G/H: F-L (Front-L) and F-R (Front-R)
or R-L (Rear-L) and R-R (Rear-R)
or F-L+R (sum of Front-L and Front-R)
or R-L+R (sum of Rear-L and Rear-R)
or F+R-L (sum of Front-L and Rear-L)
or F+R-R (sum of Front-R and Rear-R)
The following options will be displayed and might be selected as well.
However, these cannot be used with the GZDSP 4.60ISO amplifier.
SUB-L and SUB-R
SUB-L+R (sum of SUB-L and SUB-R)
Output
:
Clicking the corresponding channel will allow adjustments of crossover,
slope and equalizer functions. Same as CH Setting (2) function.
The mentioned information to channel A, B, C and D refer to the speaker
output of the GZDSP 4.60ISO. The signal of channel E, F, G and H will
be available at the RCA line output (via line out harness).
Speaker Type
: Pre-selection of the connected speakers.
3 different options can be chosen.
OFF – Channel deactivated
Fullrange – All filters deactivated! (individually selectable)
Tweeter (A/B) – Highpass filter preset 3000 Hz (12 dB/oct)
Midrange (C/D) – Bandpass filter preset 250 / 3000 Hz (12 dB/oct)
Kickwoofer (E/F) – Bandpass filter preset 80 / 250 Hz (12 dB/oct)
Subwoofer (G/H) – Bandpass filter preset 20 / 80 Hz (12 dB/oct)
Input-MIX –
Input summing of filtered signals
This setup should be chosen if the head unit has filtered (HPF/LPF/BPF) speaker output channels.
All 4 high level input channels will be summed to a full-range audio signal.
Outputs A+C+E+G receive a summed audio signal from the input channels FL+RL
Outputs B+D+F+H receive a summed audio signal from the input channels FR+RR
We recommend connecting the input channels as follows
Front left and Front right: Highpass filtered audio signal
Rear left and Rear right: Bandpass filtered audio signal

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4
5
GAIN & DELAY
SPEAKER DISTANCE
Channel configuration (level adjustments and time alignment)
Select:
Marking the channel as
Select
ed allows grouping the respective
channels together for combined adjustments of
Gain
and
Delay
.
Gain:
To adjust the output level of the respective channel
Delay(ms)
:
To adjust the time alignment of the respective channel.
Will be displayed in milliseconds.
Warning:
It is recommended to fill in the measured distances of the
speakers to the listening position first
(5)
and realize detailed
fine-tuning later at the
Delay(ms)
Phase
– 0 / 180° Phase inversion of the respective channel
– Mutes the respective channel
Speaker distance entry
Before realizing the fine-tuning of each speaker´s time
alignment in window 4
Delay(ms)
, the measured distances of
all connected speakers should be added to the graphic.
The exact distance between listening position (head) and
cone center of each speaker must be measured.
The explanation of a correct implementation on the
following page can be used as an application example.

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Application example (time alignment)
All measured distances (cm) must be added to the
graphic.
Clicking the button will cause the calculation of the
respective time alignment and transfer the data to the
Delay(ms)
list.
Further adjustments can be edited to either the time
alignment list or to the distance window.
The Reset button will delete all settings of the time
alignment. Other DSP settings remain.

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6
7
SLOPE
CROSSOVER
Adjustment of the crossover
Important:
Before choosing the filter, a
Speaker Type
must be defined in window 3.
When the setup consists of a front system connected to channel A/B and
a rear speaker system connected to channel C/D, the
Fullrange
entry
should be selected. According to the speakers and listeners request a
high pass filter (HP) can be activated at the
Slope
window.
High pass (
HP
) / Bandpass (
BP
) and low pass (
LP
) can be chosen at the
Slope
window for the selected channel(s).
A slope of 6 to 48 dB/oct can be selected at the drop down menu.
Note:
The higher the selected value the steeper the slope starting at the
crossover frequency.
Adjusting the cutoff frequency
The filters can be adjusted continuously from 20 – 20000 Hz.
The controls can only be used if a filter (Slope/6) has been selected first.
Note
: If a filter has been selected, it is possible to adjust the crossover
frequency directly with the cursor at the frequency chart (8). Click and
hold the red (HPF) or blue (LPF) dot with the cursor and move it to the
desired point on the frequency chart.
Hint:
Instead of using the crossover control, it is possible to adjust the
crossover point by typing the required value directly into the box above
and confirm with >ENTER< or by using the up/down cursor buttons.

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8
9
FREQUENCY DIAGRAM
EQUALIZER
Function of the frequency diagram
The frequency chart displays the adjustments of the 31 band equalizer (9) and the setting of the
crossover (7) for every output channel or a pair of output channels.
Furthermore the curves can be adjusted individually using the mouse (drag&drop).
Adjusting the parametric 31-band equalizer
The output channels A to F can be equalized by adjusting 31 frequency bands (20 - 20000 Hz) using
the controls (-18 to +12dB) individually. The subwoofer output channels G/H offer 11 bands (20 - 200
Hz) to adjust the audio signal.
Each frequency can be adjusted individually in 1-Hz steps in the F(Hz) window.
Additionally, it is possible to change the filter Q (bandwidth/slope) by typing the required value directly
into the box below each band control (0,5/narrow - 9,0/wide) or by using the up/down cursor buttons.
Furthermore, the curves can be adjusted individually in window 8 using the mouse (drag&drop).
The EQ-function can be deactivated with the button without resetting the EQ-setup.
Using the button will cause a full reset of the EQ-setup to factory setting. (Other adjustments are
not affected).

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FILE dropdown menu
*Important: The 10 presets can be used if the optional remote control GZDSP Remote or GZDSP Touch-Remote is
connected. Without the remote-control unit, it is only possible to use and edit the last preset that has been saved.
Preset memory saving and loading
*Note: All presets must be covered in numerical order (Pos 1>Pos 2>Pos 3>…) without skipping a position, otherwise
it will not be possible to access all presets with the remote control.
PC Contrl
Opens the „Select COM“ window (page 9)
Open
Opens a setup file that has been saved previously to the PC memory
or an external drive
Save
Saves the current setup as a file to the PC with unmodified filename. If
no filename has been selected yet, the dialogue will ask for the input.
Save as
Saves a setup file with a certain filename.
Factory setting
Sets the unit to default settings
Class-D AMP Setting
No function
Write to Device*
Saves the current setting to the preset memory of the GZDSP 4.60ISO
unit. At the following window, the preset number can be selected.
Read from Device*
Opens one of the available presets from the memory of the
GZDSP 4.60ISO. The preset can be selected from the following
window. The blue frame indicates the actually selected preset number.
Exit
Closes the DSP software
Open the dropdown menu at
Select Save Place
and choose one of the
preset positions. Confirm by clicking
Save
Open the dropdown menu at
Select Read Place
and choose one of the
preset positions. Confirm by clicking
Read

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Remote setting / Subwoofer channel selection
Application examples
GZDSP 4.60ISO offers various system configurations. Here is a description of the two most common applications:
Front and rear speaker system
+ subwoofer (e.g. active sub)
2-way front system (active) +
+ subwoofer (e.g. active sub)
Channel
A/B
Front system at speaker output
High pass filter
HP: 50 – 80 Hz
Tweeter at speaker output
High pass filter
HP: 2500 – 4500 Hz
C/D
Rear system at speaker output
High pass filter
HP: 50 – 120 Hz
Midwoofer at speaker output
Bandpass filter
HP: 50 – 80 Hz
LP: 2500 – 4500 Hz
E /F
-
-
G/H
Subwoofer
Bandpass filter
HP: 10 – 30 Hz
LP: 50 – 80 Hz
Subwoofer
Bandpass filter
HP: 10 – 30 Hz
LP: 50 – 80 Hz
Note: The final crossover points depend on the speaker´s capacity that have been installed. The technical specifications
of the speakers will supply more information about possible applications and suggested crossover points.
Above, these are just noncommittal examples. Ground Zero will not be legally responsible for any kind of damage of
speakers or other components caused by wrong settings.
One pair of channels can
be selected as subwoofer
output. These two channels
are effected using the
subwoofer level control of
the optional remote control
unit.
The dropdown menu offers
the choice of four pairs of
channels to select from.
The setting is finished by
clicking
OK
as
confirmation.

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Technical Specifications
Model
GZDSP 4.60ISO
Type
4-channel amplifier with integrated DSP and ISO connection
Frequency range
20 Hz – 20 KHz
(-3 dB)
RMS Power @ 4 Ω
CEA Standard CEA-2006-A
4 x 40 W (1% THD+N)
RMS Power @ 2
Ω
CEA Standard CEA-2006-A
4 x 50 W (1% THD+N)
Max. Power @ 2 Ω
CEA Standard CEA-2006-A
4 x 60 W (10% THD+N)
Processor
Cirrus Logic single core 32 bit, 8-channel, 192 kHz
Sensitivity
High level input: 2 – 15 V RMS
AUX input (RCA): 0.6 – 5 V RMS
Input resistance
>47 kΩ (low level input)
Output
4 x high level output (via ISO harness)
4 x line output (RCA)
Input
4 x high level input (via ISO harness)
AUX: 2 x RCA input (via AUX harness)
Digital input: TOSLINK optical max. 24bit/96 kHz (PCM stereo)
Remote out
max. 130mA
Recommended fuse
20 A
Dimensions
Heatsink only
W x H x L
185 x 39 x 96 mm
7.28“ x 1.54“x 3.78“
Dimensions
Whole unit
W x H x L
185 x 42 x 132 mm
7.28“ x 1.65“ x 5.20“
Software compatibility
Microsoft Windows™ XP SP3, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1,10
Preset
10 x individually adjustable / selectable using the optionally available
remote control unit GZDSP Remote or GZDSP Touch-Remote
Gain range
-40 to +12dB
Equalizer
6 x 31 bands at output A - F (20 – 20000Hz), -18 bis +12dB, Q 0.5 - 9
2 x 11 bands at output G&H (20 – 200Hz), -18 bis +12dB, Q 0.5 - 9
Tiome alignment
0 – 15 ms / 0 – 502 cm per channel
Crossover
6 / 12 / 18 / 24 / 30 / 36 / 42 / 48 dB/oct (BPF / LPF / HPF Butterworth)
20 – 20000 Hz
Phase shift
0° / 180° per channel
Optionally available
Remote control units
GZDSP Remote or GZDSP Touch-Remote
(main level, subwoofer level, source selection and preset selection)