Optimus 12-1978 User manual

Cat. No. 12-1978
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
Stereo 7-Band
4-Channel Equalizer
Under Dash
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2
FEATURES
Your Optimus 7-Band 4-Channel
Equalizer is designed to give you ex-
cellent control over the sound pro-
duced by your autosound system.
Unlike standard treble and bass con-
trols, this equalizer lets you adjust the
balance of specific frequency ranges
for a more customized sound. The
special subwoofer crossover switch
gives you a choice of different sub-
woofer output effects.
The equalizer’s features include:
CD Input Jack — lets you easily con-
nect a portable CD player (or any oth-
er portable audio source with a
headphones jack) to the equalizer.
Ultra-Slim Desi
g
n— makes it easy
to mount the equalizer under the dash
or seat.
7-Band Equalizer Rotar
y
Controls
— give you control of the basic musi-
cal frequency ranges. The controls
provide an instant visual representa-
tion of the shape you give the sound.
Built-In Fader — lets you easily con-
trol the balance between front and
rear speakers if you have a four-
speaker system.
Two T
y
pes of Inputs — let you use
the equalizer with an autosound sys-
tem that has line-out jacks or that has
only standard speaker outputs.
Three Pairs of Outputs — let you
connect separate stereo amplifiers for
front and rear speakers and a sub-
woofer amplifier for subwoofers.
Built-In Subwoofer Level Control —
lets you easily control the subwoofer
level if you have a subwoofer.
Note: The equalizer does not have a
built-in amplifier. Therefore, if your au-
tosound system does not have both
line-in and line-out jacks for connec-
tion to the equalizer, you must install
front and rear amplifiers. RadioShack
stores sell a wide variety of autosound
amplifiers.
Important: If the connectors on your
vehicle or autosound system are not
compatible with the equalizer’s phono
jacks, contact your local RadioShack
store. RadioShack stores sell adapter
harnesses for many vehicles. Do not
modify the equalizer’s wiring. If you
cut any wire, you cannot obtain a re-
fund or exchange on this product. Ra-
dioShack will provide warranty service
if you cut a wire and find the product is
defective.
© 1996 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Optimus is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
RadioShack is a trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
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3
CONTENTS
Installation ............................................................................................................ 4
Supplied Hardware ......................................................................................... 4
Choosing a Mounting Location ....................................................................... 4
Installation Guidelines ..................................................................................... 5
Connecting the Input Source .......................................................................... 6
Using the Autosound System’s Line-Out Jacks ........................................ 6
Using the Autosound System’s Speaker Wires ........................................ 7
Connecting Output Amplifiers ......................................................................... 8
Using Your Autosound System’s Amplifier ............................................... 8
Using Separate Amplifiers ........................................................................ 9
Connecting Power ......................................................................................... 10
Testing the Connections ................................................................................ 11
Setting the Subwoofer Crossover Frequency ............................................... 11
Mounting the Equalizer ................................................................................. 12
Connecting a Portable CD Player ................................................................. 13
Operation ............................................................................................................ 15
Turning the Equalizer On and Off ................................................................. 15
Using the Fader Control ................................................................................ 15
Using the Equalizer Controls ........................................................................ 16
Using the Subwoofer Level Control .............................................................. 16
Care and Maintenance ...................................................................................... 17
Replacing a Fuse .......................................................................................... 18
Specifications .................................................................................................... 19
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4
INSTALLATION
SUPPLIED HARDWARE
The following items are supplied with the equalizer. Be sure you locate these items
before you throw away the packing materials.
Left Bracket (1)
Right Bracket (1)
Short Machine Screws (4)
Small Flat Washers (7)
Large Lock Washer (1)
Large Flat Washer (1)
Small Lock Washers (7)
Small Sheet Metal Screws (2) Large Sheet Metal Screw (1)
MountingStrap(1)
Long MachineScrew(1)
CHOOSING A
MOUNTING LOCATION
Choose a mounting location that:
• Is as close as possible to your
vehicle’s autosound system
• Does not interfere with the vehi-
cle’s operation
• Is not directly in front of a heating
vent
• Lets you drill mounting holes with-
out damaging other vehicle com-
ponents
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5
INSTALLATION
GUIDELINES
To make sure your equalizer works
properly with your autosound system,
install your equalizer in the following
order.
1. Carefully read all the installation
instructions and make a list of the
quantity and length of shielded
audio cables you will need. Your
local RadioShack store carries a
large selection.
Note: Use wire twist connectors
(such as RadioShack Cat. No. 64-
3057) to make wire-to-wire con-
nections.
2. Before you begin installing your
equalizer, disconnect the cable
from the vehicle battery’s negative
(–) terminal. This disconnects
power and helps protect your
vehicle’s electrical system while
you work with the vehicle’s wiring.
Note: After you install the equal-
izer, you must reset your vehicle’s
clock, autosound system’s tuner
memories, and any other clock or
memory devices connected to
your vehicle’s electrical wiring.
3. Connect the input source.
• If your autosound system has
line-out jacks, see “Using the
Autosound System’s Line-Out
Jacks” on Page 6.
Note: This is the preferred con-
nection method.
• If your autosound system does
not have line-out jacks but has
only speaker output wires, see
“Using the Autosound Sys-
tem’s Speaker Wires” on Page
7.
4. Connect the output amplifier by
either:
• Using your autosound system’s
amplifier (see “Using Your Auto-
sound System’s Amplifier” on
Page 8)
• Using separate amplifiers (see
“Using Separate Amplifiers” on
Page 9).
5. Connect power, then test the con-
nections.
6. Set the crossover frequency.
7. Mount the equalizer.
Wire Twist Connector
(Cat. No. 64-3057)
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6
CONNECTING THE INPUT SOURCE
Using the Autosound System’s Line-Out Jacks
If your autosound system has line-out jacks, use shielded audio cables with left and
right phono connectors to make these connections.
Note: If your autosound system does not have line-out jacks, see “Using the Auto-
sound System’s Speaker Wires” on Page 7.
1. Connect the phono plugs on one
end of an audio cable to the
equalizer’s L(left) and R(right)
LINE INPUT jacks.
2. Connect the phono plugs on the
other end of the audio cable to
your autosound system’s left and
right line-out jacks.
3. Connect the output amplifiers
using the following guidelines:
• If you are using your autosound
system as the amplifier, see
“Using Your Autosound Sys-
tem’s Amplifier” on Page 8.
• If you are using separate ampli-
fiers, see “Using Separate
Amplifiers” on Page 9.
(illus – Show only the auto-
sound system’s line-out
jacks connected to the equal-
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7
Using the Autosound System’s Speaker Wires
If your autosound system has only speaker output wires and does not have line-out
jacks, use wire twist connectors to make these connections.
Note: If your autosound system has line-out jacks, connect your equalizer to them
instead (see “Using the Autosound System’s Line-Out Jacks” on Page 6).
1. Connect the autosound system’s
front left (+) speaker wire to the
equalizer’s white wire.
2. Connect the autosound system’s
front left (–) speaker wire to the
equalizer’s white wire with the
black line.
3. Connect the autosound system’s
front right (+) speaker wire to the
equalizer’s gray wire.
4. Connect the autosound system’s
front right (–) speaker wire to the
equalizer’s gray wire with the
black line.
5. Connect the output amplifiers
using separate amplifiers (see
“Using Separate Amplifiers” on
Page 9).
(illus – Show only the autosound
system’s speaker output wires
connected to the equalizer’s
LINE
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8
CONNECTING OUTPUT AMPLIFIERS
Using Your Autosound System’s Amplifier
If your autosound system also has line-in jacks so you can use it as the speaker
amplifier, use shielded audio cables with left and right phono connectors to make
this connection.
Note: To get a higher output power than what your autosound system can produce,
you can connect front, rear, and one or two subwoofers, see “Using Separate Am-
plifiers” on Page 9.
1. Make sure your autosound sys-
tem’s speaker harness is con-
nected to the speakers.
2. Connect the equalizer’s FRONT
(or REAR) L(left) and R(right)
line-out jacks to your autosound
system’s left and right line-in
jacks.
3. Proceed to “Connecting Power”
on Page 10.
(illus – show the autosound sys-
tem’s line-out jacks connected to
the equalizer’s
LINE INPUT
jacks
and
the equalizer’s
FRONT
and
REAR
jacks connected to the autosound
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9
Using Separate Amplifiers
Your equalizer has three pairs of line-level phono output jacks that let you connect
it up to three amplifiers (front, rear, and subwoofer). These connections require
shielded audio cables with phono connectors.
Notes:
• The equalizer’s subwoofer out-
puts are mono. If you use only
one subwoofer, connect it to either
of the equalizer’s SUB output
jacks.
• If you are using your autosound
system as the amplifier, see
“Using Your Autosound System’s
Amplifier” on Page 8.
1. Connect the equalizer’s L(left)
and
R(right) FRONT jacks to the
front amplifier’s left and right line-
in jacks.
2. Connect the equalizer’s L(left)
and R(right) REAR jacks to the
rear amplifier’s left and right line-
in jacks.
3. Connect the equalizer’s L(left)
and
R(right) SUB jacks to the sub-
woofer amplifier’s left and right
line-in jacks.
4. Refer to the amplifiers’ owner’s
manuals to connect the front, rear,
and subwoofer speakers.
5. Proceed to “Connecting Power”
on Page 10.
(illus – show the autosound system’s line-
out jacks connected to the equalizer’s
LINE
INPUT
jacks
and
the equalizer’s
FRONT
,
REAR
, and
SUB
jacks connected to three
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10
CONNECTING POWER
1. Connect the equalizer’s red (+)
POWER LEAD wire with the in-line
fuse holder labeled FUSE 1A to a
terminal in your vehicle’s fuse
block that turns on and off with the
ignition.
Note: To avoid a “pop” sound
when you turn off the equalizer,
you can connect the equalizer’s
red power wire to the autosound
system’s switched power lead.
2. Connect the equalizer’s black
GROUND wire to a chassis ground
such as a clean, metal bolt
attached to the vehicle’s frame.
Be sure the bolt is not insulated
from the frame by a plastic part.
3. Connect the equalizer’s blue
500MA/MAX wire to all the output
amplifiers’ (front, rear, and sub-
woofer) switched power leads.
Note: This wire does not provide
power to the amplifiers. It simply
turns them on and off with the
equalizer. The amplifiers must be
designed for use with a switched
power lead. If you do not use this
wire, secure it with a wire tie so it
does not touch any metal object.
4. Reconnect the cable to the vehi-
cle battery’s negative (–) terminal.
5. Proceed to “Testing the Connec-
tions” on Page 11.
(illus – show the equalizer’s power, remote,
and ground wires with labels to the appropri-
ate sources, and show audio cables connect-
ed to all the equalizer’s input and output jacks
with labels to the appropriate destinations or
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