Planet Audio EC20B User manual
.,
Plc..d,~t
l-t.ucJio®
EC20B
3-Way Electronic Crossover
with Remote SubwooferLevel Control
Congratulations
on
your
purchase
of
a
Planet
Audio
Crossover.
Ithas been designed, engineered
and manufactured
to
bring you
the highest level
of
performance
and quality, and will afford you
years
of
listening pleasure.
Thank you for making
Planet Audio yourchoice
for
car
audio entertainment!
USER'S
MANUAL
page CONTENTS
2 Howthis crossover is used
2 Product architecture
2
3
Importantfeatures
Installation
3
3
Mounting the equalizer
Turning on the power
4 Input, output, remote and
power connections
5 Front and rear channel
controls
6 Subwooferchannel controls
7 Electrical and remote level
controller connections
8 System diagrams
12
12
Troubleshooting
Specifications
EC20B User's Manual page 1
How
this
crossover
is
used
The Planet Audio EC20B 3-way elec-
tronic crossover
is
a high-fidelitysignal
processorthat allows you
to
custom-
ize
the
low
level
output
of
your
input
source (e.g., a car radio),
so
that the
signal can
be
applied to an amplifier
or
amplifiers as a part
of
a
2-way
or
3-way mobile audio system.
It is intended
for
use
in
a car audio
system which includes amplifiers
in
the signal path AFTER
the
crossover,
and provides Front, Rear and Sub-
woofer LOW LEVEL outputs via RCA
connectors.
Product
architecture
This crossover accepts the
low
level
(RCA type) input signal from the follow-
ing types
of
head unit outputs:
a)
2-channel (UR) only
b) Front (UR) and Rear
c)
Front (UR), Rear (UR) and Subwoofer
channel (mono)
d)
Front
(UR),
Rear (UR) and Subwoofer
channel (UR)
By making proper switch settings, any
of
these types
of
head unit outputs can .
be utilized asa signal source from which
the
EC20B can derive a few different
kinds
of
system configurations. Exam-
ples
of
these are shown
in
diagrams in
this manual.
EC20B User's
Manual·
page 2
Important
features
The EC20B incorporates several key fea-
tures which greatly expand the ways
in
which it can be used in a mobile audio
system.
Parallel
input
selection
The EC20B is optimized
for
head units
which provide outputs
for
Front (UR),
Rear (UR) and Subwoofer (UR) channels.
But
what ifyour head unit only provides
a single pair
of
stereo (UR) outputs?
By setting the Parallel Input selectorcon-
trol
to
OUT,
the signal applied to the Front
(UR) EC20B inputs will also be routed
to
the Rear channel. This eliminates theneed
for external y-adaptors, which can some-
times add noise
to
the system.
Now
you
can provide custom processing
to
the
Rear channel independent
of
the settings
you apply
to
the
front.
Front
channel
crossoverlnuftipHer
By providing a way for you
to
select a
frequency from either a MidS/Highs range
or
a Tweeter range
for
the Front channel
crossover, we give you the choice
to
use
this crossover
in
different applications. For
example, you can use the Front channel
as a stereo Tweeter channel by setting the
Crossover Frequency Multiplier
to
the high-
er 800Hz-8kHz range, and Rear channel
can serve as
the
Mids/Highs channel
--
for a
3-way
stereo system.
Or
you could
create a 4-channel system, with Front and
Rearchannels reproducing the MidS/Hlghs.
Subwoofer
input
mix
option
Many head units also lack a subwoofer
channel output.
In
this situation,
by
setting
the Sub Input control
to
MIX, the EC20B
sub channel controls will
be
delivered a
mix
of
L Front/Rear
to
the Subwoofer Left
Channel and a mix
of
the
R Front Rear
to
the
Subwoofer Right
channel
This elimi-
nates
the
need
for
external Y adaptors
and mixer devices.
Installation
Before installing your new PlanetAudio
crossover, please becomefamiliar with
all the information contained
in
this
manual.
Choosea mounting location where the
unit will not distract
or
otherwise
interfere with
the
driver's ability
to
control
the
vehicle.
Use only the installation parts and
hardware provided with the unit
to
ensure proper installation. Using other
parts can.cause malfunction and
possible damage
to
your Planet Audio
crossover.
Avoid installing the unit in a location
which
is
subject
to
high temperatures,
direct sunlight,
hot
airfrom such
sources as heaters
or
exhaust lines,
or
where it will be subject
to
contact
with dust, dirt, moisture
or
excessive
vibration.
Mounting
the
crossover
The EC20B is designed
to
be installed
securely
to
a flat surface
in
your
vehicle using the screws and washers
provided. Install the unitaccording
to
the
diagram below.
~~
/~
Spring
washer
Flat
washer
Turning on
the
power
Before powering
up
for
the first time:
1.
Carefully
check
all electrical and
audio connections.
2.
Set
all
level controls
to
theirminimum
positions.
3. Set all switches
to
the
settings
appropriate for your installation.
The
EC20B
has
intemaiON/OFF
circuitrywhich responds
to
fuming ON
or
OFF
the
headunit
of
yourcaraudio
system.
This
requires thatyourhead
unithave a remote tum-on lead
available
on
the
rear
panel
(which
·most
headunits
have).
With
this
convenientremotetum-onIoff
feature, you never
have
to
WOn)'
about
turning offthepower
to
theequalizer
when you shut
off
the audio system.
When you are confident
all
connections
have been made correctly:
1.
Power up your audio system by
turning on the head unit.
2.
Set the volume control on
the
head
unit
to
about 3/4 volume, and adjust
the input level control foreach channel
to
just below
the
level
of
distortion.
Further fine tuning
of
the
controls on
the EC20B and
the
input levels
of
the
connected amplifiers may
be
necessary
to
obtain satisfactory results.
If you are unsure about
how
to
fine-
tune
the
system, please consult with
your
Planet Audio dealer.
EC20B User's
Manual·
page 3
Input, output, remote and
power
connections
2
3
®
5
c=:J
c=:J
® SUBWOOFER CHANNEL INPUT
CD
POWER LED Connect the subwoofer channel
of
your head
® FRONT AND REAR LlR INPUTS unit
to
these connectors and place the Sub
Connect the outputs
of
your head units Inputselector
in
the DIRECT
pOSition.
If no sub
to
these connections and be sure
to
channel outputs are available, see "Sub Input
place the Parallel Input selector
in
the
IN
Source Source," above.
position.
If
onlyfront outputsare available,
see
"Paralle/lnput Switch," below. ® +12V, GROUND AND REMOTE
TURN-ON TERMINALS
@)
PARALLEL INPUT SELECTOR Usethis control
to
select thehighest frequency
If
youraudio source only has one pair
of
to
be sent
to
the subwoofer channel. Choose
RCA inputs, placing this switch in the a frequency between32Hz and 250Hz.
OUT position allows the signal source
connected
to
the front inputs
to
also be
CD
FUSE CONNECTOR
routed
to
the rear channel
of
the EC20B. Use only fuse with 3A rating.
oSUB INPUT SOURCE SELECTOR ® FRONT AND REAR
UR
OUTPUTS
Ifyour audio source lacks a subwoofer
output, placing this switch
in
the ® SUBWOOFER
UR
OUTPUTS
MIX position will apply a mix
of
the front and
rear channel
of
each
of
the left and ® REMOTE LEVEL CONTROL
inputs
to
the EC20B sub channel CONNECTOR
EC20B User's Manual -page 4
1
c=:J
HIGH PASS
CROSSOVER
•
PowER
lEVEL
I'4RAHftIHP!.l'f
HIGH
PASS
CROSSOVER
stOPE
6 ladB
ICDl
MiN-=-'",.w
4r------I-----Id
.
IRii<l
BAss
BooST
lMil
LEVEL
d
;~IN
l~
3~SO_A_A,
~~~
®R
--U-u,
U
U,.L®l
)2
7S0
2~
1~O
0
+12rl8
INN
MAX
®R
:
?:S
:~:~
~
::
:~e~;~~~i~
:';O:';~V;;
::::::::::::::
::~O~~~~~~t:~
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-\
cCPlun(?t
1~1I~
1)
(2
-0
SUB
Be
20B
3 way.
.,";8
MIN
M~~U(
Front and
rear
channel controls
::::::::::::::::
;~e.~:.r~~'~:';o:';~v;;::::::::::::::
.~:~~~N;;~t~:
cCp~n(?thll~
c=:J
c=:J
Please note: Since signa/processing
for
Front
and
RearChannels is nearly identical,
only
Front
Channel controls are described here.
The
onlydifference between the controls
for
Front
and
Rear
is
that due to the addition
of
a crossoverfrequency multiplierselector on the Front Channel, the
highpass crossoversetting
on
the Frontchannel can
be
made in eitherthe 40Hz-400Hz range
or
800Hz-8kHz range, while the Rearchannel high pass crossoveris limited
to
the 40Hz-400Hzrange
only.
This
allows the Front Channel to
be
used
as
a crossover
for
eithermids
or
tweeterrange.
@)
CROSSOVER SLOPE
CD
HIGH PASS CROSSOVER Crossoverslope determines how rapidlythe dropoff
Use this control
to
set
the
lowest
in
sound
level,
measured
in
decibels/octave, occurs
frequency which will pass through the at the frequency selected
by
the crossover. One
Front (or Rear) Channel
of
your system. octave is equal
to
one-half
of
the currently selected
frequency. For example, if you set the crossover
® HIGH PASS CROSSOVER
to
80Hz and the slope
to
18dB, the level at 40Hz
FREQUENCY MULTIPLIER
to
be 18dB lower than at 80Hz.
(Front channel only)
This selector sets the frequency range
for the high pass crossover. Choose the o OUTPUT LEVEL CONTROL
This control allows you
to
independently set the
x20 for 800Hz-8kHz range.
x1
position for 40Hz-400Hz range,
or
output level
of
the channel.
EC20B
User's Manual -page 5
Subwoofer channel controls
c:::::J
CD
LOW
PASS CROSSOVER
Use this control
to
set
the
highest
frequency which will pass through the
SubwooferChannel
of
your system.
@
BASS
BOOST
FREQUENCY
SELECTOR
@
BASS
BOOST
LEVEL
SELECTOR
These
two
controls are used together
to
help you fine tune the bass boost added
to
the SubwooferChannel signal. The
Frequency Selector is used to identify
the center frequency for the boost
(Le.,
where the Bass Boosteffect will be most
pronounced). The Boost Level is used
to
set
how
much the level is increased
around that frequency,
up
to
+12dB.
EC20B
User's Manual·
page
6
c:::::J
CD
OUTPUT
LEVEL
CONTROL
This control allows you
to
independently set the
output level
of
the channel.
@)
PHASE
SELECTOR
Use this switch
to
selectthe
output
phase
of
the
Subwoofer channel
to
provide the best time
alignment and stereo imaging
for
your
system.
@)
SUBWOOFER
CHANNEL
OUTPUT
MODE
If your system only includes one subwoofer, you
will probably
want
this
to
receive a mono signal
derived from the
UR
input signal. In this case,
place
the
switch
in
the MONO position. For dual
subwoofer systems, the choice
of
mono or stereo
subwoofers is a matter of personal taste, although
the directionality
of
lowfrequency signals is difficult
for the human ear
to
detect,
so
the difference
between the switch settings may be inaudible.
Electrical and
remote
level controller connections
Using 16GAmininum wire connect the EC20B as follows:
a.
Connect the shortest possible wire
to
a clean, unpainted chassis ground point.
Connect this wire
to
the Ground connection
of
the EC20B.
b.
Connect the +12Vterminal directly
to
the vehicle battery, using a distribution block
near the crossover,
if
desired. Be sure
to
install a
3A
inline fuse within 18 inches
of
the
1 battery terminal.
1 c. Connect the Remote terminal
of
the EC20B to the remote turn on lead from your
head unit.
c::::::J
FREQUENCY
FRONTIN a
®L
__
.
®R"""
I
40
•
~oo
OUT IN
c::::::J
HIGH
PASS
CROSSOVER:
~",;idB
lEVEL
[
[]I
FUSE3A
SUe
FRONT
~
01.""T
SUBWOOF
••
CRoSSOV£MS["
MAA
®u~
Ill""
r""'" R ®R
DliMoI)£
R
SUB IN fi<£QUENCf ::.;;T
~~~
.,~
I'i'iiQ
BAss
SoosT
;m;:l
® L
®R
~~p~n~t~u~
to REMOTE TURN-ON
terminal
of
head unit
o
Cl Cl
3A
FUSE IBattery I
[][]
Remote
Subwoofer Level Control
c::::::J c::::::J
)
,
Input
and output connections
Input and output connections vary depending on the system application. Examples
are shown in system diagrams on the pages which follow in this manual. Always use
high quality RCA cables for input and output connections.
EC20B
User's Manual -page 7
System #1: 2 channel
inputl3-way
system System
#2:
4 channel
inputl3-way
system
Head
unit
input: 2 channel Head
unit
input: Front LlRchannels, Rear LlR channels
EC20B
output:
3-waystereo system: Tweeter
LlR
channels EC20B
output:
3-way stereo system: Tweeter
LlR
channels
Midslhighs
LIR
channels
Midslhighs
LlR
channels
Subwoofer
LlR*
channels SubwooferLIR*channels
• can also
be
set
to Mono Sub channel •canalso
be
set
to Mono Sub channel
1
01
t::::lI=lI=lI::::lI=II:::l
I
To
UR
output
from head unit
tL
c:::::J c:::::J
-+0
4vl..-
OUT IN
FREQUENCV
Parallel
Input
Selectorin
<CPl~<"thI4OJ
OUTposition c:::::J c:::::J
~
~MIDRANGE
If If
SPEAKERS
..
u
~4lll...
(-SUB
'--tINPUT
DIRECT
JBWOOFER CROSS
rSTEREO
'HASE
11111111
II
Mor
Sub
Input
Selector
in
MONO
MIX
position
~"ST
!;:;::-
Sub ChannelMode
SelectorIn
STEREO position
EC20B'User's Manual -page8
"fU
-4vl".
IN
....
~y7W~ETERS
UT
c=I) PARAll
Parallel Input
Selector
in
II
To
Front and Rear
~
FREQUENC"
IN
position
URoutputs
TWEETER CHANNEL from head unit
2 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER c:::::J c:::::J TWEETER CHANNEL
2 CHANNELAMPLIFIER
tL
~
YMIDRANGE
If
SPEAKERS
~_~h~])
c:::::J c:::::J
..
0
~4lJ\
..
I-SUB
'--tINPUT
DIRECT
MONOBLOCK
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER
FOR LEFT CHANNEL JBWOOFER CROSS MONOBLOCK
rSTEREO
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER
FOR LEFT CHANNEL
'HASE
~MO[
Sub Input
!!:t
Selector
in
MIXposition
....
f)ST~
"'---JSUBWOOFER
Sub ChannelMode
T Selector
in
STEREO position
MONOBLOCK
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER
FOR RIGHT CHANNEL MONOBLOCK
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER
FOR RIGHT CHANNEL
EC20B User's Manual -page 9
EC
20B"
,3,;,~;:~",:,:~,"
........"
.""
'~'El"::'I!I"
1'9:(~~~~t~
"_I!'ib
__
~
System
#4:
4 channel
Input/Dual
crossover
3-way
system
System
#3:
4 channel + 2
channel
sub
Input/3-way
system
Head
unit
input:
Front
LlR
channels, Rear
LlR
channels
Head
unit
input:
Front
LlR
channels, Rear
LlR
channels, Subwoofer
LlR
channels EC20B
output:
Dual 3-waystereo system: FRONT and
REAR
Tweeter LIR channels
EC20B
output:
3-waystereo system:
Tweeter
LIR
channels
Midslhighs
LIR
channels
Sub
woofer
LlR'"
channels
• can also
be
set
to Mono Sub channel
.+\J
---
4ul..
r~l-
To
Front, Rear Parallel
Input
and Subwoofer Selectorin
LlR
outputs
FREQUENCV
IN
position
from head unit
~c~~
~
~
...o-4v
..
DIRECT
JBWOOFER
CROSS
MONOBLOCK
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER
'HAsE
FOR LEFT CHANNEL
Sub
Input
"'\t')ST~
Selector
in
DIRECTposition Sub ChannelMode
Selectorin
STEREO position
~
~
TWEETER CHANNEL
2 CHANNELAMPLIFIER
• MONOBLOCK
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER
FOR RIGHT CHANNEL
01
1 I1
t::::tt::JCJCJCJ~
To Rear
To
Front
LlR outputs LlR outputs
from head unit from head unit
Sub
Input
Selectorin
MIX
position
FRONT and
REAR
Mids/highs LIRchannels
FRONT
and
REAR
SubwooferLIR*channels
• can also
be
set
to Mono Sub channel
FRONT SYSTEM
~
~c.n<>tJ;~
~
~
Sub ChannelMode
TWEETER CHANNEL
2 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER
~MIDRANGE
IT
SPEAKERS
Selectorin J"WOOFEO
C.oss
STEREO position
'HAs.
SUBWOOFER
2 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER
tL
Paralfellnput
SelectorIn
OUTposition
..v
..........
4
....
~
[-SUI!
"'--,lHPUT
~D'RE<T
FREQUENCY
Sub
Input
Selectorin
MIX
position
,..;
-4\"~
Paralle/lnput
Selectorin
OUTposition
REAR SYSTEM
-"'1ST~
~
~
~
AA
;~:;;;oop~c-QY£Il
:n""-
r_~
"''"~~
--i:'i--iCr-'::1"':
:
fIIIi~C'f
""'"
lEVEl
FUSE»
~t'''1
'~'
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~."",I
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ovr
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SU81'100FEIt(ROSSovt~
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,-
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<IOI,:::!;:f
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filnMoM 0"'
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Uvn
@R
"0"
0"-0
e
s"
-'1
<;t--"
,:,,-
~
.,"'-:-"'
•
..i.L:L~
~
~
J"WOOFER
COOS5
Sub ChannelMode
'HA,,,
Iliifi°Mor
SelectorIn
::r
STEREO position
"i)ST~
SUBWOOFER
2 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER
EC20B User's Manual -page
11
EC20B User's Manual -page
10
Specifications
.,
Pl<..d1<?t
l
....
lJcJio®
EC20B
3-Way Electronic Crossoverwith Remote Subwoofer Level Control
Crossover centerfrequency ranges
Crossover slope, front and rear
Crossover slope, sub channel
Bass Boost centerfrequency range
Bass Boost level adjustment
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
THD
Channel separation
Input impedance
Output impedance
Output gain
Power supply
Output voltage
Dimensions (W x D x H)
FRONT(high pass): 40-400Hz
or
800Hz-8kHz
REAR
(high pass): 40-400Hz
SU8WOOFER (low pass): 32-250Hz
selectable
6d8/octave
or
18d8/octave
18d8/octave
25-250Hz
0-+12d8
110d8
0.01%
80d8
20kOhms
100 Ohms
1:2 (+6d8)
PWMtype
8Vmaximum
5-1/8" x8-1/4" x
1-3/4"
All
specifications subject
to
change without notice.
Troubleshooting
If
you
experience operation
or
performanceproblems with this product, compare
your
installation with the electrical wiring diagram on the previouspages.
If
problemspersist,
read the following troubleshooting tips which may help eliminate the problems.
SYMPTOM POSSIBLE REMEDY
Crossover does
not power
up.
Low sound level.
Background noise
is very high.
Check to make sure you have a
good
groundconnection.
Check that the Remote Input (Tum-On)
has
+
12VDG.
Check that there is battery
power
on the
(+)
terminal.
Checka/I
fuses,
replace
if
necessary.
Check to
see
if
wiring is loose
or
any cables are misconnected
or
disconnected.
Replace RCA cables
if
faulty.
Check to see
if
wiring
is
loose
or
anycables are misconnected
or
disconnected.
Rep/ace RCA cables
if
faulty.
EC20B User's Manual -page 12
Table of contents
Other Planet Audio Crossover manuals
