Power bass STA-10 User manual

STA-10
AMPLIFIED BASS SYSTEM
Owners Manual
Please read through this manual to familiarize yourself with your new amplifier. Should your PowerBass
Autosound speaker system ever require service, you will need to have the original dated receipt.

Congratulations on your purchase of a PowerBass Autosound speaker system. You now own a speaker of
uncompromising design and engineering from a factory that truly believes in the relentless pursuit of perfec-
tion. Incorporating the highest quality parts and state-of-the-art materials, these speakers display the ultimate
balance between high fidelity, performance and long-lasting reliability.
At PowerBass USA, Inc. we are confident you will have many years of outstanding enjoyment from this great
SPEAKER investment. For maximum performance we recommend that you have your new PowerBass Auto-
sound product installed by an Authorized PowerBass Autosound Dealer.
∆Warning ∆
Continuous exposure to sound pressure levels in excess of 100 dB can cause permanent hearing loss. PowerBass
Autosound Speakers are capable of producing sound pressure levels well over 170 dB. Please observe all local sound
ordinances while listening to your PowerBass Autosound system. PowerBass USA, Inc. accepts no liability for hearing loss,
bodily injury, or property damage due to the result of use or misuse of this product.
Thank you and Congratulations

POWERBASS AMPLIFIED BASS SYSTEM FEATURES
BUILT-IN HIGH POWERED AMPLIFIER: Contains a high power Class D monaural amplifier complete
with chassis mounted adjustable Gain, Low Pass Filter and Bass Eq controls for sonic integration
into most existing factory or aftermarket car stereo systems and engineered perfectly to power the
subwoofer.
SELECTABLE SENSITIVITY SETTING: With this button pressed in, the preamp sensitivity will accept
input voltages from 2V-10V. This will be used if High Level Inputs are connected to your amplified
enclosure. With this button left out, the preamp sensitivity will now accept 250mV-6V. This will be used if
Low Level / RCA Inputs are connected to your amplified enclosure.
DIE-CAST ALUMINUM ENCLOSURE DESIGN: This enclosure is constructed from aircraft grade
aluminum that has been acoustically tuned with the integrated custom tooled passive radiator for
optimum bass output.
REMOTE SUBWOOFER LEVEL CONTROL: This wired remote functions as the amplifier's secondary gain
circuit and can be adjusted from the driver’s seat. The remote will not increase the output beyond the
GAIN setting on the amplifier. Supplied with cable to reach your dash even when the bass enclosure is
mounted under the seat.
ALUMINUM-COATED POLYPROPYLENE CONE: A thermoplastic polymer cone was selected to
help resist moisture and other elements while the rubber surround offers more excursion as well as
protection against deterioration than other materials.
KSV HIGH TEMPERATURE VOICE COIL: These specially designed resin coated high temperature
Kapton® voice coils measure 1 1/2 inches in diameter to ensure high power handling and precise
linear excursion while maximizing thermal heat dissipation.
AUTO TURN-ON CIRCUIT: When using the high level inputs, the amplifier will turn on automatically
when it senses a signal from your radio.
Kapton® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
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SPECIFICATIONS FOR STA-10 SUBWOOFER SYSTEM
(Due to Constant Improvements, Specifications and Parameters are subject to change without notice.)
Size System
Impedance
Frequency
Response
Sensitivity
1W/1M
Magnet
Size
Voice Coil
Dia.
Low Level Input
Sensitivity
High Level Input
Sensitivity
Amp Power
RMS/Peak
Single 10” 2-ohm 20Hz-200Hz 95dB 30 oz. 1.5” 250mV - 10V 1.0V - 10V 200W/400W
UNPACKING THE ENCLOSURE
Every attempt has been made to transport your new PowerBass STA subwoofer system safely. Carefully
unpack the enclosure and inspect it thoroughly for any damage that may have occurred during shipping. Notify
your local PowerBass dealer immediately should you notice any damage prior to installing the unit. Be sure to
keep the carton and packing material until your system is operational. The original boxes will do the best job
of protecting your speaker system if they need to be transported.
INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE
Installation of PowerBass Autosound Speakers requires experience with a variety of mechanical and electrical
procedures. This manual only provides general installation and operating instructions. If you have any reserva-
tions about your installation skills or lack the proper tools, please contact your local PowerBass Autosound
dealer for assistance.
IMPORTANT: This amplified subwoofer system is designed for operation in vehicles with 12-volt
Negative ground electrical systems only.
ENCLOSURE PLACEMENT TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Your Powerbass Amplified Bass system must be properly placed in the vehicle for optimum performance.
Find a spot under your seats where the enclosure will not get in the way of any moving parts of the seat.
Make sure that the seat moves freely if it is adjustable.
Ideally there should be enough room around the enclosure which is also a heatsink for the amplifier so it
can remain cool.
WARNING: Make sure where ever you choose to place the enclosure it’s a dry location on a solid surface.
Take care that none of the mounting screws will pierce any wiring harnesses, brake or fuel lines, the vehicles
fuel tank, spare tire or any other parts of the vehicle. Some or all of these may be located behind or under the
mounting surface.

5
Fig.1 Possible locations for installation

ENCLOSURE DIMENSIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
NOTE: The speaker system must be secured to protect the enclosure from moving. Before final mounting,
be sure to check the sound one last time and make sure the enclosure is properly placed to produce the
desired bass output. Use the four mounting 20mm screws provided and secure them to the enclosure.
Mounting holes located on the top of the unit.
3.2" (82mm)
10.9" (278mm)
14.4" (365mm)
3.2" (82mm)

STA-10 AMPLIFER CONTROL PANEL LAYOUT
Fig.2
1. REMOTE LEVEL
This is the connector port for the STA Remote Level control. Now the amplifiers secondary gain circuit can
be adjusted from the driver’s seat.
2. HIGH INPUT
Use the High Input 4-pin Molex style jack when connecting to the speaker leads directly from a factory radio
without the use of a low level convertor. Be sure to observe the correct speaker polarity. (Do not use if you
are using the LOW INPUT from the RCA jacks).
3. LOW INPUT (RCA) Jacks
These RCA style input jacks are for use with source units that have RCA line level inputs. A source unit with
a minimum output of 250mV is required for proper operation. However, this input can accept levels up to
6Vrms.
4. GAIN Control
This control is used to match the sensitivity of the amplifier to the particular source unit (radio) that you are
using up to 250mV - 10V. Please note the GAIN control is not a volume control, it is a level matching circuit.
5. BASS EQ Control
This equalization circuit is used to enhance the low frequency response of the vehicles interior. With up to
12dB of boost centered at 45Hz the Bass EQ can be adjusted to meet your personal taste. Please note that
by boosting the Bass EQ to its full +12dB you are asking the amplifier to work 10 times harder!
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6. LPF (Low Pass Filter) Control
This filter allows the low pass of frequency and has an adjustable crossover point from 40Hz to 200Hz. A
setting of 40Hz will produce only the low frequencies (deep bass). A max setting of 200Hz will allow the
amplifier to produce a more punchy (higher) bass response.
7. SUB SONIC Control
This control is continuously adjustable from 20Hz-50Hz at 12dB per octave to provide an extra level of
speaker protection from bass robbing power at unheard frequencies
8. SENSITIVITY
A wide range of signal input voltages can be accommodated by the STA-10 with the push of a button
(250mV – 10V). This wide range is split up into two sub-ranges, accessible by pushing the sensitivity switch:
IN 2V- 10V; OUT 0.2V - 6V
9. PHASE Switch
This switch will reverse the phase of the speaker output without having to touch any wiring. 0 is normal.
180 reverses the output. Select whichever setting provides the most bass in your application.
10. POWER Indicator
The top BLUE L.E.D. lights up when the power is on and the system is wired correctly. The bottom RED L.E.D.
lights up when the unit is in protection.
11. FUSE
For convenience most PowerBass AutoSound amplifiers utilize common automotive ATC type fuses. For
continued protection in the event that a fuse blows, replace the fuse only with the same value. STA-10 uses
a 30A fuse. CAUTION: These power fuses on the amplifier chassis are for protecting the amp against
over current situation. To protect the vehicles electrical system, an additional fuse should be used within
18-inches of the battery on the 12V+ cable.
12. BATT+ (12 Volt Positive)
This terminal is the main power input for the amplifier and must be connected directly to the positive (+)
terminal of the battery. A minimum of 8ga cable is required.
13. REM (Remote)
The amplifier in your STA enclosure can be turned on by applying 12 volts to this terminal. This can be on
the rear of the source unit (radio) in the form of an output or remote output. If this is not available you can
wire up to the ACC position on the ignition key switch. An 18ga wire is sufficient to run the remote. NOTE: If
using the high input, the amplifier will turn on automatically when it senses a signal from your radio. You will
not have to hook up the REM wire in this case
14. GND (Ground Input Connection)
A good quality ground is required for the amplifier to operate a peak performance. A short length of cable
the same gauge as your power cable (8ga is recommended) should be used to attach the ground terminal
directly to the chassis of the vehicle. Make sure that all of the paint is sanded or scraped away to ensure a
good quality ground connection.

POWER WIRING AND SIGNAL CONNECTIONS
POWER CONNECTION
BATT+ The amplifier should be wired directly to the vehicle battery using a 8ga power cable. Start at the
vehicle battery and run the power cable through the vehicle’s firewall using grommets to the amplifier’s BATT
+ screw terminal. If factory grommets are not available install grommets yourself to protect the cable from
sharp metal edges.
Avoid running the power cable over the engine components and near heater cores. The use of an in-line fuse
or circuit breaker is a must, this will prevent the risk of potential fire caused by a short in the power cable.
Connect the fuse holder or circuit breaker as close to the battery positive (+) terminal as possible (no farther
than 18-inches from the battery).
The fuse or breaker amperage should be no greater than the fuse rating found on the amplifier control panel
located on the side of the STA enclosure. You can now connect the cable to the battery, but remember to leave
the fuse out or the circuit breaker “off” until the other cable connections are made. It is highly recommended
that the cable end connecting to the amplifier is terminated with a spade or ring terminal.
IMPORTANT—You MUST install a fuse holder with an appropriate fuse in line with the power cable
no further than 18-inches from the battery.
REM Run 18ga wire (not included) to the radio lead or remote output. This wire is responsible for turning the
amplifier on and off. If the source unit (radio) is not equipped with a Remote lead you can connect this wire
to an accessory or ignition point at the vehicle fuse block. In this type of installation, the amplifier will be on
whenever the ignition is on.
GND A cable of the same size (gauge) as the power cable should be used to ground the amplifier. Connect
the ground wire from the screw terminal marked GND on the amplifier control panel to the nearest bare-metal
surface on the vehicle. Keep the length of the ground cable to an absolute minimum using a spade terminal
at the amplifier end and ring terminal as shown in below at the chassis end (Fig 3).
Bolt
Note: Remove any paint
below ring connector
Star Washer
Ring Connector
Ground Wire
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Fig.3

INPUT SIGNAL
(CHOOSING THE HIGH OR LOW INPUTS)
The STA amplifer control panel input signal connects to the head unit’s High Level (speaker wire) output
OR Low Level (RCA) output—provided the radio is so equipped with Line Out. A dedicated subwoofer or
low level signal will deliver the best performance. If unavailable use the high level inputs, as will be the
case with most factory head units. (Note once you have chosen whether you will use the High Level or
Low Level inputs follow the corresponding wiring diagrams on the following pages)
NOTE: Never use BOTH High and Low Level inputs at the same time. You must select one or the other!
High Level Input Connections (fig 4)
For radios with only speaker outputs (including most Factory source units). Using the 4-pin Molex style
wiring harness provided, splice directly into the radio’s speaker outputs. Do not break the connection with
the source (radio) and the speakers. Be sure to maintain proper speaker polarity.
Another option is to tap off the existing front or rear full range speakers. Once again be sure to follow
the correct polarity.
NOTE: If using the high input, the amplifier will turn on automatically when it senses a signal from your
radio. You will not have to hook up the REM wire in this case.
Wire Color Connect to
Gray
Gray w/ Black Stripe
White
White w/ Black Stripe
Left +
Left -
Right +
Right -