Pyle PLXR3B User manual
3-WayElectronicCrossoverNetwork
with Remote Subwoofer Control
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INTRODUCTION
Your selection of an Audio bank car audio product indicates a true appreciation
of ne musical reproduction. Whether adding to an existing system or including
your Audio bank crossover in a new system, you are certain to notice immediate
performance benets.
KEEP YOUR SALES RECEIPT
Take this time to attach your sales receipt to the manual and put in a safe place.
In case of any unforeseen reason this product may need warranty service.
Your receipt will be necessary to establish purchase date.
RECOMMENDATION
A crossover's performance is only as good as its installation.
Proper installation will maximize the system's overall performance.
It is recommended that you have our product installed by an authorized Audio
bank retailer. However, if you decide to install it yourself, please carefully read
through this manual and take your time to do a quality installation.
IMPORTANT!
Before making any connections, disconnect the car's battery until the installation
is completed to avoid possible damage to the electrical system.
WARNING!
Exposure to high power sound system can cause hearing loss or damage.
Listening to your system at loud levels while driving will impair your ability to
hear trac sounds and emergency vehicles.
Use common sense when listening to your system.
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SYSTEM LAYOUT
The primary function of the crossover is to lter the audio signal. Basically, the
PLXR3B divides the audio signal into three separate pars..... Subwoofer, Mid and
High. (See Figure #1).
Although the PLXR3B has rather simple connections, it is important for you to
have a general understanding of the operating range of your system to properly
setup the system as well as to make the nal adjustments.
(FIGURE # 1)
FULL RANGE VS. THREE-WAY OUTPUT
In order to reproduce the music in which it was recorded, your audio system
should have the ability to recreate all audio information from 20Hz up to 20KHz
(This is known as human audible range). One of the most important factors in
sound quality is the overall balance of the frequency response, better known as
the linearity of the sound. In a perfectly balance system, the low to high frequen-
cies are reproduced without missing information. Unfortunately there are many
factors that can cause loss of frequencies in your system. Some loss may be
caused due your speaker's frequency response, crossover points, and level
adjustment.
Before you set up the system it is best to rst layout your system maintaining the
speakers operating range. The following graph will give a general idea of the
Subwoofer, Midrange and High operating range for the PLXR3B crossovers.
(FIGURE # 2)
PLXR3B CROSSOVERS AND OPERATING RANGE
Full Range Output Three-way Output
Low Mid High Sub Mid High
20Hz Frequencies 20KHz 20Hz Frequencies 20KHz
CROSSOVER RANGE
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Fuse crossover's power wire at the battery.
Be sure to fuse (3 amp) the power wire within 12" of the car's battery.
This will protect the car's battery in case of a short circuit between the crossover
and the battery. THIS IS A MUST.
Use high grade wire connectors.
To ensure maximum power transfer and secure safe connections, it is recommended
to use high grade barrier spades (for connection at crossover) and terminal rings
(for connection at battery)..
Do not run any wires underneath vehicle
Exposed wires have a chance of being cut or damaged. It is best to run all wires
through the vehicle under the carpet and/ or side panels. This lends to a cleaner
installation and less risk of damage.
Use caution when mounting the crossover.
Remember that there are many electrical wires, gas lines, vacuum lines, brake
lines as well as a gas tank in the automobile. Make sure you know where they are
when mounting the crossover to avoid puncturing lines, shorting wires or drilling
holes in the gas tank.
Run signal wires away from electrical wires.
To avoid possibility of induced noise from the car's electrical system (i.e. popping
noises or engine noise), run signal wires away from the car's electrical wiring.
Make all ground wires as short as possible and at the same point.
In order to reduce the chance of ground loops (i.e. engine noise), make the
grounding wire as short as possible to reduce the wire's resistance. Also, when
using multiple components, make sure all units are grounded at the same point.
Avoid sharp edges when running the wires.
To avoid the possibility of power, signal or speaker shorts, be careful not to allow
the crossover's wires to come in contact with sharp edges.
Use a grommet to protect the wire when running through the rewall.
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MOUNTING LOCATION
Select the location in which you wish to mount the crossover. It is recommended
to nd a location that will allow easy adjustment. Use caution when mounting
crossover. There are many wires, gas lines, vacuum lines, brake lines as well as
a gas tank in the automobile. Make sure you know where they are when mounting
the crossover to avoid puncturing lines, shorting wires or drilling holes in the gas
tank. Once you are ready use a pencil to mark the through holes in the bottom
panel. After you have marked the locations of the holes move crossover out of
the way and drill small starter holes to make the taping screws easier to install.
Use provided screws to tighten down the crossover (see Figure # 3).
(FIGURE #3)
MOUNTING THE CROSSOVER
Head Unit
RADIO'S REMOTE
TURN-ON OUTPUT
USE AN IN-LINE POWER FUSE(3 Amp)
WITHIN 12" OF THE BATTERY
(NOT PROVIDED)
BATTERY
POWER CONNECTIONS
IMPORTANT!
Before making any connections, disconnect the car's battery until the installation
is completed to avoid possible damage to the electrical system.
Connect the Power terminal of the crossover to the car's battery.
Use a 16 gauge wire to connect to the terminal on the crossover marked +12V.
Run the wire directly to the positive terminal of the car's battery. Make sure to
use an in-line fuse (3 amp) within 12' of the battery. Since the crossover's current
draw is nominal, you can connect to the pre-existing + 12V power wire that has
been run for the crossovers if so desired.
Connect the ground terminal of the crossover to the car's chassis.
Use a 16 gauge wire to connect the GROUND terminal to the car's chassis.
Try to keep the length of the cable as short as possible, preferably less than 12”.
Also make sure that the point on the car chassis where the connection is to be
made is free of paint and dirt. It is recommended to use the same grounding
point as the ampliers to eliminate the possibility of ground loop (engine noise)
caused by dierent levels of ground to each of the components.
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Connect the remote terminal of the crossover to a switchable +12V.
This connection allows the crossover to be turned on and o with the power
control of the head unit. If the head unit has a REMOTE OUTPUT WIRE (+ 12V),
connect it to the PLXR3B terminal marked REM. Now when the head unit is
turned on, the crossover will automatically turn on. If the head unit does not
provide a remote output, it is necessary to connect the crossover to a switched +
12V power supply (when the car is on or in use).
SIGNAL CONNECTIONS
Before making your signal connections, you will need to decide how you wish to
congure your system. The PLXR3B is extremely exible allowing for many
dierent congurations. All signal connections should be made using higher-
grade RCA patch cables and these cables should be run away from electrical
wiring to avoid inducted noise. The PLXR3B allows for three dierent types of
input connections that control all three outputs of the crossover.
1. USING ONE PAIR OF PRIMARY INPUTS
When only one pair of input is available, input the signal into the “FRONT"
input section and set the SUBWOOFER INPUT switch to “MIXED" and
“Y-CONNECT INPUT” switch to “ON" position. This will allow the signals to be
fed internally to the SUBWOOFER and REAR sections to give proper outputs.
SET TO THE
"MIXED" POSITION SET TO THE
"ON" POSITION
Head Unit
SUBWOOFER
AMP
MIDRANGE
AMP
TWEETER
AMP
2. USING TWO PAIRS OF INPUTS
When front and rear pairs of input are available, input the signals into the "FRONT"
and "REAR" inputs, respectively. Set the SUBWOOFER INPUT switch to “MIXED”
position to allow the signals to be fed internally to the SUBWOOFER section to
give proper outputs and set the "Y-CONNECT INPUT" switch to "OFF" position
to allow control of fader from the head unit.
3. USING THREE PAIRS OF INPUTS
All three pairs of inputs on PLXR3B can be utilized when front, rear, and
subwoofer pairs of inputs are available from a pre- amp EQ.
Set the SUBWOOFER INPUT switch to "DIRECT" position to allow independent
subwoofer level control from the EQ and set the "Y-CONNECT INPUT" switch
to "OFF" position to allow control of fader from the head unit. Note that some
head units oer independent subwoofer output signals as well.
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Head Unit
SUBWOOFER
AMP
MIDRANGE
AMP
TWEETER
AMP
SET TO THE
"MIXED" POSITION SET TO THE
"OFF" POSITION
Head Unit
Pre-amp EQ
SUBWOOFER
AMP
MIDRANGE
AMP
TWEETER
AMP
SET TO THE
"DIRECT" POSITION SET TO THE
"OFF" POSITION
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SELECTING THE CROSSOVER POINTS
1. SETTING THE SUBWOOFER CROSSOVER POINT, BASS BOOST, PHASE,
and SUB SONIC FILTER
Set the desired CROSSOVER FREQUENCY tor the subwoofer output using the
LOW PASS FREQUENCY dial. You may select from 40Hz up to 400Hz as your
crossover point.
Set the BASS BOOST by using the two dials. Use the LEVEL dial to set the boost
gain from 0 to 18dB. and use the FREQUENCY dial to set the bass boost frequency
point from 40Hz up to 400Hz.
Select the PHASE of the subwoofer using the PHASE switch, 0 degrees in phase or
180 degrees out of phase. The normal default setting is 0 degrees in phase.
SUBSONIC FILTER may be turned on/o by using the SUBSONIC FILTER switch.
When switched on, this Filter avoids reproduction of inaudible low frequencies
below 25Hz which could damage the subwoofer(s) because they can generate
over displacement of the subwoofer cone. It is recommended that the SUBSONIC
FILTER be switched ON.
2. SETTING THE CROSSOVER POINTS FOR THE REAR (MIDRANGE) OUTPUT
Usually the MID output is a BAND PASS design. It's achieved by setting the MODE
switch at“BAND PASS”and using both HIGH PASS and LOW PASS FREQUENCY
dials. Set the desired HIGH PASS frequency anywhere between 65Hz and 300Hz
for the low frequency cuto, and set the desired Low PASS frequency anywhere
between 2.9KHz and 4.8KHz for the high frequency cuto.
Selecting HIGH PASS from the MODE switch and using HIGH PASS FREQUENCY
dial alone will remove the high cuto section and allow the midrange output to
play up to 20KHz.
Selecting LOW PASS from the MODE switch and using LOW PASS FREQUENCY
dial alone will remove the low cuto section and allow the midrange output to
play down to 20Hz. This setting will be ideal if you're using mid bass speakers
capable of reproducing low to mid frequencies.
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Mid High
Subwoofer
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3. SETTING THE CROSSOVER POINT FOR THE FRONT (HIGH) OUTPUT
Set the desired frequency cuto point using the HIGH PASS FREQUENCY dial for.
your HIGH output, such as tweeters. The FREQUENCY MULTIPLIER switch must
be set at "x20" in order to obtain the frequency range from 700Hz to 8KHz.
You also have an option of reproducing mid bass or midrange level in the FRONT
by using the cuto frequency range from 30Hz to 400Hz with the FREQUENCY
MULTIPLIER switch at "x1".
FINE TUNE THE SYSTEM
One very important part of ne tuning your system is properly level matching
the signal from the head unit to the PLXR3B crossover and from the crossover to
the ampliers. Level matching is the process of calibrating the audio signal from
the head unit all the way to the ampliers to eliminate unwanted noise and
maximize the dynamic: headroom. When the system is properly adjusted, you
should achieve maximum output before distortion at about 3/4 volume on the
head unit.
MATCHING THE SIGNAL LEVEL
Note: If you have pre-amp Equalizer in the system, bypass or turn o the
equalization while level matching.
1. Turn all three output level dials on PLXR3B (Subwoofer, Rear, and Front) to
maximum position.
2. Turn the BASS BOOST LEVEL dial on PLXR3B to 0.
3. Turn all input sensitivity gain control knobs on output ampliers to minimum
position.
4. Turn on the system and increase the head unit's volume to 3/4 high (75% of
Max volume).
5. Very slowly increase the input sensitivity gain on each amplier to the point
right before the speakers go into distortion. Use CAUTION not to overdrive the
speakers. Do this for all three ampliers one by one.
Once all adjustments are made, the system should sound clear without distortion
up to 3/4 of main volume. Also the volume should increase very evenly.
ADJUSTING THE OVERALL BALANCE OF THE SYSTEM
Once you complete matching the signal level, the following steps ought to be made
to set the overall linearity of the system.
This may be necessary due to the relative eciencies of each of the speakers.
For example, smaller speakers normally are more ecient then woofers and play
louder faster at given equal power (See Figure # 4)
The PLXR3B's individual output level controls allow compensation for this.
It is important to understand that the output levels are not designed to add gain to
the signal. Actually, the output level controls attenuate (reduce signal gain).
It is for this reason that in the following steps we will start with the output levels at
the maximum position then reduce the outputs to balance the system.
For example, if you like heavy bass, you will most likely leave the SUBWOOFER
OUTPUT LEVEL at the maximum position and reduce the MID and HIGH output
levels by 1/2 (50%). This will allow the bass to reach a high output faster than MID
and HIGH speakers.
If you wish to increase the MID and HIGH frequencies, reduce the SUBWOOFER
OUTPUT LEVEL.
(FIGURE #4)
VISUAL EXAMPLE OF DIFFERENT OUTPUT LEVELS BASED ON THE SAME POWER
INPUT.
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Subwoofer Midrange Tweeters
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TROUBLESHOOTING THE SYSTEM
We have put together this troubleshooting guide if you experience problems
after installing the crossover. Please keep in mind that the majority of problems
incurred are caused by improper installation and not the equipment itself.
In addition, there are many components in the system that could cause various
signal problems such as inducted electrical noise and engine noise.
Before you can properly address the problem, you must rst nd the component
that is causing the problem. This will take patience and process of elimination.
Features:
• 3-way Electronic Crossover
• 2/4/6 Channel Input
• 6-Channel / 5 Volt RCA Outputs (Front/Rear/Subwoofer)
• Front/Rear/Subwoofer Lever Control
• Subwoofer Equalizer and Boost Level Controls
• Subwoofer Low-Pass Crossover Control
• 6/4/2 Channel RCA Inputs
• 6-Channel / 5 Volt RCA Outputs (Front/Rear/Subwoofer)
• X20 Frequency Multiplier for Front Channel
• Low-Pass Crossover
• 12dB per Octave Crossover Slope
• Parallel Input Switch, Mixed In/Out Switch
• Remote Subwoofer Level Control
• Power on LED Indicator
What's in the Box:
• 3-Way Electronic Crossover
• 4 Phillips-head Screws
• Remote Unit
• Remote Wire
• 3A Chip Fuse
Technical Specs:
• Hi-Pass Crossover (Front): 35Hz-400Hz
• Hi-Pass Crossover (Rear): 65Hz-4.5 KHz
• Low-Pass Crossover (Rear): 300Hz-4.8 KHz
• Variable Bass Frequency: 40Hz-400Hz
• Boost Level: 0-18dB
• Boost Frequency: 40Hz-400Hz
• Phase Shift: 0 / 180
• Subsonic: 25Hz
• Distortion: 0.05% THD at 1V output level
• S/N Ratio: 110dB
• Separation: >60dB
• Frequency Response: 10 HZ~ 50 KHZ
• Voltage: 11V-15V
• Product Dimensions (L x W x H): 10.4'' x 6.3'' x 1.5'' -inches
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