Pyramid Super Blue PB440X User manual

PB440X
Owner’s
Manual
PB442X
Super Blue

table of contentsintroduction
iowner’s manual
Congratulations on your purchase of a new Pyramid
Super Blue amplifier. Super Blue amps are some of the
most advanced car amplification products available.
These quality audio products are designed and engineered
to afford you years of uncompromised musical service.
Pyramid has utilized the latest electronic technologies
in order to deliver a superb listening experience.
The Super Blue line has been designed to ensure adequate
headroom for even the most demanding peaks and
dynamic ranges found on today’s CD’s and recordings.
Used properly, these amplifiers will provide you with
years of listening pleasure.
S
S

table of contentsintroduction
1
Introduction
Table of Contents
Features and Controls, 2 ch amp PB440X
Features and Controls, 4 ch amp PB442X
Specifications
Electrical Connections
2/4 Channel Input Connections, 4 ch amp PB442X
Speaker Connections, 2 ch output mode (PB440X)
Speaker Connections, 4 ch output mode (PB442X)
Mounting and Installation
Troubleshooting
Stereo Input Connections, 2 ch amp PB440X
i
1
2
4
6
7
9
8
10
11
12
13

features and controls
2 ch amp PB440X
2owner’s manual
power LED
low level inputs
input gain control
treble control
bass controlspeaker connections
power fuse
power terminals
s

features and controls
3
l
nals
input gain control use this control to match the outputs of
your head unit to the amplifier. Starting
with your head unit volume control set at
about the 2 o’clock position, increase the
amp gain control until distortion begins to
occur, and reduce slightly from this point.
low level inputs this amp features gold-plated RCA input
jacks for high impedance input. Use these
with car stereo output which uses RCA-type
connector cables.
speaker connections these terminals are 14K gold plated to
guarantee high conductivity and minimum
signal loss.
treble control use the control to adjust the treble output level
to suit your taste or audio program material.
power fuse the fuse protects the amplifier and your car’s
electrical system from short circuit conditions.
power terminals use these connectors to deliver power, ground,
and remote turn-on control to the amplifier.
power LED this indicator is illuminated when power
is applied.
bass control use the control to adjust the bass output level
to suit your taste or audio program material.

features and controls
4 ch amp PB442X
4owner’s manual
power LED
low level inputs
bass control
treble control
rear input gain control
front input gain control
speaker connections
power fuse
power terminals
s

features and controls
5
input gain controls use these controls to match the outputs of
your head unit(s) to the amplifier. Starting
with your head unit volume control set at
about the 2 o’clock position, increase the
amp gain controls until distortion begins to
occur, and reduce slightly from this point.
low level inputs this amp features gold-plated RCA input
jacks for high impedance input. Use these
with car stereo output which uses RCA-type
connector cables.
speaker connections these terminals are 14K gold plated to
guarantee high conductivity and minimum
signal loss.
treble control use the control to adjust the treble output level
to suit your taste or audio program material.
bass control use the control to adjust the bass output level
to suit your taste or audio program material.
power fuse the fuse protects the amplifier and your car’s
electrical system from short circuit conditions.
power terminals use these connectors to deliver power, ground,
and remote turn-on control to the amplifier.
power LED this indicator is illuminated when power
is applied.

electrical connectionsspecifications
6owner’s manual
2 ch amp pb440•4champPB442X
2 channel amplifier
PB440X 4 channel amplifier PB442X P
P
output power
@14.4 V.D.C 1 Khz
RMS Power Output @ 4 Ohms 35 Watts x 2 35 Watts x 4
Maximum Power Output 120 Watts x 2 75 Watts x 4
bass/treble control 12dB
+_ 12dB +_
frequency response 15-30 Khz ( 3dB)
+_ 15-30 Khz ( 3dB) +_
input impedance 10 K-Ohms 10 K-Ohms
input sensitivity 150 mV 150 mV
power supply voltage DC 14.4V
negative ground
(10.5-16V)
DC 14.4V
negative ground
(10.5-16V)
matching speaker impedance 4-8 Ohms 4-8 Ohms
maximum current draw 5A 10A
dimensions (WxHxD)
mm
inches
120x59x270
4.75 x 2.32 x 10.63 9.06 x 2.32 x 10.63
230x59x270
net weight
kg
lbs
1.20
2.64
2.25
4.95

electrical connections
2 ch amp PB440X•4champPB442X
specifications
7
er PB440X
PB442X
RED WIRE
12V battery
ORANGE
WIRE
to remote
turn-on
+12V
RED WIRE
12V battery
ORANGE
WIRE
to remote
turn-on
+12V
B)
.63

2/4 channel input connectionsstereo input connections
2 ch amp PB440X
8owner’s manual
4
2
L/R audio outputs
head unit

2/4 channel input connections
4 ch amp PB442X
stereo input connections
4 ch input connections
2 ch input connections
9
head unit
L/R audio output
Y adaptors
L/R REAR
audio outputs
L/R FRONT
audio outputs
head unit

speaker connectionsspeaker connections
2 ch amp PB440X
10 owner’s manual
LEFT
speaker
RIGHT
speaker
NOTE: The PB440X is not
capable of having bridged
outputs. Bridging the outputs
will damage your amplifier!
N
ca
o
w

speaker connections
4 ch amp PB442X
speaker connections
11
REAR
speakers
FRONT
speakers
NOTE: The PB442X is not
capable of having bridged
outputs. Bridging the outputs
will damage your amplifier!
LR
RL

troubleshootingmounting and installation
12 owner’s manual
2 ch amp PB440X•4champPB442X 2 ch
A
A
Please read the Installation Precautions section below before installing
your Pyramid Super Blue amplifier, and then refer to the diagrams
provided to connect power, audio input and speaker connections
according to your own system configuration requirements.
Installation Precautions
• Before you drill or cut any holes, investigate your car’s layout
very carefully. Take care when you work near the gas tank,
fuel lines, hydraulic line and electrical wiring.
• Do not operate the amplifier when it is unmounted. Attach
all audio system components securely within the automobile
to prevent damage, especially in an accident.
• Do not mount this amplifier so that the wire connections are
unprotected or in a pinched condition, or likely to be damaged
by nearby objects. Be sure to select a location inside your
vehicle which has adequate ventilation.
• Before making or breaking power connections in your system,
disconnect the vehicle battery. Confirm that your head unit or
other equipment is turned off while connecting the input jacks
and speaker terminals.
• If you need to replace the power fuse, only replace it with
a fuse identical to that supplied with the system. Using a fuse
of a different type or rating may result in damage to your
system which isn’t covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
solid mounting
surface
screw
spring washer
flat washer

troubleshootingmounting and installation
13
2 ch amp PB440X•4champPB442X
Amplifier will not power up.
• Check for good ground connection.
• Check that remote DC terminal has at least +3v DC.
• Check that there is battery power on the + terminal.
• Check all fuses.
• Check that Protection LED is not lit. If it is lit, shut off
amplifier briefly and then repower it.
High hiss or engine noise (alternator whine) in speakers.
• Disconnect all RCA inputs to the amplifier(s) – if hiss/noise
disappears, then plug in the component driving the amplifier
and unplug its inputs. If hiss/noise disappears, go on until
the faulty/noisy component is found.
• It is best to set the amplifier's input level as insensitive
as possible. The best subjective S/N ratio is obtainable
this way. Try to drive as high a signal level from the head
unit as possible.
Protection LED comes on when the amplifier is powered up.
• Check for shorts on speaker leads.
• Check that the volume control on the head unit is turned
down low.
• Remove speaker leads, and reset the amplifier. If the
Protection LED still comes on, then the amplifier is faulty.
Amplifier(s) gets very hot.
• Check that the minimum speaker impedance for that model
is correct.
• Check for speaker shorts.
• Check that there is good airflow around the amplifier. In
some applications, an external cooling fan may be required.
Distorted sound
• Check that the Level control(s) is set to match the signal
level of the head unit.
• Check that all crossover frequencies have been properly set.
• Check for shorts on the speaker leads.
High squeal noise from speakers.
• This is almost always caused by a poorly-grounded RCA
patch cord.
Before removing your amplifier, refer to the list below and follow the
suggested procedures. Always test the speakers and their wires first.

Owner’s
Manual
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY
PYRAMID SOUND CORP. warrants this unit to be free from
defective material or workmanship and will repair or replace this
unit or any part thereof if it proves defective in normal use or
service within two (2) years from the date of original purchase.
Our obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or
replacing, at our discretion, the defective instrument or any part
thereof when it is returned, transportation prepaid to the Pyramid
Service Center at the address below. This warranty will be consi-
dered void if the unit has been tampered with, improperly serviced,
subjected to abuse or misuse or if installed in a commercial vehicle.
This warranty does not cover accidental damage. When returning
this unit for service, please include $10.00 for return postage
and handling. Send your unit to:
PYRAMID SERVICE CENTER
1600 63rd Street
Brooklyn, New York 11204
IMPORTANT: Pack carefully in original carton if possible. We are
not responsible for damage incurred in returning items for repair.
A letter stating your exact street address, daytime phone number,
and the problem you are experiencing should be included. You
must also enclose a copy of the original receipt as proof of date
of purchase.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION
Completely and immediately mail the Product Registration Card
so that we may contact you directly in the event a safety notification
is issued in accordance with the 1972 Consumer Product Safety
Act, or for other reasons Pyramid may deem necessary.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT HOTLINE
Our technical department will gladly answer any questions you
may have about our products. They cannot, however tell you the
status of a repair, or handle other customer service situations.
1-800-934-2277
Monday through Thursday, 9AM to 5PM
Friday 9AM to 2PM Eastern.