Radio Shack 4-Way Electronic Crossover User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL — Please read before using this equipment.
©2000 RadioShack Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks
used by RadioShack Corporation.
4-Way Electronic Crossover
Your RadioShack 4-Way Electronic Cross-
over lets you get the best sound from your
auto sound system. It takes the full audio
range and splits it up into four smaller rang-
es. High frequencies are sent to the tweeters'
amplifier, middle-range frequencies are sent
to the mid-bass and mid-range speakers'
amplifier, and low frequencies are sent to the
subwoofer’s amplifier.
Since each speaker only gets the frequen-
cies that it handles best, overall sound quali-
ty improves. The crossover even lets you
adjust the specific frequency ranges that
each speaker receives to precisely match its
capabilities.
The crossover's features include:
Remote Control — lets you adjust the sub-
woofer output level and boost the cross-
over’s
BASS EQ frequency level.
Subwoofer Equalizer — lets you set the
bass equalizer to 30–100 Hz.
Mid-Bass, Mid-Range, and Tweeter (High-
Range) Controls — let you adjust the mid-
bass, mid-range, and tweeter output levels.
Crossover Point Selectors — let you set
the frequency limits for the subwoofer, mid-
bass, mid-range, and tweeter.
Automatic Power On — the crossover turns
on when you turn on the vehicle's auto sound
system (when it is connected to a switched
power lead).
Low Input Selector — lets you select one-
line or two-line input to match your auto
sound system's line output.
A complete auto sound system using this
crossover should also include:
• a receiver/CD player/cassette deck that
has line-level outputs
• any combination of one subwoofer, two
mid-bass speakers, two mid-range
speakers, and two tweeters
• a separate power amplifier for each
speaker type or a power amplifier with
multiple input channels
INSTALLATION
You can easily connect this crossover. How-
ever, improper connections can damage
your crossover and other components in
your auto sound system and possibly your
vehicle's electrical system. Before you install
your crossover, read all the installation in-
structions in this owner's manual and follow
them carefully.
Before you begin, you should know which
wire is the power wire in your vehicle's elec-
trical system and be sure your auto sound
system has line-level outputs.
Notes:
• Use audio patch cables with phono-type
connectors (available at your local
RadioShack store) to complete the
input/output connections.
• Be sure to correctly match the input and
output connections' polarity (left output
to left input, and right output to right
input).
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2
• Use 18-gauge wire (available at your
local RadioShack store) to complete the
power connections.
Choosing a Mounting Location
Choose the mounting location for the cross-
over and its remote control first, but do not
mount them until you have connected the wir-
ing and confirmed that the crossover operates
properly with your auto sound system. By
choosing the location first, you can later
mount the crossover and its remote control
without rerouting wires.
Choose a mounting location that:
• positions the crossover as near as possi-
ble to your auto sound system’s ampli-
fier(s) (for example, if your auto sound
system’s amplifiers are in the trunk, you
should also mount the crossover in the
trunk)
Note: It is important to keep the audio
cables as short as possible to reduce
noise and interference.
• does not interfere with the operation of
the vehicle
• is not directly in front of a heating vent
• allows drilling of mounting holes without
damaging other vehicle components
• allows convenient and safe routing of
wires
Connecting Inputs
If your auto sound system has only one set of
line output jacks, connect them to the cross-
over's INPUT MAIN L (left) and R(right) jacks.
Then set LOW INPUT to OFF.
If your auto sound system has two sets of line
output jacks, connect the front output jacks to
the crossover's INPUT MAIN L and Rjacks and
the rear output jacks to the crossover's INPUT
LOW L and Rjacks. Then set LOW INPUT to
ON.
Connecting Outputs
The crossover has four sets of output jacks —
SUB (subwoofer), MID BASS (mid-bass) MID
(mid-range), and TWEETER (high-range).
These jacks connect to your auto sound
system's power amplifiers which are
connected to your system's speakers. The
subwoofer output typically requires the most
power and the largest amplifier. The mid-
bass, mid-range, and tweeter outputs require
less power and smaller amplifiers.
Connect each pair of the crossover’s OUTPUT
(Land R) jacks to the appropriate amplifier
that drives that type of speaker. For example,
connect the crossover's OUTPUT MID L and R
jacks to the amplifier that drives the mid-range
speakers.
Low Input
Jacks MainInput
Jacks
Tweeter
Output
Jacks Mid-Range
Output
Jacks
Mid-Bass
Output
Jacks
Subwoofer
Output
Jacks
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3
Connecting Power
1. Disconnect the cable from your vehicle
battery’s negative (–) terminal. This
reduces the possibility of damage to your
crossover or auto sound system during
installation.
2. Connect the crossover's GND (ground)
terminal to a metal part of the vehicle's
frame.
Caution: Do not connect the ground wire
to a non-metallic (plastic) part, or to any
part insulated from the vehicle's frame by
a non-metallic part.
3. Connect the crossover's +12 (12-volt)
POWER terminal directly to the vehicle
battery's positive (+) terminal.
4. Connect the crossover's REM (remote)
POWER terminal to your auto sound sys-
tem's switched power lead. When you
turn on the auto sound system, the
POWER indicator lights and the cross-
over turns on.
If your auto sound system does not have
a switched power lead, connect the REM
POWER terminal to a point in your vehi-
cle's fuse box that provides 12-volt bat-
tery power only when you set the
vehicle’s ignition switch to ON or ACC.
With this type of connection, the cross-
over turns on when you set the ignition
switch to ON or ACC.
5. Reconnect the cable to your vehicle bat-
tery's negative terminal.
Connecting the Remote Control
With the supplied 16-foot-long remote wire,
connect one of the wire’s modular plugs to the
crossover’s REMOTE jack (next to the OUTPUT
jacks). Connect the modular plug on the other
end of the wire to the modular connector on
the back of the remote control.
When you route the wire between the cross-
over and the remote control, avoid placing the
wire near moving parts or sharp edges. If your
crossover is in the trunk, you might be able to
route the wire along the wiring channel be-
neath the vehicle’s door facings by carefully
removing the molding that holds the carpet in
place. After you route the remote wire, replace
the molding.
Testing the Connections
Follow these steps to check that the crossover
works with your auto sound system before
you adjust and mount the crossover and its re-
mote control.
1. Turn on the auto sound system. The
crossover's POWER indicator lights.
2. Set the crossover’s three OUTPUT LEVEL
controls to the midpoint. Then adjust the
auto sound system's volume to a comfort-
able level.
3. Play a cassette tape or CD that has a
wide dynamic range, or tune to a strong
FM station.
4. If the sound from any speaker is distorted
or has static (or if there is no sound from a
speaker), turn off your auto sound system
Ground
Terminal
Power
Indicator
Remote
Power
Terminal +12-Volt
Power
Terminal
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4
immediately, then check the wiring con-
nections. Also, check the settings of other
components in your auto sound system. If
you hear no distortion or static, proceed to
“Adjusting the Controls.”
Note: After you complete the connections,
mount the crossover and the remote control,
and reconnect the battery cable, you will need
to reset all clock/memory devices in your vehi-
cle that are powered by the vehicle's battery.
ADJUSTING THE CONTROLS
A crossover separates the sound frequency
spectrum into distinct bands, and ensures that
only the proper bands are routed to the appro-
priate speaker. This crossover can separate
output for auto sound systems with subwoof-
er, mid-bass, mid-range, and tweeter speak-
ers. It lets you adjust the crossover points for
each filter to let in the frequencies that best
suit your auto sound system's capabilities and
keep out the ones that do not.
Setting the Crossover Frequencies
The crossover settings described in the fol-
lowing sections are for your general guidance.
As you listen, you can determine the cross-
over points that produce the best sound with
your vehicle’s auto sound system.
Setting the SUB Crossover Point
The SUB crossover point selector lets you set
the upper frequency limit for subwoofer out-
put. Choose 50 Hz, 80 Hz, 100 Hz, or 130 Hz.
All signals at or below the selected crossover
point go to your subwoofer.
Slide the SUB crossover point selector to a
setting that matches or is less than your sub-
woofer's upper cutoff frequency. You can find
this frequency listed in the subwoofer's speci-
fications as F(c), F(cutoff), the cutoff frequen-
cy, or the highest frequency shown in the
speaker's frequency response range.
Setting the TWEETER Crossover Point
The TWEETER crossover point selector lets
you set the lower frequency limit for tweeter
output. Choose 1K (kHz), 2K, 4K, or 6K. All
signals at or above the selected crossover
point go to your tweeter speakers.
Slide the TWEETER crossover point selector to
a setting that matches or is higher than your
tweeter's lower cutoff frequency. You can find
this frequency listed in the tweeter’s specifica-
tions as F(c), F(cutoff), the cutoff frequency,
or the lowest frequency shown in the speak-
er's frequency response range.
Use the LEVEL control above the TWEETER
crossover point selector to carefully adjust the
tweeter output to the amplifier. Setting the
control too high could cause distortion.
Setting the MID BASS Crossover Points
The crossover’s mid-bass output uses a high-
pass filter and a low-pass filter to form a band-
pass that lets only certain frequencies
through. There are two MID BASS crossover
point selectors. The high-pass filter lets you
set the lower crossover point and the low-
pass filter lets you set the upper crossover
point for your mid-bass output.
The MID BASS BANDPASS HIGH crossover
point selector lets you set the lower frequency
limit for mid-bass output. Slide the switch to 50
Crossover Point Selectors
Output Level Controls
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5
Hz, 80 Hz, 100 Hz, or 130 Hz. All signals below
the selected crossover point are blocked; all
signals at or above the selected crossover
point go to your mid-bass speakers.
The MID BASS BANDPASS LOW crossover
point selector lets you set the upper frequency
limit for mid-bass output. To set the crossover
point, slide the switch to 200 Hz, 300 Hz, or 500
Hz. All signals above the selected crossover
point are blocked; all signals at or below the
selected crossover point go to your mid-bass
speakers.
If you do not want to set an upper frequency
limit so that frequencies higher than 500 Hz
can go to your mid-bass speakers, slide the
switch to FLAT.
Use the LEVEL control above the MID BASS
crossover point selectors to carefully adjust
the mid-bass output to the amplifier. Setting
the control too high could cause distortion.
Setting the MID Crossover Points
The crossover’s mid-range output also uses a
high-pass filter and a low-pass filter to form a
bandpass that lets only certain frequencies
through. There are two MID crossover point
selectors. The high-pass filter lets you set the
lower crossover point and the low-pass filter
lets you set the upper crossover point for your
mid-range output.
The MID BANDPASS HIGH crossover point se-
lector lets you set the lower frequency limit for
mid-range output. Slide the switch to 200 Hz,
300 Hz, 500 Hz, or 700 Hz. All signals below
the selected crossover point are blocked; all
signals at or above the selected crossover
point go to your mid-range speakers.
The MID BANDPASS LOW crossover point se-
lector lets you select the upper frequency limit
for mid-range output. To set the crossover
point, slide the switch to 1K (kHz), 2K, or 4K.
All signals above the selected crossover point
are blocked; all signals at or below the select-
ed crossover point go to your mid-range
speakers.
If you do not want to set an upper frequency
limit so that frequencies higher than 4 kHz can
go to your mid-range speakers, slide the
switch to FLAT.
Use the LEVEL control above the MID cross-
over point selectors to carefully adjust the
mid-range output to the amplifier. Setting the
control too high could cause distortion.
Using the Remote Control
Follow these steps before you make adjust-
ments to the remote’s BASS EQ and SUB con-
trols.
1. Adjust the auto sound system’s volume to
a moderate level.
2. Adjust the crossover’s LIMITER control to
MIN (minimum).
3. Adjust the remote’s SUB control to a posi-
tion about halfway between MAX (maxi-
mum) and the dot preceding MAX.
4. Adjust LIMITER toward MAX just until you
hear some distortion, then slightly turn
the control back toward MIN until the dis-
tortion goes away. (You want this control
set to the highest position possible with-
out causing distortion.)
5. Adjust the crossover’s BASS EQ control to
boost a specific frequency in the bass
equalizer. Begin by setting it to 70 Hz,
then adjust it as desired.
After making these adjustments, you can use
the remote’s BASS EQ control to boost the
crossover’s BASS EQ frequency level and the
remote’s SUB control to adjust the subwoof-
er’s output level.
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6
MOUNTING THE
CROSSOVER AND ITS
REMOTE CONTROL
After you have correctly connected the cross-
over and set the controls, follow these steps to
mount the crossover and its remote control.
1. Using the crossover's/remote’s mounting
holes as a guide, mark the positions for
the mounting screw holes at the desired
location.
2. Use screws (not supplied) that will fit
through the crossover’s/remote’s mount-
ing holes. Drill a hole slightly smaller than
these screws at each marked position.
Caution: Be careful not to drill into any-
thing behind the mounting surface.
3. Use screws and washers (not supplied)
to secure the crossover/remote to the
mounting surface.
CARE
To enjoy your RadioShack 4-Way Electronic
Crossover for a long time:
• Keep the crossover dry. If it gets wet,
wipe it dry immediately.
• Handle the crossover gently and care-
fully. Do not drop it.
• Keep the crossover away from dust and
dirt.
• Wipe the crossover with a damp cloth
occasionally to keep it looking new.
Modifying or tampering with the crossover’s
internal components can cause a malfunction
and might invalidate its warranty. If your
crossover is not performing as it should, take
it to your local RadioShack store for assis-
tance.
Noise Suppression
Every vehicle produces its own electrical
noise generated by the ignition system, alter-
nator, and accessory systems. High-fidelity
audio systems are susceptible to picking up
these noises. Most noise problems are due to
improper installation and not the equipment.
The following suggestions will help eliminate
noise problems in most installations. Recom-
mended cables and parts are available at your
local RadioShack store.
Most noise problems are due to poor and im-
proper grounding.
• Make sure all ground connections are
clean and tight.
• Ground leads from all signal processors
and receivers should be grounded to the
same location.
• Ground loops can be reduced by running
a low-gauge (8 or 10) ground cable from
the rear grounding point to the front
grounding point.
• Try using different grounding points in the
vehicle to determine the best possible
grounding location for all units.
Always use high-quality shielded signal ca-
bles. Route all signal cables away from all
power sources (such as power wires) and all
electrical motors and devices.
Check the vehicle's charging system. Low
battery power or an inadequate charging sys-
tem can cause noise problems.
External noise suppressors help eliminate
noise problems. Complex audio systems have
many entry points for noise, such as multiple
power leads, multiple signal cables (in and
out), and multiple grounding leads. Use the
appropriate type of noise suppressor:
• various amperage filter chokes for power
leads
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7
• noise/spike suppressors to control igni-
tion coil, distributor, alternator, or genera-
tor noise, as well as to eliminate pops and
clicks
• ground loop isolator
Replacing the Fuse
This crossover uses a 1-amp, blade-type fuse
for protection from power surges or a short cir-
cuit. If the POWER indicator turns off or does
not turn on, replace the fuse with a new one of
the same size and type.
1. Be sure the power source is off.
2. Firmly grasp the fuse's plastic end and
pull it out.
3. Holding the new fuse's plastic end, push
it firmly into place.
SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response ................................................................................................................. 10 Hz–40 kHz
Channel Separation at 1 kHz .................................................................................................................. 50 dB
Distortion at 1 kHz and 1 Volt ................................................................................................................... 0.1%
S/N Ratio ................................................................................................................................................. 70 dB
Crossover Slope ......................................................................................................................... 18 dB/Octave
Power Requirements ............................................................................................. 12V DC (Negative Ground)
Dimensions (HWD) ................................................................................................... 8.27 ×6.30 ×1.22 Inches
(210 ×160 ×31 mm)
Specifications are typical; individual units may vary. Specifications are subject to change and improvement
without notice.
Blade-Type Fuse
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12-2020
05A00
Printed in Korea
RadioShack Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Limited One-Year Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workman-
ship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned
stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, Ra-
dioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING
THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED
IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED
HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RE-
SPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY
LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFOR-
MANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, IN-
CLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS
OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDEN-
TAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limita-
tion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to
you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the RadioShack
sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, un-
less otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and
labor; (b) replace the product with one of the same or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase
price. All replaced parts and products, and products on which a refund is made, become the prop-
erty of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in the performance of
warranty service. Repaired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the
original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the product made after the
expiration of the warranty period.
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts of God, abuse,
accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper installation or
maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs
other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consumables such as
fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs
of product removal, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102
We Service What We Sell 12/99
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