RetroSound SUB-8100 User manual

MODERN SOUND FOR YOUR CLASSIC
www.retromanufacturing.com
USER’S MANUAL
SUB 8100
Powered Subwoofer

1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME 2
WHAT’S IN THE BOX 3
PRECAUTIONS 4
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 7
CONTROLS 9
TROUBLESHOOTING 11
SPECIFICATIONS 12
LIMITED WARRANTY 13
INSTALLATION NOTES 14

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Copyright 2016 © Retro Manufacturing, LLC
WELCOME
Thank you for purchasing a RetroSound® SUB8100 powered subwoofer.
General Features
• Aluminum enclosure for optimum heat dissipation
• Compact footprint 133/4” x 23/4” x 91/4” (350mm x 70mm x 235mm)
• Built-in 100 Watt RMS class D digital amplier
• Fully adjustable electronic cross-over (50-100Hz)
• Switchable 0º/180º phase control
• Frequency response: 35-160Hz
• Remote Gain Control
The information enclosed in this user’s manual is to be used as a guide to assist
you with installation and operation of your powered subwoofer. This guide does
not cover every installation possibility, vehicle, or aspect of the installation process.
Retro Manufacturing, LLC, RetroSound®, or its subsidiaries assume no responsibility
for any installation. This manual may be updated from time to time.
Visit our website for the latest updates: www.retromanufacturing.com.

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WHAT’S IN THE BOX
The items shown below are packaged with your SUB8100.
Wiring Harness SUB8100 Powered Subwoofer
Mounting Brackets
Adhesive Tape
Mounting Hardware
Remote Gain Control

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Copyright 2016 © Retro Manufacturing, LLC
PRECAUTIONS
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency (RF) energy. If not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, this equipment may cause
harmful interference with radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that RF interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio reception (which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on) the user is encouraged to consult their dealer or an
experienced radio technician for help. You are cautioned that any changes or
modications not expressly approved in this manual will void your warranty.
Always observe these precautions when operating this unit
This user’s manual does not cover all possible installation scenarios.
If you feel that you can’t install this unit yourself, take it to a local
car audio professional. If you have questions about installing your
unit, you may contact us at [email protected] or by
calling 888.325.1555.
• Do not disassemble, modify or attempt to repair
the unit yourself. If the unit needs to be repaired,
consult your dealer or Retro Manufacturing, LLC.
• Do not use the unit when it is out of order. If the unit
is out of order or is in an abnormal state (has foreign
objects in it, is exposed to water, smokes or smells),
turn it off immediately, remove power and consult
your dealer or Retro Manufacturing, LLC.
• Refer fuse replacement to qualied service personnel.
If a fuse fails, eliminate the cause and have it replaced
by a qualied service technician with the fuse
prescribed for this unit. Incorrect replacement of fuses
may lead to smoke, re and damage to the unit.
• If the unit does not turn on, check the connections rst.
Then check the fuses in your vehicle’s fuse panel and the
fuse at the unit’s wiring harness. Do not expose the unit to
direct sunlight or excessive heat. Excessive heat will raise the
interior temperature of the unit, which may damage it.

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PRECAUTIONS
• Do not use the unit where it is exposed to moisture or dust.
Exposure to moisture or dust may lead to smoke, re or other
damage to the unit and will void your warranty. Make sure the
unit does not get wet in car washes or on rainy days. Exposure
to moisture will damage the unit and void your warranty.
• Refer wiring and installation to qualied service personnel.
Installation of this unit requires special skills and experience.
Retro Manufacturing, LLC is not liable for any problems resulting
from improper installation of the unit. Please be sure to follow
the instructions carefully while attempting installation.
• Follow the instructions to wire the unit. Failure to follow the
instructions could cause damage to the unit, re, injury or death.
• Be careful not to damage the leads. Prevent them from
being caught in the vehicle chassis or from being damaged
by screws or moving parts such as seat rails. Do not scratch,
pull, bend or twist the leads. Do not install them near heat
sources or place heavy objects on them. If the wiring must
be routed around sharp metal edges, protect them by
wrapping them with vinyl tape or similar protections.
• We recommend only using the designated parts and
tools when installing this unit. Use extreme caution
not to damage internal parts when choosing to
use custom hardware, brackets and screws.
• Do not interfere with safety-related vehicle components.
Do not wire or afx this unit to the fuel tank, brakes,
suspension, steering wheel, pedals, etc. Check for electric
wiring, piping and other items before installing the unit.
• Never install the unit in a location where it
interferes with your eld of vision.

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Copyright 2016 © Retro Manufacturing, LLC
PRECAUTIONS
• Never splice into the power lead to supply
other equipment with power.
• After installation and wiring, always check the normal
operation of other electrical equipment.
• Make sure that no wires interfere with driving
or getting in and out of the vehicle.
• Insulate all exposed wires to prevent short-circuiting or electric shock.
• Do not operate the unit for prolonged periods
with the engine off. Prolonged operation with the
engine turned off will drain the battery.
• Keep the volume of your system at a level that allows
you to hear outside noises such as emergency sirens
and train crossing warnings. Prolonged exposure to
high volume levels may also result in hearing loss.
• Always disconnect the negative (-) battery cable before
beginning installation. Verify the battery ground by checking
that one wire is connected to the vehicle’s starter mounting
bolt or engine block and the other to the vehicle’s chassis using
at least 8 gauge wire. Make sure the alternator or generator
connections are secure and free from corrosion, rust or dirt.
• This unit is designed for operation with a negative ground 12 volt
DC battery system. Do not operate this unit with other battery
systems – especially an 18 or 24 volt DC or a positive ground system.
• The unit must not be covered. Do not cover the unit with
carpets or enclose it behind trim panels. Covering the unit
may cause it to overheat. Do not mount the unit in an
inverted or upside-down position. This unit is designed to
dissipate heat from the top of the unit. Installing it at an
inverted angle or upside down will not allow the heat to
escape and can cause it to overheat. Damage caused by
failure to follow these instructions will void your warranty.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Install the Mounting Brackets
NOTE: You may also use the supplied adhesive tape in place of the sheet metal
screws if you do not wish you make holes in your vehicle.
Afx the mounting brackets to the bottom of the powered subwoofer
using the machine screws from your mounting hardware (see Figure 1).
STEP 2: Mount the Powered Subwoofer
Make sure the mounting location allows adequate space for the
amplier to dissipate heat. You should also insure that the controls
will be accessible after installation. Use the sheet metal screws from
your mounting hardware to securely mount the powered subwoofer.
When drilling the holes, make sure you don’t drill into the exhaust
system, fuel lines or any electrical wires.
Bottom of SUB8100
Bracket Installed
Mounting Bracket
Insert Machine Screw
Figure 1

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Copyright 2016 © Retro Manufacturing, LLC
STEP 3: Wiring Your Powered Subwoofer
First, locate the wiring harness. This wiring harness contains the power,
ground, remote turn-on and high-level input leads. Plug the wiring
harness into the power/high-level input (#7) (see Figure 2).
Next, attach the main power lead (yellow wire) to a constant 12
volt power source. It is best to connect it directly to the positive lead
of your battery. Then, connect the ground lead (black wire) to the
chassis of your vehicle. Make sure to remove any paint or residue
at the ground point to achieve good, consistent ground contact.
Connect the remote turn-on wire (blue/white) to the amplier turn-on
lead at the back of the radio. This will turn the powered subwoofer on
when the radio turns on, and turn the powered subwoofer off when
the radio turns off.
Finally, plug your radio’s low-level RCA outputs into the RCA inputs (#5)
on your powered subwoofer.
NOTE: If your radio does not have RCA outputs, you can use the high-level input leads
(the separate white, gray and black wires that plug into the wiring harness) to connect
your speaker wires directly to the powered subwoofer.
WARNING: Never connect both the RCA and high-level input leads at the same time.
Doing so can damage your unit and will void your warranty.
Your powered subwoofer came with a remote gain control that
allows you to remotely adjust the gain. To use this control, you
must plug it into the remote input (#3) on the front of the powered
subwoofer. The remote can be mounted under the dash or tucked
in between the seat and console. Make sure you don’t mount it
anywhere that could interfere with driving.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Figure 2
PHASE
0º
180º 50Hz MIN MAX
CH1 CH2
100Hz
FREQ GAIN
INPUT
POWER
POWER/HIGH LEVEL INPUT
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CONTROLS
1.PHASE: The phase control toggles polarity between 0º (normal)
and 180º (reverse). When set to 0º, the powered subwoofer is
in-phase (when the speakers move out, the subwoofer speaker
also moves out). When this is set to 180º, the powered subwoofer
is out of phase (when the speakers move out, the subwoofer
speaker moves in). Normally this should be left at 0º. Setting the
phase to 180º can be useful in certain situations depending on
the subwoofer placement and your vehicle’s acoustics.
2.FREQ: The frequency control adjusts the frequency crossover
point. The recommended crossover setting is between 60Hz
and 80Hz. This is an advanced control, and typically does not
need adjusting beyond 60Hz or 80Hz unless you are looking for
specic tonality.
3.REMOTE INPUT: This is the input for the remote gain control. This
remote adjusts the gain between MIN and the setting you choose
with the gain control (#4). For example, if you set the gain to
halfway using the gain control (#4) on the front of the powered
subwoofer, the remote gain control (#3), when set to max, will set
the powered subwoofer to 50% gain.
PHASE
0º
180º 50Hz MIN MAX
CH1 CH2
100Hz
FREQ GAIN
INPUT
POWER
POWER/HIGH LEVEL INPUT
1234567