12
PROTECTION CIRCUITRY
Your REFERENCE amplifier is protected against both overheating and short
circuits by means of the following circuits:
•
Main power supply fuses
•
Auto High Current™ power supply
•
Smart Power Supply Thermal Rollback activating at 85°C
•
A fail-safe thermal protection circuit activating at 95°C
Your amplifier also incorporates an innovative Fault Diagnosis system that
AUTO HIGH CURRENT™ POWER SUPPLY
The REFERENCE500s/700s/1000s amplifiers employ an extremely efficient
Auto High Current™ power supply (patent pending). This new power supply
circuitry automatically customizes your amplifier for optimum efficiency and
power output into virtually any impedance load. When other brand amplifiers
are driven at low impedances (i.e., 1 ohm or less), they shut down, squash
dynamics and power output (called current limiting), or waste huge amounts of
power (i.e., low efficiency). All of which reduce the "realworld" power the
amplifier can produce in the car. Soundstream's Auto High Current™ power
supply allows the REFERENCE amplifiers to be one of two types of amps:
either producing maximum power at higher impedances (perfect for satellites)
or at lower impedances (usually with multiple subwoofers). This is done by
letting the amplifiers' power supply continuously monitor the impedance of the
load the amplifier is driving. If the impedance drops too low, the power supply
will automatically switch into High Current mode. It will stay in this mode until
the amplifier is turned off. The next time it is powered up, it will be in the High
Power mode.
Unlike other amplifiers, Soundstream’s REFERENCE amplifiers can be
configured to drive virtually any impedance and make maximum power! The
major advantages of this power supply are:
•
awesome dynamic power capabilities
•
added continuous power with higher voltages
•
increased amplifier efficiency and reliability
Because of the dynamic properties of most music, all audio components
should be able to react accordingly. Thanks to their unique power supplies,
NOTE: If you experience blown main power supply fuses, it is likely that the
amplifier is seeing a dead short, either in the speaker wire or in the speaker
itself. Rectify the problem before blowing multiple fuses! DO NOT increase
values beyond the original fuse value! Doing so will void your warranty and
13
CROSSOVER ADJUSTMENTS
The REFERENCE amplifiers incorporate an on-board staggered electronic
crossover, with RCA outputs to drive an external amplifier. No external
electronic crossover is necessary. The high and low pass portions of the
crossover can be set independently of one another.
In most car audio installations, there is a tendency for a “midbass boom.”
Because of their interior dimensions, most cars will resonate or ring at these
midbass frequencies. If we design the system so there is less musical
information in this region, the final response is very smooth and natural
sounding. The high pass and low pass crossovers are independently variable
from 45 to 180 Hz at 12 dB/octave.
For initial crossover setup, try setting the low pass filter to approximately 60
Hz, and the high pass filter to approximately 100 Hz. Change the crossover
points to accommodate a good mixture of frequency response, power
12 dB/Oct. Low Pass
AIRBASS™ ACCESSORY OPTION
Soundstream's new AIRBASS™ feature can be added to the REFERENCE
amplifiers. This feature allows wireless RF remote control level adjustment of
the amplifier, while the low pass filter on the amplifiers' internal crossover is
engaged. (AIRBASS™ does not control the level of the RCA signal outputs.)
NOTE: There is an +8 dB boost in signal level
when the amplifier's internal low pass filter is
engaged. This boost does not apply to the
RCA outputs.
12 dB/Oct. High Pass
NOTE: The AIRBASS™ accessory is intended to be used only while the
REFERENCE amplifiers are driving subwoofers. When the AIRBASS™
accessory is added to a REFERENCE amplifier, it automatically configures the
amplifier into Bridged Mono mode. (The Coherent Stereo / Mixed Mono /
Bridged Mono switch is bypassed.) Therefore, when using AIRBASS™, follow
the Bridged Mono input and output wiring instructions. (See page 16.)
Installing AIRBASS™ involves removing the bottom plate of the amplifier,
adding the AIRBASS™ circuit board, and flipping a switch. The switch is
labeled on the amplifier's main circuit board. DO NOT set the AIRBASS™
switch to the "IN" position unless the AIRBASS™ module has been added.
DO NOT move the AIRBASS™ switch while the amplifier is "ON". Doing so
may damage your speakers. (Please refer to the AIRBASS™ owner's /
installation manual for more details.)