Amplifier Owner’s Manual
Phoenix Gold • www.phoenixgold.com
System tuning
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. Install all system fuses.
2. Set the amplifier’s input sensitivity controls to their minimum positions
(full counterclockwise).
3. Set all amplifier crossover switches according to your system’s design.
4. Make preliminary adjustments to the crossover frequency, usually 80Hz
is good starting point for low pass and 30Hz for subsonic. It may be
necessary to fine tune the crossover frequency later for the best overall
sound quality.
5. If using a Remote Subwoofer Level Control, set it to maximum (full
clockwise).
6. Turn the headunit on with the volume set to minimum.
7. Visually check the amplifier’s has turned on by the power LED.
8. Check the condition of all other components to make sure they are
powered up.
9. Set the headunit’s tone controls, balance, and fader to the center (flat)
position. Turn off any loudness or other signal processing features.
10. Set the volume control of the headunit to 3/4 of maximum volume. Play
music you typically listen to through the system.
11. Turn up the sensitivity or input level control on the amplifier until the
speakers reach maximum undistorted output. The clip LEDs should flash
with the peaks of the music at this level.
12. Repeat sensitivity level adjustments for all other amplifiers.
13. Reduce the headunit’s volume to a comfortable level.
14. Listen to various musical selections to check overall system balance.
Compare front to rear, midbass to midrange, etc. If one speaker set is
too loud compared to another, then its level must be lowered to blend
correctly with the other speakers.
Note: For subwoofers controlled by the Remote level control, keep the
level setting from step 11 or 12. Use the control to blend subwoofers
with the rest of the system. The correct subwoofer volume will change
depending on road noise and differences in recordings.
15. Fine tune crossover frequencies to achieve the smoothest possible
blending of each speaker set.
16. Adjust the Bass Equalization Controls on the amplifier, headunit or
processor upstream if necessary to increase output.
Note: Use these controls sparingly. Every 3dB of boost requires double the
power at 45Hz. If your subwoofer system requires a lot of boost to sound
good, there may be a problem. Look for out-of-phase woofers, a leaking
subwoofer box, or incorrect box size.
17. With all levels set correctly, the system will reach overall maximum
undistorted output at the volume level set in step 10.
NO POwER:
Check voltage at the amplifier with a DMM (volt meter), +12v and R
(with head unit on) the voltage should register between 11.5V and
14.4V when using the attached ground lead of the amplifier. Check
fuse at the battery. Use a meter to verify connection from one end
of the fuse to the other, breaks may not always be visible. If the fuse
is blown, check the power wire and also the amplifier for a short. If
the short is in the amplifier itself, see your Phoenix Gold dealer. If no
short is present, replace the fuse.
POwER wITHOUT SOUND:
Turn the amplifier off and check all input and output signal cables
and power connections. Check the speakers for shorts with a DMM
(volt meter) or by connecting them to another audio source. After
making sure everything is correct, turn the amplifier on again.
POwER, NO SOUND, PROTECT LED LIT:
The red PROTECT LED lights when the amplifier shuts down for
either thermal or over-current protection. A high internal amplifier
operating temperature will trigger thermal shutdown: after it
cools about 5°C, the amplifier will restart. A shorted speaker lead
or operation into unusually low impedance loads will trigger over-
current shutdown: cycle power at the amplifier R terminal to restore
operation. Check for shorted speaker wiring or damaged speakers
or crossover systems if over-current shutdown occurs.
NO SOUND FROM ONE OR MORE CHANNELS:
Check the balance control in the head unit. Check speaker
connections. Check signal input connection. Very low output: Check
your head unit’s fader control or the amplifier’s input sensitivity
level. Make sure subsonic frequency control is not set too high and
LP frequency control is not set too low at the same time.
FREQUENT AMPLIFIER SHUTDOwN wITH AUTOMATIC
RECOVERY:
This indicates chronic amplifier thermal shutdown because
of operation at consistently high internal temperatures. High
operating temperature can be caused by inadequate ventilation.
Make sure you are not running a lower than recommend
impedance. Also check for damaged speakers or passive crossover
systems. Finally, chronic thermal shutdown may result from
otherwise normal operation of the amplifier at elevated output
power levels, which can be resolved by providing additional
amplifier cooling, installing a higher-power amplifier, or reducing
amplifier output level.
POwER CYCLES ON/OFF QUICKLY:
The power indicator going off repeatedly when the audio system is
on. Check the amplifier’s connection to the battery. Check battery
voltage. If low, recharge or replace the battery. Check all ground
connections.
