Indicators and Controls

POWER 5500 5-Channel Amplifier

Power Indicator (POWER)

The POWER indicator provides a visual indication that the amplifier is turned on.

Protect Indicator (PROTECT)

The PROTECT indicator provides a visual indication that a problem exists and the protection circuitry has protected the amplifier by shutting it down. Turn the system off and correct the problem before turning the system on again.

•Thermal Protection: The amplifier will shut down if its temperature exceeds a safe operating level. The amplifier will remain off until it cools to a safe operating temperature. Exercise care, as the exterior of the amplifier may get uncomfortably hot to the touch before shutting down.

•Overload and Short Circuit Protection: The amplifier will shut down if a short circuit condition

Input Level Control (LEVEL)

The input LEVEL control matches the output of your radio to the input of the amplifier. After the installation is complete, make sure the input level control on the amplifier is turned down all the way (counter-clockwise or all the way to the left). Play a tape or CD (make sure bass and treble settings or Bass EQ are flat) and turn the volume up slowly until you just start to hear distortion. Back the volume down just a bit. On the amplifier, slowly turn up the input level control (clockwise or to the right) until you just start to hear distortion, then back it down a bit. Now your radio and amplifier levels are matched.

BASS EQ

The Bass EQ is continuously adjustable from 0 to +12dB @ 45Hz. Adjusting the Bass Boost level allows different subwoofer/enclosure combinations to be equalized. Use this control to increase the level of low bass available from your subwoofer/enclosure combination. Ported and Band Pass enclosures should be limited to about +6dB to +9dB of boost. Sealed enclosures should be able to accept the full +12dB of boost, if necessary. The full +12dB of boost should be reserved for special applications since improper use of the Bass Boost could damage your subwoofers at high volumes.

SUB SONIC

The SUB SONIC filter adjusts the highpass filter for the Subwoofer Channel. This filter allows you to fine tune the amount of extreme low bass sent to your subwoofer. For large sealed box subwoofers you may wish to set this at the minimum of 16Hz. For smaller subwoofers (single 8" or 10"), setting the filter to about 30Hz will protect the speaker from excessive excursion and distortion. For ported boxes, the woofer's excursion increases dramatically at about 1/3 octave below the tuning frequency. To protect the subwoofer from damage, the SUB SONIC filter should be set slightly below the tuning frequency of the box. For example, if your box is tuned to 40Hz, then the SUB SONIC filter should be set to approximately 32Hz.

Low Pass Filter (LPF)

The Low Pass Filter for Channel 5 controls adjust the crossover point. Typical crossover is between 60Hz and 80Hz for ported and sealed enclosures. Bandpass boxes will typically use a higher crossover setting between 125Hz and 150Hz. Since musical tastes vary, you should play music that you would normally listen to in your vehicle, with the above settings as a starting point. If necessary, set the crossover by ear.

High Pass Filter (HPF)

The high pass filter will limit the low frequencies being transmitted to your speakers. This can be useful in number of situations. For example, if you selected the high pass filter and set the crossover to 40Hz, then you would have an infra-sonic (sub-sonic) filter at 40Hz, which would be useful with certain enclosure/subwoofer combinations that were tuned between 45Hz and 50Hz. Other uses might include limiting the low frequencies to smaller speakers (6 1/2", 6 X 9", etc.) by adjusting the crossover to a higher setting (80–100Hz).

Crossover (FULL/HPF)

The Jensen Power series of amplifiers have built-in low-pass and high-pass crossover filters for bi-amplifying the system. Adjust the crossover to accommodate your chosen installation method. Choose FULL when crossover mode is not active and the amplifier is in « full range” mode. Select HPF (high pass filter) when the amplifier will be driving full-range or separate speakers, and you want to limit the « bass” being transferred to these speakers. LPF can be adjusted for channel 5.