Polk Audio PA400.1 Features, Safe Limits of Operation, Installation Guidelines, Getting Started

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Tools You May Need

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listening material. If you hear distortion—turn the vol-

WARNING

High-powered car audio systems may produce sound pressure levels that exceed the threshold at which hearing loss may result.

They may also impair a driver’s ability to hear traffic sounds or emergency vehicles. Use common sense and practice safe listening habits when listening to or adjusting your audio system.

FEATURES

•Super-efficient Class D PWM design runs much cooler than conventional amps.

•High-speed MOSFET switching power supply.

•High-current complementary Class D MOSFET outputs stable into one ohm loads.

•Thermal, DC offset, reverse polarity and short circuit protection with status LED.

•Master/slave function supports two amps bridged to one load. (PA600.1/PA1200.1)

•Continuously variable 12dB/octave low-pass crossover.

•Switchable subsonic filter 24dB/octave.

•Switchable 8 dB bass EQ function.

•Switchable 180° phase inversion.

7.Wire Harness

8.Owner’s Manual

9.Online Registration Card

10.Remote Volume Module

11.Phone Line Cord

Important Note: If anything is missing or damaged, or if your Polk Audio amplifier fails to operate, notify your dealer immediately. We recommend keeping your original carton and packing materials in case you need to ship the unit in the future.

In the event that your amplifier requires service or is ever stolen, you will need to have a record of the product’s serial number. Please take the time to enter that number in the space provided below. The serial number can be found on the bottom panel of the amplifier and on the amplifier packaging.

Serial Number:____________________________

Polk Audio Customer Service 800-377-7655

(M-F, 9-6 EST, US & Canada only) or via email polkcs@polkaudio.com. Outside the US & Canada, call 410-358-3600. To learn more about Polk Audio 12V amplifiers go to www.polkaudio.com Polk Audio, Inc. 5601 Metro Drive Baltimore, MD 21215

•Phillips head screwdriver

•Solderless, crimp-on connectors and a crimping tool

•Safety glasses

•Wire strippers and cutters

•Electrical tape

•Grommets for passing wires through metal car walls

•Amplifier Power Wire Kit (available at your authorized Polk Audio Dealer)

SAFE LIMITS OF OPERATION

Polk Audio specifies the recommended amplification range for each of its passive (non-amplified) loudspeakers. Typi- cally that specification will be expressed as a range of power such as 20-200 Watts (per channel). It is important to understand what those numbers mean when choosing a receiver or amplifier for your Polk loudspeakers. The lower number indicates the lowest continuous rated power that will yield acceptable performance in a typical listening environment. The higher number indicates the highest per channel power that should be used with your Polk speakers. That number should not be confused with a “Power Handling” specification and it does not imply that the speaker will safely handle that full amount of power on a long-term basis. We specify a wide range of power ratings because not all electronics manufacturers use the same method for rating power. In fact, high quality lower-

ume down or risk damaging your speakers. You can damage just about any speaker, regardless of power rating, if you drive an amplifier to or beyond the point of distortion.

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

1.	Please read this owner’s manual carefully before
	installing this amplifier.
2.	Disconnect the battery ground terminal prior
	to making any electrical connections.
3.	Check for any hazards or obstructions such as gas
	tanks, fuel or brake lines, and wiring harnesses
	before mounting the amplifier.
4.	Pick a mounting location that will provide adequate
	access and ventilation and protect the amplifier from
	heat, moisture, and dirt.
5.	To securely mount your amplifier you must first remove
	the top cover assembly. Unscrew the four (4) top cover
	assembly retaining screws.
6. Avoid sharp metal areas when routing cables to the
	amplifier, and run RCA cables away from the power
	cables and other potentially noisy car harnesses.
7.	The amplifier should be grounded with a short, heavy
	gauge wire connected directly to the car at a bare metal
	surface, preferably scraped body sheet metal. Do not
	use factory ground locations, seat bolts, or brackets
	that are spot welded.

•Remote subwoofer level control function.

•Variable input sensitivity optimizes match with different signal sources.

•Chrome-plated wire terminals and RCA connectors ensure maximum signal transfer.

•Rugged heat sink and cover.

•Unity gain pass-through RCA jacks.

GETTING STARTED

Take Inventory

Check to ensure you have everything in your Polk Audio amplifier carton to start enjoying your system. Inside, you should find:

1.Polk Audio Amplifier

(either PA400.1, PA600.1 or PA1200.1)

2.Phillips Screws (4)

3.Mounting Washers (4)

4.Locking Washers (4)

5.Rubber Washers (4)

6.Fuse Replacements

READ THIS FIRST

Installing a car audio system is a serious project. If you have any doubts about your ability to execute any of the installa- tion steps found in this manual, save yourself a lot of grief and contact a professional installer. Your Polk Audio dealer is a good place to find one. If you intend to do the installa- tion yourself we assume you possess some skill in the proper use of hand and power tools. No matter how much installa- tion experience you have, we recommend that you…

•Read this manual thoroughly before you begin.

•Plan your installation carefully.

•Allow enough time to complete the installation without rushing.

•Take steps to protect your car and upholstery from unwanted scratches and punctures.

•Wear proper protective safety gear.

rated amplifiers sound better and play louder than low quality units with higher power rating.

Automobile horsepower is good analogy. Your car probably has far more horsepower than it needs for your daily com- mute and is likely capable of going well over 120 MPH (190KM/hr). Having that extra power is good for on-ramp acceleration and danger avoidance (like getting away from brain-eating zombies) but that doesn’t mean that it is advis- able to operate your car on North American highways at full power and maximum speed for an extended period of time. Just ask your local state trooper if you are in doubt. Similarly, we recommend using amplifiers and receivers with rated power above the Power Handling limits of our speakers because having extra power available for short terms peaks is conducive to better sound quality, maximum dynamic range and effortless high volume output. But we strongly urge you not to use the full power of your amp or receiver for daily listening.

Loudspeakers can be damaged when an amplifier, regard- less of its wattage, is made to play at higher listening levels than its power can clearly produce. Operation at this level can result in very high levels of audible distortion originating in the amplifier, which can add a harsh, gritty sound to your

8. Always fuse your power connection within 8 to 10 inches

of the battery terminal. Use a fuse or circuit breaker rated

slightly more than the on-board fuse(s) of the amplifier(s).

The gauge of power wire used should take into account

the total current draw of the system, and the length of

wire used. IASCA and other auto sound competition

organizations have charts available for this; you can

also find a chart in the MECP study guide. Minimum

wire gauge recommendations for the individual ampli-

fiers are listed on the specification page. Always use

the same gauge wire for the amplifier ground that you

use for the power wire. Be sure to examine the battery

ground cable of the vehicle, and if necessary, upgrade

it by adding an additional ground wire that is the same

gauge as the amplifier’s power wire. Remember, the

amplifier can only deliver its rated output when it is not

current limited by the power and ground supply wires.

9. This amplifier is designed to drive a speaker load that

measures from 1 to 4 Ohms. Keep in mind that heat is

the long-term enemy of automotive electronics and the

lower your speaker load, the more heat is generated.

For low-impedance speaker applications or restricted

ventilation installations, an external cooling fan may

be advisable.

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