Blaupunkt MPA160us manual Thank YOU for Choosing Blaupunkt, What is AN AMPLIFIER?, KEY Features

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING BLAUPUNKT!

Congratulations! You are the now the owner of an exceptional car audio amplifier from the audio enthusiasts at Blaupunkt. Our engineering staff has spent considerable time refining our MPA series amplifiers in order to introduce great sound to the consumer at an affordable price. With these products we focus on sonic performance but balanced with rugged design and flexible installation.

Not only do we offer you a great product but also a supportive owners manual. This manual can be used as a teaching guide due to its brief, but informative, explanations of amplifier and system design. We are also very concerned about the end consumer using proper installation techniques for the highest performance possible from their new audio products. MOST important to us are the concerns with safety and the installation process. Since our Blaupunkt retail dealers have the tools and experience for an optimized and safe installation, we always recommend they do the final vehicle integration. But, should you choose to install these products yourself, please take the time to read this manual completely and abide by all precautions.

WHAT IS AN AMPLIFIER?

An amplifier, by definition, is a device that receives a small audio signal on its input and reproduces it with larger voltages (or current) on its output. Ideally there should be no modifications of the signal other than to make the signal larger either in voltage or current levels. If there are changes in the signal character it is considered a "distortion" of the input signal and in most cases undesirable. With the added power of an amplifier you can play your system at higher volume levels without worrying about such distortions that actually can damage the speakers and your ears (assuming of course that the amplifier is NOT grossly over-driven).

The perfect amplifier will be able to reproduce any output voltage regardless of input signal level. But, infinite output voltage is impossible due to upper limits created by the voltages found in a car, typically 12-15 volts DC. In order to achieve undistorted power levels beyond about 20 watts per channel a switching power supply MUST be used to step up the voltage "rails" inside an amplifier.

Amplifiers are rated in "watts" of audio output power but there are often references to "rms" power and "MAX" power. Rms power is considered as "clean power" since it is undistorted power that is used for reproducing quality sound at all but the highest listening levels. "MAX" power is the most power the amp will produce when driven deep into distortion. MAX power is considered usable power only by the more "aggressive" listener since the original waveform is so distorted that it is uncomfortable to listen to for most people. Regardless of the consumer's listening habits, we dual list these power levels so everyone has an understanding of what they are purchasing.

KEY FEATURES

Your new Blaupunkt MPA series amplifier, although a simple product, offers some important features. These include:

■"Multi-Mode" operation allowing for combined stereo high-pass/bridged mono subwoofer low-pass output capability.

■2 ohm stability (in non-bridged mode) for paralleling two, 4 ohm speakers.

■RCA inputs (low level) allowing for your typical aftermarket radio signal level outputs.

■Modular inputs (high level) for tapping off of the speaker outputs of a factory radio for example to derive a subwoofer signal for an add-on subwoofer speaker system.

■Internal low pass filters for easily deriving a subwoofer system without an add-on crossover that increases system complexity and the potential for noise.

■Variable frequency low-pass and high-pass filters (on upper MPA models) for custom tailoring the crossover frequency choice for any vehicle.

■Efficient heat-sink design to quickly wick away heat thus ensuring a life time of reliability.

■Simple mounting system for ease of installation.

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