Coustic 240SE owner manual System Configuration

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

By purchasing the 240/400/600SE power amplifiers, you are already one step closer to experi- encing the purest and most natural sound quality in the automobile environment. To take full advantage of the potential of this amplifier, before installation, we strongly recommend that you acquaint yourself with all its available features and then spend some time in designing a system most suitable for you. Consider the components you have now and those that you plan on adding or upgrading in the future.

BUILT-IN ELECTRONIC CROSSOVERS

An electronic crossover has many advantages over passive crossovers - lower cost, simplified yet more flexible system design, lower distortion and higher gain structure. The 240/400/600SE power amplifiers are equipped with built-in 18 dB per octave continuously adjustable electronic crossovers that can be configured for full-range, high-pass or low-pass applications. The line out- put is designed to provide additional expansion capability to your sound system.

BI-AMPLIFICATION

A bi-amplified system normally consists of an active crossover and two amplifiers. The active crossover divides the audio frequency spectrum into two ranges: frequencies below the crossover point are directed to the amplifier driving the subwoofer(s), while all frequencies above the crossover point are directed to the amplifier driving the mid-range/tweeters.

Because of the versatility of the Coustic amplifiers, you are quite free to build whatever mobile audio system you want or to plan a long term expansion scheme for your car’s audio system. For example, with the low impedance input, you can use the amplifier as a full-range amplifier to upgrade your existing factory sound system to drive the front full-range speakers. Or you can make a "parallel" connection on the amplifier to run both the front and rear speakers.

The full-range line output can be used to drive an additional amplifier driving the rear full-range speakers

You can also configure the amplifier as a mid/tweeter amplifier.

If you need more power, you can bridge the amplifier as a mono subwoofer amplifier.

3 CHANNEL CONFIGURATION

The Multi-Function Circuit enables the amplifier to be configured as a 1-channel, bridged, mono amplifier driving a single speaker, 2-channel, stereo amplifier driving a pair of speakers, or quasi 3-channel amplifier.

The bridged mono mode is commonly used for subwoofer amplification. The amplifier provides more power in the bridged mono mode than it does in stereo mode.

With the assistance of passive crossovers and in its quasi 3-channel mode, the amplifier can be configured as a 2-way amplifier driving a pair of left- and right-channel, full-range mid-tweeters and a mono woofer. Care must be taken to choose capacitors and inductors of correct value; oth- erwise damage could be done to the speakers and/or the amplifier.

For approximate passive crossover components’ value, please refer to Coustic’s website, http//:www.coustic.com.

MULTI-FUNCTION PROTECTION INDICATOR

When the red protect indicator light up it signifies a high operating temperature is detected and the amplifier is temporarily shut down to allow for a cooling period. As soon as the temperature returns to a safe level, the amplifier will restart and resume normal operation.

This indicator also lights up when the amplifier detects either an over-current situation, shorted speaker outputs or a DC offset at the outputs. Turn off the amplifier, double-check all inputs and speaker connections to make sure there is no short or inappropriate inputs. If all connections are in order, turn on the amplifier to resume operation.

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SPEAKER IMPEDANCE

Although extremely low impedance speaker loads will not damage the amplifier, for stereo mode, we recommend speaker loads of 2, 4 or 8 ohms; for bridged mono mode, 4 or 8 ohms. (Note: In bridged mono mode, the amplifier sees only half of the speaker impedance.)

NOTE remember that we are not defying the laws of Physics! IF you decide to connect ANY Coustic amplifier into a bridged mono load BELOW 4 ohms, Physics dictates that current draw doubles! This is not too big a problem with the 240SE or 400SE. But with the 600SE this is DANGEROUS. The current draw could be as great as 200 amps (peak). Make sure you wire your system properly.

With the 600SE we recommend ONLY a 4 gauge wire OR larger!

POWER CABLES

Power cables are as important as battery capacity. Use only high quality power cables of gauge size AWG 8 (AWG 4 for the 600SE) or bigger for installation.

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO BIG OF A POWER/GROUND WIRE!

CIRCUIT BREAKER/FUSES

It is also advisable to install a circuit breaker/fuse close to the battery. This would effectively lower the risk of the power cable catching fire should a short circuit occur in the audio system. A circuit breaker or fuse 50% with of the main batteries amp hour rating is recommended. Going larger in circuit breaker or fuse value means that you have NO protection. DO NOT over fuse! Fuses on the amplifier DO NOT protect the amplifier, they protect the car.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS & ACCESSORIES

Quality equipment and proper system design and installation are the ingredients for the ultimate car audio system. With your wise decision to purchase this Coustic amplifier, you are already one big step closer to realizing your dream. The next step is simple - have an experienced pro- fessional Coustic dealer install your audio system. However, if you prefer to install the system yourself, we have the following commendations for your reference:

Caution: Improper installation will void the product warranty and Coustic is not responsible for any consequential damage to the amplifier and/or other audio components and/or electrical com- ponents of the vehicle.

TERMINALS, LUGS AND CONNECTORS

High current terminals, lugs and/or connectors are also required to ensure a safe and sure elec- trical connection and conduction.

NEGATIVE GROUNDING SYSTEM

The 240/400/600SE power amplifiers are designed for use with a 12-Volt negative ground sys- tem. Installing this amplifier in a vehicle with a POSITIVE ground system will result in severe damage to the amplifier, other audio components and/or the vehicle’s electrical components. If your vehicle happens to run on a positive ground system, please consult your Coustic dealer.

WARNING: These power amplifiers are very powerful. We strongly recommend installation in the following manner:

(1)by professional mobile audio installers; and

(2)incorporating all of the above special precautions and accessories.

Failure to comply with either one or both of the above conditions will render the warranty void and Coustic is not responsible for any consequential damage to the amplifier, other audio compo- nents and/or electrical components of the vehicle.

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