AMPLIFIER REQUIREMENTS
A note on power handling
The HCCA component system requires a minimum of 20 Watts per channel to achieve reasonable listening volumes in a moving automobile without clipping the amplifier. Orion recommends 150 Watts per channel as a maximum so as not to exceed the thermal or mechanical limitations of the speaker system. Any amplifier between 20 watts and 100 watts per channel may be used. If you choose to use an amplifier with more power than 100 Watts be very careful, you can damage the speaker system if played too loud.The HCCA components produce reasonable volume levels in the automotive environment using moderate amplifier power. However, the use of a low powered amplifier to try and attain very high volume levels can lead to overdriving the amplifier. This will generate high distortion levels which can easily damage loudspeakers, even when the amplifier’s rated power is far below the maximum rated power of the loudspeaker. Underpowering a driver is every bit as damaging as overpowering it.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Symptom | Probable cause | Remedy |
No output | Source or amplifier not turned on | Check source or amplifier and fix as |
|
| needed |
| Audio input not connected or no | Check RCA connections and signal |
| output from source | integrity, fix or replace as needed |
| Protection circuit activated | turn down volume. Protection will self |
|
| reset |
| Speaker wires not connected | Check speaker wires and fix or replace as |
|
| needed |
Audio cycles on and off | Speaker damaged | Check system with known working |
|
| speaker and fix or replace as needed |
| Thermal protection engaged | check that amplifier has adequate |
|
| ventilation check speaker impedance |
|
| load |
As a rule, do not turn the volume up above the point where you hear distortion on musical peaks from either an overdriven amplifier or mechanical noise from an overstressed speaker. For the best performance and reliability, select an amplifier with slightly more than the maximum power you are likely to need to generate the desired volume levels. This margin of reserve power will ensure that the amplifier will not attempt to deliver more than its design allows.
Warning: Practice safe sound! Excessive sound pressure level can permanently damage your hearing. The maximum volume levels attainable with high performance Orion speakers, combined with
| Loose or poor audio input |
Distorted output | Preamp volume set too high. |
| exceeding maximum capability |
| of amplifier. |
| Impedance load to amplifier too low |
Check RCA, power and speaker connections and repair or replace as needed
Check volume of preamp and adjust appropriately
Check speaker impedance load, if below 1 ohm rewire the speakers to achieve a higher impedance
MOUNTING LOCATIONS
There are many possible choices of mounting locations. The automobile factory locations will usually dictate the woofer mounting position. Because of its small size and multiple mounting options, the tweeter can go virtually anywhere. Orion uses an unusually low crossover frequency
Shorted speaker wires | Check speaker wire connections and |
| repair or replace as needed |
Speaker not connected properly | Check speaker wiring and repair or |
| replace as needed. refer to the speaker |
| wiring section of this manual for detailed |
| instructions |
for the tweeter which means you are not restricted to mounting the tweeter close to the midrange. The tweeter can be mounted as far as 24" from the midrange without causing adverse effects on the sound quality.
Orion cannot recommend specific locations for the tweeter for each car, but we can give some general tips. Try to keep the tweeters as far to the sides of the car as practical, avoid placing them above ear level unless the woofers are also above ear level. Place the tweeters in similar locations on both sides. Try a few locations by just placing the tweeter or taping it in a location and listening to ensure the desired stereo image and high frequency dispersion are achieved before committing to a location by drilling holes in the automobile.
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
Tweeter level control
The three position switch in the crossover box labeled “TWEETER LEVEL” adjusts the relative volume of the tweeter with respect to the midrange. The 0dB position is referenced as equal output from the midrange and tweeter. The
| Speaker damaged |
Poor bass response | Speakers wired with wrong polarity |
| causing cancellation at low frequencies |
Lack of stereo separation | Speakers wired with wrong polarity. |
| stereo / bridge switch set to bridge |
| position |
| Speaker connected across wrong |
| output terminals |
| Source set to mono |
If you want to consult the factory, write or call our customer service department:
Orion Industries
9235 S. McKemy Street
Tempe. AZ 85284
Phone:
Fax:
Check system with known working speaker and fix or replace as needed
Check speaker polarity and fix as needed
Check speaker polarity and fix as needed set switch to stereo position
Check that the speaker wires are not connected to the bridged terminals and fix as needed
Check source and adjust controls as needed
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