Coustic 160SE - Manual (Page 4)

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
By purchasing the 160SE power amplifier, you are already one step closer to experiencing 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 your-
self 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 160SE power
amplifier is equipped with built-in 18 dB per octave electronic crossovers that can be configured
for full-range, high-pass or low-pass applications. The line output is designed to provide addition-
al 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;
otherwise 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.
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! Be ready!
POWER CABLES
Power cables are as important as battery capacity. Use only high quality power cables of gauge
size AWG 8 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 with 50% 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 160SE power amplifier is designed for use with a 12-Volt negative ground system. 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 hap-
pens 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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