POWERBOX 80.4M Micro Amplifier User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- PowerBox
Table of Contents
POWERBOX 80.4M Micro Amplifier
**User Manual**
Owners Manual
Congratulations on purchasing your VIBE amplifier. Please read this manual in order to fully understand how to get the best results from this product and ensure that all advice on how to look after the product is followed.
Thank you for buying VIBE, we hope you enjoy listening to your product as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Attention
An aftermarket audio amplifier will place an additional load on the vehicles
charging system.
Most modern vehicles have sufficient capacity in the charging system as not
all the electrical components of the vehicle will be switched on at once.
Check the fuse rating of the amplifier and use this as the peak current
requirement.
Generally the continuous current draw will be a third of the peak current.
Warning
During the normal use of this amplifier the heatsink may become very hot.
Please do not touch during or immediately after use.
Please ensure that when installing this product the heatsink will not come
into contact
with any materials that may be damaged by heat such as upholstery or plastics.
Limited Warranty
All VIBE products carry a full 12 month warranty, valid from the date of the
original receipt and proof of purchase. The online warranty card should be
completed within seven days of the original purchase date. The original
receipt and packaging should be retained for this twelve month period. If the
product develops a problem any stage during the warranty period, it should be
returned to the point of purchase in it’s original packaging, and complete
with no items missing. If the store is unable to repair the product it may
have to be returned to VIBE. A full description of VIBE’s warranty information
can be found on our website:
www.vibeaudio.co.uk
What Is Not Covered
- Damage to product due to improper installation.
- Subsequent damage to other components.
- Damage caused by exposure to moisture, excessive heat, chemical cleaners and / or UV radiation.
- Damage through negligence, misuse, accident or abuse. Repeated returns for the same fault may be considered abuse.
- Any cost or expense related to the removal and / or re-installation of the product.
- Damage caused by amplifier clipping or distortion.
- Items repaired or modified by any unauthorised repair facility.
- Return shipping on non defective items.
- Products returned without a returns authorisation number.
- Damage to product due to use of sealant.
International Warranty
Contact your international VIBE dealer or distributor concerning specific procedure for your country’s warranty policies. www.vibeaudio.co.uk/warranty
Warning
VIBE equipment is capable of sound pressure levels that can cause permanent damage to your hearing and those around you. Please use common sense when listening to your audio system and practice safe sound.
Copyright
All content included in this manual such as text, graphics, logos, icons,
images and data, are the property of Midbass Distribution Limited t/a VIBE
Technologies Limited (herein referred to as “VIBE”, “us” or “we”) and its
affiliate or their content and technology providers, and are protected by
United Kingdom and International copyright laws. All rights reserved. VIBE TV,
VIBE Arcade, Bass Box, Optisound, Cinesound, BlackAir, BlackBox, Space,
LiteAir, SLICK, BlackDeath, Bubonic, Reaper, Anti-VIBE, FastPlug, BlackHole,
QB69, VIBE Turbo Port, Vibe TurboVent, Pressure Board, Super Driver, VIBE
Pulse, VIBE Power, VIBE Digital, VIBE MAG Plugs, Ferrite Loaded, VIBE Solid
Core, VIBE OCC, VIBE FLAT, ICC, Bass Enhance, Bass Enhance+, QBass, SpeedBass,
PowerBass, N-Wedge, Box Grip, ARBSS, Supercar Series and all stylised
representations of product names, or the abbreviations of product names, as
logos are all trademarks of VIBE. Graphics and logos are trademarks or trade
dress of VIBE Technologies Ltd or its subsidiaries. VIBE’s trademarks and
trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service that is
not VIBE’s, in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among customers or
in any manner that disparages or discredits VIBE. All other trademarks not
owned by VIBE or its subsidiaries that appear in this manual are the property
of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with, connected
to, or sponsored by VIBE or its subsidiaries.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED AT LAW, VIBE IS PROVIDING THIS MANUAL AND ITS
CONTENT ON AN “AS IS” BASIS AND MAKES NO (AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL)
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO
THIS MANUAL OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS OR PRODUCTS INCLUDED IN
THIS MANUAL INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN ADDITION, VIBE DOES NOT REPRESENT OR
WARRANT THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL IS COMPLETE OR CURRENT,
AND THAT ALL SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS MANUAL ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. VIBE RECOMMEND CAUTION WHEN LISTENING TO
MUSIC REPRODUCED THROUGH VIBE EQUIPMENT. VIBE EQUIPMENT IS CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING SOUND AND SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS THAT CAN PERMANENTLY DAMAGE HEARING
OF YOU AND THAT OF OTHERS. FOR SAFE AND ENJOYABLE LISTENING, THE SOUND SHOULD
BE CLEAR WITHOUT DISTORTION AT A COMFORTABLE VOLUME. BY USING ANY VIBE
EQUIPMENT, YOU AGREE TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND THE
SAFETY OF OTHERS WHEN LISTENING TO MUSIC AT HIGH VOLUMES THROUGH EQUIPMENT YOU
HAVE PURCHASED. USE OF ANY VIBE EQUIPMENT CONSTITUTES AGREEMENT TO THIS
DISCLAIMER. Except as specifically stated in this manual, to the fullest
extent permitted at law, neither VIBE nor any of its affiliates, directors,
employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of
or in connection with the use of this manual or the information, content,
materials or products included. This is a comprehensive limitation of
liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without
limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of
data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third
parties. For the avoidance of doubt, VIBE does not limit its liability for
death or personal injury to the extent only that it arises as a result of
negligence of VIBE, its affiliates, directors, employees or other
representatives.
Mounting Guidelines
Your VIBE amplifier is designed with a swift installation routine in mind.
Please mount the amplifier in a dry location on a solid surface. NEVER mount the amplifier upside down as this will cause the amplifier to over heat and will eventually damage the amplifier.
Before fixing the amplifier in place please ensure that there is sufficient air flow around the exterior of the casing, at least two inches is sufficient to allow effective cooling.
Power Connections
Low Level Input
High Level Input
NOTE : When using high level input it is not necessary to connect the remote
turn on wire.
Do not connect both high level and low level input at the same time.
Power Cable
- At least 8 gauge cable should be used for the power connection to the amplifier.
- The power cable should be taken directly from the battery. Rubber grommets should be used when passing through any bulkheads to prevent the cable from becoming chaffed or cut.
- It is vital that a fuse / circuit breaker (of at least equal value to the one fitted in the amplifier) is placed inline with the power cable and is no further than 18 inches away from the battery.
- Please ensure that the fuse is not fitted until the entire installation procedure is complete.
Ground Cable
- At least 8 gauge cable should be used for the ground connection to the amplifier.
- The amplifier ground should be connected directly to the chassis of the vehicle, to bare metal.
- The cable length should be kept to an absolute minimum.
- It is not recommended that you connect the ground cable to the vehicles seatbelts anchor point.
Auto Turn On (High level Input Only)
- The PowerBox amplifiers feature an auto turn on circuit called Autosense.
- This circuit allows the amplifier to switch on and off without a remote turn on wire when using high level input, for low level input (RCA) it will still be necessary to connect the remote turn on wire from the headunit.
- When the connected source (headunit) is turned on the amplifier will turn on automatically, after the connected source (headunit) is turned off the amplifier will shut down.
RCA Cables
- Depending on the model of your headunit and the number of speakers you wish to power you will have to run either one, two or three RCA cables from the source to the amplifier.
- Please take extra care when running these cables from the source to the amplifier. Ensure that they are placed away from all items that can generate any interference, wiring harnesses etc.
- It is recommended that the RCA cables should be run on opposite sides of the car to the previously installed power cables if possible, to avoid the cable picking up interference.
Terminals And Connections
-
CH1 / CH2 low level input
For connection to any source (head unit) with a low level output to the front channels of the amplifier.
This is your RCA output from the source (headunit). -
CH1 / CH2 crossover mode select switch
This control is used to select the crossover mode of the rear channels of the amplifier. FR is for full range output, HPF is used to limit the amount of low frequency information passed to the speakers and LPF is used to limit the amount of high frequency information passed to the speakers. -
CH1 / CH2 high pass filter control
The frequency is adjustable between 100Hz and 500Hz. -
CH1 / CH2 low pass filter control
The frequency is adjustable between 40Hz and 4kHz. -
CH1 / CH2 high level input
For connection to the speaker output of your source (head unit). This is to be used if the source (headunit) does not have a low level output. -
CH1 / CH2 gain control
This control is used to match the input signal of the source to the front channels of the amplifier. See the setup section for more details. -
Input mode switch
This switch is used to select 2 or 4 channel signal input into the amplifier allowing all 4 channels to be driven discretely or from a 2 channel source. -
CH3 / CH4 low pass filter control
The frequency is adjustable between 10Hz and 500Hz. -
CH3 / CH4 high pass filter control
The frequency is adjustable between 40Hz and 4kHz. -
CH3 / CH4 crossover mode select switch
This control is used to select the crossover mode of the rear channels of the amplifier. FR is for full range output, HPF is used to limit the amount of low frequency information passed to the speakers and LPF is used to limit the amount of high frequency information passed to the speakers. -
CH3 / CH4 low level input
For connection to any source (head unit) with a low level output to the rear channels of the amplifier.
This is your RCA output from the source (headunit). -
CH3 / CH4 Remote input socket
Used to connect the supplied remote gain control for the rear channels. -
CH3 / CH4 gain control
This control is used to match the input signal of the source to the rear channels of the amplifier. See the setup section for more details. -
CH3 / CH4 high level input
For connection to the speaker output of your source (head unit). This is to be used if the source (headunit) does not have a low level output. -
Speaker terminals
Used to connect speaker cables to the amplifier. See the wiring configuration section for more details -
Power / protect LED
If the amplifier is operating normally, the GREEN LED will illuminate.
If the amplifier is in protection mode the RED LED will illuminate. -
Power terminals
Used to connect DC power to the amplifier. See the power connections section for more details
4 Channel Wiring Configuration
Bridged Wiring Configuration
Specification
Setup Guide
To correctly set the gain control of the amplifier to match that of the source (headunit) use the following setup routine:
- Turn the gain control to minimum on the amplifier.
- Ensure the bass boost is set to 0 dB.
- Set all crossovers on the headunt ( if applicable) to flat and both bass and treble to zero.
- Turn up the source (headunit) to approx 3/4 volume.
- Very slowly turn up the gain on the amplifier until distortion can be heard in any of the speakers or until the volume reaches an uncomfortable listening level when this is reached, turn the gain control down slightly.
The gain control is now set.
The setting of the crossover will depend on what kind of speaker you are
installing.
For a subwoofer it is recommended that the crossover is set to Low pass and
the frequency is set to match that of the speakers specifications, or your
preferred frequency – this is usually around 60 – 120 Hz
For a pair of full range speakers it is recommended that the crossover is set
to Flat.
The two frequency controls will then have no effect on the amplifiers output
and the speaker will receive a full range signal.
Using the high pass crossovers will allow more control of your speakers by
removing the bass (low frequencies).
The speakers can now perform at higher volumes with less distortion.
Note: The smaller the speaker, the less bass it can handle.
Adjust the crossover to get the most and best sound from your speakers, the
easiest way to do this is by limiting the amount of bass you pass to them.
For a pair of speakers with a passive crossover it is recommended that the
crossover is set to high pass and the frequency is set to match that of the
speakers specifications. – This is usually around 40 – 120Hz
Note: By using the crossovers correctly you will not only lengthen the life of
your speakers but you will also get better performance from them.
To optimise your setup seek the advise of a professional installation engineer
or visit your local VIBE audio dealer.
UK Technical Enquiries
Call 09067031420
Calls cost 50p per minute. Call costs correct at date of
publication (01/02/12)
Hours of business 9.00am – 5.30pm GMT Monday – Friday.
All calls are recorded for training purposes.
MIDBASS Distribution
PO Box 11000
B75 7WG
International Technical Enquiries
For international technical support please contact the distribution agent for
your country.
Please visit www.vibeaudio.co.uk/contact
for more details.
Notes :
Designed and engineered in England