RetroSound SUB8100 Amplified Subwoofer System User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- RetroSound
Table of Contents
RetroSound SUB8100 Amplified Subwoofer System User Manual
Welcome
Thank you for purchasing a RetroSound® SUB8100 powered subwoofer.
General Features
- 8-inch powered subwoofer
- True Rating™ 100-watt RMS Class D digital amplifier
- Built-in continuously variable crossover
- Remote gain control with 4’8″ length cable
- RCA (low-level) and speaker wire (high-level) inputs
- Includes 10-amp inline fuse
- Rugged cast aluminum enclosure for optimum heat dissipation
- Small footprint for ease of installation: 9.25 x 2.75 x 13.75 inches
The information enclosed in this user’s manual is to be used as a guide to assist you with installation and operation of your powered subwoofer. This guide does not cover every installation possibility, vehicle, or aspect of the installation process.
Retro Manufacturing, LLC, RetroSound®, or its subsidiaries assume no responsibility for any installation. Due to continuing improvements, features and specifications are subject to change without notice. This manual may be updated from time to time without notice. Visit our website for the latest updates: help.retromanufacturing.com.
What’s in the box
The items shown below are packaged with your SUB8100.
SUB8100 Powered Subwoofer
Precautions
PLEASE OBSERVE THESE PRECAUTIONS WHEN INSTALLING AND USING THIS UNIT:
This user’s manual does not cover all possible installation scenarios. Please
be sure to follow the instructions carefully while attempting installation. If
you feel you cannot install this unit yourself, consult with a local car audio
professional.
Retro Manufacturing, LLC is not liable for any problems resulting from improper installation of the unit.
If you have questions about installing your subwoofer, contact us at [email protected] or visit our help site at help.retromanufacturing.com
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If the unit does not turn on, check all wiring first. Then check the fuse in your vehicle’s fuse panel and the fuse at the unit’s wiring harness. If either fuse has failed, eliminate the cause of the failure, and replace the fuse with one prescribed for this unit.
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Do not disassemble or modify the unit or attempt to repair it yourself.
If the unit needs to be repaired, consult your dealer or Retro Manufacturing, LLC. -
This unit is not designed for a marine environment. Please do not use the unit where it will be exposed to moisture or excessive dust. Exposure to moisture will damage the unit and void your warranty.
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Use caution when routing wires to prevent them from being caught in the vehicle’s chassis. Screws and moving parts such as seat rails can cause damage to the wiring if improperly routed.
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Never install the unit in a location where it interferes with your field of vision.
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Never splice into the power lead to supply other equipment with power.
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After installation and wiring, always check the normal operation of other electrical equipment.
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Make sure that no wires interfere with driving or getting in and out of the vehicle. Insulate all exposed wires to prevent short-circuiting or electric shock.
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Keep the volume of your radio at a level that allows you to hear outside noises, such as emergency sirens and train crossing warnings. Prolonged exposure to high volume levels may also result in hearing loss.
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This unit is designed for operation with a negative ground 12-volt DC battery system. Do not operate this unit with other battery systems, especially an 18-volt or 24-volt DC or a positive ground system.
Installation Instructions
Step #1 Install the Mounting Brackets
Attach the mounting brackets to the bottom of the powered subwoofer using the machine screws from your mounting hardware.
Step #2 Mount the Powered Subwoofer
Make sure the mounting location allows adequate space for the amplifier to
dissipate heat. You should also insure that the controls will be accessible
after installation. Use the sheet metal screws from your mounting hardware to
securely mount the powered subwoofer. When drilling the holes, make sure you
don’t drill into the exhaust system, fuel lines or any electrical wires.
NOTE: You may also use the supplied adhesive tape in place of the sheet metal screws if you do not wish to make holes in your vehicle
Step #3 Wiring Your Powered Subwoofer
First, locate the wiring harness. This wiring harness contains the power,
ground, remote turn-on and high-level input leads. Plug the wiring harness
into the power/high-level input (7).
Next, attach the main power lead (yellow wire) to a constant 12 volt power source. It is best to connect it directly to the positive lead of your battery. Then, connect the ground lead (black wire) to the chassis of your vehicle. Make sure to remove any paint or residue at the ground point to achieve good, consistent ground contact. Connect the remote turn-on wire (blue/ white) to the amplifier turn-on lead at the back of the radio. This will turn the powered subwoofer on when the radio turns on, and turn the powered subwoofer off when the radio turns off.
Finally, plug your radio’s low-level RCA outputs (dedicated subwoofer output) into the RCA inputs (5) on the SUB8100. For radios that do not have a dedicated subwoofer output, follow the instructions on the next page to connect directly to the SUB8100’s high-level inputs.
Your powered subwoofer comes with a remote gain control that allows you to remotely adjust the gain. To use this control, you must plug it into the remote gain input on the front of the powered subwoofer (3). The remote gain control can be mounted under the dash or any other convenient location. Make sure you don’t mount it anywhere that could interfere with driving.
CAUTION: DO NOT PLUG OR UNPLUG THE REMOTE GAIN CONTROL WHILE THE AMPLIFIER IS POWERED ON.
Installation Without RCA Inputs
If your radio does not have RCA outputs, you can use the high-level input leads (white/white+black stripe, and gray/gray+black stripe) to connect your speaker wires directly to the powered subwoofer. Using a wire tap (not included), connect the white and gray wires to the corresponding positive and negative front speaker channel wires.
WARNING: NEVER CONNECT BOTH THE RCA AND HIGH-LEVEL INPUT LEADS AT THE SAME TIME. DOING SO CAN DAMAGE YOUR UNIT AND WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.
Controls
PHASE: The Phase Control (1) toggles polarity between 0º (normal) and 180º (reverse). When set to 0º, the powered subwoofer is in-phase (when the speakers move out, the subwoofer speaker also moves out). When this is set to 180º, the powered subwoofer is out of phase (when the speakers move out, the subwoofer speaker moves in). Normally this should be left at 0º. Setting the phase to 180º can be useful in certain situations depending on the subwoofer placement and your vehicle’s acoustics.
LOW PASS FILTER: The Low Pass Filter Control (2) adjusts the low frequency crossover point between 50Hz and 100Hz. The recommended crossover setting is between 60Hz and 80Hz.
REMOTE GAIN INPUT: The Remote Gain Input (3) is the input for the Remote Gain Control(8).
GAIN: The Gain Control (4) is used to match the output of your radio to the
input of your powered subwoofer to eliminate distortion. To properly set the
gain, first rotate it all the way counter-clockwise to MIN. Turn on your
radio, set your EQ settings to flat and slowly increase the volume of your
radio until you start to hear distortion. Then turn the volume down to the
point where the distortion goes away. Next, increase the gain on your powered
subwoofer until you begin to hear distortion. Finally, adjust the gain back
down until you find the point where the distortion goes away. Your radio and
powered subwoofer levels are now matched.
RCA INPUT (CH1): This is the input for the left RCA connector (5).
RCA INPUT (CH2): This is the input for the right RCA connector (5).
POWER: The Power LED (6) illuminates when the powered subwoofer is activated.
Power/High Level INPUT: This is the input for the wiring harness (7).
REMOTE GAIN CONTROL: The remote gain control (8) adjusts the gain between the
minimum level and the setting you choose with the gain control on the amp
itself (4). For example, if you set the gain to 50% using the gain control (4)
on the front of the powered subwoofer, the remote gain control (8) when set to
max, will set the gain on the powered subwoofer to 50%.
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Troubleshooting
Specifications
Power
Voltage __ 10.5-16 volts DC
Idling Current (ON) __ 0.4 amps
Idling Current (OFF) __ <0.002 mA
Amplifier
Output Power @ 14.4 volts __100 Watts RMS / 135 Watts Peak
Signal to Noise Ratio __ >100dB
Input Sensitivity __ 100 mV-6V
Frequency Response __ 35Hz-160Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion __ 0.1%
Filters
Low Pass Filter/Slope __ 50Hz-100Hz/12dB/octave
Phase Control (variable) __ 0º/180º
Other Specifications
Fuse __ 10 amps AGC Style (x1)
Size (W x H x L) __ 9.25” x 2.75” x 13.75” (23.5 cm x 7 cm x
35 cm)
Weight __ 11.4lbs / 5.17Kg
NOTE: All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Warranty
Your unit comes with a manufacturer’s warranty covering any defects in materials and workmanship. Retro Manufacturing, LLC (collectively referred to as “the warranter”), at its option, will either (a) repair your unit with new or refurbished parts or (b) replace it with a new or refurbished unit. The warranty period starts from the original purchase date and is valid for the length of time indicated in the chart below. The decision to repair or replace will be made by the warranter.
ITEM SUB8100
WARRANTY One (1) Year
During the “Parts” warranty period, there will be no charge for parts. You must mail in your unit during the warranty period at your expense. This warranty only applies to products purchased directly from Retro Manufacturing or an authorized dealer. This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser of a new product that was not sold “as is.” A purchase receipt or other proof of the original purchase date is required for warranty service.
To handle a warranty issue, contact us at [email protected] or 888.325.1555 for a Return Authorization (RA) number. A RA number must accompany all returns and warranty issues. Any product received without a RA number will be refused.
LIMITED WARRANTY-LIMITS AND EXCLUSIONS
This warranty ONLY COVERS failures due to defects in materials and workmanship
and DOES NOT COVER normal wear and tear or cosmetic damage. The warranty ALSO
DOES NOT COVER damages that occurred during shipment, failures which are
caused by products not supplied by the warranter, failures that result from
accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, bug infestation, mishandling,
misapplication, alteration, faulty installation, set-up adjustment,
maladjustment of consumer control, improper maintenance, improper antenna,
inadequate signal reception or pickup, power line surge, improper voltage
supply, lightning, modification, commercial use (such as use in hotels,
offices, restaurants, or other business uses) or rental use of the product, or
service by anyone other than Retro Manufacturing, LLC, or damage that is
attributable to acts of God.
THERE ARE NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES EXCEPT AS LISTED UNDER LIMITED WARRANTY. THE WARRANTER IS NOT LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS UNIT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. (As examples, this excludes damages for lost time, the cost of having someone remove or re-install an installed unit if applicable, travel to and from the servicer, and loss of media, data, or other memory contents. The items listed are not exclusive but are for illustration only.) ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, ARE LIMITED TO THE PERIOD OF THE LIMITED WARRANTY.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. If a problem with this unit develops during or after the warranty period, you may contact your dealer or Retro Manufacturing, LLC.
Notes
7470 Commercial Way | Henderson, NV 89011
help.retromanufacturing.com
MODERN SOUND FOR YOUR CLASSIC
Published: 08/12/2022 | ©2023 Retro Manufacturing, LLC
www.retromanufacturing.com