PHOENIX GOLD Z-Series Amplifiers User Manual

PHOENIX GOLD Z-Series Amplifiers

PRODUCT INFORMATION

The Z-Series amplifiers are compact Class A/B amplifiers that provide high sound quality. They come in three models: Z1502i, Z3001i, and Z3004i, with maximum Class Power of 400 Watts, 600 Watts, and 600 Watts respectively. These amplifiers have a frequency response range of 20Hz – 20KHz and offer high and low pass crossovers. They also come equipped with a subsonic filter crossover range and a bass boost at 45Hz. The Z1502i has a RMS power rating of 70W x 2 @ 4ohm, 100W x 2 @ 2ohm, and 200W x 1 @ 4ohm (bridged). The Z3001i has a RMS power rating of 200W x 1 @ 4ohm and 340W x 1 @ 2ohm. The Z3004i has a RMS power rating of 65W x 4 @ 4ohm, 90W x 4 @ 2ohm, and 180W x 2 @ 4ohm (bridged).

Specifications

• Class: A/B
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz
• Signal to Noise Ratio: >96dB
• High & Low Pass Crossover: 6dB per Octave
• Subsonic Filter Crossover Range: 50Hz – 400Hz
• Crossover Range: 50Hz – 250Hz
• Bass Boost @ 45Hz: 0 to +18dB (Z1502i), 0 to +12dB (Z3001i, Z3004i)
• Low – High Level Input Range: 0.2V to 10V
• Minimum Load Impedance: 2ohm stereo & 4ohm bridged
• Dimensions (LxWxH(mm)): 184 x 160 x 48 (Z1502i), 254 x 160 x 48 (Z3001i, Z3004i)

Installation Warnings

1. Ensure the +12V lead is disconnected from the battery before you connect any new equipment.
2. Ensure that the amplifier mounting location and holes will not interfere with the petrol tank, brake lines, or electrical wiring.
3. Ensure the amplifier is securely fastened to the vehicle to prevent the amplifier moving and causing damage in the event of an accident.
4. Ensure all wiring is protected from sharp objects and from pinching or crushing which could result in damage to the audio system.
5. Ensure the mounting location has sufficient air flow around the amplifier. If the amplifier is mounted in an enclosed space, a 3 fan with ducting should be used to assist with cooling.
6. Do not mount any amplifier on a subwoofer enclosure as extended exposure to vibration may cause damage to the amplifier.
7. Ensure the minimum recommended gauge wire/cable or larger for all amplifier connections.
8. Select a location that provides protection from moisture. Keep in mind that an amplifier should never be mounted upside down. Upside down mounting will compromise heat dissipation through the heat sink and could engage the thermal protection circuit.

Connection

Ensure the audio system is turned off before making any connections to the amplifier, speakers, or source unit. Failure to do so could result in permanent damage to the audio system. Ensure the correct gauge cable is used for all connections; consult the cable calculator diagram below for the correct gauge cable for your installation.

SPECIFICATIONS

• OEM Connection Ready – compatible with aftermarket & original source units
• Remote Bass Ready – control the bass level with included ZRBC (Z3001i only)
• High Level Auto-Turn On – powers on the amp when audio signal is supplied
• Integrated Cooling Fan – regulates temperature for sustained performance
• High & Low Level Inputs – versatile connectivity to suit any vehicle
• Heavy Duty Connector Block – enables maximum current supply
• 4-Way Protected Circuit – protection against thermal damage, reversed power, speaker polarity and low voltage

TECHNICAL PREFENCES

Note:
These are Class A/B amplifiers. These amplifiers can run very hot whilst providing high sound quality.

Installation Warnings

1. Ensure the +12V lead is disconnected from the battery before you connect any new equipment
2.  Ensure that the amplifier mounting location and holes will not interfere with the petrol tank, brake lines or electrical wiring.
3. Ensure the amplifier is securely fastened to the vehicle to prevent the amplifier moving and causing damage in the event of an accident
4. Ensure all wiring is protected from sharp objects and from pinching or crushing which could result in damage to the audio system
5. Ensure the mounting location has sufficient air flow around the amplifier. If the amplifier is mounted in an enclosed space a 3” fan with ducting should be used to assist with cooling.
6. Do not mount any amplifier on a subwoofer enclosure as extended exposure to vibration may cause damage to the amplifier.
7. Ensure the minimum recommended gauge wire/cable or larger for all amplifier connections
8. Appropriate mounting is very important for prolonged life expectancy of any amplifier. Select a location that provides protection from moisture. Keep in mind that an amplifier should never be mounted upside down. Upside down mounting will compromise heat dissipation through the heat sink and could engage the thermal protection circuit.

Connection

• Ensure the audio system is turned off before making any connections to the amplifier, speakers or source unit. Failure to do so could result in permanent damage to the audio system.
• Ensure the correct gauge cable is used for all connections; consult the cable calculator diagram below for the correct gauge cable for your installation.

• The above chart shows cable gauges to be used if no less than a 0.5V drop is acceptable. If aluminium wire is used, the gauges should be of an even larger size to compensate. Cable gauge size calculation takes into account terminal connection resistance.

AMPLIFIER CONNECTION

1. +12V Power
   Ensure ALL other cable connections are completed before connecting this cable to the battery. PHOENIX GOLD amplifiers should be connected directly to the 12V battery terminal using the appropriate gauge cable. Start at the vehicles battery and run the cable through to the amplifier. PHOENIX GOLD recommends the use of rubber grommets when passing any cable through metal panels to avoid sharp corners or panels that could cut through the insulation of the cable. An inline fuse or circuit breaker MUST be used within 30cm (12”) of your battery; this will prevent the potential risk of a fire caused by a short in your power cable (see spec table for recommended inline fuse/circuit breaker ratings). Connect the other end of your power cable to the battery, but remember to leave the fuse out or circuit breaker off until all other cable connections are made.\

2. Remote Turn-On

   • This connection turns the amplifier on and should be connected to the ‘Remote Turn on’ wire from the Head Unit. If one is not available a switched +12V source must be used, such as a power antenna wire or ACC +12V.
   • If you are using high level (speaker) inputs and a remote turn on wire is not available, then instead the ‘Auto Turn-On’ switch must be set to ON.

3. Ground
   Connect the Ground/Earth cable for your amplifier first. Ensure that the location is a good source of ground (preferably the chassis/floor pan). Investigate the area you wish to use to ensure it is free of wiring, vacuum lines, brake and fuel lines. Use either a wire brush or sandpaper to expose bare metal, this will provide a high current contact for your ground connection. Use the same gauge cable for the ground cable as you did for the power cable. Secure the ground cable to the ground point with a bolt, star washer and nut. Apply some neutral cure silicon to the bolt and bare metal to prevent possible water leaks and rust. Connect the other end of your ground cable to the amplifier.

4. Speaker Output Connection

   • (Z1502i – Z3004i)
   • Ensure the correct polarity is observed when connecting speakers/subwoofers.
   • 2 Ohm minimum speaker impedance for stereo operation (per channel).
   • 4 Ohm minimum speaker impedance for bridged operation.
   • (Z3001i)
   • Speaker output for minimum 2 Ohm load. This means running, as an example 2 subwoofers with 4 Ohm voice coils.
   • Learn more about speaker loads by visiting; www.phoenixgold-eu.com

5. RCA Inputs Front-Rear-Subwoofer

   • Choose the correct length RCA cables to connect the RCA outputs of the source/head unit, to the input connectors of the amplifier. The RCA inputs also accept ‘high level input’, when using a high level signal, the amplifier will autostart without the need of a remote signal.
   • Run the RCA cables on the opposite side of the vehicle. to the power cable and vehicle wiring loom. Avoid the electric fan motor and wiring. Ensure you follow the correct balance. (L LEFT = White or Black. R Right = Red)

6. Gain/Level Control (Sub/Front/Rear)
   This control is used to match the input level of the amplifier to the output level of your head unit. We recommend the method below, as failure to follow these steps may damage the audio system.

7. Turn the amplifier Gain to zero

8. Turn the volume of the head unit to ¾ and the bass and treble to zero

9. Adjust the amplifier Gain/Level control until the desired maximum volume is achieved without distortion.

10. Make fine adjustments to tune your install.

11. High Pass Crossover Filter
    Set the crossover switch to HP and turn this control to 65Hz or above when using speaker’s smaller than 6 x 9”. When a subwoofer is used in the system, this feature is designed to filter out all low bass frequencies that only subwoofers should produce. See specification table for adjustable frequency range

12. Low Pass Crossover Filter (Z3001i ONLY)
    Ensure the crossover frequency is set at 100Hz or below. This feature must be used with a subwoofer to filter out all mid to high frequencies that only full range speakers should produce. See specification table for adjustable frequency range

13. Crossover Switch

    • Full – This setting is for large speakers (e.g. 6 X 9”) or speakers when a sub woofer is not included in the system. The amplified audio signal is not filtered so the full range audio signal is sent to the speakers.
    • Low – This setting is used when using a subwoofer and will only allow frequencies below the low pass filter setting to pass through.
    • High – Used to run mid-range speakers when a separate subwoofer is connected. This setting will only allow frequencies above the set high pass filter setting to pass through.

14. Subsonic Filter (Z3001i ONLY)
    This is a variable control that filters out all subsonic bass frequencies below the set point. These are frequencies that are not audible. These frequencies can damage subwoofers. See specification table for adjustable frequency range.

15. Bass Boost
    This control adjusts the bass boost at 45Hz, from 0 to +18dB. Start from 0 and slowly increase to the desired level. Use this control with extreme care as failure to do so may result in damage to the subwoofers.

16. Remote Bass Controller Port (Z3001i ONLY)
    This connection should be used with the optional remote control (ZRBC – included in box) to adjust the bass level from any location within the vehicle.

17. Phase Switch
    This control adjusts the phase shift 180 degrees for the subwoofer. This means that the subwoofer will move inwards instead of outwards on a sinus wave.

18. Power / Protect LED

19. When illuminated Blue, indicates normal operation. Amplifier is powered on with no faults detected.

20. When illuminated Red, indicates the amplifier is in protection mode / fault state. See troubleshooting section on the next page.

AMPLIFIER TROUBLESHOOTING

DIMENSION

Disclaimer

Always ensure the enclosure is securely attached, to avoid movement. PHOENIX GOLD accepts no responsibility for damage or injury in relation to inappropriate securing of this product.

Phoenix Gold Product Warranty
LIMITED WARRANTY ON AMPLIFIERS:

• Phoenix Gold warrants this product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) years from the original date of purchase. This warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original purchaser from an authorized Phoenix Gold dealer in the United States of America only. Should service be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction,
• Phoenix Gold will (at its discretion) repair or replace
  the defective product with new or re-manufactured product at no charge. Damage caused by the following is
  not covered under warranty: accident, misuse, abuse, product modification or neglect, failure to follow installation instructions, unauthorized repair attempts, misrepresentations by the seller. This warranty does not cover incidental or consequential damages and does not cover the cost of removing or reinstalling the unit(s). Cosmetic damage due to accident or normal wear and tear is not covered under warranty.

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTIES:
Products purchased outside the United States of America are covered only by that country’s Authorized Phoenix Gold reseller and not by Phoenix Gold. Consumers needing service or warranty information for these products must contact that country’s reseller for information.

References

• Phoenix Gold Car Audio - Phoenix Gold High Performance Car Audio

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