BOSS BX55 Pre-Amp Car Electronic Crossover Operational Guide
- October 27, 2023
- Boss
Table of Contents
BOSS BX55 Pre-Amp Car Electronic Crossover
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a BOSS Audio Systems Electronic Crossover. This product has been designed and built to deliver excellent sound quality and long lasting high performance. We are sure you’ll enjoy listening to your favorite music with this BOSS component in your car audio system. For best results please consult a professional car stereo installer for application advice or troubleshooting. To guarantee top performance we recommend using The BOSS Link installation accessories such as RCA interconnects, power cable, and speaker wire. Thank you for choosing BOSS Audio Systems products for your auto sound system. We can’t change the world, but we can make it sound better.
FEATURES
- Three Way Electronic Crossover
- Silver Pleated RCA and Power Connectors
- Remote On/ Off Power Control
- LED Power Indicator
- Switching Power Supply
- Low-Noise High Slew Rate Audio Grade Op Amps
- Fully Adjustable Low and High Pass Output Levels
- Phase Reverse Volume on Low Pass
- Infinitely Variable Low Pass Crossovers, Rear and Main
- Infinitely Variable High Pass Crossovers, Front and Rear
- Low Pass Mono Channel Selector for mixed or Direct Low Pass Inputs
- Band Pass / High Pass Switch for Rear Channels
- Bass Boost Volume with Variable Frequency Volume
SPECIFICATIONS
- INPUT IMPEDANCE Front & Rear: 39K-Ohm, Low Pass: 1 OK-Ohm
- MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL 5V RMS
- MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL 9VRMS
- HIGH PASS CROSSOVE R, 12dB/octave Front: 65Hz-4.5KHz; Rear: 65Hz -4.5KHz
- LOW PASS CROSSOVER, 12d B/octave Rear: 300Hz – 4.6KHz
- LOW PASS CROSSOVER, 12d B/octave Main: 40Hz-250Hz
- LOW BOOST 0 to +18dB
- GAIN STRUCTURE Variable, o to +6Db
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE, LOW PASS 5Hz – 4.BKHz, -3dB
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE, HIGH PASS F: 65Hz-50KHz, -3dB; R: 65Hz-50KHz, -3dB
- SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO >95dB
- THD <0.01%
- DIMENSIONS 8 3/4″(W) x 7 1/2″(L) x 1 1/4″(H) (222mm x 165mm x 38mm)
Features and specifications subject to change without notice
INSTALLATION
- Find a suitable location in the vehicle to mount the crossover.
- Bolt the crossover to the mounting surface.
- Using the screw terminals provided, connect minimum 16 gauge wire from the power, Ground and remote terminals. Connect the shortest possible wire to a chassis ground point. The(+) 12V connection should be made directly to the car battery, and the remote should be connected to the Remote Turn On Lead of your head unit. When connecting directly to the battery, install a 3A Fuse within 18 inches of the battery terminal.
- Connect all line inputs and outputs using high-quality RCA cables.
- Recheck all connections before powering up.
- Set all level controls to their minimum positions and set all crossover controls, switches, etc. To the desired frequency or position.
- Once the system is powered up, set the volume control on the head unit to a moderate level where your normal speaking voice can be heard while the music is playing.
- Further fine tuning of the various controls may be necessary to obtain the desired results.
- When unsure about installation or system tuning, please consult an authorized BOSS AUDIO dealer.
CONTROLS AND OPERATION
- Power Terminal (+12V).
- Remote Turn-On Terminal (REM).
- Ground Terminal (GND).
- Subwoofer Low Pass Frequency Control.
- Bass Boost Level Control (TO +18dB)
- Bass Boost Frequency Control
- Low Pass Mode Switch: Allows Low Pass Channel to receive signal from either the mix of Front and Rear inputs or from Low Pass Inputs directly (when head unit has appropriate 5th/ 6th outputs.
- Variable Phase Selector Control: Use this control to select output phase for the subwoofer channel to provide best time alignment and stereo imaging.
- Subwoofer (Low Pass) Output Level Control
- LED Power On Indicator
- Rear Channel High Pass Frequency Control
- Rear Channel Output Level Control
- In Triamp System, Converts Rear Channels to Band Pass
- Rear Low Pass Crossover Frequency Control
- Front High Pass Frequency Control
- Front High Pass Output Level Control
- Subwoofer Low Pass Channel Inputs
- Front Channel Inputs
- Rear Channel Inputs
- Subwoofer Low Pass Channel Output Terminals.
- Rear Channel Output Terminals.
- Front Channel Output Terminals.
- Fuse
- Subwoofer Remote Level Control Jack: To be Connected to the remote control for adjusting the output level of subwoofer output. (NOTE: The remote control will adjust to the highest preset setting of the subwoofer low pass gain control.)
WIRING DIAGRAM
Power connection
- B+ (12V): Connect a red wire to the car battery or other power source.
- Remote: Connect a Orange wire to remote activating (12V DC) wire of car stereo or equalizer.
- GND: Connect a black wire to the car chassis for ground connection.
WIRING DIAGRAM: Two-Way (BIAMP) Operation
WIRING DIAGRAM: Signal Connection
TROUBLESHOOTING
- SYMPTOM Possible remedy:
- SIGNAL PROCESSOR DOES NOT TURN ON Check: Remote Turn-On wire has(+) 12V; (+) 12V wire has(+) 12V; Ground wire is properly connected:
- LEVEL OF SOUND IS LOW Check: Wiring is not loose or cables misconnected/disconnected; RCA cables are not faulty
- BACKGROUND NOISE IS TOO HIGH Check: Wiring is not loose or cables misconnected/disconnected – ground is important; RCA cables are not faulty
PRECAUTIONS
Enjoy your system, but use it wisely and safely!
- Never drive with the volume raised so high you cannot hear what is occuring in traffic around you.
- Beware that repeated exposure to excessive volume levels can permanently damage your hearing!
- Keep all electronics away from moisture, dust, extreme heat or extreme vibrations.
FAQs
So will I need a Boss crossover if I buy Boss amps?****
Unless you want to keep the same equipment, not really
How does a 3 way BOSS BX55 crossover function?****
Low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters are combined to generate a 3-way crossover (LPF, BPF and HPF respectively). The BPF portion is created by combining the HPF and LPF sections.
Does the BOSS BX55 crossover follow the amp or come before it?****
An active or electrical crossover connects the amplifier and the receiver. With the help of its solid-state circuitry, each band of frequencies is delivered in the proper direction after being cleanly separated from the signal by low-level preamp signals.
What distinguishes a preamp from a crossover?****
Crossover offers more and finer tuning options than a preamp since it has a larger frequency range and more adjustment options. Both can be used simultaneously in a system. You can also use just one of them in a system.
Why is BOSS BX55 used as a pre-amplifier?****
In a home theatre system, the pre-amplifier controls switching between different line-level sources and amplifies the signal before delivering it to the amplifier. To enable additional processing, a weak electrical signal is amplified, which lowers noise and yields a clearer result.
What difference does a BOSS BX55 pre amp make?****
An external preamp may significantly improve your sound quality if you use low output dynamic microphones, such as ribbons. When employing high output condenser microphones, an external preamp is less crucial.
Does My Turntable Need a BOSS BX55 Preamp?****
If your turntable doesn’t already have a preamp and your amplifier or receiver doesn’t have a phono input, you will need to get one (otherwise known as a phono preamp).
Does the quality of the BOSS BX55 pre amp Matter?****
The most important factor is the preamp topology, or how its circuit is constructed. The sound of the preamp, including how smooth, harsh, thick, neutral, colourful, transparent, grainy, etc., is determined by the circuit design and component quality.
A BOSS BX55 preamplifier—is it a compressor?****
No, they couldn’t be more different. A preamp merely adjusts the dynamics of the signal to reduce it to normal line level.
What is the output of the BOSS BX55 preamplifier?****
A preamplifier creates a parallel output before a signal is amplified to be reproduced by a loudspeaker. An analogue audio output called Pre-out features source selection and volume control. It permits the signal to pass through so that it can be amplified by a different power source.
Do BOSS BX55 preamps require grounding?****
One ground wire would connect the turntable to the preamp, while the other ground wire would connect the preamp to the speakers or amplifier. This is only necessary if you have “ground hum,” which is described as a buzz or hum coming from the speakers when using the turntable.
What can I connect to a BOSS BX55 preamp?****
A pre-amplifier converts weak mic-level signals into powerful line-level signals. An interface connects a computer and a microphone. The preamp must be connected to the microphone with an XLR cable, and the preamp must be connected to the interface with a TRS connection. This connection produces a strong, noise-free output.
Does every BOSS BX55 preamp have the same sound?****
No, they’re not all the same. Usually, the transient response, frequency response, and other more obscure characteristics vary. You may or may not be able to hear these variances, it all depends on the source.
Does the BOSS BX55 preamplifier boost output?****
After being amplified by a preamp to line level, the line level signal is brought to line level by a power amp before being routed to the speakers. In other words, a preamp increases signal strength to a level at which it can be sent to the devices in your chain.
A BOSS BX55 preamp adds power, right?****
Preamps actually increase the level of “weak” signals. The mic level, low- level signals originating from your source are simply amplified by a preamp, to put it simply. They then amplify them to produce higher signals (line level), which they then transmit farther into the loudspeaker power amplifier.
Can I connect speakers to a BOSS BX55 preamp?****
Both turntables with built-in preamps and those without can use an external preamp. You are then able to connect to any kind of audio system that is already in place, including powered and passive speaker systems. It is possible to utilise an external preamp with many turntables, even those with built-in ones.
Are speakers required for use with a BOSS BX55 preamp?****
Most powered speakers still require a separate phono pre-amp. In any event, internal amplification and the built-in phono pre-amp account for the lack of a receiver and separate phono pre-amp.