db DRIVE NEO4v2 4 Channel Amplifier User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- DB DRIVE
Table of Contents
NEO
AMPLIFIERS
NEO4v2 NEO5v2 NE01 5Kv2
User Manual
Installation Instructions
Owners Manual
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a DB Drive state-of-the-art power
amplifier. Your selection of a DB Drive car audio product indicates a true
appreciation of fine musical reproduction. Whether adding to an existing
system or including your DB Drive amplifier in a new system, you are certain
to notice immediate performance benefits.
KEEP YOUR SALES RECEIPT
Take this time to attach your sales receipt to the manual and put in a safe
place. In case of any unforeseen reason this product may need warranty
service, your receipt will be necessary to establish the purchase date.
RECOMMENDATION
A power amplifier’s performance is only as good as its installation. Proper
installation will maximize the system’s overall performance. It is recommended
that you have our product installed by an authorized DB Drive retailer.
However, if you decide to install it yourself, please carefully read through
this manual and take your time to do a quality installation.
Due to continuing product improvements and possible manual revisions, we
recommend checking our website for the latest product information at
www.dbdrive.net.
IMPORTANT! Before making any connections, disconnect the car’s battery
until the installation is completed to avoid possible damage to the electrical
system.
WARNING! Exposure to a high-power sound system can cause hearing loss or
damage. Listening to your system at loud levels while driving will impair your
ability to hear traffic sounds and emergency vehicles. Use common sense when
listening to your system.
Serial # Model #
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Fuse amplifiers power wire at the battery
Be sure to fuse the power wire within 17 of the car’s battery. This will
protect the car’s battery in case of a short circuit between the power
amplifier and battery. THIS IS A MUST, the amplifier’s built-in fuse will only
protect the power amplifier not the car’s battery!
Use high-grade wire connectors
To ensure maximum power transfer and secure safe connections, it is
recommended to use high-grade barrier spades (for connection at amplifier) and
terminal rings (for connection at the battery).
Do not run any wires underneath the vehicle
Exposed wires have a chance of being cut or damaged. It is best to run all
wires through the vehicle under the carpet and/or side panels. This lends to a
cleaner installation and less risk of damage.
Use caution when mounting the amplifier
Remember there are many electrical wires, gas lines, vacuum lines, brake lines
as well as a gas tank in the automobile. Make sure you now where they are when
mounting the amplifier to avoid puncturing lines, shorting wires or drilling
holes in the gas tank.
Run signal wires away from electrical wire s
To avoid the possibility of induced noise from the car’s electrical system
(i.e. popping noises or engine noise), run wires away from the car’s
electrical wiring.
Make all ground wires as short as possible and at the same point
In order to reduce the chance of ground loops (i.e. engine noise), make the
grounding wire as short as possible to reduce the wire’s resistance. Also,
when using multiple components, make sure all units are grounded at the same
point.
Avoid sharp edges when running the wires
To avoid the possibility of power, signal, or speaker shorts, be careful not
to allow the amplifiers wires to come in contact with sharp edges. Use a
grommet to protect the wire when running through the firewall.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
DC Offset Protection
This circuit protects the output of the amplifier against DC voltage. If for
some reason DC voltage is detected at the output stage, the amplifier will
shut down protecting the speakers from direct current.
Short Circuit Protection
The circuit protects the amplifier from damage due to a short found in the
speakers or wiring. If one of the speakers or its wiring comes in contact with
ground, the amplifier will shut down. To resume normal operation, correct the
problem and turn the head unit off, then back on. The amplifier will reset and
play again.
Thermal Protection
To protect the amplifier circuitry against damage caused by prolonged exposure
to high temperatures, a thermal protection circuit is activated if the
amplifier reaches excessively high operating temperature. Once the thermal
circuit is activated, the amplifier will shut down to cool off. The amplifier
will automatically turn back on once it cools down to a safe operating
temperature.
Power Indicator
The diagnostic L.E.D. illuminates when the amplifier is on and receiving
power.
Built-in Crossover
The NEO amplifiers include built-in variable crossovers. The crossover
features a variable frequency selection for precise low pass filtering for the
NEO1.5Kv2. The NEO4v2 and NEO5v2 also feature the same frequency selection
with the option of high pass or low pass filtering.
Power and Speaker Distribution Blocks
Heavy gauge bare wire distribution blocks are provided for maximum power and
signal transfer with minimal resistance.
Bass Boost (NE01.5Kv2) (NEO5v2)
For added low-frequency performance the amplifiers are equipped with a
variable ‘0-12 dB bass boost @ 45Hz.
Power Fusing
This protects the amplifier against short circuits and excessive current.
NEO4v2 – 60 Amp NEO5v2 – 70 Amp NEO1.5Kv2 – 80 Amp
Remote Turn-on
Automatically turns the amplifier on when connected to the head unit’s remote
output. The amplifier will turn on and off with the head unit to save current
consumption. This control also operates the reset circuit for the amplifier’s
protection. It must be connected with the head unit in order to reset
protection circuits.
Adjustable Input Sensitivity
Allows you to fine-tune the level matching between your source and the power
amplifier.
Low Impedance Stability
NEO4v2 – 2Ohm Stereo
NEO5v2 – 2Ohm Stereo
NE01.5Kv2 – 10hm Mono
MOUNTING LOCATION
Before you start the installation, it will be necessary to find a mounting
location for the amplifier. Find a location in which the amplifier will
receive adequate ventilation in order to dissipate the heat it develops during
operation. Two popular mounting locations are in the trunk or under the seat.
Select the location in which you wish to mount the amplifier. Use caution when
mounting amplifiers, there are many wires, gas lines, vacuum lines, brake
lines as well as a gas tanks in the automobile. Make sure you know where they
are when mounting the amplifier to avoid puncturing lines, shorting wires or
drilling holes in the gas tank. Once you are ready, use a pencil to mark the
mounting holes in the bottom panel. After you have marked the locations of the
holes move the amplifier out of the way and drill small starter holes to make
the tapping screws easier to install. Use provided screws to tighten down the
amplifier.
Power connections
IMPORTANT! Before making any connections, disconnect the car’s battery
until the installation is completed to avoid possible damage to the electrical
system.
Connect the amplifier to the car’s battery
At times, the amplifier will need to draw large levels of current that cannot
be provided by any circuit in the car’s fuse box. We recommended using a 4 to
8 gauge power wire for your connections depending on the amplifier and length
of the wire. Strip one end of the wire to connect to the terminal on the
amplifier marked “batt+’. Loosen screw terminal and connect bare wire and
tighten. Use caution to make sure no stray wire strands come in contact with
surrounding terminals causing short circuits. Run the wire directly to the
positive terminal of the car’s battery. Make sure to use an in-line fuse
within 12′ of the car’s battery to protect the electrical system and amplifier
against short circuits and/or power surges.
Connect the ground terminal of the amplifier to the car’s chassis
For the ground connection, use a 4 to 8 gauge wire (black) to connect to the
terminal marked ‘ground’ and then connect it to the car’s chassis. Try to keep
the length of the cable as short as possible, preferably less than 6′. Also,
make sure that the point on the car where the connection is to be made is free
of paint and dirt.
Connect the remote terminal of the amplifier to a switchable +12V source
This connection allows the amplifier to be turned on and off with the power
control of the radio. If the radio has a REMOTE output terminal, connect it to
the amplifier’s terminal marked ‘remote” (using a 16 gauge wire or heavier).
Now when the radio is turned on, the amplifier will automatically turn on.
This connection can also be made to the radio’s Power Antenna wire.
SIGNAL CONNECTIONS
Connect the RCA output of the head unit (AM/FM cassette player, CD, or DAT) to
the RCA input terminals of the amplifier.
To make these connections, we recommend high-quality RCA cables, which are
available at your local car audio retailer. Run signal wires away from
electrical wires to avoid the possibility of induced noise from the car’s
electrical system (i.e. popping noises or engine noise).
SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
IMPORTANT! The following speaker connection is for the amplifier in normal
mono configuration.
Make the speaker connections using a speaker wire that is at least 16 gauge or
heavier.
As with any audio component, proper phasing of the amplifier and speakers is
essential for a strong bass response. When connecting, make sure that positive
(+) from the amplifier is connected to the positive (+) of the speaker, and
the same for negative (-).
TROUBLESHOOTING THE SYSTEM
we have put together this troubleshooting guide if you experience problems
after installing the amplifier. Please keep in mind that the majority of
problems incurred are caused by improper installation and not the equipment
itself. In addition, there are many components in the system that could cause
various signal problems such as inducted electrical noise and engine noise.
Before you can properly address the problem, you must first find the component
that is causing the problem. This will take patience and a process of
elimination.
LOOK FOR….. No Output
Blown fuse
Bad RCA Cable(s)
+12V at power terminal
+12V at the remote terminal
Grounding point clean and tight
Head Unit’s fader not in the center position
Master & Slave settings
Low Output
Check level adjustments
Re-adjust
Bad RCA cable(s)
Improper level matching
Master & Slave settings
Engine Noise
Grounding points are clean and tight
Ground all components at the same point
Try different grounding point
Bad RCA cable(s)
Use High Quality shielded RCA cables
Low Vehicle charging system and/or battery
Red Protection L.E.D. illuminated
Speaker short
Speaker grounding out
Impedance too low Overheating| SOLUTION
Replace
Replace
Check connection
Check connection
Check for ground w/meter
Set to the center position
Confirm correct setting
Replace
Re-adjust
Confirm correct setting
Check for ground w/meter
The ground at the same point
Change for better ground
Replace
Rejects inducted noise
Fix and/or replace
Check speakers connection for short circuit
Make sure speaker wires
Do not touch chassis ground
Check speaker impedance
Check mounting location for
Adequate air circulation speaker impedance too low
---|---
SPECIFICATIONS
DB DRIVE warrants any products purchased in the U.S.A. from an authorized DB
DRIVE dealer. All products are warranted to be free from defects in material
and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of (1) year when the
unit is installed by an authorized DB DRIVE dealer. Non-authorized dealer
installed products carry a (1) year parts and labor limited warranty. This
warranty applies to the original purchaser only.
DB DRIVE will either repair or replace (as its option) any unit that has been
found to be defective and under warranty provided the defect occurs within:
One (1) year if purchased through an authorized DB DRIVE dealer.
This limited warranty does not extend to units that have been subjected to
misuse, abuse, neglect, or accident. Products that in DB DRIVE’s judgment show
evidence of having been altered, modified, or serviced without DB DRIVE’s
authorization, will be ineligible under this warranty.
To obtain warranty service please contact your retailer or see our website
www.dbdrive.net for more details.
All warranty claims must be handled directly through the authorized DB
Research dealer they were originally purchased from
DB Research L.L.P.
302 Hanmore Industrial Parkway
Harlingen,
TX 78550 ph: 877.787.0101 11
fx: 956.421.4513
www.dbdrive.net