FOCAL HILO.V3 Stereo Amplifier Single Converter User Manual

: June 7, 2024
: FOCAL

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS!
General information
Passive connection
Active connection
DC/AUDIO selector
Colour code for HILO wiring harness
Disposal
Warranty
- Conditions of warranty
Customer Support
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

FOCAL HILO.V3 Stereo Amplifier Single Converter User Manual

READ FIRST!

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS!

Warning Icon The exclamation mark represented in an equilateral triangle is intended to alert users to the existence of important instructions in the user manual relating to the use and maintenance of the device.

Read these instructions.
Keep these instructions.
Heed all the warnings.
Follow all the instructions.
To avoid damaging your hearing, do not listen to loudspeakers at high volumes for long periods of time. Listening to loudspeakers at high volumes can cause damage to the user’s ears and may lead to hearing problems (temporary or permanent deafness, buzzing in the ears, tinnitus, hyperacusis). Exposure to excessive volumes (over 85 dB) for more than one hour can cause irreparable damage to your hearing.
Use only provided cables or harnesses in the proper way only (like mentioned in this manual). Don’t modify them.
You must ensure that HILO converter power supply comes from any protected (by fuse) line. If + 12V comes directly from battery and line is only used by HILO, it must be protected by 1A rated automotive fuse.

General information

Without a power supply, HILO transforms the amplified speaker driver outputs from your original or aftermarket car radio into a low-level signal on RCA outputs. It is now possible to connect an amplifier to any car radio to drastically improve the performance of its audio system.

If HILO is powered in 12V, in addition to converting the audio signal it will also generate an automatic remote control output, essential for powering on and off connected amplifiers.

A HILO converter enables handling of two channels. If you wish to use two amplifiers, you will need to use two HILO converters.

To transfer the audio signal, there are two possible solutions:

Direct connection to the high-level outputs to convert them into RCA outputs: use this configuration to connect a two-channel amplifier for front speaker drivers, for example.
Parallel connection to front or rear speaker driver wiring harnesses: This solution is used to pick up the sound signal for an amplified bass system. This allows you to leave the speaker drivers connected to the car radio.

Passive connection

This means that you are not supplying electricity to the HILO converter (+12V). You are only picking up the audio signal from the speaker driver outputs to transform them into RCA low level outputs.

This solution is used when the amp does not need a remote control to power on. This type of amp has an “autopower” function to power on via sound signal detection.

Connection Instructions

Active connection

In this scenario, electricity is supplied to the HILO converter so that it generates a +12V remote control to power on the amp. The audio signal is picked up in the same way as in passive mode.

This mode is used for amps with no “auto-power” function that require a remote control to power on. Since original car radios do not usually have a +12V remote control, the HILO converter will generate it.

Connection Instructions

DC/AUDIO selector

This detection selector allows you to adapt to any original car radio.

DC: Test this setting first and foremost; if it works perfectly, select it. It is suitable for most OEM car radios with direct voltage.
AUDIO: Alternative setting, to be used if the “DC” function does not work. It is suitable for some car radios without “DC” direct output voltage (the minority of OEM car radios)

Colour code for HILO wiring harness

Connect the HILO converter wiring harness to the correct wires by splicing/soldering or crimping, without forgetting to insulate them if they are not already. Then simply connect the HILO converter to its wiring harness. Connect the RCA extension if the remote control is necessary. Connections should be made with the ignition off and car radio switched off.

White: + left speaker
White/Black: – left speaker
Blue: Remote
Grey/Black: – right speaker
Grey: + right speaker
Black: Ground
Yellow: + 12V permanent

HILO wiring harness

Disposal

Correct elimination of this product.

This marking indicates that within the EU this product should not be disposed of with other household wastes. To prevent any risk to the environment or human health, please recycle them responsibly to encourage the reuse of material resources. To return your used device, please use the return and collection systems available, or contact the retailer where you purchased the product. They can recycle this product safely.

Warranty

Please validate your Focal-JMlab warranty, it is now possible to register your product online:www.focal.com/warranty

Thank you for choosing Focal and for sharing our passion for sound and for music, revealed with precision and purity: “Listen Beyond”. To obtain the best results from this product, we recommend that you follow carefully all the information contained in this user manual. If not correctly followed, any fault observed may not be covered by the warranty.

Conditions of warranty

All Focal products are covered by warranty drawn up by the official Focal distributor in your country. Your distributor can provide all details concerning the conditions of warranty. Warranty cover extends at least to that granted by the legal warranty in force in the country where the original purchase invoice was issued.

Our policy of continual product improvement means that Focal-JMlab reserves the right to modify the technical specifications of its products without notice. Product may vary from images.