HIFONICS ZXE3000-1 Digital Class D Mono Amplifier User Manual

: July 31, 2024
: HIFONICS

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HIFONICS ZXE3000-1 Digital Class D Mono Amplifier User Manual
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HIFONICS ZXE3000-1 Digital Class D Mono Amplifier User Manual

USER’S MANUAL

DIGITAL CLASS D
MONO AMPLIFIER
ZXE3000/1

USER’S MANUAL

Please read the user‘s manual carefully before the installation and the first operation of the amplifier.

SPECIFICATIONS	ZXE3000/1
Output Power RMS (14.4 V)	1 x 700 W @ 4 Ω

All specifications are subject to change

DISPOSAL/RECYCLING

If you have to dispose the device and its components, please note that no electronic devices must be disposed in the household waste. Dispose of the device and its components at a suitable recycling facility in accordance with local waste regulations. If necessary, consult your local authority or dealer.

More information at www.audiodesign.de/english/disposal

IMPORTANT NOTES PRIOR TO INSTALLATION

This device is only suited for a 12 volt system with negative ground.
The radiated heat while operation requires sufficient air circulation at the place of installation. It is very important that the heat sink fins do not have contact with any metal parts or any surfaces which could impair air circulation. The amplifier may not be installed in small closed location or spaces without air circulation (e.g. spare wheel recess or below the vehicle carpeting). We recommend the installation in the vehicle’s trunk. Ensure sufficient protection against vibrations, dust and dirt.
Ensure that the input and output cables are sufficiently separated from the power supply cables. Otherwise interferences may occur.
Ensure the accessibility of the fuse and the operating elements after installation.
The reliability and performance of the amplifier depends on the quality of installation. Preferably consult an expert to install the system, particularly if you want to install several loudspeakers.

POWER SUPPLY AND TURN-ON-CONNECTION

ATTENTION: Before you start with the installation, disconnect the ground connection from the vehicle’s battery in order to prevent short circuits.

The power wiring which is usually installed in on-board car networks is not sufficient for a power amplifier‘s demands. Make sure that the power wires to GND and to the +12 V terminal has been sufficiently specified. A sufficient cable cross section (see page 38, fig. 7) must be used to connect the battery to the amplifier‘s terminals.

First connect the GND terminal of the amplifier to an appropriate ground connection at the chassis. To ensure a good connection, residue dirt and dust from the connection point. A loose connection may cause malfunctions or interferences noise and distortion.

Then connect the +12 V terminal of the amplifier with the battery by using an appropriate cable (see page 38, fig. 7) including an in-line fuse. This fuse should be located very close to the battery; for safety reasons not more than 30 cm away.

Then connect the remote turn-on-wire from the head unit with the amplifier‘s REM terminal. A cable with a cross-section of 0.5 mm² is adequate.

LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTION

The total impedance must not be lower than 1 Ω.
Never connect loudspeaker cables with the ground of the chassis or the +12 V supply voltage.

If the amplifier is operated with a too low impedance or incorrectly used, the entire sound system may be damaged. This means a warranty void in such cases.

AUDIO SIGNAL CABLES

When installing the audio cables between the RCA outputs of the head unit and the RCA inputs of the amplifier (Fig. 1,8), the audio and power supply cables should, if possible, not be routed along the same side of the vehicle. We recommend a separated installation, e.g. routing the power cable through the cable channel on the left side and the audio cables through the cable channel of the vehicle on the right side or vice versa. This prevents interferences due to crosstalk into the audio signal.

HIGH LEVEL INPUTS & AUTO TURN ON

The high level inputs under HIGH LEVEL INPUT (Fig. 6) is suitable to connect the device input with speaker wires, if your head unit is not equipped with pre-amplifier RCA outputs. Extend therefor every regarding speaker cable from your head unit with appropriate speaker cables from your car audio retailer to the mounting location of the amplifier. Then connect the each matching loudspeaker cable with the cables of the included High Level Input jack.

ATTENTION: Never use the high level inputs and the RCA inputs at the same time. This may damage the device seriously.

The amplifier detects a voltage rise (6 Volts) with a so called ”DC Offset” over the connected input signal on the high level inputs under HIGH LEVEL INPUT (Fig. 6) when the head unit will be switched on. Hence, the amplifier will also be turned on. As soon as the head unit will be turned off, the amplifier turns also automatically off. In this case the turn-on connection REM (Fig. 2,2) is not needed.

ATTENTION: The Auto turn-on function usually works with 90% of all head units, because they are equipped with ”High Power”-outputs. Only with a few older and head units the Auto turn-on function is not working.

INPUT SENSITIVITY

Turn the LEVEL INPUT (Fig. 1,7) controller of the amplifier to the MIN position. Then turn the volume controller of the head unit to 80 – 90% of its full setting. Now turn LEVEL INPUT clockwise until you hear some distortion. Then turn back the LEVEL INPUT slightly until you hear a cleaner sound.

VARIABLE SUBSONIC FILTER

With the SUB SONIC controller (Fig. 1,5) you can adjust the lower crossover frequency, to filter the very low frequencies to relieve the subwoofer or to generate a bandpass signal. If you don’t want to use this function, turn the controller (Fig. 1,5) to the very left to the 10 Hz position.

ATTENTION: The adjusted value of the SUB SONIC (Fig. 1,5) should not be higher than the adjusted value of the LOW PASS controller (Fig. 1,4). Otherwise no sound will be audible.

VARIABLE LOW PASS FILTER

Set the desired crossover frequency by using the controller LOW PASS (Fig. 1,4). Thus to that only the frequencies below the chosen crossover frequency will be amplified and the subwoofer plays more precisely and efficient.

VARIABLE BASS BOOST

By using the BASS BOOST controller (Fig. 1,3) you are able to increase the bass enhancement from 0 to 12 dB. ATTENTION: Use the BASS BOOST wisely!

PHASE CONTROLLER

The PHASE SHIFT controller (Fig. 1,6) allows to adjust the phase between 0° and 180° to match the output signal with the vehicle’s interior acoustic.

BASS LEVEL REMOTE CONTROLLER

With the included bass level cable remote controller you are able to adjust the bass level e.g. out of the driver’s seat. Connect the remote controller and the BLC REMOTE connector (Fig. 1,2) with the enclosed cable.

MASTER/SLAVE OPERATION

The MASTER/SLAVE Operation allows to link two identical ZXE3000/1 amplifiers. The advantage of this function is, that the crossover section of amplifier 2 will be bypassed and for both amplifiers the same crossover settings come into operation, which can be adjusted on the MASTER amplifier. Then both amplifiers work together as one big monoblock. Please refer to section ”MASTER/SLAVE OPERATION / 2 x ZXE3000/1” on page 13 and the figures 5a to 5c on page 37.

FIGURES

CONNECTIONS AND CONTROLLERS (FIG. 1)

Power-/Protection-LED
Connector for the included bass level remote controller
LOW PASS controller
BASS BOOST controller
SUB SONIC controller
PHASE SHIFT controller
LEVEL INPUT controller
LINE INPUT L/R
Mono audio output (OUT MASTER), leading to an additional ZXE3000/1
Mono audio input (IN SLAVE), coming from an additional ZXE3000/1

POWER SUPPLY AND TURN ON CONNECTION (FIG. 2)

GND terminal for the ground
REM terminal for the turn on connection
+12 V terminal for the positive-connection of the battery
Vehicle’s battery
External cable fuse for +12V power wire (not included in the scope of delivery)
Turn on wire from the head unit or the electrical antenna
External cable fuse

1-CHANNEL OPERATION MONO / 1 x SUBWOOFER (FIG. 3)

If you want to run the amplifier with the 2 line output channels from the head unit to drive a subwoofer, connect the following setup:

Bass level remote controller
To the head unit, line output left or subwoofer output
To the head unit, line output right or subwoofer output
Subwoofer (1 – 8 Ω)

1-CHANNEL OPERATION MONO / 2 x SUBWOOFERS (FIG. 4)

If you want to run the amplifier with the 2 line output channels from the head unit to drive two subwoofers, connect the following setup:

Bass level remote controller
To the head unit, line output rear left or subwoofer output
To the head unit, line output rear right or subwoofer output
Subwoofer 1 (2 – 8 Ω) (5) Subwoofer 2 (2 – 8 Ω)

MASTER/SLAVE OPERATION / 2 x ZXE3000/1 (FIG. 5a-5c)

If you want to run amplifier 1 (MASTER) with two line output channels from the head unit and the additional amplifier 2 (SLAVE) via OUT MASTER (Fig. 1,9), connect the following setup:

Bass level remote controller (only at MASTER)
To the head unit, line output left
To the head unit, line output right
RCA Connection between MASTER and SLAVE
If each of both amplifiers should drive one subwoofer, connect the following setup (Fig. 5b):
Subwoofer 1 (1-8 Ω)
connect + at MASTER SPEAKER OUTPUT +
connect – at MASTER SPEAKER OUTPUT –
Subwoofer 2 (1-8 Ω)
connect + at SLAVE SPEAKER OUTPUT – (reverse polarity)
connect – at SLAVE SPEAKER OUTPUT + (reverse polarity)
If both amplifiers should drive one subwoofer together, connect the following setup (Fig. 5c):
Subwoofer (2-8 Ω)
connect + at MASTER SPEAKER OUTPUT +
connect – at SLAVE SPEAKER OUTPUT + (reverse polarity)
connect – MASTER SPEAKER OUTPUT and – SLAVE SPEAKER OUTPUT

ATTENTION: Always use the same cable cross-section to connect the subwoofers.

NOTICE HIGH LEVEL INPUTS (FIG. 6)

Please never use the High Level Inputs and the Low Level Inputs on the RCA sockets at the same time. This could cause a malfunction or damage the amplifier.

NOTICE POWER SUPPLY (FIG. 7)

Please note the recommendations for the cable length and the cable cross- section of the power cables in order to ensure an adequate and safe power supply for the amplifier.

PROTECTION CIRCUIT

The POWER/PROTECT LED (Fig. 1,1) lights up green, if the amplifier is in operation.

The POWER/PROTECT LED (Fig. 1,1) lights up red, when the amplifier is overheated, or a short circuit occurs respective a too low impedance load is connected to the speaker outputs. If this events, the internal built-in protection circuit shuts down the amplifier automatically. The amplifier should work again properly after you have solved the problems.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you are having problems after installation follow the Troubleshooting procedures below.

Procedure 1:

Check Amplifier for proper connections.
Verify that the POWER/PROTECT LED lights up green. If this is the case, skip to Step 3, if not continue.

Check in-line fuse on battery positive cable. Replace if necessary.
Check fuse(s) on amplifier. Replace if necessary.
Verify that Ground connection is connected to clean metal on the vehicle’s chassis. Repair/replace if necessary.
Verify there is 9 to 16 Volts present at the positive battery and remote turn-on cable. Verify quality connections for both cables at amplifier, stereo, and battery/fuse holder. Repair/replace if necessary.

Procedure 2:

POWER/PROTECT LED lights up red.

If the LED lights up red, this is a sign of a possible short in the speaker connections. Check for proper speaker connections and use an Ω meter to check for possible shorts in the speaker wiring. Too low speaker impedance may also cause the LED to light red. This can also be a sign of driving the amplifier at very high power gains without adequate airflow around the amplifier. Shut off the system and allow amplifier to cool. Check that the vehicle charging system is maintaining proper voltage. If the previous items do not solve the problem, a fault may be in the amplifier.

Procedure 3:

Check Amplifier for audio output.

Verify good RCA input connections at stereo and amplifier. Check entire length of cables for kinks, splices, etc. Test RCA inputs for AC volts with stereo on. Repair/replace if necessary.

Procedure 4:

Check Amplifier for a popping noise while turning on.

Disconnect input signal to amplifier and turn amplifier on and off.
If the noise is eliminated, connect the remote lead of amplifier to source unit with a delay turn-on module.

Procedure 5:

Check Amplifier if you experience excess Engine Noise.

Route all signal carrying wires (RCA, speaker cables) away from power and ground wires.
OR
Bypass any and all electrical components between the head unit and the amplifier(s). Connect stereo directly to input of amplifier. If noise goes away the unit being bypassed is the cause of the noise.
OR
Remove existing ground wires for all electrical components. Reground wires to different locations. Verify that grounding location is clean, shiny metal free of paint, rust etc.
OR
Add secondary ground cable from negative battery terminal to the chassis metal or engine block of vehicle.
OR
Have alternator and battery load tested by your mechanic. Verify good working order of vehicle electrical system including distributor, spark plugs, spark plug wires, voltage regulator etc.

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