MTX Audio TA5601 User Manual

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Note: When numerous ampliﬁers are used in the same system, look into using a relay with a separate power

wire connected to an alternative power source to take the strain off the source unit. Normal source units can

only keep a constant 12 volts to 2 or possibly 3 amps. This wire should also be run on the away from the RCA

cables.

• CAP+: This 8 gauge terminal is internally wired in parallel with the +12V on the StreetWires Power

connector. It is the ideal connection point for the positive side of a capacitor to increase the ampliﬁer’s

performance.

• CAP-: This 8 gauge terminal is internally wired in parallel with the GND on the StreetWires Power

connector. It is the ideal connection point for the negative side of the capacitor to increase the ampliﬁer’s

performance.

Double check all the previous connection installation steps, in particular, the speaker and power wiring.

Securely mount the ampliﬁer. If everything is in order, reconnect the vehicle’s negative battery connection and

begin following the feature setup and adjustment steps.

Feature Setup and Adjustments

1. Selecting the Input Sensitivity Range – Before you turn on your system, you must select the proper input

sensitivity range on your amp using the button labeled INPUT SENS located in the GAIN CONTROL section of

the control panel.

• Setting for Aftermarket Source Units: Refer to your aftermarket owner’s manual for line level output

speciﬁcation. If the speciﬁcation is not available, please follow the instructions listed below.

X1 POSITION: 100mV–1V (Typically for RCA Input)

• Setting for Factory (OEM) Source Units: To check the amount of voltage that is present from the source

unit, take a multi meter, or a volt/ohm meter, on the AC setting, (range from 100mV up to 10 volts) attach the

positive and negative leads directly to any exposed speaker. It will not matter if the polarity is correct, it will

read the same amount of voltage.

X10 POSITION: 1V–10V (Typically for Speaker Level Input)

Note: It is important not to have the amp set up to receive a low voltage signal and give it a high voltage signal.

Doing this can cause damage to the amp.

2. Adjusting The Gain Control(s) – Before you start setting your amp gains, be sure to defeat all EQs (“off”

position). You want to set the gain levels properly BEFORE applying any equalization.

Start with the source unit’s volume around ¾ of the way up, and the gain on the amp all the way down

(counter-clockwise). Slowly increase the gain clockwise until the speaker starts to distort. Immediately

decrease gain until the distortion goes away. This will be a good reference point on the volume control to

where the signal starts to distort. Remember every CD will be different; use common sense and constantly

listen for obvious distortion and adjust volume accordingly. The gain on the amp has nothing to do with how

much power the amp can produce, just how fast the amp puts out max power. Just like in an automobile, full

throttle is very rarely needed.

3. Adjusting the Low, 24dB @ 40Hz-200Hz Variable Low Pass X-over Frequency Controls–

• Setting for Subwoofers: Using “L-PASS CROSSOVER” you have control over what frequency you want

your amp to start crossing over your signal. By turning this control all the way counter-clockwise, you are

crossing the signal over at 40Hz (the range is counter-clockwise 40Hz to clockwise 200Hz). This means that

the amp will send the woofers frequencies from 20Hz to 40Hz and then start to taper down as the frequencies

go over 40Hz (24dB/octave roll off). The industry standard for low pass crossover point is right around 90Hz.

However, by experimenting with the crossover point (higher or lower) you will ﬁnd what sounds best in this

install. The decibel per octave roll off (dB/oct) means how fast the ampliﬁer tapers down as the frequencies

get higher. This amp uses a 24-decibel per octave roll off, which is pretty steep, or tapers off fairly quickly from

the crossover point. This design complements the subwoofer and the mid to provide greater musical detail.

4. Setting the 30Hz, 12dB Fixed Subsonic Filter – First enable the Subsonic Filter by selecting the “ON” position

of the SUBSONIC FILTER switch. This feature will help remove some of the potentially damaging low

frequencies of 30Hz and below from your subwoofer system. Use this feature if the subwoofer breaks up at

lower frequencies.