Audio Control Epicenter InDash Manuale utente
InDash Bass Processor/SPL Meter
Owner’s Enjoyment Manual
Congratulations on your purchase of the world’s nest in-dash
bass restoration processor with an SPL (sound pressure level)
display. Whether this is your rst product from the rainforest
dwellers of AudioControl or you are already a rm believer, you
will denitely enjoy The Epicenter InDash. Remember, it comes
from AudioControl, the experts at bass enhancement and building
SPL displays and measurement tools.
Now before you start salivating too much just thinking about
what The Epicenter InDash can add to your system, take a few
minutes to sit back, have a latté, decaffeinated if necessary, and
read through this manual. It contains lots of useful facts and infor-
mation (and besides, we spent a lot of time writing it)!!
Features Of The Epicenter InDash
Here are some of the cool features that are enclosed in this
magical box:
• AudioControl unique bass restoration circuit
• SPL display up to 160 dB
• Battery Voltage indicator
• Speaker level inputs
• Para-BASS Controls
• Balanced differential inputs
22410 70th Avenue West • Seattle, WA 98043 USA
Phone 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 • www.audiocontrol.com
®
InDash
®
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FEATURES AND HIGHLIGHTS
AudioControl Bass Restoration: The Epicenter InDash contains the
most popular bass maximization circuitry in the world made famous by
The Epicenter. This circuit accurately recreates and injects low frequen-
cy information back into the signal path. What that means in everyday
terms is that The Epicenter InDash will give more bass impact to your
best compact discs, MP3 tracks or even your old tapes (if you happen to
have any lying around).
SPL display: AudioControl designs and manufactures a complete
line of professional real time analyzers/SPL meters and microphone cali-
brators that are used by professional sound contractors, studio engineers
and are the standard measurement tools for sound-off organizations like
IASCA and USACi. It is that background that lets us equip The Epicen-
ter InDash with a 160 dB capable microphone and SPL display.
Battery Voltage Indicator: The Epicenter InDash gives you the
option of measuring the SPL output of your system and it also allows
monitoring of the battery voltage of your system. Wonder why your SPL
is a little lower this week versus last? Many times you should check your
cars electrical system to make sure it is still putting out like it used to.
Speaker Level Inputs: If you are like most people and like the
look and features of your factory installed source unit but feel it’s lack-
ing power (and bass), we have good news. The Epicenter InDash has a
unique high impedance speaker level input that will interface with most
factory installed source units (even Bose) and let you add ampliers and
speakers to your hearts content. However, unlike some of the cheesy
LOC’s (line output converters) available, The Epicenter InDash offers a
very high delity sound quality input.
Para-BASStm Equalization: The Epicenter InDash will increase
your bass, and control it. The Epicenter InDash uses our Para- BASS
equalization circuit to help shape the enhanced bass to match with your
speaker system.
Bulletproof Warranty: The most important feature of all. Every
AudioControl product is selessly designed and manufactured by the
occupants of our rainforest factory. We take every effort
to ensure that you will have many years of enjoy-
ment out of your The Epicenter InDash. To
ensure the performance of your new toy, we
highly recommend that you allow your
authorized AudioControl dealer to perform the installation.
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Not only do they have all the right knowledge and tools, but also in the
event The Epicenter InDash should fail, we will back it with a limited
ve years parts and labor warranty. Should you choose to install it your-
self we will still give you one-year parts and labor warranty. To validate
your warranty, you need to visit http://audiocontrolregistration.com to
register The Epicenter InDash.
We also recommend that you save your invoice or sales
slip as proof of installation and ownership. Not only is it
necessary for warranty purposes, but should your Epi-
center InDash turn up “missing” some day while you are
out watching the salmon run, you will nd insurance
companies are very unforgiving without proof of
purchase.
We interrupt your reading of this manual to provide the impa-
tient people with “Quick Install” information and guidelines:
The AudioControl Epicenter InDash was designed to produce bass
like you have never heard before. With that said it is important to take
the following precautions during its use.
1. If you have an equalizer in your system, turn down any bass
tone controls and initally use The Epicenter InDash to pump
up your bass. Otherwise, the results could be, shall we say...
interesting.
2. You will want to reduce any bass tone control, loudness con-
trol, or other secondary bass controls prior to turning on The
Epicenter InDash. Once your system is up and running, you
may then opt to use them again, although we doubt it!
3. Good bass response requires an appropriate choice of speakers
and amplication. Since the bass frequencies always require
more power and cone area than higher frequencies...BE PRE-
PARED. Small speakers (smaller than 6x9 or 8”) and lack of
power will be detrimental to your system (and themselves).
Now back to your previously interrupted Owner’s Enjoyment Manual
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Quick Install Information
The Epicenter InDash needs to be installed in the signal path between
a source unit and an external amplier(s). Although it can be installed
after an equalizer, it must be installed BEFORE A CROSSOVER.
Once this is done, you need to hook up + 12 volt power, -12 volt
ground, remote turn-on, and connect the illumination wire. If you need
to know more, then read on. Heck, if you don’t think you need to know
more, you should still read on, because you can never know too much.
FACTORY SETTINGS
Shipped Options Page #
Para-BASS
Frequency Center 40Hz 27Hz-63Hz 9
Para-BASS Bandwidth Wide Range from 30Hz-250Hz 9
Input Grounding Balanced Unbalanced 7
Ground Isolation Isolated 200ohm or Ground 7
Choice of beverage Micro-brew Latté 16
Note: Moving jumpers or adjusting the Para-BASS controls can
change these congurations.
Figure 1: Basic Epicenter InDash System
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Figure 2: The Epicenter InDash Front Panel
A GUIDED TOUR OF The Epicenter InDash
The Front Panel
➊Bass Restoration Control a.k.a. “The Knob”: This knob controls
how much of the restored bass is added to your audio signal. Being that it
is a knob, this means you can SLOWLY increase or decrease the amount of
processed bass. (Read as: LISTEN FIRST, CRANK SECOND!)
➋Restoration: By pushing in this switch you engage the bass restora-
tion circuit.
➌Para-BASS Controls: These two knobs control the Para-BASS equal-
ization functions of The Epicenter InDash. The “Frequency” knob allows
you to select the center frequency that you want The Epicenter InDash bass
maximization circuit to affect. The “Width” knob adjusts how wide of a range
around the center frequency The Epicenter InDash will affect.
➍dB/Volts: Although this sounds like a new heavy metal group, this
switch allows you to select whether the display on your Epicenter InDash is
showing SPL levels in dB (decibels) or electrical levels in volts. Rock on!
➎Peak Hold: If you ever got high score on Space Invaders but nobody
was there to watch, you know what this switch is for. When engaged, the dis-
play on your Epicenter InDash will show the highest SPL or voltage reading
that it measured (as long as your Epicenter InDash is turned on).
➏ SPL/Voltage Display: This super bright display will show either the
sound pressure levels or battery voltage depending on where the dB/Volts
switch is set.
➐Bass Restoration Indicator: If this light is ashing, your car should be
bump’n!
➑High SPL Warning Indicator: Since you will probably brush over
our warning about SPL and potential hearing damage, this indicator light
comes on at 120 dB to give you a gentle warning about how loud your system
is.
➒160 dB Microphone: Behind this tiny little hole is the microphone
element that measures your systems SPL. Should you wish to have very low
readings make sure you cover this opening.
➊➋➌ ➍ ➎➏ ➐ ➑➒
Figure 4: Top view of Epicenter InDash
➊ ➋ ➌
➍
➎
➏
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The Top View
➊Power Connections: This nifty connector is a godsend to anyone
who has tried to wire up their gear with their head crammed under the
dash. You can wire up the power, ground, remote turn-on, and illumina-
tion from the convenience of the driver’s seat and then casually plug it in
the back of your Epicenter InDash.
➋ Outputs: These RCA connectors should be connected to the next
component after The Epicenter InDash, such as a crossover, equalizer,
or amplier. Just remember, for maximum performance The Epicenter
InDash must go before any crossovers!
➌Inputs: The Epicenter InDash has two sets of quick inputs, MAIN
and SPEAKER LEVEL. These inputs should get their signals from the
main source unit/head unit and should attach to either RCA jacks or
speaker leads that are coming out of your source unit.
Selector
➍ Input Grounding: For most systems you can leave this jumper
set in the BALANCED position. In some systems, the source unit may
look for a ground through the RCA connection to the amplier and create
a ground loop, which in turn can cause a whine in your system (we are
not talking about Pinot Noir). In that event, you should go ahead and
change the jumpers to the UNBALANCED position.
➎Illumination Selection: These jumpers let you switch the back-
light illumination from blue to red. The Epicenter InDash is shipped in
the cool blue mode.
➏Ground Isolation Selector: Occasionally alternator whine may
appear in a system because the source unit and amplier are using dif-
ferent grounding schemes. To help in this situation, we have provided
alternative grounding connections. Make sure your system is turned
OFF before you move these jumpers.
The Story Behind
The Epicenter Bass Restoration Technology
Now that you have purchased The Epicenter InDash you may ask
yourself, “Why would I need to restore bass?” The truth is that during
the recording process, low frequency information can be “mixed” down
or ltered out during the recording process. It’s not that recording engi-
neers are out to get you; in fact they are looking out for your best interest
and are concerned that many speakers systems can not handle “truly” low
bass information.
The circuit inside The Epicenter InDash is designed to reproduce the
low frequency information by looking at the upper frequency ranges and
detecting musical harmonics. These harmonics then allow The Epicenter
circuitry to drop a few octaves and reproduce the “missing” bass notes.
The bottom line is that The Epicenter technology gives you deep,
body shuddering, heart stopping bass. Can you handle it?
Figure 5: How The Epicenter Circuitry Works
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HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT SPL LEVELS?
Before you go out and design yourself a 140 dB plus SPL monster,
you might want to consider the following:
Nuclear Explosion 200 dB +
Airplane Engine take off at 100 feet 140 dB
Jack Hammer 130 dB
Normal conversation speech 60 dB
If you have dreams of rocking around your neigh-
borhood, blowing away Mr. Rogers and all your friends
with decibel levels of 160 or higher, you might think twice. In fact, in
many areas if your place of employment is louder than 85 dB, your boss
is obligated to provide you with ear protection. Therefore, should you
choose to expose yourself to SPL greater than 100 dB by cranking up
your system, you should utilize some sort of ear protection.
Now we don’t want to rain on your parade or discourage you from
“letting it loose”, but do be careful with your ears because like your brain
cells, once your hearing is gone, it don’t come back. Of course always
avoid inhaling, especially through your ears. Since many of you get
caught listening to your music, we have equipped your Epicenter InDash
with a warning LED that comes on when it measures sound pressure
levels greater than 120 dB. Above 120 dB you must use hearing protec-
tion to avoid damage!
INSTALLING The Epicenter InDash
Up to this point everything you have read has served to educate you
on the operations of The Epicenter InDash. We are sure that you are
chomping at the bit to install The Epicenter InDash so we recommend
you read the following sections very carefully.
A. Placement & Mounting Of The Epicenter InDash
Placement: By denition, The Epicenter InDash in-dash processor
was designed to be installed on or near the dashboard of most cars. Re-
gardless of where you “physically” install The Epicenter InDash, it needs
to be placed in the signal path as close to your source unit as possible;
denitely BEFORE any crossover circuit.
Mounting: The Epicenter InDash is exible enough to mount
almost anywhere, although somewhere on the dash or in a center con-
sole is the most logical. You will want to be able to access it while you
are sitting in the driver’s seat of your vehicle. The Epicenter InDash is
designed to be mounted almost anywhere in a vehicle, although it is
recommended to avoid hot spots like the rewall, engine compartment, or tail
pipe. The mounting location must also be safe from water seepage or areas with
bad seals (rubber gaskets, not sleek furry mammals who eat salmon). If there are
old (or new) water stains, stay away.
We have provided brackets to assist you in mounting The Epicenter InDash
chassis under your dashboard or wherever you may choose. The screw holes on
The Epicenter InDash chassis also allow for easy installation underneath a radio
or with a dash kit. It is of utmost importance to mount The Epicenter InDash
securely to avoid any undue stress or breakage from over acceleration or braking.
B. The Epicenter InDash Power Wiring
• ENLIGHTENING INFO • Disconnect the negative terminal of your car’s
battery before working on any electrical connections. Failure to do so could lead
to a dramatic spark in your life.
Remote Turn-On: Connect a 22 to 18 gauge wire from the head-unit’s re-
mote turn-on to the “Remote” connector on The Epicenter InDash.
Positive (+12V) Connection: Insert an 18 gauge or larger wire into the
connector labeled “Power” on the nifty connector of your Epicenter InDash.
Connect it to a good, fused (1 amp), constant source of 12 volts (we suggest the
battery).
Ground Connection: Use the same gauge wire as you did for the positive
connector and run it from the “Ground” connector on The Epicenter InDash to
the negative terminal of the battery, a ground buss, or a veried ground location.
The factory head unit ground is NOT recommended.
Illumination: The connector labeled “Illumination” on The Epicenter
InDash controls the backlighting of your unit. If you run a wire from this con-
nector to a switched 12-volt source, such as the “Remote” turn on wire on your
source unit, you light up the backlighting on The Epicenter InDash. A better idea
is to connect the illumination wire to a factory dash light dimmer and you now
have the ability to dim the backlighting of The Epicenter InDash with your dash
lights.
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