CX3500D CLASS D MonoBlock

Car Audio Amplifiers

CX2500D

Congratulations on your

purchase of a

CHAOS EXXTREME Class D

Amplifier.

It has been designed, engineered and manufactured to bring you the highest level of performance and quality, and will afford you years of listening pleasure.

Thank you for making your choice for car audio entertainment!

U S E R ??? S M A N U A L

page CONTENTS

2 Introduction

2Features

3What is included?

3 General precautions

3 Installation precautions

3Mounting the amplifier

4Connecting the amplifier

5Important system considerations

5Tips for a safe system

6Low level input wiring

6Speaker wiring

7Power connections

Normal and with Stiffening Capacitor

8Bridging two CHAOS EXXTREME CLASS D Amplifiers

10Troubleshooting

11Specifications

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 1

Introduction

With theCHAOS EXXTREME Class D amplifier series, we are introducing two new CLASS D amplifiers, both designed in the USA.

These CHAOS EXXTREME models feature variable low pass and subsonic filters and a variable input gain control. The CX2500D and CX3500D also incorporate a phase selector switch to help compensate for time delays in subwoofer applications.

For further flexibility in the use of a subwoofer, a variable 0-+18dB Bass Boost control has been included.You can control the subwoofer level with the remote level control module.

understands that amplifiers are placed in many different kinds of installations, so we have also included an input sensitivity control to help you integrate the amp into your system regardless of the nature of your input source.

A special feature on this Class D amp is DataLink circuitry, which allows you to ???strap??? together two CX2500D???s or two CX3500D models for an astounding total maximum output power of 5000 or 7000 watts, respectively.

Features

Your new CHAOS EXXTREME amplifier features the following:

???Class D operation

???MOSFET PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) Power Supply

???One Ohm stable mono operation

???Thermal, overload and speaker short protection

???Soft turn-on circuit

???Remote turn-on/turn-off circuit

???Variable input gain control

???Input voltage sensitivity selector

???Variable subsonic filter: 14-40 Hz, 12dB/octave

???Variable low pass filter: 50-150 Hz, 12dB/octave

???Variable 0-+18dB Bass Boost

???0/180?? Phase Shift selector

???Nickel-plated RCA low level inputs

???Nickel-plated speaker and power terminals

???LED power and protection indicators

???Black anodized heatsink

???Remote subwoofer level control

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 2

What is included?

When first unpacking your new amplifier, please check first that the package contains all of the items below. If something is missing, contact the store where you purchased the amplifier.

???Class D amplifier

???Remote subwoofer level control

???Remote subwoofer control cable

???DataLink cable (for strapping two identical CHAOS EXXTREME Class D amps together)

???Four (4) mounting screws

General precautions

Before installing and using your new amplifier, please become fa-

miliar with all the information con- tained in this manual.

Please keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.

???Do not open or attempt to repair this unit yourself. Dangerous high voltages are present which may result in electric shock. Refer any repairs to a qualified service technician.

???To avoid risk of electronic shock or damage to the amplifier, do not permit any of this equipment to become damp or wet from water or drinks. If this does occur, immediately unplug the power wires and send the amplifier to your local dealer or service center as soon as possible.

??? If there is smoke or any peculiar odor present during use or if there is damage to any of the component enclosures, immediately unplug the power cord and send the amplifier to your local dealer or service center as soon as possible .

Installation precautions

Before you drill or cut any holes, investigate your car's layout very carefully. Take special care when you work near the gas tank, fuel lines, hydraulic lines and electrical wiring.

Never operate the amplifier when it is unmounted. Attach all audio system components securely to prevent damage, especially in an accident.

Before making or breaking power connections in your system, disconnect the vehicle battery. Confirm that your head unit or other equipment is turned off while connecting the input jacks and speaker terminals.

If you need to replace the power fuse, replace it only with a fuse identical to that supplied with the amplifier. Using a fuse of a different type or rating may result in damage to your audio system or your amplifier which is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Mounting the amplifier

1.Find a suitable location in the vehicle in which to mount the amplifier.

2.Make sure there is sufficient air circulation around the intended mounting location.

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 3

3.Mark the location for the mounting hole screws by positioning the amplifier where you wish to install it. Use a scribe or mounting screw, inserted through each of the amp's mounting holes, to mark the mounting surface. If the mounting surface is carpeted, measure the hole centers and mark with a felt tip pen.

4.Drill pilot holes in the mounting surface for the mounting screws. Place the amplifier in position, and attach the amplifier to the mounting surface securely using screws.

Connecting the amplifier

Before doing any wiring, look through this manual and identify the diagrams to follow for power, input and speaker connections for your particular installation. Be sure you understand all the connections before you proceed.

1.Connect the amplifier???s power ground terminal to the closest point on the chassis of the car. Keep this ground wire to less than 39" (100 cm) in length. Use 4 gauge (or heavier) wire.

2.Connect the remote terminal to the remote output of the head unit using

16gauge (or heavier) wire.

3.Connect an empty fuse holder within 18" (45 cm) of the car battery, and run

4gauge (or heavier) cable from this fuse to the amplifier location.

The purpose of placing a fuse in this location is to protect your vehicle???s battery in the event that this wire accidentally touches the chassis ground on its run to the amplifier.

4.Check that the fuse holder is empty. Then connect the fuse holder to the "BATT+" connection on the amplifier.

5.If multiple amplifiers are being used in your system, either:

??? Run a separate pair of cables from the battery and a chassis ground point to each amplifier. Each (+) cable must have its own inline fuse.

-or-

??? Run a #0 cable from the fuse holder at the battery to a distribution block at or near the amplifier's location. Then run separate cables from the amplifier to this distribution block and to independent chassis ground points.

6.Connect all line inputs and outputs (if used) using high-quality cables. Connect all speakers, following the diagrams in this manual. Be sure to observe proper polarity to avoid audio phase problems.

7.Insert fuse(s) into the battery fuse holder(s).

8.Recheck all connections before powering up the amplifier.

9.Set all level controls to minimum position, and set all crossover controls/switches to the desired frequency points.

10.Power up the head unit and the amplifier. Then set the volume control on the head unit to about 3/4 volume, and adjust the amplifier???s input level control(s) to just below the level of distortion.

11.Further fine tuning of the various controls may be necessary to obtain best results.

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 4

Important installation considerations for using this amplifier.

Your CHAOS EXXTREME Class D amplifier is designed to run with a minimum load of 1 Ohm.

Operating the CX2500D or CX3500D with a speaker im- pedance load below 1 Ohm may result in poor sound qual- ity and damage to the amplifier circuitry. Such damage is not covered under the warranty for this product.

The fuse ratings for these amps is 40A (using two 20A fuses) for the CX2500D and 90A (using three 30A fuses) for the CX3500D. Although sufficient for normal working conditions, overloading the amp may result in blown fuses. Please try to avoid overloading the amp in this manner.

Don't misuse the level control!

Do not mistake the input level control for a volume control! It is designed ONLY to match the output level of your audio source to the input level of your amplifier.

Do not adjust this input level to maximum unless your input level requires it.

Ignoring these instructions will result in an input overload to the amplifier, and excessive audio distortion. It can also cause the protection circuit to engage.

Tips for making your system as safe as possible

When making electrical connections to the amplifier, please observe the following:

???Always use 4GA or heavier wire for power and ground connections.

???Wire the amplifier directly to the car battery. Make sure there is circuit protection (such as a fuse) on the positive power lead within 18??? of the battery.

???When making a ground connection, always use the shortest possible wire to a good chassis ground point.

???Wire the remote turn-on connection to the remote turn-on lead of your EQ or head unit. In some cases, this may be the power antenna lead of the head unit.

???Fuses protect BOTH the amplifier and the electrical system of your vehicle from faulty conditions. If you must replace a fuse on the amplifier, you must use a fuse of exactly the same type and rating. A different type of fuse or rating may result in damage or cause a fire.

SHOCK HAZARD! Do not open the case

of this product. There are dangerous voltages present within the unit. There are no user-serviceable parts within the unit.

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 5

Low Level Input Wiring

Low-level (RCA) input wiring is preferred for best audio performance. Always use a high-quality RCA cable for best audio performance.

Remote

Subwoofer Level Control

Speaker Connections

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 6

Power Connections

Without Stiffening Capacitor

With Stiffening

Capacitor

Stiffening

Capacitor

Chassis ground point

to REMOTE TURN-ON terminal of head unit

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 7

Bridging Two CX2500D or Two CX3500D Amplifiers

INPUT CONNECTIONS

(SEE NEXT PAGE FOR POWER, SPEAKER AND DATALINK CONNECTIONS)

MASTER

AMPLIFIER

Front panel

To Audio Outputs of head unit or Subwoofer outputs of a signal processor

SLAVE

AMPLIFIER

Front Panel

PLEASE NOTE:

In this MASTER AMP/SLAVE AMP configuration, the Slave amp receives its audio signal from the Master Amp. Therefore, DO NOT

USE THE INPUTS ON THE SLAVE AMP!

PLEASE NOTE:

In this MASTER AMP/SLAVE AMP configuration, the Slave amp receives its audio signal from the Master Amp. Therefore, DO NOT

USE THE SUBWOOFER LEVEL

CONTROL ON THE SLAVE AMP!

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 8

Bridging Two CX2500D or Two CX3500D Amplifiers

POWER AND SPEAKER CONNECTIONS

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 9

Troubleshooting

If you experience operation or performance problems with this product, compare your installation with the electrical wiring diagram on the previous pages. If problems persist, read the following troubleshooting tips which may help eliminate the problems.

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 10

Specifications

low pass

subsonic

Bass Boost

Phase Shift

Fuse rating

Dimensions:

(11-7/8" x 2-5/8" x ...)

50Hz-150Hz 15Hz-40Hz Variable 0 -+18dB Selectable 0/180?? 35A x 2

12-3/4"

50Hz-150Hz 15Hz-40Hz Variable 0 -+18dB Selectable 0/180?? 35A x 3

14-7/8"

All specifications subject to change without notice.

CX2500D ??? CX3500D Amplifier User???s Manual - page 11