LC6 tm Six Channel Line Output Converter for interfacing with factory installed audio systems Greetings from the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. We would like to congratulate you on your purchase of the LC6i: a six-channel, high-performance, line-output converter. This unique product will accept two, four, or six channels of speaker-level signal from a factory-installed amplifier or source unit, and convert it to a high-quality, low-noise pre-amp signal.
Important Safety Instructions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as mufflers, silencers, exhaust pipes, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure, that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
Features and Highlights Speaker-Level Inputs If you are like many people who enjoy the look and features of your factory-installed source unit but feel your system overall is lacking power and bass, we have good news. The LC6i has high-impedance speaker-level inputs that allow it to accept amplified signals from all known factory-installed source units (even Bose) and output a high-quality pre-amp signal via standard RCA connectors.
Internal Channel Summing The LC6i has the unique ability to internally sum together multiple (4 or 6) input channels from the factory source unit into 2 channels. This is particularly handy when using the LC6i with a factory system that has multiple, actively crossed-over signals being sent from the OEM source unit or amplifier(s). For example, in some vehicles there is an actively crossed-over tweeter, midrange, and woofer all in the front of the vehicle.
Input For An Optional Subwoofer Level Control With the addition of high performance, aftermarket amplifier(s) and speakers, you may feel the need to have more control over your system. The Remote Subwoofer Level Control (sold separately along with undercoating) allows you to add a dash-mounted control to your LC6i that will adjust the level of the Channel 3 output, often used for the subwoofer. This output is full range so it may need to be crossed over depending upon your application.
Quick Installation Information For those of you who are short on time but high on ambition, we offer the following section to speed up your installation of the LC6i: 1. Physically mount the LC6i in a location that keeps it away from soda spills, food crumbs, and the curious fingers of those you have wronged. You will want to select a location that allows you access to the level controls. In many cases you can find factory speaker leads in the rear of the vehicle that are easy to access. 2.
Figure 1: Basic LC6i System LC-6.
If music be the food of love, play on. and..if you need to know more, then read on.
4 3 2 5 1 10 9 6 11 8 7 A Guided Tour of the LC6i Figure 2: LC6i top cover -----------------------------------------------10 ����������������������������������������������
1. Speaker-level Inputs: The LC6i has three sets of speaker-level inputs. These inputs get their signals from the speaker-level outputs of your factory-installed source unit or amplifier (if your vehicle is so equipped). If your source unit has front, rear, and subwoofer speaker-level outputs, connect them to the three sets of inputs on your LC6i. If the source unit only has front and rear inputs, the Auto Mode circuitry in your LC6i automatically routes the Channel 2 input channels to Channel 3. 2.
9. Pre-Amp Outputs: These RCA connectors should be connected to the next component after the LC6i, such as a signal processor, crossover or amplifier. Do not connect any speakers directly to your LC6i. (Definitely don’t connect to any home appliances, like your microwave.) 10. Level Controls: These knobs allow you to adjust the signal level from your source unit to match that of your aftermarket amplifiers.
Under the Covers Make sure all power is OFF before removing the cover. The jumpers may be pulled out and plugged into an alternative position to customize your installation (see figure 3). Output Summing Jumpers: These allow you to select which input signals will be summed into the Main outputs. An LED shows when channel 2 or 3 is Summed. The factory setting is Separate. Ground Isolation Selector: In case alternator noise appears in your system, we have provided alternative grounding connections.
Figure 4: LC6i Block Diagram LC6i Block Diagram -----------------------------------------------14 ����������������������������������������������
Installing Your LC6i By this time we are sure that you are chomping at the bit to install your LC6i. Up to this point, everything you have read has served to educate you on the operations of LC6i. Therefore if you are still with us, we recommend you read the following sections very carefully. Placement and Mounting of the LC6i Your LC6i can be physically installed in numerous locations like behind your dashboard, under a seat, or even in the trunk/boot.
LC6i Power Wiring WARNING: Failure to disconnect the negative terminal of your battery prior to the installation of your LC6i can result in a warm tingly feeling. (+12V) Positive Connection: Insert a 12 to 18 gauge wire into the connector labeled “+12” on the nifty connector of your LC6i. Connect it to a good constant source of 12 Volts (we suggest the battery), fused at 1 amp.
LC6i Audio Wiring The LC6i needs to be installed in the signal path after your factory source unit or amplifier but definitely before your aftermarket amplifiers and/or any signal processors. You may already have guessed there are numerous ways to configure the LC6i in your audio system so we recommend you spend a little quality time planning out your system and even sketching it out on paper.
Figure 5: LC6i system using summing functions – 2-way front plus subwoofer ACR-1 150 100 85 70 45 LC-1.800 LC-4.
Figure 6: Six channel system with LC6i and EQS LC-6.
Speaker-Level Inputs The LC6i is designed to accept an amplified, speaker-level signal from a factory source unit or amplifier. You will want to refer to a factory service manual or wiring-harness schematic to determine which wires are the speaker wires for your system. If you are unsure which wires are the speaker wires, it is recommended you look at the color of the speaker wire connected to the speakers and follow them back to the factory source or amplifier.
Summing The Outputs Under the cover are connection jumpers that allow the Main outputs of the LC6i to receive signals from the inputs of Channel pairs 2 and 3. These jumpers allow you to select which input signals will be summed into the Main output. When one of the jumpers is in the Summed position, the corresponding green indicator light on the front of the LC6i will be lit. The shipped-from-the-factory setting is in the Separate position.
Figure 7: Using an RTA to measure the Summed Response -----------------------------------------------22 ����������������������������������������������
Level Matching If you have ever listened to a friend’s “killer” car audio system and heard lots of hiss, clicks or pops, then you may have experienced an improperly level-matched system. When a performance autosound system is properly level matched, you should get the maximum output from your source unit and amplifiers without any clipping or that annoying hiss! The following steps will help you through the process, although at the end of the day, your ears will be your guides! 1.
8. Now increase the volume on your source unit to your normal listening level. For some of you, this may be louder than others! 9. At this point you may find yourself going back and adjusting the Output Level controls on your LC6i to balance the front, rear, and subwoofer sections of your system to accommodate speaker placement and efficiency.
Dash Control LED The LED on your dash control is a dashing amber and should brighten or dim when you turn the knob.
Troubleshooting It is important to remember when installing your LC6i that the engineers who work for the car manufacturers don’t spend too much time thinking about interfacing after market products. Therefore you will most likely have to “modify” your traditional wiring and installation techniques when working with these types of systems. Many times traditional 12 Volt “turn-on” wires or pre-amp audio signals that you are used to with aftermarket systems don’t exist on these newer vehicles.
Low Output: Depending on the design of your factory-installed system, you may be connecting to a pre-amp signal instead of a speaker-level signal. Since the LC6i is a line output converter, you may need to turn up the gains on the LC6i or consider adding a pre-amp line driver like the AudioControl Matrix to increase the signal level to your aftermarket amplifiers.
If you need a crossover for your system that keeps up with your LC6i, the 6XS is a 6-channel, 2-way crossover with breathtakingly steep 24dB-per-octave slopes. If performance is important to you, then you will appreciate the 6XS. Of course if you are just looking for deeper, chest-thumping bass, then The Epicenter, our patented (U.S. patent # 4,698,842) bass restoration processor, is just the hot ticket.
And now a word from the legal department... THE WARRANTY People are scared of warranties. Lots of fine print. Months of waiting around. Well, fear no more, this warranty is designed to make you rave about us to your friends. It’s a warranty that looks out for you and helps you resist the temptation to have your friend, ...who’s “good with electronics”, try to repair your AudioControl product.
4. You cannot let anybody who isn’t (A) the AudioControl factory; (B) somebody authorized in writing by AudioControl to service your LC6i. If anyone other than (A) or (B) messes with your LC6i, that voids your warranty. 5. The warranty is also void if the serial number is altered or removed, or if LC6i has been used improperly. Now these sound like big loopholes, but here is all we mean by it.
LC6i SPECIFICATIONS All specifications are measured at 14.4 VDC (standard automotive voltage). As technology advances, AudioControl reserves the right to continuously change our specifications, like our Pacific Northwest weather although we are working on changing that. Maximum speaker-level input............................ 400 watts @ 4 ohms Maximum output level....................................... 9.5 Vrms Output gain........................................................ +/-12 dB Frequency response..
® Making Good Sound Great™ 22410 70th Ave West Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 USA Phone 425-775-8461 P/N 913-147-0
