Owner’s Manual Manuel de L'utilisateur Manual del Propietario APX2181 APX4361 DPX2251 DPX1851 DPX11551 APX AND DPX AMPLIFIERS AMPLIFICATEURS APX & DPX AMPLIFICADORES APX Y DPX
English Thank you for purchasing this Clarion product. • Please read this owner’s manual in its entirety before operating this equipment. • After reading this manual, keep it handy, such as in your glove compartment. • Save your sales receipt. The warranty at the end of this manual and your sales receipt are essential for warranty service. FCC Approval This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Contents 4 5 5 6 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 13 15 19 19 20 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 English 1. FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. OPERATIONS . .
1. FEATURES English The Clarion APX2181, APX4361, DPX2251, DPX1851 and DPX11551 amplifiers fit a variety of system configurations and provide these features: • IVS - Input Voltage Selector with three sensitivity ranges on the gain control for the ability to connect to almost any source. • PFS - Precise Frequency Selector, a detented crossover frequency adjustment. • Ground loop isolation for RCA inputs. • Full frequency response with low distortion and exceptional signal-to-noise performance.
2. PRECAUTIONS English • Do not operate this product in ways other than those described in this manual. • Do not disassemble or modify this product. • Do not pour liquid or poke foreign objects into the unit. Water and humidity will damage internal circuitry. • If the unit becomes wet, turn off all power and ask your authorized Clarion dealer to clean or service the unit. Failure to observe these precautions may damage your car or the amplifier, and may void the warranty.
3. CONTROLS 7 1 2 4 6 3 8 9 5 11 English 10 APX2181 signal connections and audio adjustments 7 1 10 7 3 4 8 2 4 9 6 3 12 8 9 5 11 APX4361 signal connections and audio adjustments 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 6 RCA Input Jacks IVS (Input Voltage Selector) PFS (Precise Frequency Selector) Gain Control Output Mode Switch BBC (Bass Boost Control) 7. SLI (Speaker Level Inputs) 8. Crossover Frequency Multiplier 9. Crossover Function Switch 10. RCA Input/High Input Switch 11.
8 1 2 6 4 3 9 10 11 English 5 16 17 DPX2251 signal connections and audio adjustments 5 16 1 13 8 2 14 6 15 4 12 3 7 17 DPX1851 and DPX11551 signal connections and audio adjustments 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. RCA Input Jacks IVS (Input Voltage Selector) PFS (Precise Frequency Selector) BBC (Bass Boost Control) SLI (Speaker Level Inputs) Gain Control PCS (Polarity Control Switch) RLC (Remote Level Control) Port Crossover Frequency Multiplier 10. Crossover Function Switch 11.
4. OPERATIONS Selecting input voltage English APX and DPX amplifiers accommodate a wide range of signal input voltages (0.2V to 8V). This wide range is split up into three ranges, which are accessible through switches located in the “Gain” area of the amplifier. • 0.2V-0.6V selects an input sensitivity range between 200mV and 600mV. • 0.6-2V selects an input sensitivity range between 600mV and 2V. • 2V-8V selects an input sensitivity range between 2V and 8V.
Matching subwoofer output to mid-range speakers English The DPX1851 and DPX11551 feature a polarity control switch for reversing the polarity of the output signal. This can be useful when matching the acoustic output of your subwoofers to the output of your mid-range speakers. Connecting directly to a head unit The amps provide connections directly to a head unit without a pre-amp output, such as a factory-installed head unit.
5. INSTALLATION AND WIRING Read these instructions and the following precautions carefully. English What is included in the box In addition to this manual, the box contains: • Amplifier • High-level speaker input harness Mounting precautions If you lack the necessary skills, do not install the amplifier yourself. See your authorized Clarion Dealer for installation recommendations. • This unit is exclusively for vehicles with a negative ground, 12V power supply.
• Make sure the holes you plan to drill will not cut into the fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines (under the chassis) or electrical wiring. Don’t guess. Check first. Wiring precautions Read all wiring precautions. If you are not sure of the connections, contact your authorized Clarion Dealer. • Do not open the case. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. If you require assistance, consult your Clarion Dealer or an authorized Clarion Service Center.
Cables • Whenever possible, route power wire and signal wire on opposite sides of the vehicle. This prevents the signal cables from picking up electrically radiated noise. English • Protect all wire from damage. Where a power wire passes through the fire wall or near exposed metal edges, protect the wire with a rubber or plastic grommet. Use wire loom where possible for further protection. • Extra cable can cause signal loss and act as an antenna for noise.
Power and speaker connections The rear panel contains the power and speaker ports. 5 7 8 3 4 English 6 APX2181 power and speaker connections 6 5 7 8 1 2 9 10 APX4361 power and speaker connections 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Left front speaker output Right front speaker output Left speaker output Right speaker output Remote turn-on input 6. Ground input 7. Battery 12V input 8. Fuses 9. Left rear speaker output 10.
5 4 7 3 English DPX1851 power and speaker connections 5 7 4 3 DPX11551 power and speaker connections 5 4 7 6 1 2 DPX2251 power and speaker connections 1. 2. 3. 4. 14 Left rear speaker output Right rear speaker output Mono speaker output Remote turn-on connection 5. Ground input 6. Fuses 7.
Applications In this application, the rear channels are bridged for mono operation to drive a subwoofer while the front channels are available to drive a set of full-range speakers.
Two-channel full-range or subwoofer system (APX2181) In this application, the APX2181 is used to drive two speakers.
Four-channel high-power system (APX4361) English In this application, the APX4361 is used as a four-channel amplifier to drive four speakers in stereo with fader control. Front Left Full range Rear Right Full range Front Right Full range Rear Left Full range Four speakers in stereo - full range • Set crossover mode switch to OFF Four speakers in stereo - filtered If the front or rear speakers are smaller than 5.25”, you may decide to enable the crossover.
2-Ohm subwoofer system (DPX1851/DPX11551) This application shows a DPX1851 or DPX11551 driving a pair of DVC 2 Ohm subwoofers. English DVC 2 Ohm Subwoofer DVC 2 Ohm Subwoofer DPX1851/DPX11551 speaker configuration The units produce maximum power when connected to a 2 Ohm load. Under no circumstance should loads under 2 Ohms be used with these units. WARNING Do not connect a load less than 2-Ohm as permanent damage may occur and the warranty will be nullified.
DPX1851 and DPX11551 stackable configurations English In this mode, the master amp’s front-panel controls apply to all amplifiers. For example, setting the crossover frequency on the master sets it on all slaves. This works for all front-panel controls. Multiple amplifiers can be daisy-chained together. For example, if you had six DPX1851s in a show car, you could control all of them from one master unit (and one remote).
7. Turn the volume back down slightly. 8. Slowly increase the gain control (clockwise). Stop when you hear a slight audio distortion. English When the gain is properly set, you should achieve maximum undistorted output with the volume turned up all the way, not half way. If an oscilloscope is available, monitor the output of the amplifier with the scope, watching for clipping of the waveform. Set the gain so that only minor clipping occurs.
4. Increase the volume and verify that the amplifier reproduces the audio at full frequencies without distortion. English If you hear distortion check the connections and verify that the gain control is set correctly. Another cause of distortion could be underpowered or damaged speakers. Refer to Troubleshooting. 6. TROUBLESHOOTING Indicator lights The APX2181, APX4361, DPX1851 and DPX11551 have lights that indicate amplifier status.
Amplifier shuts down after playing for a period of time • Thermal protection circuits are shutting the amplifier off: Check the location for adequate ventilation. Relocate amplifier as required. Consult an authorized Clarion audio dealer. English Distorted audio • Gain is not properly set: review the instructions for setting the gain. • Speaker cones are damaged: inspect each speaker cone for signs of damage, such as a frozen cone, burnt smell, separated or ripped surround or separated spider.
Ticking noise when engine on • High voltage ignition pro blem: Check for problems with the ignition system and replace components as required. English • Cracked distributor caps • Carbon traces on plug wires • Loose spark plugs 7. GLOSSARY Crossover: A device that limits the range of frequencies sent to a speaker or amplifier. dB: decibel, a measurement of the relative difference in power or intensity between two acoustic signals.
8. SPECIFICATIONS English Note: The technical data and the design of the equipment may change without prior notice for the sake of technical improvements. APX Amplifiers Parameter APX4361 APX2181 Maximum power output 170W x 4 170W x 2 Continuous rated power 90W x 4 90W x 2 Typical power in bridged mode 320W x 2 320W x 1 Typical power in 2-Ohm load 160W x 4 150W x 2 THD (1KHz, 10W, 4 Ohms) 0.05% 0.05% IM distortion 0.08% 0.
Parameter DPX11551 DPX1851 DPX2251 Maximum power output 1900W 1250W 1000W Continuous rated power 850W x1 (11Hz-220Hz) 460W x1 (11Hz-220Hz) 180Wx2 Typical power in bridged mode Not bridgeable; stackable with second DPX11551 Not bridgeable; stackable with second DPX1851 600W Typical power in 4-Ohm load 850W 460W 180W x 2 Typical power in 2-Ohm load 1550W 850W 300W x 2 S/N (A-weighted) 63dB 68dB 86dB Floor noise 1mV 1mV 1.
9. 1-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION APX2181, APX4361 For USA and Canada only English This Clarion product purchased from an authorized Clarion dealer are warranted against all defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase, when purchased from AND installed by an authorized Clarion dealer.
10. 2-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION DPX2251, DPX1851, DPX11551 English For USA and Canada only This Clarion product purchased from an authorized Clarion dealer are warranted against all defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of original purchase, when purchased from AND installed by an authorized Clarion dealer.
Clarion Corporation of America All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2007 Clarion Corp. of America APXDPXManual Rev.
