Specifications

Amplifiers
You might be asking yourself: Why not individual gain
controls? While individual gain controls can offer very
accurate sensitivity settings, an installer MUST use an
oscilloscope or voltmeter to properly set these controls
for accurate channel to channel output. At the very
least, the installer could tune the system by ear, but
this will require many trips from the listening position
back to the amplifier. The decision to implement IVS
offers the same results but saves the installer time
when setting gains, because fewer tools are required.
Hybrid Class GH Power Supplies
Amplifier efficiency has never been more important
than it is in today’s modern vehicles. Alternators,
batteries, and factory wiring are smaller than ever to
produce the lightest and most fuel efficient vehicles
possible at the lowest costs.
Clarion’s XH7110 amplifier features a Hybrid Class GH
power supply. This technology is the result of years of
design and testing to offer the optimum balance of
sound quality and efficiency - exactly what a Clarion
customer demands.
The operation of a Hybrid Class GH amplifier is very
simple. Traditional amplifiers use a Class AB output
device topology. Essentially, there are a set of switch-
ing devices (transistors) for the positive half of the
waveform and another set for the negative half of the
waveform. These devices operate linearly, passing
more current through them as more signal is sent to
them. The drawback with Class AB topology is that the
output devices operate in their resistive region, rarely
fully on or off. This results in a great deal of heat being
generated and energy wasted. Around a decade ago,
the introduction of Class D amplifiers to the car audio
market offered a significant improvement in amplifier
efficiency at the expense of sound quality and control.
Class D amplifiers operate by cycling the output
devices fully on and off very quickly. Adjusting the on
versus off time effects a change in output level. One of
the many drawbacks of Class D amplifiers is that they
require large filtering networks after the output stage to
clean up the signal and remove high frequency switch-
ing noise. Class D amplifiers can cause significant
electrical interference that can affect radio reception.
Clarion’s Hybrid Class GH technology is truly the best
of both worlds. Clarion’s XH7110 amplifier uses a fully
analog Class AB audio path. This means tight,
controlled, dynamic power output.
How does Hybrid Class GH work to improve efficiency
if the audio path is all analog? This of the new Dodge
Hemi or Cadillac Northstar engines. These engines
have the ability to shut down a number of cylinders to
reduce fuel consumption and heat generation when
under light loads. The power supply of a Hybrid Class
GH amplifier works in the same way. A micro controller
(computer) inside the amplifier controls the output
voltage of the power supply. It keeps the voltage just
above the output level necessary to reproduce the audio
signal. This means that although the output devices are
operated linearly, they are almost fully on - it’s the power
supply voltage that changes. The result is a significant
improvement in efficiency without any effect on the
amplifier’s sound quality.
Strappable Power
The XH7110 amplifier is designed and engineered to
allow a pair of XH7110 amplifiers to be used on a single
voice coil subwoofer to provide additional power produc-
tion for extreme SPL levels. This is type of interconnec-
tion of amplifiers and subwoofer is referred to as “strap-
ping”.
Remote Bass Control
The Clarion XH7110 ampli-
fier has the provisions to
connect an optional Remote
Bass Control module call
the BC2. This allows you to control the amplifiers output
level from the front of the vehicle. Unlike some competi-
tors products, this is not a bass boost control. This done
for optimum sound quality and performance across the
entire frequency range, rather than making the bass
sound boomy.
Adjustable Subsonic Filter
Clarion’s XH7110 amplifier features an adjustable
subsonic filter. This filter is adjustable from 10Hz to 80Hz
using a potentiometer on the end panel of the amplifier.
When using subwoofers in vented cabinets with high
tuning frequencies (above 35Hz), physical power
handling of the subwoofer may easily be exceeded. The
proper use of a subsonic filter will limit the amount of
ulta-low frequency information being passed through to
the speaker, as well as reduce the amount of power the
amplifier consumes in amplifying those low frequencies.
65
RBC
Remote Bass Control