® InDash InDash Bass Processor/SPL Meter Owner’s Enjoyment Manual C ongratulations on your purchase of the world’s finest in-dash bass restoration processor with an SPL (sound pressure level) display. Whether this is your first product from the rainforest dwellers of AudioControl or you are already a firm believer, you will definitely enjoy The Epicenter InDash. Remember, it comes from AudioControl, the experts at bass enhancement and building SPL displays and measurement tools.
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 frequency 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).
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 five years parts and labor warranty. Should you choose to install it yourself 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.
Quick Install Information The Epicenter InDash needs to be installed in the signal path between a source unit and an external amplifier(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.
A GUIDED TOUR OF The Epicenter InDash The Front Panel ➊ Bass 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!) ➋ Restoration: By pushing in this switch you engage the bass restoration circuit. ➌ Para-BASS Controls: These two knobs control the Para-BASS equalization functions of The Epicenter InDash.
Figure 4: Top view of Epicenter InDash ➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ ➏ ➎ page 6
The Top View ➊ Power 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 illumination 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 amplifier.
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 filtered out during the recording process. It’s not that recording engineers 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.
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 neighborhood, blowing away Mr. Rogers and all your friends with decibel levels of 160 or higher, you might think twice.
recommended to avoid hot spots like the firewall, 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.
C. Epicenter InDash Audio Wiring Planning: As you may already have guessed, there are numerous ways to configure The Epicenter InDash in your audio system. Spend a little quality time planning out your system and even sketching it out on paper if you can. The following diagrams are just a few of the system options: Figure 7: The Epicenter InDash with EQX Figure 8: The Epicenter InDash with THREE.
Figure 10: The Epicenter InDash with EQS and 4-channel source unit Adjusting the Para-BASS Controls The bass response in a system is affected by four factors (1) the acoustics of the vehicle, (2) the location of the speakers, and (3) the music on the tape, CD, or source unit, and (4) amplifiers, speakers and speaker enclosures. Because of the variations in the recording process, we developed The Epicenter InDash to help restore any low frequencies lost during the recording process.
IF YOU LIKE The Epicenter InDash, YOU’LL LOVE... using one of AudioControl’s high performance frequency equalizers. Whether your systems is designed around two, four, or six channels, AudioControl’s award winning components can help tame even the most wicked acoustical environment in your car. The EQS even gives controls for the front, rear, and subwoofers.
And now a word from the legal department... THE WARRANTY People are scared of warranties. Lots of fine print, lots of noncooperation, months of waiting around. Well, don’t be scared of this warranty. It’s 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 Epicenter InDash.
6. If an authorized United States AudioControl dealer installs your Epicenter InDash, the warranty is five years, otherwise the warranty is one year. Assuming you conform to 1 through 6, and it really isn’t all that hard to do, we get the option of fixing your old unit or replacing it with a new one. Validate your warranty: Visit http://audiocontrolregistration.com to register your Epicenter InDash Legalese Section This is the only warranty given by AudioControl.
® making good sound better® 22410 70th Avenue West Seattle, WA 98043 Phone 425-775-8461 • Fax 425-778-3166 www.audiocontrol.com ® © 2012, AudioControl, Inc. All rights reserved. AudioControl, Making Good Sound Better, Performance Match, The Epicenter, EQL, EQX, and Epicenter InDash are all trademarks of AudioControl, Inc. This literature was conceived, designed, and written on a bleak, windy, and dreary raindrenched day at our home in the Pacific Northwest Rainforest.
