Thank you for choosing a Harman Kardon Tunnel Cooled amplifier. This is a superb piece of high fidelity equipment that has been meticulously designed to provide you with many hours of enjoyment. Harman Kardon's Tunnel Cooled amplifiers are the result of an extensive engineering project to create the finest automotive highfidelity amplifiers available. These amplifiers provide superior performance, can operate under extreme environmental conditions, and are highly adaptable to various system configurations.
Harman Kardon design philosophy The TC Series amplifiers employ the key Harman Kardon design principles of highinstantaneous current capability (HCC), ultrawidebandwidth, low negative feedback, and fully discrete preamp and output circuitry. HCC (High-instantaneous Current Capa,bility) While reproducing dynamic music signals, the instantaneous impedances of nearly all loudspeakers drop to less than a third of the nominal rating.
TC600, TC300, and T C 3 0 4 Features feedback, the TC Series amplifiers use completely discrete (separate) electronic components for greatly improved linearity and less distortion. Ultrawidebandwidth combined with low negative feedback and fully discrete curcuitry maintains the correct harmonic and phase relationships in your music, providing superior imaging and definition. Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A.
Simultaneous stereo plus bridged mono operation For one-amplifier stereo satellite/mono subwoofer systems, the TC Series amplifiers can provide stereo and bridged mono operation simultaneously, eliminating the need for electronic crossovers and additional amplifiers. 50Hz boost All TC Series amplifiers provide 50Hz boost equalization, enabling you to adapt your sound to your personal taste and compensate for acoustic limits inherent in the automotive environment.
Introduction This manual covers all three of the Harman Kardon TC Series amplifiers: the TC600, TC300, and TC304. Because of their clean, powerful design, these amplifiers can be used full-range or in specialized multi-amp systems as bass, midrange, or treble amplifiers. The TC600 and TC300 are two-channel (stereo) amplifiers that can be bridged into a single channel. The TC304 is a fourchannel amplifier that can be configured for four, three, or two discrete channels.
Installation precautions Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal before beginning your installation, and do not reconnect it until all connections have been made and you are completely finished with your installation. As the very last step before reconnecting the battery, connect the positive power lead (sometimes referred to as B+) from the amplifier to the battery terminal.
Charging system considerations The TC600, TC300, and TC304 are highperformance amplifiers whose current demands place an additional load on your car's battery and charging system. Depending on the volume at which you are playing your system, the amplifier can draw an average of 20-40 amperes, and under certain extreme operating conditions, can draw up to 90 amperes in the case of the TC600.
System configurations This section describes some of the system configurations possible with the T C Series amplifiers. Low-level input to amplifier TC-Series amplifiers are most commonly used with a low-level (preamp) input signal from the head unit. A control on the T C Series amplifiers enables you to adjust the input signal level for optimum performance. (See the "Controls and operations" section for information on adjusting input level.
Dedicated full-range bridged amplifier operation Any TC Series amplifier can be bridged. combining two of its channels into a single channel to provide higher power. The TC600 or TC300 can be bridged to convert from stereo operation to higher-power mono operation. In this configuration, the amplifier provides all its power into a single channel. The TC304, being a four-. three-, two-channel amplifier. can be bridged to combine one or two of its channel pairs into one or two single mono channels.
Simultaneous bridged-mono/ stereo satellite operation You can use any of the TC Series amplifiers in a simultanous bridge-monolstereo mode (also known as center-channel configuration or derived three-channel operation). In this configuration, a single amplifier runs a stereo pair of satellite speakers as well as a single subwoofer speaker simultaneously. With a TC Series amplifier, this configuration does not require the use of either an . active electronic crossover or extra amplifiers.
Connecting the TC-series amplifier This section is divided into four separate parts: 1. General information 2. Power connections 3. Audio input connections (from the head unit to the amplifier) 4. Speaker output connections (from the amplifier to the speakers) Please be sure you read all four parts to ensure that your amplifier is connected properly.
The connectors on TC Series amplifiers are large enough to accept up to 10-gauge wire. If you want to use a heavier gauge of wire than will fit into the connector, remove one strand at a time until the end of the wire can fit. Even though strands are removed at the connector end, you still receive the benefits of the heaviergauge wire, since the significant loss in a long run of wire occurs along its length, and not at its relatively short termination point.
Power connections TC600 Your TC Series amplifier requires a positive 12V battery connection and a negative 12V ground. Use 10-gauge or larger wire for these connections. 12V Positive (B+) connection Remember-: Connecting your. amplifier to the positi,te terminal of your battery is the last thing you do, afrer all other- connections in your system have been conzpleted. The TC600 requires two individual wires connected to the two battery (+) terminals on the amplifier.
Option 1: Connect two 10-gauge or larger wires to the positive terminal on the battery. Within 18" of the battery terminal, insert a 45-amp fuse, fuseable link, or circuit breaker in each lead. Connect each lead to one of the two battery (+) terminals on the TC600. Option 2: Connect a single 4-gauge or larger lead to the positive terminal on the battery. Within 18" of the battery terminal, insert a 90-amp fuse, fuseable link or circuit breaker in the lead.
TC3OO or T C 3 0 4 12V Positive (B+) connection Remember: Connecting your amplifier to the positive terminal of your battery is the last thing you do, after all other connections in your system have been completed. Connect a 10-gauge or larger wire to the positive terminal on the battery. Within 18" of the battery terminal, insert a 45-amp fuse, fuseable link, or circuit breaker in the lead. Connect the lead to the battery (+) terminal on the TC300 or TC304.
Remote-on Many head units provide a remote-on lead, which connects directly to the Remote connector on your TC Series amplifier. Turning on your head unit will. in turn, automatically turn on the amplifier. If your head unit does not have a remote-on lead. you can still wire your system for remote turn-on by using one of these options: Option I : Connect the antenna power lead to the Remote terminal on the TC Series amplifier.
Audio input connections There are two types of input signals that your TC Series amplifier may receive: lowlevel (preamp-level) output or high-level (speaker-level) output. Low-level (preamp-level) connections Connect the left and right preamp output cables from your head unit, electronic crossover, low-level equalizer (commonly referred to as a passive equalizer), or preamplifier to the left and right INPUT RCA connectors on your TC Series amplifier.
I High-level (speaker-level) connections If your head unit has low-]evel (preamp1) connectors available. connect as :ribedin the previous section. If only ker wires are available, connect as :ribed here. f Detail: RCA pm conneclor 1 - Solder positive (+) speakei lead to center pin. 3 Solder each pair of speaker leads from the head unit to a male RCA connector. Connect the positive lead to the center pin of the RCA connector, and the negative lead to the outside shield of the connector.
Controls and operation Input sensitivity control Bridged mono/stereo switch Set this switch to STEREO when you are using both left and right RCA input connections. Set this switch to MONO when you are using only the left (mono) RCA connector. The TC304 has two controls, one for the front channels and one for the rear channels. Set these switches as described above. depending on which input connectors you are using. Note: For simultaneous bridged mono/stereo satellite operation. set this switch to STEREO.
For standard low-level (preamplevel) inputs: IVlUbl head units provide a nominal low""--* level (preamp level) output signal of aPPr()ximately 500mV. On your amplifier chass;is is a dot indicator located at the 3 o'c lock position on the INPUT control. The ...- llNPUT control should be set to this position for normal preamp-type head units. If the system does not distort when tested, and plays loudly enough, leave the INPUT control at this setting.
50Hz boost equalization Set all tone controls and equalizers to the flat setting. Turn the 50Hz EQUALIZATION control all the way counterclockwise. Acoustically balance your system using the inputloutput controls and faders on the amplifier, crossover, head unit, etc., until you achieve the best sound. While playing music with strong bass content, slowly turn the 50Hz EQUALIZATION control clockwise until the music sounds best to you or until the amplifier is just below clipping.
pplication drawinas , s section provides schematic wiring grams and other drawings for many pnmnlonsystem configurations. For descriiptions of these configurations, see "Syst1em configurations," earlier in this manual. Each configuration requires a panicular setting of the "Bridge" control (which is noted in the drawing); see the sectiaIn titled, "Controls and operation" for more information about control settings. The crossover points shown in some illustr.
L@@ nl+l T C 6 0 0 or TC3OO simultaneous bridged-mono/stereo operation Re- L R +-+- R@ 1 Right satellite speakers (>80Hz) 2-ohm minimum
TC304 true discrete threechannel operation TC304 four-channel (dual-stereo) operation Right satellite -! BRIDGE Front Passive +v satellite speakers Right - BRIDGE Rear El BRIDGE - Passive I -
TC304 simultaneous bridged-mono/stereo in four-channel discrete mode R -- Right satellite speakers Front X W ~ passive + Left satellite speakers El BRIDGE R Rear L
TC304 two-channel (dual bridged-mono) operation Front R Rear L \ R Rear L (See illustration 0" next page also.
TC304 two-channel (dual bridged-mono) operation I INPUT LEVEL Min BRIDGE S oo 50Hz EQUALIZATION t Max I CONTROL SElTNGS (one set shown) 27 OdB +20dB
1304 dual simultaneous ..
Series-Parallel and minimum impedance speaker connection Series-Parallel combinations of loudspeakers are used to acoustically balance systems. In addition, by using different combinations of series and parallel connections, you can achieve optimum operating - impedances, . which will allow vou to extract maximum power from a given amplifier. You can also use these combinations as a way of protecting your speakers from being overdriven and damaged by the amplifier.
The TC Series simultanous bridged mono/stereo satellite operation demonstrates this minimum impedance concept, as these diagrams illustrate: -~ ~ Improper impedance loading Len satellite speakers 2-ohm min~mum If the left and right satellite speakers are 2 ohms and operated full-range, the amplifier would see a proper impedance load.
Troubleshooting checklist Most of the problems experienced by customers are due to installation or operational problems. If your amplifier does not operate as expected. first check the items in this checklist. Also check other related components, such as head units, equalizers. crossovers, speakers, and other electrical equipment used with your amplifier. If you still have difficulties in normal operation, please contact an authorized Harman Kardon service center.
Problem Cause Remedy Amp plays clearly but not loud enough at high head unit volume control settings. Input control adjusted too low. Readjust input control (see "Controls and operation"). Amp plays clearly at low to moderate head unit volume control settings, but sound distorts at high volumes. Speakers are not rated for higher power and cannot handle the amplifier's output. Upgrade speakers to a model that can handle higher power and/or readjust INPUT control counterclockwise.
Fan reversal for multiple amplifier installations In some installations, it may be desirable to mount two or more TC Series amplifiers one after another in a line. You can reverse the fan in any amplifier to reverse the direction of air flow through the tunnel; this enables you to prevent the warm air from the first amp from being vented into the tunnel of the second amp. and so on. From the factory, the fan pulls air through the tunnel and exhausts the warm air at the fan end when music is playing.
Specifications Power output.