Orion 280gx User Manual

woofers, a bandpass filter section for the midranges,
and a high pass filter section for the tweeters.
(1) Use of 200 CRX Active Crossover. This crossover
module can be used in a variety of ways: It could
be added to the simple two-amplifier system as
shown in figure 5. It could also be used in a 3-amp
system as shown in figure 6. Note in figure 6 that
an ORION 200 DAB Dual Amp Balancer has been
added to control the level of sound that comes
from each section of the car audio system.
(2) Use of 300 CRX 3-Way Active Crossover. For even
better control, use the 300 CRX as shown in fig¬
ure 7. This will give you separate control of the
low frequencies, midrange frequencies, and high
frequencies.
C. U SE OF A BRIDGING MODULE
The ORION 400 BDG Bridging Module can turn your
amplifiers into real power houses. Bridging an ampli¬
fier converts a two-channel amplifier into a single
channel amplifier (mono output). Each internal chan¬
nel '‘sees" half of the total impedance of the load.
For example, when using two 8-ohm speakers, each
channel in the amplifier sees half of this 8 ohms or
4 ohms. If you were using a 280 gx amplifier, which
delivers 80 watts per channel, the output delivered
to each speaker will be 160 watts when bridged, thus
the output is doubled.
The 400 BDG Bridging Module can be used in the
summed mono mode, mixed mono mode, or bridged
stereo right and left.
(1) Summed Mono Mode. In the summed mono mode
(true mono), the bridging module is generally used
to drive the subwoofers in mono (bridged power).
This application is very practical since in stereo
recordings the kick drums and bass are centered
between stereo right and stereo left, along with the
other rhythm instruments. Driving the subwoofers
in mono maintains the centering effect while
doubling the output to the subwoofers. Always
keep in mind that it takes much more power to
drive low frequencies than high frequencies.
A typical 3-amplifier system using a bridging
module is shown in figure 9.
(2) Mixed Mono Mode. If you are installing a single
amplifier system, the mixed mono mode can be
used as shown in figure 10. This mode is used to
provide more power to the subwoofers while
maintaining stereo left and right. In this system,
the 400 BDG Bridging Module accepts the stereo
inputs and turns one channel over 180° (inverts
the channel). Both channel outputs of the ampli¬
fier are now connected to the subwoofer with the
inverted channel being used as the negative input.
This works because the two channels are 180°
out-of-phasc.
The left mid/high speaker is connected norm¬
ally, but the connections to the right mid/high
speaker must be turned over to retain the stereo
effect. This means that the yellow lead now be¬
comes the negative lead and the black/yellow lead
becomes the positive lead.
CAUTION; The speakers must never be grounded to
the car chassis or body. To do so will cause severe noise
problems and, in the case of bridging, cancel out the
two-phase operation.
(3) Bridged Stereo Right and Left. This application is
used when you want to maintain the stereo effect
while doubling the output power of your amps. A
typical system is shown in figure 11.
D. U SE OF 30 dBLP LOW PASS FILTER
NOTE : Low pass and high pass filters can only be used
effectively in multi-amp systems such as shown in fig¬
ures 12, 13 and 14.
If you are using mismatched subwoofers, or having
speaker box resonance problems, or experiencing bass
distortion, consider using a 30 dBLP Low Pass Filter as
shown in figure 12. This filter will keep the midrange
and high frequencies out of your subwoofers. The cut¬
off frequency is selected by plugging in two resistive
chips. This means that if you install 80 Hz chips in the
filter, only frequencies of 80 Hz and below will pass
through to your subwoofers and frequencies above
80 Hz will be blocked.
E. U SE OF 30 dBHP HIGH PASS FILTER
The 30 dBHP High Pass Filter is used primarily to
make your tweeters sound more lively. Keep in mind
that it is the low frequencies that hurt the tweeter per
formance. A typical application of a high pass filter is
shown in figure 13. The high pass filter produces large
amounts of attenuation (reduction in power) to fre
quencies below the cutoff frequency and no attenua
tion to frequencies above the cutoff frequency. This
means that if you install 4 kHz chips in the filter, only
frequencies of 4 kHz and above will pass through to
your tweeters and frequencies below 4 kHz will be
blocked.
F. “ KILLER SYSTEMS"
Figure 14 shows a “Killer System” that uses an ORION
200 CRX Active Crossover to separate the highs from
the lows. A 30 dBHP High Pass Filter is used to enhance
the performance of separate pair of tweeters. All sub
woofers are driven from the SUMMED MONO output
of a 400 BDG Bridging Module. A 30 dBLP Low Pass
Filter is used to control the lows to a selected set of
subwoofers.
Figure 15 shows a “Killer System” that uses an ORION
300 CRX Active Crossover to separate the highs, mid
ranges and lows. This approach offers the best overall
control of the speakers and makes it possible to use
several amplifiers connected in parallel.
12

Orion 280gx Specifications

General

Brand	Orion
Model	280gx
Category	Amplifier
Language	English