MTX Audio Car Amplifier TA3404 User Manual

TA3404 Owners Manual  
Introduction  
Thank you for choosing MTX to help reach your ultimate goal with your vehicle. Adding MTX amplifiers and  
matching MTX speakers and subwoofers with StreetWires connections will put you in a better position to  
hear, feel and experience all of the music the artist intended you to hear.  
Specifications  
Primary Ratings:  
Power Output: 50 Watts RMS x 4 Channels at 4 Ohms and 1% THD+N  
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (1Watt): 78dB  
Secondary Ratings  
Power Output: 100 Watts RMS x 4 Channels at 2 Ohms and 1% THD+N  
Power Output: 200 Watts RMS x 2 Bridged at 4 Ohms and 1% THD+N  
Power Output: 400 Watts RMS x 1 Bridged at 2 Ohms and 1% THD+N  
THD+Noise (Distortion) (1Watt): .25%  
Frequency Response (-3dB): 20Hz-20kHz  
Maximum Input Signal: 10V  
Maximum Sensitivity: 100mV  
Dimensions: 9-5/8” x 12-11/16” x 2-1/2” (245mm x 325mm x 65mm)  
Smart Engage Auto Turn-on (Patent No: US06556683)  
Patented Pure N-Channel Technology (Patent No: US05631608, US05783970)  
Patented Power Supply (US05598325)  
Input Sensitivity Switch: 100mV-1V/1V-10V  
Summed Front Rear Line Level Output  
Crossover: Hi,12dB / Low, 24dB Mono @ 85Hz, Defeatable  
Remote Subwoofer Level Control  
Dual Mono Output (Low pass on 4 Ch)  
Features  
1. Prizm EFX – All MTX amplifiers include backlit adjustment controls on top surface of product.  
Color – The backlit controls offer unlimited colors on the display -- from RED, GREEN, BLUE, or any color  
in between.  
EFX – You can switch Prizm EFX lighting to “pulsate” with beat of music.  
2. Xtant Technology Cooling (XTC) – thermal-regulated turbo-charged inner cooler, supplies fan forced cool  
air evenly and constantly through tightly packed, bonded fins. Fan speed is continuously variable and  
controlled by amplifier’s output load, temperature of heatsink and transformers. Exhaust of internal heatsink is  
strategically positioned to cool transformers to maintain maximum performance at all volumes.  
3. Bi-Level Inputs with Smart Engage – All MTX amplifiers feature RCA type input connections. All MTX  
amplifiers allow both high level and line level input into the RCA type input connections.  
Low Level Input – All MTX amplifiers feature RCA type input connections. Source units with an output  
signal level of 100mV–10V may be used. See “Input Sensitivity” for proper voltage level setting.  
High Level Inputs with Smart Engage – All MTX amplifiers allow high level inputs through RCA type input  
connections using provided high level adapters. Source units with an output signal level of 100mV–10V may  
be used. See “Input Sensitivity” for proper voltage level setting.  
Smart-Engage” Auto-turn-on: is an auto turn-on circuit included within the amplifier. A remote turn-on  
wire is not necessary when connecting the amplifiers high-level input to a high-powered source unit (Car  
Stereo). The amplifier will automatically turn on when music is received through this type of connection.  
Note: Smart engage is only active on the left input.  
 
Connections  
1. Bi-Level Inputs (Low/High Level Input) with Smart Engage – Both a low and high-level signal can be used. Be  
sure to lay the signal wire away from  
all power cables and vehicle computers. Use high quality twisted  
pair interconnect cables to decrease the possibility of radiated noise entering the system.  
Using RCA Connections: If the source unit has RCA outputs, simply attach a signal cable from source unit  
to amps RCA input. This will provide signal to the amp.  
Using Speaker Level Connections: If the source unit does not have RCA outputs, a high level signal can be  
used instead by taking the supplied high-level RCA adaptor cables and connecting the bare wire ends to the  
vehicle’s rear speakers wiring. Connect the left negative speaker wire to the green with black stripe wire on the  
supplied high level RCA adaptor. Connect the left positive speaker wire to the solid green wire. Do the same  
for the right speaker connection using the purple wire. Now plug the RCA connectors located on opposite  
end of the supplied high-level RCA cables into the amp’s INPUTS. When connecting the front channels of a  
4-channel amplifier, use the included grey and white high-level RCA adapter cables. The grey wire is used for  
the front left and the white wire is used for the front right.  
2. Speaker Wire Connections –  
When installing the speaker wires, please take proper measures to protect them. For example, when  
connecting the door speakers, the speaker wire should run from the amplifier’s output terminals, under the  
carpet and through the factory rubber boot (loom) that protects the wires in the inner door jam. If the factory  
boot cannot be used, take other measures to protect these wires. Sometimes the door has to be completely  
removed to use the factory boot. If this is something that you do not feel comfortable doing, please ask a  
professional to help you.  
When connecting the speaker wires to the amplifier please observe the printed polarity markings on the  
amplifier’s StreetWires connector. Failing to wire the speakers in proper phase could result in a loss of bass  
response and/or poor overall sound quality.  
These amps will have eight speaker terminals, front left and right positive and negative and rear left and right  
positive and negative.  
Stereo (4-channel) Connection: This configuration is typically used with full range or high frequency  
speakers. Each channel can drive a minimum of a 2-ohm load.  
Front Stereo/Rear Bridged (3-Channel) Connection: This configuration is typically used with full range  
speakers connected to the front outputs and subwoofer/s connected to the rear outputs. Each front channel  
can drive a minimum of a 2-ohm load. The rear bridged configuration can drive a minimum of a 4-ohm load.  
Bridged Front and Rear (2-Channel) Connection: This configuration is typically used with subwoofers.  
Both the front and rear outputs can be bridged individually and each can drive a minimum of a 4-ohm load.  
No front and rear gain matching is required if the Dual Mono feature is on. Use the rear gain control only for  
adjusting the gain for all channels.  
Dual Mono (1-Channel) Connection: This configuration is typically used with subwoofers. All channels  
can be combined for max power (both the front and rear outputs can be bridged together) and can drive a  
minimum of a 2-ohm load. The Dual Mono feature is must be on. Use the rear gain control only for adjusting  
the gain for all channels.  
Note: Please pay attention and make sure the speakers or woofers are the correct IMPEDANCE (OHMS) BEFORE  
attaching to the amplifier.  
3. Power Terminals – When installing the power wires, please take proper measures to protect them as best you  
can. For example, when running the power cable from the vehicle’s battery through the firewall, use a firewall  
bushing for protection. Continue running the power wire through the interior of the vehicle under the carpet  
and to the amplifier. If this is something that you do not feel comfortable doing, please ask a professional to  
help you. Be sure to lay the power wire away from all signal cables.  
When connecting the power wires to the amplifier please observe the printed markings on the amplifier’s  
StreetWires power connector. Failing to wire the power cables properly could result in amplifier damage.  
1. +12V: This is the main power input for the amplifier and must be connected directly to the positive terminal of  
the car battery for the amplifier to operate properly. It is important that a main fuse is installed a maximum of  
18” from the battery.  
 
2. GND: This is the ground connection for the amplifier and must be connected directly to the metal chassis  
of the vehicle for the amplifier to operate properly. A properly grounded amplifier can be run harder and  
longer then a poorly grounded amplifier. The ground on the amplifier should be as short as possible and  
be connected directly to the vehicle’s metal chassis. Do not connect to factory bolts of ANY kind. When  
attaching the ground to the chassis, sand all the paint away from the contact point, a grounding block like the  
StreetWires GT4 should be used whenever possible, this piece of equipment has 5 times the surface area a  
normal screw has.  
The gauge of the power and ground wire is often an overlooked aspect of amplifier installation. The more  
power the amplifier receives, the more power it will produce. Power cables have a natural resistance, and  
will lose voltage by the time the power makes its way to the amplifier. The larger gauge (diameter) wire will  
hold more voltage over longer runs. Also by having a larger diameter ground wire, the amplifier can run  
more efficiently. MTX recommends using a minimum of 8 gauge power and ground cables to get the best  
performance.  
3. REM: This connection turns the amplifier on and off and needs to be connected to a remote Turn-on wire from  
your source unit if you are using a low level input connection.  
Note: When numerous amplifiers are used in the same system, look into using a relay with a separate power wire  
connected to an alternative power source to take the strain off the source unit. Normal source units can only  
keep a constant 12 volts to 2 maybe 3 amps. This wire should also be run on the away from the RCA cables.  
Double check all the previous connection installation steps, in particular, the speaker and power wiring.  
Securely mount the amplifier. If everything is in order, reconnect the vehicles negative battery connection and  
begin following the feature setup and adjustment steps.  
Feature Setup and Adjustments  
1. Selecting The Input Sensitivity Range – Before you turn on your system, you must select the proper input  
sensitivity range on your amp using the button labeled INPUT SENS located in the GAIN CONTROL section of  
the control panel.  
Setting for aftermarket Source Units: Refer to your aftermarket owner’s manual for line level output  
specification. If the specification is not available, please follow the instructions listed below.  
X1 POSITION: 100mV – 1V (Typically for RCA Input)  
Setting for factory (OEM) Source Units: To check the amount of voltage that is present from the source  
unit, take a multi meter, or a volt/ohm meter, on the A/C setting, (range from 100mv up to 10 volts) attach the  
positive and negative leads directly to any exposed speaker. It will not matter if the polarity is correct, it will  
read the same amount of voltage.  
X10 POSITION: 1V – 10V (Typically for Speaker Level Input)  
Note: It is important not to have the amp set up to receive a low voltage signal and give it a high voltage signal.  
Doing this can cause damage to the amp.  
2. Adjusting The Individual Gain Control/s – Before you start setting your amp gains, be sure to defeat all “EQ’s”  
(“off” position). You want to set the gain levels properly BEFORE applying any equalization.  
Start with the source unit’s volume around 3⁄4 of the way up, and the gain on the amp all the way down  
(counterclockwise). Slowly increase the gain clockwise until the speaker starts to distort. Immediately  
decrease gain until the distortion goes away. This will be a good reference point on the volume control to  
where the signal starts to distort. Remember every CD will be different, use common sense and constantly  
listen for obvious distortion and adjust volume accordingly. The gain on the amp has nothing to do with how  
much power the amp can produce, just how fast the amp puts out max power. Just like in an automobile, full  
throttle is very rarely needed.  
Note: No front and rear gain matching is required if the Dual Mono feature is on. Use the rear gain control only  
for adjusting the gain for all channels.  
3. Adjusting the Hi, 12dB / Low, 24dB Mono @ 85Hz Switchable X-over Frequency Controls–  
Setting For Subwoofers: First enable the electronic crossover by selecting the “ON” position of the X-  
OVER switch, then select the “L-PASS” (Low pass) position on the L-PASS/H-PASS switch. By selecting this  
setting, the amp crosses the signal over at 85Hz with a 24dB/Oct roll off. Meaning the signal tapers off fairly  
quickly at frequencies over 85Hz.  
 
Setting For Components and Separates: First enable the electronic crossover by selecting the “ON”  
position of the X-OVER switch, then select the “H-PASS” (High pass) position on the L-PASS/H-PASS switch.  
By selecting this you are giving the speakers 85Hz – 20kHz. The 12dB/Oct roll off means that the frequencies  
under (lower then) the set 85Hz, will taper off at moderate slope.  
Setting For Full Range (No Crossover): To disable the electronic crossover, select the “OFF” position of the  
X-OVER switch. This setting will allow the amplifier to play all frequencies.  
4. Remote Subwoofer Level Control (Remote Sub) – Lets say the amplifiers gain is set at half way, when the  
remote subwoofer level control is plugged in, you now have external control of the gain from zero – half way.  
The installation of this level control is NOT necessary to get full power from amplifier.  
5. Prizm EFX – Now that you have completed adjusting all your amplifier settings, you can set the lighting effects  
to you personal taste.  
Selecting Colors: You can change the backlit colors simply by turning the Pot labeled PRIZM COLOR  
located in the MTX PRIZM EFX section of the control panel left or right. Starting at the most counter clockwise  
position, the colors range from RED, GREEN, BLUE, and RED again or any color in between making the  
combination unlimited.  
Selecting The EFX Feature: You can switch Prizm EFX lighting to “pulsate” with beat of music. Simply  
depress the button labeled PRIZM EFX located in the in the MTX PRIZM EFX section of the control panel to  
turn this feature on or off.  
Troub le Shooting  
Read this if you want to be a do-it-yourselfer or give us a call at 800-CALLMTX.  
PROBLEM  
CAUSE  
SOLUTION  
No LED indication  
No +12V at remote connection  
No +12V at Power connection  
Insufficient ground connection  
Blown power fuse  
Supply +12V to terminal  
Supply +12V to terminal  
Verify ground connection  
Replace fuse  
LED on, no output  
Volume on head unit off  
Speaker connections not made  
Gain control on amplifier off  
Signal processing units off  
All speakers blown  
Increase volume on head unit  
Make speaker connections  
Turn up gain  
Apply power to signal processor  
Replace speakers  
Output distorted  
Balance reversed  
Bass is weak  
Head unit volume set too high  
Amplifier gain set too high  
Lower head unit volume  
Lower amplifier gain  
Speakers wired L + R reversed  
RCA inputs reversed  
Wire speakers with correct orientation  
Reverse RCA input  
Speakers wired out  
phase  
Not using MTX woofers  
Wire with correct of phase  
Buy MTX woofers  
Blowing fuses  
Excessive output levels  
Amplifier defective  
Lower volume  
Return for service  
 

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