Looks like I'm going to have to write up a few scenerios and see what works right .

Now I suppose would I just rely on my ears to detect if the amp is bridged? If I remember correctly (or possibly I'm just making this up) when the power output is doubled, its loudness is only increased by 3dB. In any event, I've still got a few more hours til I'm out of here and I'll booger with it this afternoon...

 

If your speakers are wired as shown in the upper image and they sound good - it is bridged

Sounds like you are over-thinking things a bit.

 

[QUOTE=s98d7fs,May 3 2006, 06:56 AM] PJK3, you can get to the manual by navigating from the Alpine main site, to Support, and then somewhere in there they'll prompt you for some login info, but they'll also have an option to continue without logging in.

Anyway, I'll be in a meeting all today, but as soon as I can get out of here I'll try the suggestions so far.

 

Well folks I've got the answer and (drum roll please)....

Those lucky participants who chose
Ch1&2 and Ch3&4 RCA inputs using Y-splitters and using input selection 3/4 on the amp are the winners!!!

I tested just using Ch1 and Ch2 w/o Y-connectors and using 1/2, but neither speaker would balance out to silence. In fact I could barely note a reduction in volume at all.

While boogering with it, I tried Ch1 and Ch3 w/o Y-connectors and using the 3/4 input. This solved the balancing problem but didn't solve the bridging problem (If the signal that the amp is comparing to is ground it won't be any difference than normal non-bridged operation).

I then used the Y-splitter and connected up Ch1&2 and Ch3&4 and kept the same 3/4 input. Tested this connection and then guestimated that it sounds a tad louder and because the amp now has a valid signal to invert.

Thankfully, I came across the Basic Car Audio and Electronics website it seems years ago. And the technical info makes a good bit of sense (my electrical engineering professors here at NC State would be so proud).

Car stereos sure are fun ....

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

Nerd.

I think PJK3 is right.....this should not be brain surgery. You might also want to make sure the Right and Left channels are not reversed. That would result in the balance being off (If the Right RCA Output is plugged into the Left Input, when balanced right, it would produce a signal out of the Left speaker, while cutting the signal to the right speaker (by balancing)......and vice versa.) This would explain a signal cutting out completely, and one coming from the wrong speaker, when balanced all the way in one direction.

John

 

Well, that scenerio wouldn't cover the case of both speakers producing output while balanced all the way in one direction and the balance operation working correctly in the other direction.

I agree this should not be brain sugery, without properly documented instructions, many things would be a lot harder .

Anyway it appears to be working correctly now and I do have two distinct channels (stereo as opposed to mono) and the balance function works. I'd still like to know what the 1+3/2+4 selection would be for though .

 

you say that like it's a bad thing....


and it took me about 2 months to simply FIND someone who'd sell me the 5-pin XLR blank plugs in a reduced quantity (aka, not lots of 20+). (and now Parts Express sells them cheap and easy) it was worth it though... i love that amp. 12 years now, and she's still ticking.

 

Philip - when you need these types of things in small QTY's you need to ask for evaluation or demo parts to complete a project you are working on for your company................

 

or just steal em

 

don't mean to beat a dead horse here. But the reason this won't work is that channels 1 and 2 are being used to power ONE left speaker. Channels 3 and 4, ONE right speaker. When you bridge channels 1 and 2, you are merging the signal between the channel 1 and 2 inputs, eliminating any stereo imaging. connecting it in the way you describe also would not allow for fading left to right and vice versa. this is why the splitter is necessary and why the signal for the left speaker needs to go to 1/2 and right needs to go to 3/4.

disclaimer: I know this issue has been resolved but I am posting this to eliminate any confusion for someone who searches for this info in the future.