Welcome and Contents
Thank you for purchasing this VIBE amplifier. It will provide you with a lifetime trouble-free usage if you follow a few simple guidelines.
Table of Contents
- Mounting Guidelines
- Connections
- Setup Section
- Applications
- Troubleshooting
- Specification
- Warranty
- Accessories
Installation Guide
Mounting Guidelines
Your VIBE amplifier is designed for swift installation. Mount the amplifier in a dry location on a solid surface. Never mount the amplifier upside down, as this can cause it to overheat and be damaged. Ensure there is at least two inches of airflow around the exterior of the casing before fixing it in place.
Connections
Diagram Description: A schematic illustrates the amplifier's connection points. It shows the battery terminals (+ and -), a fuse inline with the positive cable, the amplifier's power and ground terminals, and a remote turn-on lead connected to the source unit (e.g., CD player).
Power Cable
Use at least an 8-gauge cable for both power and ground connections, taken directly from the battery. Use rubber grommets when passing cables through bulkheads to prevent chaffing or cutting. A fuse or circuit breaker (equal to the amplifier's rating) must be placed inline with the power cable, no more than eighteen inches from the battery. Do not fit the fuse until the installation is complete.
The following tables help determine the correct cable size based on current demand and length, and convert between American Wire Gauge (AWG) and metric sizes.
Cable Size by Current Demand and Length
| Current demand | 0 - 4 Ft | 4 - 7 Ft | 7 - 10 Ft | 10 - 13 Ft | 13 - 16 Ft | 16 - 19 Ft | 19 - 22 Ft | 22 - 28 Ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-20 amps | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 20-35 amps | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 35-50 amps | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 50-65 amps | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 65-85 amps | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 85-105 amps | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 105-125 amps | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 125-150 amps | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
AWG to Metric Conversion Chart
| AWG Number | Inch | mm | mm² (cross sectional area) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0.325 | 8.25 | 53.5 |
| 1 | 0.289 | 7.35 | 42.4 |
| 2 | 0.258 | 6.54 | 33.6 |
| 3 | 0.229 | 5.83 | 26.7 |
| 4 | 0.204 | 5.19 | 21.1 |
| 5 | 0.182 | 4.62 | 16.8 |
| 6 | 0.162 | 4.11 | 13.3 |
| 7 | 0.144 | 3.66 | 10.5 |
| 8 | 0.128 | 3.26 | 8.36 |
| 9 | 0.114 | 2.91 | 6.63 |
| 10 | 0.102 | 2.59 | 5.26 |
Ground Cable
The ground cable must carry the same current as the power cable. Use at least an 8-gauge cable and connect it directly to bare metal on the vehicle's chassis. Keep the cable length to an absolute minimum. Do not connect the ground cable to seatbelt anchor points.
Remote Turn On
Use a minimum of 18-gauge cable for this connection. Run it with the same care as the power cable and connect it to the source unit's remote cable. If the source unit lacks a remote turn-on cable, a 12V supply with a switch can be used. Ensure the switch is turned off when not in use to prevent draining the car battery.
RCA Cables
Depending on your setup, run one or two RCA cables from the source unit to the amplifier. Route these cables carefully, away from sources of interference like wiring harnesses. It is recommended to run RCA cables on the opposite side of the car from power cables, if possible.
Amplifier Controls and Features
The VIBE Slick a7 amplifier features various controls for audio tuning:
- 1. Low Level Input: For connection to source units with RCA outputs.
- 2. High Level Input: Use the provided loom to connect to speaker wires when RCA outputs are unavailable. Wire colors: White (Left +), White/Black (Left -), Grey/Black (Right -), Grey (Right +).
- 3. Gain Control: Matches the input signal level from the source to the amplifier.
- 4. Low Pass Filter (LPF) Control: Adjusts the crossover frequency from 35 Hz to 250 Hz, filtering out high frequencies for subwoofers.
- 5. Phase Control: Adjusts the subwoofer's phase from 0° to 180° to match other speakers in the vehicle for optimal bass response.
- 6. Subsonic Filter Control: Filters out unwanted low frequencies (16 Hz to 80 Hz) that can strain or damage subwoofers, improving clarity and prolonging subwoofer life.
- 7. Subsonic Filter Switch: Turns the subsonic filter on or off.
- 8. Bass Boost Switch: Provides up to +18 dB of bass boost at 45 Hz.
- 9. Bass Remote Input Jack: Connects the included remote bass controller.
- 10. Indicator LED: Shows amplifier status. Blue indicates normal operation; Red indicates protection mode.
- 11. Bass Remote Controller: Allows remote adjustment of bass boost (0 to +24 dB) from the dashboard.
- 12. Fuses: Recommended fuse rating: 2 x 20 amp and 2 x 15 amp.
- 13. Speaker Terminal Output: Connect your speakers here.
- 14. Power Connections: Connect power and ground cables here.
Setup Section
Follow these steps to correctly set the amplifier's gain control:
- Turn the amplifier's gain control to minimum.
- Set the bass boost to 0 dB.
- On the headunit, set all crossovers to "flat" and bass/treble controls to zero.
- Turn the headunit volume up to approximately 3/4.
- Slowly increase the amplifier's gain until distortion is heard in the speakers or an uncomfortable listening level is reached.
- Slightly reduce the gain control once the optimal level is found.
Crossover Settings:
- Subwoofers: Set the crossover to Low Pass and adjust the frequency to match the subwoofer's specifications.
- Full Range Speakers: Set the crossover to "Flat" for a full-range signal. Using the High Pass filter can offer more control by removing bass frequencies, allowing speakers to play louder with less distortion.
Note: Smaller speakers handle less bass. Adjust crossovers to optimize sound quality and prevent damage. For speakers with passive crossovers, set the crossover to High Pass and match the frequency to the speaker's specifications.
Proper use of crossovers can extend speaker life and improve performance. Consult a professional installer or local dealer for advanced setup advice.
System Wiring Diagrams
Diagram Description (1 Channel Stereo Configuration): This diagram shows a typical setup where a CD player is connected to the amplifier's LINE IN via RCA cables. The amplifier's power is connected to the car battery with a fuse, and the ground is connected to the chassis. A remote turn-on wire from the CD player activates the amplifier. Two speakers are connected to the amplifier's speaker outputs.
Diagram Description (1 Channel Configuration): This diagram illustrates a similar wiring setup, potentially for a single subwoofer or a different speaker arrangement, showing connections to the battery, source unit, and speakers.
Troubleshooting
Before removing the amplifier, check the following:
Amplifier Will Not Power Up
- Check ground connections: Ensure the ground cable is connected directly to bare metal, not paint.
- Verify remote terminal voltage: Use a multimeter to check for at least 7V DC on the remote terminal.
- Check battery voltage: Ensure battery voltage is present on the positive terminal.
- Check all fuses.
- Ensure the protection light is off. If lit, turn the amplifier off for 30 seconds and then back on.
Protection LED Illuminates When Amplifier Is Powered Up
- Check for shorts on speaker wires: Ensure no speaker wires are joined or touching the car chassis.
- Overheating: The amplifier may shut down if its temperature exceeds 80°C. Ensure adequate airflow. If the amplifier feels very hot, remove speaker wires, reset the amplifier, and check again.
- Faulty amplifier: If the Protection LED remains on after these checks, the amplifier may be faulty due to installation errors or abuse.
Amplifier Gets Very Hot
- Check minimum speaker impedance: Ensure it matches the amplifier's requirements.
- Check for speaker wire shorts (as above).
- Ensure good airflow around the amplifier; an external fan may be needed in some cases.
Blown Fuse(s)
- Check positive supply and ground for shorts.
- Verify the positive wire is connected to the amplifier's positive terminal.
- Verify the negative wire is connected to the amplifier's ground terminal.
- Ensure the correct fuse rating is used (VIBE SLICK a7: 2 x 20 amp and 2 x 15 amp).
Distorted Sound
- Check gain control: If sound is distorted, reduce the gain until it is clear.
- Check crossover frequencies: Ensure they are set correctly as per the Setup Section.
- Check for speaker wire shorts.
- Verify all speakers are wired correctly with proper polarity.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Slick a7 |
| RMS Power @ 13.8 VDC | 1 x 300 WRMS (4 Ohms), 1 x 600 WRMS (2 Ohms), 1 x 1300 WRMS (1 Ohm) |
| Minimum Speaker Impedance | 1 Ohm |
| THD Distortion | 0.1% |
| IMD Distortion | 0.1% |
| Input Sensitivity | 200 mV - 6V |
| Input Impedance | 15 KΩ |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 85 dB |
| Remote Bass Control | 0 dB - +12 dB |
| Crossover Network | Low Pass Filter: 35 Hz - 250 Hz Bass Boost: 0 dB - +18 dB Subsonic Filter: 16 Hz - 80 Hz |
| Fuse Rating | 2 x 20 amp, 2 x 15 amp |
| Size (Height x Width x Depth) | 65 mm x 425 mm x 247 mm |
Warranty Information: To protect your purchase and aid your warranty, please fill in the following form and keep it safe for your future reference. Staple your receipt here.
Model Number: [Field for Model Number]
Serial Number: [Field for Serial Number]
Purchased From: [Field for Purchased From]
Date of Purchase: [Field for Date of Purchase]
Accessories
Accessories can be ordered separately from the VIBE website: www.vibeaudio.co.uk
Note: Availability may vary by region. Contact your dealer or distributor for international orders.
- Flat Y - Interconnect: Professional quality full range OCC Y-interconnect for a pure, strong signal. Available in female to male. Price: £29.99
- GT-2V Terminal: Gold-plated binding post speaker terminal with 5 Allen head screws, foam gasket, and raised VIBE logo. Price: £5.99
- Power 8 Wiring Kit: Includes 60 amp AGU fuse holder, 5m 8 AWG power cable, 5m flat remote cable, 1m ground cable, and terminals. Price: £24.99
- Power 4 Wiring Kit: Includes 100 amp circuit breaker, 5m 4 AWG power cable, 5m flat remote cable, 1m ground cable, and terminals. Price: £49.99
- BC10 - Level Controller: In-dash amplifier gain control. Price: £24.99
- Deltabox Linedriver: Splits a single stereo output into three without signal loss. Price: £99.99
- FK-28 Fixing Kit: Industrial Velcro pieces to secure enclosures in car boots. Price: £3.99
- Flat 1 (RCA Interconnect): Dedicated bass RCA interconnect with ferrite-loaded gold-plated plugs for reduced interference. Price: £29.99
- Flat 2 (RCA Interconnect): RCA cables for full-range signals with flat design and ferrite-loaded gold-plated plugs. Price: £24.99
- Flat 3 (RCA Interconnect): Professional quality OCC flat design audio interconnect for reference sound. Price: £29.99
- Flat 13 (Standard Cable): Dedicated bass cable with solid cores and flat design for easy installation. Price: 3 metre £9.99
- Flat 16 (Cable): High-quality multi-strand full-range cable with flat design for easy installation. Price: £19.99
- Alloy CNC TurboPort: Available in 2.5" and 3" diameter, 1.5" or 6" length for custom builds. Price: £16.99 to £19.99
- GB-41 Plus: Professional gold-plated 4mm banana plugs with polarity markings. Price: £4.99
- Port Plugs: Seal port chambers to tune enclosures or convert ported to sealed. Available in 2.5" and 3". Price: £19.99
- Subwoofer Defender: Chrome subwoofer grill for protection and style. Available for 10", 12", and 15" subwoofers. Price: 10"/12" £24.99, 15" £29.99
- PC10 Power Capacitor: 1.0 Farad capacitor for maximum power delivery. Price: £129.99
- Fleeces: High-quality half-zip fleece with VIBE logo. Price: £49.99
- Polo Shirt: Heavyweight polo shirt with VIBE logo. Price: £19.99
- Fastplug: Quick-release car amplifier to enclosure connector. Price: £14.99
Order online or call sales on 0870 765 8423. All items above come with free next-day delivery.
