Alpine PXE-X121-12EV: 12-Channel High-Resolution Audio Processor Amplifier

Operation Instructions

Types of Precautions

Prohibited: Indicates an action that must not be performed. ?

Prohibited: Indicates that disassembly is prohibited. ?

Mandatory: Indicates an operation that must be performed. ❗

Attention: Indicates that it should draw your close attention. ⚠️

Warning: In case of problems, stop using the device immediately. Continued use may result in personal injury or damage to the product. Return the product to an authorized Alpine dealer or service center for repair.

The product is suitable only for 12V negative-grounded vehicles. Use in other vehicle types may create a fire or electrical hazard.

Please contact a professional for wiring and installation. This product requires professional expertise. Contact the dealer for safe installation.

Please do not disassemble or refit. Doing so may result in product damage, fire, or electrical hazard.

Small items like bolts or screws must be kept out of the reach of children. If ingested, seek immediate medical attention.

Please do NOT use functions that may distract you while driving. Any device function that may influence your attention must be used only when the vehicle is stopped completely. Stop your vehicle in a safe area first. Otherwise, it may result in an accident.

While driving, maintain the volume at a level that allows outside noise to remain audible. It is dangerous not to hear emergency vehicle alarms or road warning signals. Excessively loud volume may create permanent hearing damage or loss.

Product Maintenance

Regularly clean with a soft, dry cloth. For tough stains, use only water to dampen the cloth; solvents may cause dissolution.

Temperature

Before starting, ensure the vehicle temperature is between -20°C and +60°C.

Repair

Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Return it to an authorized Alpine dealer or service center.

System Matching

When using active division mode for speakers, ensure the crossover frequency is above 1500 Hz to avoid damage to tweeters.

Installation Environment

Do not install the device in the following locations:

• Under direct sunlight or near a heat source.
• With high humidity or near a water source.
• Dusty environments.
• Environments with violent vibration.

Copyright Notice

The Bluetooth® text mark and logo are registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Alpine Electronics is authorized to use these marks and logos. Other trademarks and names belong to their respective holders.

Products bearing the High-Resolution mark meet Japan Audio Association standards. Alpine Electronics has authorization to use the High-Resolution logo from the Japan Audio Association.

* Electronic products should be discarded via an appropriate recycling channel to reduce electronic waste pollution.

Required Tools (Vehicle Installation Specific)

The following tools may be required for installation:

• Panel removal tool
• Socket
• Electric drill
• Torx screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Sleeve wrench
• Wrench
• Wire cutter
• Wire crimper
• Wire stripper
• Spectrum analyzer
• Oscilloscope

Accessories

Included accessories:

• 12P Input line (x2)
• 13P Output line (2x)
• 6P Power cord (x2)
• USB 2.0 Cable
• Bluetooth adapter
• Machine thread screws (x4)
• Self-tapping screws ×4
• Installation bracket (2x)
• Host machine (Alpine PXE-X121-12EV unit)

Device Interfaces

Diagram of Device Interfaces

The device features various input and output interfaces:

• 1: RCA audio output interface (connects to external power amplifier).
• 2: RCA audio input interface (connects to car audio player output).
• 3: Optical/Coaxial input interface (connects digital audio sources).
• 4: Ambient light interface (controls ambient lighting options).
• 5: External Bluetooth input interface (for external Bluetooth adapter).
• 6: Dual-amp interface (for linking two PXE-X121-12EV units).
• 7: Wired controller interface (for wired controller device).
• 8: USB/USB audio interface (connects to PC for tuning or USB audio playback).
• 9: Protection indicator light.
• 10: Power indicator light.
• 11: Input selection switch (ACC or HOST).
• 12: Fuse socket (holds two 30A fuses).
• 13: Power interface (connects to car battery).
• 14: High level output (connects to speakers).
• 15: High level input (connects to car audio player output).
• 16: External power amplifier (connects to an external amplifier).
• 17: Vehicle audio player (connects to your car audio player).

Device Interfaces Functions

Arrangement of Wire Pins

Detailed pin assignments for power, remote, ground, speaker outputs, and high-level inputs are provided below.

Power, Remote, and Ground Connections

The following pins on the power supply connector are used:

Speaker Output Connections (High Level Output)

The following pins on the speaker output connector are used for channels 1 through 12:

High Level Input Connections

The following pins on the high-level input connector are used for channels 1 through 12:

Mobile App Introduction

The Alpine Music app allows tuning and control of the PXE-X121-12EV via smartphone.

General App Features

• Master Volume: Adjust system master volume using a fader or +/- buttons.
• Mute: Mute master volume.
• Connection Indicator: A red Bluetooth icon indicates no connection; a green icon indicates a successful connection.
• Menu Bar: Access settings like Encryption, High Pass Filter, Built-in Amp, Share, Save, Files, Online Sound, Shutdown Delay, Reset Parameters, Sensitivity, EQ Gain Step, Channel Gain Step, Temperature, Equipment Voltage, and About.
• Interface Selection: Navigate between Home, EQ, Channel, TCR, and Mix interfaces.

Home Page

The Home page allows selection of main and mix audio sources, attenuation, and preset sound effects.

• Multi-Zone Switch: Enable or disable multi-zone audio control.
• Main Source: Select audio input (Optical, Coaxial, Bluetooth, High Level, AUX, USB).
• Main Source Attenuation: Adjust main source volume attenuation (0-100%).
• Mix Source: Select a secondary audio source for mixing.
• Preset Sound Effects: Store and recall up to six preset sound effects.
• Alpine Exclusive Sound Effects: Choose from special effects like "Simulated panoramic sound", "MVES sound", and "Smart midrange".

Note: Bluetooth and USB sources are mutually exclusive. Optical and Coaxial sources are mutually exclusive.

Home Page (Multi-Zone)

This mode allows independent matching of front and rear sound fields for Zone One and Zone Two.

• Zone One: Select channels (e.g., CH1-CH6), main source (e.g., Hi.Level), mix source, volume, and attenuation.
• Zone Two: Select channels (e.g., CH7-CH12), main source (e.g., Optical), and volume.

Note: Zone One and Zone Two channels are mutually exclusive.

EQ (Equalizer)

Adjust audio equalization for individual channels.

• Output Channel: Select the channel to adjust.
• Parametric EQ / Graphic EQ: Switch between EQ modes.
• EQ Curve: Visualize the EQ settings (frequency, Q value, gain).
• Gain: Adjust individual frequency band gain (-12dB to +12dB).
• Allpass, Frequency, Q Value: Adjust frequency, Q value, and gain. In Graphic EQ mode, Frequency and Q Value are fixed.
• Reset EQ: Reset EQ settings to default.
• Restore EQ: Restore previous EQ settings.

Channel Settings

Configure individual channel parameters.

• Parallel Connection: Supports 4Ω and 2Ω speaker connections.
• Silent Control: Mute or unmute channels.
• Channel Volume: Adjust channel volume (-60dB to +6dB).
• Channel Phase: Select channel phase (0° or 180°).
• Bass Phase: Adjust bass phase (0-360°).
• Channel Type: Select output channel type (e.g., F/L-Tweeter, F/L-Midrange).
• Sync: Choose sync settings.
• Reset Type: Reset channel type to factory state.
• Filter Type: Select filter type (Link-Ril, Butter-W, Bessel).
• Crossover: Enable/disable high-pass and low-pass filters.
• Divider Slope: Select crossover slope (-6dB/Oct to -48dB/Oct).
• Divider Frequency: Select crossover frequency (20Hz-40kHz).

TCR (Time Correction)

Adjust time delay for each speaker for optimal sound staging.

• Speaker: Select speaker to adjust.
• Delay Setting: Adjust delay using a fader or +/- buttons.
• Delay Units: Choose units (milliseconds, centimeters, inches).
• Delay Group: Select delay groups for channel mute and phase adjustment.

Mix

Adjust individual channel volumes.

• Active/Passive Input: Select input mode.
• Input Channel: Adjust audio volume for each channel using faders or +/- buttons.

Note: It is recommended that volume levels across all channels equal 100 to prevent clipping.

Mobile App Introduction - Home Page (Multi-Zone) (Dual Amp)

This section describes the setup when linking two PXE-X121-12EV units for expanded channel support (up to 24 channels).

• Cascade: Connect two units using a linking cable; one acts as the host.
• Output Channel: Select and adjust output channels for Zone 1 and Zone 2, which can now display up to CH1-CH24.

Note: Linked units share audio sources. Settings are synchronized. Disconnection restores default settings.

Mobile App Introduction - EQ (Dual Amp)

Similar to the single unit EQ, but applicable to expanded channel configurations.

Mobile App Introduction - Channel (Dual Amp)

Similar to the single unit channel settings, but applicable to expanded channel configurations.

Mobile App Introduction - TCR (Dual Amp)

Similar to the single unit TCR settings, but applicable to expanded channel configurations.

Mobile App Introduction - Mix (Dual Amp)

Similar to the single unit Mix settings, but applicable to expanded channel configurations.

PC Software Introduction

The PC software provides advanced control and tuning capabilities for the PXE-X121-12EV.

PC Software - Home Page

The main interface for source selection, volume control, and sound effect management.

• Temperature Display: Shows device temperature.
• File: Load or save scene files.
• Option: Firmware update, noise gate, factory reset, shutdown delay, language switch.
• Encryption: Set a password for sound effect data.
• Mute Button: Mute master volume.
• Master Volume: Adjust master volume (0-35).
• Voltage Display: Check system operating voltage.
• Clipping Distortion Indicator: Warns if tuning settings cause distortion.
• Main Source Attenuation: Adjust main source volume (0-100%).
• Alpine Exclusive Sound Effects: Select special sound effects.
• Preset Sound Effects: Save and recall multiple effects.
• Mix Source Selection: Choose mix audio sources.
• Main Source Selection: Choose main audio sources.
• Connection Indicator: Shows connection status to the PXE-X121-12EV.

PC Software - EQ

Detailed equalization controls for each channel.

• EQ Gain Step Size: Select step size for gain adjustment.
• Output Channel Display: Shows the EQ curve for the selected channel.
• EQ Curve: Visual representation of EQ settings.
• Allpass, Frequency, Q Value, Gain: Adjust EQ parameters.
• Parametric EQ / Graphic EQ: Switch between EQ modes.
• Low-pass filter: Filter high frequencies, select type and slope.
• High-pass filter: Filter low frequencies, select type and slope.
• Channel Phase: Set channel phase.
• Bass Phase: Adjust bass phase.
• Channel Gain: Adjust channel volume.
• Reset Channel Type: Reset channel type to factory state.
• Mute: Mute/unmute all channels.
• Parallel Connection: Configure speaker connections.
• Reset EQ: Reset EQ settings.
• Restore EQ: Restore previous EQ data.
• Sync: Choose sync settings.
• Output Channel: Configure output type and mute speakers.

PC Software - TCR

Time correction settings for speaker delay.

• Delay: Adjust speaker delay.
• Delay Unit: Select delay units (ms, cm, inches).
• Speaker / Phase: Select speaker, mute/unmute, and adjust phase.
• Delay Group: Pick delay groups.

PC Software - Mix

Adjust individual channel input volumes.

• Active/Passive Input: Select input mode.
• Input Channel: Adjust channel volume.

Note: Recommended volume level across all channels is 100 to prevent clipping.

PC Software - Home Page (Multi-Zone)

Configure multi-zone audio settings via PC software.

• Multi-Zone Switch: Enable sound zone settings.
• Home Page: Match sound sources for Zone One and Zone Two.
• Sound Zone One: Configure settings for Zone One.
• Sound Zone Two: Configure settings for Zone Two.

Note: Zone One and Zone Two channel settings are mutually exclusive.

PC Software - Home Page (Multi-Zone) (Dual Amp)

Describes the PC software interface for dual-amp configurations, allowing control over up to 24 channels.

• Cascade: Connects two PXE-X121-12EV units.
• Temperature Display: Shows device temperature.
• File: Load or save scene files.
• Option: Firmware update, noise gate, factory reset, etc.
• Encryption: Password protection for sound effect data.
• Mute Button: Mute master volume.
• Master Volume: Adjust master volume.
• Cascade: Connects two units.
• Voltage Display: Check system voltage.
• Clipping Distortion Indicator: Warns of distortion.
• Main Source Attenuation: Adjust main source volume.
• Alpine Exclusive Sound Effects: Select special effects.
• Preset Sound Effects: Save/recall effects.
• Mix Source Selection: Choose mix audio sources.
• Main Source Selection: Choose main audio sources.
• Connection Indicator: Shows connection status.

PC Software - EQ (Dual Amp)

Detailed EQ controls for dual-amp configurations.

PC Software - TCR (Dual Amp)

Time correction settings for dual-amp configurations.

PC Software - Mix (Dual Amp)

Input channel volume adjustments for dual-amp configurations.

Specifications

Physical Dimensions: The device measures approximately 262.9mm in width, 261.5mm in depth, and 58mm in height.

Functional Parameters