Orion 300 PSW - User Manual

Technical Brief : Revised Manual

300 PSW in-dash pre-amplifer /

equalizer

For questions on this or any other Orion Products, call Technical Support at 1-480-705-5600.

The 300PSW is a 1/2 din

preamplifier and 3 band

parametric equalizer with a fader

control and seperate subwoofer

output. It has an RCA input and

can be run off of phantom power

through the din cable or can be

wired directly. The Subwoofer

output has level and crossover

frequency adjustments.

Outer Knobs

Front/Rear

Fade

Sub woofer

X-over freq

Adjust Center Frequencies

(30hz-90hz) (100hz-500hz) (4.5khz-12.5khz)

Illumination

Wires

Back View

RCA Input

Front RCA

Output

Rear RCA

Output

Sub woofer

RCA Output

Front DIN

Output

Power Wires

Setting the Gains (On top of 300PSW)

Left Gain

Right Gain

Specifications

Input Voltage

Output Voltage

Sub Woofer Crossover Frequencies

Low Frequency EQ Band

Mid Frequency EQ Band

High Frequency EQ Band

Signal to Noise

THD

Stereo separation

Input Impedance

Output Impedance

Dimensions

Up to 3v RMS

Up to 9V RMS

35Hz to 200Hz

Sub Woofer Crossover Slope

12dB per Octave

35Hz to 90Hz

100Hz to 500Hz

4.5kHz to 12.5kHz

Boost/Cut on EQ Bands +/- 12dB

0.03%

98dB

10Kohms

100ohms

80dB

7" Wide

1" High

4 3/4" Deep

Inner Knobs

Volume

Subwoofer

Volume

Cut or Boost Controls +/- 12dB

Low Mid High

Description

Technical Information

-Main Volume control effects all outputs

-Subwoofer volume effects volume of

sub out only.

-For the Three EQ Controls, the outer knobs

offer frequency adjustments and inner

knobs offer +/- 12dB of boost/cut.

-The gain controls on the top of the PSW

adjust the input sensitivity.

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The Orion 300PSW is a 1/2 DIN in-dash preamplifier and 3-band parametric equalizer designed for high-performance car audio systems. It integrates a fader control and a separate subwoofer output, offering comprehensive audio management.

Function Description:

The 300PSW serves as a central control unit for your car audio system, allowing for precise adjustment of various audio parameters. Its primary functions include:

Preamplification: It boosts the low-level audio signal from your source unit (e.g., head unit) before sending it to the amplifiers, ensuring a strong and clean signal.
3-Band Parametric Equalization: This feature allows for detailed shaping of the audio frequency response across three distinct bands: Low, Mid, and High. Unlike graphic equalizers with fixed frequency points, a parametric equalizer offers control over the center frequency of each band, as well as the amount of boost or cut. This provides greater flexibility in tuning the sound to your vehicle's acoustics and personal preferences.
Fader Control: The fader control allows you to adjust the balance between the front and rear speakers, optimizing the sound stage within the vehicle.
Subwoofer Output with Level and Crossover Frequency Adjustments: A dedicated subwoofer output provides a signal specifically for your subwoofer amplifier. This output includes independent level control to match the subwoofer's volume with the main speakers, and a crossover frequency adjustment to ensure only the desired low frequencies are sent to the subwoofer, preventing distortion and improving overall system efficiency.
Input Sensitivity Adjustment: The unit features gain controls on its top panel to adjust the input sensitivity, allowing it to properly match the output level of your source unit and prevent signal clipping or noise.

Usage Features:

The 300PSW offers a user-friendly interface with a combination of inner and outer knobs for intuitive control:

Main Volume Control: This control affects the output level of all channels, including the main speakers and the subwoofer.
Subwoofer Volume Control: This dedicated control adjusts the volume of the subwoofer output only, allowing for fine-tuning of bass levels independently.
EQ Controls (Low, Mid, High): Each of the three EQ bands has a dual-concentric knob:
- Outer Knobs: These adjust the center frequency for each band, allowing you to pinpoint the specific frequency you want to boost or cut.
  - Low Frequency EQ Band: Adjustable from 35Hz to 90Hz.
  - Mid Frequency EQ Band: Adjustable from 100Hz to 500Hz.
  - High Frequency EQ Band: Adjustable from 4.5kHz to 12.5kHz.
- Inner Knobs: These provide +/- 12dB of boost or cut for the selected frequency, enabling significant sound shaping.
Subwoofer Crossover Frequency Control: This control, located on the outer knob of the "SUB FREQ" section, allows you to set the upper frequency limit for the subwoofer output, typically ranging from 30Hz to 90Hz.
Front/Rear Fade Control: This control, located on the outer knob of the "VOLUME FADE" section, adjusts the balance between the front and rear speaker outputs.
Input/Output Connections:
- RCA Input: For connecting the audio signal from your source unit.
- Front RCA Output: For connecting to your front speaker amplifier.
- Rear RCA Output: For connecting to your rear speaker amplifier.
- Subwoofer RCA Output: For connecting to your subwoofer amplifier.
- Front DIN Output: Provides an alternative output connection.
- Power Wires: For connecting to the vehicle's power supply.
- Illumination Wires: For connecting to the vehicle's illumination circuit, allowing the unit's lighting to synchronize with the dashboard lights.
Powering Options: The 300PSW can be powered in two ways:
- Phantom Power: Through the DIN cable, simplifying wiring in compatible systems.
- Direct Wiring: For systems that do not support phantom power or for more robust power delivery.

Important Technical Specifications:

Input Voltage: Up to 3V RMS (Root Mean Square). This indicates the maximum signal level the unit can accept without distortion.
Output Voltage: Up to 9V RMS. This high output voltage ensures a strong signal to your amplifiers, maximizing their performance and reducing the chance of noise.
Subwoofer Crossover Frequencies: 35Hz to 200Hz. This range allows for flexible integration with various subwoofers and main speakers.
Subwoofer Crossover Slope: 12dB per Octave. This specifies how steeply the frequencies above the crossover point are attenuated, providing a good balance between bass clarity and integration.
Low Frequency EQ Band: 35Hz to 90Hz.
Mid Frequency EQ Band: 100Hz to 500Hz.
High Frequency EQ Band: 4.5kHz to 12.5kHz.
Boost/Cut on EQ Bands: +/- 12dB. This significant range allows for substantial sound customization.
Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N): 98dB. A high S/N ratio indicates that the unit produces very little background noise relative to the audio signal, resulting in clean and clear sound.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.03%. A very low THD value signifies that the unit introduces minimal distortion to the audio signal, preserving its fidelity.
Stereo Separation: 80dB. This high value indicates excellent channel separation, contributing to a wide and accurate stereo image.
Input Impedance: 10Kohms. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of source units.
Output Impedance: 100ohms. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of amplifiers.
Dimensions:
- Width: 7"
- Height: 1"
- Depth: 4 3/4" These compact dimensions make it suitable for in-dash installation in a 1/2 DIN slot.

Maintenance Features:

While the manual does not explicitly detail maintenance procedures, the robust design and high-quality specifications suggest a reliable unit requiring minimal user maintenance. General best practices for car audio components would apply:

Cleanliness: Keep the unit free from dust and debris, especially around the knobs and connections, to ensure smooth operation and prevent signal interference.
Secure Connections: Periodically check that all RCA and power connections are secure to prevent intermittent signal loss or noise.
Proper Ventilation: Ensure the unit is installed in a location with adequate ventilation to prevent overheating, which can prolong its lifespan.

For any questions or technical support regarding the Orion 300PSW or other Orion products, users are directed to call Technical Support at 1-480-705-5600.