AudioControl has been very busy over the past few years developing new processors and amplifiers. At the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, AudioControl launched an entirely new series of micro-sized amplifiers designed to give enthusiasts amazing amplification performance from a compact package. While the amplifiers are small, they have the features and performance that you expect from the top audio company in the Pacific Northwest. Let’s check out the new Audio Control ACM amplifier series.

Introducing the new AudioControl ACM Amplifiers

The new ACM series includes three models. The ACM-4.300 is a four-channel amplifier that will produce 50 watts per channel into 4 ohms, 75 watts per channel into 2 ohms and is bridgeable to provide 150 watts into a pair of 4-ohm loads. The two-channel ACM-2.300 provides 75 watts from both channels into 4 ohms, 150 watts into 2 ohms and can drive a single 4-ohm load with up to 300 watts of power. Finally, the cool ACM-1.300 is a full-range monoblock amp that provides 175 watts into a 4-ohm load and an impressive 300 watts into a 2-ohm load.

Big Power in Compact Package

Size matters when it comes to fitting amplification solutions into modern vehicles. The new ACM series amplifiers share a common stamped steel chassis design. All three amps are 9.4 inches long, 3 inches wide and only 1.75 inches tall. Connections are made along the long bottom edge of the amplifier and include quick-release speaker connectors, RCA jacks and a large terminal block for power, ground and remote connections. Forgoing the conventional pigtail wire connection design common to most other micro-sized amplifiers not only makes the ACM amps easier to install, but easier to service and move from one application to another.

Easy-to-Configure Design

The presence of the sensitivity and signal processing controls on the top of each amplifier is not by mistake. Once installed in a vehicle, trying to access controls on the end-panel of an amp is inconvenient and frustrating. The new ACM amps have a removable top panel that conceals each amplifier’s controls.

Each amplifier includes a stereo gain control that is adjustable from 500mV to 6.0 volts to ensure compatibility with almost any source. A set of terminals on the side of the amp allows for direct connectivity to speaker-level signals for easy factory audio system integration. The speaker-level inputs will accept as much as 40 volts of signal. Speaking of integration, all three amplifiers include AudioControl’s GTO (Great Turn-On) circuit. When enabled, GTO will activate the amplifier as soon as it senses the factory source unit or amplifier is on.

To assist in setting up the amplifiers accurately, AudioControl has included a “Maximized” LED for each channel pair on the two- and four-channel amps, and one on the monoblock. The LED illuminates when the output level has reached the point that is starting to clip.

Powerful Signal Processing Features

The ACM-4.300 and ACM-2.300 include selectable 80 and 120Hz high-pass crossovers. The ACM-1.300 includes an 80 or 120Hz low-pass crossover. All of the filters have -12dB/octave slopes and a Linkwitz-Riley response.

The ACM-1.300 also includes AudioControl’s proprietary AccuBASS system. AccuBASS processing increases output beyond an adjustable threshold to help restore lost low-frequency information. Many factory-installed sound systems reduce bass output at high volume levels. AccuBASS can help to restore the fun in your music.

Finally, each amplifier includes AudioControls’s PFM (Programmable Frequency Match) Infrasonic filter. On the 4.300 and 2.300, the filter is set to 32 Hz, and on the 1.300 it is set to 24Hz. These filters help to optimize power delivery and reduce speaker excursion issues at extremely low frequencies. With PFM onboard, your music will sound better and play louder.

Take Your Audio System to a New Level with the AudioControl ACM Amplifiers

If you are listening to your music using deck power – be it a factory-installed radio or an aftermarket source unit – drop by your local Authorized AudioControl dealer and check out the new ACM series of amplifiers. These amps have the power, features and performance required to take your listening experience to a completely new level of musical enjoyment.
This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

It should be evident to anyone who has been paying attention that AudioControl has been on a tear lately with the introduction of new car audio products and solutions. The latest addition to the company’s impressive arsenal of mobile electronic wizardry is the AudioControl LC-1.800 subwoofer amplifier. This compact amplifier has all the features required to make it the perfect addition to any audio system. Let’s look at how AudioControl has integrated its vehicle integration expertise into this premium amplifier design.

By the Numbers

The LC-1.800 is rated to produce up to 500 watts of power into a 4 ohm load and 800 watts into a 2 ohm load when powered with 14.4 volts from the vehicle’s electrical system. AudioControl rates the amplifier as having a signal-to-noise ratio of 102 dB, referenced to full power output. That equates to around 75 dB when referenced to 1 watt. The damping factor is specified as being 670 as measured with a 10 V output into a 4 ohm load at 100 Hz.

System Connectivity Features

The amplifier includes an adjustable sensitivity control to allow source units that provide between 500 mV and 6 volts to drive the amp to full power. Dedicated speaker level inputs will accept up to 40 volts directly from a factory amplifier. Speaking of factory amps, the LC-1.800 includes the very cool GTO Signal Sensing circuit. GTO will activate the amp automatically when it senses a signal on the speaker level inputs. Those smart lads up in the Pacific Northwest kindly thought to have the GTO circuit supply 12 V to the remote connection so additional amplifiers can be activated when the LC-1.800 turns on.

The LC-1.800 includes a connection for the optional ACR-1 remote level control. The ACR-1 can be mounted on any flat surface or can be easily disassembled for mounting through a panel, with only the control knob and LED visible.

Signal Processing Functions

A 24 dB/Octave Linkwitz-Riley alignment crossover is adjustable from 30 Hz to 230 Hz, using a control on the top panel of the amp. A polarity switch inverts the output signal to further simplify the system tuning process. AudioControl has implemented its PFM subsonic filter at 24 Hz to provide lots of low-frequency output while protecting subwoofers from over-excursion situations in vented enclosures.

AudioControl’s patented AccuBASS processor is also included in the LC-1.800. This signal processing feature compensates for factory-installed audio systems that reduce bass output above certain volume levels. The feature includes a level and threshold adjustment. The threshold adjustment determines when the circuit is enabled. The level control determines how much boost is applied in the 50 to 125 Hz range. Your authorized AudioControl installer has all the documentation required to set up this feature accurately in your vehicle.

Installation and Configuration Tools

AudioControl always has ease of use in mind when developing products. Their MILC Source Clip and Gain Maximized indicators on the top panel of the amp dramatically accelerate the configuration process for the amp. The unique and truly amazing MILC circuit analyzes the output of the source device for clipping. If you are using a factory radio with lots of gain overlap, the MILC indicator will illuminate when the source has exceeded its maximum undistorted level. When the MILC LED illuminates, you have reached the effective “full volume” for that source.

The Gain Maximized LED illuminates when the amplifier is providing as much power as possible. You can think of it as an output clip indicator. With the input signal maximized, your installer will have the Gain Maximized LED blinking ever so slightly when you are at full jam.

The Nuts and Bolts

The LC-1.800 is built around a finned cast-aluminum heat-sink with lots of surface area. The amp includes four mounting holes for easy installation and comes in at a very compact 9- by 8-inch footprint. A terminal block makes power and ground connections and will accept 4-AWG wire. The Remote In/Out connection is in the middle of that block. On the other end of the front panel is the speaker output terminal. This block will accept 8-AWG wire without any problem. Signal inputs are handled by a pair of chassis-mounted RCA jacks or a removable four-position terminal block.

Check Out An AudioControl LC-1.800 Today

If you are in the market for an amplifier for your subwoofer, the new AudioControl LC-1.800 checks all the boxes in terms of features and connectivity. With 800 watts available, this amp is the perfect solution for a single high-power subwoofer or a pair of moderately rated subs. This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.