Polk Audio PA880 Owner's Manual

 © 2010 Polk Audio—all rights reserved

© 2010 Polk Audio—all rights reserved  

Step By Step Installation
 Step 1:  Determine the location for the amplifier. Refer to the Choosing Mounting Locations  
 

  section of this guide for detailed information.

 Step 2:  Decide on the system configuration for your amplifier. For system suggestions,  
 

  refer to the Speaker Wiring Diagrams section of this guide.

 Step 3:  Run all the wires from the amplifier location to the speakers, source unit, and battery. Do not connect  
 

  the battery at this time. Be sure to run Line levels and power and speaker wires away from factory electrical  

 

  wires and system as they pose a great potential for induced system noise.

 Step 4:  Pre-drill amplifier mounting holes. Be sure to “think before you drill.“ Gas tanks, fuel lines, and other 
 

  obstructions have a nasty way of hiding themselves. For best results use a marking pen to mark  

 

  the mounting holes and pre-drill these holes with a standard 1/8" drill bit.

 Step 5:  Mount the amplifier. Make sure the amplifier is mounted on a flat surface. If this is not possible,  
 

  do not over tighten the screws so that the chassis of the amplifier is twisted or bent.

 Step 6:  Turn the vehicle’s key switch to the off position.
 Step 7:  Disconnect the vehicle’s battery ground terminal.
 Step 8:

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 Step 9:  Connect the line level and speaker wires to the amplifier. Check the quality of your speakers and signal  
 

  connections. This will determine the ultimate performance of your Polk Audio PA amplifier. Refer to the  

 

  Amplifier Settings and Speaker Wiring Diagrams sections of this guide for correct wiring instructions. 

 Step  10:  Reconnect the ground terminal to the battery after power, speaker, and line level connections are completed.
 Step  11:  Set crossovers. Refer to the Amplifier Settings section of this manual for detailed instructions.
 Step  12:  Once satisfied that all connections and settings are correct, install the fuse located near the vehicle’s battery  
 

  and proceed to the Testing the System section of this manual. 

WARNING!  Never exceed the recommended fuse size of this amplifier. Failure to do so will result  
 

   

in the voiding of your warranty and possible damage to the amplifier. 

Testing the System
After you have completed the installation, you need to test the system. This will help ensure years of trouble-free  
operation. Please refer to the listed steps below when testing the sound of your Polk Audio PA system. 

 Step 1:  Check all the wiring connections to be sure they are correct and secure.
 Step 2:  Turn the signal source volume control all the way down. Set any tone controls to their flat  
 

  or defeated positions. This includes the loudness control.

 Step 3:  Turn the level controls of the amplifier to their minimum positions.
 Step 4:  Turn the source unit on. Check to see if the power LED located on the connection side of the amplifier  
 

  is on. If not, please refer to the Power Connections and the Troubleshooting Tips sections of this  

 

  manual for instructions.

 Step 5:  If using an aftermarket source unit, turn the level controls of the amplifier about one quarter of a turn  
  

counterclockwise. 

 

 

  Slowly increase the volume level of the source unit so that you can hear the output of the system.  

 

  If no sound is heard or if the output is distorted, turn the system off immediately. Refer to the Power  

and the Troubleshooting Tips sections of this manual to solve your installation problems.

 Step 6:  Check to make sure the output for each channel is correct. If the active crossovers are used, check to make  
 

  sure that each output is correct from the amplifier. When using active crossovers on midrange and tweeters,  

 

  do not use crossover frequencies lower than recommended. If the system is not configured properly, refer  

  

to 

the 

Amplifier Settings section of this manual and take corrective action.

 Step 7:  If the output is clear and undistorted, continue to the Adjusting the Sound of the System  
 

  section of this manual.

Adjusting the Sound of the System
Once you have checked the system’s operation, adjust the sound of the system. Adjusting the sound  
of the system is accomplished by setting the level controls and adjusting the internal crossovers. 
 Step 1:  Turn the signal source volume control all the way down. Set any tone controls to their  
 

  flat or defeated positions. This includes the loudness control.

 Step 2:  Turn the level controls of the amplifier to their minimum positions.
 Step 3:  Choose music with high dynamic content that you like, with which you are familiar,  
 

  and will be used most often in the system.

 Step 4:  Turn the source unit’s volume control up to its highest undistorted output level. If you lack  
 

  test equipment, this point occurs between 3/4 to full volume depending on the quality of your  

 

  source unit. Listen for any audible distortion. If any distortion is audible, reduce the volume  

 

  of the source unit until you have an undistorted output. Leave the volume control at this  

 

  position during your system tuning.

 Step 5:  While listening to your chosen dynamic music, turn up the level control corresponding  
 

  to the midrange output until you hear slight distortion and turn the level control back slightly  

 

  for an undistorted output. Depending on your system, the midrange and tweeter output may  

 

  be on the same output channels.

 Step 6:  Turn up the level control corresponding to the tweeter output until you hear slight distortion  
 

  and turn back the level control slightly for an undistorted output. Depending on your system  

 

  the midrange and tweeter output may be on the same output channels.

 Step 7:  Fine-tune the output level between midrange and tweeters. Refer to the Amplifier Settings  
 

  section of this manual for detailed instructions.

 Step 8:  Repeat Steps 5-7 for the rear speakers. If you do not have rear speakers continue to Step 10.
 Step 9:  Set levels between the front and rear midrange and tweeters for optimum front/rear balance.
 Step  10:  Turn up the level control corresponding to the woofer output until you hear slight distortion  
 

  and turn back the level control slightly for an undistorted output.

 Step  11:  Fine-tune the output level between satellite speakers and the woofers. Refer to the Amplifier  
  

Settings section of this manual for detailed instructions. If using an PRGC-1, adjust the level  

 

  to the bass output of the woofer to match the sonic requirements of the system.

 Step  12:  Enjoy your awesome Polk Audio PA sound system.

Low or no remote turn-on

Check remote turn-on voltage at voltage  
amplifier and repair as needed.

Fuse blown

Check power wire’s integrity and check for  
speaker shorts. Fix as needed and replace fuse.

Power wires not connected

Check power wire and ground connections  
and repair or replace as needed.

Audio input not connected.

Check line level connections and repair  
or replace as needed.

Speaker wires not connected

Check speaker wires and repair or replace as needed.

Speakers are blown

Check system with known working speaker  
and repair or replace speakers as needed.

Thermal protection engages when  
amplifier heat sink temperature  
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Make sure there is proper ventilation for  
amplifier and improve ventilation as needed.