ATV300: Inputs, Wires & Controls – Rockville Audio

Introduction

In this guide, we will cover how to connect the Rockville ATV300 amplifier to your subwoofer, music source (such as a head unit), and base remote knob. We’ll also go over the available controls for adjusting the sound to fit your preferences.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Connecting the Power Wires

To power the ATV300 amplifier, you will need to make three essential connections:

12V Wire: Connect the 12V wire to the battery of your vehicle to provide power to the amplifier.
Remote Wire: Connect the remote wire to the ignition or accessory switch of your vehicle to turn the amplifier on and off with your vehicle.
Ground Wire: Attach the ground wire to the metal chassis of your vehicle to complete the circuit and ground the amplifier.

Once all connections are made, your amplifier will be powered on and ready to use.

2. Connecting the Subwoofer

Next, you'll connect your subwoofer to the amplifier using the speaker wires provided:

White Wire (Positive): Connect the white wire to the positive terminal of your subwoofer.
Black and White Wire (Negative): Connect the black and white wire to the negative terminal of your subwoofer.

This completes the speaker connection, and your subwoofer will now be powered by the ATV300.

3. Connecting the Music Source (Head Unit)

There are two methods to connect your head unit to the ATV300: via RCA outputs or high-level outputs.

Option 1: Using RCA Outputs

Step 1: If your head unit has an RCA sub output, connect one end of an RCA cable to that output.
Step 2: Plug the other end of the RCA cable into the RCA inputs on the amplifier.

Option 2: Using High-Level Outputs

If your head unit doesn't have RCA outputs, you can use high-level to RCA adapters:

Step 1: Connect the wired ends of the high-level adapters to the high-level output wires on your head unit.
Step 2: Plug the other end into the RCA input on the amplifier.

Alternatively, you can daisy chain the wires off your vehicle's speakers to the RCA input on the amplifier, as long as the signal runs from the speakers to the adapters and into the amp.

4. Setting Up the Base Remote Knob

The base remote knob allows you to control the subwoofer’s level from the front of the vehicle.

Step 1: Plug one end of the base remote wire into the back of the base remote knob.
Step 2: Plug the other end into the base remote input on the amplifier.

Now you can adjust the level of your subwoofer from the front of your vehicle.

5. Adjusting the Amplifier’s Sound Controls

The ATV300 amplifier provides several controls to fine-tune your sound, including:

Phase Control: This knob allows you to adjust the phase from 0 to 180°. Use it to sync your subwoofer with the rest of your audio setup. If the subwoofer sounds reversed (pushing in rather than out), adjust the phase accordingly.
Bass Boost: Use the bass boost knob to increase the bass response. You can set this from 0 to 12 dB to add extra bass to your subwoofer.
Subsonic and Frequency Controls:
- Frequency Knob: Set the low-end frequencies you want the subwoofer to play. For example, setting it to 50 Hz will let you hear sounds above 50 Hz and block anything below it.
- Subsonic Knob: This controls the high-pass filter of the amplifier. For example, setting it to 100 Hz will only allow frequencies below that to pass through.

If you're using a ported enclosure, set the subsonic filter to the tuning frequency of your subwoofer’s enclosure. You can find the tuning frequency in your subwoofer's manual.

Level Knob: This controls the volume of your subwoofer.
Input Voltage Switch: Use this switch to adjust the input voltage setting. If you are using high-level adapters, set it to high. If you're using RCA outputs, set it to low.

6. Plate Removal for Accessing Controls

To access these controls, you’ll need to remove the plate on top of the amplifier:

Step 1: Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws holding the plate in place.
Step 2: Use the plate removal tool to lift the plate off.

Conclusion

Setting up your Rockville ATV300 amplifier is straightforward with the correct connections for power, subwoofer, and audio source. You can fine-tune your sound using the phase, bass boost, subsonic, and frequency controls. The base remote knob makes adjusting the subwoofer’s level easy from the front of your vehicle.