Filter
Top Products
12 © 2010 Polk Audio—all rights reserved © 2010 Polk Audio—all rights reserved 13
Speaker Wiring Diagram PA880
The Polk Audio PA880 amplifier offers two positive and two negative output terminals for ease of connecting the speakers to
the amplifier. Since these are mono amplifiers, the speaker connectors are paralleled internally. Each amplifier is stable to 2 Ohm.
Single 2 Ohm speaker or 2 ea. of 4 Ohm speakers
Bridging
For bridging into a single speaker load, the Polk Audio PA880 have the ability to be bridged with another amplifier
vÊÌiÊÃ>iÊ`i°Ê/Ê`ÊÌÃÊÞÕÊÕÃÌÊÃiÌÊÌiÊ*-ÊÃÜÌVÊÊÌiÊÃ>Ûi®Ê>«]ÊÛiÊÌiÊ«>ÃiÊÃÜÌVÊvÀ
0 to 180, exactly opposite of the master amp. Refer to the Phase Switch section of this guide.
Be sure to set all adjustment on both amplifiers exactly the same except for the phase switch. The phase switch on the
>ÃÌiÀÊ>«viÀÊÃÕ`ÊLiÊäÊ>`ÊÌiÊÃ>ÛiÊ>«viÀÊÃÕ`ÊLiÊ£nä°ÊÀÊÌiÊëi>iÀÊViVÌÃ]ÊViVÌÊÌiÊ«ÃÌÛiʳ®Ê
ëi>iÀÊi>`ÊvÀÊÌiÊëi>iÀÊÌÊÌiÊ«ÃÌÛiʳ®Êëi>iÀÊÌiÀ>ÊvÊÌiÊ>ÃÌiÀÊ>«viÀ°Ê"ÊÌiÊi}>ÌÛiÊ®Êëi>iÀÊ
ViVÌ]ÊÌ>iÊÌiÊi}>ÌÛiÊ®Êëi>iÀÊÌiÀ>ÊvÊÌiÊ>ÃÌiÀÊ>«viÀÊ>`ÊViVÌÊÌÊ`ÀiVÌÞÊÌÊÌiÊi}>ÌÛiÊ®Êëi>iÀÊ
ÌiÀ>ÊvÊÌiÊÃ>Ûi®Ê>«viÀ°Ê/iÊÀi>}Ê«ÃÌÛiʳ®Êëi>iÀÊÌiÀ>ÊvÊÌiÊÃ>Ûi®Ê>«viÀÊÕÃÌÊLiÊViVÌi`Ê
ÌÊÌiÊi}>ÌÛiÊ®Êëi>iÀÊi>`ÊvÀÊÌiÊëi>iÀ°Ê/iÊ«i`>ViÊvÊÌiÊëi>iÀÊÕÃÌÊÌÊLiÊiÃÃÊÌ>Ê{Ê"°
NOTE: For best results, connect both negative speaker terminals on the master amp to both negative
terminals on the slave amp using at least 12 AWG cable.
2 ea. amplifiers bridged to 1 ea. 4 Ohm or 8 Ohm speaker
AMPLIFIER INSTALLATION
Choosing Mounting Locations
The location of your amplifier will depend on several important issues. Due to the low profile size of the
PA amplifiers, there are many possible installation locations that will yield satisfactory amplifier performance.
Always mount the amplifier in a place that protects the amplifier from the elements. In addition, mount the
amplifier on a stable, flat surface.
NOTE: Mounting amplifiers upside down is not recommended and may cause premature thermal shutdown.
WARNING! Do not mount any amplifier in the engine compartment. Amplifiers are not designed
to endure the harsh environment of an engine compartment.
Passenger Compartment
If you are going to mount the amplifier in the passenger compartment, make sure you have adequate room
for ventilation. The amplifiers have been designed to make under-seat mounting possible. When mounting your
amplifier under a seat or similar area, keep a minimum of 1" of clearance around the amplifier for adequate cooling.
Trunk Compartment
Mounting your amplifier in the trunk provides excellent performance as long as you do not restrict the airflow
around the heatsink of the amplifier. For optimal results, mount the amplifier with as much clearance as possible.
This type of mounting will yield the best cooling due to the convection effect of the amplifier chassis.
General Precautions and Installation Tips
WARNING! Be careful not to cut or drill into gas tanks, fuel lines, brake lines, hydraulic lines,
vacuum lines, or electrical wiring when working on your vehicle.
Disconnect the vehicle’s ground wire at the battery before making or breaking connections to the audio
system’s power supply terminals.
Do not use this amplifier unmounted. Failing to securely mount the amplifier can result in damage or injury,
particularly in the event of an accident. An unmounted amplifier becomes a dangerous projectile in the event
of a crash. Never mount the amplifier where it might get wet. Mount the amplifier so the wire connections
will not be pulled. Route the wires where they will not be scraped, pinched or damaged in any fashion.
The +12V power supply wire must be fused as close as possible to the battery terminal, ideally within 18".
1ÃiÊÌiÊÀiVi`i`ÊvÕÃiÊÃâiÊÀÊVÀVÕÌÊLÀi>iÀÊÃÌi`ÊÊÌiÊPower Connections section of this manual.
If you need to replace the fuse plugged into the side of the amplifier, replace the fuse with the same size
ATC/MAXI type fuse that came with the amplifier. If you are not sure as to the correct value, refer to the
Power ConnectionsÊÃiVÌÊvÊÌÃÊ>Õ>ÊvÀÊ`iÌ>ðÊÊ1Ã}Ê>Ê}iÀÊVÕÀÀiÌÊvÕÃiÊ>ÞÊÀiÃÕÌÊÊ`>>}iÊ
to the amplifier that is not covered under warranty.
NOTE: Make sure all the equipment in the system is turned off when making or breaking connections
to the input Line levels or speaker terminals. Turn on the system and slowly turn up the volume control only
after double checking all wire connections.
Power for systems with a single amplifier can be supplied by most automotive electrical systems. Systems with
multiple amplifiers may require a higher capacity battery, alternator or the use of a storage capacitor.
Polk Audio PA amplifiers generate a certain amount of heat as part of normal operation. Be sure the area around
the amplifier is unobstructed to allow adequate air circulation. Remember, beach blankets, last week’s laundry, school
books and homework papers located on top of the amplifier do not improve air flow and may become damaged.
MASTER
PHASE 0º
SLAVE
PHASE 180º
4
24
4
4