AudioControl THREE.2 In-Dash Equalizer / Crossover with AUX-In
If you want great sound and love to “tweak” your system, then you will truly appreciate the AudioControl THREE.2. Affectionately called the “EQ on steroids”, the THREE.2 is a high-end pre-amplifier that offers equalization and crossover controls for enhanced sound quality. Multiple audio inputs, both front and rear allow for maximum connectivity with all of your favorite source units.
While being housed in a compact ½ DIN sized chassis, the THREE.2 is truly a feature-laden processor. The THREE.2 starts with four stereo equalization filters including AudioControl’s proprietary Para-BASS controls, which give subwoofers extra kick and detail as needed. It also features a 4 channel, 2-way, 24 dB/octave car audio crossover with a fader. To round out the package the THREE.2 also includes a subwoofer level control, master volume control, and the ability to select the back lighting illumination color between Cool Blue and Hot Red.
Given that many of today’s audio enthusiasts like to carry their music with them, the THREE.2 is equipped with dual, 3.5mm auxiliary input jacks located on the front and rear of the chassis. This helps facilitate the permanent installation of cabling or lets a user plug in their portable audio device on the fly. Like all AudioControl autosound products, the THREE.2 is built in our factory in the Pacific Northwest, USA and carries a full 5-year parts and labor warranty when installed by an authorized dealer.
The following section will tell you about all of the nifty features of your THREE.2. Knowing these features will help you maximize the performance of your THREE.2 in-dash preamp/equalizer/crossover. You will also score points with your fellow autosound buddies.
Alle Features im Überblick
Graphic Stereo Equalization
The THREE.2 turns
the dashboard of your car into a mini-mixing board, just like
that in a recording studio. The THREE.2 has three frequency
controls set at 125Hz, 1.25KHz, and 10KHz respectively. The
frequencies were selected to provide you with a just enough
control to make dramatic improvements in any system.
Para-BASS
You want bass, we’ve got bass. This specially
designed parametric control lets you adapt the bass
response of any system to your listening desire. Given all of
the various types of music combined with numerous
possible bass response anomalies in every vehicle, a single
equalization control for bass just doesn’t cut it. It’s like
painting a picture with only one color . . . BORING!
Input Selection
The THREE.2 provides a “Main” RCA
input on the back panel of the unit. It also provides two
choices for an Auxiliary input. One is on the back panel for a
permanent Aux-in, and the other is located on the front panel.
If you just want to be able to plug an iPod in on occasion,
then you can use the front panel 1/8” input. Also, the THREE.2
Aux-ins have been optimized with extra gain to compensate
for weak signals from iPods and other MP3 players.
24dB/Octave Linkwitz Riley Crossover
What is
the benefit of fine tuning your system if you cannot accurately
route the proper frequencies to the proper amplifier
channels? The programmable audiophile crossover in the
THREE.2 is the same crossover in many other award winning
AudioControl components. Know who else gives you a 24dB
Linkwitz-Riley in their in-dash EQ? Nobody! This is also a far
cry from the wimpy crossovers that find their way into some
amplifiers these days.
Pre-Amp Line Driver
Talk about your ironies. Amplifiers
require a high voltage input signal (generally 2 to 5
volts) to operate with maximum dynamic range and the best
signal-to-noise ratio. On the other hand, typical source units
only produce 1 to 2 volts, if your lucky. In a system where
the source unit is located in the front of the car and the
amplifier(s) are located in the rear, the length of the connecting
cables can have an negative impact on the strength of the
signal. The THREE.2 includes a line driver that takes the weak
output voltage of a head unit and increases it 20dB (up to 13
volts peak) and then delivers it downstream to the amplifier
inputs.
Master Volume
The THREE.2 has a big master volume
KNOB (no annoying up & down switches for us) to control
the signal output to the amplifiers. Raise the volume level on
your source units to their maximum and you will never need
to touch them again.
Subwoofer Level Control
Need a little more bass to
impress your buddies? Or maybe you want to tone it down so
you don’t scare off your date. Whatever the case, the THREE.2
has a subwoofer output level control that allows you to
balance the amount of signal that goes to your subwoofer
outputs.
Fader Control
The THREE.2 has 4 output channels and
a fader control to allow for easy balancing between the front
and rear speakers.
Illumination
The THREE.2 illuminates so you can see
what your doing at night with either Cool Blue or Hot Red
back-lighting. You get to pick the color that fits you best.