Crown 1160MA, Operation Manual

Commercial Audio Series

 Mixer-Amplifiers

page 9

Operation Manual

MIXER-AMP INPUT

MIXER-AMP INPUT

2.3 Choose Input Wire and Connectors

Crown recommends using pre-built or professionally wired bal-
anced line (two-conductor plus shield), 22-24 gauge cables and 
connectors. You should use 3-pin Phoenix-type cable ends at the 
amplifier inputs. Unbalanced line may also be used but may 
result in noise over long cable runs.

Figure 2.3 shows connector pin assignments for balanced wir-
ing, and Figure 2.4 shows connector pin assignments for unbal-
anced wiring. The RCA input connectors can also be used for 
unbalanced inputs.

Figure 2.3 Balanced Input 
Connector Wiring

Figure 2.4 Unbalanced Input 
Connector Wiring

2 Setup

2.4 Choose Output Wire and Connectors

For the amplifier output connectors, Crown recommends using 
pre-built or professionally wired, high-quality, two-conductor, 
heavy gauge speaker wire and connectors. You may use crimp-
on spade lugs for your output connectors (Figure 2.5). To prevent 
the possibility of short-circuits, wrap or otherwise insulate 
exposed loudspeaker cable connectors. Cover the output con-
nections with the supplied non-touch cover.

Using the guidelines below, select the appropriate size of wire 
based on the distance from amplifier to speaker. The wire sizes 
apply to the 4-ohm tap.

                          Distance         Wire Size

                          up to 25 ft.              16 AWG

                              26-40 ft.              14 AWG

                              41-60 ft.              12 AWG

                            61-100 ft.              10 AWG

                          101-150 ft.                8 AWG

                          151-250 ft.                6 AWG

NOTE: Custom wiring should only be performed by 
qualified personnel. Class 2 wiring is required.

CAUTION: Never use shielded cable for output power 
wiring.

Use 2-conductor shielded cable and 3-pin Phoenix-type 
connectors for Line Output wiring (Figure 2.6)

Figure 2.5 Two Amplifier Output Connectors on  
280MA Back Panel
(One Connector in 180MA and 1160MA)

Figure 2.6  Line Out Wiring.
Top: Balanced. Bottom: Unbalanced.

S

S

BALANCED LINE

TO DESTINATION
UNGROUNDED 
PRODUCT WITH
2-PRONG POWER
CORD ONLY

TO DESTINATION

UNBALANCED LINE

OUTPUT

OUTPUT

S

HIELD

S

HIELD

(Thi

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al level by 6 dB.)