Nakamichi NQ523BD Digital Media Receiver

Warnings & Precautions

To avoid risk of serious injury or possible violation of laws, please read the following thoroughly before installation or connecting.

• This product is designed specifically for use with 12 volt, negative ground electrical systems only.
• Having the wiring and installation done by an expert.
• Be sure to disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal while installation.
• This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no object filled with liquids shall be placed on the apparatus.
• Fuses shall be replaced only with the correct type and fuse value, and only when the apparatus is powered off.
• To prevent a short circuit, never put or leave any metallic objects (such as coins or metallic tools) inside the unit.
• Never set the volume of this product so high that you cannot hear outside traffic and emergency vehicles.

Product Features

Accessory List

Please check the following accessories after opening the package:

• 16P cable x1
• Remote x1
• Frame x1 (for installation on the host)
• Half sleeve x1 (for installation on the host)
• Disassemble keys x2
• User Manual x1

Dimension (Unit: MM)

The unit has the following dimensions:

• Width: 180 mm (Front panel: 178 mm)
• Height: 53 mm (Display area: 50 mm)
• Depth: 103 mm (Mounting depth: 58 mm)
• Other dimensions: 31 mm, 35 mm, 58 mm, 188 mm (overall width)

Diagram shows front view, side view, and top view with dimensions indicated.

Wiring Diagram

The rear panel of the unit features various output and input connectors:

• Outputs: Front Right Output, Subwoofer Output, Rear Right Output, Rear Left Output, Front Left Output.
• Inputs: Radio Antenna (ANT), Center Output, SWI, MIC (External Microphone).
• Other Connections: Power connector, PAC™-SWI connector.

The power wiring includes connections for the battery, car fuse box, and ignition key switch. Speaker connections are color-coded:

• White: Front Left Speaker (+)
• White/Black: Front Left Speaker (-)
• Gray: Front Right Speaker (+)
• Gray/Black: Front Right Speaker (-)
• Green: Rear Left Speaker (+)
• Green/Black: Rear Left Speaker (-)
• Purple: Rear Right Speaker (+)
• Purple/Black: Rear Right Speaker (-)

Speaker impedance is rated at 4-8Ω.

An antenna control wire (blue) is also present.

Basic Functions Of Panel Keys

The unit's panel keys perform various functions depending on the mode:

Other controls include: Return (When menu), Volume control/Menu knob, and Remote control receiver.

Remote Operation

The included remote control allows for various operations:

• Mute: Mute/Unmute audio.
• V+: Volume up.
• Power: Power on/off.
• MENU: Access menu.
• Previous: Previous track/station.
• Next: Next track/station.
• V-: Volume down.
• Back: Return to previous menu/function.
• Answer call: Answer an incoming call.
• Source: Select audio source.
• MODE: Select mode.
• BAND: Band select.
• EQ: Equalizer sound effect.
• CLK: Clock Display.
• 1 INT: Preset 2 / Intro Playback.
• 2 PRT: Preset 3 / Repeat Playback.
• 3 RPT: Preset 5 / Previous folder.
• 4 RDM: Preset 6 / Next folder.
• 5 6: Random Playback.
• Reject call: Reject an incoming call.
• Auto Memory: Auto memory function.
• Preset 1 Playback/Pause: Preset 1 / Playback/Pause.
• Preset 4 Random Playback: Preset 4 / Random Playback.

To install the battery, open the battery compartment and insert a CR2025 battery with the correct polarity.

Basic Operation

Radio Operation

Start Listening

Tuner Settings

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [TUNER], then press the knob.

Tuner Settings List

Stereo/Mono Select: Turn the knob to select [STEREO or MONO], then turn the knob to select [STEREO/MONO].

DX/Local Select: Turn the knob to select [LOC or DX], then turn the knob to select [DX /LOCAL].

Tuner Area Select: Turn the knob to select [REGIONAL], then turn the knob to select [ASIA/OIRT/EUR/USA].

RDS ON/OFF: Turn the knob to select [RDS OFF], then turn the knob to select [RDS OFF,ON].

USB & SD Playback

Supported Audio Playback List

Supported Devices

Bluetooth Operation

Bluetooth Pairing

To pair a mobile phone with the receiver for the first time, follow these steps:

1. When there is no pairing, the BT indicator on the LCD will flash. Pairing can be performed at this time.
2. Turn on your phone's Bluetooth and search for "NQ523BD".
3. Select NQ523BD on your phone to connect. After a successful connection, the BT indicator will stop flashing.
4. Once pairing is complete, mobile phone audio will automatically transfer to the car audio system for calls or music playback.

Note: For more details on Bluetooth pairing, refer to your mobile phone's owner's manual.

Bluetooth Basic Operation

Bluetooth Music Operation

AUX Input

1. Connect a portable audio player (commercially available) to the Auxiliary input jack using a 3.5mm stereo mini plug with an "L"-shaped connector.
2. Press the [ /MOD ] buttons to select AUX IN.
3. Turn on the portable audio player and start playback.

Diagram shows a portable audio player connected via a 3.5mm cable to the unit's auxiliary input jack.

External Microphone

The unit supports an optional external microphone (Model No.: BTMIC-6) for improved voice call quality.

Connect the microphone to the External Microphone jack on the rear panel using the 3.5mm connector.

Adjust the microphone angle for optimal performance.

Note: Since the built-in microphone may be far from the driver's position, using an external microphone can provide better voice calls.

Diagram shows the rear panel with the external microphone jack and an illustration of an external microphone positioned in a car for optimal voice capture.

Audio Settings

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [AUDIO], then press the knob.

Audio Settings List

Subwoofer Volume Adjustment

1. Turn the knob to select [SW LEVEL], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to adjust SVOL from -8 to +8.

Preset EQ Select

1. Turn the knob to select [PRESET EQ], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select from [USER/NATURAL/POP/CLASSIC/ROCK/JAZZ/FLAT/SUPER BASS].

User EQ Setup

1. Turn the knob to select [PRESET EQ], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [USER], then press the knob.

3. Turn the knob to select the frequency for adjustment.

X-BASS Adjustment

1. Turn the knob to select [XBASS], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to adjust from [0-20].

Audio Settings (Details)

3D Surround Setup:

1. Turn the knob to select [SURROUND], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to select [OFF/ON].

DRC Gain Adjustment:

1. Turn the knob to select [DRC], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to select [GAIN], then press the knob.
3. Turn the knob to adjust from [0-5].

Remark: DRC (Dynamic Range Compression) can make small signals louder and stronger, and make high-amplitude signals undistorted.

DRC Slope Select:

1. Turn the knob to select [DRC], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to select [SLOP], then press the knob.
3. Turn the knob to select [0dB/6dB/12dB/24dB].

Loudness Setup:

1. Turn the knob to select [LOUND], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to select [OFF/ON].

Bass Adjustment:

1. Turn the knob to select [BASS], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to adjust from [-7 to +7].

Treble Adjustment:

1. Turn the knob to select [TREBLE], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to select from [-7 to +7].

Balance Adjustment:

1. Turn the knob to select [BALAN], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to select [L7-L0, 0, R1-R7].

Fader Adjustment:

1. Turn the knob to select [FADER], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to select [R7-R0, 0, F1-F7].

Audio Setup Reset:

1. Turn the knob to select [AUDIO RESET], then press the knob.
2. Turn the knob to select [NO/YES].

Subwoofer Xover Setup

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [X/OVER], then press the knob.

3. Turn the knob to select [SUB SET], then press the knob.

Subwoofer Xover List

Subwoofer Frequency Setup

1. Turn the knob to select [SW FREQ], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select the frequency (OFF/30Hz/60Hz/80Hz/100Hz/120Hz/150Hz/180Hz/200Hz/250Hz/300Hz).

Subwoofer Phase Setup

1. Turn the knob to select [SW PHASE], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [NORMAL/REVERSE].

Subwoofer Gain Setup

1. Turn the knob to select [SW GAIN], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [0-5].

Subwoofer Slope Setup

1. Turn the knob to select [SW LPF SLOPE], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [0dB/6dB/12dB/18dB/24dB].

DTA Settings

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [DTA SET], then press the knob.

DTA Settings List

Car Type Settings

1. Turn the knob to select [CAR TYPE], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [SMALL /MEDIUM /LARGE].

Listening Position Settings

1. Turn the knob to select [POSITION], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [USER/FRONT R/FRONT L/CENTER].

Delay Unit Settings

1. Turn the knob to select [UNIT], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [CM/MS/INCH].

DSP Reset

1. Turn the knob to select [DTA RST], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [NO/YES].

Time Alignment (Distance)

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [DTA SET], then press the knob.

3. Turn the knob to select [DISTANCE], then press the knob.

4. Turn the knob to select [F LEFT/F RIGHT/R LEFT/R RIGHT/SUBWOOFER] for adjustment.

Determining the value for <Position> adjustment:

1. Determine the center of the currently set listening position as the reference point.
2. The adjustable speaker has five directions: front left, front right, back left, back right, and back.
3. The time for the speakers in the five directions to reach the center is the same by default.
4. Set the value for each speaker; the delay range is 0-20ms.
5. Adjust the increase or decrease of each speaker by 0.2ms each time.

Example: When <back> is selected as the listening position, the delay might be set as follows:

• Front Left: 0.0ms
• Front Right: 0.0ms
• Rear Left: 0.0ms
• Rear Right: 0.0ms
• Subwoofer: 0.2ms

Diagram illustrates a car interior with speaker positions marked and corresponding delay times (0.0ms, 0.2ms) displayed.

Clock and Date Settings

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [CLOCK], then press the knob.

Clock And Date Settings List

Clock Format Settings

1. Turn the knob to select [CLK FRMT], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [12H/24H].

Clock Adjust

1. Turn the knob to select [CLK ADJ], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to adjust the time.

3. Press the knob to switch between clock and minute adjustment.

Date Format Settings

1. Turn the knob to select [DATE FORMAT], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [DD-MM-YY/MM-DD-YY].

Date Settings

1. Turn the knob to select [DATE SET], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to adjust the date.

3. Press the knob to switch between day/month/year adjustment.

Display Settings

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [DISPLAY], then press the knob.

Display Settings List

Key Light Select

1. Turn the knob to select [COLOR SEL], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select key light color: AUTO/RED/GREEN/BLUE/YELLOW/CYAN/PURPLE/WHITE (Knob Select).

Spectrum ON/OFF

1. Turn the knob to select [SPECTRUM], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [OFF/ON].

ID3 ON/OFF

1. Turn the knob to select [ID3 TAG], then press the knob.

2. Turn the knob to select [OFF/ON].

System Version

Turn the knob to select [VERSION], then press the button to query the system version information.

Animation Settings

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [ANIMATION], then press the knob.

3. Turn the knob to select [OFF/PER 15SEC/30SEC/1MIN/2MIN/4MIN].

Demo Mode Select

1. Press the knob to enter the [MENU].

2. Turn the knob to select [DEMO MODE], then press the knob.

3. Turn the knob to select [OFF/ON].

APP Operation

APP Download

Please go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and search for the "Nakamichi AMC" app. After downloading, install it on your Apple or Android devices.

APP Connection

1. Open the [Nakamichi AMC] APP and tap the [Search] icon to search for NQ523BD.
2. Tap NQ523BD to connect. The connection status indicator will turn red after a successful connection.

The app allows control over various functions:

• Volume adjustment: Control audio volume.
• Home Screen: Access main functions like Radio, Music, Navigation, Settings, Lights.
• Sound effect: Adjust EQ, Xbass, DRC, etc.
• Time Alignment: Configure speaker delay settings.
• Balance: Adjust front/rear and left/right balance.
• Settings: Access system settings like animation, demo mode, etc.
• EQ Settings: Adjust Frequency, Gain, and Q value for equalization.
• Key Lights: Select display illumination color.
• USB/SD Playback: Control music playback from USB or SD cards.

Screenshots show the app interface for Volume adjustment, Home screen (connected/not connected), Sound effect settings, Time Alignment, Balance, and general Settings.

Trouble Shooting

Speaker Connection

Do not connect the speaker leads of the power cord to the car battery; otherwise, the unit will be seriously damaged.

Before connecting the speaker leads of the power cord to the speakers, check the speaker wiring in your car.

Ensure correct polarity: Connect positive (+) to positive and negative (-) to negative for each speaker.

Diagrams show incorrect speaker connections (crossed out) and a correct speaker connection (marked OK), illustrating proper polarity.

Specification