DLS X-D11 Operation Manual

How to install and

operate the

X-D11

digital mono

amplifier

Welcome!

This owners manual is written in easy english and
uses a lot of drawings to simply the installation and
use of the above amplifier.

Your X-program amplifier must be installed correctly
in order to work well. This manual will show you how
to install the amplifier like a pro. Please read the
entire manual before beginning the installation.
Install the amplifier yourself if you feel confident with
our instructions and if you have the proper tools.
However if you feel unsure, turn over the installation
job to someone better suited to it.

Warranty Service

This amplifier is covered by warranty, depending on
the conditions in the country where it is sold. If the
amplifier is returned for service, please include the
original dated receipt with the product.

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Technical Assistance

For technical assistance ask the shop where the
product was sold or the distributor in your very coun­try.
You can always phone the DLS Helpdesk in Sweden
+ 46 31 84 00 60 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].
Information can also be found on our WEB-site
www.dls.se

Contents

Specifications................................ 1

Features…………………………….. 2
Installation…………………….……. 2
Trouble-shooting…………………… 2
Tools and materials needed………. 3

Amplifier installation kit………….... 3

Routing Wires…………………….... 3

Wiring

Power and Outputs……………..…. 4
Inputs and controls………………... 5

Input level control.......................... 5

Crossovers…………...................... 5

Phase control.....………………...… 5

Bass boost control......................... 6

Speaker wiring:

Single amplifier system………….…. 6

Testing.......................................... 6

Bridging two amplifiers................... 7

Professional tips…………………….. 8

Specifications

X-PROGRAM X-D11

Number of channels 1
Power output in 4 ohm (0,4% THD) 1 x 400 W
Max output in 2 ohm (0,7% THD) 1 x 750 W
Max output in 1 ohm (1% THD) 1 x 1050 W
All above output power ratings at 13,8 Volt
Signal to noise ratio, A-weighted >100 dB
Damping factor >100
Frequency response 15 Hz - 160 Hz
Input impedance, low level 10 kohm
Input impedance, high level 100 ohm
Input sensitivity 0,15 - 5V
Phase control 0-180 degrees variable yes
Remote bass boost control yes
Bass boost adjustable gain @45 Hz 0 - +18 dB
Filter subsonic, 24 dB slope 15 - 50 Hz
Filter lowpass 24 dB slope 15 - 150 Hz
Bridge mode (master/slave selector) Yes
Max size for power cables 21 mm2 (4AWG)
Max size for speaker cables 10 mm2 (7AWG)
Power consumption, idle 1,5 A
Maximum current draw 120 A
Built-in fan cooling yes
Fuse 4 x 30A
Dimensions (mm) 50x430x250
Dimensions (inch) 2x16,93x9,84
Weight 5,3 kg (11,7 lb)

We follow a policy of continuous advancement in
development. For this reason all or part of specifications
& designs may be changed without prior notice.

DLS Svenska AB

P.O. Box 13029

S-40251 Göteborg, Sweden

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

www.xprogram.com

Approval of electromagnetic compatability according
to the EEC Directive 72/245/EEC and 2006/96/EC

E 13 Approval No: 03 6367

X-D11 include

 RCA input and output
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 High level input with auto start
 Continuous variable low pass crossover
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 Continuous variable subsonic crossover
 Bass boost feature
 Remote bass level control
 Phase control cont. variable 0-180 degrees
 Bridge mode master / slave selector
 Electronic protection circuitry against

short-circuit, DC offset and thermal overload.

Installation

Before you begin the install

Before you begin you need to read the manual, to have
some tools, cables and other material available. There
is one such list of material on the following page.

Amplifier location

Important
Allow air circulation around the amplifier.

2

Disconnect Battery

Before starting the instal­lation, always disconnect
the negative terminal of
the battery.

The X-program series of amplifiers have a compact
design that allows great flexibility in mounting. You
can mount it under a seat or in the trunk.
When you select a location, do remember that the
amplifier generates a lot of heat.

Choose a location where air can circulate freely
around the amplifier. Do not cover the amplifier with
carpets or hide behind trim panels.
Do not mount the amplifier in an inverted or upside
down position.

Check all locations and placements carefully before
making any cuts, drilling any holes or making any
connections.

X-D11

If problems occur during the installation, or later,
this guide might help you to find out whats´s wrong.

The amplifier is dead:

1. Check power lead, ground and connections at

the amplifier using a multi meter.

2. Check the battery terminal connections.

3. Check the power lead fuse or circuit breaker. If

fuse damage continues, inspect the power lead
for short circuits.

4. Check the amplifier protection fuses. Are these
broken change to new ones with the same value.
If short circuiting continues, contact your local
DLS dealer. A fault may exist in the amplifier.

5. To start the amplifier requires a remote voltage
of 9-15 volt. Check the voltage with a multi meter.

Amplifier protection fuse blows at low volume:

One or more speaker cables are shorted. Make an
insulation test with a multi meter. The cables must
not have a connection to earth.

The amplifier turns off after 10-30 minutes:

The amplifier is overheating due to inadequate venti­lation. Check mounting position is free from
obstruction.

Solution:

1. Move the amplifier to a place with better ventil-

ation.

2. Install one or two fans to cool down the heat­ sink.

3. Overheating can also be caused by an
impedance load below the level permitted.

No output from the speakers:
Check the following:

1. Speaker cable connections to both amplifier and

subwoofers.

2. Signal lead plugs and cables.

Troubleshooting

X-logo on amplifier cooling flange

The X-logo on the amplifier top is attached with two
1 mm hex. screws. The logo can be removed and
twisted 90 or 180 degrees, and then screwed back
in wanted position. The logo can be mounted in four
different ways to match your installation.

Bottom plate of amplifier

Fasten the amplifier to the surface using the four
separate brackets coming with the amplifier. The
brackets are attached to the amplifier with screws
and can be directed in two ways, see figure:

Mount the flanges this way, or this way.

Mounting

Tools and material needed

Tools:

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 Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
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 Wire cutter
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 Wire stripper
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 Electric drill with drills
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 Crimping tool
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 Digital multimeter or test lamp
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 Wire brush, scraper or a piece

of an abrasive sheet to remove
paint for a good ground connection

 Grease to protect the ground

connection from corrosion

Material:

 Speaker wire: minimum

12 AWG = 4 mm2 for subwoofers

 Sheet metal screws for mounting the

amplifier to the amplifier board and the
amplifier board to the car + some extra
for fuse holder, amplifier ground etc.

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 Electrical insulation tape

 ½ inch thick plywood or particle board for

the amplifier to be mounted upon.

Amplifier installation kit:

If available,buy an amplifier installation kit. It
contains normally all you need. This is what you
have to buy if you buy the items separately

 20- 25 feet = 6- 7.5 meter power cable,

preferably AWG 4 = 21 mm2 or heavier

 1 pc of fuseholder to install close to the

car battery + fuse 100 Ampere.

 20 feet of AWG 15 = 1,5 mm2 wire for

remote turn on / off cable from radio.

 RCA-cable for input from radio.

- 20 feet or 5 meter for trunk installations

-12 feet or 2 – 3 meter for under seat
installations

 One min. 8 gauge ring crimp terminal

for the amplifier ground connection.

 Wire ties
 Insulating grommet or insulating tube

Routing wires

Stereo

head unit

3

Professional Tip:

THE DC-FEED

Maximum main fuse values for different cable sizes.

6 mm2 (9 AWG) :25 A 10 mm2 (7AWG) :40 A
16 mm2 (5AWG) :60 A 21 mm2 (4AWG) :100 A
33 mm

2

(2AWG) :150 A 42 mm2 (1AWG) :200 A

High current draw

The X-D11 is a mono amplifier with high power output.
The current draw is also high so you must make sure
that your vehicles power system (battery and alternator)
can provide all the power you need. If you have a bad
battery or alternator in can result in a poor sound or
even worse, a broken battery or alternator.

Both the positive wire and the ground wire must have
the same size. To avoid cable fire, be sure not to
oversize the main fuse value for the power wires.

X-D11

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

X-program amplifiers for vehicles are manufactured
in accordance with the EU directive EEC 95/54 (72/
245/EEC) and are marked with the approval number.
They are also marked in accordance with the WEEE­directive 2002/96/EC.
The products are also produced in accordance with
the EU RoHS directive 2002/95/EC.

Wiring

Power and Outputs

X-D11

Power terminal ( +12V)

Remote terminal ( REM )

For RCA cable signal input:

Connect the radio power antenna lead = remote
turn on/off from the car stereo to the amplifier
remote connection. This turns on the amplifier
whenever the car stereo is turned on.
You can either use the built in remote cable in the
RCA cable itself or use a separate cable.
Sometimes a small disturbance may enter the
amplifier coming from the remote voltage , through
the built in remote wire and into the RCA cable.
Thus we recommend to use a separate remote wire
and run the RCA lead separate from remote wire,
power cables and speaker cables.
You can either use a crimp fork terminal or insert
the cable directly into the amplifier terminal. If there
is no remote voltage available from the stereo, you
must connect to the ignition key through the radio
or any accessories fuse.

4

Connect to a good chassis ground. The ground
connection should be clean, unpainted metal to prov­ide a good electrical connection. Use a wire brush, a
scraper or a piece of an abrasive sheet to clean the
metal. Use a lock washer or two to secure contact.
Protect with silicon grease or by paint applied
afterwards.

+12V REM GND

Power Light / Protect light

The power light (green ) comes on when
the amplifier is turned on.

The protect light ( red ) comes on when
the amplifier shuts down from
overheating or short circuit.

Fuses

Use only 30 ampere
ATC blade type fuses.
X-D11 uses four 30
ampere fuses.

30A

For High Level input:

We recommend you to connect the remote wire
as described above. The amplifier will produce soft
on / soft off operation this way. You must set the
Hi level/Low level switch to Low level position in
this case.
In the case that there is no remote voltage available
from the car stereo or you want to simplify the
installation, the amplifier can be turned on/ turned
off by the high level input voltage. This is done
when the Hi level/Low level switch is set to Hi level
position. There is a small disadvantage that this
function gives soft turn off operation but some plop
sound when switching off.

Connect the battery cable to the +12 Volt terminal
on the amplifier.
A cable up to AWG 4 fits directly in the amplifier +
12 V terminal, tighten with the hex screw.
Be sure to use a rubber grommet or a plastic
insulating tube where the cable passes the firewall
or other places when it can easily be jammed.
Use wire ties to secure to existing cables in the engine
room.

Protect
(Red)

Power
(Green)

Ground Terminal ( GND )

Connect the fuse holder as close to the vehicle
battery + as possible, using AWG4 = 21 mm2 or
heavier cable. Use ring crimp terminal cable to
connect to battery +. Apply silicon grease to the
fuse to prevent corrosion. Use an ANL fuse holder
like the DLS FH2B with fuse value 100 A if you
use the AWG4 cable. If you load the amplifier
down to 1 ohm you should increase cable size to
AWG2 = 33 mm2, and use 150 A ANL fuse.

+12V REM GND

+12V REM GND

DLS

DLS FH2B
ANL fuse holder

Battery
+ pole

+12V REM GND

Important

Use either the low level or the high level input, do
not use both at same time.

Low level input

Use a pair of shielded stereo audio cables with RCA
type jack. Most trunk-mount amplifiers need a 20
feet RCA cable ( appr 5 – 6 meters). Most under the
seat installations require 12
feet ( 2 – 3 meters) RCA
cables. Avoid placing the RCA
cable close to speaker cables,
power cables and remote
control cable. Connect to in­put socket A & B.

High Level Input

Connect left and right speaker wires coming from
the car stereo to the high level input as shown. You
must connect both plus and minus as the inputs are
balanced, connecting plus only gives lower level and
bad sound quality. By changing the polarity of plus
and minus, you can change the phase.

Hi level input plug on amp.

Automatic turn on when using high level input.

With the Hi/Low input swich set to Hi, the amplifier turns
on automatically on high input. You dont need to connect
a separate remote wire from your head unit.

When using High Level input:

Set the switch to position ”Hi / Level”

When using Low level input:

Set the switch to position ”Low / Level”
If the switch is set to wrong
position, the amplifier still
works, but the risk for
disturbances or distortion
increases.

Input and controls

5

Input Level control

Subsonic filter

The Subsonic filter blocks the very
deepest frequencies from reaching the
subwoofers. It has a variable frequency
from 15 to 50 Hz. A typical setting is
25-30 Hz.

Low Pass Filter

The LPF ( low pass filter ) allow low
frequencies only and blocks higher
frequencies. A typical setting is 60 – 80
Hz. Choose the setting that sounds best
in your car.

Phase control

The phase control can be set
continuously from 0 - 180 degrees. This
is very useful when you want to adjust
the bass sound for best front stage image.
Start on 0 and turn the control slowly
clockwise until you experience the bass
sound coming from the front.

You may have to change the polarity of
the speaker connection to get the best
result.

High Input

White : A ch.+
White/Black : A ch.­Grey/Black : B ch.­Grey : Bch.+

Input Wiring

Inputs may be low level from the RCA output of the
car stereo or high level from the car stereo speaker
output.Low level = RCA is to prefer for the best sound
quality.

X-D11

Subsonic

15Hz 50Hz

LPF

15Hz 150Hz

The input level control, 5V – 0,15 V,
matches the output of your radio to the
input of the amplifier. After installation
is complete, make sure the input of the
amplifier is turned down all the way (
counter-clockwise at 5V ). Play a tape
or CD, make sure all bass or treble
settings or equalizer are flat, and turn
the volume of the radio up until you
just start to hear distortion. Turn the
volume control down just a bit. On the
amplifier increase the input level control
( clockwise or to the right ) until you just
start to hear distortion, then back the
level control just a bit. Now your radio
and amplifier levels are matched.

Level

5 V 0,15 V

Phase

0o180

o

Hi / Level

Low / Level

X-D11

Bass boost control is used to set

the bass volume. You can select the
amplification between 0 dB and +18
dB at a 45 Hz center frequency.
This function is used to compensate
for the bass box function and to adjust
for your own taste of bass. Set level
control at 0 dB if you want it to be
inoperative.

Bass boost control on X-D11

RCA Output

Use RCA Outputs to
connect additional
amplifiers.

Ouput Input

AA

B

B

Single amplifier system

You can fine tune your bass level
from the front of your car. Connect
the external bass level control box to
the remote socket on the rear panel.

Remote Bass boost control

Bass Level

Remote

Testing

Before you finish the installation, you should do the
following tests to make sure the wiring is correct
and everything is operating properly.

Test power wiring

1. Turn on the head unit but do not turn up the
volume. The amplifier power light should
come on. If not, check the remote and +12
volt wires. Also check the ground
connection.

2. Turn up the head units volume slightly. All
speakers should operate. if not, check
wiring connections at amplifier and
speakers.

The Subsonic filter at 25-30 Hz and the LPF filter
setting at 60-80 Hz.

Filter settings

From low level
output of head unit

To input of
additional amps.

Reconnect Battery

When wiring is complete,
reconnect the battery
negative terminal.

NOTE!
Minimum speaker load is one (1) ohm. You can
connect four 4 ohm subwoofers or two 2 ohm
subwoofers to the amplifier. Loads or speaker
impedances less than 1 ohm could result in poor
sound quality and/or damage to amplifier.

6

Master / Slave switch
must be set to Master

Connection of DC-input and Remote level control,
see page 7.

Bass
Boost

0 dB 18 dB

Subsonic

15Hz 50Hz

LPF

15Hz 150Hz

X-D11

Bridging two amplifiers

Remote bass
boost control.

To Remote on
head unit

GROUND

Battery

Fuse

Distribu­tion block

Power Cap

You can connect t two X-D11 in
bridge mode.
One of the amplifiers is ”Master”
that controls the signal to the
second amplifier that should be
used in ”Slave” position. The sig­nal is fed through the Data link
connector. Connect the
amplifiers as in the drawings
below.

Master slave selector & Data link
connection

Data
Link

From line output
of head unit

Bridged

mode

Master

Slave

Bridged

mode

Master

Slave

Bridged

mode

Master

Slave

Bridged switch:
Slave position

Bridged switch:
Master position

Connection of DC-input (to both amplifiers) and Remote sub level
control (to Master amplifier).

7

Connecting two X-D11 in bridge mode will double
the output power. Minimum speaker load is then 2
ohms. The output power with a 4 ohm load is 1500
Watts, and with 2 ohm load 2000 Watts. The RCA
signal must be connected only to the amplifer set
to run as ”Master”.

- The filters as well as the level control is only
working on the ”Master” amplifier.

- Bridging two amplifiers can be done only
between amplifiers of the same model.

Modular 4-pole cable to connect
between Data Link sockets

Speaker impedance: 4 ohm/2 ohm

NOISE PROBLEMS

WHINING NOISE VARYING WITH ENGINE
REVOLUTIONS:

Do this:

1. Rewire the power supply (12 V) to source

unit direct from battery.

2. Rewire ground wire from source unit to
clean position on chassis.

3. Check all power connections to ensure that

they are clean and tight.

4. Check quality of system ground connection.

5. Install a Power Cap capacitor. This can be

helpful against most noise problems.

CONSTANT WHINING NOISE:

Do this:

1. Ensure that all equipment has a common

ground point.

2. Check quality of earth strap connection from

battery negative terminal to chassis.

3. Disconnect signal cables from amplifier to

see if noise disappears. If so the leads are
picking up noise. Test this by laying a new
cable over the seats and reconnecting to the
amplifier. If the noise does not return, re­route original cable away from source of
interference.
If noise remains regardless of cable position,
try to use so called Quasi-balanced signal
cables. DLS PRO or ULTIMATE cables are
quasibalanced.

SPEAKER POLARITY CHECK.

All speakers in a car audio system should be
connected in phase (the same polarity). All spea­ker cones must move in the same direction. Out of
phase speakers will cause a lack of bass, and a
poor stereo soundstage.

Checking polarity:

Hold the - connection of the speaker wire to the ­terminal of a 1,5 Volt flashlight battery. Tap the +
wire on to the + terminal of the battery, and observe
the movement of the cone. The cone should move
outwards when the wire touches the battery, and
inwards when the battery is removed. If it is the
other way around, the speaker has been connected
backwards and it must be removed and connected
correctly.
If your system also has a subwoofer connected
through a passive 6 or 12 dB crossover, try to
connect this with various polarity and judge what
sounds best. The phase shift in passive crossovers
sometimes makes it necessary to change polarity.

+

-

+

-

Battery
1,5 Volt

Professional Tip:Professional Tip:

Professional Tip: Professional Tip:

Installing in trunk

When installing the amplifier in the trunk, run the
power wires along the same path as the other
vehicle wiring. Many cars have insulated channels
for wiring. you will have to remove the door sill trim
and the carpet.

Securing wires

Use wire ties to bundle together when possible.
(But never bundle speaker wires or signal cables
together with power wires.

Professional Tip:

Professional Tip:

Speaker and power wires

Do not run speaker and power wires next to each
other. Power wires can generate a ”siren” sound in
the speakers. Runs speaker and power wires on
opposite sides of the car.

Crimp connections

Purchase crimp connectors and crimping tool.
Connectors are color coded.

1. Strip 1/4 inch (6 mm) of insulation from the wire.

2. Insert into connector

3. Crimp tightly

8

X-D11

DLS Svenska AB - 2008-08-25