Kicker IX254, IX404, IX704 Owner's Manual

Congratulations! You have just purchased one of the latest in a long line of
exceptional car audio power amplifiers from Stillwater Designs. Your KICKER
Impulse was designed and engineered by the same team which created
many other international award winning KICKER components like the ZR, ZX,
and XS-Series amps. It contains a number of cutting-edge features to give
you outstanding performance

Thanks for buying KICKER. Enjoy.

KICKER IMPULSE AMPLIFIER FEATURES

A set of RCA output jacks on your KICKER Impulse four-channel amplifier allows you to
build multiple amplifier systems without using RCA splitter cords to distribute the signal.
Now it is simply a matter of bringing one set of RCA cables into the first amplifier, then
using the output RCA jacks as a feed to the next amplifier. A rear channel input switch
allows four-channel output operation from either one or two inputs.

Amplifiers are stable at 2 Ohms stereo and as low as 4 Ohms in mono.

Input connections are included for high and low level signals for use with radios that
have either RCA or speaker level outputs.

An electronic crossover is built in for convenience and allows you to select high pass for
satellite speakers, low pass for subwoofers, or bypass for full range operation. In full range
configuration the KICKER Impulse amplifiers will operate stereo and mono and at the same
time.

Auto-resetting short circuit and overthermal protection circuits are incorporated to pro­tect the amplifier from failure due to extreme conditions.

State of the art circuit including MOSFET power supply and glass epoxy circuit boards
are used to ensure many years of trouble free operation.

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IX254, IX404, IX704

Four-Channel Power Amplifier

2

Wiring Instructions

The preferred method of bringing input signal in to the amplifier is with RCA cables
from a quality tape or CD player. A high (speaker) level input signal may also be used if your
factory deck or aftermarket source does not have low level RCA jacks. Regardless of which
input is used the output RCA jacks on your KICKER Impulse amplifier will provide a low level
signal for multiple amplifier configurations.

Some of the system possibilities are shown in the System Diagrams section of this man­ual.

When working with power connections always hook up the ground wire first and discon­nect the ground wire last. Never make any wiring changes with the amplifier powered up.

The chassis mounted fuse(s) are in place to protect the circuitry of the amplifier in the
event of major trouble. An in-line fuse must be installed within 18 inches of the battery to
protect the power wire used to supply current to the amplifier. This fuse has to be at least
as high of a value as the amplifier is supplied with. In-line fuse and recommended wire size
are as follows:

IX 254 10Ga 10A fuse

IX 404 8Ga 30 A fuse

IX 704 4Ga 60A fuse

Any time that power wire goes through a metal panel such as the firewall, or if there is
any chance of abrasion, it is necessary to use a grommet or other suitable form of protec­tion to avoid shorts.

The ground wire should be as short as possible and attached to the body of the vehicle.
The ground point must be free from paint and corrosion. Use the same size wire for
ground connection as is used for power.

Mounting the IMPULSE Amplifier

After determining an appropriate mounting location
which provides good air circulation and access to the end
panel controls, use the supplied screws and washers to
firmly mount the amplifier. The amplifier chassis can be
used as a template for the screw locations. Check to
make sure that the mounting screws will not damage any
components on the back side of the chosen mounting
surface.

If a vertical mounting surface is chosen, we recom­mend that the heatsink fins run vertically as shown for
improved cooling.

For chassis isolation and to prevent engine noise from
entering your system, it is important to use the plastic
stepped washers and rubber isolators when mounting
this amplifier.

3

Input Options for the IMPULSE Four-Channel Amplifiers

The Rear Input Selector switch allows you to select one or two inputs
(low level or high level).

Input Option 1: Using One Pair of RCA Cables

Input Option 2: Using Two Pairs of RCA Cables

Input Option 3: Using Stereo Pair of High Level Inputs

Input Option 4: Using Two Stereo Pairs of High Level Inputs

Set to 'ON' for
4 channel output
from single input

SOURCE RCA INPUTS

Set to 'OFF' for

4 channel output

SOURCE RCA INPUTS

from two inputs

+

L

-

­+

R

HIGH LEVEL INPUT

Set to 'ON' for
4 channel output
from single input

+

LF

-

­+

RF

HIGH LEVEL INPUT

Set to 'OFF' for

4 channel output

from two inputs

+

RR

-

­+

LR

HIGH LEVEL INPUT