Kicker KMA300.4, KMA Series, KMA150.2, KMA450.6 Owner's Manual

KMA

AMPLIFIERS

Owner’s Manual

KMA150.2
KMA300.4
KMA450.6

KMA MULTI-CHANNEL SERIES AMPLIFIERS
OWNER’S MANUAL

MODEL: KMA150.2 | KMA300.4 | KMA450.6

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING

PROLONGED CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF AN AMPLIFIER, SPEAKER, OR SUBWOOFER IN
A DISTORTED, CLIPPED OR OVER-POWERED MANNER CAN CAUSE YOUR AUDIO SYSTEM
TO OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY CATCHING FIRE AND RESULTING IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO YOUR
COMPONENTS AND/OR VEHICLE. AMPLIFIERS REQUIRE UP TO 4 INCHES (10CM) OPEN
VENTILATION. SUBWOOFERS SHOULD BE MOUNTED WITH AT LEAST 1 INCH (2.5CM) CLEARANCE
BETWEEN THE FRONT OF THE SPEAKER AND ANY SURFACE.

PERFORMANCE

Model: KMA150.2 KMA300.4 KMA450.6

RMS Power
@ 14.4V, 4Ω stereo, ≤ 1% THD+N
@ 14.4V, 2Ω stereo, ≤ 1% THD+N
@ 14.4V, 4Ω mono, ≤ 1% THD+N

Length [in, cm] 8-1/16, 20.4 12-7/16, 31.5 13-15/16, 35.3

Height [in, cm] 2-5/16, 5.9 2-5/16, 5.9 2-5/16, 5.9

Width [in, cm] 7-1/8, 18 7-1/8, 18 7-1/8, 18

Remote Level No No Yes

Specifi cations common to all models:

Frequency Response ± 1dB 10Hz-20kHz

Signal-to-noise Ratio >95dB, A-weighted, re: rated power

Input Sensitivity Low: 125mV-5V, High: 250mV-10V
Electronic Crossover 150.2 & 300.4: Off, Variable HP & LP 50–200Hz, 12dB/octave slope

KickEQ™ Bass Boost 0-12dB @ 40Hz (450.6 AMP 3)

40 x 2
75 x 2
150 x 1

450.6: Amps 1 & 2 - Variable HP 0–200Hz, 12dB/octave slope;
Amp 3 - Off, Variable HP & LP 50–200Hz. 12dB/octave slope

40 x 4
75 x 4
150 x 2

40 x 6
75 x 6
150 x 3

INSTALLATION

Mounting: Choose a dry, structurally sound location to mount your KICKER amplifi er. Make sure there
are no items behind the area where the screws will be driven. Choose a location that allows at least 4”
(10cm) of open ventilation for the amplifi er. Drill four holes using a 7/64” (3mm) bit and use the supplied
#8 screws to mount the amplifi er.

Wiring: The KMA amplifi er’s RCA inputs will receive either high or low level signals from your car stereo’s
source unit. A high-level signal can be run from the source unit’s speaker outputs to the stereo RCA input
on the end panel of the amplifi er using the KICKER KISL as shown (see page 3). Alternatively, the signal
can be delivered to the amplifi er using the low-level RCA outputs on the source unit. Keep the audio
signal cable away from factory wiring harnesses and other power wiring. If you need to cross this wiring,
cross it at a 90 degree angle.

2

source unit
high-level speaker
outputs

+

core conductor

to amplifi er

OR

KICKER KISL (optional)

–

Install a fuse within 7” (18cm) of the battery and in-line with the power cable connected to your amplifi er.

Model External Fuse

(sold separately)

KMA150.2 1 x 40 Ampere 8 Gauge PK8, CK8

KMA300.4 1 x 60 Ampere 4 Gauge PK4, CK4

KMA450.6 1 x 80 Ampere 4 Gauge PK4, CK4

shield

from source unit high­level speaker outputs

Power/Ground Wire KICKER Wiring Kit

to amplifi er

POWER WIRING

Amplifi er uses 304-stainless steel
screws and conformal coated PCB

ABYC-compliant power terminals

for increased weather resistance

aluminum bottom
plate

external fuse

remote turn-on (see page 6)

≤7”

(18cm)

12V

battery

3

STEREO OPERATION

minimum impedance of 2 ohm

(KMA450.6 shown)

STEREO-AND-MONO-SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATION

minimum impedance of 4 ohms bridged (mono) and 2 ohm per channel stereo

BRIDGED OPERATION (STEREO & MONO)

minimum impedance of 4 ohms

4

For multiple amplifi er installations where distribution blocks are used, each amplifi er should have its
proper-rated fuse, or breaker, installed between the amplifi er and the distribution block within seven inches
of the block, or on the distribution block if it provides for fusing. The primary power wire should also be
fused between the battery and distribution block, within seven inches of the battery’s B+ terminal, with
a fuse or breaker rated at least to the sum of the individual amplifi er’s fuse values, but not to exceed

1.5-times the sum of the individual fuse values (not to exceed the ampacity of the thermal insulation of the
wiring as shown in U.S.C.G. CFR33 183.425, Table 5). See the diagram below.

NOTE: Seven inches is the standard distance under U.S. Coast Guard CFR33 for placement of fuses or
breakers as required by law for new boat manufacturing. We recommend trying to adhere to this standard
in a consumer installation. Failure to do so does not mean you are breaking the law, but it does put the
safety of your boat and passengers at risk in the event of a power wire short circuit.

battery

12V

≤7”

(18cm)

external
fuse

≤7”

(18cm)

external
fuse

to amplifi er

to amplifi er

power distribution block

≤7”

(18cm)

KICKER will now provide a three-year warranty with all KXA­Series Amplifi er purchases paired with a qualifying KICKER
Installation Kit* .

This extends the standard warranty by an additional year. Amplifi er and Kit must be
purchased from an Authorized KICKER Dealer.

KICKER KMA amplifi er success is currently at an unheard-of rate, making the extended
warranty program even more benefi cial to you.

Using poor-quality, under-spec wiring kits will impede KMA amplifi er performance.

A superior-quality KICKER installation Kit is guaranteed to extend the life of KMA amplifi ers.

The new extended warranty applies only to KICKER amplifi ers and accessories sold to consumers by Authorized
KICKER Dealers in the United States of America or its possessions. It also only applies to the original purchaser
of KICKER amplifi ers and accessories. One warranty extension per amplifi er is allowed regardless of the number
of amplifi er installation kits purchased. This program does not apply to “B”-stock product or factory-refurbished
product.

external
fuse

This offer is for a limited time, so see your local Authorized KICKER Dealer soon for details.

*U.S.A. Only | EE.UU. solamente | Nur USA | Les USA Seulement

5

OPERATION

REMOTE LEVEL not available with KMA150.2 and KMA300.4

Automatic Turn-On Selection: The KMA series offers two different automatic turn-on modes that can
be selected on the end panel; +12V and DC Offset. Using the DC Offset mode causes the REM wire to
have +12V out for turning on additional amplifi ers.

• Remote Turn-On: Set the switch to +12V to use the remote turn-on lead from your source unit. Run
18 gauge wire from the Remote Turn-On Lead on your source unit to the blue REM wire on KEY
amplifi er’s wiring harness. This is the preferred automatic turn-on method.

• If 12V remote turn-on is not available, DC Offset turn-on can be used if speaker-level (high-level)
audio inputs are being used. The DC offset mode detects a 6V DC offset on the speaker wires when
the source unit has been turned on.

Input Level: The RCA inputs on KICKER KMA amplifi ers are capable of receiving either Hi or Low-level
signals from your source unit. If you are using a Hi-Level signal, simply press in the Input Level switch on
the amplifi er. Refer to the wiring section of this manual for additional instructions.

Crossover Control: The variable crossover on the side of the amplifi er allows you to adjust the
crossover frequency of AMP3 (KMA450.6 only) to OFF, hi-pass, or lo-pass from 50–200Hz, and the hi­pass crossover frequency of AMP1 & AMP2 from OFF-200Hz. OFF will pass a full-range signal, HI will cut
off frequencies below a threshold, and LO will cut off frequencies above a threshold.

Input Gain Control: The input gain control is not a volume control. It matches the output of the source
unit to the input level of the amplifi er. Turn the source unit up to about 3/4 volume (if the source unit goes
to 30, turn it to 25). Next, slowly turn (clockwise) the gain on the amplifi er up until you can hear audible
distortion, then turn it down a little.

Bass Boost Control: The variable bass boost control on the side of the amplifi er is designed to give you
increased output, 0–12dB, at 40Hz. The setting for this control is subjective. If you turn it up, you must
readjust the input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifi er.

Remote Level KMARC (KMA450.6): With the included KMARC remote level control, you have the
ability to control the output level of the amplifi er remotely. To surface-mount the KMARC remote level
control, simply screw the remote to the chosen location, then run the cable from the controller to the
“Remote” jack on the amplifi er panel. See page 7 for installation.

6

KMARC REMOTE LEVEL INSTALLATION

KMA450.6 only

Surface-mount the KMARC
remote using the supplied screws.

back view

Remote cable passes audio; do
not run cable parallel to power
wires.

Connect the cable to the KMARC remote and the Remote
connection on the amplifi er

TROUBLESHOOTING

If your amplifi er does not appear to be working, check the obvious things fi rst such as blown fuses, poor
or incorrect wiring connections, incorrect setting of crossover switch and gain controls, etc. There are
Power (PWR) & Protection (PRT) LEDs on the side panel of your Kicker KMA series amplifi er. Depending
on the state of the amplifi er and the vehicle’s charging system, the LEDs will glow either green or red.
When the green LED is lit, this indicates the amplifi er is turned on and no trouble exists.

Green LED off, no output? With a Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) check the following: +12 volt power
terminal (should read +12V to +16V) Remote turn-on terminal (should read +12V to +16V) Check
for reversed power and ground connections Ground terminal, for proper conductivity.

Green LED on, no output? Check the following: RCA connections Test speaker outputs with a
“known” good speaker. Substitute source unit with a “known” good source unit. Check for a signal
in the RCA cable feeding the amplifi er with the VOM meter set to measure “AC” voltage.

Red LED fl ickering with loud music? The red LED indicates low battery voltage. Check all the
connections in your boat’s charging system. It may be necessary to replace or charge your battery or
replace your alternator.

Red LED on, no output? Amplifi er is very hot = thermal protection is engaged. Test for proper
impedance at the speaker terminals with a VOM meter (see the diagrams in this manual for minimum
recommended impedance and multiple speaker wiring suggestions). Also check for adequate airfl ow
around the amplifi er. Amplifi er shuts down only while your boat is running = voltage protection circuitry
is engaged. Voltage to the amplifi er is not within the 10–16 volt operating range. Have the boat’s charging
and electrical system inspected. Amplifi er will only play at low volume levels = short circuit protection
is engaged. Check for speaker wires shorted to each other. Check for damaged speakers or speaker(s)
operating below the minimum recommended impedance.

7

No or low output? Check the balance control on source unit Check the RCA (or speaker input)

and speaker output connections. Check for reversed polarity at the speaker(s)

Alternator noise-whining sound with engine’s RPM? Check for damaged RCA (or speaker input)
cable Check the routing of RCA (or speaker input) cable Check the source unit for proper grounding

Check the gain settings and turn them down if they are set too high.



Ground Noise? KICKER amplifi ers are engineered to be fully compatible with all manufacturers’ head
units. Some head units may require additional grounding to prevent noise from entering the audio signal.

CAUTION: When jump starting the battery, be sure that connections made with jumper cables are
correct. Improper connections can result in blown amplifi er fuses as well as the failure of other critical
systems in the boat.

KMA150.2

40 x 2 @ 4 ohms, 14.4VDC, 1% THD, CEA-2006B (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -75dB CEA-2006B (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

KMA300.4

40 x 4 @ 4 ohms, 14.4VDC, 1% THD, CEA-2006B (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -75dB CEA-2006B (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

KMA450.6

40 x 6 @ 4 ohms, 14.4VDC, 1% THD, CEA-2006B (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -75dB CEA-2006B (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

8

Check out the collection of marine amplifiers we offer.