Kicker KQ5 Owner's Manual

KQ5

PREAMP EQUALIZER

Features & Controls

Congratulations! You have just purchased the one of latest products
in signal processing technology to carry the famous KICKER name.
Your KICKER KQ5 is designed and built to give you years of trouble­free performance. This installation manual contains valuable informa­tion on how to get the most out of your new KQ5 Preamp equalizer.
Thanks for buying KICKER. Enjoy!

Virtually any car stereo system will benefit from the addition of a Kicker KQ5
Preamp/Equalizer. The built-in preamplifier stage raises the signal level of your
head unit before sending it on to the amplifier(s). This reduces the noise floor of
your system and increases the dynamic range. The equalizer portion of the
Kicker KQ5 has five bands carefully placed across the audible spectrum to allow
you to boost or cut specific frequencies and fine-tune your system’s perform­ance. Each band has a control which moves its center frequency up and down to
precisely target the portion of the music you wish to control. Each band also has
a control that allows you to boost or cut information at the chosen frequency
up to 12dB.

Other features include illumination in a choice of amber or green, a remote
bass level controller for the Kicker KX amplifiers, dual input capability, front to
rear fader, and clipping indicator lights for input and output. All this housed in an
attractive 1/2 DIN chassis with a fully isolated DC to DC power supply.

Back Panel Features

+12V

Remote Turn-On

Ground

Illumination Selector Switch

Line 2 Input Right

Line 2 Input Left

Line 1 Input Right

Line 1 Input Left

Output Rear Right

Output Rear Left

Output Front Right

Output Front Left

Remote Bass Level

A G

Front Panel Features

Volume/Fader Control

Input Selector

EQ Bypass

Remote Bass Level Control

Bass Controls

Mid Bass Controls

Lower Midrange Controls

Upper Midrange Controls

High Frequency Controls

Wiring Configurations

The KICKER KQ5 goes in the signal chain between the head unit(s) and the sys­tem’s amplifiers. The most basic connection will be with one source unit and one
amplifier:

+
+

+
+

When only one source unit is used it doesn’t matter which set of input jacks

are used. Just make sure the input selector switch on the KQ5 front panel is in
the correct position(in for Line 2 input, out for Line 1 input). Likewise, if only one
set of RCA cables are run to your amplifier(s), make sure the Fader Control is
turned to the direction that gives you output to the jacks being used (clockwise
for rear, counter-clockwise for front).

2

Variable Frequency Ranges

Band 1 (40-90Hz) Cut/Boost - 12dB/12dB
Band 2 (125-250Hz) Input Sensitivity - 950mV-6V
Band 3 (300-750Hz) Output Voltage - 7.0Vrms
Band 4 (1-4kHz) Signal-to-Noise Ratio - >95dB
Band 5 (6-20kHz)

Specifications

fm
Stereo
DX

100.5KIKR

.

man

RCA's OUT

REMOTE

L

FRONT

TURN-ON

REMOTE

BATTERY

OUTPUT

REAR

LINE 1

INPUT

LINE 2

GROUND

REMOTE TURN-ON

18"

or less

+12V

+12V

FUSE

R
L

R
L

R
L

R

GROUND

GROUND

-

R
R+

L

-

L+

INPUT

SPEAKERS

3

fm

+
+

+
+

Additional Wiring Configurations:

If you are using a source unit that does not have RCA jacks, a Line Level
Converter must be connected between the speaker output leads and the KQ5.
This is to prevent damage to the source unit.

Stereo
DX

100.5KIKR

.

man

SPEAKER LEADS

LINE LEVEL
CONVERTER

TURN-ON

REMOTE

FRONT

OUTPUT

REAR

LINE 1

INPUT

LINE 2

GROUND

REMOTE TURN-ON

REMOTE

OUT

L
R

L
R

IN

L
R

L
R

+12V

GROUND

GROUND

-

R
R+

INPUT

L

-

SPEAKERS

L+

+12V

BATTERY

18"

or less

FUSE

4

Your KQ5 has two different inputs, marked Line 1 and Line 2. The source units
can be just about any kind of units normally found in a car stereo system; video,
video game, minidisc, portable CD, factory radio or aftermarket stereos with or
without cassette or CD. This allows the use of two source units in a system.
Separate gain controls allow for level matching of both source units in order to
prevent hearing or speaker damage.

Using Two Source Units:

fm

+
+

+
+

Stereo
DX
man

.

RCA's OUT

CD/DVD

fm
Stereo
DX
man.

Cassette

RCA's OUT

FRONT

OUTPUT

REAR

LINE 1

INPUT

LINE 2

GROUND

REMOTE TURN-ON

REMOTE

L

R

L

R

L

R

L

R

+12V

GROUND

-

R
R+

INPUT

L

-

L+

+12V

BATTERY

5

Using Front and Rear Outputs:

When used in systems with separate amplifier channel for the front and rear
speakers, run two sets of RCA cables from the KQ5 to the amplifiers. This will
allow the use of the built-in fader.

fm

+
+

+
+

+
+

+
+

Stereo
DX

100.5KIKR

.

man

RCA's OUT

TURN-ON

REMOTE

BATTERY

REMOTE

L

FRONT

R

OUTPUT

L

REAR

R
L

LINE 1

R

INPUT

L

LINE 2

R

GROUND

REMOTE TURN-ON

+12V

+12V

GROUND

FRONT REAR

-

R
R+

L

-

L+

INPUT

-

R
R+

INPUT

-

L
L+

Using the Remote Bass Level Control in the KQ5:

If you are using a KICKER KX amplifier that has a Remote Bass Level Control
jack, the amplifier can be controlled from the KQ5. Just plug the phone cable
(supplied with the amplifier) into the back of the KQ5 and plug the other end
into the input jack on the amplifier. This eliminates the need to dash mount the
Remote Bass Level Control knob. The knob labeled REMOTE now controls the KX
amplifier(normally this controls the sub bass level). The RCA output jacks shown
below are not available on the KX.3, KX.4 and KX.5 amplifiers. Not all KX amplifiers
come with a Remote Bass Level Control. Check with your Authorized KICKER
Dealer for availability.

NNote:: TThis control is still compaatible with the RRGGXX module
in the ZZRR aamplifiers,, IImpulse 440055d aamplifier,, aand the
IImpulse x33i crossover..

+
+

+
+

+
+

+
+

+
+

+
+

6

fm
Stereo
DX

100.5KIKR

.

man

RCA's OUT

TURN-ON

REMOTE

FRONT

OUTPUT

REAR

LINE 1

INPUT

LINE 2

GROUND

REMOTE TURN-ON

REMOTE

L
R

L
R

L
R

L
R

+12V

GROUND

+12V

BATTERY

FRONT REAR

R

-

R+

-

R
R+

INPUT

L

-

L+

INPUT

-

L
L+

SUB

-

R
R+

INPUT

L

-

L+

There are two basic mounting
options for your KICKER KQ5. One is to
mount under the dash with the sup­plied brackets, the other is to cut a
hole through a suitable panel in the
dash for a built-in look. If you choose
the in-dash mounting method, be
careful to cut the right size hole for
the best appearance. Also take care not
to let your KQ5 and/or its cables inter­fere with other in-dash components.

Some dash kit manufacturers make a
special kit, for some vehicle models,
that allows the installation of the KQ5
with a DIN head unit. Check with your
local KICKER dealer for detailed infor­mation.

ADJUSTING AND USING THE KICKER KQ5 PREAMP/EQUALIZER

Once all the wiring connections are made according to the system diagram
which suits your configuration, the gain controls on your KQ5 and your amplifi­er(s) must be matched using the following procedure.

1. Turn the gain controls on your amplifier(s) all the way down.

2. Turn the volume control on the KQ5 all the way up.

3. Disconnect the remote lead to all amps, then turn on power to the system.

4. Turn up the volume control on source unit to 90% of maximum or until the
input clip light starts to flash.

5. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, turn up the gain controls on the top of
the KQ5 for the selected input source until the output clip light starts to
flash.

Note: If two different source units are used, repeat steps 4 & 5 for the other
source unit, making sure the input selector switch is in the correct position for
each source.

6. Turn the volume control on the KQ5 all the way down.

7. Reconnect the remote leads to amps.

8. Turn the volume control on the KQ5 up to the desired listening level.

The KQ5 will have enough output to run most amplifiers to full power even
when the amplifier gain controls are in the minimum position. If the amplifier
doesn’t seem to make full power then its gain control may be turned up slightly
to reach the desired level. Remember that the gain control on an amplifier is a
matching device. The lowest setting the will allow it to make full power is always
the best for sound quality, low noise and reliability.

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• Damage due to improper installation

• Subsequent damage to other components

• Damage caused by exposure to moisture,
excessive heat, chemical cleaners, and/or UV
radiation

• Damage through negligence, misuse, accident
or abuse. Repeated returns for the same
damage may be considered abuse.

• Any cost or expense related to the removal or
reinstallation of product

• Speakers damaged due to amplifier clipping or
distortion

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Kicker strives to maintain a goal of 24-hour service for all returns. Delays may be incurred

lif lack of replacement inventory or parts is encountered.

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY

Contact your International Kicker dealer or distributor concerning specific

procedures for your country’s warranty policies.

P.O. Box 459 • Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076 • U.S.A. • 405 624-8510

• Items previously repaired or modified by any
unauthorized repair facility

• Return shipping on non-defective items

• Products with tampered or missing barcode labels

• Products returned without a Return Authorization
(RMA) number

• Freight Damage

• The cost of shipping product to Kicker

• Service performed by anyone other than Kicker

• Speaker with any foreign caulk used for gasket
material

KICKER drivers are capable of producing sound levels that can permanently
damage your hearing! Turning up a system to a level that has audible distor­tion is more damaging to your ears than listening to an undistorted system at
the same volume level. The threshold of pain is always an indicator that the
sound level is too loud and may permanently damage your hearing.
Please use common sense when controlling volume!

WARNING:

ELECTRONICS LIMITED WARRANTY

Kicker warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use

for a period of THREE (3) MONTHS from date of original purchase. When purchased from and installed
by an Authorized KICKER Dealer it is warranted for TWO (2) YEARS from date of original purchase, or
ONE (1) YEAR from date of original purchase if purchased from but not installed by an Authorized KICK­ER Dealer. If the product is labeled “B Stock” and purchased from an Authorized KICKER Dealer, it is war­ranted for ONE (1) YEAR from date of purchase, regardless of place of installation. Should service be nec­essary under this warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction during the war­ranty period, Kicker will replace or repair (at its discretion) the defective merchandise with equivalent
merchandise at no charge. Warranty replacements on “B-Stock” merchandise may have cosmetic scratch­es and blemishes. Discontinued products may be replaced with more current equivalent products.

This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and is not extended to owners of the product

subsequent to the original purchaser. Any applicable implied warranties are limited in duration to a period
of the express warranty as provided herein beginning with the date of the original purchase at retail, and
no warranties, whether express or implied, shall apply to this product thereafter. Some states do not
allow limitations on implied warranties, therefore these exclusions may not apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights; however you may have other rights that vary from state to

state.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED WARRANTY OR SERVICE

Defective merchandise must be returned to your local Authorized Stillwater Designs (Kicker) Dealer for
warranty. Assistance in locating an Authorized Dealer can be obtained by writing or calling Stillwater
Designs direct. You can confirm that a dealer is authorized by asking to see a current authorized dealer
window decal.

If it becomes necessary for you to return defective merchandise, call the Kicker Customer Service
Department at [phone] for a Return Authorization (RMA) number. Package all defective items in the
original container or in a package that will prevent shipping damage, and return to

Stillwater Designs, 5021 North Perkins Road, Stillwater, OK 74075

The RMA number must be clearly marked on the outside of the package. Return only defective compo­nents. Return of entire cabinets, system packs, pairs, etc. increases your return freight charges. Non­defective items received will be returned freight collect.

Include a dated proof-of-purchase stating the Customer name, Dealer name, product purchased
and date of purchase. Warranty expiration on items without proof-of-purchase will be determined from
type of sale and the manufacturing date code. Freight must be prepaid; items received freight collect will
be refused.

Failure to follow these steps may void your warranty. Any questions can be directed to the Kicker
Customer Service Department at [phone].

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?

This warranty is valid only if the product is used for the purpose for which it was designed.

It does not cover:

August 2002