Kicker KX600.1, KX400.1, KX1200.1 Owner's Manual

KX400.1 / KX600.1 / KX1200.1

Congratulations! You have just purchased the latest in amplifier tech­nology to carry the famous KICKER name. Your KICKER KX series
amplifier is designed and built to give you years of powerful and trou­ble-free performance. This installation manual contains valuable infor­mation on how to get the most out of your new KX series amplifier.
Thanks for buying KICKER. Enjoy!

KX Amplifier Features

NEW for 2002 Radically advanced chassis with removable chassis shroud.
Class D Mono Amplifier Delivers Massive power into a single channel

big current draw.
Low Impedance Operation Stable into 2 ohm (KX400.1,KX600.1) or

1 ohm (KX1200.1).

SORT Protection Circuitry (Short circuit, Over-voltage, Reverse polarity,
Thermal) Protects amplifier from accidents and undesired operation.

MOSFET Power Supply Provides high efficiency operation.
KickBass Variable bass boost circuit which provides up to 18 dB of boost at 40

Hz.

Full-time Variable Crossover 12dB lowpass variable from 50-200Hz.
Subsonic Filter Defeatable 12dB at 25 Hz.
High & Low level inputs Allows connection to various sources such as: after-

market stereo, factory radio, DVD Player, Video Cassette Player, etc..
PAST (Pre Amp Signal Transfer) Output RCA jacks to pass the incoming signal to

another amplifier or component.
Custom tooled gold plated connectors Assure maximum power transfer

and damping.

Strapping Jacks Allows two amplifiers to be joined to produce
Remote Bass Level Control Dash mounted for maximum control.

Three Year Warranty When

KICKER dealer.

purchased from and installed by

Authorized

without

Double Power

.

Mounting Instructions

When selecting a location to mount your Kicker amplifier be sure it is struc­turally sound and that there are no items behind the area that could be dam­aged by the screws. Check for wiring harnesses, brake lines, fuel lines, gas tanks,
etc.

All amplifiers generate heat under normal operation. Be sure to choose a loca­tion that allows adequate ventilation for the amplifier. Also consider that the air
temperature inside an automobile’s trunk can reach upwards of 140 degrees
fahrenheit. An amplifier mounted here may require additional cooling needs
such as fans or venting to allow cool operation. If possible, mounting the amp in
the passenger compartment will allow cooler operation.

Remember that the controls on top of the amp will need to be accessible for
adjustment later. Keep this in mind as you choose your amplifiers mounting loca­tion.

Now that you are ready to mount your amplifier, use the supplied 3mm allen
wrench to remove the amplifier shroud. This will give you access to the mount­ing holes in the amplifier and all wiring connections.

Remove

Remove

Remove

Remove

With the shroud removed, you now have access to the four mounting holes in
the mounting feet and all wiring connections. Drill 4 holes using a 7/64” drill bit
and use the supplied #8 screws to mount the amplifier.

2

Wiring Instructions

Signal can be input into the amplifier using either the low level RCA input con­nections or the high level speaker level connections. Using the low level RCA
connections is the preferred method. Use the high level inputs only if your head
unit does not have low level RCA type outputs. Connecting to the amp with
either input will provide a low level signal at the output (PAST) jacks.

Left +

Left -

Right -

Right +

Speaker
Outputs

SOURCE UNIT

WARNING-Use Only One...Never Both At The Same Time !!!

L

R

L

R

OFF

ON

SUB
SONIC
FILTER

+ -

SPEAKER OUT

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

+ - - +

INPUT

REMOTE BASS

OUTPUT

AMP STRAPPING

OUT IN

RCA
Outputs

The use of twisted pair interconnects is recommended for all installations to
minimize noise. When routing these cables through the automobile, try to keep
them away from factory wiring harnesses and other power wiring. If you need to
cross any of this wiring do so at a 90 degree angle to reduce the possibility for
noise problems.

When working with power connections it is always recommended that you dis­connect the battery to prevent accidents.

The ground should be connected to the amplifier first before making any of
the other connections. This wire should be as short as possible (24 inches or less)
and connected to a paint/corrosion free solid metal area of the car’s chassis. Use
the same gauge wire as recommended for the amplifiers power connection to
the battery. Adding an additional ground wire between the car battery’s negative
post and the car chassis of this same gauge (or larger) is also recommended.

If you ever need to remove the amp from the vehicle after it has been
installed, the ground wire should be the last wire disconnected from the amplifi­er. Just the opposite as when you installed it.

A fuse must be installed within 18 inches of the battery to protect the power
wire feeding your amplifier. This fuse should be of at least the same value used
in the amplifier but no higher than the capacity of the wire. See the chart below
for wire size and fusing recommendations.

Model Fuse Size Wire Size

KX-400.1 40A 4 GA
KX-600.1 60A 4 GA

KX-1200.1 150A 1/0 GA

3

System Diagrams

The following diagrams show the most common configurations for your Kicker

KX.1 series amplifier.

ONE CHANNEL OPERATION

KX series amplifiers are capable of operating into a minimum impedance of

2 ohm for the KX400.1, KX600.1 and 1 ohm for the KX1200.1.

GROUND

REMOTE

TURN-ON

18"

+12V

or less

FUSE

-

+

BATTERY

L

R

L

R

SONIC
FILTER

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

ON OFF

SUB

+ - - +

INPUT

OUTPUT

AMP STRAPPING

OUT IN

SIGNAL INSIGNAL OUT

+

_

REMOTE BASS

Straapping

+ -

SPEAKER OUT

Two KX.1 Amps(Double Power)

By using a Mono plug (available at Radio Shack) you can run two KX .1 ampli­fiers into one woofer.

Minimum impedaance 4 ohm for KX400.1, KX600.1 and
2 ohm for the KX1200.1. When straapped the Secondaary amplifier controls are
bypaassed.. See Tech.. Brief for more info.. on this configuraation..

Tip Sleeve

SIGNAL IN

AMP STRAPPING

OUT IN

REMOTE

GROUND

3.5mm/ 1/8"
Mono 2 conductor

Primary AMP

TURN-ON

18"

+12V

or less

FUSE

-

-

+

+

BATTERY

Secondary AMP

+

GROUND

_

REMOTE

TURN-ON

18"

+12V

or less

FUSE

-

+

BATTERY

4

USING THE SIGNAL OUTPUT JACKS (PAST)

The Output (Pre Amp Signal Transfer) RCA jacks allow you to send the
incoming signal from one Kicker KX series amplifier to another amplifier or
processor without the need for Y cables. The signal from the PAST jacks is iden­tical to the signal fed to the amplifier via its RCA input jacks or the High Level
inputs and is not affected by the amplifier’s built in crossover.

Most head units with high voltage outputs should be capable of driving up to
ten amplifiers in a chain.

Remote Bass Level Control

When using the Remote Bass Level Control you have the ability to control the
level of the subs from the driver’s seat. To mount the controller simply screw the
metal bracket to the chosen location, then slide the housing onto the bracket
until it snaps into place. Run the cable from the controller to the appropriate
jack on the amplifier chassis.

When using more than one KX.1 amplifiers you have the ability to control all of
them from one Remote Bass Level Control. The adapter is a common Modular
phone splitter found at Radio Shack and is installed between the controller and
the amplifier.

Mounting Surface

REMOTE BASS
LEVEL CONTROL

WARNING-Use Only One...Never Both At The Same Time !!!

Left +

Left -

Right -

Right +

Speaker
Outputs

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

ON

OFF

SUB
SONIC
FILTER

+ - - +

+ -

SPEAKER OUT

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

ON

OFF

SUB
SONIC
FILTER

+ - - +

+ -

SPEAKER OUT

To Next Amplifier

SOURCE UNIT

L

R

L

R

INPUT

OUTPUT

REMOTE BASS

L

R

L

R

INPUT

OUTPUT

REMOTE BASS

AMP STRAPPING

OUT IN

AMP STRAPPING

OUT I

RCA
Outputs

Common Modular
Phone Splitter

N

To Other

Amplifiers

5

Adjusting Amplifier Controls

On your Kicker amplifier there are three rotary controls on top and one switch
on the end panel. These controls ensure the reliability and performance of the
amplifier, so they need to be set correctly.

SUBSONIC FILTER SWITCH

NEVER CHHANGE THE SUBSONIC

The switch located on the end panel next to the RCA jacks is for the subsonic
filter. It is 12db/octave set at 25 Hz. All KX.1 amplifiers come with a full-time
variable lowpass crossover selectable from 50 Hz - 200 Hz.

Subsonic Filter
Switch

SUB
SONIC
FILTER

FILTER SWITCHH SETTING WITH THE SYSTEM ON!

L

R

L

OUTPUT

R

AMP STRAPPING

OUT IN

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

ON

OFF

+ - - +

INPUT

+ -

SPEAKER OUT

REMOTE BASS

BEFORE TURNING ON THE SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME, MAKE SURE THAT

THE THREE ROTARY COONTROLS ON TOP OF THE AMPLIFIER ARE

TURNED FULLY COOUNTER-CLLOCKKWISE!

GAIN CONTROL

Remember, the gain control is not a volume control, it matches the output of
the head unit to the input level of the amplifier and must be adjusted properly
for best performance. All the way up or down is not necessarily the best.
Turn the head unit up to about 3/4 volume. (eg. If the head unit goes to 30,
turn it to 25.) Next, turn (clockwise) the gain on the amplifier up slowly until you
can hear audible distortion, then turn it down just a little.

Crossover Control

Where you set the crossover is very subjective and can be fine tuned to match
your listening preference or speaker requirements.

Bass Boost

The BASS BOOST control is designed to give you increased output at 40 Hz. The
setting for this control is subjective, however, if you turn it up, you must go
back and adjust the gain control to avoid clipping the amplifier.

Bass Boost Control

BASS
BOOST
(dB)

0 11

X-OVER
FREQ. (Hz)

6 9 12

3

0

50 200

15

18

GAIN

0-18 dB @ 40 Hz

Input Gain Control

Low Level High Level

170mV - 5V 340mV - 10V

Crossover Control

50 Hz - 200 Hz 12 dB/Oct

6

Troubleshooting

If your amplifier does not appear to be working, check obvious things first
such as blown fuses, poor or incorrect wiring connections, crossover switch set
properly, gain controls properly set, etc.

There are two LEDs on the end panel of your Kicker KX series amplifier, one
green and one red. When the green LED is lit this indicates the amplifier is
turned on and no trouble exists. If the green LED turns off and the red LED is lit
this indicates that the protection circuitry (SORT) is engaged.

The power indicator on top of the amplifier which illuminates the model
badge follows the same function as the green LED.

Green LED off,, no output::

!

With a Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) check::

"+12 volt power terminal (should read +12V to +16V).
"Remote turn-on terminal (should read +12V to +16V).
"Ground terminal.

Green LED on,, no output::

!

"Check RCA connections.
"Test speaker outputs with known good speaker.
"Substitute known good source unit.
"Check for signal on RCA cable with VOM meter in AC position.

Red LED on,, no output::

!

1.) Amp is very hot.
"Thermal protection is engaged. Check for proper impedance at
speaker terminals. Also check for adequate airflow around amplifier.

2.) Amp shuts down only while vehicle is running.
"Voltage protection is engaged. Voltage to the amplifier is not within
the 9-16 volt operating range. Have automobile charging/electrical
system inspected.

3.) Amp will only play at low volume levels.
"Short circuit protection is engaged. Check for speaker wires shorted
to each other or the vehicle chassis. Damaged speakers or operating
below minimum impedance will also cause this.

Low Power Output

!

"Swap speaker connections from positive to negative.

If bass improves, the speaker was out of phase.

7

Alternaator noise (whining sound thaat vaaries with engine RPM):

!

"Check for damaged RCA cable.
"Check routing of RCA cable.
"Check source unit for good ground.
"Check gain setting, turn down if set too high.

CAAUTION: When jump staarting the vehicle,, be sure thaat connections maade with
jumper caables are correct.. Improper connections caan result in blown amplifier
fuses as well as faailure in other systems in the vehicle..

If you have more questions about the installation and operation of your new
KICKKER
our Technical Services Line at [phone] for assistance or visit our website at
www.

amplifier, see the Authorized

KICKKER

.com.

KICKKER

Dealer in your area. You may also call

8

Specifications

Model KX400.1 KX600.1 KX1200.1

RMS Power

In Watts
@ 13.8V, 2Ω Mono, 1.5% THD 400 X 1 600 X 1
@ 13.8V, 1Ω Mono, 1.5% THD n/a n/a 1200 x 1

Dynamic Power

In Watts
@ 14.4V, 2Ω Mono 420 x 1 690 x 1
@ 14.4V, 1Ω Mono n/a n/a 1350 x 1
Length with Shroud 12.75” 16” 22.5”

Specifications common to all models

Height::
Width::
Length without Shroud::
Frequency Response::
Input Sensitivity::
Signaal--to--Noise Ratio::
Electronic Crossover::
KickBBass Boost::

2.5 inches / 6.35 centimeters

10.125 inches / 25.7 centimeters
Subtract 5” / 12.7cm from chart above
20 Hz - 200Hz, +0, -1 dB
170 mV - 5 V low level, 340 mV - 10 V high level
>95 dB, a-weighted, re: rated power
Variable high or low pass, 50 - 200 Hz, 12 dB/octave
Variable 0 to +18 dB boost @ 40 Hz

(32.38cm) (40.64cm) (57.15cm)

9

NOTES

10

ELECTRONICS LIMITED WARRANTY

Stillwater Designs warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship

under normal use for a period of three (3) years from date of original purchase when purchased

from and installed by an Authorized KICKER Dealer or one (1) year from date of original purchase
if purchased from and not installed by an Authorized KICKER Dealer. If this product is labeled “B

Stock”, 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, Stillwater Designs 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 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.

WWHHAATT TTOO DDOO IIFF YYOOUU NNEEEEDD WWAARRRRAANNTTYY OORR SSEERRVVIICEE

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 (RA) number. Package all defective items in
the original container or in a package that will prevent shipping damage, and return to

The RA number must be clearly marked on the outside of the package. Return only defective com­ponents. Non-defective items received will be returned freight collect.

Include a dated proof-of-purchase from an Authorized Dealer. Warranty expiration on items
returned without proof-of-purchase will be determined from the manufacturing date code. Coverage
may be invalidated if this date is greater than 18 months previous to the date item is sent in. 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].

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

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:

• Products purchased from an unauthorized dealer.

• Damage due to improper installation

• Damage caused by exposure to water, 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.

• Freight damage.

• The cost of shipping product to Stillwater
Designs.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Stillwater Designs maintains a goal of 24-hour service for all returns. Delays may be incurred if lack of

replacement inventory or parts is encountered.

• Items previously repaired or modified by any
unauthorized repair facility.

• Items returned from unauthorized individuals or
dealers.

• Return shipping on non-defective items.

• Products with tampered or missing barcode
labels.

• Products returned without a Return
Authorization (RA) number.

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY

Contact your International Stillwater Designs dealer or distributor concerning specific

WARNING:

procedures for your country’s warranty policies.

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

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.
PPleaase use common sense when controlling volume!!

March 2002