Kicker PXA300.4 Owner's Manual

PXA

Amplifiers

PXA 4-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER

PXA300.4

Owner’s Manual | English

Manual del Propietario | Español
AMPLIFICADOR DEL LA SERIE PXA.4

Benutzerhandbuch | Deutsch
MONOVERSTÄRKER DER PXA.4-SERIE

Manuel d’utilisation | Française
AMPLIFICATEUR DE SÉRIE PXA.4

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PXA.4-SERIES AMPLIFIERS
OWNER’S MANUAL

MODEL: PXA300.4

Authorized KICKER Dealer:

Purchase Date:

Serial Number:

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING – PROLONGED CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF AN AMPLIFIER IN A
DISTORTED OR CLIPPED MANNER CAN CAUSE YOUR AUDIO SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY CATCHING
FIRE AND RESULTING IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPONENTS AND/OR VEHICLE.

PERFORMANCE

Model: PXA300.4

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

Length [in, cm] 7-13/16, 19.7

Height [in, cm] 1-5/8, 4

Width [in, cm] 2-9/16, 6.5

Frequency Response [Hz] 10 - 20k

Signal-to-Noise Ratio [dB] 95

Input Sensitivity Low Level: 125mV–5V

Electronic Crossover Selectable HI or OFF; 60Hz, 80Hz or 120Hz; 24dB/octave slope

50 x 4
75 x 4
150 x 2

High Level: 250mV–10V

Pro Tip: To get the best performance from your new KICKER Amplifi er and extend the warranty by 1 year, use
genuine KICKER accessories and wiring.

INSTALLATION

Mounting: Choose a 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: Disconnect the vehicle’s battery to avoid an electrical short. Then, connect the PXA harness to the
amplifi er. A good ground connections is important. If this amplifi er is mounted in the front fairing of a motorcycle, it
will be best to extend the ground wire all the way to the battery.

The PXA amplifi ers have the capability to receive almost any level of input signal. If a Hi-Level signal is coming
from the speaker leads of the source unit, simply cut off the RCA jacks and connect it directly to the exposed
wires. Set the Input Level switch to Hi. Set the Auto Turn-On to DC. If speaker leads are not available from your
source unit, use an RCA stereo cable to connect directly to the RCA connectors of the PXA amplifi er. Set the
Input Level switch to Lo. Set the Auto Turn-On switch to +12V, and use the blue remote trigger wire to turn the
amplifi er on.

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KICKER KISL (optional)

Model External Fuse

PXA300.4 1 x 40 Ampere

to amplifi er

from source unit high-level speaker outputs

Cut the looped red power cable located on the PXA harness and install a 40A fuse. Fuse installation should be
within 18” (45cm) of the battery and in-line with the harness’ power cable, which is connected to your amplifi er.
If you ever need to remove the amplifi er from the vehicle after it has been installed, the ground wire should be
the last wire disconnected from the amplifi er--just the opposite as when you installed it. Use 8 gauge wire if the
power wire is greater than 10 feet in length; 10 gauge if less.

insert power and
ground terminal
adapter

remote turn-on speaker outputs

(60cm)

bare-metal
chassis ground

≤24”

+

-

external fuse
(40A)

≤18”

(45cm)

12V

battery

bare-metal chassis ground

RCA inputs
(remove to use hi-level input)

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OPERATION

HI-PASS FILTER

FADER

INPUT LEVEL

AUTO TURN-ON

OFF LO 12V

60Hz 80Hz 120Hz OFF

AMP1 AMP2

ON HI DC

Automatic Turn-On Selection: The PXA series offers two automatic turn-on modes that can be selected on
the end panel; +12V or DC Offset. Using the DC Offset mode causes the REM terminal 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 the PXA harness. Run 18
gauge wire from the Remote Turn-On Lead on your source unit to the REM wire on the PXA harness. (Best
for Lo-Level input)

• DC Offset Turn-On: The DC Offset mode detects a 6V DC offset from the HI-Level speaker outputs when
the source unit has been turned on. (Best for Hi-Level input)

Input Level: The RCA inputs on KICKER PXA amplifi ers are capable of receiving either Hi or Low-level signals
from your source unit. When using a Hi-Level signal, simply set the Input Level switch on the amplifi er to HI.

Fader Switch: Turn the fader switch ON if you are running two sets of inputs (front and rear for example) to the
amplifi er. Leave the fader switch OFF if you want to drive all channels from a single stereo input.

HI-PASS Switches: Use the HI-PASS switches behind the protective rubber covering of the amplifi er to set the
internal crossover. Choose a cutoff of 60Hz, 80Hz, 120Hz, or OFF depending on the confi guration of switches 1
and 2. Never change the switches with the audio system on!

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.

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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 is a Power
Protection LED on the side power panel of your Kicker PXA series amplifi er. Depending on the state of the
amplifi er and the vehicle’s charging system, the LED will glow either Red or Blue. When the blue LED is lit this
indicates the amplifi er is turned on and no trouble exists.

Blue LED off, no output? With a Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) check the following:
(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.

wires for +6V.

Blue LED on, no output? Check the following:
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.

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

Protection 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 vehicle is running = voltage protection circuitry is engaged.
Voltage to the amplifi er is not within the 10–16 volt operating range. Have the vehicle’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 or to the vehicle chassis. Check for damaged speakers or speaker(s)
operating below the minimum recommended impedance.

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

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.

Reduced bass response? Reverse a speaker connection from positive to negative on the stereo/subwoofer
channel(s); if the bass improves, the speaker was out of phase.

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. If you are
experiencing this problem with your head unit, in most cases running a ground wire from the RCA outputs on the
head unit to the chassis will remedy this issue.

RCA connections Test speaker outputs with a “known”



+12 volt power terminal



For Hi-Level input, check input

CAUTION: When jump starting the vehicle, 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
vehicle.

If you have more questions about the installation or operation of
your new KICKER product, see the Authorized KICKER Dealer
where you made your purchase. For more advice on installation,
click on the SUPPORT tab on the KICKER homepage, www.
kicker.com. Choose the TECHNICAL SUPPORT tab, choose
the subject you are interested in, and then download or view the
corresponding information. Please E-mail [e-mail] or
call Technical Services [phone] for unanswered or specifi c
questions.

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AMPLIFICADORES MODELO PXA.4
MANUAL DEL PROPIETARIO

MODELO: PXA300.4

Distribuidor autorizado KICKER:

Fecha de compra:

Número de serie:

AVISO DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE - LA OPERACIÓN CONTINUA Y PROLONGADA DE UN AMPLIFICADOR DE
MANERA DISTORSIONADA O ENTRECORTADA, PUEDE SOBRECALENTAR EL SISTEMA DE AUDIO, PROVOCAR
POSIBLES RIESGOS DE INCENDIOS Y GENERAR GRAVES DAÑOS A SUS COMPONENTES Y/O VEHÍCULO.

RENDIMIENTO

Modelo: PXA300.4

Potencia RMS [Watts]
@ 14.4V, 4Ω stereo, ≤ 1% THD+N
@ 14.4V, 2Ω stereo, ≤ 1% THD+N
@ 14.4V, 4Ω mono, ≤ 1% THD+N

Longitud [en, cm] 7-13/16, 19.7

Altura [en, cm] 1-5/8, 4

Ancho [en, cm] 2-9/16, 6.5

Respuesta en frecuencia [Hz] 10 - 20k

Relación señal a ruido [dB] 95

Sensibilidad de entrada Nivel bajo: 125mV–5V

Cruce electrónico Paso alto o off seleccionable; a 60Hz, 80Hz, 120Hz; 24dB/pendiente

50 x 4
75 x 4
150 x 2

Nivel alto: 250mV–10V

de octava

Consejo Pro: para obtener el mejor desempeño de su nuevo amplifi cador KICKER y extender el periodo de
garantía en 1 año, use accesorios y cables genuinos KICKER.

INSTALACIÓN

Montaje: escoja un lugar de estructura sólida para montar su amplifi cador KICKER. Asegúrese que no haya
objetos detrás del área donde se insertarán los tornillos. Escoja un lugar que permita al menos 4” (10cm) de
ventilación abierta para el amplifi cador. Haga cuatro agujeros usando una broca de 7/64” (3mm) y use los
tornillos de #8 suministrados para montar el amplifi cador.

Cableado: desconecte la batería del vehículo para evitar un corto eléctrico. Luego, conecte el arnés PXA al
amplifi cador. Conecte el cable de conexión a tierra a un punto metálico arnés PXA al amplifi cador. Conecte el
cable a tierra a un área limpia y libre de pintura y corrosión, en el chasis del vehículo, que no sea mayor a 24”
(60cm) de largo. Se recomienda agregar un cable a tierra adicional del mismo calibre (o mayor) entre el poste
negativo de la batería y el chasis del vehículo.

El amplifi cador PXA tiene entradas diferenciales de sensibilidad de entrada dual las cuales reciben señales de
alto o bajo nivel desde la unidad fuente de su estéreo. Una señal de alto nivel se puede aplicar desde las salidas
del altavoz de la unidad fuente hacia la entrada RCA del estéreo en el panel terminal del amplifi cador mediante
el uso de KICKER ZISL como se muestra (asegúrese de poner el interruptor de nivel de entrada del amplifi cador
PXA en posición “HI”). Alternativamente, la señal se puede enviar al amplifi cador mediante las salidas RCA de
bajo nivel en la unidad fuente. Ponga el interruptor de nivel de entrada en el panel terminal del amplifi cador
a “LO”. Cualquiera de los métodos de entrada ofrecen una señal de alto nivel en la salida. Mantenga el cable
de señal de audio retirado de los arneses de cable de fábrica y otros cables de corriente. Si necesita cruzar el
cable, cruce a un ángulo de 90 grados.

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