Kicker RS56.2 User Manual

2

Introduction

RS-Series

System Components

Owner’s Manual

Models: RS65.2 / RS56.2

RS-Series System Components

Attention:

Please record your purchase information in the area

below. We recommend attaching the original sales

receipt to this manual for future reference.

If you require service on this speaker during the

warranty period, you will need to provide this

information and a copy of the original sales receipt to

Kicker for validation of warranty repairs.

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!

Authorized Kicker Dealer:

Purchase Date:

Speaker Model Number:

Congratulations!

You have purchased one of the most

advanced speaker component systems in car

audio. The RS-Series Component System

was designed by the award-winning KICKER

speaker design team, tested in the judging
lanes of International Sound Competitions,

and proven on the Street to deliver the
ultimate in full-range frequency output,
durability and outstandingly-clear SPL.

This is your “fuel for Livin’ Loud™”!

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

3

Features

Features

 CIMP

™

(Curvilinear Injection-Molded Polypropylene

Woofer Cones) is a high performance composite, which

remains rigid, minimizes cone flex and lowers harmonic
distortion. The CIMP™ consists of a one-piece, injection­molded polypropylene material that moves as a piston,
exhibiting power and control.



New Enhanced BAM (Basket and Motor) Assembly

utilizes a high-dampening strength cast aluminum basket,
features a low-profile open design, and provides a solid
foundation for the precision-aligned motor assembly.



Optimized Composite Rubber Surround Radius allows

extended cone excursion for additional bass output and higher
SPL. Composite rubber surround offers enhanced acoustical
dampening and UV protection, and gives the RS-Series
System Components cone maximum EXmax™ (effective
excursion) potential.



Flexible Mounting of the RS56.2, which includes an 6” x 8”

(15.2 cm x 20.3 cm) mounting adapter, and the RS65.2 and
RS56.2, which have coaxial mounts for the tweeters, enable
the RS-Series System Components to accommodate most
installations.



Newly Designed Passive Crossover Network allows a

seamless transition between the midrange and tweeter drivers.
The Zobel circuitry keeps the tweeters’ impedance linear and
the mylar by-pass capacitors extend the frequency response.

 Spring-Loaded Nickel Plated Terminals flawlessly

connect medium to heavy gauge speaker wire to the sleeved
high-power tinsel lead wires.



Teteron™Elliptical Dome Tweeter with Neodymium
Magnet

provides a smooth high frequency response with
quick, detailed and spatially-correct imaging. The elliptical
dome shape optimizes both off-axis (door panel mount) and
on-axis response. It has a wide dispersion with increased
efficiency.



High-Temp Polyimide Film Voice Coil Former

improves sonic and conductive properties, and prevents
thermal-electrical meltdown.



Ferro-Fluid

™

cooled tweeter voice-coil extends the high

frequency transducer’s life span.



Kicker Marine Ready models come with water resistant

mounting hardware. This enables the RS56.2 to replace stock
boat speakers without rusting your ship.

RS-Series System Components

4

Specifications

Performance

Model: RS56.2 RS65.2

Speaker Design
Rated Impedance, ohm
DC Resistance, ohm
Sensitivity [SPLo], dB @ 1W, 1m
Power Range, Watts RMS
Peak Power Handling, Watts
Effective Frequency Range, Hz
Top-Mount Depth, in (cm)
Bottom-Mount Depth, in (cm)
Mounting Hole Diameter, in (cm)
Woofer Size, in (cm)
Woofer Cone Material
Woofer Basket Material
Woofer Surround Material
Tweeter Size, in (cm)
Tweeter Design
Tweeter Diaphragm Material
Tweeter Magnet Material
Outboard Crossover
Speaker Wire
High Pass, dB, at Frequency, Hz
Low Pass, dB, at Frequency, Hz
Grills Included

2 - Way
4
3
87
6-90
180
50-21k
2 9/16 (6.5)
2 13/16 (7.1)
5 (12.7)
5 1/4 (13.3)
Polypropylene
Cast Aluminum
Composite Rubber
1 (2.54)
Elliptical Dome
Teteron
Neodymium
Yes
Included
18, 3500
12, 3500
Yes

2 - Way
4
3
87
6-100
200
40-21k
2 3/4 (7.0)
3 (7.62)
5 7/16 (13.8)
6 (15.2)
Polypropylene
Cast Aluminum
Composite Rubber
1 (2.54)
Elliptical Dome
Teteron
Neodymium
Yes
Included
18, 3500
12, 3500
Yes

KS-Series System Components

Installation

5

Installation

Your Kicker RS-Series System Component drivers are specifically designed for mounting in free-air applications. The speakers do
not require a sealed enclosure for optimum performance. It is important to isolate the sound coming off the front of the driver from the
sound radiating from the back of the driver. This isolation is usually accomplished by using the correct size driver in a factory speaker
location.

Mounting

Use caution when mounting speakers through the rear deck or package tray of a vehicle. Please be aware of wiring harnesses,
trunk springs, hinges, and folding seat mechanisms that may interfere with the operation of the car or speaker system. When running
the speaker wires, be careful not to damage them with seat bolts or door screws.

Note: To get the best performance from your Kicker RS-Series System Components,

we recommend using genuine Kicker Accessories and Wiring.

RS-Series System Components

Installation

Push Grill into place and
snap onto Speaker

Figure 1 Figure 2

To Crossover

Stagger Holes
For Wiring &
Use Grommets
(When Factory Holes and
Grommets are not Available)

(Optional)

Door Panel

Kick Panel

If custom door mounting locations for the RS-Series System Components are desired, be careful to avoid interference from the
window and door lock mechanisms. The first step is to find a location on the door panel that will accept the dimensions of the
speaker. Then remove the door panel from the door, and check for operational clearance of the window. Cycle the window all the way
down and up. If metal must be cut to mount the speakers, avoid structural metal and braces. An optional reinforcing panel (thin piece
of wood or Medium Density Fiberboard) may be necessary if the door panel cannot support the weight of the speaker. Mount the
speaker to the door panel and door body as outlined in Figure 1.

If the factory door speaker wiring is not available, it will be necessary to run the supplied wire through the door jamb. The speaker
wire should be kept away from sharp edges and avoid the possibility of getting pinched by the door. An existing grommet in the door
jamb is the ideal place to run the speaker wire. If the factory hole and grommet do not exist or are inaccessible, you must drill a hole
to run the speaker wire through the door jam. Be careful not to drill into other wiring or existing door mechanisms. Any time a wire is
run through a hole, it is necessary to insert a rubber or plastic grommet to protect the wire from damage as outlined in Figure 2.

6

Installation

RS-Series System Components

Installation

Door Body

Tweeter

Mounting Nut

2" Hole

Door Panel

Clearance Hole 2.5"

Figure 3 (Flush Mount)

Tweeter Mounting

The tweeter can be mounted one of four ways: flush, surface, angled and coaxial mounting. For flush mounting applications, please
refer to the illustration in Figure 3. Mount the tweeter as high up on the door and as far forward as possible without interference from
the dashboard. Choose a flat location on the door with space behind the panel to allow room for the mounting nut.

After checking the clearances, cut a 2” (5.1 cm) hole in the door panel. Place the mounting nut behind the door panel. Feed the
wire through the door and body panels. Mount the tweeter by screwing the tweeter onto the mounting nut.

For surface mounting applications, remove the tweeter face plate by screwing it off and install the supplied smaller face plate. Use
the surface mount cup as a template and drill a 7/64” (2.8 mm) hole in the center for attaching the cup to the door and a 5/16”
(7.9 mm) hole for the wires. A#8 flathead sheet metal screw is supplied to attach the surface mount cup to the door panel. Position
the tweeter over the surface mount cup and press it into position.

7

Installation

RS-Series System Components

8

Installation

Installation

Tweeter Mounting continued

The tweeter can be mounted in the center of the midrange. This creates a high quality coaxial speaker. Remove the tweeter face
plate by screwing it off and install the supplied smaller face plate. Remove the magnet boot from the midrange.

Then install the tweeter back plate by securing the supplied phillips-head machine screw to the plate, as outlined in Step 1, in
Figure 4. Unscrew the bullet shaped phase plug from the center of the midrange, Step 2. Feed the wires through the included pole
mount, Step 3. Then, screw the assembly into the middle of the midrange, Step 4. Run the wire through the clip on the side of the
basket and mount the speaker in the desired location, Step 5.

Please use caution to run the wire through the channel on the back plate before clipping the wire on the basket and placing the
magnet boot back on the midrange, this prevents damage to the speaker wire in shallow mounting depth installations.

RS-Series System Components

Figure 4

Step 1

Step 4

Step 2

Step 3

Step 5

Wiring Options

Installation

9

There are three sets of wires supplied with the Kicker RS-Series System Components. One set is designed to plug on to the

terminal of the midrange. The other end of this wire goes to the midrange output on the supplied crossover.

The other two sets of wires do not have any connectors on either end. One set goes from the tweeter output of the crossover to the
short wire coming out of the tweeter; join these wire with the supplied butt connectors. The last set of wires are used to join the inputs
of the crossover to the outputs of your source unit or amplifier. Please see Figure 5.

Butt
Connectors

RS-Series System Components

If you have any questions about the installation of your Kicker
RS-Series System Component Speakers, see the Authorized
Kicker Dealer where you made your purchase. For more advice
on installation, click on the SUPPOR

T tab on the Kicker

homepage, www.kicker.com. Choose the T

echnical Support tab,
choose subject you are interested in, and then download or view
the corresponding information. Please E-mail
support@kicker

.com or call Technical Services [phone]

for specific or unanswered questions.

Figure 5

Butt
Connectors

Tweeter

+

_

SOURCE UNIT or AMPLIFIER

_

+

107.5 FM THE END

_

+

+

Midrange

_

Installation

Wiring Options

10

RS-Series System Components

Wiring two RS-Series System Components to a single channel

Modern high performance system components have a lower DC Resistance than what used to be available. The Kicker RS-Series
System Components are rated at four ohms and work with any source unit or amplifier designed to operate at a four ohm load. If you
want to use two RS-Series System Components on each channel of your source unit or amplifier wire the system components in
series--at the connection between the crossover and source unit or amplifier, as shown below in Figure 6. This will improve the sound
quality, lower the total harmonic distortion and lessen the thermal load at the source unit or amplifier. This may prevent an amplifier
from shutting down, due to over-current protection circuitry.

Connectors

to Tweeter

to Tweeter

to Tweeter

to Tweeter

to Woofer

to Woofer

to Woofer

to Woofer

CROSSOVER

CROSSOVER

CROSSOVER

CROSSOVER

All specifications and performance figures are subject to change. Please visit kicker.com for the most current information.

Figure 6

SOURCE UNIT or AMPLIFIER

Acoustics LIMITED WARRANTY

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?

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 with receipt. When purchased from an Authorized KICKER Dealer it is
warranted for ONE (1) YEAR from date of original purchase with receipt. In all cases
you must have the original receipt! Should service be necessary under this
warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction during the
warranty period, Kicker will repair or replace (at its discretion) the defective
merchandise with equivalent merchandise at no charge. Warranty replacements
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 should be returned to your local Authorized Stillwater
Designs (Kicker) Dealer for warranty. Assistance in locating an Authorized Dealer
can be obtained by writing, calling, or by visiting kicker.com. 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 directly to
Stillwater Designs (Kicker), 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. Please
return only defective components (tweeter, crossover, plug, etc.). The return of
functioning items increases your return freight charges. Non-defective items
received will be returned freight collect.

Include a copy of the original receipt with the purchase date clearly visible, and a
“proof-of-purchase” statement listing the Customer’s name, Dealer ’s name and
invoice number, and product purchased. Warranty expiration on items without proof­of-purchase will be determined from type of sale and the manufacturing date code.
Freight must be prepaid; items sent freight collect, or COD, 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].

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

designed.

It does not cover:

Kicker strives to maintain a goal of 24-hour service for all acoustics (subwoofers,
midrange drivers, tweeters, crossovers, etc) returns. Delays may be incurred if lack
of replacement inventory or parts is encountered.

Contact your International Kicker dealer or distributor concerning specific
procedures for your country’s warranty and service policies.

• 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.

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

• Return shipping on non-defective items.

• Products with tampered or missing bar code 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.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY

P.O. Box 459 • Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076 • U.S.A. • [phone]

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:

03162005+05RS

RS-Series System Components

11

Warranty