Kicker SX500.2 User Manual

3

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Features

Features

Low Impedance Operation Stable into 2 ohm stereo

or 4 ohm mono loads.

SORT Protection Circuitry (Short circuit, Over-voltage,

Reverse polarity, Thermal) Protects amplifier from accidents

and out of spec operation.

MOSFET Power Supply Provides high efficiency

operation.

PAST (Pre Amp Signal Transfer) Output RCA jacks to pass the

incoming signal to another amplifier or component.

SAMS (Stereo And Mono Simultaneously) Amplifier will

operate into a bridged mono load and a stereo load at the
same time.

Low Pass Filter Fully adjustable digital crossover with

variable slope and crossover frequency. 30 Hz - 20 kHz in 1/12
octave spacing. OFF - 36 dB per octave slope in 6 dB incre­ments.

High Pass Filter Fully adjustable digital crossover with

variable slope and crossover frequency. 10 Hz - 16 kHz in 1/12
octave spacing. OFF - 36 dB per octave slope in 6 dB incre­ments.

KickEQ Fully adjustable single band digital parametric equal-

izer with variable Q (bandwidth), variable center frequency and
variable boost or cut. Q range .5 - 10 in .5 steps. Center
frequency 20 Hz - 20 kHz in 1/12 octave steps. Boost or cut
range +/- 18 dB.

Adjustable Phase The output phase of each channel can

be set at 0 Degrees or 180 Degrees. Left and Right channels
can be linked or independently adjusted.

UltraMatch Gain Structure Digital input gain control

with five selectable gain ranges (1 volt, 2 volt, 4 volt, 8 volt, 16
volt) with 12 dB of adjustment in each range in .5 dB steps.
Left and Right channels can be linked or adjusted independ­ently.

SickBay and On Board Diagnostics Various tools to

troubleshoot installation issues and check amp status.

Kompressor A 4-setting, user-selectable bass compressor

used to fatten up your sub bass. OFF, TIGHT, CONTOUR and
ATTACK with +/- 24 dB of adjustment to compensate for
speaker size or listening style.

ISIS (pronounced eye-sis) (Indicate Status & Input Settings)

The user interface to view or adjust current settings and check
the status of your Kicker SX amplifier.

BLAST Port (Bass Level And Signal Transfer) Provides

Remote Bass Level Control and control signal transfer
between multiple SX amplifiers.

EndKaps Cast aluminum, custom, removable covers to pro-

tect and hide all your wiring connections to the amplifier. Can
be prepped and painted any custom color you choose.

SASA (Shake A Stick At) So many more features...it is more

than you can Shake A Stick At. (It’s an Oklahoma thing!) Read
on to find out!

2

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Introduction

SX400.2 / SX500.2 / SX600.2 / SX900.2

SX .2 Series

Amplifier

Owners Manual

Two Channel Models:

Attention:

Please take a moment and record the information

asked for below in the provided area. It is also a good

idea to attach the original sales receipt or a copy of it to

this page for future reference

If for any reason you require service on this amplifier

during the warranty period, you will need to provide this

information and a copy of the receipt to Kicker to vali-

date your warranty.

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!

Dealer Where Purchased:

Purchase Date:

Amplifier Model Number:

Amplifier Serial Number:

Congratulations!

You have just purchased the latest in amplifier
technology to carry the famous KICKER name.
Your KICKER SX series amplifier employs the lat­est in DSP signal processing to give you total
control over your sound. Like all KICKER prod­ucts it 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 SX series amplifier.

Thanks for buying KICKER. Enjoy!

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

5

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Features

VFD DISPLAY - cont

GAIN - Indicates you are in the gain menu.

EQ - Indicates you are in the equalizer menu.

LPF - Indicates you are in the low pass filter menu.

HPF - Indicates you are in the high pass filter menu.

PHASE - Indicates you are in the phase menu.

KOMP - Indicates you are in the Kompressor menu.

MEM-1 - Memory preset 1 activated.

MEM-2 - Memory preset 1 activated.

MEM-3 - Memory preset 1 activated.

MEM-4 - Memory preset 1 activated.

KEYPAD

The keypad consists of nine buttons that allow you to adjust

your amplifier.

M1 - Used to select memory preset 1 or to store cur-

rent settings into preset 1.

M2 - Used to select memory preset 2 or to store

current settings into preset 2.

M3 - Used to select memory preset 3 or to store

current settings into preset 3.

M4 - Used to select memory preset 4 or to store

current settings into preset 4.

ESC - Used to exit the current menu.

ENT - Used to enter the selected menu.

HOME - Used to return to the Main menu and

other functions explained later.

UP - Used to advance up through menu selections

and/or adjust amplifier controls.

DOWN - Used to advance down through menu

selections and/or adjust amplifier controls.

These controls and their usage will be explained later with

more detail in each menu usage section.

4

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Features

ISIS

VFD Display

Meet the ISIS interface (Indicate Status & Input Settings).

The

ISIS (pronounced eye-sis) allows you to view the cur-

rent conditions and settings of your amplifier as well as
change the many user-adjustable settings.The

ISIS system

consists of the VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) and the nine
soft touch buttons that make up the KEYPAD.

ISIS

VFD

ISIS

KEYPAD

Here is a brief description of the indicators found on the

VFD.

AMP1 - Indicates amplifier 1 is selected for adjustment. Only

available in four channel amps.

AMP2 - Indicates amplifier 2 is selected for adjustment.

Only available in four channel amps.

LOCK - Indicates the amplifier controls are locked out and

not usable.

LEFT - Indicates an action or adjustment of the left channel.

SYS - Indicates you are in the system menu.

RIGHT - Indicates an action or adjustment of the right

channel.

MUTE - Indicates you are in the mute menu or the mute

function is active.

AMP1
LOCK
GAIN EQ LPF HPF KOMP

** kicker

MEM-1

LEFT RIGHT

SYS

PHASE

MEM-2 MEM-3 MEM-4

M1 M2 M3 M4

ESC ENT

HOME

AMP2

MUTE

AMP1

LOCK

GAIN EQ LPF HPF KOMP

LEFT RIGHT

SYS

PHASE

AMP2

MUTE

** kicker

MEM-1

MEM-2 MEM-3 MEM-4

M1

M2

M3

M4

ESC

ENT

HOME

7

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Installation

Mounting

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, 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 in the trunk may require additional
cooling such as extra fans moving air around the amplifier’s
chassis or ventilating the trunk to exchange the hot air in the
trunk for cooler air outside. 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 amplifier’s mounting location.

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

See Fig. 1

e

e

With the EndKaps 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.

See Fig. 2

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

6

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Features

End Panel Views

The BLAST Port is used to connect the Remote Bass Level
Controller and for transferring control signals from one SX
amplifier to another SX amplifier. An RJ45 cable is required to
connect the BLAST Port (Out) of one amp to the BLAST Port
(In) of another. This is only required if you want to control
more than one amplifier with the same Bass Level Controller.
More details on this further in the manual.

The speaker terminals are custom-machined connectors
with full protective shrouds and are designed to accept heavy
gauge speaker wire assures maximum power transfer and
damping with minimal power loss.

Gold-plated RCA input connectors and

PAST

jacks provide

solid input and output connections for your pre-amp signal.

T

Custom-machined power block accepts up to a 2 Ga wire
for both power and ground connections and up to an 8 Ga for
remote turn-on assures maximum power transfer with
minimal loss.

On-board fusing (number of fuses vary by amp size) to
protect amplifier against over current conditions and reverse
polarity.

Power LED indicates amplifier is powered up and operating.

Check Fuse LED indicates a fault with the end panel fuses.
This could be fuses which are not seated properly, faulty fuses
or blown fuses.

BLAST Port In BLAST Port Out

Power LED
Check Fuse LED
Fusing

XX

XX

Ground
Remote
+ 12 Volt

Remove

R

AMP1

SYS

LOCK

LEFT RIGHT

GAIN EQ LPF HPF KOMP

PHASE

** kicker

MEM-1

MEM-2 MEM-3 MEM-4

M1 M2 M3 M4

ESC ENT

HOME

Remove Remov

Remov

AMP2
MUTE

R

AMP1

AMP2

SYS

LOCK

MUTE

LEFT RIGHT

GAIN EQ LPF HPF KOMP

PHASE

** kicker

MEM-1

MEM-2 MEM-3 MEM-4

Left +
Left ­Right +
Right -

Left PAST
Right PAS
Right Input
Left Input

M1 M2 M3 M4

ESC ENT

HOME

9

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Installation

System Diagrams

TWO CHANNEL OPERATION (STEREO)

SX.2 series amplifiers are capable of operating into a minimum impedance of 2 ohms per

channel in stereo operation.

BRIDGED OPERATION (MONO)

SX.2 series amplifiers are capable of operating into a minimum impedance of 4 ohms

when in bridged operation.

8

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Installation

Wiring

Signal is input into the amplifier using the low level RCA
input connections. If your source unit does not have RCA
output connectors you will need to use a Hi-Lo level signal
adapter. See your Kicker dealer for more details on this.

The output (PAST) RCA jacks provide an unaltered signal
output to feed another amplifier or component.

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 amplifier’s
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 of 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 power wire. See the charts
below for wire size and fusing recommendations.

Model Fuse Size Wire Size

Wire Size Length Maximum Fuse

SX400.2
SX500.2
SX600.2
SX900.2

50A
60A
80A
120A

4 GA
4 GA
4 GA
2 GA

8 Ga
4Ga
2 Ga
0Ga
8 Ga
4 Ga
2 Ga
0 Ga

70 Amps
175 Amps
250 Amps
400 Amps
40 Amps
90 Amps
150 Amps
200 Amps

Less than
10 feet in
length

10 feet to
20 feet in
length

SOURCE UNIT

REMOTE

TURN-ON

or less

+12V

BATTERY

GROUND

18"

FUSE

R

AMP1

SYS

LEFT RIGHT

LOCK
GAIN EQ LPFHPF KOMP

** kicker

MEM-1

MEM-2 MEM-3 MEM-4

M1 M2 M3 M4

ESC ENT

HOME

AMP2
MUTE

PHASE

-

R

R+

-

L

L+

SIGNAL IN

SIGNAL OUT

RIGHT SPEAKER(S)

_

+

_
+

LEFT SPEAKER(S)

REMOTE

TURN-ON

or less

+12V

BATTERY

GROUND

18"

FUSE

R

AMP1

AMP2

SYS

LOCK

MUTE

LEFT RIGHT

GAIN EQ LPFHPF KOMP

PHASE

** kicker

MEM-1

MEM-2 MEM-3 MEM-4

M1 M2 M3 M4

ESC ENT

HOME

R-

L+

SIGNAL IN

SIGNAL OUT

MONO
SPEAKER(S)

_

+

11

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Installation

USING THE SIGNAL OUTPUT JACKS (PAST)

The Output (Pre Amp Signal Transfer) RCA jacks allow you to
send the incoming signal from one Kicker SX 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 and is not affected
by any of the amplifier’s built-in digital signal processing.

Most head units with high voltage outputs should be capa-

ble of driving up to ten amplifiers in a chain.

10

SX .2 Series Amplifiers

Installation

STEREO AND MONO SIMULTANEOUSLY (SAMS)

SX.2 series amplifiers are capable of operating into a minimum impedance of 4 ohms

mono and 2 ohms stereo simultaneously with the use of passive crossovers.

R

These are just a few of the many ways you can use your SX.2 series Kicker amplifier.
These system diagrams are designed to give you a basic understanding of the most com­mon uses for this amplifier. For more complex systems please visit your local authorized
Kicker dealer. You can also download the SX Technical Manual from our website at
www.kicker.com for more detailed information and complex system diagrams.

REMOTE

TURN-ON

or less

+12V

BATTERY

GROUND

18"

FUSE

R

AMP1

SYS

LOCK

LEFT RIGHT

GAIN EQ LPFHPF KOMP

** kicker

MEM-1

MEM-2 MEM-3 MEM-4

M1 M2 M3 M4

ESC ENT

HOME

AMP2
MUTE

PHASE

R-

R+
L-

L+

SIGNAL IN

SIGNAL OUT

RIGHT SPEAKER(S)

_

HIGH PASS
CROSSOVER

+

_

HIGH PASS

+

CROSSOVER

LEFT SPEAKER(S)

_

+

CROSS-

OVER

LOW
PASS

MONO

SPEAKE

SOURCE UNIT

To Next Amplifier or Processor