Kicker ZX1000.1, ZX1500.1, ZX2500.1 User Manual

ZX

SUBWOOFERAMPLIFIER

CLASS-DMONOCHANNEL

ZX1000.1, ZX1500.1, ZX2500.1

©2006 Stillwater Designs

English Version

Versión Español
Amplificador del la Serie ZX.1
Manual del Propietario

Deutsche Version

Monoverstärker der ZX.1-Serie
Benutzerhandbuch

Version Française
Amplificateur de série ZX.1
Manuel d'utilisation

Installation . . . as easy as 1, 2, 3

1. Mounting Choose a structurally sound location to mount your Kicker amplifier. The controls on the
top of the amplifier need to be accessible for adjustment. 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 amplifier. If possible, mount the amplifier in the climate-controlled passenger compartment. Drill four
holes using a 7/64” (3mm) bit and use the supplied #8 screws to mount the amplifier.

2. Wiring Disconnect the vehicle’s battery to avoid an electrical short. Then connect the ground wire
to the amplifier. Make the ground wire short, 24” (60cm) or less, and connect it to a paint-and
corrosion-free solid-metal area of the vehicle's chassis. Adding an additional ground wire between the
battery's negative post and the vehicle chassis of this same gauge (or larger) is recommended.

Use a twisted pair of RCA (low-level)
interconnect cable to feed the audio signal
to the amplifier. Only use speaker wire
(high-level) inputs if your source unit does
not have RCA type outputs. Either input
method will provide a low-level output
signal at the RCA output, which effectively
passes the audio signal to another
amplifier or component (P.A.S.T.). Keep
the RCA cable away from factory wiring
harnesses and other power wiring. If you
need to cross this wiring, cross it at a 90
degree angle.

Install the provided external fuse within
18” (45cm) of the ZX amplifier and in-line
with the power cable. Install a second fuse within 18” (45cm) of the battery and in-line with the power
cable connected to your amplifier.

These ZX series mono amplifiers deliver Kilo-Watts of power. We recommend an alternator with a
minimum 140 ampere output capacity, at least one extra battery located within 50” (130cm) to the
amplifier, an extra fuse located within 18” (45cm) of the extra battery, all power and ground feeds to be
as short as possible, and utilize 12, 10 or 8 gauge speaker wire. See Figure 2. If you ever need to
remove the amplifier 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. See the chart below for
power and ground wire size, and
fusing recommendations.

3. Configuration The following diagram shows the most common configuration for your Kicker ZX
series amplifier.

OneChannelOperation These ZX amplifiers are capable of operating into a minimum impedance
of 2 ohms. If you are using multiple voice coils, the net impedance of the voice coils must be equal to
or greater than 2 ohms.

INSTALLATION

ZX.1AMPLIFIER

Authorized Kicker Dealer:

Purchase Date:

Amplifier Model Number:

Amplifier Serial Number:

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

ModelZX1000.1 Fuse100A PowerGroundWire 1/0GA
ModelZX1500.1 Fuse150A PowerGroundWire 1/0GA
ModelZX2500.1 Fuse300A PowerGroundWire 1/0GA

2 3

CONFIGURATION

Figure 2

Figure 1

Use only one type of signal input to the amplifier,

either RCA Cable or Speaker Wire

RCA Cable

(Low-Level)

Input

Speaker Wire

(High-Level

Output)

Speaker Wire

(High-Level Input)

Left +
Left ­Right ­Right +

RCA Cable
(Low-Level)

Output

Subsonic Filter

Switch

Remote Bass

Control Output

Signal Out

(P.A.S.T.)

ZX1000.1 / ZX1500.1 / ZX2500.1

Class-DMonoChannel,Models:

ZX.1SeriesAmplifier

Owner’sManual

Congratulations on your

KICKER purchase

Please record your purchase

information and keep your sales

receipt for validation of warranty.

Note: To get the best performance from your new Kicker Amplifier, we recommend using genuine Kicker Accessories and Wiring.

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

Signal In

Signal Out (P.A.S.T.)

_

+

Mono

Speaker

+

-

SOURCE UNIT

killers trk7“on Top”

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

+ - - +

ON OFF

SUB SONIC

+-

RL

OUTPUT

INPUT

REMOTE

BASS

RL

Minimum impedance of 2 ohms mono

18"

(45cm)

Or Less

(60cm)

Ground

24"

Or Less

Remote

Turn-On

External Fuse

(130cm)

50" Or Less

Extra Battery to Amplifier

2nd Fuse

18"

(45cm)

Or Less

(45cm)

18"

Or Less

Extra Fuse

+12V

Extra Battery

+12V

Alternator

140 Ampere Minimum

Main Battery

Operation

Your Kicker ZX.1 series amplifier has three rotary controls on top and one switch on the end-panel.
Before turning on the system for the first time, turn the three rotary controls on the top of the amplifier
to the full counter-clockwise position.

1. SubsonicFilterSwitch The subsonic filter switch located on the end-panel utilizes an internal
12dB per octave at 25 Hz high-pass
crossover in the ON position. The
setting for this control is subjective;
the ON position is a good place to
start. Never change the subsonic filter
switch “ON/OFF” setting with the
audio system on! See Figure 1.

2. InputGainControl The input gain
control is not a volume control. It
matches the output of the source unit
to the input level of the amplifier. 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 amplifier up until you can hear audible distortion, then turn it down a little.

3. BassBoostControl The bass boost control is designed to give you increased output 0 - 18dB
at 40 Hz. The setting for this control is subjective. If you turn it up, you must go back and adjust the
input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifier.

4. CrossoverControl The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.

5. RemoteBass(Level Control) With the remote bass level control you have the ability to control the
level of the subwoofer(s) remotely by controlling the output level of one or more ZX series amplifiers. To
mount the remote bass level control, 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 “Remote Bass”
jack on the amplifier chassis.

TroubleShooting

If your amplifier does not appear to
be working, check the obvious things
first such as blown fuses, poor or
incorrect wiring connections,
incorrect setting of crossover switch
and gain controls, etc. There are two
LEDs on the top of your Kicker ZX
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.

 Green LED off, no output? With a Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) check the following: 1) +12 volt power
terminal (should read +12V to +16V) 2) Remote turn-on terminal (should read +12V to +16V)

3) Check for reversed power and ground connections 4) Ground terminal, for proper conductivity.
 Green LED on, no output? Check the following: 1) RCA connections 2) Test speaker outputs

with a “known” good speaker. 3) Substitute source unit with a “known” good source unit. 4) Check
for a signal in the RCA cable feeding the amplifier with the “AC” test position selected on the VOM
meter.

 Red LED on, no output? 1) Amplifier 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 airflow
around the amplifier. 2) Amplifier shuts down only while vehicle is running. Voltage protection
circuitry is engaged. Voltage to the amplifier is not within the 9-16 volt operating range. Have the
vehicle's charging and electrical system inspected. 3) Amplifier 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? 1) Check the balance and fader control on source unit 2) Check the RCA
(or speaker input) and speaker output connections

 Alternator noise-whining sound with engine’s RPM? 1) Check for damaged RCA
(or speaker input) cable 2) Check the routing of RCA (or speaker input) cable 3) Check the source
unit for proper grounding 4) Check the gain settings and turn them down if they are set too high.

 Reduced bass response? Check system phasing by reversing a speaker connection from
positive to negative on the stereo/subwoofer channel(s); if the bass improves, the speaker was out
of phase.

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 specific questions.

CAUTION: When jump starting the vehicle, be sure that connections made with jumper cables are
correct. Improper connections can result in blown amplifier fuses as well as the failure of other critical
systems in the vehicle.

Performance

Model ZX1000.1 ZX1500.1 ZX2500.1

RMS Power in Watts
@14.4V, 4Ω Mono ≤1.5% THD+N 500 x 1 750 x 1 1250 x 1
@14.4V, 2Ω Mono, ≤1.5% THD+N 1000 x 1 1500 x 1 2500 x 1
Length: 16 3/4” (425mm) 20” (507mm) 27 1/2” (699mm)

Specifications common to all models:

Height: 2 1/8” (54mm)
Width: 9 5/8” (244mm)
Frequency Response, + 0 / - 1 dB: 20 Hz - 200 Hz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >95 dB, a-weighted, re: rated power
Input Sensitivity: 125 mV - 5 V low level, 250 mV - 10 V high level
Electronic Crossover: Variable Low-Pass, 50 - 200Hz, 24dB per octave

Defeatable High-Pass 12 dB per octave @ 25 Hz

Bass Boost: Variable 0 to +18 dB boost @ 40 Hz

ZX.1AMPLIFIER

4 5

PERFORMANCE

OPERATION

-

+

Figure 3

Crossover Control

50 - 200Hz, 24dB/Oct

Input Gain Control

Low Level: 125mV - 5V, High Level: 250mV - 10 V

Bass Boost Control

0 to +18dB boost @ 40Hz

Figure 4

Mount the metal bracket

Back View

Side View

4 Conductor
Phone Cable

Slide the housing until it snaps into the metal bracket

Model ZX1000.1
500 x 1 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -60 CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

Model ZX1500.1
750 x 1 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -58 CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

Model ZX2500.1
15

00 x 1 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)

Signal to Noise Ratio -46 CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

RL

OUTPUT

REMOTE

BASS

RL

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

+ - - +

ON OFF

SUB SONIC

+-

INPUT