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ZX
MULTICHANNEL AMPLIFIER
ZX350.4, ZX650.4, ZX850.4
©2007 Stillwater Designs
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ZX.4SeriesAmplifi er
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Owner’sManual
Figure 3
Bridged Operation (Mono)
Minimum impedance of 4 ohms while in bridged operation
-
FourChannelModels: ZX350.4 / ZX650.4 / ZX850.4
Congratulations on your
KICKER purchase!
Please record your purchase
information and keep your sales
receipt for validation of warranty.
Authorized Kicker Dealer:
Purchase Date:
Amplifi er Model Number:
Amplifi er Serial Number:
Installation
1. 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. If possible, mount the amplifi er in the climate-controlled passenger
compartment. Drill four holes using a 7/64” (3mm) bit and use the supplied #8 screws to mount the
amplifi er.
2. Wiring Disconnect the vehicle’s battery to avoid an electrical short. Then, connect the ground wire to
the amplifi er. 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 of this same gauge (or larger)
between the battery's negative post and the vehicle chassis is recommended.
The ZX amplifi er has dual input sensitivity differential RCA inputs which will receive either high or low level
signals from your car stereo’s source unit. Ideally, when connecting the source unit to the amplifi er, the
ZX amplifi er’s input level switch should be set to “LO” and a low-level signal should run from the source
unit’s stereo RCA output to the stereo RCA input on the end panel of the amplifi er using RCA interconnect
cable. If a low-level stereo RCA output is not available on the source unit, the signal can be delivered to
the amplifi er using the high-level speaker outputs on the source unit. Set the input level switch on the end
panel of the amplifi er to “HI”. Crimp and solder RCA connectors to the end of the speaker wire running
from the high-level speaker outputs on the source unit and connect the wire to the RCA Inputs on the end
panel of the amplifi er as shown in
Figure 1. Keep the audio signal cable
away from factory wiring harnesses
and other power wiring. If you need
to cross this wiring, cross it at a 90
To Source Unit
High-level Speaker Output Wire
degree angle.
Install a fuse within 18” (45cm) of the battery and in-line with the power cable 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. See the chart on
the following page for power and ground wire size, and fusing recommendations.
INSTALLATION
3. Confi guration The following diagrams show the most common confi gurations for your Kicker ZX series
amplifi er.
Figure 2
Ground
Remote
Turn-On
(45cm)
18"
+12V
Battery
2
Four Channel Operation (Stereo)
Minimum Impedance of 2 ohms per channel in stereo operation
24"
(60cm)
Fuse
ZX.4AMPLIFIER
+
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Core Cable
+
Ground or Shielding
+
-
To Amplifi er
-
+
+
-
Figure 1
-
+
Bridge Wiring
Bridge Wiring
+
-
+
CONFIGURATION
Figure 4
24"
(60cm)
Ground
Remote
Turn-On
(45cm)
18"
+12V
Battery
Fuse
Stereo and Mono Operation Simultaneously (SAMS)
Minimum impedance of 4 ohms bridged and 2 ohms per channel in stereo simultaneously
-
24"
Battery
Remote
Turn-On
+12V
Ground
(45cm)
18"
(60cm)
Fuse
+
-
+
+
-
ModelZX350.4 1 (ONE) 40 AMPERE FUSE PowerGroundWire 8GA
ModelZX650.4 1 (ONE) 80 AMPERE FUSE PowerGroundWire 4GA
+
ModelZX850.4 1 (ONE) 120 AMPERE FUSE PowerGroundWire 2GA
Performance
Model ZX350.4 ZX650.4 ZX850.4
RMS Power in Watts, all channels driven @14.4
Volts, 4Ω stereo, ≤ 1% THD+N
@ 2Ω stereo, ≤ 1% THD+N 90 x 4 170 x 4 215 x 4
@ 4Ω mono, ≤ 1% THD+N 175 x 2 325 x 2 425 x 2
Length: in(cm) 13 1/2 (34.2) 20 (50.7) 23 1/4 (59)
Specifi cations common to all models:
Height: in(mm) 2 1/8 (54mm)
Width: in(mm) 9 5/8 (244mm)
Frequency Response, ± 1 db: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >95db, a-weighted, re: rated power
Input Sensitivity:
Selectable Electronic Crossover: Variable HI, LO or OFF (bypass), 50 - 200Hz, 12dB per octave
Bass Boost: Variable 0 to +18dB Bass Boost @ 40Hz
Note: To get the best performance from your new Kicker Amplifi er, we recommend using genuine Kicker Accessories and Wiring.
60 x 4 120 x 4 175 x 4
Low Level: 125mV-5V
High Level: 250mV-10V
3
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Operation
+12V
AMP1
AUTO
TURN ON
DC
OFFSET
AUDIO
L+ L-
INPUT
LEVEL
LO
HI
FADER
ON
OFF
R+ R-
LR
AMP1
1. Automatic Turn-On Selection The ZX series offers three different automatic turn-on modes that can be
selected on the end panel; +12V, DC Offset, and Audio. Using either the DC Offset or Audio mode causes
the REM terminal 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 your source unit. Run
18 Ga wire from the Remote Turn-On Lead on your source unit to the terminal labeled REM between the
amplifi er’s positive and negative power terminals. This is the preferred automatic turn-on method.
DC Offset Turn-On If Remote Turn-On is not an option, the next best setting is DC Offset. The DC
Offset mode detects a 6 volt surge from the HI Level speaker outputs when the source unit has been
turned on.
OPERATION
Signal Sense Turn-On The Audio setting is the fi nal alternative for Automatic turn-on. This is a Signal
Sense turn-on method that detects the incoming audio signal from your source unit and automatically turns
on the amp. This turn-on method will not work properly if the input gain control is not set appropriately.
2. Input Level The RCA inputs on Kicker ZX amplifi ers are capable of receiving either Hi or Low-level
signals from your source unit. If the only output available from your source unit is a Hi-Level signal, simply
press in the Input Level switch on the amplifi er. Refer to the wiring section of this manual additional
instructions.
3. Crossover Switch Use the XOVER switch on the end panel of the amplifi er to set the internal crossover
to OFF, HI or LO. When the switch is set to OFF, a full bandwidth signal will be amplifi ed. Set the switch
to HI if you want the amplifi er’s internal crossover to serve as a high-pass fi lter. Set the switch to LO if you
want the amplifi er’s internal crossover to serve as a low-pass fi lter. Never change the crossover “OFF/HI/
LO” switch setting with the audio system on!
4. 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.
5. Bass Boost Control The variable bass boost control on the top of the amplifi er 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 amplifi er.
6. Crossover Control The variable crossover on the top of the amplifi er allows you to adjust the crossover
frequency from 50-200Hz. The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.
7. RemoteBass(Level Control) When the crossover
on your ZX.4 series amplifi er is set to LO pass, you
have the ability to control the output level of the
amplifi er remotely. 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 amplifi er chassis.
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
an illuminated red badge on top of the amplifi er denoting the power state of the amp in addition to the
Protection LED on the end panel of your Kicker ZX series amplifi er. When the red badge is lit this indicates
the amplifi er is turned on and the amplifi er is functioning properly.
4
ZX.4AMPLIFIER
LR
AMP2
REMOTE BASS
Mount the metal bracket
Slide the housing until it snaps into the metal bracket
XOVER1
OFF HI LO
L+ L-
TURN ON
DC
+12V
OFFSET
AMP1
XOVER2
OFF HI LO
AMP2
R+ R-
Side View
INPUT
AUTO
LEVEL
AUDIO
LO
HI
L+ L-
LR
LR
FADER
ON
OFF
R+ R-
XOVER1
XOVER2
OFF HI LO
OFF HI LO
AMP2
AMP1
REMOTE BASS
L+ L-
R+ R-
Back View
AMP2
4 Conductor
Phone Cable
RED Badge Light 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. 5) Check
for blown fuses.
RED Badge Light 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 amplifi er with the VOM meter set to measure “AC” voltage.
End Panel LED fl ashing with loud music? The yellow 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.
End Panel LED on, no output? 1) Amplifi er is very hot. ÖThermal 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. 2) Amplifi er shuts down only while vehicle is running. ÖVoltage protection circuitry
is engaged. Voltage to the amplifi er is not within the 9-16 volt operating range. Have the vehicle's charging
and electrical system inspected. 3) Amplifi er will only play at low volume levels. ÖShort 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 output from one channel? 1) Check the balance control on source unit 2) Check the RCA (or
speaker input) and speaker output connections for the channel 3) Swap the RCA (or speaker input) cable
from left to right. If the problem changes sides then you have a bad RCA (or speaker input) cable or source
unit problem. 4) Swap the speaker output wire from left to right. If the problem changes sides then you
have a bad speaker cable, passive crossover network and/or speaker.
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.
Poor stereo image or reduced bass response? ÖCheck system phasing by turning the balance
control from left to right. If there is more bass output when turned to either side, then check your speaker
wiring, passive crossover networks and speaker terminals for proper positive and negative connections.
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? ÖIf you are using only one pair of RCA inputs, connect the RCA cable to the AMP1
inputs. 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.
No Fader? ÖWhen using both sets of low-level (RCA) or high-level (speaker wire) inputs, the fader
button must be pushed in.
Please Note: Modern high performance speakers have a lower DC Resistance than what used to be available. The Kicker
Coaxial and Component speakers are rated at four ohms (some DC Resistances may be as low as 3 ohms) and work with
any amplifi er designed to operate at a four ohm load. If you want to use two Kicker Coaxial or Component speakers on
a single channel of your amplifi er wire the speakers in series. This will improve the sound quality, lower the total harmonic
distortion and lessen the thermal load at the amplifi er. This may prevent an amplifi er from shutting down, due to over-
current protection circuitry.
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 support@kicker.com or call Technical Services (405) 6248583 for unanswered or specifi c questions.
Model ZX350.4
60 x 4 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -95
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)
Model ZX650.4
120 x 4 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -91
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)
Model ZX850.4
175 x 4 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -90
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)
PERFORMANCE
5
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