Kicker ZX 650.4, ZX350.4, ZX850.4 Owner's Manual

ZX

MULTI-CHANNELAMPLIFIER

ZX350.4, ZX650.4, ZX850.4

©2006 Stillwater Designs

English Version

Versión Español
Amplificador del la Serie ZX.4
Manual del Propietario

Deutsche Version
Stereoverstärker der ZX.4-Serie
Benutzerhandbuch

Version Française
Amplificateur de série ZX.4
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(s) of RCA (low-level)
interconnect cable to feed the audio signal to
the amplifier. If you are using only one pair of
RCA inputs, connect the RCA cable to the AMP
1 inputs. Push the fader button out, and all four
channels will work with a single pair of RCA
input cable. Push the fader button in, when
using two pairs of RCA input cables. 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.

Only use speaker wire (high-level) inputs if
your source unit does not have RCA type outputs. If you are using only one pair of high-level inputs,
connect the speaker wire to the AMP 1 input. Push the fader button out, and all four channels will work
with a single high-level input cable. Push the fader button in, when using both sets of high-level inputs.

Install a fuse within 18” (45cm) of the battery and in-line with the power cable connected to your
amplifier. 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
diagrams show the most common
configurations for your Kicker ZX series
amplifier.

TwoChannelOperation (Stereo) These ZX amplifiers are capable of operating into a minimum
impedance of 2 ohms per channel in stereo operation. See Figure 2.

BridgedOperation (Mono) ZX.4 series amplifiers are capable of operating into a minimum
impedance of 4 ohms when in bridged operation. See Figure 3.

StereoBridgedOperation (Simultaneously) The ZX.4 series amplifiers are capable of operating into a
minimum impedance of 4 ohms bridged and 2 ohms per channel in stereo operation. See Figure 4.

INSTALLATION

ZX.4AMPLIFIER

ZX350.4 / ZX650.4 / ZX850.4

FourChannelModels:

ZX.4SeriesAmplifier

Owner’sManual

Congratulations on your

KICKER purchase

Please record your purchase

information and keep your sales

receipt for validation of warranty.

Authorized Kicker Dealer:

Purchase Date:

Amplifier Model Number:

Amplifier Serial Number:

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

killers trk7“on Top”

AMP 1 INPUT

REMOTE BASS

RL

L+ L- R+ R- L+ L- R+ R-

AMP

1

AMP

2

2

AMP 2 INPUT

RL

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

+ - - +

1

HI-LEVEL

INPUT

+ - - +

OFF HI LO

XOVER

OFF HI LO

XOVER

21

FADER

ModelZX350.4 Fuse40A PowerGroundWire 8GA
ModelZX650.4 Fuse80A PowerGroundWire 4GA
ModelZX850.4 Fuse120A PowerGroundWire 2GA

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

2 3

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

CONFIGURATION

Figure 1

Use only one type of signal input to the amplifier,

either RCA Cable or Speaker Wire

RCA Cable
(Low-Level)

AMP 1

Speaker Wire

(High-Level

Output)

Speaker Wire

(High-Level Input)

AMP 1

Left +
Left ­Right ­Right +

Speaker Wire

(High-Level Input)

AMP 2

Fader Button: Push in for
2 pairs of inputs, push out
for a single pair of inputs.

RCA Cable
(Low-Level)

AMP 2

Left +
Left ­Right ­Right +

Crossover

Switches

Minimum impedance of 2 ohms per channel in stereo operation

Right Speaker AMP 2

Left Speaker AMP 2

Battery

Battery

Battery

Remote
Turn-On

+12V

Remote
Turn-On

+12V

Remote

Turn-On

(45cm)

Or Less

+12V

Ground

18"

Ground

(45cm)

18"

Or Less

Ground

(45cm)

18"

Or Less

(60cm)

24"

Or Less

Fuse

(60cm)

Or Less

Or Less

24"

Fuse

(60cm)

24"

Fuse

Minimum impedance of 4 ohms when in bridged operation

Minimum impedance of 4 ohms when in bridged operation

and 2 ohms per channel in stereo operation

AMP2

AMP1

AMP2

AMP1

AMP2

AMP1

+

-

-

Signal In AMP 2

Signal In AMP 1

+

-

-+

+

Left Speaker AMP 1

Mono Speaker AMP 2

Mono Speaker AMP 1

Mono Speaker AMP 2

+

Left Speaker AMP 1

Right Speaker AMP 1

-

+

-

-

+

Signal In AMP 2

Signal In AMP 1

-

+

Signal In AMP 2

Signal In AMP 1

-

+

Right Speaker AMP 1

Operation

Your Kicker ZX.4 series amplifier has six rotary controls on top and two switches on the end-panel.
Before turning on the system for the first time, turn the six rotary controls on the top of the amplifier to
the full counter-clockwise position.

1. CrossoverSwitch The crossover switches on the end-panel are for setting the internal crossovers.
In the OFF position the amplifier passes
a full-range signal to the speakers. Use
the LO position when connected to a
subwoofer. The HI position should be
selected when connected to speakers,
which you do not want to receive any
sub-bass information. Never change
the crossover "OFF/HI/LO" switch
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. Adjust AMP 1, then proceed to AMP 2.

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) When using AMP 2 as a subwoofer amplifier, set the crossover

switch to LO pass and you will have the ability to control the level of the subwoofers 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 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 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? Check 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-Loop Noise? If you are using only one pair of RCA inputs, connect the RCA cable to the AMP 1 inputs.

 No Fader? When using both sets of low-level (RCA) or high-level (speaker wire) inputs, the fader button must be

pushed in.

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.

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 amplifier 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 amplifier wire the
speakers in series. This will improve the sound quality, lower the total harmonic distortion and lessen the thermal load at the amplifier. This

may prevent an amplifier 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 amplifier fuses as well as the failure of other critical systems in the vehicle.

Performance

Model ZX350.4 ZX650.4 ZX850.4

RMS Power in Watts, all channels driven
@14.4V, 4Ω Stereo ≤1% THD+N 60 x 4 120 x 4 175 x 4
@14.4V, 2Ω Stereo, ≤1% THD+N 90 x 4 170 x 4 215 x 4
@14.4V, 4Ω Mono, ≤1% THD+N 175 x 2 325 x 2 425 x 2
Length: 13 1/2” (342mm) 20” (507mm) 23 1/4” (590mm)

Specifications common to all models:
Height: 2 1/8” (54mm)
Width: 9 5/8” (244mm)
Frequency Response, ± 0.5 dB: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
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 HI, LO or OFF (bypass), 50 - 200Hz, 12dB per octave
Bass Boost: Variable 0 to +18 dB boost @ 40 Hz

ZX.4AMPLIFIER

4 5

Model ZX350.4
60 x 4 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -98 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 -95 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 -94 CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

PERFORMANCE

OPERATION

L-

L+

Figure 5

Crossover Control AMP 1

50 - 200Hz, 12dB/Oct

Input Gain Control AMP 1

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

Bass Boost Control AMP 1

0 to +18dB boost @ 40Hz

Figure 6

Mount the metal bracket

Back View

Side View

4 Conductor
Phone Cable

Slide the housing until it snaps into the metal bracket

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

HI-LEVEL

HI-LEVEL

2

1

INPUT

INPUT

+ - - +

+ - - +

FADER

AMP

1

L+ L- R+ R- L+ L- R+ R-

AMP 1 INPUT

REMOTE BASS

RL

RL

AMP 2 INPUT

OFF HI LO

OFF HI LO

XOVER

XOVER

21

AMP

2