Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase of the world's finest brand of car audio electronics. At Rockford Fosgate we are
fanatics about musical reproduction at its best, and we are pleased you chose our product. Through years of engineering
expertise, hand craftsmanship and critical testing procedures, we have created a wide range of products that reproduce
music with all the clarity and richness you deserve.
For maximum performance we recommend you have your new Rockford Fosgate product installed by an Authorized
Rockford Fosgate Dealer, as we provide specialized training through Rockford Technical Training Institute (RTTI).
Please read your warranty and retain your receipt and original carton for possible future use.
Great product and competent installations are only a piece of the puzzle when it comes to your system. Make sure that
your installer is using 100% authentic installation accessories from Connecting Punch in your installation.
Connecting Punch has everything from RCA cables and speaker wire to Power line and battery connectors. Insist on
it! After all, your new system deserves nothing but the best.
To add the finishing touch to your new fanatic image order your Rockford Fosgate wearables, which include everything
from T-shirts and jackets to hats and sunglasses.
To get a free brochure on Rockford Fosgate products and Rockford wearables, please call 602-967-3565 or FAX 602967-8132. For International orders, FAX +001-1-602-967-8132 or call +001-1-602-967-3565.
PRACTICE SAFE SOUND™
CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS OVER 100dB MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS.
IGH POWERED AUTOSOUND SYSTEMS MAY PRODUCE SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS WELL OVER 130dB. USE
H
COMMON
If, after reading your manual, you still have questions regarding this product, we recommend that you see your Rockford Fosgate dealer. If you
need further assistance, you can call us direct at 1-800-795-2385. Be sure to have your serial number, model number and date of purchase
available when you call.
SENSE AND PRACTICE SAFE SOUND.
The serial number can be found on the outside of the box. Please record it in the space provided below as your permanent record. This will
serve as verification of your factory warranty and may become useful in recovering your amplifier if it is ever stolen.
Serial Number:_____________________________________________
Model Number: ____________________________________________
RF-2.9x
TECHNICAL FEATURES
2-Channel RF Amplifier
FEATURES
Specification
Reference
Sheet
• Trans•ana – Sound quality topology that sends an extended bandwidth
accurately to the output stages of the amplifier
• TOPAZ – Eliminates troublesome group loop noise between the source
and amplifier
• NOMAD – Extremely fast protection system that always protects the
amplifier and never degrades the sound
• MOSFET Devices – Power supply and output devices that have high
thermal stability, fast switching speed, low output impedance, and wide
bandwidth linearity
• DSM (Discrete Surface Mount) Technology – Fewer
connections, improved reliability, shorter signal paths, superior signal-tonoise ratio and awesome sonic performance
DESIGN FEATURES
• Extruded Heatsink – Dissipates heat generated by the amplifier’s
circuitry
SPECIFICATIONS
RMS Continuous Power @ 14.4V (Competition Standard)
Stereo into a 4Ω load (20Hz-20kHz, <0.10% THD) ............ 45x2
Stereo into a 2Ω load (20Hz-20kHz, <0.30% THD) ............ 90x2
Bridged into a 4Ω load (20Hz-20kHz, <0.30% THD)........180x1
Dynamic Power @ 14.4V (IHF Standard)
Stereo into a 4Ω load (20Hz-20kHz, 1% THD) ................... 75x2
Stereo into a 2Ω load (20Hz-20kHz, 1% THD) ................. 110x2
Bridged into a 4Ω load (20Hz-20kHz, 1% THD) ............... 220x1
Signal-to-Noise Ratio ................................ >100dB (A-weighted)
Frequency Response .................................. 20Hz-20kHz ±0.5dB
Bandwidth .............................................. 10Hz-250kHz ±3.0dB
Damping Factor @ 4Ω...................... >200 (at output connector)
• High Level Inputs – Allows wide compatibility with factory and
aftermarket source units. Accepts 1/8” female spade lugs
• Input Sensitivity Control – Level control can be adjusted to match
output levels from a variety of source units
• Gold-Plated Power/Speaker Barrier Strip – Screw terminals
accept #10 spade lugs or bare wire sized from 10 to 18 AWG
• XCard Crossover– Configurable for a multitude of operating frequen-
cies. The orientation of the card in its socket determines its function of highpass, low-pass or full range operation
• Bass EQ – The Bass EQ allows a narrow band adjustment of up to +18dB
centered at 45Hz. The bass boost can be bypassed by turning the control to
its minimum or counterclockwise position.
• LED Power Indicator – Visual indicator illuminates when amplifier is
turned on
WARRANTY
• 3 Years
Slew Rate ....................................................................30v/µs
IM Distortion (IHF) ..................................................... <0.05%
Input Impedance............................................................ 20kΩ
Factory Default Crossover Frequency ................. 80Hz adjustable
Crossover Slope...................................12dB/octave Butterworth
Source Unit Compatibility
Input Sensitivity (+0dB gain overlap) .. 250mV to 4V (low level input)
Operating Voltage ........................................ +9V to +15.4V DC
External Battery Fuse ................................................ 30A (ATC)
Standby Current........................................................... 800mA
Dimensions..........................................2"H x 85⁄16"W x 107⁄8"L
Weight ........................................................ 4.1 lbs. (1.86kg)
(+15dB gain overlap) ..........250mV to 15V
(low level input)
650mV to 11V (high level input)
(5.08mm x 20.63mm x 26.27mm)
ACCESSORY PACK
(1) 3/32” Allen Wrench (1) ATC In-line Fuseholder (1) ATC 30 Amp Fuse
®®
–1–
Specifications subject to change without notice
RF-2.9x
2-Channel RF Amplifier
Installation
Reference
Sheet
Extension RCA's (opt.)
® ®
L R
Gain
Connect “GND” terminal to radio
chassis if noise problems arise when
using High Level Inputs.
.9
Input High Level
L-R+GND
L+
Bridged/Mono 4 ohm
Bridged/Mono
Woofer
AUD
PWR
VOL
® ®
CLOCK
AUTO
P.SCN LOUDDSPL
RDM
RPT
SCAN
D.SCN
1 234 65
ILLUM
DIM
PAUSE
R
SEL
TUNE
Remote Turn-On
275 Watts Total Power
R+ R-
B+
➝
Xover Frequency
0dB
–3dB
REM GND
Battery +12V
30A
Fuse
Less than 18"
➝
LP
HP
0dB
–3dB
80Hz
+ –
Battery
Low-Pass Full RangeHigh-Pass
➝
HP
LP
➝
Xover Frequency
80Hz
FULL
Xover Frequency
0dB
–3dB
↕
80Hz
Bass
R-
EQ
+18
+12
+6
+3
0dB
33Hz 45Hz
67.5Hz
+18
+12
0dB
+6
+3
33Hz 45Hz
LED
67.5Hz
Speaker Speaker
L+ L-
Stereo 2 or 4 ohm
+
Left (+)
+
Left
Speaker
–
–
Right (–)
Right
Speaker
+
–
® ®
L R
Gain
Use passive crossovers when running amplifier in
Stereo & Bridged/Mono mode simultaneously. Please
contact your Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer for
information on passive crossovers.
.9
Input High Level
L-R+GND
L+
Bass
R-
EQ
Bridged/Mono
Woofer
Left (+)
+
–
Right (–)
Left
Speaker
Right
Speaker
–2–
Speaker Speaker
L+ L-
LED
+
–
+
275 Watts Total Power
R+ R-
B+
Insert XCard into Full Range only
REM GND
Full Range
Xover Frequency
0dB
–3dB
FULL
80Hz
↕
–
I
NSTALLATION
• For safety, disconnect the negative lead from the car battery prior to beginning the installation
Trunk Mounting
Mounting the amplifier vertically on a surface with the fin grooves running up and down will provide the best cooling for the amplifier.
Passenger Compartment Mounting
Mounting the amplifier in the passenger compartment will work as long as you provide a sufficient amount of air for the amplifier to cool
itself. If you are going to mount the amplifier under the seat of the vehicle, you must have at least 1” (2.54cm) of air gap around the
amplifier’s heatsink.
B+ Terminal
The B+ cable MUST be fused 18” (45cm) or less from the vehicle’s battery. Prepare the cable ends and install the fuseholder under the
hood. Connections should be water tight.
GND Terminal
Prepare a length of cable to be used for the ground connection. Prepare the chassis ground by scraping any paint from the metal surface
and thoroughly clean the area of all dirt and grease. Fasten the cable to the chassis using a screw.
REM Terminal
Connect the REM wire to a switched 12 volt positive source. The switched signal is usually taken from the source unit’s auto antenna or
the accessory lead. If the source unit does not have these outputs available, the recommended solution is to wire a mechanical switch inline with a 12 volt source to activate the amplifier.
Input Connectors
Follow the diagram and connect the appropriate signal cables to the input terminals of the amplifier. Be sure that the signal cables are
routed close together and away from any high current wires.
Speaker Output Terminals
Connect the speaker system to the amplifier by inserting the wires into the corresponding output terminals and tighten the set screws.
Follow the diagram for proper signal polarity. DO NOT chassis ground any of the speaker wires as unstable amplifier operation may
result. CAUTION: This amplifier is not recommended for impedance loads below 2Ω stereo and/or 4Ω bridged (mono).
Gain Control(s)
The amplifier is factory set for optimum dynamic range with a 500mV input signal. The system levels may be adjusted by ear when using
a source unit with higher or lower output levels by using the following procedure.
1. Turn the gain control to minimum (counterclockwise)
2. Play a music track with high dynamic content and turn up the source unit to at least 3/4 volume
3. Slowly increase the gain and set it just below audible distortion or until reaching a comfortable hearing threshold (whichever occurs
first)
T
ROUBLESHOOTING
Symptom Diagnosis Remedy
Amplifier does not turn on
Amplifier has no output
B+ or REM not between 10.5 and 15.5 volts or
no voltage present
Amplifier is not properly grounded
XCard is missing or not inserted properly into
slot
Check the alternator, battery, fuse, and
wiring and repair as necessary
Check wiring and repair as necessary
Check XCard installation and repair as nec-
essary
Amplifier Noise
(Turn-On Pop)
Engine Noise
Voltage spike from source unit is entering
amplifier’s input
Noise is radiating into signal cables
–3–
Connect turn-on module to REM terminal if
pops are eliminated with no input signal to
amplifier
Re-route signal cables away from sources
of high current