Rockford Fosgate PUNCH 4020 DSM User Manual



PUNCH 4020 DSM

4-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER

INSTALLATION & OPERATION

®®

Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase of the world's finest brand of car audio

amplifiers. At Rockford Fosgate we are committed to 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.

To add the finishing touch to your new Rockford Fosgate image order your Rockford
accessories, which include everything from T-shirts and jackets to hats and
sunglasses.

To get a free brochure on Rockford Fosgate products and Rockford accessories,
please call 602-967-3565 or FAX [phone]. In Canada, call Korbon
Trading at 905-567-1929. For International orders, FAX [phone]
or call +001-1-602-967-3565.

PRACTICE SAFE SOUND™

CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS
OVER 100dB MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS. HIGH
POWERED AUTO SOUND SYSTEMS MAY PRODUCE SOUND
PRESSURE LEVELS WELL OVER 130dB. USE COMMON SENSE
AND PRACTICE SAFE SOUND.

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.

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:____________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ...................................................................................... 1

Punch 4020 Amplifier Accessory Pack .............................................. 1

Rockford Fosgate Accessories............................................................ 2

Technical Design Features ................................................................ 3

Punch 4020 Design Features............................................................. 6

Installation Considerations ................................................................ 8

Mounting Location............................................................................ 9

Battery and Charging....................................................................... 10

Wiring the System ........................................................................... 10

Using the XCard.............................................................................. 12

Sample Wiring Diagrams ................................................................ 14

Troubleshooting .............................................................................. 18

Dynamic Power Measurements....................................................... 21

Specifications.................................................................................. 23

Warranty Information...................................................................... 24

GETTING STARTED

Welcome to Rockford Fosgate! This manual is designed to provide
information on the Punch 4020 amplifier for owner, salesperson
and installer. To accomplish this, the manual is divided into five
main sections: Introduction, Installation, Troubleshooting, Specifi­cations and Warranty Information. For those of you who want quick
information on how to install this product, please turn to the Basic
System Diagrams in the Installation section of this manual. Other
information can be located by using the Table of Contents. We, at
Rockford Fosgate, have worked very hard to make sure all the
information in this manual is current. But, as we are constantly
finding new ways to improve our product, this information is subject
to change without notice.

INTRODUCTION

The Punch 4020 is a 4-channel amplifier which offers 20 Watts
per channel when driven into 4 Ohms. The amplifier utilizes a 2/
4 input selector switch and XCard crossovers.

When building a 4-channel amplifier, a major design challenge
is to maintain sound quality in a limited space. For the Punch
4020, Rockford Fosgate Engineers designed the Trans•

pology which is a fast, short loop circuit allowing the output stage
to be driven with a low voltage drive signal. With the addition of
a 2/4 input selector switch and XCard crossovers, the 4020 can
be configured in many popular system designs without the added
cost of external processors. The result is an excellent sounding
amplifier in a physically compact area.

The Punch 4020 satisfies the need for a powerful 4-channel
amplifier at a competitive price.

We strongly recommend you have your Authorized Rockford
Fosgate Dealer install the new Punch 4020 amplifier. If you do
choose to install it yourself, please be sure to read the entire
manual before beginning.

Ana

to-

PUNCH 4020 AMPLIFIER
ACCESSORY PACK

The accessory pack shipped with the Punch 4020 amplifiers
include the mounting hardware necessary to secure it to the
vehicle as well as attaching the end caps.

Installation & Operation Manual
Punch Verification Certificate
(10)Hex Head screws for speaker and power connectors
(4) Mounting screws for end caps
(4) Mounting screws for amplifier
(1) Allen wrench 7/64"
(1) Allen wrench 13/32"

– 1 –

ROCKFORD FOSGATE ACCESSORIES

The following accessories were designed to enhance the perfor­mance of the Punch 4020 amplifier.

Energy Storage Capacitor (PCH-C1)

The Punch 1 farad capacitor is used to provide extra current
needed by amplifiers to reproduce musical transients. The Punch
Cap also has the natural ability to filter DC ripple caused by the
alternator which can result in noise in the system. The PCH-C1
will maximize both the sound quality and performance that

Rockford Fosgate amplifiers can deliver.

Punch Link (FG-LINK)

The Punch Link is a specially cast heatsink interconnect which
allows you to join any of our current Punch or Punch Power
amplifiers together. While providing additional cooling through
the coupling process, the Punch Link adds the finishing touch by

giving you the look of one awesome amplifier.

XCard

Additional crossover card frequencies are available for special­ized requirements. You can get the following XCards from your
Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer.

XM50 = 50Hz XM275 = 275Hz
XM70 = 70Hz XM400 = 400Hz
XM100 = 100Hz XM4.5k = 4,500Hz
XM150 = 150Hz XM6.5k = 6,500Hz
XM200 = 200Hz XM00 = Blank card for

custom crossover

– 2 –

TECHNICAL DESIGN FEATURES

◆ trans•

The trans•

Amplifier) is a novel circuit that utilizes a short-loop complemen­tary topology and advanced Real Time Protection circuitry.

THE RESULT: An amplifier design with the benefits of tube and bi­polar transistor amplifier design without the limitations of either.

ana

ana

(TRANS conductance Advanced Non-multiplying

◆ MOSFET Devices

Rockford Fosgate is one of the few manufacturers in any of the
sound communities to utilize MOSFET devices in both the

supply

and the

ductor Field Effect Transistor) devices offer several important
inherent advantages over the 30 year old technology of bi-polar
design. These advantages include: thermal stability, switching
speed, ultra low output impedance and wider bandwidth linear­ity. In addition, MOSFET and vacuum tubes share many impor­tant operating characteristics. However, the MOSFET device is
much faster, wider in bandwidth, measurably lower in distortion
and far more linear than vacuum tubes.

THE RESULT: Operational characteristics of vacuum tubes
without the performance limitations of tube design.

output stages. MOSFET

(Metal Oxide Semicon-

power

◆ DSM (Discrete Surface Mount) Technology

The

DSM

(Discrete Surface Mount) manufacturing process com­bines the advantages of both discrete components and integrated
circuitry. Rockford Fosgate is the only American amplifier manu­facturer to have invested millions into this process. DSM compo­nents differ from conventional discrete components in three
different ways. They are more compact and more rugged, and
they take much better advantage of the PC board to allow them
to get rid of any heat they generate. Using them wherever
appropriate allows the advantages associated with discrete thru­hole circuitry to be retained while also providing room for both
highly advanced processing features and generous PC board
copper paths where needed. Their short lead-out structures allow
maximum audio performance and highest signal-to-noise ratios

– 3 –

to be obtained in amplifiers of desirable package size without
resorting to “amplifier-on-a-chip” shortcuts. These advantages
are shown below in Figure 1.

THE RESULT: Less connections, improved reliability, shorter
signal paths, superior signal-to-noise ratio and awesome sonic
performance.

Solder

Component

Solder

Figure 1

Thru-Hole Surface Mount

◆ TOP AZ (Tracking Operation Pre-Amplifier Zone)

The

TOPAZ

solves ground loop noise problems common to automotive
amplifier design. This innovative new development allows vastly
improved isolation of the input signal grounds from the power
supply ground of the amplifier. This is accomplished by allowing
the source unit to control the potential “environment” of the
entire input structure or “zone” of the amplifier. This process
improves the noise rejection of the amplifier by 30-40dB – an
astounding 30-100 times better than amplifiers without TOPAZ.

THE RESULT: Elimination of troublesome ground loop noise
between source and amplifier.

(Tracking Operation Pre-Amplifier Zone) circuitry

– 4 –

◆ XCard (Internal Crossover)

The Punch 4020 amplifier utilizes internal active crossovers. These
crossovers have many performance advantages such as using dis­crete components for exact frequency adjustments which are far
superior to potentiometers. Additionally, the
ured for high-pass, low-pass and full range operation. With slight
modification, many crossover frequencies and slope configurations
can be achieved.

THE RESULT: Increased system design flexibility with a precise
electronic crossover without the limitations of conventional poten-

tiometer designs.

XCard

can be config-

◆ RTP (Real Time Protection)

NOMAD (NOn-Multiplying Advanced Decision)

The Punch 4020 amplifier uses an
absolutely maximize safe output power under all operating condi­tions. Rockford Fosgate pioneered and developed
Protection), a crucial element in the performance edge of our
amplifiers. The innovative
Decision) system is the most sophisticated version of this technique
ever used, bringing previously unavailable levels of accuracy,
stability, temperature immunity and reliability to this critical pro­cess. NOMAD makes advanced decisions based on device voltages
to precisely control the awesome levels of current available in the
output MOSFETs to safe values – but only when absolutely needed.

THE RESULT: Extremely fast protection system that always protects
the amplifier and never degrades the sound.

NOMAD

analog computer process

RTP

(Real Time

(NOn-Multiplying Advanced

to

– 5 –

PUNCH 4020 DESIGN FEATURES

1. Cast Aluminum Heatsink – The cast aluminum heatsink of the
Punch amplifier dissipates heat generated by the amplifier's
circuitry. The inherent advantage of casting provides a 30%
improvement of cooling over conventional extrusion heatsink
designs.

2. End Caps – Interchangeable end caps conceal the wiring and
input cables, giving the amplifier a clean “stealth” look.

8

6

R

L

Rear

Rear Gain

4

– L +

(Bridged Mono)

Rear Speakers

3

– R +

10

POWER

+ L –

(Bridged Mono)

Front Speakers

5

REM

3

+ R –

8

Front Gain

6

R

L

Front

B+ GND

3. Speaker Terminals – The heavy duty, gold-plated terminal block
connectors (+ and –) will accept wire sizes from 8 AWG to 18
AWG. These gold-plated connectors are immune to corrosion
that can cause signal deterioration.

4. Power Terminals – The power and ground connectors on the
Punch amplifier are gold-plated and will accommodate up to 8
AWG wire maximizing the input current capability of the
amplifier.

5. REM Terminal – This spade terminal is used for the AP (auto
power) or remote turn on of the Punch amplifier.

– 6 –

6. RCA Input Jacks – The industry standard RCA jack provides an

↕

➝

➝

➝

➝

easy connection for signal level input. They are gold-plated to
resist the signal degradation caused by corrosion.

7. Signal Input Switch – This switch allows selection of 2 channel
or 4 channel source unit feed.

8. Input Sensitivity Controls – The input level controls are preset
for 500mV which will match the output of most source units.
They can be adjusted to match input levels ranging from 150mV
to 3V.

9. Internal Crossovers – These built-in crossover cards are
configurable for a multitude of operating frequencies. The
orientation of the card in its socket determines the function of
high-pass, low-pass, or full range operation.

10. LED Power Indicator – The LED illuminates when the unit is
turned on.

ROCKFORD CORPORATION

®

MADE IN THE USA

®

Low Pass Full RangeHigh Pass

HP

LP

9

AMPLIFIER

FULL

XCard 2

Front

XCard

®

DSM

20 Watts x 4 into 4Ω at 0.05% THD

30 Watts x 4 into 2Ω at 0.1% THD

LP

HP

7

XCard 1

Rear

XCard

– 7 –

INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a list of tools you will need for installing the Punch
amplifier:

Allen wrenches 7/64" & 3/32" (included) Voltmeter
Wire strippers Battery post wrench
Electric hand drill w/assorted bits Wire cutters
Wire crimpers Assorted connectors

This section focuses on some of the vehicle considerations for
installing your new Punch amplifier. Checking your battery and
present sound system, as well as pre-planning your system layout and
best wiring routes will save installation time. When deciding how to
lay out your new system, be sure that each component will be easily
accessible for making adjustments.

Before beginning any installation, be sure to follow these simple rules:

1. Be sure to carefully read and understand the instructions before
attempting to install the amplifier.

2. For safety, disconnect the negative lead from the battery prior to
beginning the installation.

3. For easier assembly, we suggest you run all wires prior to
mounting your amplifier in place.

4. Route all of the RCA cables close together and away from any
high current wires.

5. Use high quality connectors for a reliable installation and to
minimize signal or power loss.

6. Think before you drill! Be careful not to cut or drill into gas tanks,
fuel lines, brake or hydraulic lines, vacuum lines or electrical
wiring when working on any vehicle.

7. Never run wires underneath the vehicle. Running the wires
inside the vehicle provides the best protection.

8. Avoid running wires over or through sharp edges. Use rubber or
plastic grommets to protect any wires routed through metal,
especially the firewall.

9. ALWAYS protect the battery and electrical system from damage
with proper fusing. Install a fuseholder and fuse on the +12V
power wire within 18” (45.7 cm) of the battery terminal.

10. When grounding to the chassis of the vehicle, scrape all paint
from the metal to ensure a good, clean ground connection.
Grounding connections should be as short as possible and always
be connected to metal that is welded to the main body, or chassis,
of the vehicle.

– 8 –

MOUNTING LOCATION

The mounting location and position of your amplifier will have a great
effect on its ability to dissipate the heat generated under normal
operation. The design of our cast aluminum heatsink serves to easily
dissipate the heat generated over a wide range of operating condi­tions. However, to maximize the performance of your amplifier, care
should be taken to ensure adequate ventilation.

Trunk Mounting

Mounting the amplifier vertically on a surface with the fin grooves
running up and down will provide the best cooling of the amplifier.

Mounting the amplifier on the floor of the trunk will work but provides
less cooling capability than vertical mounting.

Mounting the amplifier upside down to the rear deck of the trunk will
not provide proper cooling and will severely affect the performance
of the amplifier and is strongly

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.

not

recommended.

Mounting the amplifier with less than 1" (2.54cm) of air gap around
the amplifier's heatsink in the passenger compartment will not
provide proper cooling and will severely affect the performance of the
amplifier and is strongly

not

recommended.

Engine Compartment Mounting

Rockford Fosgate amplifiers should
compartment. Not only will this void your warranty but could create
an embarrassing situation caused by the ridicule from your friends.

– 9 –

never

be mounted in the engine

BATTERY AND CHARGING

Amplifiers will put an increased load on the vehicle's battery and
charging system. We recommend checking your alternator and
battery condition to ensure that the electrical system has enough
capacity to handle the increased load of your stereo system. Stock
electrical systems which are in good condition should be able to
handle the extra load of any Rockford amplifier without problems,
although battery and alternator life can be reduced slightly. To
maximize the performance of your Rockford Fosgate amplifier, we
suggest the use of a heavy duty battery, high output alternator and a
stiffening capacitor like the Rockford Fosgate PCH-C1.

WIRING THE SYSTEM

CAUTION: Avoid running power wires near the low level input
cables, antenna, power leads, sensitive equipment or harnesses. The
power wires carry substantial current and could induce noise into the
audio system.

1. Plan the wire routing. Take care when running signal level RCA
cables to keep them close together but isolated from the amplifier's
power cables and any high power auto accessories, especially
electric motors. This is done to prevent coupling the noise from
radiated electrical fields into the audio signal. When feeding the
wires through the firewall or any metal barrier, protect them with
plastic or rubber grommets to prevent short circuits. Leave the
wires long at this point to adjust for a precise fit at a later time.

2. Prepare the Power cable for attachment to the amplifier by
stripping 5/8" of insulation from the end of the wire. The use of 8
gauge power cable can interfere with the installation of the end
caps. Proper wire dress can prevent this from occurring. To
prevent the wire from fraying, strip the insulation at a 45° angle.
Insert the bared wire into the B+ terminal with the long side of the
insulation on the top. Bend the cable down at a 90° angle. Tighten
the set screw to secure the cable in place.

NOTE: The B+ cable MUST be fused 18" or less from the vehicle's
battery. Install the fuseholder under the hood and prepare the
cable ends as stated above. Connections should be water tight.

– 10 –

3. Prepare a length of cable to be used for the ground connection.
Strip 5/8" of insulation from the end of the cable as described
above and connect to the appropriate terminal of the ampli­fier. Prepare the chassis ground by scraping any paint from the
metal surface and thoroughly clean the area of all dirt and
grease. Strip the other end of the wire and attach a ring
connector. Fasten the cable to the chassis using a screw.

4. Prepare the REM turn-on wire for connection to the amplifier
by stripping 5/8" of insulation from the wire end and crimping
an insulated spade connector in place. Slide the connector
over the REM terminal on the amplifier. Connect the other end
of 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 in line with a 12 volt source to activate
the amplifier.

5. Connect the source signal to the amplifier by plugging the RCA
cables into the input jack(s) at the amplifier.

6. Connect the speakers. Strip the speaker wires 5/8" and insert
into the appropriate terminal on the amplifier. Insert the bared
wire into the speaker terminal and tighten the set screw to
secure into place. Be sure to maintain proper speaker polarity.

DO NOT chassis ground any of the speaker leads as unstable
operation may result.

7. Perform a final check of the completed system wiring to ensure
that all connections are accurate. Check all power and ground
connections for frayed wires and loose connections which
could cause problems from road vibrations.

8. After the final inspection is complete, install the power fuse
and enjoy listening. During the initial listening period, you
may need to “fine tune” any phasing and level settings within
your particular vehicle. To aid in this procedure, play a track
with high musical content and cruise around your neighbor­hood. After fully evaluating the transient response of your
system and making any final adjustments, all your neighbors
within a 1 mile radius will assume that you have just success­fully completed another upgrade to your audio system for
which they will probably spill thumbtacks on your driveway.

– 11 –

USING THE XCARD

↕

➝

➝

➝

➝

The crossover functions are controlled through the use of an
XCard and can be set for high-pass, low-pass or full range
operation. These cards are shipped in the most common fre­quency. Each crossover card has two faces: one face operates Full
Range, the other has arrows to indicate the edge for selecting HP
(high-pass) or LP (low-pass) operation. Orient the card with the
desired operating edge, indicated by the arrow, toward the socket
terminals inside the amplifier. Firmly, but carefully, plug the card

into the socket.

LP

HP

The crossover point can be altered by changing the resistor value.
Use the following formula to select the appropriate resistor value

to be placed on the XCard.

Low Pass Full RangeHigh Pass

HP

LP

FULL

3386

f

o

7234

f

o

Where: R = Ω

= R (in kΩ) for .047µf cap

= R (in kΩ) for .022µf cap

Crossover Card

High Pass

R1

R2

Low Pass
Full Range

fo = desired crossover frequency
c = capacitor in farads
ex: .047 x 10-6 for .047mf cap

– 12 –

The actual formula is:

R =

1

2πfoc

R1

FULL

R2

4020 POWER CONNECTIONS

5

REM

Connect to remote

turn-on lead of

source unit.

Less than 18"

Connect to B+ of battery

*Keep grounds as short as possible.

4

B+ GND

Connect to chassis
ground of vehicle*

with a 30 amp fuse.

10

POWER

– 13 –

SAMPLE WIRING DIAGRAMS

4-CHANNEL STEREO

Front

+ L – + R –

(Bridged Mono)

Front Speakers Rear Speakers

+ –

Rear XCard*

LP

XCard 1 XCard 2

2Ω Minimum

High Frequency

+ –

Front XCard*

R

L

Front Gain

Front

Rear

R

– L + – R +

L

Rear

HP

Rear Gain

(Bridged Mono)

+ –

2Ω Minimum

Low Frequency

+ –

*Note: XCard can be inserted in HP,
LP, or Full Range.

• Signal input switch to 4 channel input.

• Gain for Front and Rear operate independently.

• Front is operating in stereo.

• Rear is operating in stereo.

• Experiment with subwoofer polarity to determine
which sounds best in your system.

– 14 –

4-CHANNEL – STEREO FRONT

MONO REAR

Front

+ L – + R –

(Bridged Mono)

Front Speakers Rear Speakers

+ –

+ –

2Ω Minimum

High Frequency

Rear XCard*

LP

XCard 1 XCard 2

R

L

Front Gain

Front

Front XCard*

HP

*Note: XCard can be inserted in HP,

LP, or Full Range.

Rear

Rear

R

L

Rear Gain

– L + – R +

(Bridged Mono)

4Ω Minimum

Low Frequency

+ –

• Signal input switch to 4 channel input.

• Gain for Front and Rear operate independently.

• Front is operating in stereo.

• Rear is operating in stereo.

• Fader on source unit controls level of subwoofer.

• Experiment with subwoofer polarity to determine
which sounds best in your system.

– 15 –

2-CHANNEL – MONO

Front

+ L – + R –

Front Speakers Rear Speakers

+ –

4Ω Minimum

Low Frequency

Rear XCard*

LP

XCard 1 XCard 2

R

L

Front Gain

Front

Front XCard*

LP

*Note: XCard can be inserted in HP,

LP, or Full Range.

Rear

Rear

R

L

Rear Gain

– L + – R +

(Bridged Mono)(Bridged Mono)

– +

4Ω Minimum

Low Frequency

• Signal input switch to 2 channel input.

• Gain for Front and Rear operate independently.

• Front is operating in mono.

• Rear is operating in mono.

– 16 –

4-CHANNEL – STEREO/MONO FRONT

STEREO REAR

+ –

2Ω Minimum

High Frequency

Front

+ L – + R –

(Bridged Mono)

Front Speakers Rear Speakers

+ –

4Ω Minimum

Low Frequency

R

L

Front Gain

Front

+ –

2Ω Minimum

High Frequency

Rear

R

– L + – R +

L

Rear

Rear Gain

+ –

High Frequency

Rear XCard*

HP

XCard 1 XCard 2

(Bridged Mono)

– +

2Ω Minimum

Front XCard*

Full Range

Note: XCard can be inserted in HP,

LP, or Full Range.

• Signal input switch to 4 channel input.

• Gain for Front and Rear operate independently.

• Front is operating in stereo/MONO.

• Rear is operating in stereo.

• Fader on source unit controls level of rear.

– 17 –

TROUBLESHOOTING

Symptom Diagnosis Remedy

Amplifier does not
turn on.

(Power LED is off)

Amplifier has no
sound.

(Power LED is on)

Voltage applied to the
REM terminal of the
amplifier is not between

10.5 and 15.5 volts or
there is no voltage
present.

Voltage to the B+ termi­nal of the amplifier is
not between 10.5 and

15.5 volts or there is no
voltage present.

Amplifier is not prop­erly grounded.

RCA Input from source
unit is not connected or
not functioning properly.

XCards are missing or
not placed properly in
crossover slots and/or
switches are not prop­erly selected.

Check the alternator, bat­tery, fuse, and wiring and
repair as necessary. If the
voltage is above 15.5 volts,
have the electrical system
inspected by an authorized
car service center.

Check the alternator, bat­tery, fuse, and wiring and
repair as necessary. If the
voltage is above 15.5 volts,
have the electrical inspected
by an authorized car service
center.

Check wiring and repair as
necessary.

Check connections, substi­tute with known working
source and cables and repair
or replace as necessary.

Check signal input switch and
XCard positions and repair
or replace as necessary.

Speaker leads are
shorted to each other or
to the chassis of the ve­hicle.

Speakers are defective.

– 18 –

Disconnect existing speak­ers and test with known
working speakers and wires.
If amplifier plays, check and
repair wiring and installa­tion of speakers as neces­sary.

Replace speakers.

Symptom Diagnosis Remedy

Speaker Output
Low or Distorted

Amplifier Noise

(Turn-on Pop)

Input gain signal for
amplifier set too low.

Source unit output too
low.

Speakers wired out of
polarity from the left to
right channel.

XCards are missing or
not placed properly in
crossover slots and/or
switch not properly se­lected.

Low battery voltage or
large voltage drops to
the amplifier under load.

Voltage spike from out­put of preceding com­ponent is entering am­plifier through input sig­nal.

Readjust input gains of
amplifier.

Check system with known
working source and repair
or replace orignal source as
needed.

Check speaker polarity and
correct as needed.

Check signal input switch
and XCard positons and
repair or replace as neces­sary.

Check the alternator, bat­tery, fuse and wiring and
repair as necessary.

Disconnect input signal to
amplifier and turn ampli­fier on and off. If noise is
eliminated, connect REM
lead of amplifier to source
unit with a delay turn-on
module.

Voltage spike from re­mote turn-on lead is
entering through REM
input terminal.

– 19 –

Use different 12 volt
source for REM lead of
amplifier. (i.e., battery di­rect) If noise is eliminated,
use relay to isolate ampli­fier from noisy turn-on
output.

Symptom Diagnosis Remedy

Engine Noise on
the Speaker Out­puts of the Ampli­fier

Speaker leads are
shorted to each other or
to the chassis of the ve­hicle.

RCA input from source
unit is not connected or
not functioning prop­erly.

RCA cable is picking up
radiated noise.

Ground loop in antenna
line.

Multiple grounding
paths in the signal chain.

Disconnect existing speak­ers and test with known
working speakers. If engine
noise is gone, check and
repair wiring and installa­tion of speakers as neces­sary.

Check connections, substi­tute with known working
cables and repair or replace
as necessary.

Run the RCA cable on a
different route.

Disconnect antenna from
the source unit. If engine
noise is gone, check, and
repair wiring and installa­tion or use an antenna
ground loop isolator.

Bypass all other equipment
(crossovers and equalizers)
by connecting the head unit
directly to the amp. If noise
is gone, reconnect equip­ment one piece at a time
and test for noise after each
install.

• If noise persists, see your Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer.

– 20 –

DYNAMIC POWER MEASUREMENTS

About the Dynamic Power Measurements

The Audio Graph PowerCube is a test instrument used to measure the
output of an amplifier in accordance with IHF-202 industry stan­dards. The IHF-202 standard is a dynamic power measurement and
was developed as a means of measuring power in a manner that best
represents the Real World operation of an amplifier. Many manufac­turers, including Rockford Fosgate, at times will measure amplifier
power into a fixed resistor (4 Ohm, 2 Ohm). While this method is
useful in some types of evaluation and testing, it is not representative
of an amplifier that is connected to a speaker and playing music.

Music

Music is dynamic; the sound waves are complex and constantly
changing. In order to simulate this, the IHF-202 standard calls for the
input signal to the amplifier to be a 1kHz bursted tone. This signal is
input (on for 20 milliseconds) and reduced 20dB for 480 millisec­onds. The signal is gradually increased in level until the amplifier's
output exceeds 1% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). At 1% distor­tion becomes audible, therefore, any power produced above that
level is considered

amplifiers' output power in excess of 10% distortion. They use many
names for this measurement, such as Total Maximum Power or
Maximum Output Power. This is not indicative of the

output power

.

not usable

. Many manufacturers represent their

actual usable

Listening to Loudspeakers - Not Resistors

A loudspeaker is not a resistor. A resistor's value (resistance measured
in ohms) is fixed. A loudspeaker's impedance is dynamic. It is
constantly changing in value, dependent upon the frequency of the
input signal. Therefore, measuring power with the amplifier loaded
into a 4 ohm resistor is not the same as measuring power with the
amplifier connected to a 4 ohm speaker. Most people do not listen to
music through a resistor.

A 4 Ohm speaker may experience a drop in impedance 4-6 times lower
than its nominal (printed) impedance. A speaker will also create phase
shifts in the signal that is passed through it. These phase shifts happen
because a speaker is an inductor (voice coil) and a capacitor (compli­ance of the surround/spider), as well as a resistor (voice coil wire).

To simulate a speaker the Audio Graph PowerCube measures output
power into 20 different loads. It tests at 8 Ohms, 4 Ohms, 2 Ohms and
1 Ohm. Each of these impedances is also tested at –60°, –30°, 0°, +30°
and +60° phase angles. These different impedances and phase angles
represent the shifts in impedance and phase that can occur in a typical
loudspeaker.

Appendix A

– 21 –

Information Cubed

The data acquired in the testing procedure is then graphed in the form
of a 3-dimensional cube. Hence the name PowerCube.

The

Phase Angle

Voltage

is presented on the vertical axis and the

displayed on the Z axis.

is expressed on the horizontal axis, the

Impedance

Output Power,

in watts, is listed on the left

Output

is

hand side for each impedance at each phase angle.

MODEL BEING

TESTED

Amplifier:

PUNCH AMP 14.4V x 2
Serial No:
Owner :

ROCKFORD CORPORATION

84 W

8Ω –60°

*

84 W

–30°

83 W

0°

84 W

30°

85 W

60°

159 W

4Ω –60°

*

154 W

–30°

153 W

0°

154 W

30°

158 W

60°

266 W

2Ω –60°

*

IMPEDANCE

251 W

–30°

245 W

0°

248 W

30°

261 W

60°

378 W

1Ω –60°

*

343 W

–30°

333 W

0°

339 W

30°

373 W

60°

VOLTAGE FROM

BATTERY

POWER

IN

WATTS

{

–60° (Cap)

MONO = BRIDGED MONO

0°

{

PHASE ANGLES

x2 = STEREO

Rated Power : Rated Output - Watts per Channel

2Ω

1Ω

(Ind) +60°

{

Impedance

50V

30V

10V

OUTPUT VOLTAGE

8Ω

4Ω

What is an Amplifier?

An amplifier by definition is a voltage generating device, recreating
the signal which is input to it identically but with increased volume.
It will be connected to a reactive load (the speaker). The impedance
of this load and phase of the signal passing through the load will vary,
dependent upon the frequency of the input signal (music).

AudioGraph – The PowerCube

Therefore, a perfect amplifier will be able to maintain the same output
voltage regardless of load characteristics and will not alter the signal
it is reproducing. A perfect amplifier when measured by the
AudioGraph PowerCube would present data that forms a perfect
cube. Unfortunately, amplifiers are not perfect. The laws of physics
generally prevent it. A great amplifier is about the best one can hope
to attain.

As you can see by the PowerCube and as you will experience by
listening, your Punch amplifier is a GREAT AMPLIFIER!

– 22 –

SPECIFICATIONS

Continuous Power Rating (Competition Standard) - Measured at 13.8V
RMS continuous power per channel, all channels 20 Watts
driven into a 4Ω load from 20-20,000Hz with
less than 0.05% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

RMS continuous power per channel, all channels 30 Watts
driven into a 2Ω load from 20 to 20,000Hz, with
less than 0.1% THD

RMS continuous power bridged into a 4Ω load 60 Watts
from 20 to 20,000Hz, with less than 0.10% THD

Dynamic Power Rating (IHF-202 Standard) - Measured at 14.4V
Mono into a 4Ω Load 82 Watts
Per channel into a 2Ω Load 41 Watts
Per channel into a 4Ω Load 26 Watts

Signal-to-Noise Ratio >100dB

A-weighted
Factory Default Crossover Point 100Hz Butterworth
Crossover Alignment 12dB/octave
Dimensions 9-5/8" W x 12-5/8" L x 2-5/8" H

(24.4cm) x (32.0cm) x (6.6cm)
Damping Factor @ 4Ω (at output connetor) >150
Bandwidth 15Hz-100kHz ±3dB
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz

±0.5dB
Slew Rate 30 Vµs
IM Distortion (IHF) <0.05%
Input Sensitivity Variable from

150mV to 3V

Preset at the

factory for 500mV
Fuse size 30 Amp
Input Impedance 20k Ohms

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

– 23 –

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Rockford Fosgate warrants all electronics to the original consumer/purchaser to
be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of three (3) years.
We will cover parts and labor provided the product was purchased from an
Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer. This warranty does not apply to any product
on which the seals and/or serial number have been broken, removed, tampered
with, defaced or altered in any manner. This warranty only applies to the original
consumer/purchaser and is not transferable.

Electronics found to be defective during the warranty period will be repaired or
replaced at Rockford Fosgate’s discretion. Repaired or replaced electronics will
be covered by the balance of the original warranty period only. Rockford Fosgate
shall not be responsible for any incidental or consequential damages resulting
from a defect in electronics. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of incidental or consequential damages, so the previous limitation may not be
applicable.

The warranty does not cover any appearance item, any cost or expense related to
the removal or reinstallation of the product, any accessory used in conjunction
with the product, damage to the product resulting from alteration, accident,
misuse or abuse, or improper installation. This warranty does not apply if the parts
or labor, which would otherwise be provided without charge under this warranty,
are obtained from any source other than Rockford Fosgate or an Authorized
Rockford Fosgate Service Center.

This warranty is the only express warranty and does not create any implied
warranties. Rockford Fosgate limits its obligations under any implied warranties
under state laws to a period not to exceed the written warranty period. Some states
do not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above
limitation may not apply. This warranty applies only to products sold in the United
States of America or its possessions. For warranty outside the U.S.A., please
contact the nearest Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer. This warranty gives the
consumer specific legal rights, and the consumer may have other rights which vary
from state to state.

A defective product must be shipped prepaid to the Authorized Rockford Fosgate
Dealer from which the consumer purchased the product or to the Rockford
Fosgate factory in Tempe, Arizona in the original factory carton or equivalent. Any
shipping loss or damage will be borne by the consumer or the consumer’s shipper.
A consumer returning a product to the factory must call [phone] for a
Return Authorization Number. All shipments shall be clearly marked with the
Return Authorization Number on the outside of the shipping carton.

Ship to:
Rockford Corporation
Warranty Repair Department
2055 E. 5th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281 U.S.A.
Return Authorization Number:_________________

10/94
MAN-0808-A

Rockford Fosgate

Rockford Corporation

546 South Rockford Drive

Tempe, Arizona 85281 U.S.A.

In U.S.A., [phone]

In Canada, call Korbon [phone]

In Europe, Fax [phone]

In Japan, Fax [phone]