Kicker 2008 ZX 450.2 Owner's Manual download pdf (Page 3)

Operation

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.

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 for 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.2 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.

Tr oub l e Shooting

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.

OPERATION

ZX.2AMPLIFIER

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. 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 airﬂ ow around the ampliﬁ er. 2) Ampliﬁ er shuts down only while vehicle is running. Voltage

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.

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 Noise? 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.

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) 624-

8583 for unanswered or speciﬁ c questions.

PERFORMANCE

AUTO

TURN ON

INPUT

LEVEL

INPUT

OUTPUT

XOVER

SPKR+

SPKR -

SPKR +

SPKR -

+12V

OFFSET

AUDIO

OFF

REMOTE BASS

Model ZX350.2

110 x 2 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)

Signal to Noise Ratio -94

CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

Model ZX550.2

205 x 2 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)

Signal to Noise Ratio -91

CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

Model ZX450.2

150 x 2 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)

Signal to Noise Ratio -91

CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

Model ZX850.2

295 x 2 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)

Signal to Noise Ratio -89

CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

AUTO

TURN ON

INPUT

LEVEL

INPUT

OUTPUT

XOVER

SPKR+

SPKR -

SPKR +

SPKR -

+12V

OFFSET

AUDIO

OFF

REMOTE BASS

Slide the housing until it snaps into the metal bracket

4 Conductor

Phone Cable

Back View

Side View

Mount the metal bracket

1 2 3 4

Comments to this Manuals

No comments

Kicker 2008 ZX 450.2 Owner's Manual Page 3

Comments to this Manuals