Kicker 5X400.2 User manual

~I/JER ~ SX.2 Series
If KI-"R.J ® ~\f1~ ow~~::I:~~ual
Two Channel Models: 5X400.2 / 5X500.2 /5X600.2 /5X900.2
Attention:
Please take amoment and record the information
asked for below
in the provided area. It is also agood
idea
to attach the original sales receipt or acopy of it to
this page for future reference
If for any reason you require service on this amplifier
during the warranty period, you will need
t~ provide t~is
information and acopy of the receipt to Kicker to vali-
date your warranty.
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!
Dealer Where Purchased:
Purchase Date:
Amplifier Model Number:
Amplifier Serial Number:
Congratulations!
You have just purchased the latest in amplifier
technology to carry the famous KICKER name.
Your KICKER SX series amplifieremploys the lat-
est
in asp signal processing to give you total
control over your sound. Like all KICKER prod-
ucts it is designed and built to give you years
of powerful and trouble-free performance.
This installation manual contains valuable infor-
mation on how to get the most out of your
new SX series amplifier.
Thanks for buying KICKER. Enjoy!
2

Low Impedance Operation Stable into 2 ohm stereo
or 4 ohm mono loads,
SORT Protection Circuitry (Short circuit, Over-voltage,
Reverse polarity, Thermal) Protects amplifier from accidents
and out of spec operation,
MOSFET Power Supply Provides high efficiency
operation,
PAST (Pre Amp Signal Transfer) Output RCA jacks to pass the
incoming signal to another amplifier or component.
SAMS (Stereo And Mono Simultaneously) Amplifier will
operate into abridged mono load and a stereo load at the
same time.
Low Pass Filter Fully adjustable digital crossover with
variable slope and crossover frequency. 30 Hz - 20 kHz in 1/12
octave spacing, OFF - 36 dB per octave slope in 6 dB incre-
ments,
High Pass Filter Fully adjustable digital crossover vyith
variable slope and crossover frequency. 10 Hz - 16 kHz In 1/12
octave spacing, OFF - 36 dB per octave slope in 6 dB incre-
ments.
KickEO Fully adjustable single band digital parametric equal-
izer with variable Q (bandwidth), variable center frequency and
variable boost or cut. Q range .5 - 10 in .5 steps. Center
frequency 20 Hz - 20 kHz in 1/12 octave steps. Boost or cut
range +/- 18 dB.
Adjustable Phase The output phase of each channel can
be set at 0 Degrees or 180 Degrees. Left and Right channels
can be linked or independently adjusted.
UltraMatch Cain Structure Digital input gain control
with
five selectable gain ranges (1 volt, 2volt, 4 volt, 8volt, 16
volt) with 12 dB of adjustment in each range in .5 dB steps.
Left and Right channels can be linked or adjusted independ-
ently.
Sick Bay and On Board Diagnostics Various tools to
troubleshoot
installation issues and check amp status.
Kompressor A4-setting, user-selectable bass compressor
used to fatten up your sub bass. OFF, TIGHT, CONTOUR and
ATTACK with +/- 24 dB of adjustment to compensate for
speaker size or listening style.
ISIS (pronounced eye-sis) (Indicate Status .& Input Settings)
The user interface to view .oradjust current settings and check
the status of your Kicker SX amplifier.
BLAST Port (Bass Level And Signal Transfer) Provides
Remote Bass Level Control and control signal transfer
between mUltiple SX amplifiers.
EndKaps Cast aluminum, custom, removable covers to pro-
tect and hide all your wiring connections to the amplifier. Can
be prepped and painted any custom color you choose,
SASA (Shake A Stick At) So many more features ... it is more
than you can Shake A Stick At. (It's an Oklahoma thing!) Read
on to find out!
3

AMPl
[fKICKER
AMP2
LOC+< LEFT
SYS
R1GHT MUT€
GA1N
EQ
LPF HPF
PHASE
+<OMP
II-I
"I
,I I II I
"I
ii, .
(, .,
.L .(, .C-.('.ii,
•
M€M-l M€M-2 M€M-3 M€M-Lf
Here is abrief description of the indicators found on the
VFD.
RMPl - Indicates amplifier 1 is selected for adjustment. Only
available in four channel amps.
LOC+< - Indicates the amplifier controls are locked out and
not usable.
RMP2 - Indicates amplifier 2 is selected for adjustment.
Only available in four channel amps.
AMP} ffKICKER ~mp2:
LOC+< LEFT SYS RTGf-iT MUTE
GA1N £Q LP~ HPF P-HASE +teMP
1// JI/ /- / / /- I-' 1//
iI~. I'. J .L fl .Cf~. . iI~
M£m·l MeM-2 MEM-3 MeM-1-t
ISIS
VFD -------~
Meet the ISIS interface (Indicate Status &Input Settings),
The ISIS (pronounced eye-sis) allows you to view the cur-
rent conditions and settings of your amplifier as well as
change the many user-adjustable settings,The ISIS system
consists of the VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) and the nine
soft touch buttons that make up the KEYPAD.
ISIS
-------~
KEYPAD
LEFT - Indicates an action or adjustment of the left channel.
SYS - Indicates you are in the system menu,
R1GHT - Indicates an action or adjustment of the right
channel.
MUTE - Indicates you are in the mute menu or the mute
function
is active,
4

VFD DISPLAY -cont
G-R1N - Indicates you are in the gain menu.
Ec;l - Indicates you are in the equalizer menu.
LPF - Indicates you are in the low pass filter menu.
HPF - Indicates you are in the high pass filter menu.
PH-RSE - Indicates you are in the phase menu.
HOMP - Indicates you are in the Kompressor menu.
MEM-l - Memory preset 1 activated.
MEM-2 - Memory preset 1 activated.
MEM-3 - Memory preset 1 activated.
MEM-Lf - Memory preset 1 activated.
The keypad consists of nine buttons that allow you to adjust
your amplifier.
~ Ml - us~d to. select memory preset 1 or to store cur-
~ rent settings Into preset 1.
(I M2 IJ M2 -used.to s~lect memory preset 2 or to store
~~. ====:!... current settings Into preset 2.
0M3 IJ M3 - Used .to s~lect memory preset 3 or to store
~~. ==. current settings Into preset 3.
[M'+ ( MLf - Used .to s~lect memory preset 4or to store
current settings Into preset 4.
~ ESC - Used to exit the current menu.
~ ENT - Used to enter the selected menu.
CHome:~ HOME - Used to return to the Main menu and
other functions explained later.
& UP - Used to advance up through menu selections
~3 and/or adjust amplifier controls.
w) DOWN - Used to advance down through menu
~~ selections and/or adjust amplifier controls.
These controls and their usage will be explained later with
more detail in each menu usage section.
5

12 Volt
Power LED
Check Fuse LED
Fusing
~
r.fKJCKER
,)~ ,i"
~~ ~~
~~~
~
~o ~'<! .,~~
IT IT
=1'\ tr=i
l;/'~ f".-J
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00
l\' 0
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0 0
Ground
~
Remote
+
Custom-machined power block accepts up to a2 Ga wire
for both power and ground connections and up to an 8 Ga for
remote turn-on
assures maximum power transfer with
minimalloss.
On-board fusing (number of fuses vary by amp size) to
protect amplifier against over current conditions and reverse
polarity.
Power LED indicates amplifier is powered up and operating.
Check Fuse LED indicates afault with the end panel fuses.
This could be fuses which are not seated properly, faulty fuses
or blown fuses.
o
--- BLAST Port Out
r.fKlCKER
~ SPUKER
~OUT
o
BLAST Port In ---
The BLASTPort is used to connect the Remote Bass Level
Controller and for transferring control signals from one SX
amplifier to another SX amplifier. AnRJ45 cable is required to
connect the BLAST Port (Out) of one amp to the BLAST Port
(In) of another. This isonly required if you want to control
more than
one amplifier with the same Bass level Controller.
More details on this further in the manual.
The speaker terminals are custom-machined connectors
with full protective
shrouds and are designed to accept heavy
gauge speaker wire assures maximum power transfer and
damping with minimal power loss.
Gold-plated RCA input connectors and PAST jacks provide
solid input and output connections for your pre-amp signal.
Left +
Left -
Right
+-----"
Right - --------'
Left PAST
~-Right PAST
"---Right Input
'----Left Input
6

-----.
_.~ !
Remove
@
I
r:::~ AfTTTTlA
-; ~
" .. :.' .. :"::...:-.-
Remove
With the EndKaps removed, you now have access to the
four mounting
holes in the mounting feet and all wiring
connections. Drill 4 holes using a 7/64/1 drill bit and use the
supplied #8 screws to mount the amplifier.
See Fig, 2
o
~- -----~~il
Remember that the controls on top of the amp will need to'
be accessible for adjustment later. Keep this in mind as you
choose your amplifier's mounting location.
When selecting alocation to mount your Kicker amplifier be
sure it is structurally sound and that there are no items
behind the area that could be damaged by the screws. Check
for wiring, brake lines, fuel lines, gas tanks, etc.
All amplifiers generate heat under normal operation. Be sure
to choose alocation that allows adequate ventilation for the
amplifier. Also consider that the air temperature inside an
automobile's trunk can reach upwards of 140 degrees fahren-
heit. An amplifier mounted in the trunk may require additional
cooling such as extra fans moving air around the amplifier's
chassis or ventilating the trunk to exchange the hot air in the
trunk for
cooler air outside. If possible, mounting the amp in
the passenger compartment will allow cooler operation,
Now that you are ready to mount your amplifier, use the
supplied 3mm allen wrench to remove the amplifier EndKaps.
This will give you access to the mounting holes in the amplifi-
er and all wiring connections.
See Fig, 1
Fig. 27

Signal is input into the amplifier using the low level RCA
input connections. If your source unit does not have RCA
output connectors you will need to use a Hi-Lo level signal
adapter. See your Kicker dealer for more details on this.
The output (PAST) RCA jacks provide an unaltered signal
output to feed another amplifier or component.
c
.,
oIc::R ~f
0I
...SOURCE UNIT I ad:) ~ (f
... .
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0
00000
-
1/ [fKICKER REIIIOTE RCA -<-.>--'\
'"
OUT
INPUT 0UT1'lIT
o ~ DO
<(@)(@)
JJII
~~~-~~-~
_,O(@)
L. L· R. R· 0
0
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The use of twisted pair interconnects is recommended for
all installations to minimize noise. When routing these cables
through the automobile, try to keep them away from factory
wiring
harnesses and other power wiring. If you need to cross
any of this wiring do so at a 90 degree angle to reduce the
possibility for
noise problems.
When working with power connections it is always recom-
mended that you disconnect the battery to prevent accidents.
The ground should be connected to the amplifier first
before
making any of the other connections. This wire should
be as short as possible (24 inches or less) and connected to a
paint/corrosion free
solid metal area of the car's chassis. Use
the same gauge wire as recommended for the amplifier's
power connection to the
battery. Adding an additional ground
wire between the car battery's negative post and the car chas-
sis of this same gauge (or larger) is also recommended.
If you ever need to remove the amp from the vehicle after
it
has been installed, the ground wire should be the .Iast wire
disconnected from the amplifier, just the opposite of when
you installed it.
Afuse must be installed within 18 inches of the battery to
protect the
power wire feeding your amplifier. This fuse
should be of at least the same value used in the amplifier but
no higher than the capacity of the power wire. See the charts
below for wire size and fusing recommendations.
Model Fuse Size Wire Size
SX400.2 SOA 4GA
SXSOO.2 GOA 4 GA
SXGOO.2 aOA 4 GA
SX900.2
120A 2 GA
Wire Size
Length Maximum
Fuse
8 Ga
Less than 70
Amps
4Ga
10 feet in
175 Amps
2 Ga
length 250
Amps
OGa
400 Amps
8 Ga
10 feet to
40 Amps
4 Ga
90 Amps
2 Ga
20 feet in
150 Amps
o Ga
length 200
Amps
8

SX,2 series amplifiers are capable of operating into aminimum impedance of 2 ohms per
channel in stereo operation,
RIGHT SPEAKER(S)
~.
~=.
SIGNAL IN
oo
FUSE
GROUND
L@ @ oSIGNAL
OUT:
REMOTE ~ 0 ~~~~~~~~~ [g~(f~ •• ~ ~
TURN-ON ~ (f •••• '
1
.. 18"~1
or less
'Ji~jj;j'<:j'I~U;;)ljj<i~j:ijtii~~
:-.-;.'.;-::::.:-:-::.:-:-:-:-:-:-;.::-:-:-:-: .. -:::.;.:::::':::;:.:'."::-:::::'.'::::.::-::.:-:::-:-::::::.:.- .. :.:-:::: •. :: •. :.: ... :.:-:-;. ... >« •. -:.:: ..• :.,.:-:: ... :. ::··::::::::::X:::::::::;.:_:"::::::::::::-:-.:;:\:::::::=:;:;.:,:.:=;:::::;·::-:::::y=::::::"t:.::;::::;:::;·;: ;:;:.:.:=;::::.;.:--.-.- ... -.-.-.- ... -.- ..•.. - •. , ......•..• -..•......•.•...
TWO CHANNEL OPERATION (STEREO)
LEFT SPEAKER(S)
HRIDeED OPERATION (MONO)
SX.2 series amplifiers are capabl~ of operating into aminimum impedance of 4 ohms
when in bridged operation.
SIGNAL IN
@,
oSIGNAL OUT 'MONO
I '
I '
I ' SPEAKER(S)
- .. ':
_ ....
~.
1 .. 18'~1
\.
or less
FUSE f
0 0
@@
9

STEREO AND MONO SIMULTANEOUSLY (SAMS)
SX.2 series amplifiers are capable of operating into aminimum impedance of 4 ohms
mono and 2 ohms stereo simultaneously with the use of passive crossovers.
LEFT SPEAKER(S)
SIGNAL I~
•
oSIGNAL OUT •
..
:: ...... ----
•• 1 •
FUSE
o
1
... 18....1
or less
These are just afew of the many ways you can use your SX.2 series Kicker amplifier.
These system diagrams are designed to give you a basic understanding of the most com-
mon uses for this amplifier. For more complex systems please visit your local authorized
Kicker dealer. You can also download the SX Technical Manual from our website at
www.kicker.com for more detailed information and complex system diagrams.
10