Kicker CX300.4 User manual

{fKICKER
MODEL:
Authorized
KICKER
Dealer:
Purchase Date:
Serial Number:
PERFORMANCE
Model:
RMS Power
@ 14.4V,
40
stereo,
~
1%
THD+N
@ 14.4V,
20
stereo,
~
1%
THD+N
@ 14.4V,
40
bridged,
~
1%
THD+N
Length
I
in.
[mm]
Height
I
in.
[mm]
Width I
in.
[mm]
Frequency Response
±
1
dB
Signal-to-noise Ratio
Input Sensitivity
Electronic Crossover
Bass Boost
CX.4-SERIES
AMPLIFIERS
OWNER'S MANUAL
CX300.4
CX300.4
40Wx4
75Wx4
150W
X
2
12-7/16
[320]
2-3/8
[60]
7-3/16
[180]
10Hz-20KHz
>95dB, A-weighted,
re:
rated power
Low Level: 125mV-5V
High Level: 250mV-1
OV
Selectable:
HI,
LO or
OFF;
Variable
50-200Hz@
12dB/Octave
Variable
0-1
2dB
@
40Hz
Pro Tip:
To
get the best performance from your new KICKER Amplifier and extend the warranty by 1
year,
use
genuine
KICKER
accessories and wiring.
INSTALLATION
Mounting:
Choose a structurally sound location to mount your
KICKER
amplifier. Make sure there
are
no items
behind the area where the screws
will
be driven. Choose a location that allows at least 4"
(1
Ocm)
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.
The KICKER CX Amplifiers are capable of space-saving vertical mounting. Use a 2.5mm hex key
(Allen
wrench)
to loosen the endpanel, remove the existing brackets, then insert and tighten the double-slotted brackets to the
amplifier as illustrated on the next page.
2

VERTICAL
MOUNTING
amplifier side panel
hex screws ,
~
,
double-slotted
bracket
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 of this same gauge
(or
larger) between the
battery's negative post and the vehicle chassis
is
recommended.
The CX amplifier has dual 1nput sensitivity differential RCA inputs which
will
receive either high or low level signals
from your car stereo's source unit. A high-level signal can be
run
from the source unit's speaker outputs to the
stereo RCA input on the end panel of the amplifier using the KICKER ZISL
as
shown (make sure you set the CX
amplifier's input level switch to
"HI").
Alternatively, the signal can be delivered to the amplifier using the low-level
RCA outputs on the source unit. Set the input level switch on the end panel of the amplifier to "LO". Keep the
audio signal cable away from factory wiring harnesses and other power wiring.
If
you need to cross this wiring,
cross
it
at a
90
degree angle.
source unit
high-level speaker
outputs
+
core conductor to amplifier
shield
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.
3

Model
CX300.4
External
Fuse
(sold separately)
1 x
60
Ampere
Power/Ground
Wire
KICKER
Wiring
Kit
8 Gauge PK8, ZCK84
POWER ·WIRING
L
R
4
s24"
(60cm)
-
-
•
bare-metal
chassis ground
+ - + -
AMP183-
AMP2
---
L R
+ - + -
external fuse
remote turn-on
(see page
6)
s18"
(45cm)
battery -
-
•
bare-metal
chassis ground
FOUR CHANNEL OPERATION
minimum
impedance
of
2
ohms
per
channel
L
R

BRIDGED OPERATION (MONO)
minimum
impedance
of
4
ohms
STEREO-AND-MONO-SIMULTANEOUSLY (SAMS) OPERATION
minimum
impedance
of
4
ohms
bridged
(mono) and 2
ohms
per
channel stereo
L
R
5

OPERATION
FADER
I
AMP1
AMP1
AMP2
..I..
OFF
BASS
.-ON
,--FREQ
BOOST
0
GAIN X-OVER 50-200Hz 0-12(dB)
L L
~
IDI
~
~-
OFF HI LO
INPUT
AMP2
LEVEL
I
..I..LO
BASS
.-HI
,--FREQ
BOOST
R R 0
GAIN X-OVER 50-200Hz 0-12(dB)
~
IDI
~
~
OFF HI
LO
audio inputs
Automatic Turn-On Selection:
The
CX
series offers two automatic turn-on modes;
+
12V and DC Offset.
• Remote Turn-On:
Run
18 gauge wire from the Remote Turn-On Lead on your source unit to the terminal
labeled
REM
between the amplifier's positive and negative power terminals. This
is
the preferred automatic
turn-on method.
• DC Offset Turn-On: The DC Offset mode detects a 6V DC offset from the HI-Level speaker outputs when
the source unit has been turned
on.
Input Level:
The RCA inputs
on
KICKER
CX amplifiers 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 amplifier. Refer to the wiring section of this manual for additional instructions.
Crossover Switch:
Use the
XOVER
switch on the end panel of the amplifier to set the internal crossover to
OFF,
HI
or
LO.
When the switch
is
set to OFF, a
full
bandwidth signal
will
be amplified. Set the switch to
HI
if
you want the amplifier's internal crossover to serve as a high-pass
filter.
Set the switch to
LO
if
you want the
amplifier's internal crossover to serve as a low-pass
filter.
Never change the crossover "OFF/HI/LO" switch setting
with the audio system on!
Crossover Control:
The variable crossover on the front of the CX300.4 allows you to adjust the crossover
frequency from 50-200Hz. The setting for this control
is
subjective; 80Hz
is
a good place to start.
Fader Switch:
Depress the fader switch
if
you are running two sets of inputs (front and rear for example) to the
amplifier. Leave the fader switch OFF
if
you want to drive
all
channels from a single stereo input.
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 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.
Bass Boost Control:
The variable bass boost control
on
the side of the CX300.4 amplifier
is
designed to give
you increased output,
0-12dB,
at 40Hz. The setting for this control
is
subjectiv
e.
If
you turn
it
up, you must
readjust the input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifier.
6

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
Power
(PWR)
& Protection
(PRT)
LEOs
on the side panel of your Kicker CX series amplifier. Depending on the state of the
amplifier and the vehicle's charging system, the
LEOs
will
glow either green or red. When the green
LED
is
lit,
this
indicates the amplifier
is
turned
on
and no trouble exists.
Green LED off, no output?
With a Volt Ohm Meter
(VOM)
check the following: 0 +12 volt power terminal
(should read +12V
to+
16V)
8Remote
turn-on terminal (should read +12V
to+
16V)
@)Check for reversed
power and ground connections
0Ground
terminal, for proper conductivity.
Green LED on, no output?
Check the following:
ORCA
connections
8Test
speaker outputs with a
"known" good speaker. @)Substitute source unit with a "known" good source unit.
0Check
for a signal
in
the
RCA cable feeding the amplifier with the VOM meter set to measure "AC" voltage.
Red LED flashing with loud music?
The
red
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.
Red LED on, no output?
0Amplifier
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.
8Amplifier
shuts down only while vehicle
is
running =voltage protection circuitry
is
engaged. Voltage to the amplifier
is
not
within the
10-16
volt operating range. Have the vehicle's charging and electrical system inspected. @)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 or low output?
0Check
the balance control
on
source unit
8Check
the RCA
(or
speaker input) and
speaker output connections.
Alternator noise-whining sound with engine's RPM?
0Check
for damaged RCA
(or
speaker input) cable
8Check
the routing of
RCA
(or
speaker input) cable @)Check the source unit for proper grounding
0Check
the gain settings and turn them down
if
they
are
set too high.
Reduced bass response?
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
amplifiers 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.
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.
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 [email protected] or
call Technical Services [phone] for unanswered or specific questions.
7

KICKER will now provide a three-
year warranty with all CX-Series
Amplifier purchases paired with a
qualifying KICKER Installation Kit* .
This extends the standard warranty by
an
additional
year.
Amplifier
and
Kit must be purchased from an
Authorized KICKER Dealer.
KICKER
CX
amplifier
success
is
currently at an unheard-of rate, making the extended
warranty program even more beneficial
to
you.
Using poor-quality, under-spec wiring kits will impede CX amplifier performance.
A superior-quality KICKER installation Kit
is
guaranteed to extend the life of
CX
amplifiers.
The new extended warranty applies only to
KICKER
amplifiers and accessories sold to consumers by Authorized
KICKER
Dealers
in
the United States of America or
its
possessions.
It
also only applies to the original purchaser of
KICKER
amplifiers and accessories. One warranty extension per amplifier
is
allowed regardless of the number of amplifier
installation kits purchased.
This
program does not apply to
"B"
-stock product or factory-refurbished product.
This offer
is
for a limited time,
so
see your local Authorized KICKER Dealer soon for details.
*U.S.A. Only IEE.UU. solamente INur USA ILes USA Seulement
8
CX300.4
40x4@
4 ohms, 14.4VDC, 1% THO,
CEA-20068
(Watts)
Signal
to
Noise Ratio
-75d8
CEA-20068
(ref: 1W, A-weighted)

ELECTRONICS
LIMITED
WARRANTY
When purchased from
an
Authorized KICKER Dealer, KICKER warrants this product to be free from defects
in
material
and workmanship under normal use for a period
of
TWO
(2)
YEARS from date of original purchase with receipt.
If
this
product
is
identified as "Refurbished" or
"B
Goods", the warranty
is
limited to a period of
THREE
(3)
MONTHS from
the date of original purchase.
In
all
cases you must have the original receipt. Should service be necessary under this
warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction during the warranty period, KICKER will repair or
replace
(at
its discretion) the defective merchandise with equivalent merchandise. Warranty replacements may have
cosmetic scratches and blemishes.
Di
scontinued products may be replaced with more current equivalent product
s.
Thi
s
warranty is valid on
ly
for the original purchaser and
is
not extended to owners of the product subsequent to the original
purchaser. Any applicable implied warranties are limited
in
duration to a period of the express warranty as provided her
ein
beginning with the date of the original purchase at retail, and no warranties, whether express or implied, shall apply to this
product thereafter. Some states
do
not allow limitations
on
implied warranties; therefore, these exclusions may not apply
to you. This warranty gives you spec
ifi
c legal rights; however you may have other rights that vary from state to state.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED WARRANTY OR SERVICE:
Defec
ti
ve merchandise should be returned to your
lo
ca
l Authorized Stillwater Designs
(KICKER)
Dealer for warranty
service. Assistance
in
locating
an
Authorized Dealer can be found at www.kicker.com or by contacting Stillwater Designs
directly.
You
can confirm that a dealer
is
authorized by asking to see a current authorized dealer window decal.
If
it
becomes necessary for you to return defective merchandise directly to Stillwater Designs
(KICKER),
call the KICKER
Customer Service Department at (405)
624-8510
for a Return Merchandise Authorization
(RMA)
number. Package only
the defective items
in
a package that w
ill
prevent shipping damage, and return to:
Stillwater Designs, 3100 North Husband St, Stillwater, OK 74075
The RMA number must be clearly marked on the outside
of
the package. Please return only defective components. The
return of functioning items increases your return freight charges. Non-defective items
will
be returned freightcollect to you.
For example,
if
a subwoofer
is
defective, only return the defective subwoofer, not the entire enclosure. Include a
copy
of the original receipt with the purchase date clearly visib
le,
and a "proof-of-purchase" statement listing the Customer's
name, Dealer's name and invoice number, and product purchased. Warranty expiration on items without proof-of-
purchase will be determined
fr
om the type of sale and manufacturing date code. Freight must be prepaid; items sent
freight-collect, or COD, will be refused.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
This warranty
is
va
lid
only
if
the product
is
used for the purpose for which
it
was designed.
It
does not cover:
o Damage due to improper installation
o Subsequent damage to other components
o Damage caused by exposure to moisture, excessive heat, chemical cleaners, and/or
UV
radiation
o Damage through negligence, misuse, accident or abuse. Repeated returns for the same damage may be
considered abuse
o Any cost or expense related to the removal or reinstallation of product
o Speakers damaged due to amplifier clipping or distortion
o Items previously repaired or modified by any unauthorized repair facility
o Return shipping on non-defective items
o Products with tampered or missing barcode labels
o Products with tampered or missing serial numbers
o Products returned without a Return Merchandise Authorization
(RMA)
number
o Products purchased from
an
UNAUTHORIZED dealer
o Freight Damage
o The
cost
of shipping product to KICKER
o Service performed by anyone other than KICKER
5)
stillwaterdesigns
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
KICKER strives to maintain a goal of one-week turnaround for
all
electronics (amplifiers, crossovers, equalizers, etc.)
returns. Delays may be incurred
if
lack of replacement inventory or parts
is
encountered. Failure to follow these steps
may void your warranty. Any questions can be directed to the KICKER Customer Service Department at (405) 624-851
0.
Contact your International KICKER dealer or distributor concerning specific procedures for your country's warranty
policies.
P.O.
Box
459
• Stillwater, Oklahoma 7
4076 • USA • (405)
624-8510
12CX.4-F-20120618
30

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
Contact your International KICKER dealer or distributor concerning
specific procedures for your country's warranty policies.
WARNING: KICKER products are capable of producing sound levels
that can permanently damage your hearing! Turning up a system to a
level that has audible distortion
is
more damaging to your ears than
listening to
an
undistorted system at the same volume level. The
threshold of pain
is
always
an
indicator that the sound level
is
too loud
and may permanently damage your hearing. Please use common
sense when controlling volume.
GARANTiA INTERNACIONAL
Version
Espanol
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be
excluded under the
Australian Consumer Law.
You
are entitled to a replacement or refund for a
major failure and for compensation for any other
reasonably foreseeable loss or damage.
You
are
also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced
if the goods
fail
to be of acceptable quality and the
failure does not amount to a major failure.
Comuniquese con su concesionario o distribuidor KICKER internacional para obtener infor aci6n sobre procedimientos especificos
relacionados
con
las normas
de
garantia
de
su pais.
ADVERTENCIA: Los excitadores KICKER son capaces
de
producir niveles
de
sonido que pueden danar permanentemente
el
oido. Subir
el
volumen del sistema hasta
un
nivel que produzca distorsi6n es mas danino para
el
oido que escuchar
un
sistema sin distorsi6n
al
mismo volumen.
El
dolor es siempre una indicaci6n
de
que
el
sonido es muy fuerte y que puede danar
permanentemente
el
oido. Sea precavido cuando controle
el
volumen.
La
frase "combustible para vivir
Ia
vida Livin' Loud™ a todo volumen" se refiere
al
entusiasmo
porIa
vida
que
Ia
marca KICKER
de estereos de autom6vil representa y a
Ia
recomendaci6n a nuestros clientes
de
que vivan
lo
mejor posible
("a
todo volumen")
en todo sentido.
La
linea
de
altavoces y amplificadores KICKER es
Ia
mejor del mercado de audio de autom6viles y por
lo
tanto
representa
el
"combustible" para vivir a todo volumen en
el
area
de
"estereos
de
autom6vil" de
Ia
vida de nuestros clientes.
Recomendamos a todos nuestros clientes que obedezcan todas las reglas y reglamentos locales sobre ruido
en
cuanto a los
niveles legales y apropiados de audici6n fuera del vehiculo.
INTERNATIONALE GARANTIE
Deutsche
Version
Nehmen Sie mit lhren internationalen KICKER-Fachhandler oder Vertrieb Kontakt auf, um Details uber die Garantieleistungen
in
lhrem Land
zu
erfahren.
WARNUNG: KICKER-Treiber konnen einen Schallpegel erzeugen, der
zu
permanenten Gehbrschaden fUhren kann! Wenn Sie ein
System auf einen Pegel stellen, der horbare Verzerrungen erzeugt, schadet das lhren Ohren mehr, als ein nicht verzerrtes System
auf dem gleichen Lautstarkepegel. Die Schmerzschwelle ist immer eine Anzeige dafur, dass der Schallpegel
zu
!aut ist und
zu
permanenten Gehorschaden fUhren kann. Seien Sie bei der Lautstarkeeinstellung bitte vernunftig!
Der Slogan "Treibstoff
fUr
Livin' Loud" bezieht sich auf die mit den KICKER-Autostereosystemen assoziierte Lebensfreude und die
Tatsache, dass wir unsere Kunden ermutigen,
in
allen Aspekten ihres Lebens nach dem Besten ("Livin' Loud")
zu
streben. Die
Lautsprecher und Verstarker von KICKER sind auf dem Markt fur Auto-Soundsysteme fUhrend und stellen somit den "Treibstoff"
fUr
das Autostereoerlebnis unserer Kunden
dar.
Wir empfehlen allen unseren Kunden, sich bezuglich der zugelassenen und
passenden Lautstarkepegel auBerhalb des Autos
an
die 6rtlichen Larmvorschriften zu halten.
GARANTIE INTERNATIONALE
Version Frant;aise
Pour connaltre les procedures propres a
Ia
politique de garantie
de
votre pays, contactez votre revendeur ou distributeur
International KICKER.
AVERTISSEMENT: Les haut-parleurs KICKER ont
Ia
capacite
de
produire des niveaux sonores pouvant endommager
l'ou'i'e
de
faQon
irreversible ! L.:augmentation du volume d'un systeme jusqu'a
un
niveau presentant une distorsion audible endommage
davantage
l'ou'i'e
que l'ecoute d'un systeme sans distorsion
au
meme volume.
Le
seuil
de
Ia
douleur est toujours
le
signe que
le
niveau sonore est trap eleve et risque d'endommager
l'ou'i'e
de
faQon
irreversible. Reglez
le
volume
en
faisant prevue
de
bon sens!
L.:expression " carburant pour vivre plein
pot"
fait reference
au
dynamisme
de
Ia
marque KICKER d'equipements audio pour
vehicules
eta
pour but d'encourager nos clients a faire
le
maximum
("
vivre plein
pot")
dans
tousles
aspects
de
leur vie. Les
haut-parleurs et amplificateurs KICKER sont les meilleurs dans
le
domaine des equipements audio et representent done pour nos
client
le"
carburant pour vivre plein
pot"
dans !'aspect" installation audio
de
vehicule
"de
leur
vie.
Nous encourageons tous nos
clients a respecter toutes les lois et reglementations locales relatives aux niveaux sonores acceptables a l'exterieur des vehicules.
31

GX300.4
SIN:
MODEL NUMBER SERIAL NU M BER
CERTIFIED POWER
TOTALPOWER OUTPUT [WATTS RMS]
325
--
I paeuseil
I passed I I
:P•ss •• 1
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION TEST SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO TEST PROTECTION CIRCUIT TEST