Kicker DXA250.1 User manual

(fKICKER
MODEL:
Authorized
KICKER
Dealer:
Purchase Date:
Model Number:
Serial Number:
PERFORMANCE
Model:
AMS
Pow~r
[VVa~~l
@
l4.4V~
40
mono,
@
l4.4V,
20mono,
:s:
1
Length
[in,
em]
S~cificationscommon
to
Height
[in,
em]
Width
[in,
em]
Frequency Response
[Hz]
SignaHo-Noi$e Ratio [dB]
Input
Sensitivity
Electronic Crossover
KickEO
™
Bass Boost
Subsonic Filter
Remote Bass
INSTALLATION
DX.1-SERIES
AMPLIFIERS
OWNER
1
S
MANUAL
DXA250.1
I
DXA500.1
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.
Wiring:
Disconnect the vehicle's battery to avoid an electrical short. Then, connect the ground wire to the
ampl
ifier.
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
OX
amplifier has dual input sensitivity differential RCA inputs whfch 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 KISL as shown (make sure you set the
OX
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". Either input
method
will
provide a low-level output signal at the RCA output, which effectively passes the audio signal to
another amplifier or component. 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.
2

source unit
high-level speaker core conductor
outputs
+ ..... -=) -1
to amplifier
OR
to amplifier
from source unit high-
level speaker outputs
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.
Model
DXA250.1
DXA500.1
External Fuse
(sold separately)
1 x 40 Ampere
1 x
80 Ampere
MONO OPERATION
minimum impedance of 2 ohms
Power/Ground Wire KICKER Wiring Kit
8 Gauge PK8, ZCK84
4 Gauge PK4, CK44, ZCK44
woofer
::::24"
{60cm) -
-
•
+ -
+ + -
::::18"
1+-{45cm) -+1
remote turn-on
(see page
5)
-
-
•
bare-metal
chassis ground
3

For multiple amplifier installations where distribution blocks are used, each amplifier should have its proper-rated
fuse, or breaker, installed between the amplifier and the distribution block within eighteen inches of the block,
or on the distribution block
if
it
provides for fusing. The primary power wire should also be fused between the
battery and distribution block, within eighteen inches of the battery's positive terminal, with a fuse or breaker
rated at least to the sum of the individual amplifier's fuse values
f
<;,
7"
(18cm)
!
external fuse
to amplifier to amplifier
4
external fuse
<;,7"
(18cm)
power distribution block
<;,7"
(18cm)
!
external fuse
-

OPERATION
INPUT OUTPUT INPUTLEVEL
R
_a_w
---HI
@
GAIN X-OVER BASS REMOTE
FREQ(Hz) BOOST(dB) BASS
~~~0
0 11 50 200 0 12
(f) PRT
(DPWR
Automatic Turn-On Selection: The DX 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.
• 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 DX 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 Control: The variable crossover on the side of the amplifier allows you to adjust the lo-pass
crossover frequency from 50-200Hz. The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.
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 amplifier is designed to give you
increased output, 0-12dB, at 40Hz. The setting for this control is subjective. If you turn it up, you must readjust
the input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifier.
Remote Bass-CXARC (sold separately): With the optional CXARC remote bass level control, you have
the ability to control the output level of the amplifier remotely.
To surface-mount the CXARC remote bass level
control, simply screw the remote to the chosen location, then
run the cable from the controller to the "Remote
Bass" jack on the amplifier panel. Do NOT connecVdisconnect while the amplifier
is on. Connecting the 3.5mm
cable without the remote will cause the amplifier to output at full gain, possibly damaging your speakers. See
page 6 for installation.
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING -PROLONGED CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF AN
AMPLIFIER IN A
DISTORTED OR CLIPPED MANNER CAN CAUSE YOUR AUDIO SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY CATCHING
FIRE AND RESULTING IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPONENTS AND/OR VEHICLE. 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.
5

CXARC REMOTE BASS INSTALLATION
Remote cable passes audio;
do
not
run
cable para
ll
el to power
wires.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Surface-mount the CXJ\RC remote using the supplied screws.
back
vi
ew
Connect the suppli
ed
1/8th inch [3.5mm] patch cable to the
CMRC
remote and the Remote Bass jack on the amplifier.
If
yo
ur
amplifier does not appear to be working, che
ck
the obvious things first such
as
bl
own fuse
s,
poor 9r
incorrect wi
ring
connec
ti
on
s,
incorrect setting of crossover switch and gain controls, etc. There are Power
(PWR)
& P
ro
tect
ion
(
PRT
)
LEO
s on the side panel of your Kicker
OX
series amplifier. Depending on the state of the
amp
li
fier and the vehicle's charging system, the
LEOs
w
il
l glow either green or red. When the green
LED
is l
it,
this
indicates the
am
plifi
er
is
turned
on
and no trouble exists.
Green LED off, no output? With a
Vo
lt
Ohm Meter
(VOM)
check the
fo
llowing:
0+
12 volt power terminal
(should r
ead+
12V
to+
16V)
f)
Remote turn-on terminal (should read +12V
to+
16V)
@)
Check for reversed
power and ground connections
G)
Ground terminal, for proper conductivity.
Green LED on, no output? Check the
foll
ow
i
ng:
OR
CA
connections
@T
est speaker outputs with a
"known" good speaker.
@)
Subst
it
ute source
un
it
w
ith
a "known" good sou
rc
e unit. G)Check for a signal
in
the
RCA cable feeding the
am
pl
ifier
with the VOM meter set to measure
"AC"
voltag
e.
Red LED flickering with loud music? The red
LED
indicates l
ow
battery voltage. Check
all
the
co
nnections
in your
ve
hicle
's
charging system. It may be necessary to replace or charge your vehicle
's
battery or rep
la
ce your
vehicle's a
lt
ernat
or.
Red LED on, no output? 0Ampl
ifie
r
is
very hot = thermal protection
is
engaged. Test for proper impedance at
th
e speaker terminals w
it
h a VOM meter (see the diagrams in this manual for minimum recommended
im
pedance
and
mul
tiple speaker wiring suggestions). Also check for adequate airflow around the amplifi
er.
@A
mplifier
shuts down only while vehicle is running= voltage protection circuitry
is
engaged.
Vo
ltage to the amplifier is not
within the 10-1 6 volt operating range. Have the vehicle's charging and electrical system inspected.
@)
Amplifier
will
on
ly play
at
lo
w 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
reco
mm
ended impedance.
No or low output? 0Check the balance control on source unit @Check the RCA
(or
speaker input) and
speaker output connections.
Alternator noise-whining sound with engine's RPM?
0C
heck for damaged RCA
(or
speaker input) cable
@Check the routing of RCA
(or
speaker input) cable
@)
Check the source
un
it
for proper ground
in
g
G)
Check
the gain settings and turn them down
if
they
are
set too high.
6

Ground Noise?
KICKER amp
lifi
ers are engineered to be fully
compa
tible 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
is
su
e.
CAUTION:
When jump starting the vehicl
e,
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
in
stallation 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 homepag
e,
www.kicker.com.
Choose the
TE
CHNICAL SUPPORT tab, choose the subject you are
in
terested
in,
and then download or vi
ew
the corresponding
in
formation. Please E-ma
il
[e-mail] or
ca
ll
Technical Services (405)
624-8583
for unanswered or
spec
ifi
c questions.
DXA250
..
1
125
x 1 @4 ohms,
l4.4VDC,
1% THD,
CEA-20068
(Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio
-75d
B CEA2
2006
(ref:
1W
,A -weighted)
DXA500.1
250
x 1
@4
ohms,
Signal to Noise Ratio
KICKER will now provide a three-
year warranty with all DXA-Series
Amplifier purchases paired with a
qualifying KICKER Installation Kit* .
CEA220068 (W?tts)
(ref:.
lW,
A-weighted)
This extends the standard warranty by
an
additional
year.
Amplifier
and
Kit must be purchased from an
Authorized
KICKER
Dealer.
KICKER OX amplifier success
is
currently at
an
unheard-of rate, making the extended
warranty program even more beneficial to you.
Using poor-qual
it
y,
under-
spec
wir
in
g kits w
il
l
im
pede
OX
amp
li
fier performance.
A superior-quality KICKER installation Kit
is
guaranteed to extend the life of DX
amplifiers.
Th
e new extended
warran
ty
applies
only
to
KICKER
amplifiers
and
accessories sold
to
consumers
by
Authorized
KI
CKE
R D
ea
le
rs
in
the
United States
of
Ame
rica
or
its
possessions.
It
als
o
only
applies to the
origin
al purchaser
of
KICKER
amplifiers
and
accessori
es.
One
warranty extension per amplifier
is
allowed regardless of the number of
ampl
ifier
installation
kits
purchased.
Th
is program does
no
t apply to "
B"-
stock product
or
f
ac
tory-refurbished product.
Thi
s offer
is
for a limited time, so see your loc
al
Authorized KIC
KER
Dealer soon for details.
*U.S.A. Only IEE.UU. solamente INur USA ILes USA Seulement
7

ELECTRONICS
LIMITED
WARRANTY
When purchased from an Authorized KIC
KER
D
ea
l
er,
KICKER warrants this pro
duct
to be free from defects
in
material
and workmanship under no
rmal
use for a period of TWO
(2)
Y
EA
RS
from date of original purchase with receipt.
If
this
p
ro
duct is identified as
"R
efurbished" or
"8
Goods", the warranty
is
limited to a period of
THREE
(
3)
MONTHS from
the date of original purchase. In a
ll
cases you must have the orig
in
al receipt. Should servi
ce
be necessa
ry
under this
war
ra
nty for any reason due to ma
nu
facturing
de
fect or malfunction dur
in
g the warranty pe
ri
od,
KI
C
KER
w
ill
repa
ir
or
replace
(at
its discretion) the defective merchandise with equival
en
t merchandis
e.
War
ra
nty replacements may ha
ve
cosmetic scratches and blemishes.
Di
sco
nti
nued products m
ay
be replaced with more current equivalent products. This
wa
rr
an
ty is
va
l
id
only for the ori
gi
nal
purchaser and is not extended to owners of the product subsequent to the o
ri
g
in
al
purchaser. Any applicable implied war
ran
ti
es are l
im
ited
in
duration to a period of the express warranty as provided here
in
beginning wi
th
the date of the original purchase
at
reta
il,
and no warranties, whether express or im
pl
ie
d,
shall apply to this
product
th
er
ea
ft
e
r.
Some states
do
not allow
limi
ta
ti
ons on 1mplied warran
ti
es; therefore, these exc
lu
sions may not apply
to you. This warranty gives you specific legal right
s;
however you may have other
ri
ghts that vary f
ro
m state to state.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED WARRANTY OR SERVICE:
Defec
t1ve
merchandise should be retu
rn
ed to your local Autho
ri
zed Stillwater Designs
(K
IC
KER)
Dealer for warr
an
ty
service. Assistance in locati
ng
an Autho
ri
zed Dealer can be found
at
www.kicker.com or by
co
ntacting S
till
water Designs
directl
y.
Yo
u can
co
nfirm that a dealer is authorized by ask
in
g to see a current
au
thor
iz
ed dealer w
in
dow
decal.
If
it becomes necessary for
yo
u to retu
rn
defecti
ve
merchandise
di
rectly to Stillwater Designs
(KICKE
R),
call the KIC
KER
Customer Service Depa
rt
ment
at
(405) 624-
8510
for a Return Merchandise
Au
thori
za
ti
on (RM
A)
number. Package only
th
e defect
ive
items in a package that will prevent shipping damage, and
re
turn t
o:
Stillwater Designs, 3100 North Husband St, Stillwater, OK 74075
The
RM
A number must be cl
ea
r
ly
marked on the outside of the package.
Pl
ease return on
ly
defec
ti
ve
co
mp
onents.
Th
e
return of func
ti
on
ing items increases your return
fr
eight charges. Non-defective items
wi
ll
be returned freightc
ol
lect to you.
For example, if a subwoofer 1s defecti
ve,
only return t
he
defec
t1
ve
subwoofe
r,
not the entire enclosur
e.
Include a
co
py
of the origin
al
receipt wi
th
the purchase date clearly visib
le
, and a "proof-of-purchase" statement listing the Customer's
name, Dealer
's
name and invoi
ce
number, and prod
uc
t purchased. Warranty expiration on
it
ems w
ith
out proo
r-
o
r-
purchase will be determined from the type of sale and manufacturing date code.
Frei
ght must be prepa
id;
items sent
fr
e1ght-collect, or COO,
will
be refused.
WHAT
IS
NOT COVERED?
Th
is wa
rr
anty is
va
lid o
nl
y
if
the produ
ct
is used for the purpose
fo
r which it was designed.
It
does not cove
r:
o Damage due to improper installation
o Subsequent damage to other components
o Damage caused by exposure to moisture, excessive heat, chemic
al
cleaners, and
/or
UV radiation
o Damage through negligence, misuse, acci
de
nt or abus
e.
Repeated returns
fo
r the same damage may be
considered abuse
o Any cost or expense related to t
he
remov
al
or
re
inst
al
la
t
io
n of product
o Speakers damaged due to amp
lif
ier c
li
pp
in
g or disto
rti
on
o Items previously repaired or modi
fi
ed by any unautho
riz
ed repair fac
il
ity
o Return shipp
ing
on non-defective items
o
Pr
oducts w
it
h tampered or missing barcode labels
o
Pr
oducts with tampered or
mi
ssing serial numbers
o Products
re
turned without a Retu
rn
Merchandise
Au
thor
iza
tion (
RM
A)
number
o Products purchased f
ro
m an UNAUTHORIZED dealer
o
Fr
eight Damage
o The cost of s
hi
pping product to
KI
C
KER
S'' .
11
d .
0 Service pe
rf
ormed by anyone o
th
er than KICK
ER
~
Stl
water
eslgns
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
KICK
ER
strives to mainta
in
a go
al
of one week turnaround for
al
l electro
ni
cs
(amp
lif
ie
rs, crossovers, equali
ze
r
s,
etc.)
re
tu
rn
s.
Delays may be incurred
if
la
ck
of rep
la
cement
in
ventory or parts is encountered. Failure to foll
ow
these steps
may void your warranty. Any questions
ca
n be directed to the KIC
KER
Customer Service Department at
(405) 624-8
51
0.
Contact your International KIC
KER
dealer or distributor concern1ng specific procedures for your country's warranty
po
li
cies.
Note:
All
spec
if
ica
ti
ons and performan
ce
fi
gures are subject to chang
e.
Please vi
si
t
www.kicker.com
fo
r
th
e most
cur
re
nt informa
ti
o
n.
P
.O.
Box 459 • Sti
ll
wat
er,
Oklahoma 7
40
76 • USA • (405) 62
4-8
510
26
43D
X.
1-D-2
01
51229

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
Contact your International KICKER dealer or distributor concerning
speci
fi
c procedures for your country's warranty policie
s.
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
li
stening 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
co
mm
on
sense when controlling volume.
GARANTiA INTERNACIONAL
Version
Espaiiol
Comuniquese con
su
concesionario o
di
stribuidor KICKER internacional para
ob
tener infor aci6n sobre procedimientos especf
fi
cos
relacionados con las normas de garantia de su pais.
ADVERTENCIA: Los exc
it
adores KICKER son capaces
de
producir niveles
de
sonido que pueden danar permanentemente
el oid
o.
Subir el volumen
de
l sistema hasta un nivel que produzca distorsi6n es mas danino para el oido que escuchar
un
sistema sin distorsi6n
al
mismo volumen.
El
dolores
siemp
re
una indicaci6n de que
el
sonido es muy fuerte y que puede danar
permanentemente
el
oido. Sea precavido cuando controle
el
volumen.
La
frase "combust
ibl
e 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 sentid
o.
La
lin
ea
de
altavoces y amplificadores KICKER es Ia mejor del mer
cado
de
audio
de
autom6viles y por lo tanto
representa
el
"combustible" para viv
ir
a t
odo
volumen en
el
area
de
"este
re
os
de
autom6v
il
"
de
Ia v
id
a
de
nuestros c
li
entes.
Recomendamos a todos nuestros clientes que obedezcan todas
la
s 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 Detai
ls
uber die Garantieleistungen
in
lhrem Land
zu
e
rf
ahren.
WARNUNG: KICKER-
Tr
eiber konnen einen Schallpegel erzeugen, der zu permanenten Gehorschaden fuhren kann! Wenn Sie e
in
System auf einen Pegel ste
ll
en, der horbare Verzerrungen erzeugt, schadet das lhren Ohren mehr, als ein nicht verzerrtes System
auf dem gleichen Lautstarkepegel. Die Schmerzschwel
le
ist immer eine Anzeige dafur, dass der Schallpegel
zu
laut ist und
zu
permanenten Gehorschaden
fUhren
kann. Seien Sie bei der Lautstarkee
in
stellung bitte vernunftigl
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
a
ll
en Aspekten ihres Lebens nach dem Besten
("
Li
v
in
' Loud")
zu
streben. Die
Lautsprecher und
Ve
rstarker von KICKER sind auf dem Markt fur Auto-Soundsysteme fuhrend und stellen so
mi
t den "Treibstoff"
fUr
das Autostereoerleb
ni
s unserer Kunden dar. W
ir
empfehlen allen unseren Kunden, sich bezuglich der zugelassenen und
passenden Lautsta
rk
epegel auBerhalb des
Au
tos an die ortlichen La
rm
vorschriften
zu
halte
n.
GARANTIE INTERNATIONALE
Version
Franr;aise
Pour connaltre les procedures propres a
Ia
politique de garantie de votre pays, contactez votre revendeur ou distributeur
Internat
io
nal KICKER.
AV
ERTI
SS
EMENT:
Les haut-parleurs KICKER ont Ia capacite
de
produ
ire
des
niveaux sonores pouvant endommager
l'
ou·le
de
f
a~o
n
ir
re
ve
rs
i
ble!
L'augmenta
ti
on du vo
lu
me d'un systeme jusqu'a un
ni
veau presentant une distorsion audible endommage
davantage
l'ou't'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 trop eleve et risque d'endommager
l'ou't'e
de
fa~on
irr
eversib
le.
Reglez
le
volume en faisant prevue
de
bon senst
L'expression " carburant pour vivre plein p
ot"
fait reference
au
dynamisme de Ia marque KICKER d'equipements audio pour
vehicules et a pour but d'encourager nos clients a faire
le
maximum
("
vivre plein pot
")
dans tous les aspects de leur vie.
Le
s
haut-parleurs et amp
lifi
cateurs KICKER sont les meilleurs dans
le
domaine
des
equipements audio et representent done pour nos
c
li
ent
le
" carburant pour vivre plein
pot"
da
ns !'aspec
t"
in
stal
lati
on audio
de
vehic
ul
e"
de
leur vi
e.
Nous encourageons tous nos
clients a respecter toutes les
loi
s et reglementa
ti
ons locales re
lati
ves aux niveaux sonores acceptables a l'exterieur des vehicules.
27