Kicker Impulse IX252 User manual

4
KICKER.
IM PULS Ẹ U-3-A.
IX252, 1X402, IX702, IX1302, IX2 302
Stereo Power Amplifier
| Congratulations! You have just purchased one of the latest in a long line of
exceptional car audio power amplifiers from Stillwater Designs. Your KICKER
Impulse was designed and engineered by the same team which created
many other international award winning KICKER components like the ZR, ZX,
and XS-Series amps. It contains a number of cutting-edge features to give
you outstanding performance and dependability when installed in a properly
designed system.
Thanks for buying KICKER. Enjoy.
KICKER IMPULSE AMPLIFIER FEATURES
Two sets of RCA jacks on each Kicker Impulse amplifier allow you to build multiple
amplifier systems without having to use RCA splitter cords to distribute the signal. Now
it is simply a matter of bringing one set of RCAs into the first amplifier, then using the
output RCA jacks as a feed to the next amplifier.
Amplifiers are stable at 2 Ohms stereo and as low as 4 Ohms in mono.
Input connections are included for high and low level signals for use with radios that
have either RCA or speaker level outputs.
An electronic crossover is built in for convenience and allows you to select high pass
for satellite soeakers, low pass for subwoofers, or bypass for full range operation. In
full range configuration the Kicker Impulse amplifiers will operate stereo and mono at
the same time. |
Auto-resetting short circuit and overthermal protection circuits are incorporated to
protect the amplifier from failure due to extreme conditions.
State of the art circuitry including MOSFET power supply and glass epoxy circuit
boards are used to ensure many years of trouble free operation.
OPTIONAL HIGH LEVEL IN
RF+ RF- LF+ LF-
GROUND
REMOTE TURN-ON
RCA OUT
RCA IN
E aescesccatccescacteccscecesestesces 12V FUSE
OPEET
FiitHm SOCOCOCOOOOOOOSOCOCCOCCSCCCES pee
SPOHOOHSOHSOSHSOHOOOCOOEOOEOOCTETCOS
Yy
SPEAKERS
[+t +
AMERICA’S MUSIC MACHINES..

Wiring the KICKER Impulse Amplifier
The preferred method of bringing input signal in to the amplifier is with RCA
cables from a quality tape or CD player. A high (speaker) level input signal may also
be used if your factory deck or aftermarket source does not have low level RCA
jacks. Regardless of which input is used the output RCA jacks on your Kicker
Impulse amplifier will provide a low level signal for multiple amplifier configurations.
Some of the system possibilities are shown in the System Diagrams section of
this manual.
When working with power connections always hook up the ground wire first and
disconnect the ground wire last. Never make any wiring changes with the amplifier
powered up.
The chassis mounted fuse(s) are in place to protect the circuitry of the amplifier
in the event of major trouble. An in-line fuse must be installed within 18 inches of
the battery to protect the power wire used to supply current to the amplifier. This
fuse has to be at least as high of a value as the amplifier is supplied with. In-line
fuse and recommended wire size are as folows:
IX 2302 4Ga 80A fuse
IX 1302 6Ga 50A fuse
IX 702 8Ga 30A fuse
IX 402 10Ga 20A fuse
IX 252 12Ga 10A fuse
Any time that a power wire goes through a metal panel such as the firewall, or if
there is any chance of abrasion, it is necessary to use a grommet or other suitable
form of protection to avoid shorts.
The ground wire should be as short as possible and attached to the body of the
vehicle. The ground point must be free from paint and corrosion. Use the same
size wire for ground connection as is used for power.
Mounting the KICKER Impulse Amplifier
After determining an appropriate mounting
location which provides good air circulation and
access to the end panel controls, use the
supplied screws and washers to firmly mount
the amplifier. The amplifier chassis can be used
as a template for the screw locations. Check to
make sure that the mounting screws will not
damage any components on the back side of the
chosen mounting surface.
If a vertical mounting surface is chosen, it is
recommended that the heatsink fins run
vertically as shown for improved cooling. esteses

Basic Systems for the IMPULSE Two-Channel Amplifier
Stereo Two Channel
FULL RANGE SPEAKERS
INTERNAL CROSSOVER a CHANDEL
TURNED OFF $
ot ————— =
RCA IN — E
LILILIL øo LLLLIILILILLILLLILALLILLILLLILLILLILLILLLLLLLILILL]
'0 00o ooe, AEE eee
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'OOCCOO OS CO Tse AAAA
1S OOOO OOOO SO TUTTE LILIIKIIIIIIILIIIIILIILIIIIIILIIIIILILILI]
Stereo/Mono Hookup using IMPULSE X2100i
Two-Way Subwoofer Crossover
FULL RANGE SPEAKERS
49 MIN/ CHANNEL
INTERNAL CROSSOVER
TURNED OFF
RCA OUT
* These components are included in the Impulse
X2100i subwoofer crossover-available separately
SUBWOOFER
49 MINIMUM

Bi-Amp System for the IMPULSE Two-Channel Amplifiers
SATELLITE SPEAKERS
20. MIN/ CHANNEL
+
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OOOO O CREE” AP UULA
OOO OO OTMEE AP COSLOHOHHSOHSOHHSHHOHOSHOHHHSHOOEOEE
3000
OOOO SOO OURS COHHSHSSHSHEHSHHHHHEHSHSHSHSOSOSOHOE
peceoooce
INTERNAL CROSSOVER
SET TO HP, 70 or 110 Hz
SUBWOOFER
4Q MINIMUM
RCA IN
20000000 0 CUED ©
e00eeeee eo OL,
INTERNAL CROSSOVER
SET TO LP, 70 or 110 Hz

Adjustments and Controls
Setting Gain Control
The gain control is provided for level matching purposes. The control does not
give the amplifier any more power by turning it up. Its purpose is to adjust the
sensitivity of the amplifier in relation to the output level provided by the source.
Start with the amp gain set to minimum by turning the control counter-
clockwise. Turn the source level up until distortion is barely audible. Then turn it
down slightly. This will typically be at about 85% to 95% of full volume. Raise the
amplifier gain until distortion is just audible. The gain is now set correctly. Check
the level with cd/tape and tuner to make sure the adjustment is correct for all
Sources.
Setting KICKEQ™ Controls
The Bass and Treble controls on your Impulse Amplifier are provided to help
tune your system for ideal sound quality. After the system is installed and the
vehicle is put back together, do a listening test with music that is typical of the
type you normally listen to.
Initially set the tone controls on the source unit to flat and turn the KICKEQ™
controls fully counter-clockwise. Depending on your personal taste and the
speakers used in the system, you may want to increase the high or low
frequencies by turning the KICKEQ™ controls clockwise. Remember that once the
vehicle is in motion there will be an apparent loss of bass due to the masking
effect of road noise. Do not attempt to make adjustments while the vehicle is in
motion. It is safer to pull off the road to make changes.
Never change the crossover settings while the amplifier is on. A loud pop will
result which could destroy speakers or cause hearing loss.

Troubleshooting
The LED mounted on the end panel of the amplifier lights up in two different
colors depending on the condition of the amplifier. Green indicates that the
amplifier is turned on and no trouble exists. When it turns red this indicates that
the protection circuit has been engaged. The LED on the top of the amplifier
chassis indicates that the amplifier is on. When the protection circuit is engaged,
this LED turns off.
Green power indicator off, no output:
e With Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) check:
1.+12v power terminal
2. Ground terminal
4. Remote turn-on lead
Green power indicator on, no output:
e Check RCA and connections
e Test speaker outputs with known good speaker
e Check function of source unit
e With VOM in AC volts position check RCA for signal
No output from one channel:
e Check RCA and speaker connections for that channel
e Swap RCA connections from left to right
e Swap speaker connections between channels
Red LED protection indicator is lit and there is no output:
Case 1: Amp is very hot
e Thermal protection is engaged. Check for proper impedance at
speaker terminals. Also check location of amplifier to ensure proper
air flow around heatsink.
Case 2: Output resumes momentarily when system is turned off and
back on.
e Short circuit protection is engaged. With VOM check for short
between speaker positive and negative, and between speaker
terminals and ground.
Alternator noise (a whining that varies with engine RPM)
e Make sure that the ground for the source is as short as possible
and connected to bare chassis metal. The stock radio ground may
not be sufficient.
e Check RCA cable routing and condition. Keep RCA cables away from
all power wires. |

Model
IX2302
IX1302
IX702
1X402
IX252
IX2302
IX1302
1X702
1X402
1X252
*0.2%
RMS Power (watts/channel)
@ 12.5V, 4Q stereo, 0.085% THD,
all channels driven
250 xX 2
150 x2
70 x 2
40 x2
25* X2
Dynamic Power (watts/channel)
@ 14.4V, 4Q stereo, 0.085% THD,
all channels driven
310 x2
175 x2
100 x 2
55x2
30* x2
Frequency Response
Input Sensitivity
Specifications
RMS Power (watts/channel)
@ 12.5V, 2Q stereo,0.2% THD,
all channels driven
360 x 2
200 x 2
105 x2
60 x2
30 x2
Dynamic Power (watts/channel)
@ 14.4V, 2Q stereo, 0.2% THD,
all channels driven
450 x2
260 x 2
140 x2
80 x 2
40 x2
20Hz-20kHz +0.5dB
“High level 1V-10V
Low level 150mV-3.0V
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Active Electronic Crossover
KICKEQ™ Bass Boost
KICKEQ™ Treble Boost
>95dB, a-weighted, re: rated power
18dB/octave, selectable @ 70Hz or 110 Hz; selectable high pass, low pass, all pass
Variable to +18dB, centered @ 40Hz
Variable to +12dB, centered @ 18kHz
RMS Power (watts)
@ 12.5V, 4Q bridged mono,
0.2% THD
720 18.9
400 13.8
210 9.8
120 7.8
60 6.3
Dimensions (inches)
2.5Hx9.5Wx__L
Dynamic Power (watts)
@ 14.4V, 4Q bridged mono,
0.2% THD
900 482
520 350
280 248
160 198
80 160
Dimensions (mm)
63HX241Wx__L

ELECTRONICS LIMITED WARRANTY
-Stillwater Designs warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal
use for a period of three (3) years from date of original purchase when installed by an Authorized KICKER Dealer
or one {1) year from date of original purchase if not installed by an Authorized KICKER Dealer. If this product is
labeled “B Stock”, if is warranted for one (1) year from date of purchase, regardless of place of installation. Should
service be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction during the
warranty period, Stillwater Designs will replace or repair (at its discretion) the defective merchandise with
equivalent merchandise at no charge. Warranty replacements on “B-Stock” merchandise may have cosmetic
scratches and blemishes. Discontinued products may be replaced with equivalent products.
This warranty is valid only 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 herein 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 specific legal rights; however you may have other rights that vary from state to state.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED WARRANTY OR SERVICE
Defective merchandise must be returned to your local Authorized Stillwater Designs (Kicker/Impulse) Dealer
for warranty. Assistance in locating an Authorized Dealer can be obtained by writing or calling Stillwater Designs
direct. 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, call the Kicker Customer Service Department
at [phone] for a Return Authorization (RA) number. Package all defective items in the original container or in
a package that will prevent shipping damage, and return to
Stillwater Designs, 5021 North Perkins Road, Stillwater, OK 74075
The RA number must be clearly marked on the outside of the package. Return only defective components.
Non-defective items received will be returned freight collect.
Include a dated proof-of-purchase from an Authorized Dealer. Warranty expiration on items returned without
proof-of-purchase will be determined from the manufacturing date code. Coverage may be invalidated if this
date is greater than one (1) year previous to the date item is sent in. Freight must be prepaid; items received
freight collect will be refused.
Failure to follow these steps may void your warranty. Any questions can be directed to the Kicker Customer
Service Department at (405)624-85 10.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
This warranty is valid only if the product is used for the purpose for which it was designed. It does
not cover:
e Products purchased from an unauthorized dealer. œ Items previously repaired or modified by any
¢ Damage due to improper installation unauthorized repair facility.
e Damage caused by exposure to water, excessive Ħ Items returned from unauthorized individuals or
heat, chemical cleaners, and/or UV radiation. dealers.
e Damage through negligence, misuse, accident or = * Return shipping on non-defective items.
abuse. Repeated returns for the same damage may * Products with tampered or missing barcode labels.
be considered abuse. e Products returned without a Return Authorization
e Freight damage. (RA) number.
¢ The cost of shipping product to Stillwater Designs.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Stillwater Designs maintains a goal of 24-hour service for all returns. Delays may be incurred if
lack of replacement inventory or parts is encountered.
INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
Contact your International Stillwater Designs dealer or distributor concerning specific procedures
for your country's warranty policies.
STILLUA EK
CE me € P.O. Box 459 « Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076 « U.S.A. * 405 624-8510
KICKER components are capable of producing sound levels that can permanently damage
g you hearing! Turning up a system to a level that has audible distortion is more damaging
Bio your ears than listening to an undistorted system atthe same volume level. The threshold
Ẹ of pain is always an indicator that the sound level is too loud and may permanently
ns aage your hearing. Please use common sense when controlling volume!
JANUARY 1999