Kicker KX2500.1 User manual

2KX2500.1 Amplifier
Introduction
KX2500.1
Congratulations!
You have just purchased the latest in amplifier
technology to carry the famous KICKER name.
Your KICKER KX2500.1 amplifier is designed and built
to give you years of powerful and trouble-free
performance in SPL contests and on the street.
Please read this installation manual, it contains
valuable information to help you get the most out of
your new KX2500.1 amplifier.
This is your “fuel for Livin’ Loud ™”!
Attention:
Please record your purchase information in the area
provided below. We recommend attaching the original
sales receipt or a copy of it to this manual for future
reference.
If you require service on this amplifier during the
warranty period, you will need to provide this
information and a copy of the receipt to Kicker to
validate your warranty.
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!
KX2500.1
Amplifier
Owner’s Manual
Mono-Block Model:
Authorized Kicker Dealer:
Purchase Date:
Amplifier Model Number:
Amplifier Serial Number:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
KX2500.1

3
KX2500.1 Amplifier
Features
Features
Class D Mono Amplifier Delivers massive power into a
single channel with greater efficiency than conventional class A/B
amplification.
Low Impedance Operation Designed for stable operation
and maximum power output into a 2 ohm load.
SORT Protection Circuitry (Short circuit, Over-voltage,
Reverse polarity, Thermal) Protects amplifier from accidents and
undesirable operation.
MOSFET Power Supply Provides high efficiency operation.
KickBass Variable bass boost circuit which provides up to
18 dB of boost at 40 Hz.
Full-time Variable Crossover 12dB low pass variable from
50-200Hz.
Subsonic Filter Switchable (ON / OFF) speaker protection
filter set at 12dB/octave @ 25 Hz.
High & Low level inputs Allows connection to various
sources such as: an after-market stereo, factory radio, DVD
Player, Video Cassette Player, etc.
PAST (PRE Amp Signal Transfer) Output RCA jacks to pass the
incoming signal to another amplifier or component.
Custom tooled gold plated connectors Assure
maximum power transfer and clamping.
Remote Bass Level Control Dash or center console
mountable for remote fine-tuning of bass output.
EndKaps Cast aluminum, custom, removable covers to
protect and hide all your wiring connections to the amplifier.
Can be prepped and painted any custom color you choose.
Big Toothy Grin Expression on your face as you and your
friends admire this ‘surfboard’ in your trunk.
Two Year Warranty When purchased from an Authorized
KICKER dealer.

4KX2500.1 Amplifier
Installation
Mounting
When selecting a location 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
harnesses, brake lines, fuel lines, gas tanks, etc.
All amplifiers generate heat under normal operation. Be sure to
choose a location that allows adequate ventilation for the
amplifier. Also consider that the air temperature inside an
automobile’s trunk can reach upwards of 140 degrees
fahrenheit (60° celsius). An amplifier mounted here may require
additional cooling needs such as fans or venting to allow cool
operation. If possible, mounting the amp in the passenger
compartment will allow cooler operation.
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 amplifiers mounting location.
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
amplifier and all wiring connections.
NOTE: Objects in the manual are larger than they appear!
Pictures and diagrams of the massive KX2500.1 in this manual
are not to scale...this was done to prevent having a manual the
size of your average wakeboard.
Remove Remove
Remove
Remove
With the shroud removed, drill 4 holes using a 7/64” (2.75 mm)
drill bit and use the supplied #8 screws to mount the amplifier.

5
KX2500.1 Amplifier
Installation
Wiring
Signal can be input into the amplifier using either the low level
RCA input connections or the high level speaker level
connections. Using the low level RCA connections is the
preferred method. Use the high level inputs only if your head unit
does not have low level RCA type outputs. Connecting to the
amp with either input will provide a low level signal at the output
(PAST) jacks.
SOURCE UNIT
Left +
Left -
Right -
Right +
Speaker
Outputs
RCA
Outputs
WARNING-Use Only One...Never Both At The Same Time !!!
REMOTE
BASS
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
recommended 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 (36 inches or less) and connected to a paint
and 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 chassis
of this same gauge (or larger) is highly recommended. Adding or
upgrading the ground from the case of the alternator to the car
chassis 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 last wire
disconnected from the amplifier. Just the opposite as when you
installed it.
The supplied ANL fuse holder and fuse must be installed within
18 inches of the battery to protect the power wire feeding your
amplifier.
The Remote Turn-On lead gets connected to your source unit’s
power antenna lead or another switched + 12 volt source in your
vehicle.
Model Fuse Size Wire Gauge
KX2500.1 300 Amp 1/0 Ga
To Chassis Ground
To + Post On Battery FUSE
To Speaker - Terminal
To Speaker + Terminal
Remote Turn-On
LED Status
Indicators
NOTE 1: Supplied with amplifier.
300 amp ANL type fuse with holder.
Wire within 18" of the battery.
NOTE 1

6KX2500.1 Amplifier
Installation
BIG AMP AHEAD
Just in case you missed it at the time of purchase, this is a BIG amplifier that will create BIG power. For an amplifier to
produce 2500 watts of output power it requires a solid electrical system feeding it and a solid delivery system to your speakers. What
this means is you have to use the appropriate wire and accessories with this amplifier to insure optimum performance and durability.
We recommend using Genuine Kicker Installation Accessories. Visit your local dealer or visit www.Kicker.com to learn more.
Kicker highly recommends the following:
 An alternator with a minimum 140 amp output capacity.
 At least one extra battery located close to the amplifier.
 1/0 gauge power and ground feeds to the extra battery.
 Proper fusing as per diagram below.
 Short as possible power and ground feeds to the amplifier.
 Aminimum of 12 gauge speaker wire from amp to speakers. Up to 8 Gauge can be used and is recommended.
 Earplugs.
GROUND
+12V
MAIN
BATTERY
Engine
Compartment
FUSE
18"
or less
REMOTE
TURN-ON
1/0 Gauge
1/0 Gauge
18 Gauge
KICKER
300 A
+12V
AUXILARY
BATTERY
In Trunk
FUSE
FUSE
KICKER
300 A
1/0 Gauge
18"
or less
KICKER
300 A
1/0 Gauge
Total length of cable from
Auxilary Battery to Amplifier
not to exceed 6 feet.
1/0 Gauge
Total length of Ground Cable
not to exceed 3 feet.
12-8 Gauge
1/
0 G
a
ALTERNATOR
140 Amp Minimum

7
KX2500.1 Amplifier
Installation
System Diagrams
The following diagrams shows the most common configurations for your Kicker KX2500.1 series amplifier.
MONO CHANNEL OPERATION
The KX2500.1 amplifier is capable of operating into a minimum impedance of 2 ohms (Ω). If you are using a single voice coil
woofer be sure the impedance of the voice coil is equal to or greater than 2Ω. If using dual voice coil subwoofer or driving
multiple subwoofers, be sure the net impedance presented to the amplifier is at least 2Ωor greater.
GROUND
FUSE
REMOTE
TURN-ON
SUBWOOFER(s)
1/0 Gauge
1/0 Gauge
18 Gauge
2Ω
+
TO + 12 VOLT
POWER SOURCE
+
KICKER
300 A
SIGNAL
IN
SIGNAL
OUT
NOTE: For maximum performance from your Kicker KX2500.1 amplifier,
we recommend using Genuine Kicker Installation Accessories.
Visit your local dealer or visit www.Kicker.com to learn more.

8KX2500.1 Amplifier
Installation
TWO KX2500.1 AMPLIFIERS & ONE DVC SUBWOOFER
This diagram shows how to power a single Dual Voice Coil (DVC) subwoofer using two KX2500.1 amplifiers. For maximum power
output from your KX2500.1 to the subwoofer each voice coil should be 2Ωimpedance. Do not connect to voice coils with an
impedance lower than 2Ω!
Be sure to properly power and ground each amplifier according to the minimum specifications shown on page 6 to insure proper
operation and maximum power output.
NOTE: The gain setting/output level on both amplifiers must be matched for proper operation. If the output level of both amplifiers is
not matched this will result in poor performance and possible damage to your subwoofer.
To properly set the levels you will need a test CD containing a 60 Hz test tone and a digital volt meter. Play the 60 Hz tone through
your CD player set at a low to moderate volume level. Next, measure the AC voltage output across each amplifier’s positive (+) and
negative (-) speaker output terminals. Turn the gain down on the amplifier which reads higher until it matches the other amplifier.
Coil 2 +
Coil 1 +
Coil 1 -Coil 2 -
++
Signal
IN
Signal
OUT
Signal
IN
AC Volt
5.50
+_
AC Volt
5.50
+_

9
KX2500.1 Amplifier
Installation
ONE SUBWOOFER
For maximum power into a single subwoofer you will need a 2ΩSingle Voice Coil (SVC) subwoofer OR a 4ΩDual Voice Coil
(DVC) subwoofer.
Coil +
Coil -
+
Coil 2 +
Coil 1 +
Coil 1 -Coil 2 -
+
Single 2ΩSVC Single 4ΩDVC - Parallel Wired
TWO SUBWOOFERS
For maximum power into a pair of subwoofers you will need two 4ΩSingle Voice Coil (SVC) subwoofers OR two 2ΩDual Voice
Coil (DVC) subwoofers.
Coil +
Coil -
Coil +
Coil -
+
Coil 2 +
Coil 1 +
Coil 1 - Coil 2 -
Coil 2 +
Coil 1 +
Coil 1 - Coil 2 -
+
Two 4ΩSVC - Parallel Wired Two 2ΩDVC - Series/Parallel Wired

10 KX2500.1 Amplifier
Installation
FOUR SUBWOOFERS
For maximum power into a quad set of subwoofers you will need four 8ΩSingle Voice Coil (SVC) subwoofers OR four 4ΩDual
Voice Coil (DVC) subwoofers.
Coil +
Coil -
Coil +
Coil -
Coil +
Coil -
Coil +
Coil -
+
Four 8ΩSVC - Parallel Wired
Coil 2 +
Coil 1 +
Coil 1 - Coil 2 -
Coil 2 +
Coil 1 +
Coil 1 - Coil 2 -
Coil 2 +
Coil 1 +
Coil 1 - Coil 2 -
Coil 2 +
Coil 1 +
Coil 1 - Coil 2 -
+
Four 4ΩDVC - Series/Parallel Wired