Kicker IX500.4 User manual

lfKICKER
Authorized KICKER Dealer:
Purchase Date:
Serial Number:
PERFORMANCE
Model:
RMS Power
@ 14.4V,
40
stereo, s 1% THD+N
@ 14.4V,
20
stereo,
s
1% THD+N
@ 14.4V,
40
mono,
s
1% THD+N
Length
Height
Width
Frequency Response
±
1
dB
IX.4-SERIES
AMPLIFIERS
Owner's
Manual
IX500.4
IX500.4
75Wx4
125W
X
4
250Wx2
11-3/8"
(288mm)
2-3/16"
(55mm)
7-
7/8''.(200mm)
20Hz--20kHz
98dB, A-weighted, re: rated
power
Low Level: ·
125mV-5V
HighLevel: 250mV-1
OV
Selectable HI!LO/OFF, Variable lo-pass
50-200Hz,
12dB/octave
8dB@
40Hz
>80%
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. Use the
IXSM
mounting bracket (sold separately) to stack
IX
amplifiers of different sizes.
ij
ij
~I
m
TI
D
II
II
lit~~
IXSM
..
rr
rr
sold separately
~I
I~
2
IX
AMPLIFIERS

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
IX amplifier has dual input 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 IX
amplifier's input level switch to "HI"). Alternatively, the s1gnal 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.
source unit
high-level speaker core conductor
o ~ tput · s ····p ... ~
shield
to amplifier
Install a fuse within 18" (45cm)
of the battery and in-line with the power cable connected to your amplifier. Install
a second fuse within 18" (45cm)
of the 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 External Fuse
(sold separately)
Power/Ground Wire KICKER Wiring
Kit
IX500.4 1 x 50 Ampere
~
~
LBRIOGE D_j
~ 24 "
{60cm) --
-
bare-metal
chassis ground
4 Gauge
remote turn-on
(see page
5)
AMP 1 AMP2 OUTPfJT
~
~
L .. IOGED _j
PK4, CK4, ZCK4
~ 18 "
1+- {45cm) -+1
external fuse
+12V
battery ----3

FOUR CHANNEL OPERATION
minimum
impedance
of
2
ohms
per
channe
l
-·
~
+
,.
&.-
...
,._
l=
I.
I
~
+
I
,_
BRIDGED OPERATION
(MONO)
minimum
impedance
of
4
ohms
I I
_I
I
1-
-
..
,....
,
,.,
[~1:1~1
,~,
l
000.
~
~
[
,
¥1
6
1
~1
••
•·
-
~
'l
l· f
-1
-
~
-
~
j
signal
in
woofers
STEREO-AND-MONO-SIMULTANEOUSLY (SAMS) OPERATION
minimum
impedance
of
4
ohms
bridged
(mono)
and
2
ohms
per
channel
stereo
woofer
4
IX
AMPLIFIERS
-~-
~
~
--
I
~

OPERATION
AMP1
L+ L- R+ R-
POWER
GND
REM +12V
AMP1 AMP2 OUTPUT
~
[~1:1~]
L BRIDGED_j
AUTO
i5
12V DC AUDIO
OFFSET
FADER INPUT
LEVEL
0 0
OFF ..I.. LO..I..
ON HI---
AMP2
L+ L- R+ R-
=
L BRIDGED_j
Automatic Turn-On Selection: The IX series offers three different automatic turn-on modes that can be
selected
on the end panel; + 12V, DC Offset, and Audio. Using either the DC Offset or Audio mode causes the
REM terminal to have+ 12V out for turning on additional amplifiers.
• Remote Turn-On: Set the switch
to+ 12V to use the remote turn-on lead from your source unit. 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:
If Remote Turn-On is not an option, the next best setting is DC Offset. The DC Offset
mode detects a 6V DC offset from the HI-Level speaker outputs when the source unit has been turned on.
• Signal Sense Turn-On: The Audio setting
is the final alternative for Automatic turn-on. This is a Signal Sense
turn-on method that detects the incoming audio signal from your source unit and automatically turns on the
amp. This turn-on method
will not work properly if the input gain control is not set appropriately.
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 Level: The RCA inputs on KICKER IX 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.
GAIN
X-OVERFREQ
BASS BOOST GAIN
X-OVERFREQ BASS BOOST
PWR PRT
<9
XOVER
<9 <9 <9
XOVER
<9 <9
0 0
0~
m=J
OFF HI LO
. . . . . . . . . . . .
o I 11
50Hz 200Hz OdB 1BdB o I 11
50Hz 200Hz OdB 1BdB
IX
I I
AMP2
AMP1
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 Iittle.
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 amplifier allows you to adjust the crossover
frequency from 50-200Hz. The setting for this control
is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.
Bass Boost Control: The variable bass boost control on the front of the amplifier is designed to give you
increased output,
0-18d8, at 40 Hz. The setting for this control is subjective. If you turn it up, you must readjust
the input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifier.
5

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
is
an
illuminated
blue badge on top of the amplifier denoting the power state of the amp
in
addition to the Protection
LED
on the
end panel of your
KICKER
IX
series amplifier. When the blue badge
is
lit,
this indicates the amplifier
is
turned on
and the amplifier
is
functioning properly.
BLUE Badge Light off, no output?
With a Volt Ohm Meter
(VOM)
check the following:
0+
12 volt power
terminal (should
read+
12V
to+
16V)
@Remote turn-on terminal (should
read+
12V
to+
16V)
@Check
for
reversed power and ground connections.
0Ground
terminal, for proper conductivity.
0Check
for blown fuses.
BLUE Badge Light on, no output?
Check the following:
ORCA
connections @Test 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.
Protection 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.
Protection 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. @Amplifier shuts down only while vehicle
is
running= voltage protection circuitry
is
engaged.
Voltage to the amplifier
is
not within the 1
0-1 6 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 output from one channel?
0Check
the balance control on source unit
@Check
the RCA (or speaker
input) and speaker output connections for the channel
@Swap
the RCA
(or
speaker input) cable from left to
right.
If
the problem changes sides then you have a bad RCA
(or
speaker input) cable or source unit problem.
0Swap
the speaker output wire from left to right.
If
the problem changes sides then you have a bad speaker
cable, passive crossover network and/or speaker.
Alternator noise-whining sound with engine's RPM?
0Check
for damaged RCA
(or
speaker input) cable
@Check
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.
Poor stereo image or reduced bass response?
Check system phasing by turning the balance control from
left to right.
If
there
is
more bass output when turned to either side, then check your speaker wiring, passive
crossover networks and speaker terminals for proper positive and negative connections. Reverse a speaker
connection from positive to negative on the stereo/subwoofer channel(s);
if
the bass improves, the speaker was
out of phase.
No Fader?
When using both sets of low-level
(RCA)
or high-level (speaker
wire)
inputs, the fader button must
be pushed
in.
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.
Please Note: Modern high performance speakers have a lower DC Resistance than what used to be available.
The
KICKER
Coaxial and Component speakers are rated at four ohms (some DC Resistances may be
as
low
as
3 ohms) and work with any amplifier designed to operate at a four ohm load.
If
you want to use two
KICKER
Coaxial or Component speakers on a single channel of your amplifier, wire the speakers
in
series. This will
improve the sound quality, lower the total harmonic distortion and lessen the thermal load
at
the amplifier. This
may prevent
an
amplifier from shutting down due to over-current protection circuitry.
6
IX
AMPLIFIERS

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 (405)
624-8583
for
unanswer~d
or specific questions.
KICKER will now provide a three-
year warranty with all IX-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 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
IX
amplifier performance.
A superior-quality KICKER installation Kit
is
guaranteed to extend the life of IX
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
IX500.4
,·"
{5x
.4·@
4ohms~
.
1
Signal
to.Noise
Ratio
7

ELECTRONICS
LIMITED
WARRANTY
KICKER warrants this product to be free from defects
in
material and workmanship under normal use for a period of
THREE
(3)
MONTHS from date of original purchase with receipt. When purchased from
an
Authorized KICKER Dealer
it
is
warranted for TWO
(2)
YEARS from date of original purchase with receipt.
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 at no charge. Warranty replacements may have cosmetic scratches and blemishes. Discontinued products
may be replaced with more current 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 should be returned to your local 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
will
prevent shipping damage, and return to:
Stillwater Designs,
3100
North Husband
St,
Stillwater,
OK
7
4075
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 visible, 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 from 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
valid 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 returned without a Return Merchandise Authorization
(RMA)
number
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?
CE:
KICKER
strives to maintain a goal of one week service 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)
624-8510.
Contact
your International KICKER dealer or distributor concerning specific procedures for your country's warranty policies.
Note:
All
specifications and performance figures are subject to change. Please visit
www.kicker.com
for the most
current information.
P.O.
Box
459
• Stillwater, Oklahoma 7
4076
• USA • (405)
624-8510
111X.4-B-201
01012
26
IX
AMPLIFIERS

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.
GARANTfA
INTERNACIONAL
Version
Espanol
Comunlquese con su concesionario o distribuidor KICKER internacional para obtener infor aci6n sobre procedimientos especlficos
relacionados con las normas de garantla de su pals.
ADVERTENCIA: Los excitadores KICKER son capaces
de
producir niveles de sonido que pueden danar permanentemente
el
oldo. Subir
el
volumen del sistema hasta un nivel que produzca distorsi6n es mas danino para
el
oldo que escuchar un
sistema sin distorsi6n
al
mismo volumen.
El
dolores
siempre una indicaci6n de que
el
sonido es muy fuerte y que puede danar
permanentemente
el
oldo. 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 llestereos
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 vehlculo.
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 Gehorschaden 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
laut 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 (
11
Livin' Loud")
zu
streben. Die
Lautsprecher und Verstarker von KICKER sind auf dem Markt
fUr
Auto-Soundsysteme fUhrend und stellen somit den IITreibstoff"
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'le
de
fa<;;:on
irreversible ! L.:augmentation
du
volume d'un systeme jusqu'a un niveau presentant une distorsion audible endommage
davantage
l'ou'1'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'
le
de
fa<;;:on
irreversible. Reglez
le
volume en faisant prevue
de
bon sens!
L.:expression
II
carburant pour vivre plein pot
II
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
11
)
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
II
carburant pour vivre plein pot
II
dans
I'
aspect
II
installation audio
de
vehicule
II
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.
P.O.
Box
459
• Stillwater, Oklahoma 7
4076
• USA • (405)
624-8510
27

I
XSOO
. 4
04 1 9
7011
MODEL
NUMBER
SERIAL
NUMBER
DATE
TESTED
CERTIFIED
POWER
TOTAL
MAXIMUM
P~~
2UTPUT
(
WATTS
RMS]
I
passe
~
I
passed
I
TOTAL
HARMONIC
DISTORTION
TEST
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE
RATIO
TEST
PROTECTION
CIRCUIT
TEST