Kicker ZX20.4 User manual

lfKICKER®
ZX.4SeriesAmplifier
Owner'sManua/
FourChanneIMode/: ZX200A
Congratulations on your
KICKER purchase!
Please record your purchase
information and keep your sales
receipt for validation
of warranty.
Authorized Kicker Dealer:
Purchase Date:
Amplifier Model Number:
Amplifier Serial Number:
Installation
1. Mounting Choose astructurally sound location to mount your Kicker amplifier. Make sure there
are no items behind the area where the screws will be driven. Choose alocation that allows at least
4" (10cm)
of open ventilation for the amplifier. If possible, mount the amplifier in the climate-controlled.
passenger compartment. Drill four holes using a7/64" (3mm) bit and use the supplied #8 screws to
mount the amplifier.
2. 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 apaint 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.
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Source Unit
FourChannel Operation (Stereo)
Minimum Impedance of 2ohms per channel in stereo operation
Figure 2
The ZX amplifier has dual input sensitivity differential RCA inputs which will receive either high or low
level signals from your car stereo's source unit. Ideally, when connecting the source unit to the amplifier,
the ZX amplifier's input level switch should be set to "LO" and alow-level signal should run from the
source unit's stereo RCA output
to the stereo RCA input on the end panel of the amplifier using RCA
interconnect cable. If alow-level stereo RCA output
is not available on the source unit, the signal can
be delivered to the amplifier using the high-level speaker outputs on the source unit. Set the input level
switch on the end panel
of the amplifier to "HI". Crimp and solder RCA connectors to the end of the
speaker wire running from the high-level speaker outputs on the source unit and connect the wire to the
RCA Inputs on the end panel
of the amplifier as shown in Figure 1. Keep the audio signal cable away
from factory wiring harnesses and other High-level Speaker Output Wire Figure 1
power wiring. If you need to cross this ~Tosourceun~ ~9;[]~2llit1
wiring, cross it at a 90 degree angle. ~
3. Configuration The following diagrams show the most common configurations for your Kicker ZX
series amplifier.
Ground or Shie+ding To Amplifier ~
•Install one 30 ampere fuse within 18" (45cm) of the battery and in-line with the 8gauge 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. See the chart below for power and ground wire size, and fusing recommendations.
Fuse
Battery
2ZX.4AMPLIFIER

Source Unit
CJ ~ <::(" KUNEK )-:
'<::!:J :.. 10 COMA I D~===_
000 DDODODOClI.a~---
Sourt:e Unit
Remote
Tum-On
I(45cm) I
'-- J -18"-
=11t\ =('" KUN'" );
'(C::) . ~ 10 -COMA .
Stereo and Mono Operation Simultaneously (SAMS) 000 'CIDODODOCl
Minimum impedance of 4 ohms bridged and 2 ohms per channel in stereo simultaneously
Bridged Operation (Mono)
Minimum impedance of 4 ohms while in bridged operation
Figure 3
Figure 4
Fuse
Battery
Performance
Model ZX200.4
RMS Power in Watts, all channels driven @14.4
Volts,
40 stereo, ~ 1%THO+N
@
20 stereo, ~ 1%THO+N
@
4Q mono, ~ 1%THO+N
Length: in(cm)
Specifications common to all models:
Height: in(mm)
Width: in(mm)
Frequency Response, ±1db:
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
Input Sensitivity:
Selectable Electronic Crossover:
Bass Boost:
35
x4
50x4
100 x 2
10
1/4 (26)
2 1/8 (54mm)
9
5/8 (244mm)
20 Hz -20 kHz
>95db, a-weighted, re: rated power
Low Level: 125mV-5V
High Level: 250mV-1
OV
12 db/Octave High Pass Fixed @80Hz
12 db/Octave Low Pass Fixed @80Hz
Variable 0to +12dB Bass Boost @40Hz
Note: To get the best performance from your new Kicker Amplifier. we recommend using genuine Kicker Accessories and Wiring. 3

4
Operation
AMP1 GAIN xaVER BASS GAIN xaVER BASS
Q~CS) Q[]ICS)
o 11 OFF HI La 0 f' OFF HI LO
AUTO INPUT LOR LOR FADER
TiJNO~~~~O
+12VOFD(srJUDIO 1;.f,:Q: fNPUT1 tNPUT2 8f~
1. Automatic Turn-On Selection The ZX 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.
ORemote Turn-On Set the switch to + 12V to use the remote turn-on lead from your source unit. Run
18 Ga 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.
ODC Offset Turn-On If Remote Turn-On is not an option, the next best setting is DC Offset. The DC
Offset mode detects a 6 volt surge from the HI Level speaker outputs when the source unit has been
turned on.
OSignal Sense Turn-On The Audio setting
is the final alternative for Automatic turn-on. This is aSignal
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.
2. Input Level The RCA inputs on Kicker ZX 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 aHi-Level signal, simply
press
in the Input Level switch on the amplifier. Refer to the wiring section of this manual additional
instructions.
3. 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 ahigh-pass filter fixed at 80 Hz
with a12 db/octave slope. Set the switch
to LO if you want the amplifier's internal crossover to serve as
alow-pass filter fixed at
80 Hz with an 18 db/octave slope to power your subwoofers.
4. Input Gain Control The input gain control is not avolume 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 alittle.
5. Bass Boost Control The variable bass boost control on the end panel of the amplifier is designed to
give you increased bass output from 0 -
12dB at 40 Hz. The setting for this control is subjective. If you
turn
it up, you must go back and adjust the input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifier.
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 red 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 ZX series amplifier. When the red badge is lit this
indicates the amplifier
is turned on and the amplifier is functioning properly.
ORED Badge Light off, no output? With aVolt Ohm Meter (VOM) check the following: 1) +12 volt
power terminal (should read +12V to +16V)
2) Remote turn-on terminal (should read +12V to + 16V)
3) Check for reversed power and ground connections. 4) Ground terminal, for proper conductivity. 5)
Check for blown fuses.
ORED Badge Light on, no output? Check the following: 1) RCA connections 2) Test speaker
outputs with a"known" good speaker.
3) Substitute source unit with a"known" good source unit. 4)
Check for asignal in the RCA cable feeding the amplifier with the VOM meter set to measure "AC"
voltage.
ZX.4AMPLIFIER

OEnd Panel LED flashing with loud music? The yellow 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.
OEnd Panel LED on, no output? 1) Amplifier is very hot. ¢Thermal protection is engaged. Test
for proper impedance at the speaker terminals with aVOM meter (see the diagrams
in this manual
for minimum recommended impedance and multiple speaker wiring suggestions). Also check for
adequate airflow around the amplifier.
2) Amplifier shuts down only while vehicle is running. ¢Voltage
protection circuitry
is engaged. Voltage to the amplifier is not within the 9-16 volt operating range. Have
the vehicle's charging and electrical system inspected.
3) 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.
ONo output from one channel? 1) Check the balance control on source unit 2) Check the RCA (or
speaker input) and speaker output connections for the channel
3) Swap the RCA (or speaker input)
cable from left
to right. If the problem changes sides then you have abad RCA (or speaker input) cable
or source unit problem.
4) Swap the speaker output wire from left to right. If the problem changes sides
then you have abad speaker cable, passive crossover network and/or speaker.
OAlternatornoise-whining sound with engine's RPM? 1) Check for damaged RCA (or speaker
input) cable
2) Check the routing of RCA (or speaker input) cable 3) Check the source unit for proper
grounding
4) Check the gain settings and turn them down if they are set too high.
OPoor 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 aspeaker connection from positive to negative on the stereo/subwoofer channel(s);
if the bass
improves, the speaker was out of phase.
OGround Noise? ¢If you are using only one pair of RCA inputs, connect the RCA cable to the AMP1
inputs. 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.lf you are
experiencing this problem with your head unit,
in most cases running aground wire from the RCA
outputs on the head unit
to the chassis will remedy this issue.
ONo Fader? ¢When using both sets of low-level (RCA) or high-level (speaker wire) inputs, the fader
button must be pushed
in.
Please Note: Modern high performance speakers have alower 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 3ohms) and work with any amplifier designed to operate at afour ohm load.
If you
want to use
two Kicker Coaxial or Component speakers on asingle 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.
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.
Model ZX200.4
_35 x 4@4ohms. 14.4Vdc. 1%THD. CEA-2006 Watts
Signal to Noise Ratio -85
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W. A-weighted)
5

18
Elec tronics LimitedWarranty
Kicker warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for aperiod 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 aperiod 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 adealer is authorized by asking to see acurrent 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 aReturn Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. Package all
defective items in the original container or in apackage that will prevent shipping damage, and return to:
Stillwater Designs, 5021 North Perkins Road, 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 freight-collect to
you.
Include acopy 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:
oDamage due
to improper installation
oSubsequent damage to other components
oDamage caused by exposure to moisture, excessive heat, chemical cleaners, and/or UV radiation
oDamage through negligence, misuse, accident or abuse. Repeated returns for the same damage may be considered
abuse
oAny cost or expense related to the removal or reinstallation of product
oSpeakers damaged due to amplifier clipping or distortion
oItems previously repaired or modified by any unauthorized repair facility
oReturn shipping on non-defective items
oProducts with tampered or missing barcode labels
oProducts returned without aReturn Merchandise Authorization
(RMA) number
oFreight Damage
oThe cost
of shipping product to Kicker
oService performed by anyone other than Kicker
HOW LONG WILL
IT TAKE?
Kicker strives to maintain agoal of 72-hour 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 [phone].
NOTE: All specifications and performance figures are subject to change. Please visit the www.kicker.com for the most current information.
ZX.4AMPLIFIER

InternationalWarranty
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 asystem to alevel 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.
.Nehmen Sie mit Ihren internationalen Kicker-Fachhandler
oder Vertrieb Kontakt auf, um Details uber die Garantieleistungen
in Ihrem Land zu erfahren.
Comuniquese
con su concesionario 0distribuidor 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 dafiar permanentemente
el oido. Subir el volumen del sistema hasta un nivel que produzca distorsi6n es mas dafiino para el oido que escuchar un
sistema sin distorsi6n
al mismo volumen. EI dolor es siempre una indicaci6n de que el sonido es muy fuerte yque puede
dafiar permanentemente
el oido. Sea precavido cuando controle el volumen.
DeutscheVersion
Versi6nEspanoi
GARANTfA INTERNACIONAL
INTERNATIONALE GARANTIE
La frase "combustible para vivir la vida Livin'
Loud™ a todo volumen" se refiere al entusiasmo por la vida que la marca
Kicker
de estereos de autom6vil representa y a la recomendaci6n anuestras clientes de que vivan 10 mejor posible ("a
todo volumen") en todo sentido. La linea de altavoces yamplificadores Kicker es la mejor del mercado de audio de
autom6viles y por 10 tanto representa el "combustible" para vivir a todo volumen en el area de "estereos de autom6vil" de
la vida de nuestras c1ientes. Recomendamos a todos nuestros c1ientes que obedezcan todas las reglas yreglamentos
locales sobre ruido en cuanto alos niveles legales yapropiados
de audici6n fuera del vehfculo.
WARNUNG: KICKER-Treiber kennen einen Schallpegel erzeugen, der zu permanenten Geherschaden fUhren kann!
Wenn Sie ein System auf einen Pegel stellen, der herbare Verzerrungen erzeugt, schadet das Ihren 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 Geherschaden 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 ermuti!ilen, in allen Aspekten ihres Lebens nach dem Besten ("Livin' Loud") zu
streben. Die Lautsprecher und Verstarker von
Kicl<ier 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 ertlichen Larmvorschriften zu halten.
GARANTIE INTERNATIONALE
VersionFran{:Bise
Pour connaitre les procedures propres a la politique de garantie de votre pays, contactez votre revendeur ou distributeur
International Kicker.
AVERTISSEMENT: Les haut-parleurs Kicker ont
la capacite de produire des niveaux sonores pouvant endommager
l'ouYe de faQon irreversible! L:augmentation du volume d'un systeme jusqu'a un niveau presentant une distorsion audible
endommage davantage
l'oUi'e que I'ecoute d'un systeme sans distorsion au meme volume. Le seuil de la douleur est
toujours
Ie signe que Ie niveau sonore est trap eleve et risque d'endommager l'ouYe de faQon irreversible. Reglez Ie volume
en faisant prevue
de bon sens !
L:expression" carburant pour vivre plein pot" fait reference au dynamisme de la marque Kicker d'equipements audio
pour vehicules et apour
but d'encourager nos clients afaire Ie maximum (" vivre plein pot ") dans tous les aspects de leur
vie. Les haut-parleurs et amplificateurs Kicker sont les meilleurs dans
Ie domaine des equipements audio et representent
donc pour nos client Ie "carburant pour vivre plein pot" dans I'aspect "installation audio de vehicule " de leur vie.
Nous encourageons tous nos clients arespecter toutes les lois et reglementations locales relatives aux niveaux sonores
acceptables aI'exterieur des vehicules.
(€ PO Box 459. StmwatO', Oklah=a 74076 ~Tp~~~!:
01102008-a+08ZX.4 19

Model Number
08ZX2004
Serial Number Date Tested
07 0 4 1008
Total Maximum Power Output (watts)
___ 24 __ 2~_
Total Harmonic II' l\ ~
Distortion Test '\\\8
Signal-to-Noise ~('1iJJI
Ratio Test t t) •Protection
[iij ~~
Circuit Test I. ~\\l0

Outside the USA, please complete and mail to
your country's National KICKER Distributor.
You can get this address from the retail store
where you purchased your KICKER products
BUSINESS REPLY MAIL
FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 112 STILLWATER OK
POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE
lfKICKER®
STILLWATER DESIGNS
PO BOX 459
STILLWATER OK 74076-9907
1111.1.1 •• 111 ••• 1 ••• 1.11111.1111.11111 ••• 1 ••• 1. II III
NO POSTAGE
NECESSARY
IF MAILED
INTHE
UNITED STATES

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Product Registration: return for
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OR RECISTER ON LINE
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(number under bar code on carton orproduct) (eg. S12L7. IX704. R25)
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Make (eg. Ford) _
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In what vehicle will you install these products?
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o39-45 046-52 053-59 060 &Over
What types of magazines do you read frequently?
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oSports 0Science 0Lifestyle 0News
What types of music do you listen to frequently?
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