Rockford Fosgate RFP-1408/1808 Operating instructions

® ®
car audio
fanatics
for
punch
®
RFP-1408/1808
RFP-1410/1810
RFP-1412/1812
RFP-1415/1815
RFP-1418/1815

Dear Customer,
Congratulationsonyourpurchaseoftheworld'sfinestbrandofcaraudiospeakers. At
Rockford Fosgate we are fanatics about musical reproduction at its best, and we are
pleasedyouchoseourproduct.Throughyearsofengineeringexpertise,handcraftsman-
ship and critical testing procedures, we have created a wide range of products that
reproduce music with all the clarity and richness you deserve.
For maximum performance we recommend you have your new Rockford Fosgate
product installed by an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer, as we provide specialized
training through Rockford Technical Training Institute (RTTI). Please read your
warranty and retain your receipt and original carton for possible future use.
Greatproductandcompetentinstallationsare onlyapieceofthepuzzle whenitcomes
to your system. Make sure that your installer is using 100% authentic installation
accessories from Connecting Punch in your installation. Connecting Punch has
everything from RCA cables and speaker wire to Power line and battery connectors.
Insist on it! After all, your new system deserves nothing but the best.
To add the finishing touch to your new Rockford Fosgate image order your Rockford
wearables,which include everything from T-shirtsand jackets to hats andsunglasses.
TogetafreebrochureonRockfordFosgateproductsandRockfordwearables,intheU.S.
call 602-967-3565 or FAX [phone]. For all other countries, call +001-602-
967-3565 or FAX [phone].
The serial number can be found on the outside of the box. Please record it in
the space provided below as your permanent record. This will serve as
verificationofyourfactorywarrantyandmaybecomeusefulinrecoveringyour
speaker if it is ever stolen.
Serial Number: ________________________________
Model Number:________________________________
If, after reading your manual, you still have questions regarding this product,
we recommend that you see your Rockford Fosgate dealer. If you need further
assistance, you can call us direct at 1-800-795-2385. Be sure to have your serial
number, model number and date of purchase available when you call.
PRACTICE SAFE SOUND™
CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS OVER
100dBMAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS. HIGH
POWERED AUTOSOUND SYSTEMS MAY PRODUCE SOUND
PRESSURE LEVELS WELL OVER 130dB. USE COMMON SENSE
AND PRACTICE SAFE SOUND.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................................................................1
RF Punch Woofer Contents ......................................................................1
Technical Design Features ....................................................................... 1
Stamped Basket .................................................................................. 1
PVA Cone .......................................................................................... 1
Inverted Dust Cap ..............................................................................1
Aluminum Voice Coil Former............................................................. 2
Four-Layer Voice Coil ........................................................................ 2
Dual Laminated Foam Surrounds ....................................................... 2
Hyper-Extended Pole Piece ................................................................2
Vented Bumped Back Plate ................................................................2
Installation ...............................................................................................3
Recommended Enclosures.................................................................. 3
Building An Enclosure ........................................................................4
Calculating Volume............................................................................4
Subwoofer Crossovers ........................................................................ 4
Wiring Configurations ........................................................................ 5
Specifications........................................................................................... 6
Warranty Information............................................................................... 7
International Information..........................................................................8
Welcome to Rockford Fosgate! This manual is designed to provide
information for the owner, salesperson and installer. For those of you
who want quick information on how to install this product, please turn
tothe InstallationSection ofthismanualorrefertotheiconlistedbelow.
Other information can be located by using the Table of Contents. We,
at Rockford Fosgate, have worked very hard to make sure all the
information in this manual is current. But, as we are constantly finding
newways toimprove ourproduct, thisinformation is subjectto change
without notice.
GETTING STARTED
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Sections marked
INSTALLATION
include “slam dunk”
assembly and wiring
directions

–1 –
INTRODUCTION
The RF Punch Woofers are a full line of low frequency drivers sized
from 8" to 18" and are available in 4 or 8 ohm impedance. The RF
Punch woofers were designed for use primarily in small, sealed
enclosures. By utilizing the latest materials and construction tech-
niques, we are able to offer a speaker with high output at low
frequencies while requiring a minimum of operating space.
RF PUNCH WOOFER CONTENTS
RF Punch Woofer
Installation & Owner's Manual
TECHNICAL DESIGN FEATURES
◆Stamped Basket
TheRFPunchWoofersuseastampedColdRolledSteelbasketwhich
is rigid and lightweight. The basket is finished in a corrosive resistant
powder coated applied process used in many automotive applica-
tions.
THE RESULT: A lightweight and rigid woofer
◆PVA Cone
The cone material used is spruce pulp paper. This provides the
necessary combination of weight and strength and allows high levels
of output without cone break up. The cone is treated with a water
resistantPolyVinyl Acetate(PVA) Emulsionwhich increasesthe cone
rigidity and lowers distortion.
THE RESULT: Increases cone rigidity and lowers distortion
◆Inverted Dust Cap
Theuseoftheinverteddustcapservestoincreasetheconerigidityand
improve the power handling by forcing more air through the voice
coil.
THE RESULT: Increases cone rigidity, smooths frequency response
andpreventsyourfriendsfromfeelingobligatedtoinvertthemforyou.

–2 –
◆Aluminum Voice Coil Former
Thevoicecoilformerisblack,anodizedaluminumforhighlyefficient
thermal transfer. This allows winding high temperature copper wire
in multiple layers for improved efficiency.
THERESULT:Improvespowerhandlingbyefficientlydissipatingheat
◆Four-Layer Voice Coil
Multiple layers of high temperature copper wire are wound on the
AluminumVoiceCoilforefficientthermaltransfer.Themassivevoice
coilincreasesXMAXandaddstothemovingmassofthespeaker.This
lowers the Fs of the speaker for better low frequency response and
increases the power handling.
THE RESULT: Increases XMAX and power handling
◆Dual Laminated Foam Surrounds
TheRFPunchWoofersemployaduallaminatefoamsurroundforthe
frontofthewoofer'ssuspension.Duallaminationimprovesreliability
by making the woofer mechanically stronger.
THE RESULT: Adds mechanical strength
◆Hyper-Extended Pole Piece
The pole piece has been extended to provide a more linear magnetic
field for the operation of the woofer. This lowers distortion and
provides the woofer with better low frequency response.
THE RESULT: Lowers distortion and provides better low frequency
response
◆Vented Bumped Back Plate
The back plate has been stepped deeper to allow the woofer more
excursionwithoutbottomingout.Thisenablesthespeakertobeused
in a smaller enclosure. Additionally, the back plate is vented with a
radiused aerodynamic back vent which efficiently and quietly circu-
lates cool air around the voice coil.
THE RESULT: More excursion and increased power handling

– 3 –
INSTALLATION
Recommended Enclosures Punch 8"
Recommended Sealed .30ft3(8.50L)
D = 8"
(20.32cm)
H = 11"
(27.94cm)
W = 11"
(27.94cm)
Punch 10"
Recommended Sealed .75ft3(21.24L)
D = 10"
(25.40cm)
H = 14"
(35.56cm)
W = 15"
(38.10cm)
Punch 12"
Recommended Sealed 1.25ft3(35.40L)
D = 12"
(30.48cm)
H = 14"
(35.56cm)
W = 19-3/4"
(50.17cm)
Punch 15"
Recommended Sealed 2.5ft3(70.79L)
D = 12"
(30.48cm)
H = 20"
(50.80cm)
W = 25"
(63.50cm)
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Building an Enclosure
Toworkproperly,thewallsoftheenclosuremustberigidandnotflex
when subjected to the high pressures generated by the speaker's
operation. For optimum performance, we recommend using 3/4"
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) and internal bracing. The enclo-
sureshould begluedtogether andsecured withnails orscrews. MDF
is porous; therefore, it is suggested to also seal the outside walls with
polyurethane.
Calculating Volume
Calculating volume is merely a matter of measuring the dimensions
in inches and using the formula:
1728"
Height x Width x Depth
Box Volume =
(cubic feet)
Iftwofacingsidesareofunevenlength,addthemtogetheranddivide
by two to take the average. Using this number will give you the
volume without the necessity of calculating the box in sections and
adding the sections together. The thickness of the baffle material
reduces the internal volume so this must be subtracted from the
outside dimensions to determine the internal volume. The speaker
itself also reduces the internal volume. The amount of air displaced
by each model is listed on the specification sheet and should also be
subtracted from the gross volume calculation.
Subwoofer Crossovers
There are two operational types of crossovers, passive and active.
Passivecrossovers(coilsorinductors)areplacedonthespeakerleads
between the amplifier and speaker. An active crossover is an elec-
tronic filter which separates the audio signal fed to different amplifi-
ers. For optimum subwoofer performance, we recommend using an
active 80-100Hz low-pass crossover at 12dB/octave.
Punch 18"
Recommended Sealed 4.0ft3(113.27L)
D = 14"
(35.56cm)
H = 20-1/2"
(52.0cm)
W = 32-1/2"
(82.55cm)

– 5 –
Wiring Configurations
Three configurations for connecting speakers to an amplifier
are Series, Parallel, and Series-Parallel wiring. A Series con-
figuration consists of two or more speakers wired in an string
(end to end). A Parallel configuration consists of two or more
speakers wired with the common terminals connected across
eachother.ASeries-Parallelconfigurationisacombinationof
both methods. Determine which method will be compatible
with your amplifier.
RT= R1+ R2+ R3+ etc. 1 1 1 1 1
=++++etc.
RTR1R2R3R4
Series Wiring Parallel Wiring
4Ωload 4Ωload
+ – + –
+ –
8Ωload
8Ωload 8Ωload
+– +–
+ –
4Ωload
•RTindicates the total speaker load
•R1, R2, etc. indicates each speaker in the system
•Red dot indicates “+” terminal of 8 ohm speaker
•Purple dot indicates “+” terminal of 4 ohm speaker
+–
4Ωload 4Ωload
+–
4Ωload 4Ωload
+–
+ –
4Ωload
+– +–
Series-Parallel Wiring
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SPECIFICATIONS
Model RFP-1408 RFP-1808 RFP-1410 RFP-1810 RFP-1412 RFP-1812 RFP-1415 RFP-1815 RFP-1418 RFP-1818
Nom. Imped. 4 8 4 8 4 8 4 8 4 8
FS (Hz) 30 32 24 26 23 25 21 23 19 20
RE (Ohm) 3.6 7.2 3.6 7.2 3.6 7.2 3.6 7.2 3.2 6.4
LE (mH) 2.5 4 2.5 4 2.5 4 2.2 3.5 3.1 4.0
QMS 4.89 5 4.08 4.7 5 5.4 6.24 5.85 5.30 5.73
QES 0.32 0.33 0.27 0.29 0.42 0.47 0.38 0.44 0.43 0.54
QTS 0.3 0.31 0.25 0.27 0.38 0.43 0.36 0.41 0.39 0.50
VAS (cu.ft) 0.883 0.883 3.437 3.437 6.28 6.28 14.34 14.34 18.5 18.5
VAS (liter) 25 25 87 87 178 178 406 406 525 525
Power (Watts RMS) 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 250 250
Power (Watts Peak) 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 500 500
SPL (dB @ 1w/1m) 85 86 87 88 90 90 93 92 91 91
X-MAX (inches) 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.33 0.33
X-MAX (mm) 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8.3 8.3
Rec. Box Vol. (cu. ft.) 0.3 0.3 0.75 0.75 1.25 1.25 2.5 2.5 4 4
Speaker Dis. (cu. ft.) 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.09 0.09 0.113 0.113 0.19 0.19
Mntg. Dia. (in.) 7
1
⁄
16
7
1
⁄
16
9
5
⁄
32
9
5
⁄
32
11 11 14 14 16
17
⁄
32
16
17
⁄
32
Mntg. Depth (in.) 3
13
⁄
16
3
13
⁄
16
4
1
⁄
2
4
1
⁄
2
5
3
⁄
8
5
3
⁄
8
6
27
⁄
32
6
27
⁄
32
88
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LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION
Rockford Corporation offers a limited warranty on Rockford Fosgate products on the
following terms:
•Length of Warranty
1 year on speakers 30 days on speaker B-stock (receipt required)
3 years on electronics 90daysonelectronicB-stock(receiptrequired)
2 years on source units
•What is Covered
This warranty applies only to Rockford Fosgate products sold to consumers by
Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealers in the United States of America or its
possessions. Product purchased by consumers from an Authorized Rockford
Fosgate Dealer in another country are covered only by that country’s Distributor
and not by Rockford Corporation.
•Who is Covered
This warranty covers only the original purchaser of Rockford product purchased
from an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer in the United States. In order to
receive service, the purchaser must provide Rockford with a copy of the receipt
statingthecustomername,dealername,productpurchasedanddateofpurchase.
•Products found to be defective during the warranty period will be repaired or
replaced (with a product deemed to be equivalent) at Rockford's discretion.
•What is Not Covered
1. Damage caused by accident, abuse, improper operations, water, theft
2. Any cost or expense related to the removal or reinstallation of product
3. Service performed by anyone other than Rockford or an Authorized Rockford
Fosgate Service Center
4. Any product which has had the serial number defaced, altered, or removed
5. Subsequent damage to other components
6. Any product purchased outside the U.S.
7. Any product not purchased from an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer
•Limit on Implied Warranties
Anyimpliedwarrantiesincludingwarrantiesoffitnessforuseandmerchantability
are limited in duration to the period of the express warranty set forth above. Some
states do not allow limitations on the length of an implied warranty, so this
limitationmay not apply. No personis authorized to assume forRockford Fosgate
any other liability in connection with the sale of the product.
•How to Obtain Service
Please call 1-800-669-9899 for Rockford Customer Service. You must obtain an
RA#(ReturnAuthorizationnumber)toreturnanyproducttoRockfordFosgate.You
are responsible for shipment of product to Rockford.
Ship to: Speakers
Rockford Acoustic Design
(Receiving-speakers)
609 Myrtle N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
RA#:_________________
Ship to: Electronics
Rockford Corporation
Warranty Repair Department
2055 E. 5th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
RA#:_________________
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