Rockford Fosgate RFS-1408 Guide

RFS-1408/1808
RFS-1410/1810
RFS-1412/1812
RFS-1415/1815
INSTALLATION & OPERATION
® ®
car audio
fanatics
for

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.
Greatproductandcompetentinstallationsareonlya pieceofthepuzzlewhen it comes
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-shirts and jackets to hats and sunglasses.
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 Woofer Contents .................................................................................1
Technical Design Features ....................................................................... 1
Installation ...............................................................................................3
Recommended Enclosures.................................................................. 3
Building an Enclosure......................................................................... 5
Calculating Volume............................................................................5
Subwoofer Crossovers ........................................................................ 5
Wiring Configurations ........................................................................ 6
Specifications........................................................................................... 7
Warranty Information............................................................................... 8
International Information.......................................................................... 9
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,this informationis subjectto change
without notice.
G ETTING S TARTED
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Sections marked
INSTALLATION
include “slam dunk”
assembly and wiring
directions

– 1 –
INTRODUCTION
RF WOOFER CONTENTS
RF Woofer
Installation & Operation Manual
TECHNICAL DESIGN FEATURES
TheRFWoofersareafulllineoflowfrequencydriversranginginsize
from 8" to 15" in diameter. The RF Woofers were designed for use
primarily in medium ported or sealed enclosures. Designed to offer
Rockford Fosgate quality in an affordable speaker, the RF Woofers
offerthebeginningcarstereoenthusiastanopportunitytoenjoysolid
low frequency bass. Our engineers have selected materials and
techniques used in building our speakers which offer performance
and reliability comparable to other speakers selling for much more.
◆Stamped Basket
The RF Punch Woofers use a stamped Cold Rolled Steel basket which is
rigidandlightweight.Thebasketisfinishedinacorrosiveresistantpowder
coat applied process used in many automotive applications
THE RESULT: A lightweight and rigid woofer
◆PVA Cone
The cone material is spruce pulp paper treated with a water resistant
PolyVinylAcetate(PVA)Emulsion.Thisprovidesthenecessarycombina-
tionof weightand strengththat allowshigh levelsof outputwithout cone
breakup.
THE RESULT: Increases cone rigidity and lowers distortion

– 2 –
◆Dual Laminated Foam Surrounds
TheRFPunchWoofersemployaduallaminatefoam surroundforthe
frontofthewoofer'ssuspension.Duallaminationimprovesreliability
by making the woofer mechanically stronger.
THE RESULT: Adds mechanical strength
◆Inverted Dust Cap
The use of the inverted dust cap serves to increase the cone rigidity
and improve the power handling by forcing more air through the
voice coil.
THE RESULT: Increases cone rigidity, smooths frequency response
andpreventsyourfriendsfromfeelingobligatedtoinvertthemforyou
◆Aluminum Voice Coil Former
Thevoicecoilformerisblack,anodizedaluminumforhighlyefficient
thermal transfer. This allows winding high temperature copper wire
in multiple layers for improved efficiency.
THERESULT:Improvespowerhandlingbyefficientlydissipatingheat
◆Vented Back Plate
The back plate has been vented for dependable speaker power
handling.Theventefficientlycirculatescoolairaroundthevoicecoil
and removes heat built up on the voice coil assembly. This ensures
that at high power levels, the speaker will efficiently dissipate any
unnecessary heat for reliable performance.
THE RESULT: Increased power handling

– 3 –
INSTALLATION
Recommended Enclosures
Fb = Tuning frequency Pd = Inside Port Diameter PI = Total Port Length
Fb=40Hz Pd=2" (5.08cm) PI=5-1/2" (13.97cm)
Recommended Sealed .44ft3(12.46L)
RF 8" – Minimum
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Recommended Ported .74ft3(20.95L)
RF 8" – Optimum
Fb=35Hz Pd=3" (7.62cm) PI=8" (20.32cm)
Recommended Sealed 1.0ft3(28.32L)
RF 10" – Minimum Recommended Ported 1.5ft3(42.47L)
RF 10" – Optimum
D = 10"
(25.4cm)
H = 11"
(27.94cm)
W = 12"
(30.48cm)
®
Range in Cubic Feet
1 2 3 4 5 60.3
1.50
.44
.74
D =12"
(30.48cm)
H = 11"
(27.94cm)
W = 14"
(35.56cm)
®
Range in Cubic Feet
1 2 3 4 5 60.3
.44
.74
D = 16-1/2"
(41.91cm)
H = 14"
(35.56cm)
W = 16"
(40.64cm)
®
Range in Cubic Feet
1 2 3 4 5 60.3
1.5
D = 18"
(45.72cm)
H = 12"
(30.48cm)
W = 12"
(30.48cm)
®
Range in Cubic Feet
1 2 3 4 5 60.3
1.5

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Recommended Enclosures
Fb = Tuning frequency Pd = Inside Port Diameter PI = Total Port Length
Fb=30Hz Pd=4" (10.16cm) PI=12" (30.48cm)
Recommended Sealed 1.5ft3(42.47L)
RF 12" – Minimum Recommended Ported 2.5ft3(70.79L)
RF 12" – Optimum
Fb=35Hz Pd=2 x 4" (5.08cm x 10.16cm) PI=9-1/2" (24.13cm)
Recommended Sealed 3.0ft3(84.95L)
RF 15" – Minimum Recommended Ported 4.0ft3(113.27L)
RF 15" – Minimum
– 4 –
D = 12-1/2"
(31.75cm)
H = 15"
(38.10cm)
W = 20"
(50.80cm)
®
Range in Cubic Feet
1 2 3 4 5 60.3
1.5
2.25
D = 17"
(43.18cm)
H = 16"
(40.64cm)
W = 22"
(55.88cm)
®
Range in Cubic Feet
1 2 3 4 5 60.3
1.75
2.5
D = 14"
(35.56cm)
H = 20"
(50.80cm)
W = 25"
(63.50cm)
®
Range in Cubic Feet
1 2 3 4 5 60.3
D = 14-1/2"
(36.83cm)
H = 20"
(50.80cm)
W = 32"
(81.28cm)
®
Range in Cubic Feet
1 2 3 4 5 60.3
5.5

– 5 –
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 withnailsor screws.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.
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Wiring Configurations
Three configurations for connecting speakers to an amplifier are
Series, Parallel, and Series-Parallel wiring. A Series configuration
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 each other. A Series-
Parallelconfiguration isacombination ofboth 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
+–
4Ωload 4Ωload
+–
+ –
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
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Model RFS-1408 RFS-1808 RFS-1410 RFS-1810 RFS-1412 RFS-1812 RFS-1415 RFS-1815 Nom. Impedance 4 8 4 8 4 8 4 8 FS (Hz) 44 46 36 38 28 29 26 27 RE (Ohm) 3.6 7.1 3.4 6.8 3.4 6.7 3.4 6.7 LE (mH) 1.49 2.40 1.47 2.25 1.43 2.22 1.71 2.87 QMS 4.26 3.81 3.75 3.81 3.41 4.11 4.89 3.90 QES 0.40 0.42 0.40 0.42 0.36 0.45 0.49 0.59 QTS 0.37 0.38 0.36 0.38 0.33 0.41 0.44 0.51 VAS (cu.ft) .67 .67 2.40 2.40 6.57 6.57 11.336 11.336 VAS (liter) 19 19 68 68 186 186 321 321 Power (Watts RMS) 100 100 100 100 100 100 150 150 Power (Watts Peak) 200 200 200 200 200 200 300 300 SPL (dB @ 1w/1m) 88 88 91 91 92 92 93 93 X-MAX (inches) 0.19 0.19 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.23 0.23 X-MAX (mm) 4.7 4.7 5.2 5.2 5.1 5.1 5.9 5.9 Speaker Dis. (cu. ft.) 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.107 0.107 Mntg. Dia. (in.) 7-1/8 7-1/8 9-1/4 9-1/4 11 11 14 14 Mntg. Depth (in.) 3-11/16 3-11/16 3-29/32 3-29/32 4-13/16 4-13/16 6-3/32 6-3/32

– 8 –
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 person is authorized to assume for Rockford 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#:_________________

INTERNATIONAL
INFORMATION
– 9 –

LEA DETENIDAMENTE LAS SIGUIENTES INSTRUCCIONES DE
INSTALACÍON DEL PRODUCTO.
INTRODUCCÍON
Los terminales positivo y negativo de entrada están ubicados uno en
cada extremo de la carcasa. Este montaje separado previene de
posibles cortocircuitos de la señal a altos niveles de volumen. El
terminalpositivoestámarcadoconunpuntoenlacarcasa.Unpunto
rojoindicaquela impedanciadel altavozesde8ohmios, yun punto
violeta que es de 4 ohmios.
TERMINALES DEENTRADA
CALCULO DEL VOLUMEN
Para calcular el volumen sólo se han de medir las dimensiones en
centimetros y aplicar la fórmula:
Volumen du
la caja =
Sidoscarasopuestassondediferentetamaño,súmelasydividaeltotal
por dos para obtener el promedio. Usando esta técnica se ahorrara el
cálculoporsecciones.Elespesordelmaterialconqueestáconstruida
la caja reduce el volumen interno, de manera quer ha de restarse de
las dimensiones exteriores para determinar el volumen interior. La
cantidaddeairequeocupacadamodelovieneespecificadoenlahoja
de caracteristicas y también debe sustraerse para obtener el volumen
neto interior.
1000
Alto x Ancho x Profundidad
(en litros)
ESPAÑOL
– 10 –
LosWoofersRFsonunagamacompletadedriversdebajafrecuéncia
que comprenden diámetros de 8" a 15". Los Woofers RF fueron
diseñados para su utilización en caja cerrada o bass-reflex mediana.
Diseñada para ofrecer la máxima calidad, los Woofers RF ofrecen al
entusiastaprincipianteensistemasdecaraudio,laoportunidadpara
disfrutardeunbajosólidoenlasbajasfrecuéncias.Nuestrosingenieros
han seleccionado materiales y técnicas para la construcción de
nuestrosaltavocesconelobjetivodeofrecercaracterísticasyconfianza
comparable a otros altavoces vendidos mucho más caros.

VEUILLEZ LIRE LES INSTRUCTIONS SUIVANTES POUR L'INSTALLATION
DE CE PRODUIT.
INTRODUCTION
Les woofers RF constituent une ligne compléte haut-parleurs de
basses allant de 20 à 38 cm de diamétre. Les woofers RF ont d’abord
étéconçus pourfonctionner dansdes enceintescloses oubass-reflex
moyennes. Conçu pour offrir la qualité Rockford Fosgate dans un
haut-parleur abordable, le woofer RF offre au débutant enthousiaste
l’opportunité de profiter de solides basses. Nos ingénieurs ont
sélectionné les matériaux et les techniques utilisé¡s dans la construc-
tionde noshaut-parleursde maniéreà offrirdesperformances etune
fiabilité comparables à d’autres haut-parleurs vendus beaucoup plus
chers.
FRANCAIS
Les bornes positives et négatives sont fixées de part et d'autre du
saladier.Cetteséparationpermetd'empêcherlescourts-circuitsentre
les fils lors des reproductions sonores élevées. La borne positive est
repérée par un petit point de couleur sur le saladier. Un point rouge
est utilisé pour les haut-parleurs de 8Ω, un point violet pour les haut-
parleurs de 4Ω.
BORNIERS
CALCUL DUVOLUME
Oncalculelevolumeenmesurantladimensiondechaquecôtéeten
utilisant la formule suivante:
Volume du
caisson =
(Litres)
Si les due côtés qui se font face n'ont pas la même longueur,
additionnez les et divisez le résultat par deux pour obtenir la
moyenne des deux longueurs. Utilisez le nombre ainsi obtenu dans
laformulepourdéterminerlelitrage.Cetteméthodepermetd'obtenir
le volume du caisson sans devoir faire de calculs compliqués de
section de volume. L'épaisseur du matériau dont est fait le caisson
réduit le volume interne de celui-ci. Lorsqu'on mesure les côtés du
caisson il ne faut donc pas oublier d'oter des mesures l'epaisseur du
matériau. Le haut-parleur lui-même diminue le volume interne du
caisson.Levolumed'airdéplacéparchaquemodèledehaut-parleur
est repris dans les spécifications techniques et doit également être
soustrait du volume total.
1000
Hauteur (cm) x Longueur (cm) x Largeur (cm)
– 11 –

BITTE LESEN SIE DIESE GEBRAUCHSANLEITUNG ZUERST SORGFÄLTIG
DURCH. DAS KANN SIE VOR FALSCHEM EINSATZ, AUSFALLEN ODER
SOGAR BESCHÄDIGUNG DES PRODUKTES ODER IHRES FAHRZEUGES
SCHÜTZEN.
EINLEITUNG
DieRFWoofersindeinekompletteSerievonBassLautsprechem,von
8" (20cm) bis 15" (388cm). Sie wurden konstruirt um in mittelgroβen
geschlossenen oder Bassreflex-Gehäusen zu spielen. Sie wurden
gebaut, um Rockford Fosgate Qualitätund dem Newcomer im Car
Stereo die Möglichkeit von Tiefbass bei hervorragender Qualität
anzubieten. Unsere Ingenieure haben diese Lautsprecher mit einer
Technik versehen, die die Woofer im Vergleich zu anderen
Lautsprechem als etwas Besonderes heraustellen.
ANSCHLUβTERMINALS
DieAnschluβterminalswurdenaufjederSeitedesLautsprecherkorbes
positioniert um eventuelle Kurzschlüsse auch bei hoher Leistung
auszuschlieβen (Das Positiv-Terminal ist durch eine Farbmarkierung
gekenzeichnet). Eine rote Farbamrkierung befindet sich immer bei
einem Lautsprecher mit einer Impedanz von 8 Ohm, eine violette
FarbmarkierungzeichnetdieLautsprechermitderImpedanz4Ohm.
VOLUMEN-BERECHNUNG
DEUTSCH
SolltenzweigegenüberliegendeSeitenungleichlangsein,sokönnen
sie die Maβe zusammen rechnen und durch zwei dividieren um den
Durchschnittzu erhalten.Diesmacht Ihnendie Berechnungleichter
und Sie müssen das Gehäuse nicht in Sektionen berechnen, die Sie
danachwiedermühseligzusammenzählenmüssen.DieMaterialstärke
beeinfluβt natürlich auch das Innen-Volumen, so muss für eine
präzise Berechnung die Materialstärke von Auβen-Volumen
abgezogenwerden.DerLautsprecherverringertebenfallsdasInnen-
Volumen, auch er sollte natürlich heraus gerechnet werden. Jedes
Lautsprecher-Volumen ist unter “Specifications” genau aufgelistet.
Zur Volumen-Berechung benötigen sie die genauen Maβe und
Dimensionen in Zentimetern.
Gehäuse-
Volumen = 1000
Höhe (cm) x Breite (cm) x Tiefe (cm)
(Kubik Liter)
– 12 –

LEGGERE CON ATTENZIONE LE SEGUENTI ISTRUZIONI PRIMA
DELL'INSTALLAZIONE DEL PRODOTTO.
INTRODUZIONE
IwooferRFsonounalineacompletadialtoparlantiabassafrequenza
condimensionidacm.20acm.38didiametro.IwooferRFsonostati
progettatiperunimpiegoincassemediesiachiusechereflex.Previsti
peroffrirelaqualitápurinaltoparlantidiprezzoabbordabile,iwoofer
RFoffrono a chisi accostacon entusiasmoal car stereol'opportunitá
diotteneresoliderispostesullebassefrequenze.Inostritecnicihanno
selezionatomaterialietecnichecostruttivecheassicuranorendimenti
e affidabilitá comparabili ad altri altoparlanti che vengono venduti a
prezzi moto piú elevati.
Iconnettori diingressopositivi enegativi sonomontatisul cestelloin
posizioni speculari. Il montaggio separato impedisce al segnale
musicaledicortocircuitarsiadaltissimilivellidivolume.(Ilterminale
di ingresso é indicato da una marcatura colorata sul cestello.) Un
contrassengno rosso indica che l'impedenza dell'altoparlante é 8
ohm, il contrassegno viola é impiegato per i 4 ohm.
CONNESSIONI DI INGRESSO
CALCOLO DEL VOLUME
Calcolare il volume é essenzialmente solo un poroblema di
misurazione delle dimensioni in centimetri della cassa e di
applicazione della formula:
Volume della
cassa =
(litri) 1000
Alteza x Larghezza x Profonditá
ITALIANO
Se due pareti parallele sono di dimensioni diverse (prisma),
semplicemente sommatele e dividete il risulto per due. Impiegando
ilrisultatoottenutopotetecalcolareilvolumesenzadividerelacassa
i sezioni. Lo spessore del legno riduce il volume interno, per cui é
necessario sottrario dalle dimensioni esterne. Anche il volume
dell'altoparlante stesso riduce il volume della cassa e deve essere
sottratto. Il volume che ciascun altoparlante contribuisce a togliere
dalla cassa é indicato nelle tabelle con le specifiche.
– 13 –

NOTES

NOTES

11/96
LIT9786
Rockford Fosgate
Rockford Corporation
546 South Rockford Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281 U.S.A.
In U.S.A., [phone]
In Europe, Fax [phone]
In Japan, Fax [phone]
MADE IN THE USA
This product is designed, developed and assembled in the USA by a dedicated
group of American workers. The majority of the components used in the
construction of this product are produced by American companies. However, due
to the global nature of their manufacturing facilities and the loudspeaker parts
industry in general, some parts may be manufactured in other countries.