Sound Stages SSON12 User manual

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SSON12
Designed for 2012 and newer Chevrolet®Sonic vehicles
©2012 Stillwater Designs
SSON12-A2-20121010

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Subwoofer Assembly
Subwoofer
Power Harness
25A Fuse
Wire Ties x6
Foam Strip
Wire Taps x2
Adapter Harness
Subwoofer Body
Harness

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Power Wire Routing
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
2. Using a razor knife make a cross shaped incision in the large rubber grommet from inside the vehicle and
feed the power wire from the engine compartment to the cabin. Using a fish tape wire is recommended.
Fig. 1
NOTE: If you are installing the optional amplifier system, install the power wire for it at this time.
3. Pull the wire(s) through the grommet until the sheathing touches the grommet.
4. Remove the fuse box cover under the hood. Remove the fuse from the fuse holder on the subwoofer
power wire and connect the power wire to the accessory lug. Torque to 9 +/- 1.5 Nm. Make sure that the
wires exit on the side closest to the battery. Fig. 2
5. Install the connecter on the end of the power harness inside the cabin. The black connecter should have
a block out plug installed in one side to prevent the power wire from being inserted into the wrong position in
the connecter.
NOTE: If you are installing the optional amplifier system, it does not matter what order the three wires are
installed on the three-pin connecter, but the terminals can only be inserted one way. If the terminal will not
go into the connecter, simply turn it 180 degrees and try again. Push the terminals in until they click and lock
into place.
Body Harness Routing
6. Remove the driver’s side kick/threshold panel by loosening the
retainer at the top and then pulling loose. Fig. 3
7. Remove the lower portion of the rear seat by pulling straight up
on the front edge.
8. Snap loose the rear drivers side threshold panel located along
the bottom of the door opening.
9. Snap loose the lower portion of the B pillar post cover.
Cut grommet here.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Wires should exit in
direction of arrow
Retainer – Rotate
counter-clockwise
Fig. 3
Remember to place your warranty card in the glove box for future use.

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10. Remove the drivers side cover directly in front of the console by removing the plastic retainer with a
Phillip’s screwdriver and then pull the cover loose. If installing the optional amplifier system, the passenger’s
side panel will need to be removed as well but has no plastic retainer and can simply be pulled off. Fig. 4
11. Remove the radio trim bezel by carefully prying loose with a plastic panel removal tool. Start at the
corners and work around the bezel. Fig. 5
12. Remove the four screws securing the radio, pull radio from dash and disconnect all wiring.
13. Route the white two pin connecter of the subwoofer harness up to the radio opening from the drivers
side of the console
NOTE: If installing the optional amplifier system, route the amplifier harness at this time.
Subwoofer Input Connection with Optional Amplifier
14. Connect the white two-pin connecter of the subwoofer harness to the corresponding connecter of the
amplifier harness at this time.
Subwoofer Input Connection without Optional Amplifier
15. Connect the six inch adapter harness to the end of the two-
pin connecter. Locate position 40 and position 32 on the radio
connecter and install one of the wire taps onto the wire. Lay
the wire in the open channel, fold the connecter body over and
squeeze with a pair of pliers until connecter snaps shut.
Fig. 6. Connect the green wire of the adapter harness to the wire
in position 40, and the brown wire to the wire in position 32
NOTE: If you are installing the optional amplifier system, route the
power and ground wires of the amplifier body harness under the
carpet and toward the driver’s side kick panel at this time.
16.Connect the power connecter to the power wire coming
through the firewall grommet and tuck out of the way.
17. Connect the black ground wire to the factory ground point
near the driver’s side kick panel. Torque to 9 +/- 1.5 Nm. Fig. 7
Fig. 4 Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Connect ground
wire(s) to either
factory ground stud.

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18. Continue running the subwoofer harness down the drivers side of the car to and under the rear
seatback. It is helpful to rotate the seatback down to allow clearance for the connecters. Secure any excess
harness to the factory harness under the driver’s side rear threshold panel.
Subwoofer Installation
NOTE: If you your vehicle is a 5-door model, remove the spare tire to retrieve the spare tire safety strap
equipped with the vehicle, and then replace the spare tire. (Refer to owner’s manual, beginning in section
10-67, for proper removal and reinstallation of spare tire.) The safety strap will be used to insure the sub-
woofer enclosure does not strike someone in the event of a collision.
19. On sedan models find the anchor point on the driver’s rear seatback approximately 17 inches from the
load floor and approximately 7 inches from the edge of the seatback closest to the center of the vehicle.
Make a vertical incision in the carpet approximately 2-3 inch long. Fig. 8
20. On the hatchback models, remove the intermediate load floor. (Intermediate load floor cannot be used
with subwoofer installed.)
21. Place the supplied foam strip on the plastic quarter panel cover in the position shown in Fig. 9 to prevent
the enclosure from contacting the panel. (Hatchback only)
22. Lay the poly bag that the subwoofer is packaged in on top of the carpet behind the drivers side seat-
back. (The poly bag prevents the Velcro® from engaging the carpet prematurely. Set the subwoofer on top
of the poly bag and connect the subwoofer harness.
23. Run one end of the safety strap under the bracket on the side of the enclosure and then connect both
ends to the cargo tie-down on the driver’s side of the car. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 (Hatchback only)
17”
7”
Install
foam
here
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 8

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24. With the seatback in the up position set the subwoofer in
place against the back of the seatback. Release the seatback and
while holding the top of the subwoofer against the seatback slowly
rotate the seatback forward until the subwoofer bracket slides
under the anchor point on the seatback. Continue to hold the
subwoofer against the seat while rotating the seatback rearward
until it locks into the fully back position. Fig. 12
25. Hold firm pressure against the bottom of the subwoofer while
pulling the poly bag from beneath it.
NOTE: If installing the optional amplifier system, refer to the amplifier instruction manual to complete the
installation.
26. Reinstall all previously removed parts in reverse order.
27. Install fuse into fuse holder.
38. Reconnect negative battery cable to battery.
Troubleshooting the Kicker Integrated Systems
If you experience a problem once the Subwoofer is installed use this guide to locate the trouble.
The radio is working, but the Subwoofer is not working:
• Check the battery voltage to make sure it is not discharged below 11 volts.
• Check the negative battery cable to see if it has been securely tightened back on the battery.
• Check the inline fuse located near the battery to make sure it is plugged in completely, and not blown.
• Check the inline +12Volt power-connecter near the firewall to make sure it is plugged in securely.
• Check the inline connecters near the subwoofer enclosure to make sure they are plugged securely.
• Check the ground wire connection to make sure it is tightly secured to the proper ground in the vehicle.
• Check the audio input signal connection to make sure it is secure and connected to the proper wiring.
• Test with different music in case there is no low frequency audio in the initial sound check.
There is a buzz or rattle noise that accompanies the low frequency element of the music:
• Check for a connecter or any other object that could be very near the enclosure.
• Check the subwoofer enclosure mounting brackets to make sure they are secure.
Hatchback installation shown
Fig. 12

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Symptom Possible Cause Solution
No Subwoofer Output
Fuse not installed in inline fuse
holder on subwoofer and / or amp
harness
Install fuse into fuse holder.
Refer to instructions for correct
placement
Low battery voltage Recharge the battery
Negative battery cable not
connected
Reconnect negative battery cable
Power wire connecter not
connected to body harness
Connect power wire to body
harness. Check for loose
connection
Ground wire not grounded properly Check ground wire with voltmeter
to insure it is a good ground
Balance or fader controls not set to
neutral position
Set balance and fader control to
center settings. (only effects stand
alone subwoofer kit)
No low frequency information in
music
Test with several different songs
Subwoofer harness not properly
/ completely connected to sub-
woofer.
Securely fasten both of the
connecters on the subwoofer
harness to the subwoofer. Check
for loose connections.
Radio Not Coming On
Blown radio fuse Refer to owner's manual for radio
fuse location and value
Low battery voltage Recharge the battery
Radio Comes On, But No
Sound From Any Speakers
Fuse not installed in inline fuse
holder on amplifier harness
Install fuse into fuse holder. Refer
to instructions for correct place-
ment
Ground wire not grounded properly Check ground wire with voltmeter
to insure it is a good ground
Low battery voltage Recharge the battery
If you continue to experience problems after troubleshooting, please contact KICKER Technical Support at
[phone] ext. 6009, or [e-mail].
stillwater designs
P.O. Box 459 • Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076 • USA • (405) 624–8510

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Contains valuable information should you need service
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U LIMITED WARRANTY n
S( When purchased from an Authorized KICKER Dealer, KICKER warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of ONE (1) YEAR ~
~ from date of original purchase, or TWO (2) YEARS if installed by a KICKER dealer. Ifthis product is identified as "Refurbished" or "B Goods", the warranty is limited to a period of THREE (3) ::r;
~ MONTHS from date of original purchase. In all cases you must have the original receipt. Should service be necessary underthis 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. 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 purchaserand is not extended to owners ~
U 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 n
SC the original purchase at retail, and no warranties, whetherexpress or implied, shall apply to this productthereafter. Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties; therefore, these as
~ exclusions may not apply to you. This warrantygives you specific legalrights; howeveryou may have other rights that vary from state to state. =:I
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Q: WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED WARRANTYOR 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 ~
U 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 n
~ for you to return defective merchandise directly to Stillwater Designs (KICKER), call the KICKER CustomerService Department at (405) 624-851 0 for a Return Merchandise Authorization ~
4i1 (RMA) number. Package onlythe defective items in a package that will prevent shipping damage, and return to: (11
~ Stillwater Designs, 3100 North Husband St, 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 a copy of the original receipt with the purchase dateclearly visible, and a "proof-of-purchase" statement listing the ~
U 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 ~
S( manufacturing date code. Freight must be prepaid; items sentfreight-collect, or COD, will be refused. fii
~ WHATIS NOT COVERED? ~
ftj This warranty is valid only ifthe product is used for the purpose for which it was designed. It does not cover: ~
~ • Damage due to improper installation ~
U • Subsequent damage to othercomponents ri
~ • Damage caused by exposure to moisture, excessive heat, chemical cleaners, and/orUV radiation ~
;; • Damage through negligence, misuse, accident or abuse. Repeated returns for the same damage may be considered abuse Q:!
~ • Any cost or expense related to the removal or reinstallation of product ~
!II. • Speakers damaged due to amplifierclipping or distortion ~
~ • Items previously repaired or modified by any unauthorized repair facility ~
Q • Return shipping on non-defective items f)
~ • Products with tampered or missing barcode labels 5) .
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~ : ~=~~~a~~;eed without a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number stI water esIgns !I
A: • The cost of sh1ppmg product to KICKER ~
~ • Service performed by anyone otherthan KICKER ~
U HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? ri
S( KICKER strives to maintain a goal of 1 week service for all acoustics (subwoofers, midrange drivers, tweeters, crossovers, etc) returns. Delays may be incurred iflack of replacement inventory ~
~ or parts is encountered. Failure to follow these steps mayvoid yourwarranty. Any questions can be directed to the KICKER CustomerService Department at (405) 624-851 0. Contact your ::ri
~ International KICKER dealer or distributorconcerning 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 74076 • USA • [phone] f)
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