Stillwater Designs Kicker Impulse 356xi User manual
TTTim
Six-Channel
Power
Amplifier
The
impulse
356xi
six
channel
power
amplifier
allows
you
to
create
an
outstanding
stereo
system
based
on
a
single
amplifier
chassis.
Features
and
Controls
The
Impulse
356xi
Amplifier
is
2
Ohm
stable
on
all
six
channels;
the
sub
out
can
be
bridged
to
as
low
as
4
Ohm
mono.
For
connection
to
the
source,
you
have
the
option
of
low
level
RCA
inputs
or
a
high
level
input
for
use
with
radios
that
don't
have
RCA
outputs.
Separate
electronic
crossovers
built
in
for
your
convenience
allow
you
to
select
full
range
or
highpass
for
the
front
and
rear
channels
as
well
as
full
range
or
lowpass
for
the
sub
output.
Separate
KICKEQ
bass
and
treble
controls
give
you
the
ability
to
boost
low
and
high
frequencies
to
tailor
the
music
to
your
taste.
Auto-resetting
short
circuit
and
overthermal
protection
circuits
are
incorporated
to
protect
the
amplifier
from
failure
due
to
extreme
conditions.
State
of
the
art
circuitry
including
MOSFET
power
supply
and
glass
epoxy
circuit
boards
are
used
to
ensure
many
years
of
trouble
free
operation.
Wiring
Instructions
The
preferred
method
of
bringing
input
signal
to
the
amplifier
is
with
RCA
cables
from
a
quality
tape
or
CD
player.
A
high
level
(speaker)
input
signal
may
also
be
used
if
your
factory
deck
or
aftermarket
source
does
not
have
low-
level
RCA
jacks.
OPTIONAL
HIGH
LEVEL
IN
REMOTE
TURN-ON
FRONT
RCA
IN
REAR
RCA
IN
SUB
RCA
IN
FRONT
&
REAR
&
SUB
SPEAKER
OUTPUT
Some
of
the
system
possibilities
are
shown
in
the
System
Diagrams
section
of
this
manual.
When
working
with
power
connections
always
hook
up
the
ground
wire
first
and
disconnect
the
ground
wire
last.
Never
make
wiring
changes
with
the
amplifier
powered
up.
An
inline
fuse
must
be
installed
on
the
battery
lead
to
protect
the
wire
in
the
event
of
a
short
circuit.
Install
a
fuse
of
at
least
as
high
of
a
value
as
the
total
fuse
value
on
the
chassis
of
the
amplifier
within
18
inches
of
the
battery
connection.
For
the
356xi
a
fuse
value
of
60A
and
8
gauge
power
wire
are
recommended.
If
the
power
wire
is
longer
than
10
feet,
it
is
recommended
that
the
wire
size
be
4
guage
to
reduce
losses.
Any
time
that
a
power
wire
goes
through
a
metal
panel
such
as
the
firewall,
or
if
there
is
any
chance
of
abrasion,
it
is
necessary
to
use
a
grommet
or
other
suitable
form
of
protection
to
avoid
shorts.
Always
use
at
least
8
gauge
ground
wire
as
short
as
possible
and
attach
to
the
body
of
the
vehicle.
The
ground
point
must
be
clean
and
free
from
paint
and
corrosion.
To
reduce
the
chance
of
noise
entering
the
system
it
is
recommended
that
the
RCA
cables
be
run
through
the
vehicle
separate
from
any
power
wires.
Mounting
the
IMPULSE
Amplifier
After
determining
an
appropriate
mounting
location
which
provides
good
air
circulation
and
access
to
the
end
panel
controls,
use
the
supplied
screws
to
firmly
mount
the
amplifier.
Check
to
make
sure
that
the
mounting
screws
will
not
damage
any
components
on
the
back
side
of
the
chosen
panel.
NOTE:
The
chassis
of
this
amplifier
is
connected
to
signal
ground
for
noise
isolation.
It
is
important
therefore
to
keep
the
chassis
isolated
from
the
metal
of
the
vehicle.
If
the
best
mounting
location
is
part
of
the
metal
of
the
vehicle
then
it
will
be
necessary
to
fabricate
a
nonconductive
panel
out
of
wood
or
plastic
to
mount
the
amplifier
on.
If
a
vertical
mounting
surface
is
chosen,
it
is
recommended
that
the
heatsink
fins
run
vertically
as
shown.
2
EXPLANATION
OF
INPUT
OPTIONS
FOR
THE
IMPULSE
356xi
The
356xi
amplifier
has
five
different
options
for
hookup
to
your
source
unit.
1.
One
pair
of
RCA
cables.
2.
Two
pairs
of
RCA
cables.
3.
Three
pairs
of
RCA
cables.
4.
One
stereo
pair
of
high
level
inputs.
5.
Two
stereo
pairs
of
high
level
inputs.
The
input
selector
switch
allows
you
to
select
one
or
two
inputs
(low
level
or
high).
The
sub
channels
get
their
signal
from
the
front
and
rear
inputs,
unless
the
sub
input
RCAs
are
plugged
in.
There
is
an
automatic
switching
setup
inside
the
sub
input
RCAs
which
disconnects
the
front
and
rear
signal
from
the
sub
amplifiers
when
using
separate
sub
RCAs.
Input
Option
1:
Using
One
Pair
of
RCA
Cables
With
the
input
selector
switch
in
"Front
Only"
position,
all
six
channels
receive
input
from
the
front
input
RCA's.
SET
INPUT
SELECTOR
TO
FRONT
ONLY
TO
SOURCE
This
configuration
gives
output
on
all
six
channels
with
only
one
pair
of
inputs.
There
is
no
fader
capability.
Input
Option
2:
Using
Two
Pairs
of
RCA
Cables
With
the
input
selector
switch
in
the
"Front
&
Rear"
position,
the
fader
capabilities
are
enabled
and
the
sub
channels
get
signals
from
both
front
and
rear
inputs.
Input
Option
3:
Using
Three
Pairs
of
RCA
Cables
If
the
source
unit
has
a
separate
sub
output,
use
this
configuration.
With
the
input
selector
in
the
"Front
&
Rear"
position
and
RCA's
plugged
into
the
sub
inputs,
you
have
six
inputs
and
six
outputs,
all
separate.
TO
SOURCE
Input
Option
4:
Using
a
Stereo
Pair
of
High
Level
Inputs
With
the
input
selector
switch
in
"Front
Only"
position,
all
six
channels
receive
input
from
the
front
high
level
inputs.
There
is
no
fader
capability.
TO
SOURCE
SPEAKER
LEVEL
OUTPUT
Input
Option
5:
Using
Two
Stereo
Pair
of
High
Level
Inputs
With
the
input
selector
switch
in
the
"Front
&
Rear"
position,
fader
capability
is
enabled
and
the
sub
channels
get
signal
from
both
front
and
rear
inputs.
SET
INPUT
SELECTOR
TO
FRONT
AND
REAR
SPEAKER
LEVEL
OUTPUT
4
Basic
Systems
for
the
IMPULSE
Six-Channel
Amplifier
Front
&
Rear
Speakers
with
Stereo
Subwoofers*
FRONT
MID/
HIGH
Front
&
Rear
crossovers
set
to
70
or
110Hz
highpass.
Sub
crossover
set
to
70
or
110Hz
lowpass.
5
Basic
Sub
Options
for
the
IMPULSE
Six-Channel
Amplifier
Using
One
4
or
8
Ohm
Subwoofer
Using
Two
2
or
4
Ohm
Subwoofers
Using
Four
2
Ohm
Subwoofers
Using
Two
8
Ohm
Subwoofers
Using
Four
4
or
8
Ohm
Subwoofers
Adjustments
and
Controls
Setting
Gain
Control
The
gain
control
is
provided
for
level
matching
purposes.
The
control
does
not
give
the
amplifier
any
more
power
by
turning
it
up.
Its
purpose
is
to
adjust
the
sensitivity
of
the
amplifier
in
relation
to
the
output
level
provided
by
the
source.
Start
with
the
amp
gains
set
to
minimum
by
turning
the
controls
counter¬
clockwise.
Turn
the
source
level
up
until
distortion
is
barely
audible.
Then
turn
the
source
down
slightly.
This
will
typically
be
at
about
85
to
95%
of
full
volume.
Raise
the
front
amplifier
gain
control
until
distortion
is
just
audible
in
the
front
speakers.
Now
the
deck
is
matched
to
the
front
amplifier
channels.
Turn
the
source
down
to
a
realistic
listening
level.
Turn
the
rear
amplifier
gain
control
up
until
the
desired
front/rear
balance
is
achieved.
Turn
the
sub
amplifier
gain
control
up
to
provide
the
bass
level
desired.
Note:
As
the
Kick
EQ
controls
are
turned
up
to
provide
additional
bass
or
treble,
the
overall
signal
goes
up.
It
may
be
necessary
to
readjust
the
gain
controls
if
the
KickEQ
controls
are
turned
up
very
much.
Setting
KICKEQ
™
Controls
The
Bass
and
Treble
controls
on
your
Impulse
Amplifier
are
provided
to
help
tune
your
system
for
ideal
sound
quality.
After
the
system
is
installed
and
the
vehicle
is
put
back
together,
do
a
listening
test
with
music
that
is
typical
of
the
type
you
normally
listen
to.
Initially
set
the
tone
controls
on
the
source
unit
to
flat
and
turn
the
KICKEQ
™
controls
fully
counter-clockwise.
Depending
on
your
personal
taste
and
the
speakers
used
in
the
system,
you
may
want
to
increase
the
high
or
low
frequencies
by
turning
the
KICKEQ
™
controls
clockwise.
Remember
that
once
the
vehicle
is
in
motion
there
will
be
an
apparent
loss
of
bass
due
to
the
masking
effect
of
road
noise.
Do
not
attempt
to
make
adjustments
while
the
vehicle
is
in
motion.
It
is
safer
to
pull
off
the
road
to
make
changes.
Never
change
the
crossover
settings
while
the
amplifier
is
on.
A
loud
pop
will
result
which
could
destroy
speakers
or
cause
hearing
loss.
9
Specifications
RMS
Power
(watts/channel)
•
12.5V
356xi
40
Stereo,
0.085%
THD,
ail
channels
driven
35x6
20
stereo,0.2%
THD,
all
channels
driven
50x6
40
bridged
mono,
0.2%
THD
100x3
Dynamic
Power
(watts/channel)
014.4V
356xi
40
stereo,
0..085%
THD,
all
channels
driven
50x6
20
stereo,
0.2%
THD,
all
channels
driven
70x6
40
bridged
mono,
0.2%
THD
130x3
Frequency
Response
Input
Sensitivity
Signal-to-Noise
Ratio
Active
Electronic
Crossover
JfOEQ
™
Bass
Boost
K/CKEO
™
Treble
Boost
20Hz-20kHz
±0.5dB
High
level
1V-10V;
Low
level
l50mV-3.0V
>90dB,
a-weighted,
re:
rated
power
l8dB/octave,
selectable
@
70Hz
or
110
Hz;
selectable
"Front
&
Rear"
high
pass,
low
pass,
all
pass;
and
"Sub"
low
pass,
all
pass
Variable
to
+l8dB,
centered
@
40Hz
Variable
to
+l2dB,
centered
@
12kHz
Troubleshooting
Red
power
indicator
off,
no
output:
•
With
Volt
Ohm
Meter
(VOM)
check:
1.
+12V
power
terminal
2.
Ground
terminal
3.
Remote
turn-on
lead
Red
power
indicator
on,
no
output:
•
Check
RCA
and
connections
•
Test
speaker
outputs
with
known
good
speaker
•
Check
function
of
source
unit
•
With
VOM
in
AC
volts
position
check
RCA
for
signal
No
output
from
one
channel:
•
Check
RCA
and
speaker
connections
for
that
channel
•
Swap
RCA
connections
from
left
to
right
•
Swap
speaker
connections
between
channels
Yellow
LED
protection
indicator
is
lit
and
there
is
no
output:
Case
1:
Amp
is
very
hot
•
Thermal
protection
is
engaged.
Check
for
proper
impedance
at
speaker
terminals.
Also
check
location
of
amplifier
to
ensure
proper
air
flow
around
heatsink.
Case
2:
Output
resumes
momentarily
when
system
is
turned
off
and
back
on.
•
Short
circuit
protection
is
engaged.
With
VOM
check
for
short
between
speaker
positive
and
negative,
and
between
speaker
terminals
and
ground.
Alternator
noise
(a
whining
that
varies
with
engine
RPM)
•
Make
sure
that
the
ground
for
the
source
is
as
short
as
possible
and
connected
to
bare
chassis
metal.
The
stock
radio
ground
may
not
be
sufficient.
•
Check
RCA
cable
routing
and
condition.
Keep
RCA
cables
away
from
all
power
wires.
10
Amplifier
Limited
Warranty
Stillwater
Designs
warrants
this
product
to
be
free
from
defects
in
material
and
workmanship
under
normal
use
for
a
period
of
three
(3)
years
from
date
of
original
purchase
when
installed
by
an
Authorized
KICKER
Dealer
or
one
(1)
year
from
date
of
original
purchase
if
not
installed
by
an
Authorized
KICKER
Dealer.
If
this
product
is
labeled
"B
Stock",
it
is
warranted
for
one
(1)
year
from
date
of
purchase,
regardless
of
place
of
installation.
Should
service
be
necessary
under
this
warranty
for
any
reason
due
to
manufacturing
defect
or
malfunction
during
the
warranty
period,
Stillwater
Designs
will
replace
or
repair
(at
its
discretion)
the
defective
merchandise
at
no
charge.
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
must
be
returned
to
your
local
Authorized
Stillwater
Designs
(Kicker/Impulse)
Dealer
for
warranty.
Assistance
in
locating
an
Authorized
Dealer
can
be
obtained
by
writing
or
calling
Stillwater
Designs
direct.
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
send
defective
merchandise,
package
all
defective
items
in
the
original
container
or
in
a
package
that
will
prevent
shipping
damage,
and
return
to
Stillwater
Designs,
5021
North
Perkins
Road,
Stillwater,
OK
74075
Return
only
defective
components.
Non-defective
items
received
will
be
returned
freight
collect.
Include
a
dated
proof-of-purchase
from
an
Authorized
Dealer.
Warranty
expiration
on
items
returned
without
proof-of-purchase
will
be
determined
from
the
manufacturing
date
code.
Coverage
may
be
invalidated
if
this
date
is
greater
than
one
(1)
year
previous
to
the
date
item
is
sent
in.
Freight
must
be
prepaid;
items
received
freight
collect
will
be
refused.
Failure
to
follow
these
steps
may
void
your
warranty.
Any
questions
can
be
directed
to
the
Warranty
Department
at
(405)624-8510.
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:
•
Products
purchased
from
an
unauthorized
dealer.
•
Damage
due
to
improper
installation
•
Damage
caused
by
exposure
to
water,
excessive
heat,
chemical
cleaners,
and/
or
UV
radiation.
•
Damage
through
negligence,
misuse,
accident
or
abuse.
Repeated
returns
for
the
same
damage
may
be
considered
abuse.
•
Freight
damage.
•
The
cost
of
shipping
product
to
Stillwater
Designs
Service.
•
Items
previously
repaired
or
modified
by
any
unauthorized
repair
facility.
•
Items
returned
from
unauthorized
individuals
or
dealers.
•
Return
shipping
on
non-defective
items.
•
Products
with
tampered
or
missing
barcode
labels.
How
Long
Will
It
Take?
Stillwater
Designs
maintains
a
goal
of
24-hour
service
for
all
returns.
Delays
may
be
incurred
if
lack
of
replacement
inventory
or
parts
is
encountered.
11
International
Warranty
Contact
Your
international
Stillwater
Designs
dealer
or
distributor
concerning
specific
procedures
for
your
country
s
warranty
policies.
WARNING:
KICKER
components
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
that
sound
level
is
too
loud
and
may
permanently
damage
your
hearing.
Please
use
common
sense
when
controlling
volume!
STILLIMIER
P.O.
Box
459
•
Stillwater,
OK
74076
USA
•
405
624-8510
Table of contents
Other Stillwater Designs Amplifier manuals
Popular Amplifier manuals by other brands
Yamaha
Yamaha MX-55 owner's manual
Altec Lansing
Altec Lansing 9444B POWER AMPLIFIER SERVICE Operating and service instructions
Speco
Speco P120FACD/P240FACD Operation manual
Behringer
Behringer V-AMPIRE user manual
Pioneer
Pioneer A-91D operating instructions
Viessmann
Viessmann Divicon Series installation instructions
