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Operation
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 amplifi ers.
Remote 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
amplifi er’s positive and negative power terminals. This is the preferred automatic turn-on method.
DC 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.
Signal Sense Turn-On The Audio setting is the fi nal alternative for Automatic turn-on. This is a Signal
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 amplifi ers are capable of receiving either Hi or Low-level
signals from your source unit. If the only output available from your source unit is a Hi-Level signal, simply
press in the Input Level switch on the amplifi er. Refer to the wiring section of this manual for additional
instructions.
3. Crossover Switch Use the XOVER switch on the end panel of the amplifi er to set the internal
crossover to OFF, HI or LO. When the switch is set to OFF, a full bandwidth signal will be amplifi ed.
Set the switch to HI if you want the amplifi er’s internal crossover to serve as a high-pass fi lter. Set the
switch to LO if you want the amplifi er’s internal crossover to serve as a low-pass fi lter. Never change the
crossover “OFF/HI/LO” switch setting with the audio system on!
4. Input Gain Control The input gain control is not a volume control. It matches the output of the
source unit to the input level of the amplifi er. 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 amplifi er up until you can hear
audible distortion, then turn it down a little.
5. Bass Boost Control The variable bass boost control on the top of the amplifi er is designed to give
you increased output 0 - 18dB 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 amplifi er.
6. Crossover Control The variable crossover on the top of the amplifi er allows you to adjust the
crossover frequency from 50-200Hz. The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to
start.
TroubleShooting
If your amplifi er does not appear to be working, check the obvious things fi rst 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 amplifi er denoting the power state of the amp in addition to
the Protection LED on the end panel of your Kicker ZX series amplifi er. When the red badge is lit this
indicates the amplifi er is turned on and the amplifi er is functioning properly.
RED Badge Light off, no output? With a Volt 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.
RED 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 a signal in the RCA cable feeding the amplifi er with the VOM meter set to measure “AC”
voltage.
OPERATION
ZX.2AMPLIFIER
4
End Panel LED fl ashing 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.
End Panel LED on, no output? 1) Amplifi er is very hot. Thermal protection is engaged. Test
for proper impedance at the speaker terminals with a VOM meter (see the diagrams in this manual
for minimum recommended impedance and multiple speaker wiring suggestions). Also check for
adequate airfl ow around the amplifi er. 2) Amplifi er shuts down only while vehicle is running. Voltage
protection circuitry is engaged. Voltage to the amplifi er is not within the 9-16 volt operating range. Have
the vehicle's charging and electrical system inspected. 3) Amplifi er 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.
No 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 a bad 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 a bad speaker cable, passive crossover network and/or speaker.
Alternator noise-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.
Poor 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 a speaker connection from positive to negative on the stereo/subwoofer channel(s); if the bass
improves, the speaker was out of phase.
Gound Noise? Kicker amplifi ers 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.
If you are experiencing this problem with your head unit, in most cases running a ground wire from the
RCA outputs on the head unit to the chassis will remedy this issue.
Please Note: Modern high performance speakers have a lower 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 3 ohms) and work with any amplifi er designed to operate at a four ohm load. If you
want to use two Kicker Coaxial or Component speakers on a single channel of your amplifi er wire the
speakers in series. This will improve the sound quality, lower the total harmonic distortion and lessen
the thermal load at the amplifi er. This may prevent an amplifi er 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 amplifi er 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 support@kicker.com or call Technical Services (405) 624-8583 for unanswered or specifi c
questions.
PERFORMANCE
5
AUTO
TURN ON
INPUT
LEVEL
L
R
L
INPUT
OUTPUT
R
XOVER
SPKR+
SPKR -
SPKR +
SPKR -
+12V
DC
OFFSET
AUDIO
LO
HI
OFF
HI
LO
Model ZX150.2
60 x 2 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -94
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)
Model ZX250.2
85 x 2 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -94
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)
Model ZX200.2
70 x 2 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -94
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)