Operation
Your Kicker ZX.4 series amplifier has six rotary controls on top and two switches on the end-panel.
Before turning on the system for the first time, turn the six rotary controls on the top of the amplifier to
the full counter-clockwise position.
1.
C
rossover
Switch
The crossover switches on the end-panel are for setting the internal crossovers.
In the OFF position the amplifier passes
a full-range signal to the speakers. Use
the LO position when connected to a
subwoofer. The HI position should be
selected when connected to speakers,
which you do not want to receive any
sub-bass information. Never change
the crossover "OFF/HI/LO" switch
setting with the audio system on!
See Figure 1.
2.
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 amplifier. 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 amplifier up until you can
hear audible distortion, then turn it down a little. Adjust AMP 1, then proceed to AMP 2.
3
.
Bass
Boost
Control
The bass boost control 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 amplifier.
4.
C
rossover
Control
The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.
5
.
Remote
Bass
(
L
evel Control)
When using AMP 2 as a subwoofer amplifier, set the crossover
switch to LO pass and you will have the ability to control the level of the subwoofers remotely. To mount
the remote bass level control, simply
screw the metal bracket to the
chosen location. Then slide the
housing onto the bracket until it
snaps into place. Run the cable from
the controller to the “Remote Bass”
jack on the amplifier chassis.
Trouble
Shooting
If your amplifier does not appear to be
working, check the obvious things first
such as blown fuses, poor or incorrect
wiring connections, incorrect setting of
crossover switch and gain controls, etc.
There are two LEDs on the top of your
Kicker ZX series amplifier, one green and one red. When the green LED is lit this indicates the amplifier is turned on
and no trouble exists. If the green LED turns off and the red LED is lit, this indicates that the protection circuitry (SORT)
is engaged.
Green
LE
D 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.
Green
LE
D 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 amplifier with the “AC” test position selected on the VOM meter.
Red
LE
D on
,
no output?
1) Amplifier 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 airflow around the amplifier. 2) Amplifier shuts down
only while vehicle is running.
Voltage protection circuitry is engaged. Voltage to the amplifier is not within the 9-16
volt operating range. Have the vehicle's charging and electrical system inspected. 3) Amplifier 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.
N
o 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.
A
lternator 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.
Ground-
L
oop
N
oise?
If you are using only one pair of RCA inputs, connect the RCA cable to the AMP 1 inputs.
N
o Fader?
When using both sets of low-level (RCA) or high-level (speaker wire) inputs, the fader button must be
pushed in.
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 [email protected] or call Technical Services (405) 624-8583 for unanswered or specific questions.
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 amplifier 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 amplifier wire the
speakers in series. This will improve the sound quality, lower the total harmonic distortion and lessen the thermal load at the amplifier. This
may prevent an amplifier 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 amplifier fuses as well as the failure of other critical systems in the vehicle.
Performance
Model ZX
3
50
.4
ZX
650
.4
ZX
8
50
.4
RMS Power in Watts, all channels driven
@14.4V, 4
Ω
Stereo
≤
1% THD+N
60 x 4
120 x 4
175 x 4
@14.4V, 2
Ω
Stereo,
≤
1% THD+N
90 x 4
170 x 4
215 x 4
@14.4V, 4
Ω
Mono,
≤
1% THD+N
175 x 2
325 x 2
425 x 2
Length:
13 1/2” (342mm)
20” (507mm)
23 1/4” (590mm)
Specifications common to all models:
Height:
2 1/8” (54mm)
Width:
9 5/8” (244mm)
Frequency Response, ± 0.5 dB:
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
>95 dB, a-weighted, re: rated power
Input Sensitivity:
125 mV - 5 V low level, 250 mV - 10 V high level
Electronic Crossover:
Variable HI, LO or OFF (bypass), 50 - 200Hz, 12dB per octave
Bass Boost:
Variable 0 to +18 dB boost @ 40 Hz
ZX
.4
AMPLIFIER
4
5
Model
ZX
3
50
.4
60
x 4 @ 4 o
hms
,
1
4.4
V
d
c
,
1
%
THD
, C
EA-2006
(
W
atts)
Signal
t
o
N
o
ise
Rati
o
-
98 C
EA-2006
(ref
:
1
W,
A-weighte
d
)
Model
ZX
650
.4
120
x 4 @ 4 o
hms
,
1
4.4
V
d
c
,
1
%
THD
, C
EA-2006
(
W
atts)
Signal
t
o
N
o
ise
Rati
o
-
9
5
C
EA-2006
(ref
:
1
W,
A-weighte
d
)
Model
ZX
8
50
.4
1
7
5
x 4 @ 4 o
hms
,
1
4.4
V
d
c
,
1
%
THD
, C
EA-2006
(
W
atts)
Signal
t
o
N
o
ise
Rati
o
-
94 C
EA-2006
(ref
:
1
W,
A-weighte
d
)
P
E
RFORM
ANCE
OP
E
R
A
TIO
N
L-
L+
Fig
u
re
5
C
r
o
ss
ov
er
Co
ntr
o
l
AMP 1
50
-
200H
z,
12
d
B
/
Oct
Inp
u
t
G
ain
Co
ntr
o
l
AMP
1
L
o
w
Le
v
el
:
125mV
-
5V
,
High
Le
v
el
:
250mV
-
10
V
Bass
B
oo
st
Co
ntr
o
l
AMP
1
0
t
o
+1
8d
B
b
oo
st
@ 4
0H
z
AMP 1 INPUT
REMOTE BASS
R
L
L+
L-
R+
R-
L+
L-
R+
R-
AMP
1
AMP
2
2
AMP 2 INPUT
R
L
HI-LEVEL
INPUT
+ - - +
1
HI-LEVEL
INPUT
+ - - +
OFF HI LO
XOVER
OFF HI LO
XOVER
2
1
FADER
Fig
u
re
6
M
ou
nt
the
metal
bracket
Back
View
Si
d
e
View
4 Co
n
du
ct
o
r
Ph
o
ne
C
able
Sli
d
e
the
h
ou
sing
u
ntil
it
snaps
int
o
the
metal
bracket
All specifications and performance figures are subject to change. Please visit the www.kicker.com for the most current information.
