ZX
MULTICHANNELAMPLIFIER
ZX350.4, ZX650.4, ZX850.4
©2007 Stillwater Designs
Operation
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.
INPUT
LEVEL
L
R
L
R
AUTO
TURN ON
FADER
XOVER1
XOVER2
OFF HI LO
OFF HI LO
+12V
DC AUDIO
OFFSET
ON
LO
HI
AMP1
AMP2
OFF
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 amplifier with the VOM meter set to measure “AC” voltage.
REMOTE BASS
AMP1
AMP2
End Panel LED flashing 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.
L+
L-
R+
R-
L+
L-
R+
R-
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 amplifiers.
End Panel LED on, no output? 1) Amplifier is very hot. ÖThermal 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. ÖVoltage 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. ÖShort 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.
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
amplifier’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.
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.
Signal Sense Turn-On The Audio setting is the final 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 amplifiers 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 amplifier. Refer to the wiring section of this manual additional
instructions.
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? ÖCheck 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.
3. Crossover Switch Use the XOVER switch on the end panel of the amplifier to set the internal crossover
to OFF, HI or LO. When the switch is set to OFF, a full bandwidth signal will be amplified. Set the switch
to HI if you want the amplifier’s internal crossover to serve as a high-pass filter. Set the switch to LO if you
want the amplifier’s internal crossover to serve as a low-pass filter. Never change the crossover “OFF/HI/
LO” switch setting with the audio system on!
Ground Noise? ÖIf you are using only one pair of RCA inputs, connect the RCA cable to the AMP1
inputs. Kicker amplifiers 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.
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 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.
5. Bass Boost Control The variable bass boost control on the top of the amplifier 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.
No Fader? ÖWhen using both sets of low-level (RCA) or high-level (speaker wire) inputs, the fader
button must be pushed in.
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.
6. Crossover Control The variable crossover on the top of the amplifier allows you to adjust the crossover
frequency from 50-200Hz. The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.
Mount the metal bracket
7. RemoteBass(Level Control) When the crossover
Back View
on your ZX.4 series amplifier is set to LO pass, you
Side View
have the ability to control the output level of the
amplifier remotely. To mount the remote bass level
control, simply screw the metal bracket to the chosen
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.
Slide the housing until it snaps into the metal bracket
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.
AUTO
TURN ON
INPUT
LEVEL
L
R
L
R
FADER
XOVER1
XOVER2
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
download or view the corresponding information. Please E-mail support@kicker.com or call Technical Services (405) 624-
8583 for unanswered or specific questions.
+12V DC AUDIO
OFFSET
OFF HI LO
OFF HI LO
ON
LO
HI
AMP1
AMP2
OFF
REMOTE BASS
AMP1
AMP2
L+
L-
R+
R-
L+
L-
R+
R-
4 Conductor
Phone Cable
TroubleShooting
Model ZX350.4
60 x 4 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts) 175 x 4 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Model ZX850.4
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 is
an illuminated red badge on top of the amplifier denoting the power state of the amp in addition to the
Protection LED on the end panel of your Kicker ZX series amplifier. When the red badge is lit this indicates
the amplifier is turned on and the amplifier is functioning properly.
Signal to Noise Ratio -95
Signal to Noise Ratio -90
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)
Model ZX650.4
120 x 4 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)
Signal to Noise Ratio -91
CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)
ZX.4AMPLIFIER
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