Controls

FUSE(25Ax2)

POWER IN

GND

P.CON BATT

SPEAKER

BRIDGED

 

 

LEFT

RIGHT

SUB

OUTPUT

A

 

 

 

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

LEFT

RIGHT

 

A

 

 

 

 

GND

 

 

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

 

1

1

L

 

1

2

0.5

2

0.5

2

0.5

100 150

80

040

1 25

2

0.5

25

25

B

B

A

3

0.3

150Hz

150Hz

3

0.3

 

3

0.3

OPERATION

B

4

 

80Hz OFF

80Hz OFF 4

 

R

4

 

STEREO MONO(Lch)

70

A B SUB

170

5/4/3 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER

15

1

2 3 4

SUB

56

7

L

R

 

(MIN)5 0.2(MAX)

 

 

(MIN)5 0.2(MAX)

 

 

(MIN)5 0.2(MAX)

 

 

 

A.CH INPUT

A.CH HPF

B.CH HPF

B.CH INPUT

 

 

SUB.CH INPUT

 

 

 

SENSITIVITY(V)

 

 

SENSITIVITY(V) A A B

A

B

SUB SENSITIVITY(V)

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT SELECTOR

 

LINE IN

150Hz

150Hz

 

 

 

!

 

 

@

80Hz

OFF

80Hz OFF

 

 

 

 

 

A.CH HPF

B.CH HPF

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

A

A B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT SELECTOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 200

SUB.CH LPF

FREQUENCY(Hz)

INPUT

SELECTOR

#

OPERATION

A B SUB

STEREO MONO(Lch)

INPUT

SELECTOR

$%

3

0.3

 

 

4

10

 

(MIN)5

0.2(MAX)

(W)

 

 

INPUT

 

 

SENSITIVITY(V)

MAXIMUM POWER

 

Power indicator

The unit is a 5-channel amplifier incorporating 2 stereo amplifiers and 1 monaural amplifier in a single body.

The stereo amplifier on one side is called amplifier A, while the one on the other side is amplifier B. The monaural amplifier is called the amplifier SUB. This unit is compatible with a large variety of systems by combining the switches and functions described in the following.

1Fuse (25 A × 2)

2Power control terminal

3Battery terminal

4Ground terminal

5Amplifier A/B speaker output terminals

•Stereo Connections:

When you wish to use the unit as a stereo amplifier, stereo connections are used.

•Bridged Connections:

When you wish to use the unit as a high- output monaural amplifier, bridged connections are used. (Make connections to the LEFT channel (+) and the RIGHT channel (-) SPEAKER OUTPUT terminals.)

6Amplifier SUB speaker output terminal

As this unit accepts speakers with a minimum impedance of 2 ohms, connect speakers with

2-ohm or higher impedance to these terminals.

7Speaker level input terminals

A center unit with no RCA output can still be

connected to the speaker output.

Again, even without a power control signal, the power is switched ON/OFF automatically by the speaker signal.

8HPF(High-Pass Filter) switch

When this switch is set to 80 Hz or 150 Hz, frequencies below the setting value will be cut.

9INPUT SELECTOR (A/AB) switch

This switch toggles the input signal of amplifier B.

•A position:

The input for terminal A is output from amplifiers A and B.

•AB position:

The input for terminal A is output from amplifier A, while the input for terminal B is output from amplifier B.

0INPUT SENSITIVITY control

Set this control according to the pre-output level of the center unit connected with this unit, or to the maximum power output of the genuine-accessory car stereo.

Use the diagram on the right as a guide.

The sensitivities of amplifiers A, B and SUB can be adjusted independently regardless of the position of the input selector switch.

NOTE

For the pre-output level or the maximum power output, refer to the “Specifications” in the instruction manual of the center unit.

!RCA cable ground lead terminal

When using an RCA cable with a ground lead attached, connect the ground lead to this terminal.

2CAUTION

Do not use this terminal for power source grounding. This unit will be damaged if the power source grounding wire is connected to this terminal.

@Amplifier A/B/SUB LINE IN terminal

#SUB.CH LPF(Low-Pass Filter) FREQUENCY control

This control adjusts the frequency band output from this SUB channel.

$OPERATION switch

This switch is used to select the operation mode of the amplifier.

•STEREO position:

The amplifier can be used as a stereo amplifier.

•MONO (Lch) position:

Amplifies the signal input from the left side only. Set to this position and make bridged connections to use as a high-power monaural amplifier. (The input right signal is not output.)

%INPUT SELECTOR (AB/SUB) switch

This switch toggles the input signal of amplifier SUB.

•AB position:

The input for terminals A and B input is mixed and output from amplifier SUB.

NOTE

The input signal varies according to the setting

of the INPUT SELECTOR (A/AB) switch and the OPERATION switch.

•SUB position:

The input for the SUB terminal is output by amplifier SUB.

Power indicator

When the power is turned on, the Power indicator lights.

If the Power indicator does not light when the power is turned on, the protection function may be activated. Check whether there is any indication of trouble.

■The protection function is activated in the following situations:

This unit is equipped with a protection function for protecting this unit and your speakers from various accidents or problems that can occur.

When the protection function is triggered, the Power indicator goes off and the amplifier stops operating.

•When a speaker wire may be short-circuited.

•When a speaker output contacts ground.

•When the unit malfunctions and a DC signal is sent to the speaker output.

•When the internal temperature is high and unit won’t operate.

•When a ground wire of the center unit (cassette receiver, CD receiver, etc.) or this unit is not connected to a metal part serving as an electrical ground passing electricity to the battery's negative - terminal.

System examples

 

Connection

■5-channel system

NOTE

For safe installation, read "Installation procedure" before starting work.

CENTER

 

 

F

L

A

 

 

 

R

 

UNIT

 

 

 

L

 

 

 

OPERATION

 

 

B

 

9

A B SUB

R

R

 

STEREO

MONO(Lch)

 

 

 

 

 

A

A B

 

$

INPUT %

 

L

SUB

INPUT SELECTOR

SELECTOR

N-F

R

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CENTER

 

 

F

L

A

 

 

 

R

 

UNIT

 

 

 

L

 

 

 

OPERATION

 

 

B

 

9

A B SUB

R

R

 

STEREO

MONO(Lch)

 

 

 

 

 

A

A B

 

$

INPUT %

 

L

SUB

INPUT SELECTOR

SELECTOR

 

R

L

Front left speaker

A

Front right speaker

R

 

L

Rear left speaker

B

R

Rear right speaker

 

SUB

Subwoofer

150Hz

150Hz

80Hz OFF 8 80Hz OFF

A.ch HPF

B.ch HPF

100

150

80

 

■RCA cable connection

CENTER UNIT (Cassette receiver,

CD receiver, etc.)

A L

R B L

RCA cable*

R

■Speaker level input connection

Genuine-accessory car stereo (No

line output center unit etc.)

L R

A

L R

B

70

170

SUB

7

 

INPUT

LEVEL

RIGHT

CENTER

 

 

L

A

 

 

R

UNIT

 

 

L

 

 

OPERATION

 

B

9

A B SUB

R

STEREO MONO(Lch)

 

 

 

 

A A B

 

$

INPUT %

L

SUB

INPUT SELECTOR

SELECTOR

R

50 200

SUB.CH LPF # FREQUENCY(Hz)

!

D

 

 

 

 

 

GND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G

1

 

 

 

1

L

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

150

 

2

0.5

 

 

2

0.5

 

 

 

 

2

0.5

 

80

170

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

70

 

0.3

150Hz

150Hz

0.3

 

 

 

 

0.3

OPERATION

5/4/3 CHANNEL

 

4

 

80Hz OFF

80Hz OFF

4

 

R

 

 

 

4

 

STEREO MONO(Lch)

A B SUB

POWER AMPLIFIER

 

(MIN)5

0.2(MAX)

 

 

(MIN)5

0.2(MAX)

 

 

 

 

(MIN)5

0.2(MAX)

 

50

200

 

A.CH INPUT

A.CH HPF

B.CH HPF

B.

INPUT

 

 

 

 

SUB.CH INPUT

 

SUB.CH LPF

 

SENSITIVITY(V)

 

 

SENSITIVITY(V)

A A B

A

B

SUB

SENSITIVITY(V)

 

FREQUENCY(Hz)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT SELECTOR

 

LINE IN

 

 

 

 

SELECTOR

 

SPEAKERLEFT

POWER IN

SPEAKER

BRIDGED

 

 

SPEAKER

INPUT

LEFT

RIGHT

SUB

FUSE(25Ax2)

OUTPUT

LEFT

RIGHT

 

GND

A

A

 

 

P.CON BATT

 

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

25

25

B

B

B

 

 

 

 

A

 

 

 

L

R

 

 

 

SUB

 

ACC

Power control wire*

Battery Car fuse box

■ 3-channel system

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CENTER

 

L

L

A

 

BRIDGED

 

 

 

■ Speaker stereo connection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R

A

 

 

Left speaker

 

 

 

 

UNIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

OPERATION

R

L

B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

L

 

 

A

R

 

A B SUB

R

 

BRIDGED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEREO

MONO(Lch)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right speaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A A B

 

$

INPUT %

L

SUB

B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT SELECTOR

SELECTOR

R

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N-F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead terminal*

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L

 

 

SUB

 

 

Subwoofer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CENTER

 

L

A

 

 

 

 

BRIDGED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POWER IN

 

BRI

D

 

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

UNIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUSE(25Ax2)

 

SPEAKER

LEFT

RIGHT

SUB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEFT

RIGHT

 

 

L

 

150Hz

 

150Hz

A

 

 

 

 

 

 

GND

OUTPUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B

80Hz

OFF

8

80Hz

OFF

B

 

 

 

 

 

P

BATT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATION

 

 

 

 

 

25 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

R

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A B SUB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEREO

MONO(Lch)

 

 

 

A.ch HPF

 

B.ch HPF

 

 

L

 

R

SUB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUB

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT %

 

 

100

150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A A B

 

 

SUB

 

 

 

 

 

 

SU

B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

HT

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT SELECTOR $

SELECTOR

R

 

80

 

170

 

IDGED R

IG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LE

FT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50

200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUB.CH LPF

#

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FREQUENCY(Hz)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUB

A

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

A

B B

L

R

■Speaker bridge connection

A Bridge

SUB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead terminal*

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRIDGED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POWER IN

SPEAKER

BRIDGED

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

 

A

 

FUSE(25Ax2)

 

 

LEFT

LEFT

RIGHT

 

 

 

 

 

GND

OUTPUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

A

 

 

A

 

B

 

 

 

BATT

 

 

 

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

 

25

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

L

R

 

 

B

 

 

B

B

SUB

 

 

 

 

 

 

L

R

 

 

 

 

 

 

SU

B

5

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

RIG

HT

 

IDG

ED

 

 

 

BR

 

 

 

 

 

LE

FT

 

 

 

 

 

 

B LB R

■Power wire connection

POWER IN

SPEAKER

BRIDGED

 

 

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

LEFT

RIGHT

SUB

FUSE(25Ax2)

OUTPUT

LEFT

RIGHT

 

GND

A

A

 

 

P.CON BATT

 

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

2

2

 

 

 

A

5

5

B

B

B

 

 

 

L

R

 

 

 

SUB

 

23 4

Lead terminal*

Terminal cover

Power control wire*

Battery wire*

 

 

 

Ground wire*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protective Fuse*

Battery

B Bridge

Description of markings in the figure.

A / L Left

A L Front left

A R Front right

B / R Right

B

L

Rear left

B

R

Rear right

SUB Subwoofer

FFront

R Rear

N-FNon-fader

Commercially available

*parts

Page 1
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Kenwood KAC-959 instruction manual Controls, Power indicator, System examples Connection
Page 1

KAC-959 specifications

The Kenwood KAC-959 is a powerful, high-performance car amplifier designed for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. With its sleek design and robust power output, the KAC-959 delivers an exceptional audio experience for both music enthusiasts and anyone looking to enhance their car's sound system.

One of the standout features of the Kenwood KAC-959 is its power output. The amplifier boasts a maximum power rating of 1,000 watts, allowing it to drive even the most demanding speakers with ease. It is designed with a stable architecture that can work seamlessly with 2-ohm or 4-ohm speaker configurations, making it versatile enough for various setups. This ensures that users can achieve a premium sound experience regardless of their speaker choice.

The KAC-959 incorporates advanced technologies to enhance audio fidelity and performance. The amplifier features a MOSFET power supply, which contributes to improved efficiency and reliability. MOSFET technology allows for quicker switching and better handling of power fluctuations, ensuring stable performance even under heavy loads. This feature is essential for those who enjoy playing music at high volumes without compromising on sound quality.

Another notable characteristic of the KAC-959 is its built-in low-pass filter, which allows users to fine-tune their audio output. This filter is adjustable, enabling users to choose the optimal frequency for their subwoofers. Additionally, the amplifier includes high-pass filters that help limit the range of frequencies sent to component speakers, ensuring clarity and precision in sound reproduction.

The user-friendly setup is also a highlight of the Kenwood KAC-959. It features RCA inputs for easy connection to a head unit, as well as a compact and lightweight design that makes installation straightforward even for those who may not be professional installers. The amp's variable bass boost control provides added flexibility, giving users the ability to enhance lower frequencies to their liking.

Durability and build quality are integral components of the KAC-959. The amplifier is housed in a sturdy metal chassis, providing protection against the rigors of automotive environments. The included ventilation system ensures that the unit stays cool during extended use, further enhancing its longevity.

In summary, the Kenwood KAC-959 is a feature-rich car amplifier providing exceptional power, advanced technologies, and user-friendly features. Whether someone is upgrading their audio system or starting fresh, the KAC-959 proves to be a worthy addition to any vehicle, promising an enriching listening experience.
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