TroubleShooting
Slide the housing until it snaps into the metal bracket
Side View
Back View
Mount the metal bracket
5. RemoteBass(Level Control) When using the remote bass level control you have the ability to control the level of the Subwoofer Channel’s output 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.
Figure 6

Operation

Your Kicker ZX series amplifier has five (or seven ZX700.5) rotary controls on top and one

(or two ZX700.5) switch(es) on the end-panel. Before turning on the system for the first time, turn the rotary controls on the top of the amplifier to the full counter-clockwise position.

 

1. CrossoverSwitch The crossover switch(es) on the end-panel is

 

Figure 5

 

(are) for setting the internal crossover(s) for the “full-range” audio

 

 

 

Subwoofer Channel

 

channels (12dB slope per octave). In the OFF position the amplifier

 

 

 

Input Gain Control

 

 

 

 

passes a full-range signal to the speakers. The HI position should be

 

Bass Boost Control

 

selected when connected to speakers, which you do not want to

Crossover Control

 

Subwoofer Channel

Subwoofer Channel

 

receive any sub-bass information. Never change the crossover

 

 

 

"OFF/HI" switch setting with the audio system on!

 

 

OPERATION

2. InputGainControl 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

AMP 1 Input

 

unit goes to 30, turn it to 25). Next, slowly turn (clockwise) the gain

Gain Control

AMP 2 Input

 

Gain Control

on the amplifier up until you can hear audible distortion, then turn it

 

 

down a little. Set AMP 1 first, then AMP 2 (ZX700.5 only) and finally

 

 

 

the Subwoofer Channel input gain control.

 

 

 

3. BassBoostControl The bass boost control is designed to give

 

ZX700.5

 

 

 

 

you increased output 0 - 18dB at 40Hz for the subwoofer channel.

 

 

 

The setting for this control is subjective. If you turn it up, you must go

Crossover Control

Crossover Control

 

AMP 2

 

back and adjust the input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifier.

AMP 1

 

 

 

 

4.CrossoverControl The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.

If your amplifier does not appear to be working, check the obvious things first

such as blown fuses, poor or incorrect

SUB INPUT

SUB

wiring connections, incorrect setting of

 

 

 

 

 

 

crossover switch and gain controls, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Conductor

There are two LEDs on the top of your

 

 

 

 

 

Phone Cable

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 LED 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 LED 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 LED 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

4

ZX.3/ZX.5AMPLIFIER

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.

￿Ground-Loop Noise? ￿If you are using only one pair of RCA inputs, connect the RCA cable to the AMP 1 inputs.

￿No Fader? ￿When using both sets of high-level inputs (ZX700.5 only), RCA dummy plugs must be inserted into the RCA AMP 2 inputs in order for the fader to work properly. If you do not have dummy plugs available, use unterminated RCA ends or cut the ends off of existing RCA cable. Do not use shorting plugs.

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 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

ZX550.3

ZX700.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMS Power in Watts, AMP 1 and AMP 2 all channels driven

 

 

 

@14.4V, 4Ω Stereo ≤1% THD+N

70 x 2

70 x 4

 

 

@14.4V, 2Ω Stereo, ≤1% THD+N

85 x 2

85 x 4

 

 

@14.4V, 4Ω Mono, ≤1% THD+N

N/A

165 x 2

 

 

RMS Power in Watts, Subwoofer channel driven

 

 

 

PERFOR

Length:

16 3/4” (425mm)

20” (507mm)

 

@14.4V, 4Ω Mono ≤1.5% THD+N

210 x 1

210 x 1

 

 

@14.4V, 2Ω Mono, ≤1.5% THD+N

420 x 1

420 x 1

 

 

Specifications common to all models:

 

 

 

MANCE

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 (defeatable) HI pass, 50 - 200Hz, 12bB per octave, for the full-range channels

 

 

 

Variable LOW pass, 50 - 200Hz, 24dB per octave, for the subwoofer channel

 

 

 

 

 

Bass Boost:

Variable 0 to +18dB boost @ 40Hz, for the subwoofer channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model ZX550.3

 

 

 

 

70 x 2, 210 x 1 @ 4 ohms from 20-20K, 20-200Hz, 14.4Vdc,

 

 

 

1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)

 

 

 

 

Signal to Noise Ratio -72 / -55 dBA CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

 

 

 

Model ZX700.5

 

 

 

 

70 x 4, 210 x 1 @ 4 ohms from 20-20K, 20-200Hz, 14.4Vdc,

 

 

 

1% THD, CEA-2006 (Watts)

 

 

 

 

Signal to Noise Ratio -72 / -55 dBA CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

 

 

5

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Kicker ZX700.5, ZX550.3 manual ZX.3/ZX.5 Amplifier, Operation, Performance
Page 2 Page 4

ZX550.3, ZX700.5 specifications

The Kicker ZX700.5 and ZX550.3 are exceptional car amplifiers designed for audio enthusiasts seeking powerful sound performance and reliability. Both models are engineered to enhance your in-car audio experience with high-quality components and innovative technologies that ensure crystal-clear sound reproduction and robust power delivery.

The Kicker ZX700.5 is a versatile 5-channel amplifier that delivers a maximum power output of 700 watts. This amplifier is perfect for those looking to power multiple speakers and a subwoofer in their vehicle. The unique construction of the ZX700.5 ensures that it can efficiently drive the speakers while providing deep, thunderous bass. It features variable low-pass and high-pass crossovers for tailored frequency response, along with a remote bass boost control that allows you to adjust the bass levels from your driver's seat. The Kicker ZX700.5 is also equipped with short circuit protection, thermal overload protection, and a rugged heatsink design to ensure the amplifier remains cool during extended use.

On the other hand, the Kicker ZX550.3 is a 3-channel amplifier that produces an impressive 550 watts of power. This amplifier is ideal for those who want to drive three channels typically configured for front and rear speakers along with a subwoofer. The ZX550.3 includes an integrated crossover with adjustable low-pass and high-pass filters, which allows for precise control of the audio output. Its compact design makes it easy to fit in tight spaces, while also ensuring high-performance audio delivery. The ZX550.3 also comes with the same protective features that Kicker is known for, ensuring long-lasting reliability.

Both the ZX700.5 and ZX550.3 utilize Kicker's proprietary technology, which includes circuitry designed to minimize distortion and improve sound quality. They are compatible with a wide range of speaker configurations and can be easily integrated into existing audio systems. The amplifiers feature a sleek, durable chassis that not only looks great but also provides excellent cooling for optimal performance.

In conclusion, the Kicker ZX700.5 and ZX550.3 are standout amplifiers that offer high-quality audio performance, advanced technology, and reliable construction. Whether you’re looking to enhance your factory audio system or build a custom setup, these amplifiers deliver the power and clarity needed for an immersive listening experience on the road.
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