Owner's Manual

6
OPERATION
6
Automatic Turn-On Selection: The CX series offers two different automatic turn-on modes; +12V and DC
Offset.
• Remote Turn-On: Run 18 gauge 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.
• DC Offset Turn-On: The DC Offset mode detects a >2.5V DC offset from the HI-Level speaker outputs
when the source unit has been turned on.
Input Level: The RCA inputs on KICKER CX 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.
Fader Switch: Depress the fader switch if you are running two sets of inputs (front and rear for example) to the
amplifi er. Leave the fader switch OFF if you want to drive all channels from a single stereo input.
Sub Input: If there is no dedicated output on your source unit for a subwoofer, use the SUB INPUT switch to set
your subwoofer input to either SUB INPUT or AMP INPUT 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 amplifi er. Maximum power out of the amplifi er is possible with the gain in the lowest position.
Incorrectly setting the gain can result in distorted output or damage to, and premature failure of, your speakers. For
a quick setup, turn the source unit up to about 3/4 volume (if the source unit goes to 30, turn it to 25). Slowly turn
up (clockwise) the gain on the amplifi er until you can hear audible distortion, then turn it down a little.
To use the preferred method of setting the input gain using a voltmeter or oscilloscope, begin by turning off the
amplifi er and disconnecting all speakers from it. Turn the gain knob completely off (counterclockwise) and all
crossovers off, or to their least effective setting. Turn the bass boost knob completely off (counterclockwise). If a
remote bass accessory is connected to the amplifi er, turn it completely on (clockwise). Ensure all EQ and DSP
settings on the source unit such as bass, treble, fader, seating position etc are set to linear, fl at, center, or off. Turn
on the amplifi er. Play a 0dB sine wave through your source unit and increase the volume to about 3/4 of maximum.
Sine wave tracks can be downloaded for free from KICKER.com under the “Support” tab. Use the 50Hz sine wave
to set the gain for a subwoofer and the 1kHz sine wave for full-range speakers. Set your voltmeter or oscilloscope
to measure AC voltage. Place the voltmeter’s probes on the amplifi er’s speaker output terminals. With the sine wave
playing, slowly turn the gain knob clockwise and watch the AC voltage on the voltmeter increase. When the desired
voltage is shown (reference power chart insert), or you start to see the waveform square off stop increasing the
gain, turn the amplifi er off, reconnect all speakers and set the crossovers to your desired setting. Your gain is now
set for maximum unclipped power from the amplifi er. If you increase amplitude using settings on the source unit or
the bass boost on the amplifi er it will introduce distortion and you will need to redo these steps.
Bass Boost Control: The variable bass boost control on the top of the amplifi er is designed to give you
increased output, 0–6dB, at 40 Hz. The setting for this control is subjective. If you turn it up, you must readjust
the input gain control to avoid clipping the amplifi er.
audio inputs
AMP1 AMP2 SUB
FADER IAMP1- IAMP2-
_._ OFF X-OVER X-OVER
~ ON FREQ FREQ
0•• ~ •1:
. PRT
@ PWR
0
INPUT SUB l'SUB---,
LEVEL INPUT X-OVER BASS
O
.A. LO !: iff/f FREQ BOOST 0
0
GAIN 50-200Hz 0- (dB)
••• R:!fIE