Operation
Your Kicker ZX.4 series amplifier has four rotary controls and two switches on the end-panel. Before
turning on the system for the first time, turn the four rotary controls on the side of the amplifier to the full
counter-clockwise position.
1. CrossoverSwitch 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!
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
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. BassBoostControl The bass boost control is designed to give you increased output 0 - 12dB
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.
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 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 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 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 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 ZX200.4
RMS Power in Watts, all channels driven
@ 14.4 Volts, 4Ω stereo, ≤ 1% THD+N 35 x 4
@ 2Ω stereo, ≤ 1% THD+N 50 x 4
@ 4Ω mono, ≤ 1% THD+N 100 x 2
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: HI, LO or OFF (bypass),
fixed @ 80 Hz, 12 dB per octave
Bass Boost: Variable 0 to +12 dB boost @ 40 Hz
Height: 2 1/8” (54mm)
Width: 9 5/8” (244mm)
Length: 10 1/4” (260mm)
ZX.4AMPLIFIER
