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Operation
Your Kicker MX.5 series amplifier has seven rotary controls and two switches on the top panel. Before turning on the
system for the first time, remove the sealed top panel (protects the controls from water damage) by removing the two
phillips screws. See Figure 1. Then turn the seven rotary controls on the top of the amplifier to the full counter-
clockwise position.
1. CrossoverSwitch The c
rossover switches on the top panel are for setting the internal crossovers for the
“full-range” audio channels (12dB slope per octave). In the OFF position the amplifier passes a full-range signal to the
speakers. 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" 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 u
nit 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 and finally the Subwoofer Channel input gain control.
3. BassBoostControl The bass boost control 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.
4. CrossoverControl The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a
good place to start.
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.
LED Red, 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 veh
icle 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) Amp
lifier 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 and speaker
output connections for the channel 3) Swap the RCA c
able from left to right. If the problem changes sides then you
have a bad RCA 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) c
able 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 rig
ht. 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 t
he RCA cable to the AMP 1 inputs.
No Fader? You must use both sets of RCA Inputs for AMP 1 and 2, in order for the source’s fader to work.
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 ta b on the Ki
cker 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.
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 MX700.5
RMS Power in Watts, AMP 1 and AMP 2 channels driven
@14.4V, 4Ω Stereo ≤1% THD+N 70 x 4
@14.4V, 2Ω Stereo, ≤1% THD+N 85 x 4
@14.4V, 4Ω Mono, ≤1% THD+N 165 x 2
RMS Power in Watts, Subwoofer Channel driven
@14.4V, 4Ω Mono, ≤1% THD+N 210 x 1
@14.4V, 2Ω Mono, ≤1% THD+N 420 x 1
Length:
20” (507mm)
Height: 2 3/8” (60mm)
Width: 10” (254mm)
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
Electronic Crossover: Variable (defeatable) HI pass, 50 - 200Hz, 12dB per oc
tave, for the full-range channels
Variable LOW pass, 50 - 200Hz, 24dB per octave, for the subwoofer channel
Bass Boost: Variable 0 to +18 dB boost @ 40 Hz, for the subwoofer channel
MX.5AMPLIFIER
4 5
Model MX700.5
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)
PERFORMANCE
OPERATION
All specifications and performance figures are subject to change. Please visit the www.kicker.com for the most current information.
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Figure 4
Two Kicker Coax Speakers wired
in series to a single channel.
Wiring two Kicker Speakers to a single channel
Modern high performance coaxial and component speakers have a lower DC Resistance than what used to be
available. The Kicker speakers are rated at four ohms and work with any source unit
or amplifier designed to operate
at a four ohm load. If you want to use two Kicker coax or component speakers on each channel of your amplifier wire
the speakers in series, as shown in Figure 4. This will improve the sound quality, lower the total harmonic distortion
and lessen the thermal load at the source unit or amplifier. This may prevent an amplifier from shutting down, due to
over-current
protection circuitry.
TroubleShooting
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 one LED on the top of your
Kicker MX series amplifier. When the LED is green this indicates the amplifier is turned on and no trouble exists. If the
LED is red, this indicates th
at the protection circuitry (SORT) is engaged.
LED Green, 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.
LED Green, no output? Check the following: 1) RCA connections 2) Test speaker outputs with a “known” good
speaker. 3) Substitute source unit with a “kno
wn” 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.