KICKER KX700.5 KX Amplifier User Manual
- June 16, 2024
- KICKER
Table of Contents
KICKER KX700.5 KX Amplifier
Specifications
- Model: KX550.3 / KX700.5
- Amplifier Type: Class D
Power Output
- KX550.3: 550W RMS x 2 channels (Stereo), 300W RMS x 1 channel (Subwoofer)
- KX700.5: 700W RMS x 4 channels (Stereo), 300W RMS x 1 channel (Subwoofer)
Signal Inputs
- Low-Level RCA Inputs
- High-Level (Speaker Level) Inputs
Mounting Instructions
- When selecting a location to mount your Kicker amplifier, ensure that the location is structurally sound and free from any items that could be damaged by the screws.
- Check for wire harnesses, brake lines, fuel lines, gas tanks, etc., behind the mounting area to avoid any damage
- Amplifiers generate heat during operation, so choose a location that allows adequate ventilation. Keep in mind that the temperature inside a car trunk can reach up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If mounting the amplifier in the trunk, consider additional cooling tactics such as fans or venting.
- For cooler operation, it is recommended to mount the amplifier in the passenger compartment if possible.
- Ensure that the controls on top of the amp are accessible for adjustment after mounting.
- To mount the amplifier:
KX550.3 / KX700.5
Congratulations! You have just purchased the latest in amplifier technology to
carry the famous KICKER name. Your KICKER KX series
amplifier is designed and built to give you years of powerful and trouble-free
performance. This installation manual contains valuable information on how to
get the most out of your new KX series amplifier. Thanks for buying KICKER.
Enjoy!
KX Amplifier Features
- NEW for 2002 Radically advanced chassis with removable chassis shroud.
- Low Impedance Operation Stable into 2 ohm stereo or 4 ohm mono loads.
- Class D Amplification Used in subwoofer channel for high efficiency.
- SORT Protection Circuitry (Short circuit, Over-voltage, Reverse polarity, Thermal) Protects amplifier from accidents and undesired operation.
- MOSFET Power Supply Provides high efficiency operation.
- KickBass Variable bass boost circuit which provides up to 18 dB of boost at 40 Hz.
- Built-In Variable Crossover 12 dB High pass variable from 50-200 Hz. Defeatable for full range operation.
- High & Low level inputs Allows connection to various sources such as: after-market stereo, factory radio, DVD Player, Video Cassette Player, etc..
- Custom tooled gold plated connectors Assure maximum power transfer and damping.
- SAMS (Stereo And Mono Simultaneously) Amplifier will operate into a bridged mono load and a stereo load at the same time.
- Remote Bass Level Control Dash mounted for maximum control.
- Three Year Warranty When purchased from and installed by an Authorized KICKER Dealer.
- https://manual-hub.com/
Mounting Instructions
- When selecting a location to mount your Kicker amplifier be sure it is structurally sound and that there are no items behind the area where the screws will be driven that could be damaged. Check for wire harnesses, brake lines, fuel lines, gas tanks, etc.
- All amplifiers generate heat under normal operation. Be sure to choose a location that allows adequate ventilation for the amplifier. Also consider that the air temperature inside an automobiles trunk can reach upwards of 140 degrees fahrenheit. An amplifier mounted here may require additional cooling tactics such as fans or venting to allow cool operation. If possible, mounting the amp in the passenger compartment will allow cooler operation.
- Remember that the controls on top of the amp will need to be accessible for adjustment later. Keep this in mind as you choose your amplifier’s mounting location.
- Now that you are ready to mount your amplifier, use the supplied 3mm Allen wrench to remove the amplifier shroud. This will give you access to the mounting holes in the amplifier and all wiring connections.
With the shroud removed, you now have access to the four mounting holes in the mounting feet and all wiring connections. Drill 4 holes using a 7/64” drill bit and use the supplied #8 screws to mount the amplifier.
Wiring Instructions
Signal can be input into the amplifier using either the low level RCA input con-nections or the high level (speaker level) connections. Using the low level RCA connections is the preferred method. Use the high level inputs only if your head unit does not have low level RCA type outputs.
When using both sets of High Level inputs on the KX700.5, the supplied RCA dummy plugs must be inserted into the AMP 2 inputs in order for the fader to work properly. If the amplifier is being used in any other configuration DO NOT USE THE RCA DUMMY PLUGS!
- The use of twisted pair interconnects is recommended for all installations to minimize noise. When routing these cables through the automobile, try to keep them away from factory wiring harnesses and other power wiring. If you need to cross any of this wiring do so at a 90 degree angle to reduce the potential of noise problems.
- When working with power connections it is always recommended that you disconnect the battery to prevent accidents.
- The ground should be connected to the amplifier first before making any of the other connections. This wire should be as short as possible (24 inches or less) and connected to a paint/corrosion-free solid metal area of the car’s chassis. Use the same gauge wire as recommended for the amplifier’s power connection to the battery. Adding an additional ground wire between the car battery’s negative post and the car chassis of this same gauge (or larger) is also recommended. If
- you ever need to remove the amp from the vehicle after it has been installed, the ground wire should be the last wire disconnected from the amplifier, just the opposite as when you installed it.
- A fuse must be installed within 18 inches of the battery to protect the power wire feeding your amplifier. This fuse should be of at least the same value used in the amplifier but no higher than the capacity of the wire. See the chart below for wire size and fusing recommendations.
Model Fuse Size Wire Size
- KX-550.3 60A 4 GA
- KX-700.5 90A 4 GA
Remote Bass Level Control
When using the Remote Bass Level Control you have the ability to control the level of the subs from the driver’s seat. To mount the controller 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 appropriate jack on the amplifier chassis.
System Diagrams
The following diagrams show the most common configurations for your system.
Stereo Operation with Subwoofer
KX amplifiers are capable of operating into a minimum impedance of 2 ohms per
channel in stereo operation and 2 Ohm mono on the subwoofer channel.
All Channels Bridged
The KX700.5 is capable of bridged operation on AMP 1 and AMP 2. This, for
example, would allow you to bridge AMP 1 to run the Right side and AMP 2 to
run the Left side. But remember AMP 1 and AMP 2 are only stable down to 4 ohm
mono. 
Adjusting Amplifier Controls
On your Kicker amplifier there are Five (Seven on the KX700.5) rotary controls
on top and one (two on the KX700.5) switch(es) on the end panel. These
controls ensure the reliability and performance of the amplifier, so they need
to be set correctly.
CROSSOVER SWITCH
NEVER CHANGE THE CROSSOVER SWITCH SETTING WITH THE SYSTEM ON!
The switch located on the end panel next to the RCA jacks is for setting the
internal crossover. In the OFF position, the amplifier passes a full-range
signal to the speakers. The HI position should be selected when connected to
any speak-ers which you do not want to receive sub-bass information.
BEFORE TURNING ON THE SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME, MAKE SURE THAT THE FIVE
(SEVEN ON THE KX700.5) ROTARY COONTROLS ON TOP OF THE AMPLIFIER ARE TURNED
FULLY COUNTER-CLLOCKWISE!
GAIN CONTROL
Remember, the gain control is not a volume control, it matches the output of
the head unit to the input level of the amplifier and must be adjusted
properly for best performance. All the way up or down is not necessarily the
best.
Turn the head unit up to about 3/4 volume. (eg. If the head unit goes to 30,
turn it to 25.) Next, turn (clockwise) the gain on the amplifier up slowly
until you can hear audible distortion, then turn it down just a little. AMP 1
should be set first, then AMP 2 (KX700.5 only) and finally the SUB.
Crossover Control
Where you set the crossover is very subjective and can be fine-tuned to match
your listening preference or speaker requirements.
Bass Boost
The BASS BOOST control is designed to give you increased output at 40 Hz. The
setting for this control is subjective, however, if you turn it up, you must
go back and adjust the gain control to avoid clipping the amplifier.
Specifications
RMS Power
- In Watts, All Channels Driven
- 13.8V, 4Ω Stereo, 0.085% THD 40 x 2 40 x 4
- 13.8V, 2Ω Stereo, 0.2% THD 75 x 2 75 x 4
- 13.8V, 4Ω Mono, 0.4% THD 150 x 2
- SUB Power
- In Watts, All Channels Driven
- 13.8V, 2Ω Mono, 1.5% THD 400 x 1 400 x 1
Dynamic Power
- In Watts, All Channels Driven
- 14.4V, 4Ω Stereo 70 x 2 70 x 4
- 14.4V, 2Ω Stereo 80 x 2 80 x 4
- 14.4V, 4Ω Mono 165 x 2
- SUB Power
- In Watts, All Channels Driven
- 14.4V, 2Ω Mono 420 x 1 420 x 1
- Length with Shroud 24.25” 27.50”
- (48.90cm) (57.15cm)
Specifications common to all models
- Height: 2.5 inches / 6.35 centimeters
- Width: 10 inches / 25.4 centimeters
- Length without Shroud: Subtract 5” / 12.7cm from chart above
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 KHz, +0, -1 dB
- Input Sensitivity: 170 mV – 5 V low level, 340 mV – 10 V high level
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >95 dB, a-weighted, re: rated power
- Electronic Crossover: Variable high or low pass, 50 – 200 Hz, 12 dB/octave
- KickBass Boost: Variable 0 to +18 dB boost @ 40 Hz
Troubleshooting
If your amplifier does not appear to be working, check obvious things first
such as blown fuses, poor or incorrect wiring connections, crossover and gain
controls set incorrectly, etc.
There are two LEDs on the end panel of your Kicker KX 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.
The power indicator on top of the amplifier which illuminates the model badge
follows the same function as the green LED.
- Green LED off,, no output
- Green LED off, no output:
With a Volt Ohm Mete
(VOM) check
+12 volt power terminal (should read +12V to +16V).
- Remote turn-on terminal (should read +12V to +16V).
- Ground terminal.
- Green LED on, no output:
- Check RCA connections.
- Test speaker outputs with known good speaker.
- Substitute known good source unit.
- Check for signal on RCA cable with VOM meter in AC position.
- Red LED on, no output:
-
Amp is very hot.
Thermal protection is engaged. Check for proper impedance at
speaker terminals. Also check for adequate airflow around amplifier. -
Amp shuts down only while vehicle is running.Voltage protection is engaged. Voltage to the amplifier is not within the 9-16 volt operating range. Have automobile charging/electrical
system inspected. -
Amp will only play at low volume levels.Short circuit protection is engaged. Check for speaker wires shorted to each other or the vehicle chassis. Damaged speakers or operating below minimum impedance will also cause this.No output from one channel
Check balance control on head unit.
- Check RCA & speaker connections for that channel.
- Swap RCA connections from left to right.
- If problem changes sides then you have a bad RCA cable or source unit problem.
- Swap speaker connections from left to right.
- If problem changes sides then you have a bad speaker cable or bad speaker.
Alternator noise (whining sound that varies with engine RPM):
- Check for damaged RCA cable.
- Check routing of RCA cable.
- Check source unit for good ground.
- Check gain setting, turn down if 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 for proper positive and negative connections. reverse connections on one channel if necessary.
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 failure in other systems in the vehicle.
If you have more questions about the installation and operation of your new
KICKER amplifier, see the Authorized KICKER Dealer in your area. You may also
call our Technical Services Line at (405)624-8583 for assistance or visit our
website at www.KICKER.com.