PHOENIX GOLD ZT Series Car Audio Amplifiers Owner’s Manual

PHOENIX GOLD ZT Series Car Audio Amplifiers

Product Information

• The 24VOLT ZT amplifiers are powerful Class D amplifiers designed specifically for use in 24VOLT systems.
• The ZT Series includes models ZT6004R and ZT15001, offering high performance and reliability for your audio needs.

Specifications

• Class: Class D
• Channels: N/A
• RMS Power Rating (1): 4 x 175W
• RMS Power Rating (2): 4 x 105W
• RMS Power Rating (4): 2 x 350W Bridged
• Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) (Full Power): -90dB
• Remote High-level Input: Via RCA
• Operating Voltage: 24VOLT

Product Usage Instructions

Installation

1. Ensure the vehicle’s power is turned off before installation.
2. Connect the amplifier to the power source using the appropriate wiring.
3. Connect the speakers to the amplifier using the provided speaker terminals.
4. If using high-level inputs, connect them via RCA cables.
5. Maintain proper grounding to avoid electrical issues.

Tuning and Settings

1. Adjust the amplifier’s gain control to match the audio system’s requirements.
2. Tune the filters (LPF, HPF) to optimize sound quality based on speaker specifications.
3. If applicable, set subsonic bass boost and phase control according to personal preferences.

Maintenance and Safety

1. Regularly check connections for tightness and cleanliness to prevent signal loss.
2. Avoid exposing the amplifier to moisture or extreme temperatures.
3. If encountering issues, refer to the user manual or seek professional assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use the ZT amplifiers in a 12V system?

• A: No, the ZT amplifiers are specifically designed for 24V systems and may not operate efficiently in a 12V system.

Q: What is the recommended fuse rating for the ZT amplifiers?

• A: The recommended fuse rating for the ZT amplifiers is not specified in the manual. It is advisable to consult a professional for appropriate fuse selection based on your system’s requirements.

Q: How do I know if the amplifier is overheating?

• A: The amplifier may enter protection mode or exhibit reduced performance if it is overheating. Ensure proper ventilation and monitor the amplifier’s temperature during extended use to prevent overheating issues.

SPECIFICATIONS

• High-Level Auto-Turn On – powers on the amp when an audio signal is supplied
• OEM Connection Ready – compatible with aftermarket/source units
• Integrated Fan – regulates temp. for sustained performance (ZT15001 only)
• Remote Ready – control bass/gain with included ZRBC
• High &  Low-Level Inputs – versatile connectivity to suit any vehicle
• Heavy Duty Connector Block – enables maximum current supply
• 4-Way Protected Circuit – protection against thermal damage, reversed power, speaker polarity, and low voltage

2 x 350W Bridged

| 1 x 650W
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) (Full Power)| -90dB| -74dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)| <1%| <1%
Low Pass Filter (LPF)| 50Hz – 400Hz (12dB/Oct)| 50 – 250Hz (24dB/Oct)
High Pass Filter (HPF)| 50Hz – 400Hz (12dB/Oct)| N/A
Subsonic| N/A| 10Hz – 55Hz (24dB/Oct)
Bass Boost @ 45Hz| 0 – +18dB| 0 – +18dB
Crosstalk| -60dB| N/A
Input Sensitivity| 0.25V – 9.8V| 0.29V – 9.3V
Fuses| 2 x 20A| N/A
Remote| Yes (Included)| Yes (Included)
High-level Input Via RCA| Yes| Yes
Auto Turn-on| Yes| Yes
Phase Control| N/A| 0° – 180°
Operating Voltage| 20V – 32V| 17V – 31V
Idle Current| 0.55A| 1.04A
Current Draw (Max)| 34A| 87A
Total Efficiency (4Ω)| 88%| 88%
Power Terminal| 20mm²| 20mm²
Speaker Terminal| 4mm²| 20mm²
Dimensions (LxWxH)| 254 x 160 x 48.3mm| 334 x 160 x 48.3mm
Weight| 1.76 kg| 2.6 kg

Disclaimer

• Ensure your safety and the well-being of those around you by following these essential guidelines:
• Keep all product materials and packaging away from children, pets, or anyone at risk of suffocation.
• Exposure to noise levels above 85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage.
• Extreme sound frequencies reduce perception abilities that are essential in road traffic conditions; do not let loud volumes distract from being mindful behind the wheel.
• Phoenix Gold takes no responsibility for any physical harm or damage caused by improper use of their products.
• Ensure that all metals and raw materials are disposed of under local regulations and environmental

Warranty

• Phoenix Gold products come with a limited warranty and are covered by our regional distribution partners and their terms and conditions. You can find out more information by contacting your local retailer or distributor.

Installation Warnings

1. Ensure the +12V lead is disconnected from the battery before you connect any new equipment
2. Ensure that the amplifier mounting location and holes will not interfere with the petrol tank, brake lines, or electrical wiring.
3. Ensure the amplifier is securely fastened to the vehicle to prevent the amplifier from moving and causing damage in the event of an accident.
4. Ensure all wiring is protected from sharp objects and pinching or crushing, which could damage the audio system.
5.  Ensure the mounting location has sufficient airflow around the amplifier. If the amplifier is mounted in an enclosed space, a 3” fan with ducting should be used to assist with cooling.
6. Ensure the minimum recommended gauge wire/cable or larger for all amplifier connections.
7. Appropriate mounting is essential for the prolonged life expectancy of any amplifier. Select a location that protects from moisture. Keep in mind that an amplifier should never be mounted upside down. Upside-down mounting will compromise heat dissipation through the heat sink and could engage the thermal protection circuit.

Connection

• Ensure the audio system is turned off before making any connections to the amplifier, speakers or source unit. Failure to do so could result in permanent damage to the audio system.
• Ensure the correct gauge cable is used for all connections; consult the cable calculator diagram below for the correct gauge cable for your installation.

| CABLE LENGTH
---|---
0-1 Metre / 0-4 Feet| 1-2 Metre / 4-7 Feet| 2-3 Metre / 7-10 Feet| 3-4 Metre / 10-13 Feet| 4-5 Metre / 13-16 Feet| 5-6 Metre / 16-19 Feet| 6-7 Metre / 19-22 Feet| 7-9 Metre / 22-28 Feet
TOTAL AMPS| MM2| AWG| MM2| AWG| MM2| AWG| MM2| AWG| MM2| AWG| MM2| AWG| MM2| AWG| MM2| AWG
0-20A| 4| 12| 4| 12| 4| 12| 4| 12| 6| 10| 6| 10| 6| 10| 10| 8
20-35A| 4| 12| 6| 10| 6| 10| 6| 10| 6| 10| 10| 8| 10| 8| 20| 4
35-50A| 6| 10| 6| 10| 6| 10| 10| 8| 10| 8| 10| 8| 20| 4| 20| 4
50-G5A| 10| 8| 10| 8| 10| 8| 10| 8| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4
G5-B5A| 10| 8| 10| 8| 10| 8| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 35| 2
B5-105A| 10| 8| 10| 8| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 35| 2
105-125A| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 35| 2| 35| 2
125-150A| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 35| 2| 35| 2| 35| 2| 50| 0
150-200A| 20| 4| 20| 4| 20| 4| 35| 2| 35| 2| 50| 0| 50| 0| 50| 0
200-250A| 35| 2| 35| 2| 35| 2| 50| 0| 50| 0| 50| 0| 50| 0| 70| 2/0
250-300A| 50| 0| 50| 0| 50| 0| 50| 0| 50| 0| 50| 0| 70| 2/0| 70| 2/0

• If aluminum wire is used, it is recommended to increase the size of the gauges to compensate.
• The calculation of cable gauge size considers the resistance of terminal connections.

AMPLIFIER CONNECTION

1. 12V Power

   • Ensure ALL other cable connections are completed before connecting this cable to the battery. PHOENIX GOLD amplifiers should be connected directly to the 12V battery terminal using the appropriate gauge cable. Start at the vehicle’s battery and run the cable through to the amplifier. PHOENIX GOLD recommends the use of rubber grommets when passing any cable through metal panels to avoid sharp corners or panels that could cut through the insulation of the cable. An inline fuse or circuit breaker MUST be used within 30cm (12”) of your battery; this will prevent the potential risk of a fire caused by a short in your power cable (see spec table for recommended inline fuse/circuit breaker ratings).
   • Connect the other end of your power cable to the battery, but remember to leave the fuse out or circuit breaker off until all other cable connections are made.

2. Ground

   • Connect the Ground/Earth cable for your amplifier first. Ensure that the location is a good source of ground (preferably the chassis/floor pan). Investigate the area you wish to use to ensure it is free of wiring, vacuum lines, brake, and fuel lines.
   • Use either a wire brush or sandpaper to expose bare metal, this will provide a high current contact for your ground connection. Use the same gauge cable for the ground cable as you did for the power cable.
   • Secure the ground cable to the ground point with a bolt, star washer, and nut. Apply some neutral cure silicon to the bolt and bare metal to prevent possible water leaks and rust. Connect the other end of your ground cable to the amplifier.

3. A. Speaker Output Connection (ZT6004R ONLY)

   • Ensure the correct polarity is observed when connecting speakers/subwoofers.
   • 2ohm minimum speaker impedance for stereo operation (per channel).
   • 4ohm minimum speaker impedance for bridged operation.

4. B. Internally Linked Output (ZT15001 ONLY)

   • The ZT15001 Monoblock amplifier provides dual output connections to simplify wiring when using 2 subwoofers or a dual voice coil subwoofer. Both positive and negative terminals and internally connected or linked in parallel.
   • For dual coils (2 x 4ohm) or two single coils (4ohm), subwoofers connect each coil to the positive or negative terminal. For a standard single coil subwoofer connect to either a positive or negative terminal.
   • ZT6004R
   • ZT15001

5. RCA Inputs Front-Rear-Subwoofer

   • Choose the correct length RCA cables to connect the RCA outputs of the source/head unit, to the input connectors of the amplifier.
   • The RCA inputs also accept ‘high-level input’, when using a high-level signal, the amplifier will autostart without the need for a remote signal.
   • Run the RCA cables on the opposite side of the vehicle. to the power cable and vehicle wiring loom. Avoid the electric fan motor and wiring. Ensure you follow the correct balance. (L LEFT = White or Black. R Right = Red)

6. Gain/Level Control (Sub/Front/Rear)

   • This control is used to match the input level of the amplifier to the output level of your head unit. We recommend the method below, as failure to follow these steps may damage the audio system.
   • Turn the amplifier Gain to zero
   • Turn the volume of the head unit to ¾ and the bass and treble to zero
   • Adjust the amplifier Gain/Level control until the desired maximum volume is achieved without distortion.
   • Make fine adjustments to tune your installation.

7. High Pass Crossover Filter

   • Set the crossover switch to HP and turn this control to 65Hz or above when using speakers smaller than 6 x 9”.
   • When a subwoofer is used in the system, this feature is designed to filter out all low bass frequencies that only subwoofers should produce.
   • See the specification table for the adjustable frequency range.

8. Low Pass Crossover Filter

   • Ensure the crossover frequency is set at 100Hz or below. This feature must be used with
     a subwoofer to filter out all mid to high frequencies that only full-range speakers should produce. See the specification table for an adjustable frequency range

9. Crossover Switch (ZT6004 ONLY)

   • Full – This setting is for large speakers (e.g. 6 X 9”) or speakers when a subwoofer is not included in the system. The amplified audio signal is not filtered so the full-range audio signal is sent to the speakers.
   • Low – This setting is used when using a subwoofer and will only allow frequencies below the low pass filter setting to pass through.
   • High – Used to run mid-range speakers when a separate subwoofer is connected. This setting will only allow frequencies above the set high pass filter setting to pass through.

10. Subsonic Filter

    • This is a variable control that filters out all subsonic bass frequencies below the set point. These are frequencies that are not audible. These frequencies can damage subwoofers. See the specification table for the adjustable frequency range.

11. Bass Boost

    • This control adjusts the bass boost at 45Hz, from 0 to +18dB. Start from 0 and slowly increase to the desired level. Use this control with extreme care as failure to do so may result in damage to the subwoofers.

12. Remote Control Port

    • This connection should be used with the included remote control (ZRBC) to adjust the bass level from any location within the vehicle.
    • ZT6004R remote to control the Gain level in the rear channels.

13. Phase Switch

    • This control adjusts the phase shift 180 degrees for the subwoofer. This means that the subwoofer will move inwards instead of outwards on a sinus wave.

14. Power / Protect LED

15. When illuminated Blue, indicates normal operation. The amplifier is powered on with no faults detected.

16. When illuminated Red, indicates the amplifier is in protection mode/fault state. See the troubleshooting section on the next page.

AMPLIFIER TROUBLESHOOTING

amplifier and vehicle/body chassis
The amplifier not working status LED = Red| Amplifier too hot| Move the amplifier to the vented area. Turn the head unit down
Speaker wires shorted| Check that there are no speaker wires shorted to another wire or the vehicle chassis
No Sound LED = Blue| RCA Signal| Check the RCA connection to the head unit
Gain control not set up| Ensure you have set up the amplifier gain level control
Head unit| Check the head unit volume
Amplifier| Check all power, remote on, and ground connections
Speakers| Check speakers are correctly connected Check speakers for shorts

Dimension

ZT6004R

ZT15001

• © 2023 Phoenix Gold
• www.phoenixgold.com

Documents / Resources

| PHOENIX GOLD ZT Series Car Audio Amplifiers [pdf] Owner's Manual
ZT Series, ZT Series Car Audio Amplifiers, Car Audio Amplifiers, Audio Amplifiers, Amplifiers
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References

• Phoenix Gold High Performance Car Audio

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