DS18 DS-X2 Ultra Compact Class D 2-Channel Amplifier Owner’s Manual
- June 5, 2024
- DS18
Table of Contents
DS-X2 Ultra Compact Class D 2-Channel Amplifier
Owner’s Manual
WHERE ARE YOU HEADED?
Thank you for choosing the DS18/X series amplifier! Your choice of candy
series amps indicates a desire for high-quality music reproduction in the
automobile. DS18/X amplifier brings to you over four decades of car audio
expertise. So whether you are a daily driver music lover or a serious car
audio competitor. DS18/X amplifiers have the product for you.
To take full advantage of the DS18/X amplifier gear you have just purchased,
please read and follow the instructions in this manual. As with all of our
products, professional installation by an authorized dealer is highly
recommended. Otherwise, the performance of your new gear may not be
satisfactory.
In addition to the installation services and expertise offered by an
authorized DS18/X amplifier dealer, the warranty of this product may be
extended when installed by an authorized DS18/X amplifier dealer.
Be sure to ask your authorized DS18/X amplifier dealer whether your product
may qualify for an extended warranty. You are headed in the right direction
with the DS18/X amplifier.
INTRODUCTION
The DS18/X amplifier for high-quality audio reproduction for the audiophile
and the everyday listener alike. Allowing you the ability to tailor the sound
to best fit the speakers and your listening preferences ensures solid
electrical connections that resist corrosion. Fully variable crossover.
Additionally, they may be used in conjunction with outboard passive or active
crossovers, depending on the complexity required by the system. the 12dB per
octave slope offers steep roll-off above or below the selected frequency.
Protection circuitry against overload, short circuit, thermal, low voltage,
high voltage, and reverse polarity.
These protection features are designed to protect the amplifier from misuse,
as well as from common causes of amplifier failure.
INPUT
CROSSOVER CONTROLS
A crossover is a device that removes unwanted frequencies from a speaker or
amplifier. A tweeter can easily be destroyed by bass notes if they are not
filtered out. Likewise, a subwoofer will not sound natural if it is playing
midrange notes.
A crossover removes these sounds from the speaker. As you might guess, a
careful adjustment is needed to ensure that all the speakers are playing the
right sounds and that you are left with no “holes” or low spots in the
frequency response.
SPECIFICATIONS
| X1| X2| X4
---|---|---|---
CLASS / CLASE| CLASS-D / DIGITAL| CLASS-D / DIGITAL| CLASS-D / DIGITAL
AMPLIFIER TYPE| MICRO MONOBLOCK AMP. /
MICRO AMPLIFICACIOR MONOBLOOUE| MICRO STEREO FULL RANGE| MICRO STEREO FULL
RANGE
CHANNELS| 1| 2| 4
TOTAL WATTS (PEAK)| 900W| 1140W| 1320W
RMS POWER @ 4 OHM| 140W x 1CH| 140W x 2CH| 70W x 4CH
RMS POWER @ 2 OHM| 220W x 1CH| 230W x 2CH| 140W x 4CH
RMS POWER @ 1 OHM| 300W x 1CH
–| –
RMS POWER @ 4 OHM BRIDGE| –| 380W x 1CH| 220W x 2CH
FREQUENCY RESPONSE| 20HZ-500HZ| 20HZ-20KHZ| 20HZ-20KHZ
SIGNAL/NOISE RATIO| >90 dB| >90 dB| >90 a
EFFICIENCY @ 4OHM| >80%| >80%| >80%
DAMPING FACTOR| >200| >201| >202
THD % / DISTORCION ARMONICA TOTAL (THD)%| <0.2%| <0.2%| <0.2%
LOW LEVEL INPUT RANGE| 0.2-5V| 0.2-5V| 0.2-5V
SELECTABLE X-OVER| FIXED LPF| LPF/FLAT/HPF| LPF/FLAT/HPF
X-OVER FILTER RANGE| 50HZ-250HZ| 40HZ-400HZ| FIXED 80HZ
BASS BOOST RANGE| 0-18 dB| –| –
BASS BOOST FREQUENCY| 40HZ| –| –
INFRASONIC FILTER| 10-55HZ| –| –
PHASE SELECTOR| 0 -180 DEGREES| –| –
MINIMUM IMPEDANCE| 1 OHM| 2 OHM| 2 OHM
LED INDICATOR| POWER/PROTECTION| POWER/PROTECTION| POWER/PROTECTION
POWER INPUT SIZE| 12GA| 12GA| 12GA
FUSE RATING| 30A| 40A| 45A
REMOTE LEVEL CONTROL| YES- DASH MOUNT| | –
THERMAL PROTECTION| YES| YES| YES
OVER-LOAD PROTECTION| YES| YES| YES
0C OUTPUT PROTECTION| YES| YES| YES
SHORT CIRCUIT OUTPUT PROTECTION| YES| YES| I YES
VOLTAGE INPUT PROTECTION| YES| YES| YES / SI
DIMENSIONS LxVixH (INCHES)| 5.54 X 3.24 X 1.37″ /
140.8 X 82.4 X 34.8 MM| 5.54 X 3.24 X 1.37″ /
140.8 X 82.4 X 34.8 MM| 5.54 X 3.24 X 1.37″ /
140.8 X 82.4 X 34.8 MM
HEATSINK LENGTH| 4.75″ / 120.8MM| 4.75″ / 120.8MM| 4.75″ / 120.8MM
COMPACT SIZE TO EASY INSTALLATION FOR ANY APPLICATIONS| YES| YES| YES
STABLE/RELIABLE FOUR LAYERSTRACES PCB DESIGN| YES| YES| YES
SURFACE t4OUNT COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY| YES| YES| l YES
AUDIO PRECISION QUALITY CONTROL VERIFICATION| YES| YES| YES
CONFIGURATION 2CH/4CH INPUT SELECTOR| NO| NO| YES
INSTALLATION OF X1
NOTE
If Only connect ONE subwoofer whether #1 or #2, the maximum Impedance of the
subwoofer requires 1 ohm; If connect BOTH subwoofer on #1 and #2, the maximum
impedance of each subwoofer requires 2 ohms!
INSTALLATION OF X4
INSTALLATION
Professional installation by an authorized DS18/X Series amps dealer is highly
recommended! Otherwise, the performance of your new gear may not be
satisfactory. In the event that you decide to do your own installation, please
read and follow this manual very carefully. Failure to do so may compromise
the integrity of this product, and your automobile, and possibly avoid the
product warranty. Amplifiers are generally mounted in the hatch/trunk area of
a car or SUV, and under or behind the seat of most pickup trucks.
Select a location that will provide adequate ventilation for the amplifier.
Avoid mounting the amplifier with the fins facing down.
The fins should be facing up, either vertically or horizontally. Secure the
amplifier with the screws provided.
INPUT
Before securing the amplifier, inspect the mounting location carefully to
ensure that you do not drill into or damage any electrical, hydraulic, fluid,
or fuel lines.
Input Section
Because of the wide range of head unit output configurations, all DS18/X
Series amps have an adjustable input sensitivity of “Gain”, The gain is not a
volume or a power limiting control like a throttle. It makes the amp more
sensitive to input from the stereo. With the gain up the amp will reach full
output at a lower volume setting on the deck. At higher gain settings the amp
also becomes more sensitive to noise from the car’s electrical system. Try to
run the gain at the lowest setting possible for your system.
There is no correct gain setting. Because speakers require different power
demands to reach the same output, the gains most often need to be used to
compensate for these differences. If you, tried to set all the gains at
halfway you would probably find the system didn’t sound very good. Using good
judgment and listening carefully to each speaker is still the best way to tune
a system.
SPEAKER OUTPUT
This amplifier is a multi-channel amplifier design. Meaning it has more than one channel of speaker outputs. It is equipped with a quick disconnected plug for speaker connection. Make this connection carefully and neatly. Strip your wire back and twist the exposed leads and insert them into the block terminal while being careful that there are no loose or frayed strands of wire and tighten the flat head screw down on the terminal till the wire is tightly secured in place. If the wires ever come in contact with each other the amplifier will go into protection. Know your total ohm load before you make any connections.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
- Before you start disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Tape up the end so it is isolated from the battery.
- Run an appropriate gauge wire from the battery to the amplifier. Plan this part of the installation carefully. This cable will carry a very high current. If it should short to the body and it is not properly fused it could catch fire.
- Connect the power wire to the battery using a fuse capable of the total current load of all amplifiers connected. Don’t install the fuse yet Wait until the end. Locate the fuse as close as possible to the battery. The fuse is further than 18 inches (wire length) from the battery you should reevaluate the wire and fuse placement.
- Find the closest clear metal area to the amp for a ground. Sand, grind or scrape all paint and undercoating from the body and screw the ground securely in place. It is advisable to test the ground with an ohmmeter between the ground cable and the negative battery cable to ensure a good low resistance connection. Some alloys used in some modern cars do not offer the best ground. If you believe this is the case, consult with the vehicle manufacturer.
- Run the speaker wire to the speakers. it is advised that you leave some extra wire at this point! You can clean it up later.
- If you haven’t already done so, mount the amp now.
- Connect the power and ground to the amplifier (only after this step should you install the fuse at the battery)
- Connect the remote wire from the head unit to the amplifier. Now is a good time to turn on the amplifier for the first time and make sure it turns on properly and does not go into protection.
- Connect the speaker wires to the amp and speakers (make sure the amp is off first) and make sure the polarity (+ and -) are correct
- Connect the RCAs to the amp.
- Double-check the amplifier’s control at this time. Make sure everything is set correctly for your system.
- Now you are ready to play it for the first time. It is best to leave the gain all the way down at first. Start with the head unit volume low and make your way up.
- Now you can tune the amp. Take your time and make only one adjustment at a time. It may take some time to get the system fully adjusted. During this time the amp is drawing current from the battery. You should check the battery voltage from time to time and recharge it if it gets low. That’s it. You are done, have fun!
INSTALLATION OF X2
X4 BRIDGED MODE
WARRANTY
Should your amplifier require service please consult with the dealer from
which it was purchased, or contact the DS18 local dealer.
Do not attempt to return your amplifier directly to us without first calling
for a Return Authorization Number. Units received without an accompanying
Return Authorization Number will be processed more slowly. Additionally, you
must include a copy of your purchase receipt from an authorized dealer for
consideration of in-warranty service; otherwise, repair charges will apply.
Units received without a receipt will be held for 30 days, allowing us time to
contact you and obtain a copy of the receipt. After 30 days, all units will be
returned.
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