KQ30

Congratulations! You have just purchased the latest in equalization technology to carry the famous KICKER name. Your KICKER KQ30 is designed and built to give you years of trouble-free performance.

This installation manual contains valuable information on how to get the most out of your new KQ30 equalizer. Thanks for buying KICKER.

Enjoy!

Features

30 Bands at 1/3 Octave Spacing Allows precise adjustment at each 1/3 octave measured frequency from 20 Hz to 20 KHz.

12 dB Boost or Cut Available at each of the 30 bands.

High Voltage Preamp Accepts 500 mV to 9 Volts audio signal and supplies up to 9 Volts of output.

Separate Left and Right Input Controls Allows precise adjustment to input sensitivity and channel balancing.

Separate Left and Right Output Controls Allows for full control of output voltage and channel balancing.

Separate Left and Right Input Clipping LED’s Visual indicators to aid in setting input gain controls.

Separate Left and Right Output Clipping LED’s Visual indicators to aid in setting output level controls.

Mono / Stereo Selector Allows one KQ30 to equalize both the left and right channels or two units for independent left and right equalization settings.

EQ / Bypass Switch Allows you to defeat the equalizer and compare equalized and non-equalized sound.

Two Year Warranty When purchased from and installed by an Authorized

KICKER dealer.

Mounting Instructions

When selecting a location to mount your Kicker KQ30 equalizer be sure it is structurally sound and that there are no items behind the area that could be damaged by the screws. Check for wiring, brake lines, fuel lines, gas tanks, etc.

Remember that the controls on top of the equalizer will need to be accessible for adjustment later. Keep this in mind as you choose your equalizer’s mounting location.

Now that you are ready to mount your equalizer, use the KQ30 chassis as a template and mark the four mounting hole locations with a marking pen. Use a

7/64” drill bit to pre-drill the four holes and then use the supplied screws to securely mount the equalizer.

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2

Wiring Instructions

When working with power connections it is always recommended that you disconnect the battery to prevent accidents. For ease of use, the power plug can be removed from the KQ30 and then re-inserted after all wiring is completed.

The ground should be connected to the equalizer first before making any of the other connections.This wire should be as short as possible (36 inches or less) and connected to a paint/corrosion free solid metal area of the car’s chassis using 18 Ga wire and a small ring terminal.

Connect the +12V terminal to a constant 12 volt battery source using 18 Ga wire and an in-line 5 amp fuse.

The turn on terminal is connected to your source unit’s remote turn-on lead.

Most source units have an output labeled ‘power antenna’ or ‘amplifier turn-on’ for this connection. If your source unit has both, use the output labeled ‘amplifier turn-on’.

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GROUND

REMOTE TURN-ON

5A FUSE

+12V

BATTERY

3

Wiring Instructions (continued)

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 possibility for noise problems.

RCA Outputs

L

R

SOURCE UNIT

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INPUT

L R

L R

OUTPUT

L R

L R

L R

To Crossover or Amplifier

Mono operation.

For more details download our white paper on the KQ30 from www.kicker.com

4

L

INPUT

R

EQ STEREO

BYPASS MONO

OUTPUT

L R

To Source Unit

MONO mode

selected

In MONO mode the

Left and Right channel outputs are the same. Use either one or both depending on your application.

To Crossover or Amplifier

Adjusting Equalizer Controls

Once all the wiring connections have been made, the gain controls on your

KQ30 and amplifier(s) must be adjusted for optimum performance.

Gain Setting Procedure

1. Turn the gain controls on your amplifier(s) all the way down.

2. Disconnect the remote turn-on lead(s) from your amplifier(s). Be sure to insu-laate the exposed copper wire with electricaal taape to prevent accidentaal daamaage to your source unit’’s remote turn--on leaad output..

3. Set all the equalization controls on the KQ30 to their center detent (0 dB) position.

4. Set the input gain controls at their minimum (fully counter

Step 3 clock-wise) position.

5. Set the output level controls at their minimum (fully counter clock-wise) position.

6. Using a well recorded CD with a strong signal or a continuous

1KHz tone recorded at 0 dB (track 10 from AutoSound 2000 CD

104), turn your head unit up to 90% of it’s maximum output.

7. Turn the left channel input gain control up until the left channel input clipping LED starts to flash.

8. Adjust the right channel input gain control to match the left.

9. Turn the left channel output level control up until the left channel output clipping LED starts to flash.

10. Adjust the right channel output level control to match the left.

11. Turn the head unit down and shut off the system.

12. Re-connect the remote turn-on leads to your amplifier(s).

Step 4

Step 5

Step 7

The KQ30 will have enough output to operate most amplifiers to their full power output even with the amplifier’s gain control set at its lowest position. If necessary, the gain setting on your amplifier(s) may be turned up slightly. Remember, the gain settings on any amplifier are for level matching only, they do not increase the power output of your amplifier. The lowest gain setting that will allow your amplifier to make full power is always best for sound quality, lowest system noise and reliability.

Step 8

If after making your adjustments to the equalization settings the output clipping LED’s stay steadily lit, you will need to turn down the output level controls and repeat steps 2, 6 and 9-12.

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Step 9

Step 10

Steps 7 & 8

Clipping LED's

Steps 9 & 10

Clipping LED's

5

Specifications

Operaating voltaage::

Chassis Fuse:

Audio Signaal::

Minimum input voltage:

Maximum input voltage:

Maximum output voltage:

SNR (signal to noise), A Weighted:

Channel Separation:

Equaalizaation::

30 bands

1/3 octave centering

+/- 12 dB per band measured in Hz.

Dimensions::

Width:

Depth:

Height:

11 to 16 volts DC

2A mini-ATC

500 mV RMS

9 Volts RMS

9 Volts RMS

Re: 9 Volts / 120 dB

Re: 9 Volts / 80 dB

25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 126, 156,

200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 635, 800, 1K,

1.27K, 1.6K, 2K, 2.5K, 3.2K, 4K, 5K,

6.4K, 8K, 10K, 12.8K, 16K, 20K

10.25 in / 26.04 cm

7.50 in / 19.05 cm

1.125 in / 2.86 cm

My Settings

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1.6 kHz 2 kHz 2.5 kHz 3.2 kHz 4 kHz 5 kHz 6.4 kHz 8kHz 10 kHz 12.8 kHz 16 kHz 20 kHz

100 Hz 126 Hz 156 Hz 200 Hz 250 Hz 320 Hz 400 Hz 500 Hz 635 Hz 800 Hz 1 kHz 1.27 kHz

25 Hz 31.5 Hz 40 Hz 50 Hz 63 Hz 80 Hz

Min

L

Max Min

R

INPUT GAIN

Max

INPUT OUTPUT

Min L Max Min R Max

OUTPUT LEVEL

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ELECTRONICS LIMITED WARRANTY

Kicker warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of THREE (3) MONTHS from date of original purchase. When purchased from and installed by an Authorized KICKER Dealer it is warranted for TWO (2) YEARS from date of original purchase, or

ONE (1) YEAR from date of original purchase if purchased from but not installed by an Authorized KICK-

ER Dealer. If the product is labeled “B Stock” and purchased from an Authorized KICKER Dealer, it is warranted for ONE (1) YEAR from date of purchase, regardless of place of installation. Should service be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction during the warranty period, Kicker will replace or repair (at its discretion) the defective merchandise with equivalent merchandise at no charge. Warranty replacements on “B-Stock” merchandise may have cosmetic scratches and blemishes. Discontinued products may be replaced with more current equivalent products.

This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and is not extended to owners of the product subsequent to the original purchaser. Any applicable implied warranties are limited in duration to a period of the express warranty as provided herein beginning with the date of the original purchase at retail, and no warranties, whether express or implied, shall apply to this product thereafter. Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties, therefore these exclusions may not apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights; however you may have other rights that vary from state to state.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED WARRANTY OR SERVICE

Defective merchandise must be returned to your local Authorized Stillwater Designs (Kicker) Dealer for warranty. Assistance in locating an Authorized Dealer can be obtained by writing or calling Stillwater

Designs direct. You can confirm that a dealer is authorized by asking to see a current authorized dealer window decal.

If it becomes necessary for you to return defective merchandise, call the Kicker Customer Service

Department at (405)624-8510 for a Return Authorization (RMA) number. Package all defective items in the original container or in a package that will prevent shipping damage, and return to

Stillwater Designs, 5021 North Perkins Road, Stillwater, OK 74075

The RMA number must be clearly marked on the outside of the package. Return only defective components. Return of entire cabinets, system packs, pairs, etc. increases your return freight charges. Nondefective items received will be returned freight collect.

Include a dated proof-of-purchase stating the Customer name, Dealer name, product purchased and date of purchase. Warranty expiration on items without proof-of-purchase will be determined from type of sale and the manufacturing date code. Freight must be prepaid; items received freight collect will be refused.

Failure to follow these steps may void your warranty. Any questions can be directed to the Kicker

Customer Service Department at (405)624-8510.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?

This warranty is valid only if the product is used for the purpose for which it was designed.

It does not cover:

• Damage due to improper installation

• Subsequent damage to other components

• Damage caused by exposure to moisture, excessive heat, chemical cleaners, and/or UV radiation

• Damage through negligence, misuse, accident or abuse. Repeated returns for the same damage may be considered abuse.

• Any cost or expense related to the removal or reinstallation of product

• Speakers damaged due to amplifier clipping or distortion

• Items previously repaired or modified by any unauthorized repair facility

• Return shipping on non-defective items

• Products with tampered or missing barcode labels

• Products returned without a Return Authorization

(RMA) number

• Freight Damage

• The cost of shipping product to Kicker

• Service performed by anyone other than Kicker

• Speaker with any foreign caulk used for gasket material

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Kicker strives to maintain a goal of 24-hour service for all returns. Delays may be incurred lif lack of replacement inventory or parts is encountered.

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY

Contact your International Kicker dealer or distributor concerning specific procedures for your country’s warranty policies.

P.O. Box 459 • Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076 • U.S.A. • 405 624-8510

WARNING:

KICKER drivers are capable of producing sound levels that can permanently damage your hearing! Turning up a system to a level that has audible distortion is more damaging to your ears than listening to an undistorted system at the same volume level. The threshold of pain is always an indicator that the sound level is too loud and may permanently damage your hearing.

Please use common sense when controlling volume!

August 2002