Kenwood Excelon KAC X201T Manual

The Kenwood Excelon KAC X201T is a high-performance 2-channel car amplifier designed for exceptional audio quality. Featuring 50W RMS x 2 at 4 ohms, MOSFET power supply, variable high-pass/low-pass filters, bass boost, speaker-level inputs, and gold-plated terminals. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Connecting Devices 7. Operation 8. Protection Features 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: MOSFET power supply, gold-plated RCA inputs, speaker terminals, cooling fins, control knobs.

Feature	Description
Power Output	50W RMS x 2 @ 4 ohms, 75W RMS x 2 @ 2 ohms
MOSFET Power Supply	Efficient and reliable power delivery
Variable Crossover	High-pass/low-pass filters (50-200Hz)
Bass Boost	0-12dB boost at 50Hz
Speaker Level Inputs	Connect directly to factory head units
Gold-Plated Terminals	Corrosion-resistant connections
Thermal Protection	Automatic shutdown if overheated
Short Circuit Protection	Protects against wiring faults
DC Offset Protection	Prevents speaker damage
Overload Protection	Protects amplifier from excessive current

Installation

Choose proper mounting location and prepare wiring.

Select mounting location: Dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources.
Power connections: Connect +12V to battery, ground to chassis, remote to head unit.
Speaker connections: Connect speaker wires to appropriate terminals.
Input connections: Use RCA cables or speaker-level inputs.
Secure amplifier: Mount firmly using provided hardware.

WARNING! Disconnect battery before installation. Ensure proper fuse rating (20A recommended).

First-Time Setup

Configure amplifier settings for optimal performance.

Gain adjustment: Set gain control to match head unit output.
Crossover settings: Select high-pass or low-pass filter as needed.
Bass boost: Adjust if additional bass response desired.
Input mode: Select RCA or speaker-level input.
Test system: Verify proper operation at low volume first.

CAUTION! Set gains properly to avoid distortion and speaker damage.

Specifications

RMS Power: 50W x 2 @ 4 ohms, 75W x 2 @ 2 ohms
Peak Power: 150W x 2
Frequency Response: 10Hz - 50kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >95dB
THD: <0.08%
Crossover Frequency: 50-200Hz
Bass Boost: 0-12dB @ 50Hz
Input Sensitivity: 200mV - 4V
Fuse Rating: 20A x 1
Operating Voltage: 14.4V DC (11-16V range)

Controls and Settings

Front panel controls: Power indicator, protection indicator.

Control Panel: Gain control, bass boost, crossover frequency, crossover mode (HPF/LPF/OFF), input mode (RCA/Speaker).

Gain: Adjusts input sensitivity (200mV-4V). Bass Boost: 0-12dB boost at 50Hz. Crossover: 50-200Hz variable. Crossover Mode: High-pass filter, low-pass filter, or off. Input Mode: Select between RCA and speaker-level inputs.

Connecting Devices

Power: +12V, ground, remote turn-on. Audio: RCA inputs or speaker-level inputs. Output: Speaker terminals.

Disconnect vehicle battery before connections.
Use proper gauge wiring (8-10 gauge for power/ground).
Route power and signal cables separately to avoid noise.
Secure all connections and test for shorts.

Tip: Use gold-plated connectors for best signal quality and corrosion resistance.

Operation

Normal operation and usage guidelines.

Power on: Amplifier turns on with head unit remote wire.
Indicator lights: Green = power on, Red = protection mode.
Volume control: Use head unit volume, adjust amplifier gain as needed.
Crossover usage: Set according to speaker capabilities.
Bass adjustment: Use bass boost sparingly to avoid distortion.

WARNING! Do not operate with cover removed. Allow proper ventilation.

Protection Features

Thermal Protection: Automatic shutdown if temperature exceeds safe limits. Short Circuit Protection: Detects and protects against output shorts. DC Offset Protection: Prevents DC voltage from reaching speakers. Overload Protection: Protects against excessive current draw.

Care & Maintenance

Keep amplifier clean and dry. Check connections periodically for corrosion.

CAUTION! Do not use chemicals or water for cleaning. Keep ventilation fins clear of obstructions.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits. Copyright © Kenwood Corporation. All trademarks property of their respective owners. For technical support, visit www.kenwood.com or contact 1-800-536-9663.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No power	Wiring/fuse	Check power, ground, remote connections; verify fuse integrity.
Protection mode	Overheating/short	Allow cooling; check speaker wires for shorts; verify impedance.
No sound	Input/connections	Check RCA/speaker inputs; verify head unit output; check gain setting.
Distortion	Gain/clipping	Reduce gain setting; check head unit volume; verify power supply.
Overheating	Ventilation/impedance	Ensure proper ventilation; verify speaker impedance matches amplifier rating.

Reset: Disconnect power for 30 seconds to reset protection circuits.

Service: 1-800-536-9663; www.kenwood.com