kenwood excelon x500 1 manual

The Kenwood Excelon X500-1 is a mono subwoofer amplifier delivering 500W RMS power at 2 ohms, featuring variable low-pass filter (50-200Hz), bass boost (0-12dB at 50Hz), subsonic filter (15-50Hz), selectable infrasonic filter, remote bass control capability, and speaker-level inputs. Built with advanced thermal and short-circuit protection. 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 Modes 8. Protection Features 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Mono subwoofer amplifier, Remote bass control jack, Speaker-level inputs, RCA inputs, Power/Protection LED indicators.

Feature	Description
Power Output	500W RMS x 1 at 2 ohms
Low-pass Filter	Variable 50-200Hz
Bass Boost	0-12dB at 50Hz
Subsonic Filter	15-50Hz adjustable
Remote Bass Control	Optional remote level adjustment
Speaker-level Inputs	High-level input capability
RCA Inputs	Low-level audio input
Phase Switch	0-180 degree phase adjustment
Protection Circuit	Thermal and short-circuit protection
Power/Ground Terminals	Heavy-duty power connections

Installation

Unpack and inspect contents. Choose proper mounting location.

Disconnect vehicle battery negative terminal before installation.
Mount amplifier: Secure to solid surface using provided hardware.
Power connections: Connect +12V to battery, ground to chassis, remote to head unit.
Audio connections: Use RCA cables from head unit or speaker-level inputs.
Speaker output: Connect subwoofer(s) to amplifier output terminals.

WARNING! Ensure proper fuse rating; use correct wire gauge for power connections.

First-Time Setup

Reconnect battery; power on system; adjust settings.

Set input level: Adjust gain control for optimal signal matching.
Configure low-pass filter: Set frequency cutoff (50-200Hz) for subwoofer.
Adjust bass boost: Set desired level (0-12dB) if needed.
Set subsonic filter: Adjust (15-50Hz) to protect subwoofer.
Phase adjustment: Set to 0 or 180 degrees for proper bass alignment.

CAUTION! Start with conservative settings; avoid clipping distortion.

Specifications

RMS Power: 500W x 1 at 2 ohms
Frequency Response: 10-200Hz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >95dB
Input Sensitivity: 0.2-5V (RCA), 0.5-10V (speaker level)
Crossover: Low-pass 24dB/octave
Bass Boost: 0-12dB at 50Hz
Subsonic Filter: 15-50Hz, 24dB/octave
Operating Voltage: 14.4V DC (11-16V range)
Fuse Rating: 40A external fuse required

Controls and Settings

Access controls via front panel knobs and switches.

Front Panel: Power LED (blue), Protection LED (red), Gain control, Low-pass frequency, Bass boost, Subsonic filter, Phase switch.

Gain: Adjust input sensitivity (0.2-5V). Low-pass: Set cutoff frequency (50-200Hz). Bass Boost: Increase bass at 50Hz (0-12dB). Subsonic: Filter frequencies below set point (15-50Hz). Phase: Align subwoofer phase with main speakers (0/180). Remote Bass: Connect optional remote level control.

Connecting Devices

RCA inputs: From head unit preamp outputs. Speaker-level: From head unit speaker outputs. Remote turn-on: From head unit remote wire.

Disconnect battery before making connections.
Use proper gauge wire for power/ground (4 AWG recommended).
Route power and signal cables separately to avoid noise.
Secure all connections; ensure proper polarity.

Tip: Use twisted-pair RCA cables for reduced noise interference.

Operation Modes

Designed for mono subwoofer amplification.

Power on: Blue LED indicates normal operation.
Protection mode: Red LED indicates fault condition.
Bass adjustment: Use front controls or optional remote.
Crossover operation: Low-pass filter directs bass frequencies to subwoofer.
Bass boost: Enhances specific frequency range if needed.

WARNING! Do not operate without proper load; avoid short circuits.

Protection Features

Thermal Protection: Automatically reduces output if overheating detected. Short-Circuit Protection: Shuts down if output short detected. DC Offset Protection: Protects speakers from DC voltage.

Care & Maintenance

Keep amplifier clean and dry. Ensure proper ventilation. Check connections periodically.

CAUTION! Do not block cooling fins; keep away from moisture and extreme temperatures.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits. Copyright © Kenwood Corporation. All trademarks property of their respective owners. For support, visit www.kenwood.com or contact authorized Kenwood service centers.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No power	Power connections/fuse	Check battery connections; verify fuse; ensure remote wire connected.
Protection mode	Short circuit/overheat	Check speaker wiring; allow cooling; verify proper impedance.
No sound	Input connections/settings	Verify RCA/speaker inputs; check gain setting; ensure head unit output.
Distorted sound	Gain setting/clipping	Reduce gain control; check input signal level; verify power supply.
Amplifier overheating	Ventilation/impedance	Improve airflow; verify speaker impedance; check wiring.

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

Service: Contact authorized Kenwood service center; www.kenwood.com