Kenwood KGC 4042A Manual

The Kenwood KGC 4042A is a 4-channel graphic equalizer with built-in electronic crossover, featuring 7-band equalization per channel, high and low pass filters, front/rear fader control, subwoofer output, and gold-plated RCA connectors. Designed for car audio systems, it provides precise audio tuning and signal processing capabilities. Below are key sections for features, installation, setup, operation, specifications, and troubleshooting.

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

Features at a Glance

Key components: 4-channel input/output, 7-band graphic equalizer, electronic crossover, front/rear/subwoofer outputs, gold-plated RCA connectors, level controls.

Feature	Description
7-band equalizer	31Hz, 63Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 4kHz, 8kHz, 16kHz
Electronic crossover	High-pass and low-pass filters with adjustable frequency
Input level control	Adjustable input sensitivity from 0.2V to 4V
Subwoofer output	Dedicated subwoofer channel with level control
Fader control	Front/rear balance adjustment
Gold-plated connectors	Corrosion-resistant RCA inputs and outputs
Power requirement	12V DC car electrical system
Frequency response	10Hz - 40kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio	>100dB
THD	<0.01%

Installation

Unpack and inspect contents. Choose suitable location in vehicle.

Disconnect negative battery terminal before installation.
Mount unit securely using provided brackets.
Connect power: Red wire to +12V ignition, yellow wire to +12V constant, black wire to chassis ground.
Connect audio inputs from head unit to EQ inputs.
Connect outputs to amplifiers or directly to speakers.
Route all cables away from power wires to avoid noise.

WARNING! Ensure proper grounding and fuse protection. Use correct wire gauge for power connections.

First-Time Setup

Power on system; begin with flat EQ settings.

Set input level: Adjust input level control while playing music at normal volume.
Set crossover frequencies: Adjust HPF and LPF according to speaker capabilities.
Balance front/rear: Use fader control to set proper balance.
Set subwoofer level: Adjust subwoofer output to match main speakers.
Fine-tune EQ: Make small adjustments to each frequency band.

CAUTION! Make small adjustments and listen carefully between changes.

Specifications

Channels: 4 input/4 output + subwoofer output
Equalizer Bands: 7 bands per channel (ISO center frequencies)
Crossover: High-pass 50-400Hz, Low-pass 50-400Hz
Input Sensitivity: 0.2V - 4V adjustable
Frequency Response: 10Hz - 40kHz (+0/-1dB)
Signal-to-Noise: >100dB (A-weighted)
THD: <0.01% (1kHz)
Power Supply: 12V DC (10.8V - 15.6V operating range)
Dimensions: 180mm (W) x 45mm (H) x 130mm (D)
Weight: 0.8kg

Controls and Settings

Front panel controls: Input level, fader, subwoofer level, EQ sliders.

Rear panel: RCA inputs (front/rear), RCA outputs (front/rear/sub), power connections, ground.

Equalizer: 7 frequency bands adjustable ±12dB. Crossover: HPF for main speakers, LPF for subwoofer. Level controls: Input sensitivity, front/rear fader, subwoofer output level. Power: 12V DC with remote turn-on capability.

Connecting Devices

Inputs: Connect from head unit RCA outputs. Outputs: Connect to amplifier inputs or directly to powered speakers.

Turn off all equipment before making connections.
Use high-quality shielded RCA cables.
Connect front channels from head unit to front inputs.
Connect rear channels from head unit to rear inputs.
Route output cables to respective amplifiers/speakers.
Connect subwoofer output to subwoofer amplifier.

Tip: Keep signal cables separated from power wires to minimize noise.

Operation Guide

Designed for precise car audio tuning and signal processing.

Power on: Unit turns on with head unit power.
Input level setting: Adjust while playing music at normal listening level.
EQ adjustment: Move sliders to boost or cut specific frequencies.
Crossover setup: Set HPF for main speakers, LPF for subwoofer.
Fader control: Balance front and rear speaker levels.
Subwoofer level: Match subwoofer output to main speakers.
Fine-tuning: Make small adjustments and test with various music types.

WARNING! Avoid extreme EQ settings that may damage speakers.

Audio Tuning Features

7-band graphic equalizer with ISO standard frequencies. Electronic crossover with adjustable cutoff frequencies. Subwoofer output with independent level control. Front/rear fader for precise sound staging.

Care & Maintenance

Keep unit clean and dry. Use soft cloth for cleaning; no liquids or chemicals.

CAUTION! Do not expose to moisture or extreme temperatures. Ensure proper ventilation around unit.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits. CE certified for European markets. Copyright © Kenwood Corporation. For support, visit www.kenwood.com or contact authorized Kenwood service centers.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No sound output	Power/connections	Check power connections; verify RCA cables properly connected.
Engine noise	Grounding issues	Improve ground connection; reroute signal cables away from power wires.
Distorted sound	Input level too high	Reduce input level control; check head unit output levels.
No subwoofer output	Crossover settings	Verify LPF enabled and set correctly; check subwoofer connections.
Intermittent operation	Loose connections	Check all wiring connections; inspect RCA cables for damage.

Reset: Return all controls to center/default positions.

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