Features
Controls, Inputs and Outputs
Additional Specifications
Wiring Kit Information
Warranty Note

Features

25th Anniversary: The Kenwood eXcelon XXV-03A amplifier is part of a special series of car stereo components to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kenwood Car Electronics. These products are specially designed and tuned for superior audio performance. In addition, this amplifier features gold-plated input/output terminals, a glass epoxy circuit board, and a detachable brushed aluminum cover plate.

Class D Amplifier Design: The XXV-03A is a Class D mono-block amplifier, which uses digital switching to amplify audio signals. This design results in high efficiency and less heat.

1-Ohm Stable: This amplifier is capable of handling a 1-ohm load. You can drive two 2-ohm speakers, or four 4-ohm speakers in parallel with this amp. There are two sets of speaker outputs that are wired internally in parallel, making it easier to connect multiple speakers.

LED Status Display: The top-mounted LED display can be adjusted to show any of the following information:

• Voltage: indicates the source voltage
• Current: indicates the current consumption
• Temperature: indicates the internal temperature
• Fan: indicates the rotation speed of the cooling fan in 3 steps: Fast, Slow, or Off

Amplifier Management System (A.M.S.): The XXV-03A is compatible with 2004 or later Kenwood head units that feature an LX-Bus connection and the Amplifier Management System. When connected via a control cable (item #469KNWDIN) and standard S-Video cables (for 2-way remote operation), you can perform the following:

• Daisy Chaining Amplifiers: Up to 7 additional A.M.S.-compatible Kenwood eXcelon amps can be connected together and controlled by the head unit. The "master" amp is assigned the ID # 0, and subsequent amps are assigned ID #s 1-7 to give you independent amp control.
• Amp Adjustments: Using the display and menu control on the top of the amplifier, the following settings can be adjusted for each connected amplifier:
  • Bass Center Frequency: select 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz or 120Hz
  • Bass Gain: set between -15 and +15
  • Bass Q Factor: select between 1.00, 1.25, 1.50 and 2.00
  • Bass Extension: turn on or off; when on the low frequency response is extended by 20%
  • Volume Offset: adjusts the volume compared to other connected amps
  • Temperature Mode: select display mode of temperature measurement between Fahrenheit or Celsius.
  • Default Values: resets all values to the initial (default) values
• Display: The following can be displayed on the compatible head unit for each amplifier:
  • Amplifier Status: source voltage, current consumption, internal temperature (°F or °C), rotation speed of cooling fan (Fast/Slow/Off)
  • ID Number: the ID number assigned to the amplifier you have selected
  • Error Status: When a connected amplifier fails, the amp number and the error status message are displayed

Line Level Output: The amplifier has a pair of gold-plated line level outputs for feeding a full-range stereo signal to another amplifier. It is the same signal that is input through the line inputs. The amplifier's crossovers have no effect on the line level output signal.

Ground Isolation Circuit: This circuit cancels noise from the input of the negative side of the RCA cable, preventing vehicle electrical noise from interfering with the music. The amp has a ground screw located near the line inputs for use with RCA cables with ground leads.

Low-Pass Filter: The XXV-03A has a built-in 24dB/octave low-pass filter that is continuously variable from 50Hz to 200Hz.

Infrasonic Filter: This amp features a 24dB/octave Infrasonic Filter. Ultra-low frequencies that cannot be reproduced by a subwoofer do not become sound but become unnecessary oscillations, which affect sound by causing distortion. These frequencies also waste amplifier power and can cause damage to speakers. Setting the Infrasonic filter switch to 15Hz or 25Hz cuts the frequencies below the respective frequency to improve the reproduction performance of the speakers by eliminating harmful distortion.

Band Reject Filter: The XXV-03A has a variable 40-200Hz band reject filter which can reduce standing waves and resonance in the vehicle compartment caused by certain frequencies. You can select a 6dB/oct or 12dB/oct slope, or turn the filter off. Note: It is recommended that a signal generator or spectrum analyzer be used to accurately determine the peak frequency to be filtered out.

Phase Inverter: The amp has a switch that allows you to invert the phase of the speaker output. You can select 0° or 180°.

Protection Circuitry: The amplifier has the protection circuits and will shut itself down in case of the following events:

• Speaker output contacts vehicle ground
• Speaker wire short-circuits
• Unit malfunctions and DC is sent to speaker output
• Internal temperature is too high
• Voltage gets out of operating range

Controls, Inputs and Outputs

Controls: The amplifier controls are located on the top of the unit. The brushed aluminum plate can be removed to give you access to the control panel. The controls include:

• Input Sensitivity: rotary dial for matching the preamp output voltage of the connected head unit (0.2 to 5.0 Volts)
• LPF Frequency: rotary dial for setting the frequency of the amp's low pass filter (50-200Hz)
• B.R.F Frequency: rotary dial for setting the frequency of the band reject filter (40-200Hz)
• Amp Control: 2-way on/off switch; On position allows you to control the sound with Amplifier Control, Off position bypasses the Amplifier Control circuit.
• Phase: 2-way switch for selecting the phase of the speaker output (0° or 180°)
• B.R.F.: 3-way switch for selecting the slope of the band reject filter (-12dB, -6dB, or Off)
• I.S.F.: 2-way on/off switch for the infrasonic filter
• I.S.F. Frequency: 2-way switch for selecting the frequency of the infrasonic filter (25Hz or 15Hz)
• ID Number Switch (located on front side of amp): rotary dial (slotted screwdriver required) for setting the Identification Number for amplifier control from a head unit

Inputs and Outputs: All of the inputs and outputs are conveniently located on the front side of the amplifier. The inputs and outputs include:

• Fuses: Three 25-amp fuses
• BATT (Power): gold-plated screw terminal (0.559" wide)
• GND (Ground): gold-plated screw terminal (0.559" wide)
• P.CON (remote turn-on): gold-plated screw terminal (0.345" wide)
• Speaker Outputs: gold-plated screw terminals (0.345" wide) for two speakers (Note: These are not stereo outputs, but mono outputs wired internally in parallel.)
• GND: Philips-head screw for RCA signal ground
• To H/U (Head Unit): Round 13-pin jack for connecting control cable (item #469KNWDIN) to head unit for amplifier control
• Remote: Two S-Video jacks for connecting slave amplifiers
• Line Input: gold-plated RCA inputs
• Line Output: gold-plated RCA outputs

Additional Specifications

CEA-2006 Compliance: The specifications given by Kenwood for the XXV-03A amplifier comply with the new CEA-2006 Amplifier Power Standard from the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association). All manufacturers who comply with the standard can display the CEA-2006 logo on their product.

Specifications:

• CEA-2006 Specs:
  • Power Output at 4 ohms: 533 watts x 1 (<1% THD+N @14.4 V)
  • Power Output at 2 ohms: 919 watts x 1 (<1% THD+N @14.4 V)
• Rated Power Output (at 12.0 V):
  • At 4 ohms: 300 watts x 1 (20Hz-200Hz, 0.5% THD)
  • At 2 ohms: 600 watts x 1 (100Hz, 0.5% THD)
• Rated Power Output (at 14.4 V):
  • at 4 ohms: 400 watts x 1 (20Hz-200Hz, 0.5% THD)
  • at 2 ohms: 800 watts x 1 (100Hz, 0.5% THD)
  • at 1 ohm: 1000 watts x 1 (100Hz, 1.0% THD)
• Max Power Output at 4 ohms: 1600 watts
• Input impedance: 10k ohms
• Operating voltage: 14.4 V (11-16 V allowable)
• Current Consumption: 55A
• Weight: 8.97pounds

Wiring Kit Information

Wiring Kit Information: This amplifier uses three 25-amp fuses, so its total fuse rating is 75 amps. The Streetwires 4-gauge amp wiring kits include an 80-amp fuse, which will accommodate the amp's fuse rating. Other 4-gauge amp wiring kits carried by Crutchfield include a 60-amp fuse. If you are using a 4-gauge amp wiring kit with a fuse rated for less than 75 amps, the fuse should be replaced with an 80-amp AGU fuse (please see accessory list).

Warranty Note

Warranty Note: This amplifier comes with a 1 year warranty card, but the actual warranty is 2 years.