Kenwood Excelon amplifiers incorporate new technology

Car audio competitors demanding the cutting edge in acoustic performance and design will want to check out the trio of new 2002 Kenwood Excelon amplifiers introduced here today at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

All models incorporate new technology to increase power output and low-impedance stability, and offer customizable electronic settings to suit a wide array of quality audio system configurations.

All three also feature a new muscular chassis design and sleek end caps, and in another Kenwood first, allow users to vary the amps' indicator lamp color to one of seven bright tones.

Leading the line is a 1600-Watt Class D mono-channel, the KAC-X810D, a 1-ohm stable power amp designed for competition grade performance. Next and likely to be especially popular this year is a five-channel system amp, the KAC-X650D, rated to supply up to 1240-Watts total peak power and featuring a built-in dedicated Class D subwoofer amp. Rounding out the line is the KAC-X520, a bridgeable two-channel amp rated to provide up to 1000-Watts. The KAC-X650D and KAC-X520 are both rated for 2-ohm stable performance.

These are the ultimate amps for serious car audio enthusiasts and uncompromising autosound competitors, said Brian Towne, national product manager for home and mobile electronics. Installers will love how easily they can configure these amps to suit the speaker system their customer chooses.

Features Common to 2002 Kenwood Excelon Amplifiers All new models feature Kenwood's exclusive Advanced Bass Management System, which lets listeners boost specific bass frequencies by 6, 12, or 18dB. All also utilize microprocessor control for reliable operation and to enable a wide choice of customizable features and are equipped with MOSFET power transistors, providing high power output with low heat generation.

To enhance visual appeal, all 2002 Kenwood Excelon power amps are equipped with an illuminated, variable-color status indicator offering seven selectable, distinctive 'power on' colors. Enthusiast features such as gold-plated RCA inputs, a glass epoxy circuit board, and a balance isolation circuit are present on all models as well.

Kenwood Excelon KAC-X810D The KAC-X810D mono amp is designed to meet the demanding requirements of autosound events popular with competitive enthusiasts. Driven into one channel at 4-ohms using a 14.4-volt power supply, the amp pumps out a continuous 400-Watts of music power; output can be doubled to 800-Watts at 2-ohm load. Maximum rated peak output is 1600-Watts, and the amp is rated to be1-ohm stable.

New B.M.S. Features for 2002 When used with a Kenwood Excelon in-dash receiver, the KAC-X810D's Bass Management System can be activated and adjusted using switches on the receiver. New this year, Kenwood Excelon receivers provide amps with B.M.S. Downshift, which lowers the B.M.S. boost by 30%, a useful feature for those listening to a variety of contemporary music styles.

The KAC-X810D provides a variable low-frequency crossover, a variable band reject filter, -6dB/-12dB selectable, and a three-position infrasonic filter. For convenience, a 0/180 phase selection switch is also provided.

Important power supply features include parallel MOSFET power transistors, three large, secondary capacitors to meet high current demands, hefty primary stage buss bars, and large, gold-plated, screw-type terminals for input power and speaker connections.

Safety features include speaker relay protection, DC offset protection, thermal protection, quiet turn on, and a low voltage warning with memory.

Kenwood Excelon KAC-X650D The multi-channel KAC-X650 is designed for those who want to use one amp to power a whole system. Equipped with an independent Class D subwoofer amplifier circuit, the KAC-X650, with 14.4-volt power input, has a power output 60-watts to each of four channels , plus a 200-watt output for the subwoofer.

At 2- ohms, 4-channel output is rated at 80-Watts per channel, plus 300-Watts to the sub. Maximum rated peak power is 160-Watts x 4, plus 600-Watts x 1, or 1240-Watts total.

The KAC-X650D offers the new, advanced B.M.S. features found on the KAC-X810D, as well as variable low-pass and infrasonic filters. In keeping with its suitability as an all-in-one system power amp, the KAC-X650D is also equipped with variable high-pass electronic crossovers.

The KAC-X650D, suitable for stereo or mono channel operation, offers gold-plated screw- type speaker connectors and protection features found on the KAC-X810D.

Kenwood Excelon KAC-X520 Though more conventional in its two-channel design, the KAC-X520 is a versatile power amp rated to handle 4-ohm or 2-ohm loads with input power of 14.4 or 12 volts.

Continuous power output with a 14.4-volt power input and 4-ohm load is 125-Watts per channel; with a 2- ohm load, it delivers 250-Watts per channel . In bridged single-channel configuration, maximum peak output power is rated at 1000-Watts.

The X520 offers the new, advanced B.M.S. features found on the KAC-X810D and KAC-X650, as well as variable low-pass, high pass and infrasonic filters. In addition to gold-plated RCA inputs and speaker connections, it provides gold-plated RCA outputs, for passing line level signals to other components, such as separate subwoofer amp. Precise feature sets on all models are available at www.kenwoodusa.com or by calling 1-800-KENWOOD.

About The Author:

Sean Bornhouser is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.booming-car-audio.com. Get the car audio system you want plus accessories and valuable advice.