This document is an Owner's Manual for Skar Audio Sound Quality Amplifiers, covering several models: SKv2-1500.1D, SKv2-2500.1D, SKv2-3500.1D, SKv2-4500.1D, SKv2-1300.2AB, SKv2-100.4AB, and SKv2-200.4D. These amplifiers are designed for mobile audio amplification, engineered with high-quality components and workmanship to deliver superior sound.
Function Description
The Skar Audio amplifiers are designed to amplify audio signals in a car audio system. They are categorized into digital monoblock amplifiers and multi-channel amplifiers, each serving different amplification needs. The monoblock amplifiers are primarily for subwoofers, while the multi-channel amplifiers can power full-range speakers or be bridged for higher power output to subwoofers.
Important Technical Specifications
Digital Monoblock Amplifiers (SKv2-1500.1D, SKv2-2500.1D, SKv2-3500.1D, SKv2-4500.1D):
- Power Output:
- SKv2-1500.1D: 500W x 1 (4ohm), 930W x 1 (2ohm), 1700W x 1 (1ohm)
- SKv2-2500.1D: 790W x 1 (4ohm), 1450W x 1 (2ohm), 2500W x 1 (1ohm)
- SKv2-3500.1D: 1200W x 1 (4ohm), 2050W x 1 (2ohm), 3500W x 1 (1ohm)
- SKv2-4500.1D: 1500W x 1 (4ohm), 2800W x 1 (2ohm), 4900W x 1 (1ohm)
- Strappable Power (when two units are linked):
- SKv2-1500.1D: 1860W x 1 (4ohm), 3400W x 1 (2ohm)
- SKv2-2500.1D: 2900W x 1 (4ohm), 5000W x 1 (2ohm)
- SKv2-3500.1D: 4100W x 1 (4ohm), 7000W x 1 (2ohm)
- SKv2-4500.1D: 5600W x 1 (4ohm), 9800W x 1 (2ohm)
- Frequency Response: 15~270Hz
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 95dB
- Damping Factor: >200
- Input Sensitivity: 6V~0.2V
- Low Pass Filter: 35~250Hz (24dB/Oct slope)
- Subsonic Filter: 10~50Hz (24dB/Oct slope)
- Bass Boost: 0~9dB (at 45Hz)
- Phase Shift: 0~180 degrees
- Master/Slave Connection: To 2ohm
- Power & Ground Terminals: 0 Ga
- Working Voltage: 8.5V~16V (SKv2-1500.1D, SKv2-2500.1D), 8.5V~18V (SKv2-3500.1D, SKv2-4500.1D)
- External Fuse (Single Unit): 160A (SKv2-1500.1D), 250A (SKv2-2500.1D), 350A (SKv2-3500.1D), 450A (SKv2-4500.1D)
- External Fuse (Strappable): 320A (SKv2-1500.1D), 500A (SKv2-2500.1D), 700A (SKv2-3500.1D), 900A (SKv2-4500.1D)
Multi-channel Amplifiers (SKv2-1300.2AB, SKv2-100.4AB, SKv2-200.4D):
- Power Output:
- SKv2-1300.2AB (2-channel): 330W x 2 (4ohm), 530W x 2 (2ohm), 700W x 2 (1ohm)
- Mono: 1060W x 1 (4ohm), 1400W x 1 (2ohm)
- SKv2-100.4AB (4-channel): 110W x 4 (4ohm), 165W x 4 (2ohm)
- SKv2-200.4D (4-channel): 200W x 4 (4ohm), 320W x 4 (2ohm)
- Frequency Response: 10Hz~40KHz (SKv2-1300.2AB, SKv2-100.4AB), 10Hz~40KHz (SKv2-200.4D)
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 105dB (SKv2-1300.2AB, SKv2-100.4AB), 85dB (SKv2-200.4D)
- Damping Factor: >200
- Input Sensitivity: 6V~0.2V
- High Pass Filter: 20Hz~5KHz (SKv2-1300.2AB), 50Hz~500Hz (SKv2-100.4AB, SKv2-200.4D)
- Low Pass Filter: 50Hz~5KHz (SKv2-1300.2AB), 50Hz~500Hz (SKv2-100.4AB, SKv2-200.4D)
- Subsonic Filter: 10Hz~500Hz (SKv2-100.4AB, SKv2-200.4D)
- Crossover Selector: ON/OFF (SKv2-1300.2AB), HPF/FULL/LPF (SKv2-100.4AB, SKv2-200.4D)
- Power & Ground Terminals: 0 Ga (SKv2-1300.2AB), 4 Ga (SKv2-100.4AB, SKv2-200.4D)
- Working Voltage: 14.4V
- Fuse Rate: 200A (SKv2-1300.2AB), 30A x 3 (SKv2-100.4AB), 40A x 2 (SKv2-200.4D)
Usage Features
General Features:
- High Power and Efficiency: Designed for robust performance.
- Stable Operation: Monoblock amplifiers are stable into 1ohm loads; SKv2-1300.2AB is stable into 1ohm stereo or 2ohm mono; SKv2-100.4AB and SKv2-200.4D are stable into 2ohm stereo or 4ohm mono.
- Full Range Digital Circuit: SKv2-200.4D features a full-range digital circuit.
- High Speed MOSFET Power Supply: Ensures efficient power delivery.
- Variable Crossover: 24dB/Oct variable crossover for digital monoblock amplifiers.
- Variable Bass Boost: Allows adjustment of bass gain.
- 180 Degree Variable Phase Control: Helps in time alignment with other speakers.
- Remote Control with Clipping LED: Included for convenient gain adjustment and clipping indication.
- 4-Way Protection Circuit: Guards against thermal, high/low voltage, speaker short, and DC offset issues.
- High Purity Copper Printed Boards: For optimal signal transfer.
- Heavy Gauge Terminals: 4 & 0 gauge power & ground terminals for robust connections.
- Hand-made High Grade Power Supply: Ensures reliability and performance.
Controls and Connections:
- RCA Jack Input: Accepts low-level signals from head units.
- RCA Jack Output (Monoblock): Provides a full-range signal mixed from both input channels to feed a secondary amplifier.
- Gain Control (6V~0.2V): Adjusts the input sensitivity to match the signal level of different head units.
- Subsonic Filter: Controls the high pass point for speaker outputs to eliminate extreme low frequencies (monoblocks and multi-channel).
- Low Pass Filter: Ensures only the lowest frequencies are reproduced by the amplifier (monoblocks and multi-channel).
- HPF/LPF/FULL Crossover Selector: Allows selection of high-pass, low-pass, or full-range operation for multi-channel amplifiers.
- Phase Shift (0~180 degrees): Fine-tunes the bass system for time alignment.
- Output Master / Input Slave Connection (Monoblock): Enables chain connection for minimum 2ohm impedance.
- Power & Protection LED: Green indicates correct operation, Red indicates malfunction or protection mode.
- Power, Remote & Ground Connections:
- Ground (GND): Secure connection to the vehicle frame or battery bank with low resistance.
- Remote (REM): Connects to a switched +12V source (e.g., head unit remote trigger, toggle switch).
- 12V (POWER): Connects to the positive battery terminal. Requires external fuses for monoblocks and SKv2-1300.2AB, while SKv2-100.4AB and SKv2-200.4D have built-in fuses.
- Speaker Output: Connects to speaker systems. Minimum speaker cable gauge is 12.
- Monoblocks: Minimum working impedance is 1ohm as a single unit.
- SKv2-1300.2AB: Minimum working impedance is 1ohm stereo or 2ohm mono.
- SKv2-100.4AB & SKv2-200.4D: Minimum working impedance is 2ohm stereo or 4ohm mono.
Strappable Connection (Monoblock Amplifiers):
- Allows linking two identical amplifiers to a 2ohm load, effectively doubling the power output.
- Requires careful connection of RCA cables (Master to Slave), and speaker cables (Master (+) to Subwoofer (+), Slave (+) to Subwoofer (-), Master (-) to Slave (-)).
- The Master amplifier controls all crossover and remote functions for both units.
- Minimum working impedance in strappable connection is 2ohm.
Maintenance Features
Troubleshooting (NO SOUND / NO OUTPUT):
- Check Connections: Verify all power, ground, remote, and RCA connections for proper routing, shorts, and voltage.
- Check Fuses: Replace blown fuses with new ones of the correct rating.
- Check Speakers: Test speakers by connecting them to another amplifier to confirm functionality.
Troubleshooting (PROTECTION):
- Identify Cause: Check for overload, overheat (thermal), short circuits, voltage issues, or DC offset.
- Impedance Check: Ensure speaker impedance meets the minimum requirements for the specific amplifier model and connection type (single unit or strappable).
- Thermal Protection: If the amplifier shuts down due to heat, allow it to cool. Improve airflow and remove obstructions around the amplifier for better thermal protection.
- Working Voltage: Verify that the working voltage is within the specified range for the amplifier model.
- DC Protection: If the amplifier enters DC protection mode (over 4V DC at inputs), check if it works after removing RCA inputs. If it does, check for DC at the RCA inputs and consider replacing the +12V source unit if necessary.
Troubleshooting (DISTORTION & NOISE):
- Input Level & Speaker Quality: Readjust input level and check speaker quality. Replace poor quality speakers if needed.
- Ground Contact: Check amplifier and head unit ground contacts; all grounds should be common.
- RCA Cables: Check RCA jacks; replace or reroute RCA cables if faulty.
- Engine Noise: If engine noise is present, check all grounding connections for the amplifier, head unit, other components, battery, or alternator.
Troubleshooting (POOR BASS RESPONSE):
- Speaker Cables & Polarity: Check speaker cables and ensure correct polarity.
All features are subject to change in the continuing effort to improve the products without notice.