0005-2000 res. manual

RS6, RS5, & RS4
Resolution Matched Component Systems
Congratulations! You have just purchased one of the latest in a long line
of KICKER high performance car audio speaker systems from Stillwater
Designs. Your KICKER Resolution Matched Component System combines
the best tweeters and midrange drivers KICKER has to offer with crossovers
specifically designed to match your particular speakers. You can count on
years of outstanding musical enjoyment when properly installed in a
well-designed system. Enjoy.
GENERAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION
Kicker Resolution Matched Component Systems are designed from the ground up to
provide the ultimate in sound quality. While the main drivers are sized to fit many of the
factory cutouts in your vehicle, the tweeters are separate to allow mounting in the
location that will give the best dispersion and imaging.
The RS6 and RS5 systems utilize the 1-inch R25 tweeter; the RS4 system contains the
.75-inch R19 tweeter. These tweeters were selected for their superior acoustical
properties, reliability, and close sonic match with the midrange drivers. The tweeters are
in acoustically loaded swivel mounts which may be installed flush with the panel surface,
on the panel, or in our special tweeter mounting post which lets you mount the tweeter
directly to the center of the midrange driver.
The midrange drivers have specially formulated titanium-coated polymineral cones
attached with inverted butyl rubber surrounds to rock-solid cast aluminum frames. The
long-life voice coils are wound on heat-resistant Kapton formers.
Unique to the Resolution System is the passive crossover. Stillwater Designs engineers
know the importance of a seamless transition between the midrange and the tweeter.
Your Resolution system has one of the best passive networks available in car stereo today.
Not only does this network perform the function of dividing information between the
midrange driver and the tweeter, it also allows for adjustment of the tweeter level
to match that of the midrange. The result is a superbly balanced, highly musical system.
SPECIFICATIONS
System Frequency Mid Grill Mid Cutout Mid Mounting Tweeter Cutout Tweeter Mounting
Response OD Diameter Depth Diameter Depth
(Hz) (in., mm) (in., mm) (in., mm) (in., mm) (in., mm)
R6 40-22k 6.2, 158 5.33, 136 2.5, 64 2.125, 54 1.2, 30
R5 50-22k 6.15, 156 4.76, 121 2.375, 62 2.125, 54 1.2, 30
R4 75-21k 5.15, 131 3.83, 97 1.94, 50 1.63, 42 .63, 16

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Read through these install instructions completely first. If they appear too difficult or if
you lack any of the equipment required to finish the job, we strongly recommend that the
installation be performed by a professional installer.
Resolution System midrange drivers are specifically designed for mounting in freeair
applications. While the speakers don't need a sealed box to work in, for optimum performance
it is important to isolate the sound coming off the back of the driver from the sound
coming off the front of the driver.
This isolation is usually accomplished by using the correct size driver in a factory
speaker location. Grills are included for use in installations that mount the driver in
custom locations.
The ideal mounting scheme is to have a sturdy panel to cut out or to reinforce an existing
panel with Masonite or medium density Fiberboard. If the panel can flex at all, it will
decrease the output of the driver and keep it from sounding it's best. The panel that a
midrange is mounted to must isolate the information coming off the back of the driver
from the information coming off the front of the driver.
Since the Resolution midranges have operating capabilities down to as low as 40Hz, it is
important to completely contain the back to avoid cancellations. This is possible when
mounting on the door or on the package tray of a sedan. The door and trunk act like
enclosures to keep the backwave from reaching the front side of the driver. In any mounting
situation, check for interference from other mechanical systems in the vehicle. Watch
for window mechanisms, hinges, trunk springs, and anything that would be affected by the
installation of these drivers.
2

MIDRANGE DRIVER MOUNTING
The easiest mounting location for the Resolution midrange is in the front factory
speaker locations. This isn't always available in all vehicles due to small cutouts or no
stock cutout at all.
If custom door mounting locations are desired for your Resolution midrange, be
careful to avoid interference from window and/or lock mechanisms. The first step is to
find a location on the door panel that will accept the size of speaker chosen. Now remove
the door panel from the door and check for the operation of the window all the way up
and down. Also try to avoid structural metal and braces if the metal must be cut to
mount the speakers.
On custom locations that use the supplied grill, mount them as indicated in the
below diagram. A wire grill tool is provided to help you turn and lock the grill into position.
Your KICKER Resolution R6c drivers and included grills mount as illustrated in the
drawing below.
Mount your KICKER Resolution R5c or R4c drivers and included grills as
illustrated below.
3

(Mounting Instructions, continued)
TWEETER MOUNTING
The best location for the tweeter is usually high up on the door and as far forward as is
possible without interference from the dashboard.
Recessed Mounting
If the chosen place is flat and space behind the door panel allows the use of the
recessed mounting cup, follow the mounting arrangement in the diagram below.
After checking for clearance, cut the proper sized hole in the door panel. Mount the
recess cup from the outside with the mounting clip on the inside of the door panel. The
10-32x1/2" flathead screw joins the two pieces together.
Clearance Hole 2.5"
Door Body
Mounting Clip
10-32x1/2" Flathead
Door Panel
Resolution
Tweeter
Recess Cup
See Specifications
for Diameter
Surface Mounting
If the surface mounting arrangement for the tweeter works out best, then the
following diagram shows how it works.
Using the surface mounting cup as a template, drill a 7/64" hole in the center for
attaching and drill a 5/16" hole for the wires. A #8 flathead sheetmetal screw is supplied
to attach the surface mount cup to the door panel.
Door Body
Tinnerman Clip
(optional)
Door Panel
Resolution
Tweeter
Surface
Mount w/
Screw
With either tweeter mounting scheme, the wiring and insertion of the tweeter are the
same. The short wires attached to the tweeter are fed through the larger hole in the
mount; then the tweeter is snapped into place.
4

(Mounting Instructions, continued)
If any of the drivers are mounted in the
door, it is necessary to run the supplied
wire through the door jamb. This wire
must be kept away from sharp edges and
the possibility of being pinched. An existing
boot in the door jamb is the ideal place to
run the wires, but sometimes this does not
exist or is inaccessible. Drilling holes to run
wires through is very tricky, and caution
must be exercised not to drill into other
wiring or mechanisms. Any time a wire is
run through a bare hole, it is necessary to
insert a rubber grommet first.
The supplied crossovers should not be
mounted in the doors or any other location
that is subject to moisture. Inside the
kickpanels or under the dash are ideal locations
for the crossovers in most vehicles.
Coaxial Mounting
The third option is to mount the tweeter to the center of the midrange. This will effectively
form a high quality coaxial speaker. To do this, unscrew the bullet shaped phase plug
from the center of the midrange and remove the magnet boot.
Using the included tweeter pole mount, feed the tweeter wires through the hole in the
center and snap the tweeter into the swivel mount.
5

(Mounting Instructions, continued)
This assembly can now be screwed in place of the phase plug in the middle of the
midrange.
Feed the tweeter wires out the backplate of the midrange and through the slot that
guides them to the side of the magnet. Putting the magnet boot back on will hold the
wires in place.
A special grill included in this kit accommodates the pole-mounted tweeter when this
system is used in custom mounting locations.
WIRING
There are three sets of wires supplied with your system. One set has two different size
female connectors (.205" and .110") on one end and is designed to plug on to the terminals
of the midrange driver. The other end of this wire goes to the midrange output terminals
on the supplied crossover. Two sets of wires with no connectors on either end are also
supplied. One set will go from the tweeter output terminals on the crossover to the tweeter
itself. This wire and the short wire coming out of the tweeter are joined using the butt
connectors. The last set of wires is used to connect the output of your source unit to the
input terminals of the crossover.
Crossover
Source
-
+ - + - +
+
Tweeter
Midrange
-
+
-
+
-
6

ADJUSTMENT
It is quite common in car stereo systems for the tweeter to seem dominant due to
restrictions on the availability of good mounting locations for the midrange.The Resolution
System crossover has an adjustable tweeter level control that is designed for level matching
once the system is installed and operating.
Starting with the level adjustment in the 0dB position, listen to the system with a variety
of music. If the tweeters sound too loud or too soft in relation to the other drivers,
simply change the level setting of both crossovers to a different level of attenuation.
Repeat this procedure until a balance you prefer is reached between the outputs of your
tweeters and midrange drivers.
If you have more questions about the installation of your KICKER component, see
the Authorized KICKER Dealer where you made your purchase. You may also call our
Technical Services Line at (405)624-8583 or contact us via the Technical Services
page on www.kicker.com.
7

SPEAKER SYSTEMS LIMITED WARRANTY
Stillwater Designs warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under
normal use for a period of one (1) year from date of original purchase, unless this product is labeled “B
Stock”, in which case it is warranted for ninety (90) days from date of purchase. Should service be necessary
under this warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction during the warranty
period, Stillwater Designs will replace or repair (at its discretion) the defective merchandise with equivalent
merchandise at no charge. Warranty replacements on “B-Stock” may have cosmetic scratches and
blemishes. Discontinued products may be replaced with equivalent products.
This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and is not extended to owners of the product
subsequent to the original purchaser. Any applicable implied warranties are limited in duration to a period
of the express warranty as provided herein beginning with the date of the original purchase at retail,
and no warranties, whether express or implied, shall apply to this product thereafter. Some states do not
allow limitations on implied warranties, therefore these exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights; however you may have other rights that vary from state
to state.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU NEED WARRANTY OR SERVICE
Defective merchandise must be returned to your local Authorized Stillwater Designs
(Kicker/Impulse) Dealer for warranty. Assistance in locating an Authorized Dealer can be obtained by
writing or calling Stillwater Designs direct. You can confirm that a dealer is authorized by asking to see a
current authorized dealer window decal.
If it becomes necessary for you to return defective merchandise, call the Kicker Customer Service
Department at (405)624-8510 for a Return Authorization (RA) number. Package all defective items in the
original container or in a package that will prevent shipping damage, and return to
Stillwater Designs, 5021 North Perkins Road, Stillwater, OK 74075
The RA number must be clearly marked on the outside of the package. Return only defective components.
Return of entire cabinets, system packs, pairs, etc. increases your return freight charges. Nondefective
items received will be returned freight collect.
Include a dated proof-of-purchase from an Authorized Dealer. Warranty expiration on items
returned without proof-of-purchase will be determined from the manufacturing date code. Coverage
may be invalidated if this date is greater than one (1) year previous to the date item is sent in. Freight
must be prepaid; items received freight collect will be refused.
Failure to follow these steps may void your warranty. Any questions can be directed to the Kicker
Customer Service Department at (405)624-8510.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED
This warranty is valid only if the product is used for the purpose for which it was designed.
It does not cover:
• Install slips (screwdriver holes)
• Damage caused by exposure to water
and/or excessive heat.
• Damage through negligence, misuse, or
accident.
• Items physically damaged due to abuse.
• Freight damage.
• The cost of shipping product to Stillwater
Designs Service.
• Items previously repaired by any
unauthorized repair facility.
• Items returned from unauthorized
individuals or dealers.
• Return shipping on non-defective items.
• Speakers damaged due to amplifier
clipping or distortion.
• Speakers with silicon caulk used for gasket
material.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE
Stillwater Designs maintains a goal of 24-hour service for all returns. Delays may be incurred if
lack of replacement inventory or parts is encountered.
INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
Contact your International Stillwater Designs dealer or distributor concerning specific
procedures for your country’s warranty policies.
WARNING:
P.O. Box 459 • Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076 • U.S.A. • 405 624-8510
KICKER drivers are capable of producing sound levels that can permanently
damage your hearing! Turning up a system to a level that has audible distortion is
more damaging to your ears than listening to an undistorted system at the same
volume level. The threshold of pain is always an indicator that the sound level is
too loud and may permanently damage your hearing.
Please use common sense when controlling volume!
MARCH 2000