Owner's Manual
Thank you for choosing DS18 NXL marine amps. These amplifiers offer high-quality music reproduction, drawing on over four decades of car audio expertise. Whether for daily listening or competition, DS18 NXL marine amps provide a product for you.
For optimal performance, read and follow the instructions in this manual. Professional installation by an authorized DS18 NXL marine amps dealer is highly recommended and may extend your product warranty.
Introduction
DS18 NXL marine amplifiers deliver high-quality audio for both audiophiles and everyday listeners. All models feature fully variable crossovers with 12 dB per octave slopes, allowing for precise sound tailoring to your speakers and listening preferences. These integrated crossovers simplify installation and can be used with external crossovers for complex systems.
The amplifiers are equipped with protection circuitry against overload, short circuit, thermal issues, and reverse polarity to safeguard against misuse and common failure causes.
Installation
Professional installation by an authorized DS18 NXL marine amps dealer is strongly advised. If you choose to perform the installation yourself, carefully follow this manual to avoid compromising the product, your vehicle, or the warranty.
Mounting: Select a location with adequate ventilation. Avoid mounting with fins facing down; fins should be oriented vertically or horizontally. Secure the amplifier with the provided screws. Before drilling, inspect the mounting location to avoid damaging electrical, hydraulic, fluid, or fuel lines.
Input Section (Waterproof RCAs Harness)
The adjustable input sensitivity, known as "Gain," allows the amplifier to match the output of your head unit. The gain control adjusts the amplifier's sensitivity to the input signal, not the volume or power output directly. Increasing the gain allows the amplifier to reach full output at a lower volume setting on the head unit. However, higher gain settings can also increase sensitivity to electrical noise from the vehicle's system. It is recommended to use the lowest possible gain setting that achieves satisfactory sound levels.
There is no single correct gain setting, as different speakers have varying power requirements. Gains are used to compensate for these differences. Proper system tuning involves careful listening and using good judgment to adjust gains for each speaker.
Crossover Controls
A crossover is essential for removing unwanted frequencies from speakers. For example, tweeters can be damaged by bass frequencies, and subwoofers may not reproduce midrange notes naturally. Crossovers filter these sounds. Careful adjustment is needed to ensure all speakers receive appropriate frequencies and to avoid "holes" or dips in the frequency response.
Bass Boost
DS18 NXL marine amplifiers feature adjustable bass boost. Start adjustments at low volume. If no improvement is heard, the woofer may not require bass boost. The Low Pass Filter (LPF) must be engaged for bass boost to function. Use bass boost cautiously, as it significantly increases power demands. Minimize its use by adjusting woofer position or enclosure size.
Speaker Outputs
This amplifier is a multi-channel design with multiple speaker outputs. It is equipped with a harness over-mold. Connect speaker wires carefully and neatly, twisting exposed leads and using insulated, waterproof marine butt connectors. Ensure wires do not touch each other, as this will trigger the amplifier's protection mode.
Ohm Load: Always know your total ohm load before making any connections.
Installation Instructions
- Disconnect the negative battery cable and tape the end to isolate it.
- Run an appropriately gauged wire from the battery to the amplifier. Plan this carefully, as this cable carries high current and a short could cause a fire if not properly fused.
- Connect the power wire to the battery using a fuse rated for the total current load of all connected amplifiers. Do not install the fuse yet. Place the fuse as close as possible to the battery (within 18 inches of wire length).
- Locate a clean metal area near the amplifier for grounding. Sand or scrape away all paint and undercoating from the body and securely screw the ground wire in place. Test the ground connection with an ohmmeter to ensure low resistance. Consult the vehicle manufacturer if you suspect issues with the car's metal alloys for grounding.
- Run speaker wire to the speakers, leaving some extra length for later adjustments.
- Mount the amplifier if not already done.
- Connect the power and ground wires to the amplifier.
- Install the fuse at the battery only after completing the previous step.
- Connect the remote wire from the head unit to the amplifier. Turn on the amplifier to verify it powers up correctly without entering protection mode.
- Connect speaker wires to the amplifier and speakers, ensuring correct polarity (+/-). Turn off the amplifier before connecting speaker wires.
- Connect the RCA cables to the amplifier.
- Double-check all amplifier controls to ensure they are set correctly for your system.
- Play the system for the first time with the gain turned all the way down. Start with the head unit volume low and gradually increase it.
- Tune the amplifier by making one adjustment at a time. Be patient, as full system adjustment can take time. Monitor battery voltage during tuning and recharge if it gets low.
Specifications
| NX1850.4D | NX1900.6D | NX11000.8D | NX11100.1D | |
| Output @ 4 ohm | 200W RMS | 160W RMS | 130W RMS | 1100W RMS |
| Output @ 2 ohm | 300W RMS | 240W RMS | 200W RMS | 900W RMS |
| Output @ 4 ohm (if-4spm) | 500W RMS | 400W RMS | 360W RMS | 600W RMS |
| Waterproof level | IPX65 | IPX65 | IPX65 | IPX65 |
| Harmonic Distortion | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.07% |
| Sensitivity | >95 dB | >95 dB | >95 dB | >95 dB |
| Gain Range | 0.2-5 V | 0.2-5 V | 0.2-5 V | 0.2-5 V |
| Crossover Range | 40 Hz-3 KHz | 40 Hz-3 KHz | 40 Hz-3 KHz | 40 Hz-3 KHz |
| Frequency Range | 20-20 KHz | 20-20 KHz | 20-20 KHz | 20-20 KHz |
| Bass Boost | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0-18 dB |
| Dimensions (cable) | 295x125x42 | 295x125x42 | 320x125x42 | 265x125x42 |
WE LIKE IT LOUD | WELKETLOUDOOS DS18.COM
NX1850.4D Installation
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Diagrams illustrating the wiring and connections for the DS18 NXL marine amplifiers are provided, showing power, ground, remote, RCA inputs, and speaker outputs for various models.
NXL1100.1D Installation
Class-D Monoblock Amplifier with High Performance Circuit Design
Diagrams illustrate the wiring and connections for the NXL1100.1D amplifier, including power, ground, remote, RCA inputs, and subwoofer output.
NYL1000 SD Installation
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Diagrams illustrate the wiring and connections for the NYL1000 SD amplifier.
A detailed wiring diagram shows pin assignments and corresponding wire colors for speaker outputs (CH1- to CH7-), including wire gauge and color for each channel.
Warranty
Should your amplifier require service, consult the dealer where it was purchased or contact DS18 Audio Local Dealer. Do not return the amplifier directly without obtaining a Return Authorization Number. Units received without this number will be processed more slowly. Include a copy of your purchase receipt from an authorized dealer for in-warranty service; otherwise, repair charges will apply. Units received without a receipt will be held for 30 days for receipt verification. After 30 days, units will be returned unrepaired.
