DS18 NXL-N Series Ultra-Compact Water-Resistant Amplifiers

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the DS18 NXL-N amplifiers! To take full advantage of the DS18 NXL-N amplifiers you have just purchased, please read and follow the instructions in this manual. As with all of our products, professional installation by an authorized DS18 NXL-N amplifier dealer is highly recommended. The DS18 NXL-N water-resistant amplifiers offer high-quality audio reproduction for both audiophiles and everyday listeners alike. All models feature fully variable crossovers with 12 dB per octave slopes, allowing you to tailor the sound to best fit your speakers and listening preferences.

Protruding Sealed Wiring: Ensures solid electrical connections that resist corrosion.

Fully Variable Crossovers: Makes installation easy and saves the cost of external crossovers. Additionally, they can be used in conjunction with external passive or active crossovers, depending on the complexity required by the system. The 12dB per octave slope offers a steep roll-off above or below.

Protection Circuitry: Protection against Overload, Short Circuit, Thermal, and Reverse Polarity. These protection features are designed to protect the amplifier from misuse, as well as from common causes of amplifier failure.

Features

• Latest Full-Range Digital Design Based on IR Platform
• Ultra-Compact Size for Easy Installation for Powersports Applications
• Variable Full Crossover Filter: LPF / FULL / HPF (NXL-N2, N4 and N4BT)
• Surface Mount Component Technology
• Quality Control Verification Using AP Instruments
• Stable & Reliable Four-Layer PCB Trace Layout
• Fully Aluminum Chassis Design
• Power & Protection LED Light Status Indicator
• Short Circuit, Thermal, and Voltage Protection
• IP67 Waterproof Rating for Powersports Applications
• NXL-N4BT: Built-In Bluetooth Receiver

Input Section

Because of the wide range of head unit output configurations, all DS18 NXL-N amplifiers have an adjustable input sensitivity control of "Gain." The gain is not a volume or power-limiting control like a throttle. It increases the amplifier's sensitivity to input from the stereo. With the gain turned up, the amplifier will reach full output at a lower volume setting on the head unit. However, at higher gain settings, the amplifier also becomes more sensitive to noise from the vehicle's electrical system. It is recommended to run the gain at the lowest setting possible for your system. There is no single "correct" gain setting because different speakers require different amounts of power to achieve the same output; the gain must often be adjusted to compensate for these variations. If you try to set all the gains at half way, you would probably find the system doesn't sound very good. Using good judgment and carefully listening to each speaker is still the best method for tuning a system.

Crossover Controls

A crossover is a device that removes unwanted frequencies from a speaker or amplifier. A tweeter can easily be destroyed by bass notes if they are not filtered out. Likewise, a subwoofer will not sound natural if it is playing midrange notes. A crossover removes these sounds from the speaker. As you might guess, careful adjustment is needed to ensure that all the speakers are playing the right sounds and that you are left with no "holes" or low spots in the frequency response.

Bass Boost

The DS18 NXL-N1 amplifier has an adjustable bass boost. Begin your adjustments at low volume. If you do not hear any improvement, then the woofer does not need any bass boost. The Low-Pass Filter (LPF) must be switched on for the bass boost to activate. Use Bass Boost carefully. The demands on power output are tremendous. Try to minimize the use by changing the woofer position or the enclosure size.

Speaker Outputs

These amplifiers come in a single or multi-channel design, meaning they have one or more channels of speaker outputs. Make these connections carefully, cover and secure all your connections against the elements.

WE LIKE IT LOUD

Installation Guide

Read Before Installation

1. Be sure to carefully read and understand the instructions before attempting to install these speakers.
2. For safety, disconnect the negative battery terminal from the battery prior to beginning the installation.
3. For easier assembly, we suggest you run all wires prior to mounting speakers. Have all your tools at hand: drill, set of Allen keys, crimpers, soldering iron, wire strippers, heat shrink tubing, etc.
4. Use high-quality connectors for a reliable installation and to minimize signal or power loss.
5. Think before you drill! Be careful not to cut or drill into gas tanks, fuel lines, brake or hydraulic lines, vacuum lines, or electrical wiring when working on any vehicle. If installed in a boat, take care not to cut or drill through the main hull.
6. Never place cables near fuel lines or power (if possible), also never run wires underneath the vehicle; running the wires inside the vehicle or hull area provides the best protection.
7. Avoid running wires over or through sharp edges; use rubber or plastic grommets to protect any wires routed through metal, especially the firewall.

Amplifier Installation

Professional installation by an authorized DS18 NXL-N amplifier dealer is highly recommended! Otherwise, the performance of your new gear may not be satisfactory. In the event that you decide to do your own installation, please read and follow this manual very carefully. Failure to do so may compromise the integrity of this product, your vehicle, and possibly void the product warranty. Amplifiers are generally mounted in closed compartments of the vehicle or watercrafts. Select a location that will provide adequate ventilation for the amplifier. Avoid mounting the amplifier in exposed areas. Secure the amplifier with the screws provided. Before securing the amplifier, inspect the mounting location carefully to ensure that you do not drill into or damage any electrical, hydraulic, fluid, or fuel lines.

1. Before you start, disconnect the negative cable from the car battery. Tape up the end so it is isolated from the battery.
2. Run an appropriate gauge wire from the battery to the amplifier. Plan this part of the installation carefully. This cable will carry very high current; if it should short to the body and it is not properly fused, it could catch fire.
3. Connect the power wire to the battery using a fuse capable of the total current load of all amplifiers connected. Don't install the fuse yet. Wait until the end. Locate the fuse as close as possible to the battery. If the fuse is further than 18 inches (wire length) from the battery, you should reevaluate the wire and fuse placement.
4. Find the closest clear metal area to the amplifier for a ground. Sand, grind, or scrape all paint and undercoating from the body and screw the ground securely in place. In some vehicles or boats, the ground wire must go directly to the battery. Use a proper size and color wire to identify as a ground wire and avoid mixing it with the positive wire. It is advisable to test the ground with an ohmmeter between the ground cable and the negative battery cable to ensure a good low resistance connection. Some alloys used in modern vehicles do not offer the best ground. If you believe this is the case, first consult with the vehicle manufacturer.
5. Run the speaker wire to the speaker or speakers. It is advised that you leave some extra wire at this point, which can be cleaned up later. These amplifiers are a one or multi-channel design, meaning it has one or multiple channels of speaker outputs. Make your connections and use an insulated waterproof marine butt connector. If the wires ever contact each other, the amplifier will go into protection mode.
6. If you haven't done so already, mount the amplifier now. Only after this step, you should connect back the negative cable at the battery.
7. Connect the remote wire and the RCA audio signal from the Head Unit to the amplifier. NXL-N4BT can also be installed via a Bluetooth transmitter; you will need to add the remote turn-on.
8. Connect the speaker wires to the amplifier and speakers (make sure the amp is off first). Make sure the polarity (+) and (-) is correct.
9. Now you can tune the amp. Take your time and make only one adjustment at a time. It may take some time to get the system fully adjusted. During this time, the amp is drawing current from the battery. You should check the battery voltage from time to time and recharge it if it gets low. That's it. You're done. Now have fun.

WARNING: Professional installation by an authorized DS18 amps dealer is highly recommended! Otherwise, the performance of your new gear may not be satisfactory. In the event that you decide to do your own installation, please read and follow this manual very carefully. Failure to do so may compromise the integrity of this product, your vehicle, and possibly void the product warranty.

Wiring Diagrams

The following diagrams illustrate typical wiring configurations for the NXL-N series amplifiers. Ensure all connections are secure and protected from the elements.

NXL-N1 Wiring Diagram Description

This diagram shows the NXL-N1 monoblock amplifier. Key connections include:

• RCA SUBWOOFER IN: For subwoofer signal input.
• MRX1 PRESETS, BAND: Controls for bass boost and crossover settings.
• REMOTE IN: For turning the amplifier on/off remotely.
• SUBWOOFER (1-8 OHM): Speaker output terminals for a subwoofer, supporting 1 to 8 Ohm impedance.
• Fuse at battery for wire short protection: A fuse should be installed near the battery on the main power wire for protection against short circuits.

NXL-N2 Wiring Diagram Description

This diagram illustrates the NXL-N2 2-channel amplifier. It supports both stereo and bridge modes:

• RCA AUDIO IN: For stereo audio signal input.
• BRIDGE MODE / MODO PUENTE (SUBWOOFER 2-8 OHM): Connect a subwoofer here when using the amplifier in bridge mode (combining two channels for higher power). Supports 2 to 8 Ohm impedance.
• REMOTE IN: For remote turn-on.
• STEREO MODE / MODO ESTÉREO: Speaker outputs for connecting two speakers individually (2-8 Ohm impedance each).
• Fuse at battery for wire short protection: Fuse placement near the battery for power wire protection.

NXL-N4 Wiring Diagram Description

This diagram shows the NXL-N4 4-channel amplifier. It supports stereo and bridge modes:

• RCA FRONT AUDIO IN: For front channel audio signal input.
• RCA REAR AUDIO IN: For rear channel audio signal input.
• BRIDGE MODE / MODO PUENTE (SUBWOOFER 2-8 OHM): Speaker outputs for connecting subwoofers in bridge mode (two channels combined). Supports 2 to 8 Ohm impedance.
• REMOTE IN: For remote turn-on.
• STEREO MODE / MODO ESTÉREO: Speaker outputs for connecting four speakers individually (2-8 Ohm impedance each).
• Fuse at battery for wire short protection: Fuse placement near the battery for power wire protection.

NXL-N4BT Wiring Diagram Description

This diagram illustrates the NXL-N4BT 4-channel amplifier with Bluetooth. It includes standard connections and Bluetooth functionality:

• RCA AUDIO IN: For wired audio signal input.
• REMOTE IN: For remote turn-on.
• SPEAKER OUTPUTS (2-8 OHM): Standard speaker outputs for 4 channels, supporting 2 to 8 Ohm impedance.
• Bluetooth Connection Note: For Bluetooth connection, search for "DS18 NXL-N4BT" on your media device.
• Power Input: Shows connection to the battery via a fuse box and ignition key switch for power and remote turn-on.
• Fuse box / Caja de fusibles
• Ignition key switch / Llave de contacto
• Fuse at battery for wire short protection: Fuse placement near the battery for power wire protection.

Specifications

Detailed specifications for each model:

NXL-N1 Specifications

NXL-N2 Specifications

NXL-N4 Specifications

NXL-N4BT Specifications

Dimensions

Diagram showing dimensions for all models:

• Overall Width: 3.67" / 93.4mm
• Overall Height: 1.56" / 39.8mm
• Overall Length: 7.87" / 200mm
• Heatsink Length: 7.16" / 182mm

Note: Dimensions are consistent across NXL-N1, NXL-N2, NXL-N4, and NXL-N4BT models.

Troubleshooting

Before removing your amplifier, refer to the list below and follow the suggested procedures. Always test the speakers and their wiring first.

Amplifier Won't Power Up

• Check for good ground connection.
• Check that the remote DC terminal has at least 10V DC.
• Check that there is battery power on the + terminal.
• Check all FUSES.
• Check that the Protection LED is not lit. If it is lit, turn off the amplifier briefly, then power it back on.

High Hiss or Engine Noise (Alternator Whine) in Speakers

Disconnect all RCA inputs to the amplifier. If the hiss noise disappears, plug in the component driving the amplifier and unplug its inputs. Continue this process until the faulty or noisy component is identified. It is best to set the amplifier input level as insensitive as possible. This provides the best subjective S/N ratio. Try to drive the highest signal level possible from the head unit.

Protection LED Comes On When the Amplifier is Powered Up

Check for shorts in the speaker leads. Make sure the head unit's volume control is turned down low. Remove the speaker leads and reset the amplifier. If the Protection LED still turns on, the amplifier may be faulty. The amplifier will automatically shut down when the unit's temperature reaches 85°C to prevent damage.

Amplifier Gets Very Hot

Check that the minimum speaker impedance for that model is correct. Check for speaker shorts. Check that there is good airflow around the amplifier. In some applications, an external cooling fan may be required.

Distorted Sound

Check that the Level Controls are set to match the signal level of the head unit. Check that all crossover frequencies have been properly set. Check for shorts on the speaker leads.

High Squeal Noise from Speakers

This is always caused by a poorly grounded RCA wire.

Regulatory Information

FCC ID: 2AYOQ-NXL-N4BT

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Changes or modifications to this product not authorized by DS18 could void the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and wireless compliance and negate your authority to operate the product.

Warranty and Warnings

Warranty: Please visit our website DS18.com for more information on our warranty policy.

We reserve the right to change products and specifications at any time without notice. Images may or may not include optional equipment.

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