DS18 SXE-2500 1D/BK Car Amplifier
INTRODUCTION
The DS18/ SXE amplifier is for high-quality audio reproduction for the audiophile and the everyday listener alike. Allowing you the ability to tailor the sound to best fit the speakers and your listening preferences ensures solid electrical connections that resist corrosion. Fully variable crossover. Additionally, they may be used in conjunction with
outboard 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 the selected frequency. Protection circuitry against overload, short circuit, thermal, low voltage, high voltage, and reverse polarity. These protection features are designed to protect the amplifier from misuse, as well as from common causes of amplifier failure.
FEATURES
- Compact Size for Easy Installation for Any Applications.
- Stable/Reliable Two or Four Layers Traces PCB Design.
- Surface Mount Component Technology.
- Audio Precision Quality Control Verification.
- Clipping LED Indicator.
- Full Adjustable HP/LP @ 12dB/oct Crossover.
- Multiple ways of electronic protection (thermal, overload, Short Circuit, impedance, Voltage, Clipping).
INSTALLATION
Professional installation by an authorized DS18 amps dealer is highly recommended!
Otherwise, the performance of your new gear may not be satisfactory. If 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 automobile, and possibly void the product warranty. Amplifiers are generally mounted in the hatch/trunk area of a car or SUV, and under or behind the seat of most pickup trucks. Select a location that will provide adequate ventilation for the amplifier. Avoid mounting the amplifier with
the fins facing down. The fins should be facing up, either vertically or horizontally. 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.
INPUT
- Because of the wide range of head unit output configurations, all DS18 / SXE Series amps have an adjustable input sensitivity of “Gain”; the gain is not a volume or a power limiting control like a throttle. It makes the amp more sensitive to input from the stereo. With the gain up, the amp will reach full output at a lower volume setting on the deck. At higher gain settings, the amp also becomes more sensitive to noise from the car’s electrical system.
- Try to run the gain at the lowest setting possible for your system. There is no correct gain setting. Because speakers require different power demands to reach the same output, the gains most often need to be used to compensate for these differences. If you tried to set all the gains at halfway, you would probably find the system didn’t sound perfect. Using good judgment and listening carefully to each speaker is still the best way to tune 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.
SPEAKER OUTPUTS
This amplifier is a multi-channel amplifier design. Meaning it has more than one channel of speaker outputs. Make this connection carefully and neatly. Strip your wire back and twist the exposed leads, and insert them into the block terminal while being
Careful that there are no loose or frayed strands of wire, and tighten the hexagonal head screw down on the terminal till the wire is tightly secured in place. If the wires ever come in contact with each other, the amplifier will go into protection. Know your total ohm load before you make any connections.
WIRING
INSTALLATION 1 CHANNEL
INSTALLATION OF ALL 2 CHANNELS
ALL 4 CHANNELS
ALL 2 CHANNELS (BRIDGE)
ALL 4 CHANNELS (BRIDGE)
SPECIFICATIONS
MEASUREMENT
FOR MORE MANUALS BY DS18, VISIT MANUALSLIBRARYY
DS18 SXE-2500 1D/BK Car Amplifier-FAQs
Q1. How does a car audio amplifier work?
A car amplifier boosts the weak signal from your head unit, making it strong enough to power speakers and subwoofers for clear, powerful sound.
Q2. Where are DS18 amplifiers made?
DS18 products are manufactured in Korea, Brazil, China, and some models are assembled in the USA for quality and efficiency.
Q3. How do I install a DS18 car amplifier?
Disconnect the battery, mount the amp, run power and ground wires, connect RCA inputs, attach the speaker wires, and test the setup.
Q4. What are common amplifier problems?
Issues include no sound, distorted output, overheating, or the amp entering protect mode due to wiring, power, or signal faults.
Q5. How do I check if my amplifier is working?
Connect a known-good RCA cable, power the system on, and listen for a hum or signal from each channel.
Q6. How many amps does a car amplifier need?
Most car amps require 10–30 amps, depending on the model and power output.
Q7. What are the benefits of using DS18 amplifiers?
They offer high-fidelity sound, durable build quality, and reliable power for both everyday and competition-level car audio setups.
Q8. What should I do if my DS18 amp has no sound?
Check RCA cables, speaker wiring, head unit settings, and ensure the amp isn’t in protection mode.