POWER AMPLIFIER OWNER'S MANUAL
Introduction
CONGRATULATIONS...
on your purchase of a new MTX Audio
Thunder Amplifier! MTX has long been the
industry leader in mobile enclosures and
speakers, and we have reached new heights
with the development of the new MTX
Thunder amplifiers. You couldn't have cho-
sen a more reliable, powerful, or better per-
forming amplifier. In fact, we back up every
Thunder amplifier with a three-year warranty
if installed by an authorized MTX Audio
retailer (see the warranty statement).
Your new MTX Thunder amplifier was
designed, built and thoroughly tested at our
state-of-the-art electronics manufacturing facility.
We manufacture every amplifier using the latest
Intelligent Surface Mount Technology. Some of the
advantages of the new design are its significant
improvements to the amplifier's electrical and
mechanical properties. ISMT devices feature sub-
stantially shorter internal and external lead lengths.
This reduces stray capacitance and inductance,
which results in cleaner and more accurate musical
reproduction with significantly less noise interfer-
ence. The ISMT mounter produces amplifier boards
with smaller and lighter components, which are
more resistant to vibrations inherent in the automo-
tive environment.
A word about power ratings. It is important for you
to know how they stack up. MTX has chosen the
most honest, most conservative way to rate our
amps. We show you the RMS power, at 12.5 volts,
and dynamic power at 14.4 volts. However, we go
above and beyond the call of duty. We test each
amplifier. The technician records the "actual"
power output, and records this number on your
Certified Performance Certificate. The amplifier
must meet or exceed the rated specification before
we'll ship it. No questions. No exceptions.
We want to ensure you get continuous high per-
formance from your MTX Thunder amplifier, so we
recommend that you have it professionally installed
by your authorized MTX dealer.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
If you are installing this amplifier yourself, we rec-
ommend that you read the manual cover-to-cover
before you install it. Familiarize yourself with the
features and details on the input and output panels.
Make sure you have all the equipment you need.
Then follow the step-by-step installation instruc-
tions included. Sample installation diagrams may be
found on our website:
mtx.com
If you have any questions, write or call us:
MTX Audio
4545 E. Baseline Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85042
602-438-4545 • 800-CALL MTX
technical@mtx.com
mtx.com
Please take a moment to register your purchase
on-line at mtx.com.
Please also record the serial number of your
amplifier in the space provided below and keep this
manual for future reference, as well as your sales
receipt as proof of ownership. (The serial number
of your amplifier is marked on the bottom of its
metal chassis.)
SERIAL NUMBER:
DATE OF PURCHASE:
Features
• Thunder Amplifiers are Covered by One or More
of the Following United States of America
Patents: #5,598,325, #5,631,608, #5,783,970
• Acoustically Seamless Turn-On/Turn-Off
• Adjustable Input Sensitivity
• Anti-Shock PCB Mounting Design
• High Powered Transformer
• Intelligent Surface Mount Technology
• Nickel-Plated, Heavy Duty Terminal
Block Connectors
• Patented PWM MOSFET Switching Power Supply
• Real Time Computerized Protection Circuit
• Unique Rubber Insulated Iso-Feet™
• 24dB/Octave Crossover
Specifications
THUNDER421D
• RMS Power measured at 12.5 Volts DC:
150 Watts x 1 into a 4 Ohm load with less than 1% Thd+N
300 Watts x 1 into a 2 Ohm load with less than 1% Thd+N
• Dynamic Power measured at 14.4 Volts DC:
210 Watts x 1 into a 4 Ohm load
420 Watts x 1 into a 2 Ohm load
• Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥100dB A-Weighted
• Damping Factor: >100
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-200Hz ± 3dB
• Maximum Input: 8Vrms
• Thunder EQ: Variable Bass Boost (0-18dB) centered at 40Hz
• Crossover: Variable 40Hz to 200Hz, 24dB/Octave Low Pass
• Dimensions: 9.4" x 9.75" x 2.1" (23.9cm x 24.8cm x 5.3cm)
THUNDER801D
• RMS Power measured at 12.5 Volts DC:
250 Watts x 1 into a 4 Ohm load with less than 1% Thd+N
500 Watts x 1 into a 2 Ohm load with less than 1% Thd+N
• Dynamic Power measured at 14.4 Volts DC:
400 Watts x 1 into a 4 Ohm load
800 Watts x 1 into a 2 Ohm load
• Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥100dB A-Weighted
• Frequency Response: >100
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-200Hz ± 3dB
• Maximum Input: 8Vrms
• Thunder EQ: Variable Bass Boost (0-18dB) centered at 40Hz
• Crossover: Variable 40Hz to 200Hz, 24dB/Octave Low Pass
• Dimensions: 11.5" x 9.75" x 2.1" (29.3cm x 24.8cm x 5.3cm)
• Adaptive Class D Technology
• Buffered RCA Output for Daisy-Chaining
Multiple Amplifiers
• Color-Coded Wire Harness for Speaker-Level
Input Installation
• External Bass Control (EBC) Port
• High Power Inductor Output Filter
• Pure N-Channel Design
• Speaker and Low Level Inputs
• Thunder EQ Bass Enhancement
• Smart-Engage™ Auto Turn-On for Easy
Integration with Factory Head Units
(THUNDER421D, THUNDER801D)
• Phase Select (Thunder1501D)
THUNDER1501D
• RMS Power measured at 12.5 Volts DC:
500 Watts x 1 into a 4 Ohm load with less than 2% Thd+N
1000 Watts x 1 into a 2 Ohm load with less than 2% Thd+N
• Dynamic Power measured at 14.4 Volts DC:
750 Watts x 1 into a 4 Ohm load
1500 Watts x 1 into a 2 Ohm load
• Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥100dB A-Weighted
• Damping Factor: >100
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-200Hz ± 3dB
• Maximum Input: 8Vrms
• Thunder EQ: Variable Bass Boost (0-18dB) centered at 40Hz
• Crossover: Variable 40Hz to 200Hz, 24dB/Octave Low Pass
• Dimensions: 17.8" x 9.75" x 2.1" (45.3cm x 24.8cm x 5.3cm)