Kicker 47KEYLOC Smart Line Output Converter

$150.00

2-channel LOC with automatic tuning DSP

About the Kicker 47KEYLOC Smart Line Output Converter

Aftermarket integration done right

We’re encountering more and more instances where the factory stereo system in a vehicle can’t be replaced or bypassed, so any aftermarket amps and processors have to use the speaker wiring in order to get signal. We’ve also found that not all wires carry a full-range signal — high frequencies go to tweeters, midrange sounds may go to door speakers, and low frequencies go to a factory subwoofer — making it pretty complicated to access a full-range signal for your aftermarket system.

KEYLOC to the rescue

Kicker’s KEYLOC Smart Line-Out Converter solves these issues by, first, automatically detecting the frequency range of the speaker wiring you want to use for your system’s input, so you’ll know if you’re tapping into a full-range signal or not. Then, you engage the KEYLOC’s factory EQ correction feature to produce a flat response for your aftermarket system to handle. After installation, you download test tones and tracks, free from Kicker, to use for signal identification and restoration. The device’s KEY button gets you into the automatic programming and set-up modes, where you use four different Kicker files to analyze the factory signal and then restore full-range sound, while blinking LEDs indicate what’s happening.

Manual override

Some factory systems have one speaker, usually the front passenger side, purposely wired out of phase to give a 3-D effect to the sound. You can program your KEYLOC to correct for that. You can also program the KEYLOC to pass low frequencies only, when you’re only adding a subwoofer to your system.

It’ll fit in anywhere

This unit is so small it’ll fit in most dashes. Kicker’s FIT2™ technology — with speaker-level inputs that can take up to 400 watts RMS — ensures this line output converter will work in almost any system. A Radio-Detect function makes sure you never get a “No Speakers Detected” message on your receiver’s display when you install this processor. Output gain controls let you adjust your KEYLOC’s output to match your amplifier’s input sensitivity.

Black KICKER audio processor, front view.

Product highlights:

2-channel active line output converter
automatic frequency response detection (RTA)
automatic factory EQ correction (DE-EQ)
- download test tones and tracks from Kicker.com/test-tones
- manual programming includes an all-pass option to remove factory phase issues
2 speaker-level inputs with up to 400 watts RMS power handling
2 preamp-level outputs (up to 10V)
output gain controls
12-volt turn-on lead output
fuse rating: 2A x 1
dimensions: 5-3/4″W x 1-7/16″H x 2-7/8″D
warranty: 2 years

What’s in the box:

Kicker 47KEYLOC Smart Line Output Converter owner’s manual
DSP-Controlled line-output converter (2 ch.)
10″ 8-Pin harness
Four 10mm screws
Quickstart guide
Kicker Tech Support information

More details on the Kicker 47KEYLOC Smart Line Output Converter

Product Research

Features

Overview: The Kicker KEYLOC is a 2-channel line-out converter with DSP processing that can detect, analyze, and correct the audio from you factory system, when adding aftermarket amplifiers. The KEYLOC’s patent-pending KEY algorithm automatically detects and analyzes crossovers, EQ, time delay, and any all-pass filters present. It will then correct these various audio treatments, for the smoothest frequency response possible, and level-matches the left and right audio channels, giving you a clean, uncolored audio signal for your aftermarket amplifiers.

DSP Features: The KEYLOC’s 2-channel DSP processing includes the following features:

Automatic Turn-On: The KEYLOC senses DC offset on the speaker-level inputs, between 2.5V and 6V, to automatically power on. A Remote In wire can be used if the connected headunit features a turn-on output. The KEYLOC features a corresponding Remote Output wire that can provide a +12V output signal to power on other equipment.
Frequency Response Correction: Smoothes the frequency response on the 2 input channels via EQ correction, with Q’s ranging from 0.5 – 10 with up to ±12dB of boost or cut.
Factory Time Delay Defeat: Ranges from .06mS – 10mS, with .06mS accuracy.
All-Pass Filter Defeat: The KEYLOC can correct up to 3 all-pass filters on one channel. The all-pass filters can even have a Q ranging from 0.5-3.5, as long as they’re not interacting with other all-pass filters.
Passive Frequency Detection: The KEYLOC’s default status is in Passive Frequency Detection mode which can detect what band of frequencies are available on each of the speaker input channels.

Signal Identification & Restoration: The KEYLOC setup process includes playing various test tones through the system for analysis and correction. Test tones for the converter are not included and can be found here. Three top-panel LEDs, Low, Mid, and High, can show what frequencies have been detected for each channel, using the downloaded Pink Noise track:

Low: 20Hz – 200Hz
Mid: 200Hz – 2kHz
High: 2kHz – 20kHzNotes:
- Pink noise test tones are NOT included and can be downloaded here.
- Factory noise-canceling and active noise enhancement must be disabled before running the Auto-Setup.

Signal analysis and restoration are completed using the downloaded GainMatchSweep, Noisefloor, and FullTest test tracks. These are custom audio files that, when played from your headunit, will allow the KEYLOC to determine what frequency, coloration, and staging corrections to make. When completed, the KEY button will let you toggle between the original sound and the corrected sound, for a quick A/B comparison. It’s also used for navigating through the setup, menus, and for resetting the module back to default. When the automatic setup is complete, the following Menu options are provided via the top-panel LEDs:

LED 1: All-pass or Time-Delay defeat On/Off.
- Solid: Time-Delay correction is active.
- Blinking: Time-Delay & All-Pass are defeated.
LED 2: Indicates if Left/Right channel gain matching is On (solid) or Off (blinking).
LED 3: Reset (hold KEY button for 10 seconds).
LED 4: Exits the Menu (hold KEY button for 1 second).

Additional Controls, Indicators and Wiring:

Input Sensitivity (Hi/Lo): This 2-way push-button lets you select the input signal range. If the signal is coming from a factory headunit, the Lo setting should be used. If connecting to the output of a factory amplifier, the Hi range should be used.
- Lo: Accepts signals ranging from 125mV – 10V. This setting incorporates a 60Ω load on the input, allowing it to be used with factory radios that would normally stop outputting sound when no speaker is detected on the wire.
- Hi: Accepts signals ranging from 1V – 40V.
Input Gain: Used to fine-tune the input signal level once the Input Sensitivity range has been selected.
Output Gain: Adjusts the converted signal level passing from the RCA output jacks.
Power LED: Lights when the processor is powered on.
EQ LED: Indicates when the processor is passing a corrected signal to the output (LED on), or when the correction is defeated (LED off). This can be toggled on/off with the KEY button.

Wiring: An 8-pin Molex connector includes the following wires:

Yellow: Connects to a +12V constant power source. This line should be protected with a 2A fuse (not included).
Red: Remote turn-on input.
Blue/White: Remote turn-on output.
Black: Chassis ground.
White: Left front speaker input (+).
White/Black: Left front speaker input (-).
Gray: Right front speaker input (+).
Gray/Black: Right front speaker input (-).

Outputs: Two female RCA jacks provide the audio output, with up to 10Vrms of signal strength.

Mounting: The Kicker KEYLOC module can be mounted using the 4 screw-hole tabs and the provided hardware, or using standard wire-ties (not included). Its compact size allows it to be mounted in most dashes or tight compartment spaces.