RD600.1: How to Set Up & Use

Introduction

This article walks you through everything you need to know to set up your Rockville RD600.1 mono amplifier. Whether you're running a factory head unit or a full aftermarket setup, the process is straightforward. You'll need your amplifier kit (included), appropriate speaker wire, and RCA cables from your music source. Both the black and gold versions of the RD600.1 are identical in terms of setup and controls.

What's in the Box

Along with the amplifier itself, you'll find:

• A bass remote knob with a built-in clip indicator
• A wire to connect the remote to the amp
• Mounting hardware for installing the amp in your vehicle
• Two Allen keys (one large, one small) for opening the terminals
• Two extra 30-amp fuses
• An owner's manual with full specs and warranty information

Speaker Terminals

On one side of the amplifier, you'll find the 8-gauge speaker wire terminals [0:59]. These connect the amp to your subwoofers. The RD600.1 is one-ohm stable, and its power output varies depending on how you wire your subs:

• 1 ohm: 600 watts RMS
• 2 ohms: 400 watts RMS
• 4 ohms: 250 watts RMS

Check the owner's manual for wiring diagrams and impedance-matching details for your specific subwoofer setup.

Power Terminals

Next to the speaker terminals are the 4-gauge power and ground terminals, with two 30-amp maxi fuses built in [1:26].

1. Run a wire from the 12V terminal on the amp to the positive terminal of your car battery.
2. Connect the remote terminal to the ignition wire of your vehicle, so the amp powers on and off with your car.
3. Connect the ground terminal to a bare spot on the metal chassis of your vehicle.

Controls and LEDs

The opposite side of the amplifier houses the controls and indicator lights.

LED Indicators

There are three LEDs on the amp [1:44]:

• Power LED: Lights up when the amplifier is on.
• Protection LED: Lights up if there's a malfunction with the amp.
• Clip LED: Lights up when the amp is being driven too loud or the signal is distorted.

Bass Equalizer

The bass equalizer knob acts as a bass boost [2:02]. If you want more low-end punch, turn this dial up. It's adjustable from 0 to 12 dB.

Low-Pass Filter

The low-pass filter controls which low-end frequencies pass through to your subwoofer [2:11]. It's adjustable from 50 Hz to 200 Hz. For example, setting it to 100 Hz means only frequencies at 100 Hz and below will play through the amp.

Subsonic High-Pass Filter

The subsonic high-pass filter sets a floor for the lowest frequencies the amp will reproduce [2:25]. It's adjustable from 10 Hz to 50 Hz. Setting it to 30 Hz, for instance, means everything below 30 Hz gets cut off.

If your subwoofer enclosure is ported, set this filter to match the tuning frequency of the enclosure. You can find the tuning frequency in the enclosure's manual or by looking up its specs online [2:44].

Input Level (Gain)

The input level dial sets the volume of the signal coming into the amplifier [2:58]. The RD600.1 accepts input signals ranging from 264 millivolts up to 8 volts, so it works with both factory head units and aftermarket setups. This control is key when setting the gain for your system. Rockville has a separate video on gain setup if you need a hand with that.

RCA Terminals

The amp has two sets of RCA terminals [3:35]:

• RCA Input: Connects your music source (like a head unit) to the amplifier.
• RCA Output: Sends the signal out to another amplifier, so you can daisy-chain a second amp without needing RCA splitters.

Connecting the Bass Remote Knob

1. Take the included remote wire and plug one end into the remote input on the amplifier [3:56].
2. Plug the other end into the port on the back of the bass remote knob [4:04].
3. Mount the remote somewhere accessible, like near the driver's seat.

Once connected, the remote lets you adjust your subwoofer's volume without having to reach the amp itself. Turn the level knob clockwise for more bass and counterclockwise for less [4:21]. The remote also has its own power LED and clip indicator, so you can monitor the amp's status at a glance.

Troubleshooting

The clip indicator on the remote (or the clip LED on the amp) is lighting up.

This means the amplifier is being pushed too hard or the signal is distorted. Turn the level knob on the bass remote counterclockwise to lower the volume until the clip light turns off [4:39].

The protection LED is on.

The protection LED indicates a malfunction. Power down the amp, double-check all your wiring connections (power, ground, speaker, and remote), and make sure nothing is loose or shorted. If the light persists after re-checking, contact Rockville's customer support team.

Conclusion

Once your power, speaker, and RCA connections are in place and the bass remote is hooked up, the RD600.1 is ready to go. Use the low-pass filter and subsonic filter to dial in the frequency range for your setup, and lean on the bass remote to make volume adjustments on the fly.