Rockford Fosgate®

Punch® Amplifiers

P500-4

500 Watt 4-Channel Amplifier

The Punch P500-4 multi-channel amplifier is versatile to power any audio system configuration. In addition to 4-channel stereo mode, you can bridge both channels to create a high power 2-channel amp, or run stereo speakers on the front with subwoofers on the rear in 3-channel mode. The variable HP/LP crossover and built-in Punch EQ allows for precise tuning of Bass frequencies and the Pass-Thru RCA jacks provide flexibility as your system grows and keeping Y-adapters to a minimum.

	Updated 7/8/2010
	MSRP $479.99

2010 Punch Multi-Channel Amplifiers - owner's manual

P500-1bd
500 Watt Class-bd Mono Amplifier

P500-4
500 Watt 4-Channel Amplifier

PP15mm
15mm In-Ear Monitors

	12dB/octave crossover
	2/4 channel switch
	4 Gauge power/ground terminals
	Audiophile grade speaker connections
	MOSFET output stage
	MOSFET power supply
	Top Mounted LED Indicators

CEA-2006

Power ratings on Rockford Fosgate amplifiers conform to CEA-2006 industry standards. These guidelines mean your amplifier's output power ratings are REAL POWER numbers, not inflated marketing ratings.
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DSM

DSM utilize 1% tight-tolerances improving efficiency of the circuit, decreases cross-talk from other discrete components and lowers operating temperature.
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Dynamic Thermal Management

Evenly distributes excess heat across entire amplifier heatsink.
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MEHSA³

MEHSA³ reduces MOSFET temperatures, lowers distortion, increases durability and prolongs the output device life span.
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NOMAD

NOMAD is a "real time" analog computer that protects your amplifier from shorting speaker wires and dangerously low speaker impedances.
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Punch EQ2

U.S. Patent (Patent Pending)

Onboard equalizer with up to +18dB @ 35Hz and/or up to +12dB boost at 12kHz.
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Rockford Fosgate Avatar

These Avatars are a personal signature from the Rockford Fosgate team member who designed and engineered this fanatic product. This statement illustrates our commitment to being Designed and Engineered in the U.S.A.
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TO-247 MOSFETs

(left-OLD | right-NEW)
Rockford Fosgate amps use custom TO-247 MOSFETs. These have 60% more metal tab area for more power capacity, lower impedance and improved heat dissipation over traditional TO-220 MOSFETs found in competitor amps.
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TRANS•ana

U.S. Patent (4,467,288)

Trans•ana simplifies the signal path of the amplifier allowing the signal to travel through the amplifier at a lower voltage. The result is greater reliability and exceptional sound quality.
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CONSUMER
LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION

Rockford Corporation offers a limited warranty on Rockford Fosgate products on the following terms:

Length of Warranty (U.S.A.)
• Standard Warrany - 1 Year
• Extended Warranty - 1 Additional Year (2 Years Total) (see extended warranty below)
• Factory Refurbished Warranty - 90 Days

Length of Warranty (World Wide)
Warranties vary by country. Please contact your local Authorized Distributor for further terms & conditions.

What is Covered
This warranty applies only to Rockford Fosgate products sold to consumers by Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealers in the United States of America or its possessions. Product purchased by consumers from an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer in another country are covered only by that country's Distributor and not by Rockford Corporation.

Who is Covered
This warranty covers only the original purchaser of Rockford product purchased from an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer in the United States. In order to receive service, the purchaser must provide Rockford with a copy of the receipt stating the customer name, dealer name, product purchased and date of purchase.

Products found to be defective during the warranty period will be repaired or replaced (with a product deemed to be equivalent) at Rockford Fosgate's discretion.

What is Not Covered

Damage caused by accident, abuse, improper operations, water, theft, shipping.
Any cost or expense related to the removal or reinstallation of product.
Service performed by anyone other than Rockford or an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Service Center.
Any product which has had the serial number defaced, altered, or removed.
Subsequent damage to other components.
Any product purchased outside the U.S.
Any product not purchased from an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer.

Limit on Implied Warranties
Any implied warranties including warranties of fitness for use and merchantability are limited in duration to the period of the express warranty set forth above. Some states do not allow limitations on the length of an implied warranty, so this limitation may not apply. No person is authorized to assume for Rockford Fosgate any other liability in connection with the sale of the product.

How to Obtain Service (See Return Authorization Process)
Contact the Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer you purchased this product from. If you need further assistance, call 1-800-669-9899 for Rockford Customer Service. You must obtain an RA# (Return Authorization number) to return any product to Rockford Fosgate. You are responsible for shipment of product to Rockford.

EU Warranty
This product meets the current EU warranty requirements, see your Authorized Distributor for details.

EXTENDED WARRANTY

This amplifier qualifies for a FREE one-year extended warranty when you buy the correctly matched Rockford Fosgate Amplifier Installation Kit.

How it Works
We want you to get the performance and reliability that Rockford Fosgate Amplifiers are famous for. Using poor-quality (under-spec) wiring is a guaranteed way to get less than you paid for from your system.

We are so certain that getting your system wired to rock with the right wire and cables will make a difference, that we will give you an additional (1) year warranty on your amp when you use the matching amplifier installation kit.

One (1) warranty extension per amplifier regardless of the number of amplifier installation kits purchased.

What To Do
Cut the UPC code off the amplifier installation kit package. Attach it to your amplifier PVC (Performance Verification Certificate). There is nothing to send in or register. If your amplifier requires service during the extended warranty period, simply return it with the original PVC and amplifier kit UPC to your authorized Rockford Fosgate dealer. Contact Rockford Fosgate customer support for assistance.

What Kits Qualify?
• View list of qualifying amp installation kits

Return Authorization Process

Diagnose First
Prior to requesting an RA, try to diagnose the failure. Many products we receive are sent back with No Trouble Found, usually due to incorrect installation. Use our RFTECH:Knowledge Base for troubleshooting assistance.

Contact Customer Support
Please call us during normal business hours at 1-800-669-9899 (option #1) and be prepared with the following information:

Your Name and Shipping Information
Product Name (P500-4)
Serial Number (13 digit number)
Failure Diagnosis (no output, no power LED, etc. )
Copy of Original Receipt (required for warranty claims)
Credit Card (if paying in advance for out-of-warranty claims)

Shipping Instructions
When shipping your product, your package MUST have the following information:

RA# Printed Outside of Box (as large as possible)
Copy of Original Receipt
Money Order Taped to Bottom of Product (if credit card not supplied during RA process)

Shipping Address
Ship your product (UPS or FedEx preferred) to the following:

»Shipping Electronics:	»Shipping Speakers:
Rockford Corporation Amplifier Warranty Department 955 North Fiesta Boulevard Suite #4 Gilbert, AZ 85233 RA#:_______________________	Rockford Corporation Speaker Warranty Department 955 North Fiesta Boulevard Suite #4 Gilbert, AZ 85233 RA#:___________________

Compatible Woofer Configurations

The below woofer wiring diagrams are compatible with this amplifier and are designed to optimize power output. The diagrams were selected simply by choosing woofer configurations that match the amplifier's recommended speaker load. Care should be taken to select woofers that can safely handle the amplifier's RMS power output.

For more information, refer to our Glossary definitions for Ohm and Impedance.

•	The below diagrams optimize this amp for its lowest recommended BRIDGED/MONO load.

•	This allows FRONT channels to run STEREO speakers while REAR channels run WOOFERS.

4Ω Amp Load Diagrams

New Speaker Polarity

Positive +	Negative -
red post	black post

Old Speaker Polarity

Older Rockford Fosgate speakers (SP, SPP, RFA) utilized painted dots to indicate terminal polarity & impedance.
Positive +	Negative -
purple 4Ω	no dot
red 8Ω	no dot

Knowledge Base

	Differences between SVC and DVC subwoofers
	Differences between subwoofer voice coil types
	How do speakers get blown? Why do they sound distorted?
	Instructions on building a subwoofer enclosure

The AudioGraph® PowerCube® illustrates dynamic power capabilities of an amplifier. The PowerCube® tests an amplifier's ability to deliver linearly short term current into capacitive and inductive (not just resistive) speaker loads. These tests are designed to mimic an amplifier's ability to perform under real-world 4-ohm speaker loads. DO NOT follow the impedance loads illustrated in the charts - refer to your amplifier's owners manual for minimum "ohm" loads.

What is a PowerCube®? The PowerCube by AudioGraph is a specially designed test device that simulates a real speaker load playing a musical signal. Rockford Fosgate utilizes the PowerCube to show our customers an amplifier's performance in a real world environment, NOT an amplifier's unrealistic power rating into a laboratory load resistor. It is not possible to "tweak" the test to make an amplifier look beter or worse.

The device tests at (20) different impedances, not to see if the amplifier can drive those impedances of a loudspeaker, but to get the current draw on the amplifier to a level where it approximates the current requirements of a single 8Ω speaker. If an amplifier's PowerCube shows obvious problems and is not "cubic" in appearance, then that amplifier really will not drive an 8Ω speaker correctly, let alone a 4Ω or lower impedance load. This should be an easy test for a high quality amplifier to "pass". The test asks the amplifier to deliver high current for 20 milliseconds.

An amplifier that will not produce a "cubic" appearing cube almost always has power supply, protection circuitry or other circuit design problems or shortcomings.

If the PowerCube is relatively "cubic" in appearance, and the power expressed almost doubles as the load impedance is halved, then the amp should be able to adequately drive a normal loudspeaker, and will obviously be a better choice for lower impedances as well, when compared to an amplifier that does not produce a "cubic" cube. RF beleives that the information gleaned from testing with the PowerCube is valuable because it accurately predicts the output capabilities of a given amplifier, and perhaps even more importantly, the ability of an amplifier to drive a loudspeaker correctly. It shows problems in areas of amplifier design such as oscillations due to reactive loads, or inhibitive protection schemes that are not obvious during other test methods.

The PowerCube is Fair, unbiased and always accurate!

READING THE TEST AND CUBE QUICKLY

Figures 1 - 6 are taken from the PowerCube owners manual. All amplifiers should strive for Figure 1, the Perfect Amplifier. It's very hard to achieve a Figure 1 type cube. Look for them, perfection is rare.

Figure 1.
Perfect Amplifier
This amplifier works as a perfect voltage generator and is not affected by battery voltage, impedance or current demand.

Figure 4.
Current Limiting
This amplifier probably has too few output devices. To protect them, the amplifier has an electronic protection circuit which turns off the amplifier at "dangerous loads."

Figure 2.
Good Example
This is an amplifier with typically good behavior. There are some low impedances losses, but the PowerCube is still cubic.

Figure 5.
Oscillating
This amplifier is not stable at certain reactive loads. As a result, the distortion is always over 1% THD and the resulting output power is 0 watts.

Figure 3.
Poor Power Supply
This amplifier's power supply is too small or has too few output devices and cannot produce enough current in low impedances. As a result, the dynamic output power gets lower in these impedances.

Figure 6.
Poor Protection Circuitry
This amplifier is designed for higher impedance application. Subsequently, it shuts down into low impedance loads.

For more detailed information regarding the PowerCube visit www.audiograph.se
AudioGraph® & PowerCube® are registered trademarks of AudioGraph AB, Sweden.

Punch® Amplifiers
P500-4
Combined Front/Rear

Chart.

Bright Idea (Product Feedback)

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Car Audio Fanatics - do you have a Bright Idea to make the P500-4 better? Would you like to suggest a new FAQ or an addition to the owner's manual to clarify an installation issue? If so, our New Product Development team would like to hear your feedback.

Personal Information

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*	Last Name:
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My Idea

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Legal Agreement

*	Submission Policy: Rockford Corporation “Bright Idea” Policy Statement Thank you for your interest in submitting an idea or invention to Rockford Corporation (“Rockford”). Each and every year Rockford and its affiliates and subsidiaries receive a significant number of communications containing ideas and suggestions for its use. These ideas relate to new inventions, new products, product names, advertising campaigns, marketing strategies as well as other matters relating to Rockford’s business. For convenience, we will refer to all types of submissions as “ideas” or “submissions.” As a company founded on providing innovative new products to its customers, Rockford greatly appreciates these submissions and the interest in Rockford and its business. However, Rockford has access to many ideas through its extensive experience, research activities, employees, independent contractors and other sources. It is, therefore, likely that any idea submitted is already known or available to Rockford. As a result, Rockford finds it necessary to set forth a uniform policy concerning submitted ideas. Rockford wants you to protect whatever interests, if any, you may have in your submission before disclosing it to us. We cannot do that for you so you will need to do your own research and, if you choose, consult with an attorney so that you fully understand your legal rights in your submission – or more likely the lack of such rights. At the same time, Rockford must also protect its interests and avoid misunderstandings or disputes with submitters if Rockford products, product names, advertising campaigns, or marketing strategies might appear similar to ideas or suggestions submitted to Rockford. For this reason, we will not consider any idea submitted unless the submitter follows the process outlined below and provides a signed “Submission Release.” [www.rockfordfosgate.com/brightidea/] Most ideas and suggestions submitted to Rockford are not protectible by patent, trademark, copyright or other laws and are submitted without any thought of compensation. While Rockford certainly appreciates the enthusiasm with which these ideas are given, you should understand that Rockford does not usually act on such proposals. In rare situations, the persons making the submission may have a unique product or plan that Rockford is interested in further investigating. For that reason, Rockford has created a two-tier process for idea submissions. 1) SUBMISSION FOR NON-PATENTED, NON-PATENTABLE OR UNREGISTERED IDEAS, MATERIALS, CONCEPTS, NAMES, PROGRAMS AND LIKE MATERIALS. [WWW.ROCKFORDFOSGATE.COM/BRIGHTIDEA/] i) What’s Included. This form is essentially for any ideas, materials, concepts, names, programs and like materials that are not patented, patentable or registered with a government entity charged with registering and protecting that type of material. ii) How to Submit. All initial ideas must be submitted through either the “Bright Idea” tab on Rockford’s website [www.rockfordfosgate.com/brightidea/] or by mail to: Rockford Corporation Bright Idea Submissions c/o Marketing & N.P.D. 600 South Rockford Drive Tempe, Arizona 85281 iii) Submission Requirements. All submissions must be in writing and must include a signed Submission Release. [www.rockfordfosgate.com/brightidea/] The Submission Release is binding so do not sign the agreement or submit your idea if you do not understand the agreement or disagree with any part of it. The Submission Release must be signed and submitted by every person, business, or entity that helped create the idea or that may have an ownership interest in the Idea (or both) at the time the Idea is submitted. iv) Review and Return of Materials. Rockford will review submissions from time to time on no particular schedule. You should understand Rockford is not obligating itself to review, consider or use any or all of your submission. If you provide a self addressed envelope with sufficient postage (or a return email address if the submission is purely electronic), Rockford will try to return your submission to you and inform you of whether it is interested in using your submission, but Rockford is not obligating itself to do so. Please keep a complete copy of anything you submit. Do not submit unique or one-of-a-kind materials because Rockford is not liable for their protection or safe return. v) No Expectation of Compensation. Most importantly, unless you have a patented or patentable product, do not submit any Idea if you expect to be compensated, paid, rewarded or recognized for its use. 2. SUBMISSION FOR PATENTED, PATENTABLE INVENTIONS, COPYRIGHTED WORKS, REGISTERED TRADEMARKS, NAMES AND LIKE MATERIALS. [WWW.ROCKFORDFOSGATE.COM/BRIGHTIDEA/] i) What’s Included. Though rare, there are certain situations in which Rockford may be interested in further exploring a submitted idea. This will almost always be limited to situations involving a patented or patentable product or, in even more rare situations, for other materials protected by intellectual property laws. If Rockford is interested in pursuing discussions, a representative will contact you directly. ii) How to Submit. All initial ideas must be registered through the “Bright Idea” tab on Rockford’s website [www.rockfordfosgate.com/brightidea/] with all documentation sent by mail to: Rockford Corporation Bright Idea Submissions c/o Marketing & N.P.D. 600 South Rockford Drive Tempe, Arizona 85281 iii) Submission Requirements. All submissions must be in writing and must include a signed Submission Release [www.rockfordfosgate.com/brightidea/] and a copy of any and all registrations or applications for intellectual property protection. The Submission Release is binding so do not sign the agreement or submit your idea if you do not understand the agreement or disagree with any part of it. The Submission Release must be signed and submitted by every person, business, or entity that helped create the Idea or that may have an ownership interest in the Idea (or both) at the time the Idea is submitted. iv) Review and Return of Materials. Rockford will review submissions from time to time on no particular schedule. You should understand Rockford is not obligating itself to review, consider or use any or all of your submission. If you provide a self addressed envelope with sufficient postage (or a return email address if the submission is purely electronic), Rockford will try to return your submission to you and inform you of whether it is interested in using your submission, but Rockford is not obligating itself to do so. Please keep a complete copy of anything you submit. Do not submit prototypes or equipment of any kind during this phase. If Rockford is interested in exploring your idea, it will request any such materials from you at a later date. Rockford is not liable for the protection of or safe return of anything you submit. v) No Expectation of Compensation. Despite the fact you believe you have a patented or patentable product or other registerable and protectible materials, Rockford, by reviewing your submission, is not in any way admitting that you have such rights or agreeing to compensate, pay, reward or recognize you for your submission. If Rockford is interested in further investigating your submission, it will contact you directly so that mutually agreeable arrangements can be made to protect both parties should negotiations for purchase or license of the submission ensue.
		Download a copy of "Policy Statement."
»		I agree to the above terms
*	Submission Release: Rockford Corporation “Bright Idea” Submission Release By signing this Submission Release (“Release”), I am agreeing unconditionally to the following: 1. I understand and agree that Rockford Corporation (“Rockford”) designs, markets, sells and distributes high-performance consumer electronics products. 2. I have an idea, concept, program, name, invention, writing or other material described in Exhibit A that is not patented, not patentable and is not registered with any government entity responsible for registering the type of material I am submitting. For convenience, what I submit will be referred to in this Release as an “Idea”, regardless of its content or whether there are multiple elements to my Idea. 3. I understand and agree that Rockford has access to many ideas, concepts, programs, names, inventions, writings or other materials through its extensive experience and research activities and through its employees, independent contractors and other sources. Because of that, I understand and agree that it is likely that my Idea, or something similar to it, was already known or available to Rockford prior to my submission. 4. I wish to submit my Idea to Rockford for its review, consideration and, if accepted by Rockford, use in whole or in part in connection with its business and in doing so, I fully understand, agree to and undertake all of the terms and conditions of this Release. 5. I understand and agree that: (a) I am submitting the Idea freely, gratuitously and without expectation of compensation, payment, reward or recognition even if Rockford uses the Idea or uses something similar to my Idea. By considering a submitted Idea, Rockford does not obligate itself directly or impliedly to make any compensation, payment or reward to me or recognize me whatsoever. (b) The materials I submit will become the property of Rockford. (c) Rockford is free to share the Idea in whole or in part with any person, business or entity, including without limit vendors, manufacturers, marketers and advertisers, if it chooses to do so and it may do so without my permission and without any compensation, payment, reward or recognition due to me. (d) Rockford will not hold any submitted Idea in confidence either internally within Rockford or externally with any other person, business or entity. No confidential relationship is established between me and Rockford by my submission and no such confidential relationship is implied by Rockford’s review of the Idea. (e) Rockford is not obligated to review or consider my Idea in whole or in part. Further, Rockford cannot undertake to give my Idea any special handling or to refer it to specified individuals or departments. (f) Rockford is not obligated to incorporate or use my Idea in whole or in part. (g) I am submitting my Idea in writing and I understand Rockford is under no obligation to return any materials to me, though Rockford may choose to do so if I provide a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage with my original submission. I understand I need to keep my original materials or a duplicate copy for my own records because Rockford does not and cannot guarantee the safe return of my materials. (h) I understand that if any part of the Idea was created and/or is owned by any other person, business or entity, that all such parties must sign and submit this Submission Release at the time of submission and that if they do not, I will be personally liable for any claims or damages Rockford might incur as a result of my failure to ensure each has done so. (i) I understand that if Rockford, in its sole discretion, enters into negotiations with me for the use and/or purchase of my Idea, this shall not in any way prejudice Rockford, nor shall it be deemed an admission of the protectibility of the Idea for any purpose whatsoever. 6. I represent and warrant that: (a) No previous or present employers have any rights with respect to the submitted Idea. (b) I am 18 years of age or older. (c) I am a citizen or legal resident of the United States. (d) Select One: (i) ____ To the best of my knowledge, the Idea I have submitted is not patented, patentable or registered with any government entity responsible for registering such type of material. (ii) ____ The Idea I have submitted is patented, patentable or registered with a government entity responsible for registering such type of material. (e) Select One: (i) ____ I am the sole creator of this Idea and have not incorporated any elements into the Idea that belong to any other person, business or entity. Neither the Idea itself, nor any elements of the Idea, infringe upon the rights of any person, business or entity nor does the use or submission of this Idea violate any contract rights of any person, business or entity; OR (ii) ____ I am a joint creator and owner of this Idea and everyone who helped create this Idea and who owns any rights whatsoever in this Idea is signing and submitting a Submission Release along with mine at the time this Idea is submitted. Neither the Idea itself, nor any elements of the Idea, infringe upon the rights of any person, business or entity nor does the use or submission of this Idea violate any contract rights of any person, business or entity. 7. Once I submit my Idea, I cannot revoke this Release or any part of it unless Rockford allows me to do so in a writing signed by Rockford’s authorized representative. 8. I hereby release and forever discharge Rockford and its present and future officers, directors, employees, agents, assigns, licensees and successors-in-interest, from any and all claims, damages (including without limit to general, special, compensatory, consequential, liquidated and punitive, damages) and causes of action of any kind, nature and character, known or unknown, in law or equity, fixed or contingent, which I may now have or I may ever have arising from or in any way connected with the Idea and my submission. 9. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any part of this Release is unenforceable, that section shall be severed from this Release and the remainder of it shall remain be in full force and effect. 10. By submitting my Idea and signing this Release, I understand that I am in no way entering a partnership or joint venture with Rockford and that I have no power to bind Rockford in any manner or to use its name, trademarks or other proprietary materials. 11. This Release shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona without regard to its conflicts of law principles and the federal courts residing in Maricopa County, Arizona shall have the exclusive right to hear any such disputes and I agree that such courts shall have personal jurisdiction over me. 12. This Release is binding on me and on any and all of my heirs, executors, assigns, licensees, representatives, agents or successors-in-interest. 13. I have either consulted with an attorney about my legal rights in my Idea and the consequences of submitting this Idea without the expectation of compensation, payment, reward or recognition or I have voluntarily chosen not to do so and either way I sign this Release voluntarily with full knowledge of its intent and meaning. I sign this Release below intending to be legally bound by it and fully understanding and confirming that I am submitting this Idea without any expectation of compensation, payment, reward or recognition even if Rockford uses or appears to use the same or similar Idea in whole or in part in any manner whatsoever. Signature Today’s Date Full Legal Name Date of Birth Home Address Phone Number Fax Number Email EXHIBIT A IDEA BEING SUBMITTED [Please describe in detail the Idea you wish to submit.]
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600 S. Rockford Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 - U.S.A.