JL Audio 300/2v2 Owners Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

two-channel full-range amplifier

Thank you for purchasing a JL Audio amplifier for

your automotive sound system.

Your amplifier has been designed and manufactured to exacting

standards in order to ensure years of musical enjoyment in your vehicle.

For maximum performance and extended warranty

coverage, we highly recommend that you have your new amplifier

installed by an authorized JL Audio dealer. Your authorized

dealer has the training, expertise and installation equipment to ensure

optimum performance from this product. Should you

decide to install the amplifier yourself, please take the time

to read this manual thoroughly so as to familiarize yourself

with its installation requirements and setup procedures.

If you have any questions regarding the instructions in this

manual or any aspect of your amplifier’s operation, please contact your

authorized JL Audio dealer for assistance. If you need further assistance,

please call the JL Audio Technical Support Department

at [phone] during business hours.

2 | JL Audio - 300/2v2 Owner’s Manual

3

PROTECT YOUR HEARING!

Preamp Output

Signal Selector

(pg. 8)

Input Voltage

Range Selector

(pg. 6)

Filter Slope

Selection

(pg. 7)

Filter Frequency

Range Selector

(pg. 8)

Input Sensitivity

Control

(pg. 7)

Left and Right

Preamp Output Jacks

(pg. 8)

Left and Right

Input Jacks

(pg. 8)

Remote Turn-On

Connector

(pg. 6)

Chassis Ground

Connector

(pg. 5)

+12 V Power

Connector

(pg. 5)

Speaker Outputs

(pg. 9)

Filter

Cuto

Frequency

Selector

(pg. 8)

Filter

Mode

Selector

(pg. 7)

Bridged

Left Right

+12VDC Ground Remote Preamp Output Section Amp Filter Controls Amplifier Input Section

Speaker Outputs

Left Ch. Right Ch.Left Output Right Output Filter Freq. (Hz)

Full Range | Low-Pass | High-Pass

Output Mode Filter SlopeFreq. Range Input Voltage Input Sens.

12dB | 24dB

Filter Mode

Off | LP | HP

x1 | x10 Low | High

50

60

7595130

200

500

300 / 2v2

Two-Channel Full-Range Amplifier

We value you as a long-term customer. For
that reason, we urge you to practice restraint in
the operation of this product so as not to damage
your hearing and that of others in your vehicle.
Studies have shown that continuous exposure to
high sound pressure levels can lead to permanent
(irreparable) hearing loss. This and all other
high-power amplifiers are capable of producing
such high sound pressure levels when connected
to a speaker system. Please limit your continuous
exposure to high volume levels.

While driving, operate your audio system in
a manner that still allows you to hear necessary
noises to operate your vehicle safely (horns,
sirens, etc.).

SERIAL NUMBER

In the event that your amplifier requires
service or is ever stolen, you will need to
have a record of the product’s serial number.
Please take the time to enter that number in
the space provided below. The serial number
can be found on the bottom panel of the
amplifier and on the amplifier packaging.

Serial Number:

INSTALLATION APPLICATIONS

This amplifier is designed for operation in
vehicles with 12V, negative-ground electrical
systems. Use of this product in vehicles with
positive ground and/or voltages other than 12V
may result in damage to the product and will void
th e w ar ran ty.

This product is not certified or approved for
use in aircraft.

Do not attempt to “bridge” the outputs of this

amplifier with the outputs of a second amplifier,
including an identical one.

PLANNING YOUR INSTALLATION

It is important that you take the time to read
this manual and that you plan out your
installation carefully. The following are some
considerations that you must take into account
when planning your installation.

Cooling Efficiency Considerations:

Your JL Audio amplifier employs an
advanced ty pe of heat management, called
RealSink™. This feature takes advantage of
convection and radiation effects to remove
heat from the amplifier circuitry. For optimum
cooling performance, the vertical heat sinks
located at the back of the amplifier should be
exposed to as large a volume of air as possible.
Enclosing the amplifier in a small, poorly
ventilated chamber can lead to excessive heat
build-up and degraded performance. If an
installation calls for an enclosure around the
amplifier, we recommend that this enclosure
be ventilated with the aid of a fan. In normal
applications, fan-cooling is not necessary, but
you still need to follow some basic guidelines:

• Amplifier mounted vertically with heat sink fins

pointing up: Optimum

• Amplifier mounted horizontally,

right side up: Good

• Amplifier mounted horizontally, but upside

down: Fair (not recommended if there is
less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) clearance above the
amplifier heat sinks)

• Amplifier mounted vertically with heat sink fins

pointing laterally: Fair

• Amplifier mounted vertically with heat sink fins

pointing down: Poor (not recommended)

If mounting the amplifier under a seat,
make sure there is at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of
space above the amplifier’s outer shell to permit
proper cooling.

Safety Considerations:

Your amplifier needs to be installed in a dry,
well-ventilated environment and in a manner
which does not interfere with your vehicle’s safety
equipment (air bags, seat belt systems, ABS brake
systems, etc.). You should also take the time to
securely mount the amplifier using appropriate
hardware so that it does not come loose in the
event of a collision or a sudden jolt to the vehicle.

Stupid Mistakes to Avoid:

• Check before drilling any holes in your

vehicle to make sure that you will not be
drilling through a gas tank, brake line, wiring
harness or other vital vehicle system.

• Do not run system wiring outside or underneath

the vehicle. This is an extremely dangerous
practice which can result in severe damage to
your vehicle and person.

• Protect all system wires from sharp metal

edges and wear by carefully routing them,
tying them down and using grommets and
loom where appropriate.

• Do not mount the amplifier in the engine

compartment, under the vehicle, on the roof
or in any other area that will expose the
amplifier circuitry to the elements.

4 | JL Audio - 300/2v2 Owner’s Manual

5

Bridged

Left Right

+12VDC Ground Remote Preamp Output Section Amp Filter Controls Amplifier Input Sec tion

Speaker Outputs

Left Ch. Right Ch.Left Output Right Output Filter Freq. (Hz)

Full Range | Low-Pass | High-Pass

Output Mode Filter SlopeFreq. Range Input Voltage Input Sens.

12dB | 24dB

Filter Mode

Off | LP | HP

x1 | x10 Low | High

50

60

7595130

200

500

300 / 2v2

Two-Channel Full-Range Amplifier

IMPORTANT

!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The JL Audio 300/2v2 is a two-channel full-

range amplifier utilizing patented Absolute

Symmetry™ Class A/B technology for both
channels. These channels benefit from JL Audio’s
exclusive R.I.P.S. power supply design which

optimizes the output for any impedance between

1.5 and 4 ohms per channel (3 - 8Ω bridged).
The 300/2v2’s flexible input and crossover

sections permit operation with a wide variety of
source units and system configurations.

TYPICAL INSTALLATION SEQUENCE

The following represents the sequence

for a typical amplifier installation, using an
aftermarket source unit or OEM Interface
processor (like the CleanSweep® CL441dsp).
Additional steps and different procedures may
be required in some applications. If you have

any questions, please contact your authorized

JL Audio dealer for assistance.

1) Disconnect the negative battery post

connection and secure the disconnected cable
to prevent accidental re-connection during
installation. This step is not optional!

2) Run power wire (minimum 8 AWG) from the

battery location to the amplifier mounting
location, taking care to route it in such a
way that it will not be damaged and will not
interfere with vehicle operation. Use 4 , 2 or
1/0 AWG power wire if additional amplifiers
are being installed with the 300/2v2.

3) Connect power wire to the positive battery

post. Fuse the wire with an appropriate fuse
block (and connectors) within 18 inches (45
cm) wire length of the positive battery post.

This fuse is essential to protect the vehicle. Do

not install the fuse until the power wire has
been connected to the amplifier.

4) Run signal cables (RCA cables) and remote

turn-on wire from the source unit to the
amplifier mounting location.

5) Run speaker wire from the speaker systems to

the amplifier mounting location.

6) Find a good, solid metal grounding point

close to the amplif ier and connect the
negative power wire to it using appropriate
hardware. Use minimum 8 AWG power wire,
no longer than 36 inches (90 cm) from the
amplifier to the ground connection point. In
some vehicles, it may be necessary to upgrade
the battery ground wire. (See page 5 for
important notice).

7) Securely mount the amplifier using

appropriate hardware.

8) Connect the positive and negative power

wires to the amplifier. A fuse near the
amplifier is not necessary.

9) Connect the remote turn-on wire

to the amplifier.

10) Connect the RCA input cables

to the amplifier.

11) Connect the speaker wires to the amplifier.
1 2 ) Carefully review the amplifier’s control

settings to make sure that they are set
according to the needs of the system.

1 3 ) Install power wire fuse (40A for a

single 300/2v2) and reconnect the negative
battery post terminal.

14) Turn on the source unit at a low level

to double-check that the amplifier is
configured correctly. Resist the temptation
to crank it up until you have verified the
control settings.

15) Make necessary adjustments to the input

sensitivity controls to obtain the right
overall output and the desired balance
in the system. See Appendix A (page 12)
for the recommended input sensitivity
setting method.

1 6 ) Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your

favorite music.

POWER CONNECTIONS

Before installing the amplifier,
disconnect the negative (ground) wire
from the vehicle’s battery. This will prevent
accidental damage to the system, the vehicle
and your person during installation.

The 300/2v2’s “+12 V DC ” and “Ground”

connections are designed to accept 8 - 4
AWG power wire. 8 AWG is the minimum

recommended power wire size for this amplifier.

If you are installing the 300/2v2 with other
amplifiers and wish to use a single main power
wire, use 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG main power wire
(depending on the overall current demands of
all the amplifiers in the system). This 2 AWG
or 1/0 AWG power wire should terminate into
a distribution block mounted as close to the
amplifiers as possible and should connect to the
300/2v2 with 8 - 4 AWG power wire.

Note: that smaller AWG numbers mean bigger
wire and vice-versa (1/0 AWG is the largest,
2 AWG is smaller, then 4 AWG, then
8 AWG, etc.).

To connect the power wires to the amplifier,
first back out the set screw on the top of the
terminal block, using the supplied 2.5 mm hex
wrench. Strip 1/2 inch (12 mm) of insulation from
the end of each wire and insert the bare wire into
the terminal block, seating it firmly so that no
bare wire is exposed. While holding the wire in
place, tighten the set screw firmly, taking care not
to strip the head of the screw.

The ground connection should be made using
the same gauge wire as the power connection
and should be kept as short as possible, while
accessing a solid piece of sheet metal in the
vehicle. The surface of the sheet metal should
be sanded at the contact point to create a clean,
metal-to-metal connection between the chassis
and the termination of the ground wire. For
optimal grounding, we recommend the use of a
JL Audio ECS master ground lug (XB-MGLU).
Alternatively, a sheet metal screw or bolt can be
used with a star washer.

Any wires run through metal barriers (such as
firewalls), must be protected with a high quality
insulating grommet to prevent damage to the
insulation of the wire. Failure to do so may result
in a dangerous short circuit.

Many vehicles employ small (10 AWG -
6 AWG) wire to ground the battery to the
vehicle chassis and to connect the alternator’s
positive connection to the battery. To prevent
voltage drops, these wires should be upgraded
to 4 AWG when installing amplifier systems
with main fuse ratings above 60A.

FUSE REQUIREMENTS

It is absolutely vital that the main power
lead to the amplifier(s) in the system be fused
within 18 inches (45 cm) of the positive battery
post connection. The fuse value at each power
wire should be high enough for all of the
equipment being run from that power wire.

If only the 300/2v2 is being run from
that power wire, we recommend a 40A fuse
be used. AGU (big glass fuse), MaxiFuse™
(big plastic-body fuse) or AFS (mini­blade fuse) ty pes are recommended.

No fuse is required or recommended directly
before the amplifier power connection. If one is
desired, we recommend the use of a 40A AGU,
AFS or MaxiFuse™ type fuse.

6 | JL Audio - 300/2v2 Owner’s Manual

7

IMPORTANT

!

Bridged

Left Right

Speaker Outputs

Left Ch. Right Ch.Left Output Right Output Filter Freq. (Hz)

12dB | 24dB

Filter Mode

Off | LP | HP

x1 | x10 Low | High

50

60

7595130

200

500

TURNON LEAD

Bridged

Left Right

Speaker Outputs

Left Ch. Right Ch.Left Output Right Output Filter Freq. (Hz)

|

HP

|

High

The 300/2v2 uses a conventional +12V remote
turn-on lead, typically controlled by the source
unit’s remote turn-on output. The amplifier will

turn on when +12V is present at its “Remote”

input and turn off when +12V is switched off. If
a source unit does not have a dedicated remote
turn-on output, the amplifier’s turn-on lead can
be connected to +12V via a switch that derives
power from an ignition-switched circuit.

The 300/2v2’s “Remote” turn-on connector is

designed to accept 18 AWG – 8 AWG wire.
12 AWG is more than adequate for this purpose.
To connect the remote turn-on wire to the
amplifier, first back out the set screw on the top
of the amplifier, using the supplied hex wrench.
Strip 1/2 inch (12mm) of wire and insert the
bare wire into the receptacle on the front panel
of the amplifier, seating it firmly so that no bare
wire is exposed. When using smaller wire, it may
be necessary to strip 1 inch of insulation from
the wire and fold the bare wire in half prior to
insertion. While holding the wire in the terminal,
tighten the set screw firmly, taking care not to
strip the head of the screw and making sure that
the wire is firmly gripped by the set screw.

INPUT SECTION

The 300/2v2 has one input section, which

contains a pair of RCA-type input jacks, an

“Input Voltage” switch and an “Input Sens.”

rotary control.

1) Input Voltage Range: A wide range of signal

input voltages can be accommodated by
the 300/2v2’s input section (200mV – 8V).
This wide range is split up into two sub­ranges, accessible via a switch located in

the “Amplifier Input Section”. The “Low”
position on the “Input Voltage” switch selects

an input sensitivity range between 200mV

and 2V. This means that the “Input Sens.”

rotary control will operate within that voltage
window. If you are using an aftermarket
source unit, with conventional preamp-level
outputs, this is most likely the position that you

will use. The “High” position on the “Input
Vol ta ge ” switch selects an input sensitivity

range between 800mV and 8V. This is useful
for certain high-output preamp level signals
as well as speaker-level output from source
units and small amplifiers. To use speaker-level
sources, splice the speaker output wires of the
source unit or small amplifier onto a pair of
RCA plugs or use the JL Audio ECS Speaker
Wire to RCA adaptor (XB-CLR AIC2-SW).

The output of the amplifier will decrease for
a given input voltage when the “Input Range”
switch is placed in the “High” position.
Conversely, the output will be higher with
the switch in the “Low” position. While this
may sound counter-intuitive, it is correct
as described.

2) Input Sensitivity Adjustment: Located next to
the “Input Voltage” switch in the “Amplifier
Input Section” is a rotary control labeled
“Input Sens.”. Once the appropriate “Input
Vol ta ge ” range has been selected, this control

can be used to match the source unit’s output
voltage to the input stage of the 300/2v2 for
maximum clean output. Rotating the control
clockwise will result in higher sensitivity
(louder for a given input voltage). Rotating the
control counter-clockwise will result in lower
sensitivity (quieter for a given input voltage).
To properly set the amplifier for maximum
clean output, please refer to Appendix A
(page 12) in this manual. After using this

procedure, you can then adjust the “Input
Sens.” level downward if this is required

to achieve the desired system balance.

Do not increase the “Input Sens.” setting

for any amplif ier in the system beyond
the maximum level established during
the procedure outlined in Appendix A

(page 12). Doing so will result in audible

distortion and possible speaker damage.

CROSSOVER CONTROLS

Crossovers are groups of individual electronic

filters which allow only certain frequency ranges
to pass through them by attenuating frequencies
outside the selected range. These filters allow the
user to specify what frequency range will be sent
to the each amplifier (or channels) in a system.
This, in turn, allows each speaker system to
only reproduce a range of frequencies it is well­suited for, resulting in reduced distortion and
improved fidelity.

AMPLIFIER FILTER SECTION

1) “ Filter Mode” Control: This switch allows you

to configure the filter into one of two filter
types or to defeat it completely:

“ Off”: Defeats the filter for that channel

section completely, allowing the full range of
frequencies present at the inputs to feed the

amplifier. This is useful for systems utilizing

outboard crossovers or requiring full-range
reproduction from the 300/2v2.

“ LP” (Low-Pass): Configures the filter to

attenuate frequencies above the selected
filter frequency. Useful for connection of
subwoofer(s) to the 300/2v2.

“ HP” (High-Pass): Configures the

filter to attenuate frequencies below
the selected filter frequency. Useful for
connection of component speakers to
the 300/2v2 in a bi-amplified system.

2) “Filter Slope

” Control: This switch

allows you to select from two filter
slopes for that channel section.

“

12dB

”: Configures the filter to attenuate

frequencies above or below the selected
filter frequency at a rate of 12 dB per octave
(Butterworth alignment).

“

24dB

”: Configures the filter to attenuate

frequencies above or below the selected
filter frequency at a rate of 24 dB per octave

(Linkwitz-Riley alignment).