JL Audio 500/1 Owners Manual

JL AUDIO 500/1 monoblock subwoofer amplifier

o w n e r ’ s m a n u a l

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 (Eastern Time Zone).

PROTECTYOUR HEARING!

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 highpower 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 the warranty.

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.

Chassis Ground			Preamp Output
Connector			Filter Slope Selector
	(pg. 5)		(pg. 9)
+12 V Power		Remote Turn-On	Preamp Output
Connector		Connector	Mode Selector
(pg. 5)		(pg. 6)	(pg. 8)

PLANNINGYOUR 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 type 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 heat sink fins 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 the supplied screws so that it does not come loose in the event of a collision or a sudden jolt to the vehicle (15 lbs. of aluminum traveling at 60 MPH will hurt you).

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.

Parametric EQ			Parametric EQ			Input Voltage
"Q" (Bandwidth)							Signal Sensing
Control			Boost Control		Range Selector		Turn-On
(pg. 9)			(pg. 10)			(pg. 7)	On/Off Switch
Infrasonic		Parametric EQ					(pg. 6)	Positive	Negative
Filter					Amplifier Low-
On/Off		Center Frequency			Pass Filter Slope	Input Sensitivity		Subwoofer	Subwoofer
Switch		Control			Selection/Defeat	Control		Outputs	Outputs
(pg. 9)		(pg. 9)			(pg. 8)	(pg. 7)		(pg. 10)	(pg. 10)

+12VDC Ground Remote

JL AUDIO 500/1 monoblock subwoofer amplifier

Left and Right	Selects Output	Selects	Selects Infrasonic	Bass EQ	Jack for	Selects	Left and Right
Preamp Output Jacks	Filter Cutoff	Low-Pass or	Filter Cutoff	On/Off	Remote Bass	Low-Pass Filter	Input Jacks
(pg. 8)	Frequency	High-Pass Mode	Frequency	Switch	Control Knob	Frequency for	(pg. 7)
	(pg. 9)	for Output Filter	(pg. 9)	(pg. 9)	(pg. 10)	Amplifier Channel
		(pg. 9)				(pg. 8)

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JL AUDIO 500/1

JL AUDIO 500/1

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The JL Audio 500/1 is a monoblock subwoofer amplifier utilizing proprietary and patented Class D technology. Its frequency response is limited to the range below 250 Hz. It is not designed

for driving midrange speakers or tweeters. Every aspect of its operation has been optimized for low-frequency amplification. For detailed

specifications, please refer to Appendix E (page 21).

TYPICAL INSTALLATION SEQUENCE

The following represents the sequence for a typical amplifier installation, using an aftermarket source unit. 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 AWG, 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG power wire if additional amplifiers are being installed with the 500/1.

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 system to the amplifier mounting location.

6)Find a good, solid metal grounding point close

to the amplifier and connect the negative power wire to it using appropriate hardware. Use the same size power wire as the wire connected to the

“+12V” connection (min. 8 AWG), 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 the supplied screws.

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.

12)Carefully review the amplifier’s control settings to make sure that they are set according to the needs of the system.

13)Install power wire fuse (50A for a single 500/1) 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 control to obtain the right overall output and the desired balance between the subwoofer output and the satellite (mid and high-frequency) output. See Appendix B (page 14) for the recommended input sensitivity setting method.

16)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.

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

		+12VDC Ground Remote
					!	IMPORTANT
					Many vehicles employ small (10 AWG -
				6 AWG) wire to ground the battery to the
		JL AUDIO 500/1		vehicle chassis and to connect the alternator's
				positive connection to the battery.To prevent
		monoblock subwoofer amplifier
				voltage drops, these wires should be upgraded to
				4 AWG (or larger) when installing amplifier
	The 500/1's “+12 VDC” and “Ground”
				systems with total fuse ratings exceeding 60A.
	connections are designed to accept 8 AWG -
	4 AWG power wire. 8 AWG is a minimum			FUSE REQUIREMENTS
	power wire size for this amplifier.				It is absolutely vital that the main power
	If you are installing the 500/1 with other			lead to the amplifier(s) in the system be fused
	amplifiers and wish to use a single main power wire,			within 18 inches (45 cm) of the positive battery
	use 4 AWG, 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG main power			post connection.The fuse value at each power
	wire (depending on the overall current demands of			wire should be high enough for all of the
	all the amplifiers in the system).This 4 AWG,			equipment being run from that power wire.
	2 AWG or 1/0 AWG power wire should terminate			If only the 500/1 is being run from that power wire,
	into a distribution block mounted as close to the			we recommend a 50A fuse be used. AGU (big glass
	amplifiers as possible and should connect to the			fuse) or MaxiFuse™ (big plastic-body fuse) types
	500/1 with 8 AWG or 4 AWG power wire.			are recommended.
	Please note that smaller AWG numbers mean				No fuse is required directly before the amplifier
	bigger wire and vice-versa (1/0 AWG is biggest,			power connection. If one is desired, we recommend
	2 AWG is smaller, then 4 AWG, then 8 AWG, etc.).			the use of a 50A AGU fuse or MaxiFuse™ type.
	To connect the power wires to the amplifier,
	first back out the set screw on the top of the
	amplifier, 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
	receptacle on the front panel of the amplifier,
	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.The use of a star washer to lock
	down the connection is advisable.

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TURN-ON OPTIONS

AMPLIFIER INPUT SECTION

The 500/1 can be turned on and off using two

2) Signal Sensing Turn-On Method: A valuable

The 500/1 employs a differential-balanced

unit, with conventional preamp-level outputs, this

different methods:

feature of the 500/1 is its ability to be turned on

input topology that provides the user with a high

is most likely the position that you will use.

1) A conventional +12V remote turn-on lead.

and off by the presence or lack of signal at its audio

degree of input flexibility while retaining superior

The “High” position on the “Input Voltage”

2) A signal sensing turn-on circuit.

inputs.This allows you to operate the amplifier

noise rejection.This type of circuit also allows the

switch selects an input sensitivity range between

without having to locate a remote turn-on lead at

500/1 to accept high-voltage inputs from factory

800mV and 8V. This is useful for certain high-

the source unit.This can be very useful if interfacing

source unit outputs without excessive distortion

output preamp level signals as well as speaker-level

the amplifier with some OEM source units that do

or noise problems.

output from source units and small amplifiers.To

not have conventional turn-on leads.

use speaker-level sources, splice the speaker output

wires of the source unit or small amplifier onto a

!

IMPORTANT

pair of RCA cables or plugs.

The sensitivity of the signal sensing turn-on circuit

has been designed for high-level (speaker level)

!

IMPORTANT

The output of the amplifier will decrease for a

signals, not for low-level (preamp level) signals. Using

To select between the two modes there is a

this feature with low-level (preamp level) signals is

given input voltage when the “Input Range” switch

switch, marked “Signal Sensing”, located in the

not recommended.We do not recommend this

is placed in the “High” position. Conversely, the

“Amplifier Input Section” of the front panel.

method of turning the amplifier on and off as a

output will be higher with the switch in the “Low”

1) Conventional Remote Turn-On Method:

default.Whenever possible, use the conventional

1) Input Connections: A standard left/right

position.While this may sound counter-intuitive, it is

uses a conventional +12V remote turn-on lead,

remote turn-on lead method.The signal sensing

pair of RCA type jacks is used for input on

consistent with the descriptions above.

typically controlled by the source unit's remote

circuit is designed to detect midrange frequency

the 500/1.You may run a stereo or a mono

3) Input Sensitivity Adjustment: Located next to

turn-on output.The amplifier will turn on when

signal presence. If the signal feeding the amplifier is

signal into the inputs of the amplifier.The

the “Input Voltage” switch, in the “Amplifier Input

+12V is present at its “Remote” input and turn off

not full-range (for example, if there is an active

amplifier's input section automatically sums

Section”, is a rotary control labeled “Input Sens.”.

when +12V is switched off. If a source unit does not

low-pass crossover in line before the amplifier),

stereo signals to mono for the internal amplifier

Once the appropriate “Input Voltage” range has

have a dedicated remote turn-on output, the

this circuit will not operate properly.

section and for the “LP” “Filter Mode” of the

been selected, this rotary control can be used to

amplifier’s turn-on lead can be connected to

To activate the signal sensing turn-on feature,

“Preamp Output” section.

match the source unit's output voltage to the input

+12V via a switch that derives power from an

place the “Signal Sensing” switch in the “On”

stage of the amplifier for maximum clean output.

ignition-switched circuit.To use this method, select

position.This should only be done if there is no

!

IMPORTANT

Rotating the control clockwise will result in higher

“Off” on the “Signal Sensing” switch in the

conventional turn-on lead connected to the

If you plan to use the “Preamp Output” of the

sensitivity (louder for a given input voltage).

“Amplifier Input Section”.

amplifier's “Remote” connector.When in the “On”

500/1 to feed a stereo amplifier, you must connect

Rotating the control counter-clockwise will result in

The 500/1's “Remote” turn-on connector is

position, the signal sensing circuit will monitor the

a stereo signal to the input of the amplifier. A mono

lower sensitivity (quieter for a given input voltage).

designed to accept 12 AWG – 8 AWG wire.

audio input signal and turn the amplifier on when

signal into the amplifier will result in a mono signal

To properly set the amplifier for maximum clean

12 AWG is more than adequate for this purpose.

signal is present. After about 25 seconds of no

out of the preamp output. (It's a great amplifier, but

output, please refer to Appendix B (page 14) in this

To connect the remote turn-on wire to the

signal, the amplifier will shut off.

it doesn't do magic).

manual. After using this procedure, you can then

amplifier, first back out the set screw on the top of

Turning on other amplifiers in signal sensing

The amplifier will operate with only one input

adjust the level of the amplifier by adjusting the

the amplifier, using the supplied hex wrench. Strip

mode: When the signal sensing circuit is turned on,

connection (left or right), but will require an

input sensitivity downward, if the amplifier requires

1/2 inch (12mm) of wire and insert the bare wire

the “Remote” Connector on the amplifier may be

increase in input sensitivity to overcome the loss

attenuation to achieve the desired system balance.

into the receptacle on the front panel of the

used as a remote turn-on source for other

of signal. If a mono input signal is to be run, we

Do not increase the “Input Sens.” setting for

amplifier, seating it firmly so that no bare wire is

amplifiers in the system. +12V will be present

recommend that you use a “Y-adaptor” to split the

any amplifier in the system beyond the maximum

exposed. Smaller wire than 12 AWG can be used,

at the connector when the amplifier turns on in

mono signal into both inputs of the amplifier.

level established during the procedure outlined

but it may be necessary to strip 1 inch of insulation

signal sensing mode and will not be present when

2) Input Voltage Range: A wide range of signal

in Appendix B (page 14). Doing so will result in

from the wire and fold the bare wire in half prior to

the amplifier turns off.

input voltages can be accommodated by the

audible distortion and possible speaker damage.

insertion.While holding the wire in the terminal,

500/1's input section (200mV – 8V).This wide

tighten the set screw firmly, taking care not to strip

!

IMPORTANT

range is split up into two sub-ranges, accessible via

the head of the screw and making sure that the

You cannot use the turn-on output to turn on

switches located in the “Amplifier Input Section”

wire is firmly gripped by the set screw.

processors that are in the signal path before the

of the amplifier.

500/1. (Signal will not pass through most

The “Low” position on the “Input Voltage”

processors when they are not powered up,

switch selects an input sensitivity range between

meaning that the amplifier will not turn on until

200mV and 2V. This means that the “Input Sens.”

that processor is active).

rotary control will operate within that voltage

window. If you are using an aftermarket source

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JL AUDIO 500/1

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