JL Audio XD200-2 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

200W 2-Channel Amplier

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, 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.

PROTECT YOUR 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
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 12 volt, 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 arra nty.

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.

2 | JL Audio - XD200/2 Owner’s Manual

Status

LED

(pg. 11)

Ch. 1 & 2

Filter Mode

Selection

(pg. 8)

Ch. 1 & 2 Filter

Frequency

Ch. 1 & 2 Input

Sensitivity Control

(pg. 7)

Selector

(pg. 8)

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:

The outer shell of your JL Audio amplifier is
designed to remove heat from the amplifier
circuitry. For optimum cooling performance, this
outer shell 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.

Mounting the amplifier upside down is
strongly discouraged. 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 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.

Chassis Ground

+12 V Power

Connector

(pg. 5)

Connector

(pg. 5)

Remote Turn-On

Connector

(pg. 6)

Left & Right Preamp

Output Jacks

Channels 1 & 2

Preamp Input Jacks

(pg. 6)

(pg. 9)

Jack for
Remote Level
Control Knob

(pg. 9)

Channels 1 & 2

Speaker Outputs

(pg. 10)

3

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The JL Audio XD200/2 is a two-channel,
full-range audio amplifier utilizing JL Audio
NexD™ ultra-high speed switching technology to
deliver outstanding fidelity and efficiency.

The XD200/2 can be operated 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).
Additiona l 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 8 AWG (minimum) power wire from the

battery location to the amplifier mounting
location. Take care to route the wire in such a
way that it will not be damaged and will not
interfere with vehicle operation. Use 4 AWG
or larger power wire and a power distribution
block if additional amplifiers are being
installed with the XD200/2.

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 securely connected to the amplifier.

4) Run signal cables and remote turn-on wire

from the source unit to the final amplifier
mounting location.

5) Run speaker cables from the speaker systems

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 of the JL Audio ECS master
ground lug, XB-MGLU is recommended).
Use 8 AWG 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.

8) Connect the positive and negative power

wires to the amplifier. A fuse near
the amplifier is not necessary if the
XD200/2 is the only device being run
from the fused main power wire. If
the fused main power wire is shared
by the XD200/2 and other amplifiers
or devices, fuse each amplif ier/device
within 12 inches (30 cm) of wire length,
via a fused distribution block or multiple
individual fuse blocks/on-board fuses.

9) Connect the remote turn-on wire

to the amplifier.

10) Connect the input cables to the amplifier.

11) Connect the speaker cables 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 the power wire fuse (20A for a

single XD200/2) and reconnect the negative
battery post terminal. Install the fuse (20A)
near the amplifier (if applicable).

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 14)
for the recommended input sensitivity
setting method.

16) Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your

favorite music.

4 | JL Audio - XD200/2 Owner’s Manual

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 body during installation.

The XD200/2’s “+12 V DC” and “Ground”
connections are designed to accept 8-4 AWG
power wire. 8 AWG is the minimum required

wire size for this amplifier.

If you are installing the XD200/2 with other
amplifiers and wish to use a single main power
wire, use 4 AWG, 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG main
power wire (depending on the overall current
demands of all the amplifiers in the system).
This large power wire should terminate into a
fused distribution block mounted as close to
the amplifiers as possible (within 12 inches /
30cm of wire length). The fused output of the
distribution block will connect to the XD200/2
with 8 or 4 AWG power wire. JL Audio ECS
fused distribution blocks are recommended
(XD-FDBU-2 and X D-FDBU-4)

Note: 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 8 or 4 AWG wire 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, metal­to-metal connection between the chassis
and the termination of the ground wire.
For optima l 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 rubber 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 batter y. 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
wire(s) 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 X D200/2 is being run from that power
wire, we recommend a 20A fuse be used.

If fusing the amplif ier near its power
connections (when more than one amp is being
run from the main power wire), use a 20A fuse.
MAXI™ plastic-body fuses are recommended.

5

TURNON LEAD

The XD200/2 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 XD200/2’s “Remote” turn-on connector
is designed to accept 18 AWG – 12 AWG wire. To
connect the remote turn-on wire to the amplifier,
first back out the set screw on the top of the
terminal block, using the supplied 2.5mm hex
wrench. Strip 1/2 inch (12mm) of 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 the terminal, tighten the set
screw firmly, taking care not to strip the head of
the screw and making sure that the wire (not the
insulation) is firmly gripped by the set screw.

INPUT SECTION

The XD200/2’s input section allows you to
send signals to the amplifier section through
the use of two differential-balanced inputs.

Input connections are via up to one pair of
traditional RCA-type jacks.

Input Voltage Range:

The XD200/2’s input sections are designed to
accept signal voltages from 100mV – 4V. This
will accommodate all preamp level signals and
many speaker level signals.

To use speaker-level sources, simply splice
the speaker output wires of the source unit
onto a pair of RCA plugs. (or use JL Audio part
XD-CLRAIC2-SW) No “line output converter” is
needed in most cases.

If you find that the output cannot be reduced
suff iciently with a direct speaker level signal
applied to the amplifier, you may use a “line
output converter” to reduce the signal level.

6 | JL Audio - XD200/2 Owner’s Manual