OWNER`S MANUAL
Contents
1. JL AUDIO xMD500 3ve 3 Channel Amplifier 12 VDC Ground Remote Turn On Mode Preouts From Remote Leve UU LL Rem Offset Signal z o U LU wn fo 5 a z Vv 1 amp 2 Sub Sum All Su Input Voltage Input Mc Low High 2Ch 4 PRE OUTS 18 JL Audio XD500 3v2 Owner s Manual I Mode CH 1 amp 2 Input SUB CH Input Sens Sens b ode HP Filter Mode 80 120 LP Filter Mode 80 120 60 200 60 200 Ch Off HP 50 500 Off 12dB 24dB 56 500 HP Filter Freq Hz LP Filter Freq Hz Mono Subwoofer Output CH 1 CH 2 DDO O LIMITED WARRANTY AMPLIFIERS USA JL AUDIO warrants this product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two 2 years The warranty is extended to three 3 years total if installation is performed by an authorized JL Audio dealer using a JL Audio Premium Power Connection System for power wiring This warranty is not transferrable and applies only to the original purchaser from an authorized JL AUDIO dealer Should service be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to manufacturing defect or malfunction JL AUDIO will at its discretion repair or repl2. 50 500 50 500 HP Filter Freq Hz LP Filter Freq Hz Mono Subwoofer Output CA A A A lA A A A To properly set the amplifier for maximum clean output please refer to Appendix A page 14 in this manual After using this procedure you can then adjust the Input Sens levels downward if this is required to achieve the desired system balance Do not increase any Input Sens setting for any channel s of any amplifier in the system beyond the maximum level established during the procedure outlined in Appendix A page 14 Doing so will result in audible distortion and possible speaker damage FILTER CONTROLS Most speakers are not designed to reproduce the full range of frequencies audible by the human ear For this reason most speaker systems are comprised of multiple speakers each dedicated to reproducing a specific frequency range Filters are used to select which frequency range is sent to each section of a speaker system The division of frequency ranges to different speakers can be done with passive filters coils and or capacitors between the amplifier outputs and the speakers which are acceptable and commonly used for filtering between mid range speakers and tweeters Filtering between subwoofer systems and satellite speaker systems is best done with active filters which cut off frequency content at the input to the amplifier Active filters are more stable th
3. fuse out of the holder for testing If no problem is found with the fuse inspect the fuse holder Check the integrity of the connections made to each of the 12VDC Ground and Remote terminals Ensure that no wire insulation is pinched by the terminal set screw and that each connection is tight Check to make sure there is 12V at the Remote connection of the amplifier In some cases the turn on lead from the source unit is insufficient to turn on multiple devices and the use of a relay is required To test for this problem jump the 12VDC wire to the Remote terminal to see if the amplifier turns on get a repetitive ticking or popping sound coming out of the speaker s Check the speaker wires for a possible short either between the positive and negative leads or between either speaker lead and the vehicle s chassis ground If a short is present you will experience distorted and or attenuated output The Status LED will turn amber in this situation It may be helpful to disconnect the speaker wires from the amplifier and use a different set of wires connected to a test speaker Check the nominal load impedance to verify that the amplifier is driving a load equal to or greater than 2 ohms 4 ohms for a bridged channel pair My amplifier s output fluctuates when tap on it or hit a bump Check the connections to the amplifier Make sure that the insulation for all wires ha
4. as if the HD RLC was not connected at all In other words it operates strictly as a level attenuator itsFrom Remote Level Mode ub Sum All Sub Voltage t Mode O mi Remote Level Mode Switch This switch allows you to assign the operation of the HD RLC 5 3 E x to the entire amplifier or only the subwoofer channel In the All position the HD RLC knob will affect all channels equally In the Sub Ch position only the level of the subwoofer channel will be affected by the HD RLC knob PREOUTS The XD500 3v2 incorporates a pass through preamp output section so that additional amplifiers can be easily added to the system This pass through pre amp output can be configured three different ways using the switch labeled Preouts From td Preouts From Remote Level N 1 amp 2 Sub Sum All Sub le Input Voltage Input Mode 1 1 amp 2 The preamp output delivers the same signal that is connected to the CH 1 amp 2 Inputs 2 Sub The preamp output delivers the same signal that is connected to the Subwoofer Channel Inputs 3 Sum The preamp output delivers a summed signal combining the Ch 1 amp 2 inputs and the Sub Ch inputs into a stereo signal pair Note Any signa
5. played through the source unit disconnect the input cables from the amplifier prior to this test The frequency used should be in the range that is to be amplified by the amplifier example 50 Hz for a sub bass application or 1 kHz for a full range high pass application A steady sufficient voltage between 0 2 and 8 0 volts should be present at the output of the signal cables Check the output of the amplifier Using the procedure explained in the previous check item after plugging the input cables back into the amplifier test for output at the speaker outputs of the amplifier Unless you enjoy test tones at high levels it is a good idea to remove the speaker wires from the amplifier while doing this Turn the volume up approximately halfway 5 volt AC or more should be measured at the speaker outputs This output level can vary greatly between amplifiers but it should not be in the millivolt range with the source unit at half volume If you are reading sufficient voltage check your speaker connections as explained below Check to ensure that the speaker wires are making a good connection with the metal inside the terminal block The speaker wire connectors are designed to accept up to 8 AWG wire Make sure to strip the wire to allow for a sufficient connection with the metal inside the terminal block INSTALLATION NOTES Use this diagram to document your amplifier s switch and control positions
6. service personnel Do not attempt to service the amplifier yourself or through unauthorized repair facilities This will not only void the warranty but may result in the creation of more problems within the amplifier If you have any questions about the installation or setup of the amplifier not covered in this manual please contact your dealer or technical support JL Audio Technical Support 954 443 1100 9 00 AM 5 30 PM Eastern Time Zone Monday Friday APPENDIX A Input Sensitivity Level Setting Following the directions below will allow the installer to adjust the input sensitivity of each amplifier channel pair simply and easily in just a few minutes using equipment which is commonly available in installation bays Necessary Equipment e Digital AC Voltmeter e CD with a sine wave test tone recorded at 0 dB reference level in the frequency range to be amplified for that set of channels 50 Hz for subwoofer channels 1 kHz for a midrange application Do not use attenuated test tones 10 dB 20 dB etc The Nine Step Procedure 1 Disconnect the speaker s from the amplifier s speaker output connectors 2 Turn off all processing bass treble loudness EQ etc on the source unit processors if used and amplifier Set the fader control to center position and the subwoofer level control to 3 4 of maximum if used to feed the XD500 3v2 3 Switch the Input Voltage switch to Low and turn al
7. than 1 THD Noise 20Hz 20 kHz RMS Method Main Channels Stereo all channels driven 60W x 2 4 ohms 90W x 2 2 ohms Main Channels Bridged all channels driven 120W x 1 8 ohms 180W x 1 4 ohms Subwoofer Channel Mono all channels driven 180W x 1 4 ohms 240W x 1 3 ohms 300W x 1 2 ohms S N Ratio A weighted 20 Hz 20 kHz noise bandwidth Main Channels gt 104 dB referred to rated power gt 84 dB referred to 1W Subwoofer Channel gt 103dB referred to rated power gt 83dB referred to 1W Frequency Response Main Channels 12 Hz 22 kHz 0 1dB Subwoofer Channel 10 Hz 1 kHz 0 1dB Damping Factor Subwoofer Channel gt 120 4 ohms per ch 50 Hz gt 60 2 ohms per ch 50 Hz Crossover Filters Filter Type Continuously variable cutoff frequency selection defeatable Ch 1 amp 2 12dB octave Butterworth High Pass 50 500 Hz Sub Ch 12 dB octave Butterworth or 24 dB octave Linkwitz Riley 50 500 Hz Dimensions LxWxH 10 23 x 7 09 x 2 05 260mm x 180mm x 52mm APPENDIX D TROUBLESHOOTING How do properly set the input sensitivity on my amplifier Please refer to Appendix A page 14 to set the input sensitivity for maximum low distortion output My amplifier doesn t turn on Check the fuse not just visually but with a continuity meter It is possible for a fuse to have poor internal connections that cannot be found by visual inspection It is best to take the
8. to strip the head of the screw and making sure that the wire is firmly gripped by the set screw 2 VDC Ground Remote xD500 3va Lo If a source unit does not have a dedicated remote turn on output consider one of the following alternative turn on options These methods are useful when a conventional 12 V remote turn on signal is not available in a system These allow you to operate the amplifier without having to locate a remote turn on lead at the source unit which can be very useful when interfacing the amplifier with OEM factory audio systems that do not use conventional 12 V turn on leads Depending on the characteristics of the audio signal one of the following methods may work better than the other We recommend trying DC Offset Sensing first as it does not require a long delay to turn the system off after the signal is shut off DC Offset Sensing The amplifier will turn on and off by detecting the presence of a very small DC signal offset that is typical in the audio output of most OEM factory source units and amplifiers The amplifier will turn on and off in reaction to the presence or absence of this DC Offset The sensitivity of this circuit is designed for high level speaker level signals not for low level preamp level signals The circuit senses the left channel signal only Signal Sensing The amplifier will turn on and off by detecting the pr
9. OWNER S MANUAL MD500 Sve 500W 3 Channel Amplifier Nex SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY 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 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 954 443 1100 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 s
10. ace the defective product with new or remanufactured product at no charge Damage caused by the following is not covered under warranty accident misuse abuse product modification or neglect failure to follow installation instructions unauthorized repair attempts misrepresentations by the seller This warranty does not cover incidental or consequential damages and does not cover the cost of removing or reinstalling the unit s Cosmetic damage due to accident or normal wear and tear is not covered under warranty Warranty is void if the product s serial number has been removed or defaced Any applicable implied warranties are limited in duration to the period of the express warranty as provided herein beginning with the date of the original purchase at retail and no warranties whether express or implied shall apply to this product thereafter Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties therefore these exclusions may not apply to you This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state If you need service on your JL AUDIO product All warranty returns should be sent to JL AUDIO s Amplifier Service Facility freight prepaid through an authorized JL AUDIO dealer and must be accompanied by proof of purchase a copy of the original sales receipt Direct returns from consumers or non authorized dealers will be refused unless specifically authorized by JL AUDIO with a val
11. amp level outputs this is the position you should select The High position on the Input Voltage 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 cables or plugs or use the JL Audio ECS Speaker Wire to RCA adaptor XD CLRAIC2 SW Line output converters are usually not needed with the XD500 3v2 If you find that the output cannot be reduced sufficiently with a direct speaker level signal applied to the amplifier and the Input Voltage switch in its High position you may use a line output converter or voltage divider to reduce the signal level INPUT SENSITIVITY CONTROLS The control labeled Input Sens can be used to match the source unit s output voltage to the input stage ofthe XD500 3v2 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 CH 1 amp 2 Input SUB CH Input Sens Sens HP Filter Mode 80 120 Off HP LP Filter Mode 80 120 Off 12dB 2448
12. an passive filters and do not introduce extraneous resistance which can degrade subwoofer performance The active filter built into each channel section of the XD500 3v2 can be used to eliminate potentially harmful and or undesired frequencies from making their way through the amplifier sections to the speaker s This serves to improve tonal balance and to avoid distortion and possible speaker failure Correct use of these filters can substantially increase the longevity and fidelity of your audio system Sens Sens HP Filter Mode 80 120 LP Filter Mode 80 120 Off HP Off 12dB 24dB 5 50 500 500 HP Filter Freq Hz LP Filter Freq Hz Mono Subwoofer Output ANAA N A A A A 1 Filter Mode Controls The XD500 3v2 employs 12dB per octave filters for each pair of main channels one high pass filter for channels 1 amp 2 and another high pass bandpass filter for channels 3 amp 4 The subwoofer channel provides a low pass filter with the option of 12dB or 24dB octave slopes Each of these filters can be controlled or defeated completely by way of the Filter Mode switches in each channel section Channel 1 amp 2 Filter 2dB octave High Pass only Off Defeats the filter completely allowing the full range of frequencies present at the inputs to feed these channels This is use
13. ay 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 XD500 3v2 is the only device being run from the fused main power wire If the fused main power wire is shared by the XD500 3v2 and other amplifiers or devices fuse each amplifier 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 or configure the Turn On Mode switch for automatic turn on 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 50A for a single XD500 3v2 and reconnect the negative battery post terminal Install the fuse 50A 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 m
14. controls one in each Channel Section are for reference purposes and are generally accurate to within 1 3 octave or better If you would like to select the filter cutoff frequency with a higher level of precision consult the chart in Appendix B page 15 Tuning Hint If you are using the XD500 3v2 to drive a subwoofer system LP mode and component satellite speaker systems HP mode 80 Hz is a good baseline Filter Freq Hz setting After properly adjusting the Input Sens as outlined in Appendix A page 14 you can fine tune the Filter Freq Hz control to achieve the desired system frequency response REMOTE LEVEL CONTROL OPTIONAL o 5a With the addition of the optional Remote Level Control HD RLC you can control the volume of the subwoofer channel Subwoofer Level or of the entire XD500 3v2 from the front of the vehicle Master Volume The HD RLC connects to the jack labeled Remote Level Control on the Connection Panel of the amplifier using a standard telephone cable supplied with the HD RLC If desired multiple XD and HD amplifiers can be controlled from a single HD RLC controller using a single line four wire phone line splitter and multiple phone cables When connected to the amplifier the HD RLC operates as follows At full counter clockwise rotation the audio will mute completely At full clockwise rotation the level will be the same
15. deliver optimum power into a 4 ohm load i IMPORTANT When a the XD500 3v2 s main channels are bridged they will deliver 200W x 1 into a 4 ohm load or 150W x 1 into an 8 ohm load Operating the bridged channels into a load lower than 4 ohms is not recommended i IMPORTANT A bridged pair of channels requires that both channels in the pair receive input You must connect the mono or stereo source signal to both the left and right inputs of the bridged channel pair Connection of only one input will result in reduced power output increased distortion and can cause the amplifier to overheat Do not do this When the pair of the XD500 3v2 s main channels are operating in bridged mode the output will be in mono only one channel This mono channel can contain only right channel information only left channel information or the sum of the signals from right and left input channels In order to achieve one of these options configure the inputs to that pair of channels in one of these two ways 10 JL Audio XD500 3v2 Owner s Manual 1 Left Channel Only or Right Channel Only Information If you wish to send a left only or right only signal to a pair of the XD500 3v2 s channels you must use a Y Adaptor to split the single channel signal into both left and right RCA inputs of the bridged channel pair This option is used when deploying a pair of the XD500 3v2 s main channels to drive left channel speakers onl
16. election Selector Sensitivity Control pg 6 pg 9 pg 9 pg 8 P9 8 sub ch P9 7 Input Input Mode Status Ch 1 amp 2 Input Filter Mode Sub Ch Input Voltage Switch LED Sensitivity Control Selection Sensitivity Control pg 7 pg 7 pg 12 pg 7 pg 8 pg 8 Fl i e PreoutsFrom Remote Level Mode Input Input JL AUDIO sin sin tun gt 1 amp 2 Sub Sum All Sub XDI500 3va 3 Channel Amplifier Turn On Mode Input Voltage Input Mode HP Filter Mode 80 120 LP Filter Mode 20 120 Rem Offset Signal Low High 2Ch 4Ch Off HP 50 500 Off 1248 2448 sy 500 z RI vj lr a z 4 PRE OUTS 12 VDC Ground Remote HP Filter Freq Hz LP Filter Freq Hz Mono Subwoofer Output CH CH 2 ou Owo 2 JL Audio XD500 3v2 Owner s Manual 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 the largest possible vo
17. erminal 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 XD500 3v2 s main channels are designed to deliver power into speaker loads equal to or greater than 2 ohms when using a stereo configuration and speaker loads equal to or greater than 4 ohms when using a bridged configuration The subwoofer channel is designed to deliver power into subwoofer loads equal to or greater than 2 ohms 6595 6888 Quo Ogg e e e to Bridged Mono Subwoofer Output i IMPORTANT Speaker loads below 2 ohms nominal per channel or 4 ohms bridged are not recommended and may cause the amplifier to initiate a protection mode which reduces power output BRIDGING CONSIDERATIONS Bridging is the practice of combining the output of two amplifier channels to drive a single load When bridged each channel produces signals of equal magnitude but opposite polarity The combined output of the two channels provides twice the output voltage available from a single channel The XD500 3v2 has been designed for bridging of its main channel pairs without the need for input inversion adaptors To bridge the main channels use the Left and Right speaker connectors only the Left and Right remain unused The bridged channel pair will
18. esence of a full range audio signal at its left channel input After approximately 30 seconds the amplifier will shut off The sensitivity of this circuit is designed for high level speaker level signals not for low level preamp level signals The circuit is tuned to react to signals at mid range frequencies This prevents false switching from signals created by moving loudspeakers that are in parallel with the amplifier s input signal In signal sensing and DC offset sensing applications the amplifier s Remote turn on terminal becomes a remote turn on output This allows the XD500 3v2 to turn on other amplifiers in the audio system that do not have signal sensing or DC offset sensing Of course the XD500 3v2 must be the first amplifier in the signal path for this to function properly INPUT SECTION The XD500 3v2 s input section allows you to send signals to the amplifier section through the use of two or four differential balanced inputs Input connections are via up to two pairs of traditional RCA type jacks 6 JL Audio XD500 3v2 Owner s Manual Remote CH 1 amp 2 SUB CH Preouts i Input SECTION Lt Preouts From Remote Level Mode 1 amp 2 Sub Sum All Sub 1 On Mode Input Voltage Input Mode Of
19. esult in severe damage to your vehicle and person e Protect all system wires from sharp metal edges and wear by carefully routing them tying them down and using grommets and loom where appropriate e 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 Jack for Remote Level Channels 1 amp 2 Mono Control Knob Speaker Outputs Subwoofer Outputs pg 9 pg 10 pg 10 voc Ground Remote CH 1 amp 2 SUB CH Preouts xD500 Sva L INPUT SECTION Remote 788898889 Our On2 lassa Bridged Mono Subwoofer Output PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The JL Audio XD500 3v2 is a three channel system amplifier utilizing JL Audio NexD ultra high speed switching technology for its two main channels and NexD high speed switching for its subwoofer channel The NexD technologies deliver outstanding fidelity and efficiency The XD500 3v2 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 Additional steps and different procedures may be requ
20. ethod 16 Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your favorite music 4 JL Audio XD500 3v2 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 VDC Ground Remote xD500 3ve pi The XD500 3v2 s 12 VDC and Ground connections are designed to accept 4 AWG power wire 4 AWG is the required wire size for this amplifier If you are installing the XD500 3v2 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 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 XD500 3v2 with 4 AWG power wire JL Audio ECS fused distribution blocks are recommended XD FDBU 2 and XD 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 in
21. fset Signal Low High 2Ch 4Ch If you wish to send four discrete channels into the XD500 3v2 simply use all four inputs and set the Input Mode switch in the 4 Ch position The amplifier will automatically combine the left and right Sub Ch input signals to mono If you have only one channel of subwoofer signal available it is acceptable to only use one of the Sub Ch inputs but for optimal gain we recommend using a Y adaptor and feeding both Sub Ch inputs You may also choose to apply only two channels of input to deliver signal to all five amplifier channels To do this set the Input Mode switch to 2 Ch and use only the inputs to channels 1 amp 2 The amplifier will automatically combine the main input signals to mono for the subwoofer channel Input Voltage Range A wide range of signal input voltages can be accommodated by the XD500 3v2 s input section 200mV 8V This wide range is split up into two sub ranges accessible via the Input Voltage switch Low for preamp level signals High for speaker level signals This switch affects all channels of the amplifier equally The Low position on the Input Voltage switch selects an input sensitivity range between 200mV and 2V This means that the Input Sens rotary controls will operate within that voltage window If you are using an aftermarket source unit with conventional pre
22. ful for systems utilizing outboard active crossovers or requiring full range reproduction from this channel pair HP High Pass Configures the filter to attenuate frequencies below the indicated filter frequency at a rate of 12dB per octave This is useful for connection of component speakers or coaxials to this channel pair in a bi amplified system Subwoofer Channel Filter 12dB octave or 24dB octave Low Pass only Off Defeats the filter completely allowing the full range of frequencies present at the inputs to feed this channel This is useful for systems utilizing outboard active crossovers 12dB Low Pass Configures the filter to attenuate frequencies above the indicated filter frequency at a rate of 12dB per octave This is useful for connection of subwoofers in a bi amplified system This shallower slope gently attenuates high frequencies from your subwoofer signal and is often well suited for sedans and coupes with trunks 24dB Low Pass Configures the filter to attenuate frequencies above the indicated filter frequency at a rate of 24dB per octave This is useful for connection of subwoofers in a bi amplified system This sharper slope more aggressively removes high frequencies from your subwoofer signal and is often well suited for SUV s wagons and hatchbacks 8 JL Audio XD500 3v2 Owner s Manual 2 Filter Freq Hz The filter frequency markings surrounding these rotary
23. id return authorization number Warranty expiration on products returned without proof of purchase will be determined from the manufacturing date code Coverage may be invalidated as this date is previous to purchase date Non defective items received will be returned freight collect Customer is responsible for shipping charges and insurance in sending the product to JL AUDIO Freight damage on returns is not covered under warranty For Service Information in the U S A please call JL Audio Customer Service 954 443 1100 9 00 AM 5 30 PM Eastern Time Zone JL Audio Inc 10369 North Commerce Pkwy Miramar FL 33025 do not send product for repair to this address International Warranties Products purchased outside the United States of America are covered only by that country s distributor and not by JL Audio Inc Printed in China XD500 3v2 MAN 09 2013
24. ired 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 reconnection during installation This step is not optional 2 Run 4 AWG power wire 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 2 AWG or larger power wire and a fused power distribution block if additional amplifiers are being installed with the XD500 3v2 3 Connect the 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 4 AWG wire no longer than 36 inches 90 cm from the amplifier to the ground connection point In some vehicles it m
25. l delay between the Ch 1 amp 2 and Sub Ch inputs can result in a cancellation of signals within certain frequency ranges when using the Sum position If you experience a loss of bass output in the Sum position compared to the 1 amp 2 position you are likely dealing with a delayed signal in either the front or rear outputs of the source unit If the front to rear delay is desirable for other reasons or if it cannot be defeated at the source unit we recommend that you use the 1 amp 2 position Note In any of the three modes the preamp output signal is not affected by any crossover filter selected if the input signal is full range the preamp output will be full range Note When the Input Voltage switch is in its Low position the level of the Preouts signals matches the input signal levels unity gain When the Input Level switch is in the high position the level of the input signal is attenuated 12 dB to produce a line level signal at the Preouts This ensures a proper line level signal output under both conditions SPEAKER OUTPUTS The XD500 3v2 s speaker outputs are designed to accept 16 AWG 8 AWG wire To connect the speaker wires to the amplifier first back out the set screws 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 t
26. l three Input Sens controls all the way down 4 Set the source unit volume to 3 4 of full volume This will allow for reasonable gain overlap with moderate clipping at full volume 5 Using the chart on this page determine the target voltage for input sensitivity adjustment according to the nominal impedance of the speaker system connected to the amplifier outputs Nom 6 Verify that you have disconnected the speakers before proceeding Play a track with an appropriate sine wave within the frequency range to be amplified by the XD500 3v2 at 3 4 source unit volume 7 Connect the AC voltmeter to the speaker output connectors of the amplifier Make sure you test the voltage at the correct connectors and 8 Increase the Input Sens control until the target voltage is observed with the voltmeter 9 Once you have adjusted each channel section on the XD500 3v2 to its maximum low distortion output level reconnect the speaker s The Input Sens controls can now be adjusted downward if the amplifier requires attenuation to achieve the desired system balance fl IMPORTANT Do not increase any Input Sens setting for any amplifier channel or channel pair in the system beyond the maximum level established during this procedure Doing so will result in audible distortion and possible speaker damage It will be necessary to readjust the Input Sens for the affected channels if any equalizer boo
27. lume of air 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 Chassis Ground Channels 1 amp 2 Preout Connector Preamp Input Jacks Jacks pg 5 pg 7 pg 9 12V Power Remote Turn On Subwoofer Ch Connector Connector Preamp Input Jacks pg 5 pg 6 pg 7 i IMPORTANT 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 e 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 e Do not run system wiring outside or underneath the vehicle This is an extremely dangerous practice which can r
28. ositive connections and two negative connections This is to facilitate multiple subwoofer wiring The two positive and two negative connections are connected in parallel inside the amplifier They are not stereo outputs Connecting two subwoofers each to one set of positive and negative terminals will result in a parallel subwoofer connection If only connecting one pair of subwoofer wires it is not necessary to use both sets of connections STATUS LED PROTECTION CIRCUITRY There is a single multi color LED on the top 5 LED off Amplifier Shuts Off Unexpectedly surface of the amplifier to indicate the amplifier s The only condition that will shut down an operating status undamaged XD500 3v2 completely is if battery voltage or remote turn on voltage drops below 10 volts The Status LED will turn off when this occurs The amplifier will turn back on when voltage climbs back above 11 volts If this is happening in your system have your charging system and power wiring inspected JL AUDIO XD500 3v2 3 Channel Amplifier Tum On Mode input Voto z For more information on troubleshooting this e TM amplifier refer to Appendix D pages 16 17 1 Flashing Green The amplifier is powering up audio output is muted 2 Constant Green The amplifier is on and functioning normally audio output is ac
29. s been stripped back far enough to allow for a good contact area inside the terminal block Check the input connectors to ensure that they all are making good contact with the input jacks on the amplifier 16 JL Audio XD500 3v2 Owner s Manual My amplifier shuts off once in a while usually at higher volumes Check your voltage source and grounding point The power supply ofthe XD500 3v2 will operate with charging system voltages down to 10V Shutdown problems at higher volume levels can occur when the charging system voltage or remote turn on voltage drops below 10V These dips can be of very short duration making them extremely difficult to detect with a common DC voltmeter To ensure proper voltage inspect all wiring and termination points It may also be necessary to upgrade the ground wire connecting the battery to the vehicles chassis and the power wire connecting the alternator to the battery Many vehicles employ small 10 AWG 6 AWG wire to ground the battery to the vehicle s chassis and to connect the alternator 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 Grounding problems are the leading cause of misdiagnosed amplifier failures My amplifier turns on but there is no output Check the input signal using an AC voltmeter to measure the voltage from the source unit while an appropriate test tone is
30. se value at each power wire should be high enough for all of the equipment being run from that power wire If only the XD500 3v2 is being run from that power wire use a 50A fuse If fusing the amplifier near its power connections when more than one amp is being run from the main power wire use a 50A fuse MAXI big plastic body fuse is recommended TURN ON OPTIONS The XD500 3v2 can be switched on and off using one of three methods determined by the position of the amplifier s Turn On Mode switch Please read these options and decide which is best suited for your specific system 1 12V remote turn on lead 2 Signal sensing turn on circuit 3 DC offset sensing turn on circuit 12 V Remote Turn On This is the preferred method for turning the amplifier on off The amplifier will turn on when 12 V is present at its Remote input and turn off when 12 V is switched off This 12 V remote turn on signal is typically controlled by a source unit s remote turn on wire The XD500 3v2 s Remote turn on connector will 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 5 mm 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
31. st is activated after setting the Input Sens with this procedure This applies to any EQ boost circuit including source unit tone controls or EQ circuits EQ cuts will not require re adjustment Target AC Voltage CH1 amp 2 CH1 amp 2 Impedance i Bridged Subwoofer CH 80 173V 34 6 V 26 8 V 40 173V 28 2 V 26 8 V 30 16 2V not recommended 26 8V 20 14 1 V not recommended 24 5 V 14 JL Audio XD500 3v2 Owner s Manual APPENDIX B Precise Frequency Selection Chart FILTER FREQ Detent Panel Actual Number Marking Freq Full counter clockwise 49 Full clockwise 483 Due to ongoing product development all specifications are subject to change without notice APPENDIX C XD500 3v2 Specifications Recommended Fuse Value 50A Recommended Fuse Type MAXI or AGU Input Sections No of Inputs Two Stereo Pairs Input Type Differential balanced with RCA jack inputs Input Range 200mvV 8V RMS Amplifier Section Amplifier Topology NexD Class D Power Supply Unregulated MOSFET switching type Rated Power at 14 4V with less than 1 THD Noise 20Hz 20 kHz RMS Method Main Channels Stereo all channels driven 75W x 2 4 ohms 100W x 2 2 ohms Main Channels Bridged all channels driven 150W x 1 8 ohms 200W x 1 4 ohms Subwoofer Channel Mono all channels driven 180W x 1 4 ohms 240W x 1 3 ohms 300W x 1 2 ohms Rated Power 12 5V with less
32. sulation 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 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 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 rubber grommet to prevent damage to the insulation of the wire Failure to do so may result in a dangerous short circuit i IMPORTANT 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 wire s to the amplifier s in the system be fused within 18 inches 45 cm of the positive battery post connection The fu
33. tive 3 Constant Red lights to indicate that the amplifier has exceeded its safe operating temperature putting the amplifier into a self protection mode which reduces the peak power output of the amplifier When its temperature returns to a safe level the red light will return to green and the amplifier will return to full power operating mode 4 Constant Amber Yellow Indicates that an over current condition has occurred and is accompanied by a muting of the amplifier s output Because the muting behavior may be very short in duration it may manifest itself as an audible repetitive ticking or thumping noise in the output Over current conditions can be caused by a speaker impedance lower than the optimum load impedance range for the amplifier or a short circuit in the speaker wiring The latter can result from a short circuit between the positive and negative speaker wires or between either speaker wire and the vehicle chassis The Status LED will remain amber for a few seconds even if the over current condition is of a very short duration 12 JL Audio XD500 3v2 Owner s Manual SERVICING YOUR JL AUDIO AMPLIFIER If your amplifier fails or malfunctions please return it to your authorized JL Audio dealer so that it may be sent in to JL Audio for service There are no user serviceable parts or fuses inside the amplifier The unique nature of the circuitry in the JL Audio amplifiers requires specifically trained
34. uch 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 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 Remote Ch 1 amp 2 Ch 1 amp 2 Filter Turn On Preout Level Mode Filter Mode Frequency Sub Ch Input Mode Selector Switch S
35. y and the other pair of the XD500 3v2 s main channels to drive right channel speakers only 2 Left Right Channel Information When bridged and fed by a stereo source signal a bridged pair of the XD500 3v2 s channels will automatically combine the left and right input signals into a summed mono left right input signal SUBWOOFER OUTPUTS The XD500 3v2 s single subwoofer channel is designed to deliver power into subwoofer loads equal to or greater than 2 ohms It is rated for 600W into 2 ohms 500W into 3 ohms and 400W into 4 ohms Continuous Power RMS Method Ey important Subwoofer loads below 2 ohms nominal are not recommended and may cause the amplifier to initiate a protection mode which reduces power output The XD500 3v2 s subwoofer outputs are designed to accept 16 AWG 8 AWG wire To connect the subwoofer wires to the amplifier first back out the set screws 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 2809 EB0A 88585 B886 Oye cu 2 _ L R PSA Bridged Mono Subwoofer Output 9 You will notice that there are two p
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