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Owner's Manual: JL AUDIO 250/1
Owner's Manual: JL AUDIO 250/1
o w n e r ’s m a n u a l
+12VDC Ground Remote Preamp Output Section Amp LP Filter Bass Control Amplifier Input Section
Output Mode Mode/Slope Infrasonic Filter Input Voltage Input Sens. Signal Sensing
+1 +13
JL AUDIO 250/1
monoblock subwoofer amplifier
Left Ch. Right Ch. Filter Freq. (Hz) LF Boost (dB) Left Ch. Right Ch.
AMPLIFIER LOW-PASS FILTER JL Audio amplifiers utilizing the Regulated 5) Using the chart below, determine the target
Detent Panel Actual Intelligent Power Supply (R.I.P.S.) allow delivery of voltage for input sensitivity adjustment according to
Number Marking Freq. their rated power when connected to any load the nominal impedance of the speaker system
Full counter-clockwise: 42 impedance from 1.5 - 4Ω per channel and when connected to the amplifier output.
01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 connected to a charging system with any voltage
02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Nom. Impedance Target AC Voltage
from 11 - 14.5V. This design is beneficial for many
03 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 4Ω (or higher) 31.6 V
reasons. One of these reasons is ease of setup.
04 . . . . . . . . .“40” . . . . . . . . .42
05 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Because each JL Audio amplifier will always deliver 3Ω 27.4 V
06 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 the same amount of power within its operational 2Ω 22.4 V
07 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 range of impedances and supply voltages, the
1.5Ω 19.4 V
08 . . . . . . . . .“45” . . . . . . . . .47 maximum, unclipped output is very predictable.
09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 This makes setting the gain structure via the input 6) Verify that you have disconnected the
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 sensitivity controls very simple. Following the speakers before proceeding. Play a track with an
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 directions below will allow the user to adjust the appropriate sine wave (within the frequency range
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 input sensitivity of the amplifier(s) simply and easily to be amplified) at 3/4 source unit volume.
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
in just a few minutes using equipment which is 7) Connect the AC voltmeter to the
14 . . . . . . . . .“55” . . . . . . . . .57
commonly available in installation bays. “Subwoofer Output” connectors of the amplifier.
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 8) Increase the “Input Sens.” control until the
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Necessary Equipment target voltage is delivered. If multiple subwoofer
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 • Digital AC Voltmeter amps are being used, set each one to the same
19 . . . . . . . . .“65” . . . . . . . . .67 • CD with a sine-wave test tone recorded at 0 dB exact voltage and you have also level matched
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 reference level in the frequency range to be them. If excessive voltage is read with the control
21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 amplified (ex. 50 Hz for a subwoofer amplifier. at minimum (full counterclockwise), switch the
22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 1 kHz for a midrange application). Do not use “Input Voltage” to “High” and re-adjust.
23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 attenuated test tones (-10 dB, -20 dB, etc.). 9) Once you have adjusted each amplifier to its
24 . . . . . . . . .“80” . . . . . . . . .83
maximum unclipped output level, reconnect the
25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
The Nine-Step Procedure speaker(s).The “Input Sens.” can now be adjusted
26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 1) Disconnect the speaker(s) from the amplifier’s downward if the amplifier requires attenuation to
28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102 “Subwoofer Output”connectors (you only need to achieve the desired system balance.
29 . . . . . . . . .“100” . . . . . . . .108 remove the negative or positive speaker wire).
30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 2) Turn “Off ” all processing on the source unit ! I M P O RTA N T
31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122 and amplifier (bass/treble, loudness, EQ, etc.). Do not increase any “Input Sens.” setting in
32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131 3) Switch the “Input Voltage” to “Low” and the system beyond the maximum level established
33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143 turn the “Input Sens.” control on the amplifier all during this procedure. Doing so will result in
34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 the way down. audible distortion and possible speaker damage.
35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
4) Set the source unit volume to 3/4 of full
36 . . . . . . . . .“200” . . . . . . . .193
volume. If the amplifier is being driven by a source
37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198 unit’s dedicated subwoofer output, also adjust the
39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198 source unit’s subwoofer level control to 3/4 of
Full-clockwise : 198 maximum output.This will allow for reasonable gain
overlap with moderate clipping at full volume.
Connect Master 250/1 Preamp Output Connect Master 250/1 Input to Signal Source
to Slave A 250/1 Input
SLAVE (A):
This Slave amplifier’s
“Bass Control”section and
AMP LP Filter are inactive,
but the Full-Range (pass-through)
feature of its “Preamp Output”
feeds the input of the
next Slave amplifier.
“MY AMPLIFIER DOESN’T TURN ON” “MY AMPLIFIER SHUTS OFF ONCE IN A WHILE, USUALLY AT HIGHER VOLUMES”
Check to make sure there is +12V at the “Remote” connection of Check your voltage source and grounding point.The R.I.P.S. power
the amplifier. In some cases, the turn-on lead from the source supply is rated to operate with source voltages between
unit is insufficient to turn on multiple devices and the use of a 11 - 14.5V. Shutdown problems at higher levels can occur
relay is required. To test for this problem, jump the “+12V” when the charging system voltage drops below 10-volts.These
wire to the “Remote” terminal to see if the amplifier turns on. dips can be of very short duration making them extremely
If this does not work, proceed to the next step. difficult to detect with a common DC voltmeter.To ensure
Check the fuse, not just visually but with a continuity meter. It is proper voltage, inspect all wiring and termination points. It is
possible for a fuse to have poor internal connections that also a good idea to improve the vehicle’s factory ground wire
cannot be found by visual inspection. It is best to take the and termination point. Grounding problems are the leading
fuse out of the holder for testing. If no problem is found cause of mis-diagnosed amplifier failures.
with the fuse, inspect the fuse-holder.
Check the “Signal Sensing” switch to make sure it is in the desired
position. If you are using a remote wire, this switch should be “MY AMPLIFIER TURNS ON, BUT THERE IS NO OUTPUT”
in the “Off” position. If you are using the signal sensing Check the input signal using an AC voltmeter to measure the
feature, make sure there is a full-range signal being sent to the voltage from the source unit while an appropriate test tone
RCA inputs of the amplifier. If you continue to have trouble is played through the source unit (disconnect the RCA
with the signal sensing feature, test the amplifier’s ability to turn cables from the amplifier prior to this test).The frequency
on by throwing the “Signal Sensing” switch to the “Off” used should be in the range that is to amplified by the
position and jumping the “+12V” wire to the “Remote” channels being tested (example: 50 Hz for a sub bass
terminal. If this turns the amplifier on, check your input signal amplifier channel and 1 kHz for a full-range amplifier
and connections. channel). A steady voltage should be present at the output
of the RCA cables. If you are receiving a sufficient voltage
(between 0.2 and 8.0-volts), check to ensure that the
“I GET A DISTORTED / ATTENUATED SOUND COMING OUT OF THE SPEAKER(S)” speaker wires are making a good connection with the metal
Check the speaker wires for a possible short, either between the inside the amplifier.The connectors are designed to accept
positive and negative or between a speaker lead and the up to an 8 AWG wire. If you are using significantly smaller
vehicle’s chassis ground. If a short is present you will wire (14 AWG or smaller), you may have difficulty making
experience distorted and/or attenuated output.The an adequate connection. In this case, you may find it
“Low Ω” light may also illuminate in this situation. It may be necessary to “fold” the wire over once (or twice!) so as to
helpful to disconnect the speaker wires from the amplifier make a solid connection. Make sure to strip the wire to
and use a different set of wires connected to a test speaker. allow for a sufficient connection with the input or output
Check the nominal load impedance to verify that the amplifier is of the amplifier.
driving a load between 1.5 - 4Ω. JL Audio monoblock Check the output of the amplifier. Using the procedure explained in
amplifiers have two “+” positive connections and two “–” the previous check item (after plugging the RCA cables back
negative connections.This is to facilitate multiple speaker wiring. into the amplifier) test for output at the speaker outputs of the
The two positive and two negative connections are connected amplifier. Unless you enjoy test tones at high levels, it is a good
in parallel inside the amplifier. Connecting two speakers, each idea to remove the speaker wires from the amplifier while
to one set of positive and negative terminals, will result in a doing this. Turn the volume up approximately half way.
parallel speaker connection. In this case, each of the two loads 5-volts or more should be measured at the speaker outputs.
should have a nominal impedance between 3 - 8Ω. This output level can vary greatly between amplifiers but it
Check the input signal and input signal cables to make sure signal is should not be in the millivolt range with the source unit at half
present at the “Amplifier Input Section” and the cables are volume. If you are reading sufficient voltage, check your speaker
not pinched or loose. It may be helpful to try a different set of connections as explained above.
cables and/or a different signal source to be sure.
“MY AMPLIFIER’S OUTPUT FLUCTUATES WHEN I TAP ON IT OR HIT A BUMP” GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS: CROSSOVER SECTION:
Check the connections to the amplifier. Make sure that the insulation Recommended Fuse Value: 30A Amplifier Low-Pass Filter: State-variable, 12 dB/octave
for all wires has been stripped back far enough to allow a Recommended Fuse Type: AGU or MaxiFuse™ Butterworth or 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley with
good contact area inside the amplifier terminal. continuously variable cutoff frequency selection
Check the RCA connectors to ensure that both the center pin and INPUT SECTION: from 40 - 200 Hz, defeatable
the outer shield are making good contact with the input jacks Input Type: Differential-balanced with RCA jack inputs
on the amplifier. Input Range: Switchable from 200mV - 2V RMS to PREAMP OUTPUT:
800mV - 8V RMS 2-Channel, selectable as full-range (pass-through) or
low-pass or high-pass filtered (tracks with the amplifier
“HOW DO I PROPERLY SET THE INPUT SENSITIVITY ON MY AMPLIFIER” AMPLIFIER SECTION: low-pass filter cutoff frequency)
Please refer to Appendix B (page 13) to set the input sensitivity for Amplifier Topology: H-Bridge, Class D Mono
maximum, unclipped output. with impedance optimization and patented BASS CONTROL SECTION:
discrete drive circuitry Bass EQ: Single-band, fixed frequency/“Q” centered at 48 Hz
Power Supply: Pulse width modulation-regulated with boost adjustment from 0 dB to +15 dB, defeatable
switching power supply Infrasonic Filter: 24 dB/octave Butterworth high-pass filter
Rated Power: 250W RMS x 1 @ 1.5 - 4Ω (11 - 14.5V) with 30 Hz cutoff frequency, defeatable
THD at Rated Power: <0.05% @ 4Ω, 50 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio: >95 dB referred to rated power DIMENSIONS: (LxWxH):
(A-weighted, 20 Hz - 20 kHz noise bandwidth) 10.25" x 9.25" x 2.36" (260mm x 235mm x 60mm)
Frequency Response: 5 - 300 Hz (+0, -1 dB) /
5 - 500 Hz (+0, -3 dB) Due to ongoing product development, all specifications are
Damping Factor: >500 @ 4Ω/50 Hz, >250 @ 2Ω/50 Hz subject to change without notice.
INSTALLATION NOTES:
Use this diagram to document your amplifier’s switch and control positions.
JL AUDIO warrants this product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ninety
(90) days from the original date of purchase. The warranty term is extended to two (2) years if installation is
performed or approved by an authorized JL AUDIO dealer (proof of installation or approval required on
purchase receipt).
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 replace 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.
International Warranties:
Products purchased outside the United States of America are covered only
by that country’s distributor and not by JL Audio, Inc.
Patented Class D Amplifier Circuit (U.S. Patent #6,441,685) is Patent-Pending in the following
countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea,
Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and all
other PCT countries.
JL2501MAN-CH-09-2002