JL Audio 500/1v2 User Manual

Page 3

4 | JL Audio - 500/1

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 person during installation.

+12VDC

Ground Remote

Preamp Output Section

Infrasonic Filter

“Q”

Center Freq.

Boost (dB)

Amp LP Filter

Advanced

Bass

Control

Amplifier Input Section

Subwoofer Output

MONO OUTPUT ONLY

Left Output

Right Output

Left Ch.

Right Ch.

Filter Freq. (Hz)

Infrasonic Freq. (Hz)

Remote Bass Port

Full Range | Amp Filter | Out Filter

Output Mode

Filter Slope

Mode

Mode | Slope

Input Voltage

Input Sens. Signal Sensing

12dB | 24dB

Filter Mode

LP | HP

Bass EQ

Off | On

Off | 12dB | 24dB

Low | High

Off | On

100

200

100

200

0.5

0.7

1.1

1.6

2.7

4.3 20

+10

+13

+15

500/1

Monoblock Subwoofer Amplifier

The 500/1v2’s “+12 VDC” and “Ground”

connections are designed to accept 8 AWG -
4 AWG power wire. 4 AWG is a minimum power
wire size for this amplifier.

If you are installing the 500/1v2 with other

amplifiers and wish to use a single main power
wire, use 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG main power wire
(depending on the overall current demands of
all the amplifiers in the system). This 2 AWG
or 1/0 AWG power wire should terminate into
a distribution block mounted as close to the
amplifiers as possible and should connect to the
500/1v2 with 4 AWG power wire.

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

To connect the power wires to the amplifier,

first back out the set screw on the top of the
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 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. The use of a star washer to
lock down the connection is advisable.

Any wires run through metal barriers (such as

firewalls), must be protected with a high quality
insulating grommet to prevent damage to the
insulation of the wire. Failure to do so may result
in a dangerous short circuit.

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 (or larger) when installing amplifier

systems with total fuse ratings exceeding 60A.

Fuse requirements

It is absolutely vital that the main power

lead to the amplifier(s) in the system be fused
within 18 inches (45 cm) of the positive battery
post connection. The fuse value at each power
wire should be high enough for all of the
equipment being run from that power wire.
If only the 500/1v2 is being run from that power
wire, we recommend a 50A fuse be used. AGU
(big glass fuse) or MaxiFuse™ (big plastic-body
fuse) types are recommended.

No fuse is required directly before the

amplifier power connection. If one is desired,
we recommend the use of a 50A AGU fuse or
MaxiFuse™ type.

ProduCt desCriPtion

The JL Audio 500/1v2 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 B (page 15).

tYPiCal installation sequenCe

The following represents the sequence

for a typical amplifier installation, using an
aftermarket source unit or OEM Interface
processor (like the CleanSweep® CL441dsp).
Additional steps and different procedures may
be required in some applications. If you have
any questions, please contact your authorized
JL Audio dealer for assistance.

1) Disconnect the negative battery post

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

2) Run power wire (minimum 4 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 2 AWG or 1/0
AWG power wire if additional amplifiers
are being installed with the 500/1v2.

3) Connect power wire to the positive battery

post. Fuse the wire with an appropriate fuse
block (and connectors) within 18 inches (45
cm) wire length of the positive battery post.
This fuse is essential to protect the vehicle. Do
not install the fuse until the power wire has
been connected to the amplifier.

4) Run signal cables (RCA cables) and remote

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

5) Run speaker wire from the speaker systems to

the amplifier mounting location.

6) Find a good, solid metal grounding point

close to the amplifier and connect the
negative power wire to it using appropriate
hardware. Use minimum 4 AWG power wire,
no longer than 36 inches (90 cm) from the
amplifier to the ground connection point. In
some vehicles, it may be necessary to upgrade
the battery ground wire. (See page 5 for
important notice).

7) Securely mount the amplifier using

appropriate hardware.

8) Connect the positive and negative power

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

9) Connect the remote turn-on wire

to the amplifier.

10) Connect the RCA input cables

to the amplifier.

11) Connect the speaker wires to the amplifier.
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 500/1v2) and reconnect the negative
battery post terminal.

14) Turn on the source unit at a low level

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

15) Make necessary adjustments to the input

sensitivity controls to obtain the right
overall output and the desired balance
in the system. See Appendix A (page 14)
for the recommended input sensitivity
setting method.

16) Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your

favorite music.