User Guide

JL AUDIO 300/4 15
The Nine-Step Procedure
(follow this procedure for each pair of channels)
1) Disconnect the speaker(s) from the
amplifier’s “Front Speaker Outputs” and
“Rear Speaker Outputs”connectors.
2) Turn off all processing on the source unit
(bass/treble, loudness, EQ, etc.). Set fader control to
center position and subwoofer level control to 3/4
of maximum (if used to drive the 300/4).
3) Switch the “Input Voltage” to “Low” and
turn the “Input Sens.” control on both sets of
channels all the way down.
4) Set the source unit volume to 3/4 of full
volume. If either set of channels is being driven by a
source unit’s dedicated subwoofer output, also
adjust the source unit’s subwoofer level control to
3/4 of maximum output.This will allow for
reasonable gain overlap with moderate clipping at
full volume.
5) Using the listings on the following pages
(pages 16 & 17), find the configuration that
matches your specific speaker impedance as
connected to the 300/4. Make sure you note
whether your channels are in stereo or bridged
and use the appropriate listing section. Once you
have found your configuration, note the target
voltage for input sensitivity adjustment for each
channel section.This target voltage is listed in
parentheses as “(set to “x” volts)”.
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 each set of channels) at 3/4
source unit volume.
7) Connect the AC voltmeter to the “Front
Speaker Outputs” or “Rear Speaker Outputs”
connectors of the amplifier. If the channel pair is
operating in stereo, it is only necessary to measure
one channel. If bridged, make sure you test the
voltage at the correct connectors (L+ and R–).
8) Increase the “Input Sens.” control until the
target voltage is delivered for that set of channels.
If excessive voltage is read on either set of channels
with the control at minimum (full counterclockwise),
switch the appropriate “Input Voltage” switch to
“High” and re-adjust.
9) Once you have adjusted each set of
channels to its maximum low-distortion output
level, reconnect the speaker(s).The “Input Sens.”
controls can now be adjusted downward if either
or both sets of channels requires attenuation to
achieve the desired system balance.
Do not increase any “Input Sens.” setting 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 re-adjust the “Input
Sens.” for the affected channels if any equalizer
boost 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 VOLTAGE
CHARTS ARE ON THE
NEXT TWO PAGES
IMPORTANT
!
(continued on next page)
14 JL AUDIO 300/4
APPENDIX A:
Precise Frequency Selection Chart
“FILTER FREQ” FRONT / REAR FILTERS
Detent Panel Actual
Number Marking Freq.
Full counter-clockwise: 58
01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
02 . . . . . . . . .“50” . . . . . . . . .58
03 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
04 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
05 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
06 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
07 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
08 . . . . . . . . .“60” . . . . . . . . .63
09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
14 . . . . . . . . .“75” . . . . . . . . .77
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
20 . . . . . . . . .“95” . . . . . . . . .97
21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
26 . . . . . . . . .“130” . . . . . . . .135
27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
32 . . . . . . . . .“200” . . . . . . . .223
33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337
36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404
37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .474
38 . . . . . . . . .“500” . . . . . . . .514
39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .525
Full-clockwise: 542
APPENDIX B:
Input Sensitivity Level Setting
JL Audio amplifiers utilizing the Regulated
Intelligent Power Supply (R.I.P.S.) allow delivery of
their rated power when connected to any load
impedance from 1.5 - 4Ω per channel (3 - 8Ω
bridged) and when connected to a charging system
with any voltage from 11 - 14.5V. This design is
beneficial for many reasons. One of these reasons is
ease of setup. Because each JL Audio amplifier will
always deliver the same amount of power within its
operational range of impedances and supply
voltages, the maximum, unclipped output is very
predictable.This makes setting the gain structure via
the input sensitivity controls very simple. Following
the directions below will allow the user to adjust
the input sensitivity of the amplifier(s) simply and
easily in just a few minutes using equipment which is
commonly available in installation bays.
Necessary Equipment
• Digital AC Voltmeter
• 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.).