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1. Ey IMPORTANT Speaker loads below 1 50 nominal per channel in stereo or 3Q nominal in bridged mode are not recommended and may cause the amplifier output to distort excessively 14 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual STATUS LED PROTECTION CIRCUITRY There is a single multi color LED on the control panel of the amplifier to indicate the amplifier s operating status This LED s behavior is as follows 1 Flashing Green amplifier is powering up audio output is muted 2 Constant Green amplifier is on and functioning normally audio output is active 3 Constant Red lights to indicate that the amplifier has exceeded its safe operating temperature putting the amplifier into a self protection mode which temporarily reduces the peak power output of the amplifier The red light will turn green and the amplifier will return to full power operating mode when its temperature returns to a safe level 3 Constant Amber yellow lights to indicate that at least one channel is in overcurrent protection mode This could mean that the impedance of the speaker load connected to the amplifier is lower than the optimum load impedance range for the amplifier When this light is on a protection circuit engages and reduces the power output of the channel s experiencing the problem This can manifest itself as audible distortion The amber indicator will also light when a short circuit is detected in the speaker wi
2. rotary controls one in each channel section r Front Rear Sub INPUT SECTION INPUT MODE SWITCH The Input Mode switch is located under the General Setup heading at the far right of the control panel This switch allows operation of all five amplifier channels with only one pair of input signals 2 ch or with independent front and rear input signal pairs 4 ch or with discrete front rear and subwoofer signal pairs 6 ch J j 1 24dB 2Ch 4Ch 6Ch Le ss Input Mode V 4 L GENERAL SE 6 Ch Input Mode In this mode you will connect separate pairs of input cables to the Front Rear and Sub amplifier inputs allowing you full channel control from the source unit If the source unit only provides a mono single subwoofer output use a y adaptor cable to feed both the Left and Right subwoofer inputs of the HD900 5 with the mono signal Failure to do so will result in reduced gain and possible distortion 4 Ch Input Mode In this mode you will connect separate pairs of input cables to the Front and Rear amplifier inputs and leave the Sub inputs unused The subwoofer channels will receive signal from the sum of the signals at the Front and Rear inputs so that front to rear fading of the main channels does not significantly affect the subwoofer level 2 Ch Input Mode To operate all five channels o
3. Plugs The speaker wire connectors are designed to accept up to 12 AWG wire Make sure to strip the wire to allow for a sufficient connection with the metal inside each terminal 21 INSTALLATION NOTES Use this diagram to document your amplifier s switch and control positions i Off 30Hz Jmm O Taai 2 Infrasonic Input Low Pass Input High Pass Input High Pass Filter Sens Filter Freq Hz Filter Sens Filter Freq Hz Filter Sens Filter Fei Hz Filter Status L SUBWOOFER CHANNEL CONTROLS L REAR CHANNEL CONTROLS L FRONT CHANNEL CONTROLS JL AUDIO HD900 5 Five Channel System Amplifier ee Ch 4Ch 6Ch Low High Input Input Mode Voltage L GENERAL SETUP O 22 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual 23 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 transferable 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 prod
4. Freq controls These are crossover filter controls and will be discussed in the next section of this manual This section will explain the Input Controls only Input Sens Controls Once the appropriate Input Voltage range has been selected in the General Setup section of the amplifier the Input Sens controls are used to match the source unit s output voltage to the input stage of each pair of amplifier channels 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 To properly set each pair of amplifier channels for maximum clean output please refer to Appendix C pages 18 19 in this manual After using this procedure you can then adjust the relative level of each channel pair by adjusting the input sensitivity downward on any of the channel sections if they require attenuation to achieve the desired system balance Do not increase the Input Sens setting for any amplifier or channel section in the system beyond the maximum level established during the procedure outlined in Appendix C pages 18 19 Doing so will result in audible distortion and possible speaker damage Be aware that all three Input Sens adjustments will need to be made regardless of how many input cables are feeding the amplifier These co
5. advantage of convection and radiation effects to remove heat from the amplifier circuitry For optimum cooling performance the vertical heat sinks located at the sides of the amplifier 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 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 Infrasonic Filter Filter Frequency Input Sensitivity Filter Slope Filter Frequency Input Mode Selector Selector Control Selection Selector Selection pg 11 pg 11 pg 10 pg 11 pg 10 pg 9 Power Status Input Sensitivity Filter Slope Filter Frequency Input Sensitivity Filter Slope Input Voltage Indicator Control z Selection __ __ Selector __ Control _ __ Selection f ___ Selection pg 15 pg 10 pg 11 pg 11 pg 10 pg 11 pg 9 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
6. and insert the bare wire into the receptacle on power connector plug seating it firmly so that no bare wire is exposed While holding each wire in place tighten each set screw firmly taking care not to strip the head of the screw Ey IMPORTANT Never make power connections with a live wire Always disconnect the negative battery post before making any connections or adjustments to a 12V power connection 6 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual AMPLIFIER MOUNTING OPTIONS The HD900 5 has two mounting options to ease in installation Standard Mounting The standard method of mounting requires removal of the four corner caps with the 4 mm hex wrench included with your amplifier Using appropriate mounting screws not included secure the amplifier in all four corners and replace the corner caps to cover the screws Lateral Mounting Feet CONTROL PANEL SECURITY COVER The HD900 5 features a Control Panel Security Cover When installed the cover ensures that your amplifier settings are not accidentally changed while creating a clean aesthetic for the amplifier and your installation The control panel security cover is pre installed at the factory and must be temporarily removed for access to the controls described throughout this manual The security cover is secured by a single 2 5 mm hex head screw at the far right of the panel Loosen the hex head screw to release the security cover
7. bigger wire and vice versa 1 0 AWG is the largest 2 AWG is smaller then 4 AWG then 8 AWG etc a IMPORTANT We do not recommend the use of copper clad aluminum wire or CCA wire because this wire is significantly less conductive than pure copper wire Only use pure copper power wire such as JL Audio s Premium Power Wire Premium Power Wire Tinned copper wire silver color is acceptable as the tin plating is only a very minor component of the wire Fuse Requirements The installation of a fuse on the main power wire within 18 wire inches 45 cm of the positive battery terminal is vital to protect the wire and the vehicle from fire in the event of a collision or short circuit The fuse value at each power wire should be just high enough for all of the equipment being run from that power wire Do not use a fuse with a value that far exceeds the total fuse rating of the electronics connected to the wire If only the HD900 5 is being run from a single power wire install a 60A fuse to protect the wire AGU big glass fuse AFS small blade fuse or MaxiFuse big plastic body fuse types are recommended If other amplifiers are also being powered from a main power wire and exceed 80 amps in total fuse rating we recommend the use of an ANL large blade fuse and holder at the battery plus a fused distribution block near the amplifiers Each amplifier must be fused independently at the outputs of the fused powe
8. it is not necessary to completely remove the screw To re install the security cover once all adjustments have been made insert the tongue on the cover s left edge into the groove where the left side heatsink meets the control panel hinge the panel closed and secure the screw using the supplied 2 5 mm hex wrench Do not overtighten the screw nT Lateral Mounting Feet are also included with your HD900 5 to provide an alternative mounting option Each mounting foot should be attached to the bottom of the amplifier by screwing the provided bolt into the bottom of the amplifier and up into the corner cap with the supplied 2 5 mm hex wrench Next using appropriate mounting screws not included secure the amplifier by its four Lateral Mounting Feet B IMPORTANT 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 8 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual AMPLIFIER INPUTS The HD900 5 has three separate input sections one for the Front left and right channels another for the Rear left and right channels and one for the Subwoofer Channel Each section consists of a pair of RCA type input jacks on the Connection Panel of the amplifier and input controls on the Control Panel of the amplifier a single Input Voltage switch an Input Mode switch and three individual Input Sens
9. 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 12V 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 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 Your JL Audio amplifier employs an advanced type of heat management called RealSink This feature takes
10. set it exactly the same as you set the Front Channel Controls Finally in the Subwoofer Channel Controls section select 12dB or 24dB on the Low Pass Filter switch and a Filter Freq of 80 90 Hz After proper adjustment of the HD900 5 s Input Range and Input Sens controls you can fine tune filter frequencies and slopes and attenuate each channel section to achieve proper balance Keep in mind that the left and right front speakers will have independent Input Sens controls in this configuration and these need to be carefully matched for proper stereo performance D O S Off 12dB 24dB u 50 High Pass Input ins Filter Freq Hz Filter Sens REAR CHANNEL CONTROLS L FRC 3900 5 Five Channel Syster 12 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual REMOTE LEVEL CONTROL OPTIONAL With the addition of the optional Remote Level Control HD RLC you can control the level of the Subwoofer Channel of the HD900 5 from the front of the vehicle 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 HD amplifiers can be controlled from a single HD RLC controller using a simple phone line splitter and multiple phone cables FRONT SPEAK S our Que c ay When connected to the ampl
11. supply voltage to the amplifier and you are still seeing alternating Red and Green on the Status LED check that there are no short circuits to chassis ground in any of the speaker wiring in the vehicle Disconnect speaker connectors from the amplifier one by one to check If no problem is found with the supply or remote voltage disconnect everything except power ground remote If the amplifier is then turned on and displays an alternating red green the amplifier needs service For more information on troubleshooting this amplifier refer to Appendix D pages 20 21 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 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 16 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual Due to ongoing p
12. 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 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 200mV 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 Connector Plugs from the amplifier while doing this Turn the volume up approximately half way 5V 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 Speaker Connector
13. try a different set of cables and or a different signal source to be sure Reset the amplifier by removing the power plug then wait ten seconds and reconnect the power plug My amplifier s output fluctuates when I tap on it or hit a bump Check the connections to the amplifier Make sure that the insulation for all wires has been stripped back far enough to allow a good contact area inside the connector plugs Check the input connectors to ensure that they all are making good contact with the input jacks on the amplifier 20 JL Audio HD900 5 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 of the HD900 5 will operate with charging system voltages down to 9V Shutdown problems at higher volume levels can occur when the charging system voltage drops below 9V 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 vehicle s 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
14. 2dB or 24dB High Pass Filter switch and an appropriate Filter Freq again 80 90 Hz is a good starting point Finally in the Subwoofer Channel Controls Section select 12dB or 24dB on the Low Pass Filter Switch and a Filter Freq of 80 90 Hz After proper adjustment of the HD900 5 s Input Range and Input Sens controls you can fine tune filter frequencies and slopes and attenuate each channel section to achieve proper balance Bi Amplified System with one HD900 5 driving two main speakers plus subwoofer 3 Channel Mode In this configuration the Front channels of the HD900 5 will be bridged to drive the left front component speaker system 150W x 1 4Q with high pass filtering The Rear channels will be bridged to drive the right front component speaker system 150W x 1 4Q also with high pass filtering The Subwoofer channel will drive the subwoofer system 500W x 1 1 5 4Q with low pass filtering For information on proper bridging techniques refer to the section titled Bridging Considerations in this manual page 14 Once the input sections have been configured appropriately go to the Front Channel Controls Section Select 12dB or 24dB on the High Pass Filter and an appropriate Filter Freq 80 90 Hz is a good starting point Next turn your attention to the Rear Channel Controls section and
15. ER OUT ONG ORO ONG ORNS cm aw To bridge either pair of main channels use the Left and Right speaker connectors only the Left and Right remain unused Then connect a mono signal to both left and right RCA inputs for that channel pair This requires an RCA Y Adaptor sold separately because a bridged pair of channels requires that both amplifier channels of the bridged pair receive input Connection of only one RCA input will result in reduced power output increased distortion and can cause the amplifier to overheat When bridged each channel pair will deliver optimum power into a 3 80 load Operating bridged channel pairs into a load lower than 3Q is not recommended Speaker Connector Plugs There are three speaker connector plugs on the HD900 5 one for the front channels one for the rear channels and one for the subwoofer channel To connect the speaker wires to the amplifier unplug the speaker connector plugs from the amplifier chassis pull back firmly and back out the set screws on each connector plug using the supplied 2 5 mm hex wrench Strip 3 8 inch 10 mm of insulation from the end of each wire and insert the bare wire into the receptacle on the speaker connector plug seating it firmly so that no bare wire is exposed While holding each wire in place tighten each set screw firmly taking care not to strip the head of the screw
16. OWNER S MANUAL FOI900 5 5 Channel Class D System Amplifier 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 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 such high sound pressure
17. Q per channel 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 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 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 The CleanSweep Calibration Disc contains the appropriate test tones and is available for sale at http store jlaudio com Do not use attenuated test tones 10 dB 20 dB etc Ea IMPORTANT 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 Thi
18. Rear and Sub Input Type Differential balanced with RCA jack inputs Input Range Switchable from 200mvV 2V RMS Low to 800mV 8V RMS High Chassis Dimensions LxWxH 10 74 in x 7 85 in x 1 93 in 273 mm x 199 5 mm x 49 mm Dimensions do not include connectors APPENDIX B Precise Frequency Selection Chart FILTER FREQ Detent Panel Actual Number Marking Freq Hz Full counter clockwise 53 Ol satiate eee 53 OD aan RAET ENRRI E AAIEN 53 O EE ou T 53 04 PNE EEEE AT 53 OREERT TE EELEE LECET ER 54 OB EATA EEES E E EEEN 55 a TA E TAA EEOAE 57 OB EE EA T 58 OS Sait 60 60 O EES FAAO DEAA 62 i E EET EE satcn 64 P EE EE AEE 66 S IPE EE E REE 69 ENEE EEEE A AE 71 BD E EE EETA 74 ROE EAE EETA TEETE 77 TANE BO suedesas 80 Be rc Tan EAO ETTEN N 85 ON RTA E EEE TE 86 P EE E EE T EEAS 90 PEER E AET 95 DD NOE E EE 00 e OOE AA A EI 04 R EEA 10 PE 12 oclock 16 QOS EE EE EEE 23 QT E EE EE EE 31 P AAN EEE ERAN 41 e SFE AE T EEEE EE 51 BO ra ECA 65 o t EETA A EEEE 80 EP E EE A T 200 ET NETE E EAA 224 BA sveuesanas 1250 etasscaeses 248 o o LESE EE nant 293 e E 347 o TIE E EE 422 BO ANANE EEE 459 BO E 500 504 AO TE EE ET 508 Al eaaa n 508 Full clockwise 508 APPENDIX C 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 4
19. S L GE alifier 1 High Pass Filter Controls Front and Rear channels or Low Pass Filter Control Sub Channel These switches allow you to select filter slopes or defeat the filter s completely Off Defeats the filter completely Useful when using an external crossover such as one built into a head unit or signal processor 12dB Configures the filter to attenuate frequencies above or below the selected filter frequency at a rate of 12 dB per octave Butterworth alignment 24dB Configures the filter to attenuate frequencies above or below the selected filter frequency at a rate of 24 dB per octave Linkwitz Riley alignment Depending on the speaker system and the vehicle different filter slopes may be required to produce a smooth transition between the sound of different speakers in the system In high pass mode the sharper 24dB setting will do a better job of protecting small speakers with limited power handling In low pass mode the 24dB setting can also help by more aggressively removing lower midrange output from a subwoofer system The shallower 12dB octave setting allows for more output overlap between the speakers being crossed over In many cases this will result in a smoother blend or transition between speaker systems Experiment to find the slope or combination of slopes which best matches the acoustic requirements of your sys
20. This bypasses all signal from flowing through the circuit BI AMPLIFIED SYSTEMS Bi amplified systems are defined as systems in which separate amplifier channels drive low frequency LF and high frequency HF speakers and are separately filtered to send appropriate frequency ranges to each speaker system The most common application of bi amplification in mobile audio is to drive a subwoofer system from one or more amplifiers or channels and component speakers from separate amplifiers or channels The HD900 5 can be easily configured to drive a complete bi amplified system consisting of a subwoofer and four main speakers or a subwoofer and two main speakers Bi Amplified System with one HD900 5 driving four main speakers plus subwoofer 5 Channel Mode In this configuration the Front channels of the HD900 5 will drive front component speakers stereo 100W x 2 4Q with high pass filtering The Rear channels will drive rear component speakers in stereo LOOW x 2 4Q with high pass filtering The subwoofer channel will drive the subwoofer system 500W x 1 1 5 4Q with low pass filtering Once the input sections have been configured appropriately go to the Front Channel Controls Section Select 12dB or 24dB on the High Pass Filter and an appropriate Filter Freq 80 90 Hz is a good starting point Next turn your attention to the Rear Channel Controls Section and select 1
21. able to prevent accidental re connection during installation This step is not optional 2 Run 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 4 AWG is the minimum recommended wire size for this amplifier Use a 2 AWG or 1 0 AWG main power wire with a fused power distribution block when additional amplifiers are being installed with the HD900 5 and powered from the same main power wire 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 or interface processor to the amplifier mounting location 5 Run speaker wire from the speaker systems to the amplifier mounting location 6 Find a good solid bare metal grounding point close to the amplifier and connect the negative power wire to it using appropriate hardware Use minimum 4 AWG wire up to 60 inches 150 cm long from the amplifier to the ground connection point In some vehicles it may be necessary to upgrade the battery s ground wire as well See page 7 for important notice 7 Securely mount the amplifier u
22. amplifier using appropriate hardware 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 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 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 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 l O 1 OO 0 OO 0 O 2 Off 30Hz Off 12dB 246 Off 12dB 24dB Off 124B 24dB 2Ch 4Ch 6Ch Low High Infrasonic Input Low Pass Input High Pass Input High Pass Input Input H Filter Sens Filter Freq Hz Filter Sens Filter Freq Hz Filter Sens Filter Freq Hz Filter Mode Voltage Status _ SUBWOOFER CHANNEL CONTROLS L REAR CHANNEL CONTROLS L FRONT CHANNEL CONTROLS L GENERAL SETUP JL AUDIO HD900 5 Five Channel System Ampli
23. between 1 5 40 The operation of the R I P S circuitry is entirely automatic and adjusts itself every time the amplifier is turned on There are no user controls to configure The system operates through multiple stages of impedance optimization choosing the stage most appropriate to the actual impedance of the speakers you connect to it a IMPORTANT If you connect a load higher than 40 nominal per channel in stereo mode or 8Q in bridged mode power will drop by half with every doubling of impedance above 40 stereo 80 mono If you connect a load lower than 1 50 nominal per channel in stereo mode or 30 in bridged mode the amplifier protection circuitry activates a safe mode which reduces amplifier power to protect the circuitry from failure the LED status indicator on the control panel will light up amber to indicate that this has happened See page 15 for details 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 HD900 5 has been designed for bridging of its two main channel pairs without the need for input inversion adaptors The mono subwoofer channel cannot be bridged to another mono channel ste Level Control FRONT SPEAKER OUT REAR SPEAK
24. der 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 distorted attenuated 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 yellow 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 each channel of the amplifier is driving a load equal to or greater than 1 5 ohms in stereo mode 3 ohms bridged Check the input signal and input signal cables to make sure signal is present at the Amplifier Inputs and the cables are not pinched or loose It may be helpful to
25. dio grade signal processing allows it to be deployed in several different system configurations 1 As a five channel amplifier in a bi amplified system driving four satellite speakers 100W x 4 plus a subwoofer system 500W x 1 2 As a very powerful three channel amplifier in a bi amplified system driving two satellite speakers 150W x 2 bridged plus a subwoofer system 500W x 1 3 As a five channel amplifier in a tri amplified system driving two tweeters 100W x 2 plus two woofer mids 100W x 2 plus a subwoofer system 500W x 1 An external 2 way crossover is required for this application The HD900 5 s flexible input and crossover sections permit operation with a wide variety of source units and system configurations It can be operated with a single pair of stereo inputs with two pairs of stereo inputs front and rear or with separate inputs for its front rear and subwoofer channels As we said it s very flexible 4 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual 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 c
26. f the HD900 5 with a single pair of stereo inputs select the 2 Ch position on the Input Mode switch and connect a single pair of input cables to the Front input jacks only The Rear and Sub input jacks will remain unused In this mode the amplifier will route the signals connected to the Front inputs to the Front Rear and Subwoofer channels Front to rear fading will not be available Input Voltage Switch A wide range of signal input voltages can be accommodated by each of the HD900 5 s differential balanced inputs 200mV 8V RMS This wide range is split up into two sub ranges accessible via the Input Voltage switch located next to the Input Mode switch under the General Setup heading The Low position of the Input Voltage switch selects an input sensitivity range between 200mV and 2V for all the amplifier channels This means that the Input Sens rotary controls will operate within that voltage window If you are using an aftermarket source unit with preamp level outputs this is most likely the position that you will use regardless of what voltage output capability is claimed by the source unit The High position of the Input Voltage switch selects an input sensitivity range between 800mV and 8V This is for use with speaker level outputs from source units and small amplifiers found in many OEM factory installed systems To use spea
27. fier Chassis Ground Left amp Right Left amp Right Connector Input Jacks Input Jacks Speaker Outputs pgs 6 7 Front Channels Left amp Right Subwoofer Jack for pgs 13 14 12V Power RemoteTurn On pg 9 Input Jacks 9 Remote Level Connector Connector Rear Channels Control Knob pgs 6 7 pgs 6 7 pg 9 13 E pg pg pg POWER CONNECTOR 5 L Remote Level Control E FRONT SPEAKER OUT REAR SPEAKER OUT Front near sub e Orr OuS ONG Que Owe 5 z ee 2 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The JL Audio HD900 5 is a very powerful and compact five channel amplifier utilizing patented Single Cycle Control Class D technology for all channels This groundbreaking technology delivers reference grade full range sonic performance while requiring far less current from the vehicle s electrical system than a conventional amplifier JL Audio s exclusive R I P S power supply design optimizes the output of each channel section for any impedance between 1 5 and 4 ohms per channel 3 8 ohms bridged on front and rear sections allowing you to get full use of the HD900 5 s performance capabilities with a wide range of speaker systems The tightly regulated power supply design also means that the HD900 5 s clean power output capability remains stable over a wide range of vehicle voltages resulting in enhanced fidelity The HD900 5 flexible stu
28. ifier 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 as if the HD RLC was not connected at all In other words it operates strictly as a level attenuator When no HD RLC is connected the Level Control circuit is defeated Ea IMPORTANT The RBC 1 Remote Bass Control used with JL Audio Slash Slash v2 e Series A Series and G Series amplifiers is NOT compatible with the HD Series amplifiers If you attempt to connect an RBC 1 to an HD amplifer the control will not work You must use the HD RLC controller SPEAKER OUTPUTS The HD900 5 employs JL Audio s exclusive Regulated Intelligent Power Supply R LP S design The operation of the R I P S system is independent for each channel section This sophisticated power supply allows the amplifier to produce its optimum power into higher impedances as well as low impedances ote Level Control FRONT SPEAKER OUT REAR SPEAKER OUT ONG ORNS OG One Or am The R I P S equipped HD900 5 gives you the freedom to use a variety of speaker configurations that achieve final nominal impedances between 1 5 4Q per channel in stereo while maintaining 75 100W x 4 of clean power output When bridged each main channel pair will optimize output at 150 200 watts between 3 80 The mono subwoofer channel will deliver its full 500W output into any impedance
29. 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 HD900 5 s Remote turn on connector is designed to accept 18 AWG 12 AWG wire 18 AWG is more than adequate for this purpose To connect the remote turn on wire to the amplifier first back out the set screw on the bottom of the Power Connector Plug using the supplied hex wrench Strip 1 2 inch 12mm of wire and insert the bare wire into the receptacle seating it firmly so that no bare wire is exposed When using smaller wire it may be necessary to strip 1 inch of insulation from the wire and fold the bare wire in half prior to insertion While holding the wire in the terminal tighten the set screw firmly using the supplied 2 5 mm hex wrench taking care not to strip the head of the screw and making sure that the wire is firmly gripped by the set screw Amplifier Power Connector Plug To connect the power wires and the remote turn on wire to the amplifier unplug the power connector plug from the amplifier chassis pull back firmly and back out the set screws on the connector plug using the supplied 4 mm hex wrench for the 12 VDC and Ground connections and the supplied 2 5 mm hex wrench for the Remote connection Strip 3 8 inch 10 mm of insulation from the end of each wire
30. ker level sources splice the speaker output wires of the source unit or small amplifier onto a pair of RCA plugs for each input pair or use the JL Audio ECS Speaker Wire to RCA adaptor XB CLRAIC2 SW It is not necessary or advisable to use Line Output Converters with your HD900 5 Ea IMPORTANT The output of the amplifier decreases for a given input voltage when the Input Range switch is placed in the High position The output increases with the switch in the Low position While this may sound counter intuitive it is correct as described CHANNEL CONTROL SECTIONS To the left of the General Setup section on the Control Panel of the amplifer are three sets of controls one for the Rear Channel Controls one for the Front Channel Controls and one for the Subwoofer Channel Controls In each of these sections you will find a rotary control labeled Input Sens Input Sensitivity These controls are designed to match the input sensitivity of each channel section of the HD900 5 to the specific signal source that is feeding the amplifier These controls must be adjusted with care following the procedures outlined in this manual Failure to make correct adjustments can result in weak output excessive distortion and or undesirable noise in the audio output of the amplifier Note The Channel Control sections also house High Filter or Low Pass Filter and Filter
31. n 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 Single Cycle Control U S Patent 6 084 450 is used under exclusive license for mobile audio from Power Physics Inc Newport Beach CA Printed in China HD900 5MAN CH 071212
32. ntrols will allow you to set the appropriate relative levels for the Front channels relative to the Rear channels and the Sub channel and any other amplifier channels in the system CROSSOVER CONTROLS Crossovers are groups of electronic filters designed to control the frequency ranges that each speaker in a system will be tasked with reproducing Proper crossover setup is critical to sound quality and reliability The HD900 5 has three individually adjustable filter controls one for the Front channels one for the Rear channels and another for the Sub channel The Front and Rear filters are high pass filters they attenuate low frequencies Off 12dB 24dB 500 500 500 z 60 60 60 ic Input 0 Low Pass Input Sens Filter Freq Hz Filter Sens Off 12dB 24dB Off 12dB 24dB High Pass Input High Pass 0 0 Filter Freq Hz Filter Sens Filter Freq Hz Filter SUBWOOFER CHANNEL CONTROLS 1 L REAR CHANNEL CONTROLS L FRONT CHANNEL CONTROLS JL AUDIO HD900 5 Five Channel System Amplifier 10 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual while the Sub channel filter is a low pass filter attenuates high frequencies For each filter the user can select from a shallow 12dB octave filter slope or a more aggressive 24dB octave slope 250 Off 12dB 24dB 2Ch 4Ch 50 High Pass Inpu req Hz Filter Mod NNEL CONTROL
33. r distribution block We recommend appropriately rated MaxiFuse fuses and a JL Audio fused distribution block Please consult with your JL Audio dealer to make sure that the wire fuse holder and fuse ratings are appropriate for your system s needs The safety of your installation depends on appropriate power connections and fuse protection Ground Connection The chassis ground connection must be made using 4 AWG pure copper 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 with a brass or copper power ring 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 Ey 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 pure copper wire when installing amplifier systems with main fuse ratings above 60A Turn On Wire The HD900 5 uses a conventional 12V remote turn on wire typically controlled by the source unit s remote turn on output The amplifier will turn on when 12V is present at its Remote
34. ring this can be a short between the positive and negative speaker wires or between either speaker wire and the vehicle chassis This can be used to diagnose a short circuit by only connecting one of the amplifier sections at a time Front or Rear or Sub channels The amber LED will light when you connect the section that is experiencing the problem and turn the volume up Note that a short in the speaker wiring may show an alternating red green status light with no signal volume down 4 Alternating Red and Green lights to indicate that the amplifier is experiencing a fault that may require service of the amplifier its wiring or the vehicle s charging system Audio is muted when this fault occurs The most likely cause of this fault is a low supply voltage condition If battery voltage drops below 8 5 volts at any point the amplifier except for the Status LED will shut itself off to protect itself and the vehicle s charging system If the Remote Turn On voltage drops below 6 volts the Status LED will also turn off The amplifier will turn back on automatically when voltage climbs back above 9 volts This shut down and turn on behavior may happen in a rapid cycle when bass heavy program material causes a weak charging system to momentarily dip too low If this is happening in your system have your charging system inspected to make sure it is working properly If no problem is found with the
35. roduct development all specifications are subject to change without notice APPENDIX A HD900 5 Specifications Amplifier Topology Class D switching type with patented Single Cycle Control technology Power Supply Pulse width modulation regulated switching power supply Recommended Fuse Value Type 60A AGU or MaxiFuse Rated Power Main Channels Stereo 100W RMS x 4 40 11V 14 5V 75W RMS x 4 1 5 30 11V 14 5V Rated Power Main Channels Bridged 200W RMS x 2 80 11V 14 5V 150W RMS x 2 3 60 11V 14 5V Rated Power Subwoofer Channel 500W RMS x 1 1 5 40 11V 14 5V THD at Rated Power Main Channels lt 0 03 40 per channel Subwoofer Channel lt 0 05 40 Average at 1 kHz Signal to Noise Ratio 20 kHz Bandwidth Referred to Rated Power 108 dBA Referred to 1 Watt 88 dBA Frequency Response Main Channels 12 Hz 28 kHz 0 1dB Frequency Response Subwoofer Channel 12 Hz 10 kHz 0 1dB Damping Factor Main Channels gt 400 40 per ch 50 Hz gt 200 20 per ch 50 Hz Damping Factor Subwoofer Channel gt 800 40 50 Hz gt 400 20 50 Hz Crossover Filters High Pass Filters Front Channels and Rear Channels Low Pass Filter Subwoofer Channel Filter Type all channels 12 dB octave Butterworth or 24 dB octave Linkwitz Riley Cutoff Freq Range Continuously variable 50 500 Hz Input Sections No of Inputs Three Stereo Pairs Front
36. s applies to any EQ boost circuit source unit tone controls or EQ circuits EQ cuts will not require re adjustment 18 JL Audio HD900 5 Owner s Manual The Nine Step Procedure follow this procedure for each pair of channels 1 Disconnect the Speaker Connector Plugs 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 HD900 5 Disconnect the HD RLC Remote Level Control temporarily if one is being used 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 the subwoofer channel 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 chart below determine the target voltage for input sensitivity adjustment according to the nominal impedance of the speaker system connected to each set of outputs 6 Verify that you have disconnected the Speaker Connector Plugs 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 Outpu
37. sing appropriate hardware See page 8 for detailed mounting instructions 8 Connect the remote turn on wire and the positive and negative power wires to the amplifier s power connector plug Then insert the power connector plug into the amplifier s power connector receptacle pushing firmly 9 Connect the RCA input cables to the amplifier 10 Connect the speaker wires to the speaker connector plugs and insert the plugs firmly into the speaker connector receptacles 11 Carefully review the amplifier s control settings to make sure that they are set according to the needs of the system 12 Install power wire fuse 60A for a single HD900 5 and reconnect the negative battery post terminal 13 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 14 Make necessary adjustments to the input sensitivity controls to obtain the right overall output and the desired balance in the system See Appendix C pages 18 19 for the recommended input sensitivity setting method 15 Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your favorite music POWER AND TURN ON 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 Ls 12VDC Gro
38. tem 2 Filter Freq Hz Control This control selects the frequency at which the filter begins to attenuate the signal and refers specifically to the frequency at which output has been attenuated by 3dB The filter frequency markings surrounding this rotary control 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 charts in Appendix B page 18 of this manual 80 Hz is a good starting point for most systems where a subwoofer is connected to the Subwoofer Channel and component systems or coaxials to the four main channels INFRASONIC FILTER Subwoofer Ch Only The Infrasonic Filter is a 24 dB octave high pass filter with a fixed cutoff frequency of 30 Hz This filter is designed to conserve amplifier power and protect subwoofer systems without audibly degrading the sub bass output Off 30Hz O 2S Infrasonic Input Filter Sens tatus _ SUBWOOFER With ported enclosures the use of the Infrasonic Filter is highly recommended to protect the speaker s from excessive excursion below box tuning With sealed enclosures the use of the filter is less necessary but can still help protect the speaker system from excessive excursion The Infrasonic Filter can be completely defeated by selecting the Off position on its switch
39. ts or Rear Speaker Outputs connectors of the amplifier If the channel pair is operating in stereo it is only necessary to measure one channel in the pair 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 with the control at minimum full counterclockwise switch the Input Voltage switch to High and re adjust 9 Once you have adjusted each set of channels to its maximum unclipped output level reconnect the speaker s The Input Sens controls can now be adjusted downward any set of channels requires attenuation to achieve the desired system balance FRONT OR REAR SUBWOOFER Nom CHANNELS CHANNEL Impedance 80 20 0V 40 0V 44 7V 60 20 0V 32 0V 447V 40 20 0V 24 5 V 44 7 V 30 15 0V 21 2V 38 7V 20 12 2V not recommended SEV 1 50 10 6 V not recommended 274V APPENDIX D TROUBLESHOOTING How do I properly set the input sensitivity on my amplifier Please refer to Appendix C pages 18 19 to set the input sensitivity for maximum low distortion output My amplifier doesn t turn on Check the fuse s 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 fuse out of the hol
40. uct 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 valid return authorizatio
41. und Remote 12V Battery Connection You will need to connect a power wire to Ze INPUT SECTION 3 2 pe YY the vehicle s positive battery terminal using an appropriate power ring or specialized battery terminal connector such as the JL Audio XB BTU or XD BTS This connection must be tight and corrosion free to ensure proper connectivity This wire MUST be fused appropriately for safety Any power 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 Power Wire Requirements The HD900 5 s 12 VDC and Ground connections are designed to accept 4 AWG power wire 4 AWG pure copper wire is the minimum recommended wire size for this amplifier Use of smaller gauge wire including cheap wire that is fraudulently sold as 4 AWG wire can create a fire hazard If you are installing the HD900 5 with other amplifiers and wish to use a single main power wire use 2 AWG or 1 0 AWG pure copper wire as a main power wire This 2 AWG or 1 0 AWG power wire should terminate into a fused distribution block mounted as close to the amplifiers as possible and should connect to the HD900 5 with 4 AWG pure copper power wire with each smaller wire fused appropriately for each amplifier or other electronics in the system Please note that lower AWG numbers mean

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