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

OWNER’S MANUAL

2 | JL Audio - XD1200/1v2 Owner’s Manual 3

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

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.

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

Stupid Mistakes to Avoid

to make sure that you will not be drilling

other vital vehicle system.

the vehicle. This is an extremely dangerous

your vehicle and person.

edges and wear by carefully routing them,

tying them down and using grommets and

amplifier circuitry to the elements.

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.

exposure to high volume levels.

While driving, operate your audio system in

a manner that still allows you to hear necessary

sirens, etc.).

service or is ever stolen, you will need to have

take the time to enter that number in the space

provided below. The serial number can be found

including an identical one.

this manual and that you plan out your

installation carefully. The following are some

considerations that you must take into account

4 | JL Audio - XD1200/1v2 Owner’s Manual 5

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.

other amplifiers and wish to use a single main

to the amplifiers as possible (within 12 inches

the distribution block will connect to the

ECS fused distribution blocks are recommended

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

(XB-MGLU). Alternatively, a sheet metal

screw or bolt can be used with a star washer.

Any wires run through metal barriers (such

quality rubber grommet to prevent damage to the

insulation of the wire. Failure to do so may result

in a dangerous short circuit.

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 fuse value at each

power wire should be high enough for all of the

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

speed switching technology to deliver

outstanding fidelity and efficiency.

amplification. For detailed specifications, please

refer to Appendix C (page 13).

The following represents the sequence

for a typical amplifier installation, using an

aftermarket source unit or OEM Interface

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.

6 | JL Audio - XD1200/1v2 Owner’s Manual 7

a remote turn-on output. This allows the

balanced input topology that provides the user

with a high degree of input flexibility, while

retaining superior noise rejection. This type of

You may run a stereo or a mono signal into

for the internal amplifier section. The amplifier

inputs of the amplifier. If you are feeding only

the left-channel input for the automatic turn-on

Input Voltage Range:

Input Voltage Range: A wide range of signal

input voltages can be accommodated by the

window. If you are using an aftermarket source

unit, with conventional preamp level outputs, this

is the position you should select.

switch selects an input sensitivity range between

output preamp level signals as well as speaker

speaker output wires of the source unit or small

Line Output Converters are usually not needed

cannot be reduced sufficiently with a direct

speaker level signal applied to the amplifier and

you may use a Line Output Converter or voltage

divider to reduce the signal level.

using one of three methods, determined by the

switched off. This +12 V remote turn-on signal is

typically controlled by a source unit's remote

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

While holding the wire in the terminal, tighten

audio systems that do not use conventional +12 V

turn-on leads.

Offset-Sensing first as it does not require a long

delay to turn the system off after the signal is

and off by detecting the presence of a very small

for high-level (speaker level) signals, not for low-

level (preamp level) signals. The circuit senses the

left-channel signal only.

off by detecting the presence of a full-range

audio signal at its left-channel input. After

(preamp level) signals. The circuit is tuned to

8 | JL Audio - XD1200/1v2 Owner’s Manual 9

You should always listen to the system carefully to

determine the best choice as vehicle acoustics and

other factors play a big role in choosing the most

or better. If you would like to select the filter

frequency with a higher level of precision,

consult Appendix B (page 13) of this manual.

for each of the forty detented positions of the

frequency selection control. This method can

be very useful if the amplifier is mounted in

markings easily.

can also be defeated completely, by switching

This filter is designed to conserve amplifier power

and protect subwoofer systems, without audibly

With ported enclosures, the use of the

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.

subwoofer volume from the front of the vehicle

using a single-line, four-wire phone line splitter

and multiple phone cables.

When connected to the amplifier, the

clockwise rotation, the audio will mute

completely. At full clockwise rotation the level

INPUT SENSITIVITY CONTROLS

clean output. Rotating the control clockwise will

To properly set the amplifier for maximum

clean output, please refer to Appendix A (page

ear. For this reason, most speaker systems are

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 than passive filters and do not introduce

backseat often benefits from the 12 dB/octave

slope which lets more upper bass content pass

through. A sub that fires directly into the

listening environment is more likely to benefit

from a 24 dB/octave slope.

10 | JL Audio - XD1200/1v2 Owner’s Manual 11

STATUS LED / PROTECTION CIRCUITRY

surface of the amplifier to indicate the amplifier’s

functioning normally, audio output is active.

amplifier has exceeded its safe operating

temperature, putting the amplifier into a

self-protection mode, which reduces the

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

optimum load impedance range for the amplifier

seconds, even if the over-current condition is of a

very short duration.

The only condition that will shut down

battery voltage or remote turn-on voltage drops

For more information on troubleshooting this

If your amplifier fails or malfunctions, please

return it to your authorized JL Audio dealer so

There are no user serviceable parts or fuses inside

the amplifier. The unique nature of the circuitry

in the JL Audio amplifiers requires specifically

If you have any questions about the installation or

setup of the amplifier that have not been covered

in this manual, please contact your dealer or

technical support.

PREOUTS

through preamp output section, so that additional

amplifiers can be easily added to the system.

The preamp output delivers the same signal that

The preamp output signal is not affected by

range, the preamp output will be full-range).

SUBWOOFER OUTPUTS

into subwoofer loads equal to or greater than 2

ohms of nominal impedance.

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,

This is to facilitate multiple subwoofer wiring.

subwoofers, each to one set of positive and

negative terminals, will result in a parallel

subwoofer connection. When only connecting

12 | JL Audio - XD1200/1v2 Owner’s Manual 13

Precise Frequency Selection Chart

03 ............................54

04 ............................54

05 ............................55

06 ............................57

07 ............................59

09 ............................63

10 ............................65

11 ............................67

12 ............................70

13 ............................72

21 ...........................102

22 ...........................107

23 ...........................113

25 ...........................127

26 ...........................135

27 ...........................144

28 ...........................156

29 ...........................169

30 ...........................184

35 ...........................337

39 ...........................467

General Specifications:

Recommended Fuse Value: 80A

Recommended Fuse Type: MAXI® or AGU

Input Type: Differential-balanced with RCA jack inputs

Input Range: 200mV - 8V RMS

Amplifier Section:

Power Supply: Unregulated MOSFET switching type

600W RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms

Buffered pass-through type.

Dimensions(LxWxH):

14.73” x 7.09” x 2.05” (374mm x 180mm x 52mm)

Following the directions below will allow the

installer to adjust the input sensitivity of each

amplifier channel pair simply and easily in just a

to be amplified for that set of channels

The Nine-Step Procedure

EQ, etc.) on the source unit, processors (if

used) and amplifier. Set fader control to center

volume. This will allow for reasonable gain

overlap with moderate clipping at full volume.

procedure. This applies to any EQ boost circuit,

including source unit tone controls or EQ

14 | JL Audio - XD1200/1v2 Owner’s Manual 15

necessary to upgrade the ground wire connecting the battery

to the vehicle’s chassis and the power wire connecting the

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

range / high-pass application). A steady, sufficient voltage

the signal cables.

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

halfway. 5 volt AC or more should be measured at the

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.

maximum, low-distortion output.

the fuse, inspect the fuse holder.

and that each connection is tight.

amplifier. In some cases, the turn-on lead from the source unit

“I hear a repetitive ticking or popping sound coming out of the speaker(s).”

disconnect the speaker wires from the amplifier and use a

different set of wires connected to a test speaker.

driving a load equal to or greater than 2 ohms.