4
| JL Audio - 1200/1
v3
Owner’s Manual
5
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)
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.
Output Polarity
12dB | 24dB
Filter Mode
LP | HP
Bass EQ
Off | On
Off | 12dB | 24dB
Low | High
Normal|Reversed
Off | On
40
45
55
65
85
120
200
15
18
25
30
40
50
60
40
45
55
65
80
100
200
0.5
0.7
1.1
1.6
2.7
4.3 20
25
35
45
55
70
80
0
+4
+10
+13
+15
1200/1
v3
Monoblock Subwoofer Amplifier
+12V battery Connection
You will need to connect a power wire to
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 1200/1v3’s “+12 VDC” and “Ground”
connections are designed to accept 4 AWG
power wire. 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG pure copper
wire is recommended for any power wire run
longer than 72 inches (180 cm). This larger
wire should be reduced to 4 AWG using a
distribution block within 36 wire inches (90
cm) of the amplifier’s “+12 VDC” connector.
For runs shorter than 72 inches, 4 AWG
pure copper power wire is acceptable.
If you are installing the 1200/1v3 with other
amplifiers and wish to use a single main power
wire, use 1/0 AWG pure copper wire as a main
power wire. This 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 1200/1v3 with 4 AWG pure copper
power wire.
Please note that lower 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.).
I M P O R TA N T
!
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.
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 1200/1v3 is being run from that
power wire, we recommend a 100A fuse be
used. MaxiFuse™ (big plastic-body fuse) or ANL
(large blade-type) fuses are recommended.
If other amplifiers are also being powered
from a main power wire and all the amplifiers
together exceed 100 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 power 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.
ProduCt desCriPtion
The JL Audio 1200/1v3 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 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. 2 AWG or larger is recommended
for wire runs greater than 72 inches (180
cm) in length. This 2 AWG wire needs
to be reduced to 4 AWG within 36 wire
inches of the amplifier using a distribution
block. Use a 1/0 AWG or 1/0 AWG main
power wire with a fused power distribution
block when additional amplifiers are being
installed with the 1200/1v3 and are being
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 power wire,
no longer than 36 inches (90 cm). In some
vehicles, it may be necessary to upgrade the
battery’s ground wire as well. (See page 6 for
important notice).
7) Securely mount the amplifier using
appropriate hardware.
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 plug and insert the plug firmly into
the speaker connector receptacle.
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 (100A for a
single 1200/1v3) 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 A (pages 14)
for the recommended input sensitivity
setting method.
15) Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your
favorite music.
