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 |  JL Audio - MHD900/5 Owner’s Manual  

5

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 positive and negative 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 vessel 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 power 
distribution block when additional amplifiers 
are being installed with the MHD900/5 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 vessel.  
Do not install the fuse until the power wire 
has been connected to the amplifier. 

  4)

  Connect negative power wire to the negative 

battery post. Use the same size power wire as 
the wire connected to the “

+12V

” connection. 

  5)

  Run signal cables (RCA cables) and remote 

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

  6)

  Run speaker wire from the speaker systems to 

the amplifier mounting location.

  7)

  Securely mount the amplifier using 

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 MHD900/5) 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.

ProduCt desCriPtion

The JL Audio MHD900/5 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 vessel’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 MHD900/5’s performance capabilities with a 
wide range of speaker systems.

The tightly regulated power supply design also 

means that the MHD900/5’s clean power output 
capability remains stable over a wide range of 
vessel voltages, resulting in enhanced fidelity.

The MHD900/5 flexible, studio-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 MHD900/5’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. 

Summary of Contents for MHD900/5

Page 1: ...ed 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 ma...

Page 2: ...ertified 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 impor...

Page 3: ...make sure that they are set according to the needs of the system 12 Install power wire fuse 60A for a single MHD900 5 and reconnect the negative battery post terminal 13 Turn on the source unit at a...

Page 4: ...ropriately for safety Any positive power wires run through metal barriers must be protected with a high quality insulating grommet to prevent damage to the insulation of the wire Failure to do so may...

Page 5: ...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 t...

Page 6: ...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 i...

Page 7: ...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 subwoo...

Page 8: ...f 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 supply voltage to the amplifier and you are still seeing alte...

Page 9: ...Power Main Channels Stereo 100W RMS x 4 4 11V 14 5V 75W RMS x 4 1 5 3 11V 14 5V Rated Power Main Channels Bridged 200W RMS x 2 8 11V 14 5V 150W RMS x 2 3 6 11V 14 5V Rated Power Subwoofer Channel 500W...

Page 10: ...6 20 0 V 32 0 V 44 7 V 4 20 0 V 24 6 V 44 7 V 3 16 0 V 21 2 V 38 7 V 2 12 3 V not recommended 31 6 V 1 5 10 6 V not recommended 27 4 V Appendix B Precise Frequency Selection Chart Filter FREQ Detent P...

Page 11: ...r Connector 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 How do I pro...

Page 12: ...22 JL Audio MHD900 5 Owner s Manual 23 INSTALLATION NOTES Use this diagram to document your amplifier s switch and control positions...

Page 13: ...s 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 serv...

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