Mounting the amplifier upside down is strongly discouraged.

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 equipment (air bags, seat belt systems, ABS brake systems, etc.). You should also take the time to securely mount the amplifier so that it does not come loose in the event of a collision or a sudden jolt to the vehicle.

Stupid Mistakes to Avoid

Input Voltage

Low | High

Product Description

The JL Audio G1700 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 C (page 13).

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 (minimum 4 AWG) 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. Use 4 AWG or larger power wire and a power distribution block if additional amplifiers are being installed with the G1700.

???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 securely connected to the amplifier.

???4) Run signal cables and remote turn-on wire from the source unit to the final amplifier mounting location.

???5) Run speaker cables from the speaker systems to the amplifier mounting location.

???6) Find a good, solid metal grounding point close to the amplifier and connect the negative power wire to it using appropriate hardware (use of the JL Audio ECS master ground lug, XB-MGLU is recommended). Use the same size power wire as the wire connected to the ???+12VDC??? connection

(minimum 4 AWG), no longer than 36 inches (90 cm) from the amplifier to the ground connection point. In some vehicles, it may be necessary to upgrade the battery ground wire. (See page 5 for important notice).

???7) Securely mount the amplifier.

???8) Connect the positive and negative power wires to the amplifier. A fuse near the amplifier is not necessary.

???9) Connect the remote turn-on wire

to the amplifier.

10)Connect the input cables to the amplifier.

11)Connect the speaker cables to the amplifier.

12)Carefully review the amplifier???s control settings to make sure that they are set according to the needs of the system.

13)Install the power wire fuse (50A for a single G1700) and reconnect the negative battery post terminal.

14)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.

15) Make necessary adjustments to the input sensitivity controls to obtain the right overall output and the desired balance in the system. See Appendix A (page 12) for the recommended input sensitivity setting method.

16)Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your favorite music.

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 body during installation.

The G1700???s ???+12VDC??? and ???Ground??? connections are designed to accept 4 AWG power wire. 4 AWG is a minimum power wire size for this amplifier.

If you are installing the G1700 with other amplifiers and wish to use a single main power wire, use 4 AWG or larger main power wire for systems with total power up to 700W or 2 AWG wire for systems between 700W and 1400W,

or 1/0 AWG wire for systems with more than 1400W. This main power wire should terminate into a distribution block mounted as close to the amplifiers as possible. The output of the distribution block will connect to the G1700 with 4 AWG???power wire.

Note: Smaller 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.).

To connect the power wires 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 (12 mm) of insulation from 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 the same gauge wire as the power connection

(4 AWG) 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. 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.

Any wires run through metal barriers (such as firewalls), must be protected with a high quality rubber grommet to prevent damage to the insulation of the wire. Failure to do so may result in a dangerous short circuit.

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 when installing amplifier systems with main fuse ratings above 60A.

Fuse Requirements

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 equipment being run from that power wire. If

only the G1700 is being run from that power wire, we recommend a 50A fuse be used. AFS (small blade fuse) or MaxiFuse??? (big plastic-body fuse) types are recommended.

No fuse is required or recommended directly before the amplifier power connection. If one is desired, we recommend the use of a 50A AFS or MaxiFuse??? type.

Turn-On Lead

The G1700 uses a conventional +12V remote turn-on lead, typically controlled by the source unit's remote turn-on output. The amplifier will turn on when +12V is present at its ???Remote??? 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 G1700???s ???Remote??? turn-on connector is designed to accept 18 AWG ??? 12 AWG 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 and insert the bare wire into the terminal block, seating it firmly so that no bare wire is exposed. While holding the wire in the terminal, tighten the set screw firmly, taking care not to strip the head of the screw and making sure that the wire is firmly gripped by the set screw.

Input Section

The G1700???s input section allows you to send signal to the amplifier section through the use of two differential-balanced inputs, one for the left channel signal and one for the right channel signal. Connection is via RCA-type jacks.

CH 1 (Left)

Input Voltage

Low | High

CH 2 (Right)

You may run a stereo or a mono signal into the inputs of the amplifier. The amplifier???s input section automatically sums stereo signals to mono for the internal amplifier section. The amplifier will operate with only one input connection (left or right), but will require an increase in input sensitivity to overcome the loss of signal. If a mono input signal is to be run, we recommend that you use a ???Y-adaptor??? to split the mono signal into both inputs of the amplifier.

Input Voltage Range:

A wide range of signal input voltages can be accommodated by the G1700???s input section (200mV ??? 8V). This wide range is split up into two sub-ranges, accessible via a switch located to the left of the Input Connectors.

The ???Low??? position on the ???Input Voltage???

switch selects an input sensitivity range between

200mV and 2V. This means that the ???Input Sens.??? rotary control will operate within that voltage window. If you are using an aftermarket source unit or an OEM interface processor with conventional preamp-level outputs, this is most likely the position that you will use.

The ???High??? position on the ???Input Voltage??? switch selects an input sensitivity range between 800mV and 8V. This is useful for certain high- output preamp level signals as well as speaker- level output from source units and

small amplifiers.

To use speaker-level sources, splice the speaker output wires of the source unit or small amplifier onto a pair of RCA plugs. No line output converter is needed in most cases.

The output of the amplifier will decrease for a given input voltage when the ???Input Range??? switch is placed in the ???High??? position. Conversely, the output will be higher with the switch in the ???Low??? position. While this may sound counter-intuitive, it is consistent with the descriptions above.

AMPLIFIER???CONTROLS

1)???Input Sens.???: Once the appropriate ???Input Voltage??? range has been selected, the control labeled ???Input Sens.??? located in the ???Amplifier Controls??? section can be used to match the source unit???s output voltage to the input

stage of the amplifier 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 the amplifier for maximum clean output, please refer to Appendix A (page 12) in this manual. After using this procedure, you can then adjust any or all ???Input Sens.??? levels downward if this is required to achieve the desired system balance.

???

??? Do not increase any ???Input Sens.??????setting for any channel(s) of any amplifier in the system beyond the maximum level established during the procedure outlined in Appendix A (page 12). Doing so will result in audible distortion and possible speaker damage.

Filter Controls

Most speakers are not designed to reproduce the full range of frequencies audible by the human ear. For this reason, most speaker systems are comprised of multiple speakers, each dedicated to reproducing a specific frequency range. Filters are used to select which frequency range is sent to each section of a speaker system. The division 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 extraneous resistance, which can degrade subwoofer performance.

The active filter built into the G1700 can be used to eliminate potentially harmful and/or undesired frequencies from making their way through the amplifier sections to the speaker(s). This serves to improve tonal balance and to avoid distortion and possible speaker failure. Correct use of these filters can substantially increase the longevity and fidelity of your audio system.

The G1700 employs a sophisticated, variable, low-pass active filter for its internal channel. This feature is designed to attenuate frequencies above its filter frequency, so that the system???s subwoofers do not reproduce any audible midrange content.

2)Filter Operation: The low-pass filter in the G1700 is fully variable between 40 Hz and

200 Hz via the ???Filter Freq.??? control knob and features the ability to select between a moderate ???12dB??? per octave or a steep ???24dB??? per octave slope via the ???Mode/Slope??? switch. ??? Depending on the subwoofer system and the vehicle, different slopes may be required to produce a smooth transition to the mid- bass speakers in the system. Experiment to find the slope which best matches the acoustic requirements of your system.

Tuning Hint: A trunk mounted sub whose output has to ???fight??? through a rear deck or a back seat 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.

Note: The above hint is not ???set-in-stone?????? 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 appropriate filter slope.

3)Precise Frequency Selection: The filter frequency markings on the front panel of the amplifier are for reference purposes and are generally accurate to within 1/3 octave 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.

This chart gives you a more accurate frequency for each of the forty detented positions of the frequency selection control. This method can be very useful if the amplifier is mounted in

a location where you can???t see the front panel markings easily.

4)Defeating the Amplifier Filter: The Low-

Pass filter can also be defeated completely, by switching the ???Mode/Slope??? switch to the ???Off??? position. This is useful if you are using an external active crossover in the system. Keep in mind that turning the internal crossover off also defeats the ???Bass Boost??? processing (see next section for details). With the internal crossover turned off, the G1700???s upper frequency response limit is 250 Hz, due to its bass-specific Class D design.

BASS BOOST???CONTROLS

bass boost Controls

Bass Boost

Protect

Remote

Bass Port

1)???Bass Boost???: This switch allows the user to activate a 6 dB boost centered at 48 Hz.

The ???Filter Mode??? switch in the ???Amplifier Controls??? section must be in the ???LP??? position for the bass boost to be functional.

2)???Remote Bass Port???: This port allows you to connect an optional remote boost knob (sold separately, JL Audio Model RBC-1) that can be mounted in the front of the vehicle. With the RBC-1 connected, the boost is no longer limited to 0 or +6 dB, allowing a range of

0 - 12 dB of boost to be selected.

Pre-OUTS

The G1700 incorporates a pass-through preamp output section, so that additional amplifiers can be easily added to the system. The preamp output delivers the same signal that is connected to the G1700???s inputs.

The preamp output signal is not affected by the

???Bass Boost??? processing selected for the amplifier or by any crossover filter selected (if the input signal is full-range, the preamp output will be full-range).

The signal level of the ???Preamp Output??? is

line-level (low voltage), regardless of the position

selected via the G1700???s ???Input Voltage??? switch.

An additional amplifier connected to these preamp outputs should have its input voltage switch set to the ???Low??? position.

If you plan to use the ???Pre-Outs??? to feed a stereo amplifier, you must connect a stereo signal to the input of the amplifier. A mono signal into the amplifier will result in a mono signal out of the preamp output.

Speaker OUTPUTS

The G1700???s speaker outputs are designed to accept 16 AWG - 8 AWG wire.

The G1700 is designed to deliver power into speaker loads equal to or greater than 2 ohms.

To connect the speaker wires to the amplifier, first back out the set screws own the top of the terminal block, using the supplied 2.5 mm hex wrench. Strip 1/2 inch (12 mm) of insulation from 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.

Speaker loads below 2 ohms nominal are not recommended and may cause the amplifier to initiate a protection mode which reduces power output.

You will notice that there are two ???+??? positive connections and two ????????? negative connections.

This is to facilitate multiple speaker wiring. The two positive and two negative connections are connected in parallel inside the amplifier. Connecting two speakers, each to one set of positive and negative terminals, will result in a parallel speaker connection. If only connecting one pair of speaker wires, it is not necessary to use both sets of connections.

AMPLIFIER Status Indicator Lights &

Protection Circuitry

There are two status indicator lights on the input / control end of the amplifier.

1)???Power??? (Green): lights to indicate that the amplifier is turned on and operating normally.

2)???Protect??? (Red): Indicates that the amplifier protection circuitry has been activated to prevent product failure due to a short-circuit or a dangerously low impedance connected to the amplifier output(s). Connecting the speaker outputs to an impedance lower than 2 ohms will cause this protection mode to activate. When this protection mode is activated, the amplifier will reduce it maximum power output to protect its circuitry, which will manifest itself as increased distortion. When the problem is corrected, the amplifier will return to normal operation.

Advanced Rollback Thermal protection

Unlike conventional thermal protection systems, which shut down an amplifier when it overheats, this system protects the amplifier by gradually reducing power output if the amplifier???s safe operating temperature is exceeded. The amplifier will continue to operate and return

to normal power output once its temperature returns to a normal range.

Low-Voltage protection:

If the car???s supply voltage drops below 10 volts, the entire amplifier will shut itself off to protect its internal circuitry. The green ???Power??? indicator will turn off when this occurs. The amplifier will turn back on when voltage climbs back above 10 volts. This may happen in a rapid cycle when bass-heavy program material causes a weak charging system to dip below 10 volts momentarily. If this is happening in your system, turn your audio system off and have your power wiring, ground connections and charging system inspected.

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

Appendix A:

Input Sensitivity Level Setting

Following the directions below will allow the installer to adjust the input sensitivity of each amplifier channel pair 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.).

The Nine-Step Procedure

1)Disconnect the speaker(s) from the amplifier???s speaker output connectors.

2)Turn off all processing (bass/treble, loudness, EQ, etc.) on the source unit, processors (if used) and amplifier. Set fader control to center position and subwoofer level control to 3/4 of maximum (if used to feed the G1700).

3)Switch the ???Input Voltage??? switch to ???Low??? and turn the ???Input Sens.??? control all the way down.

4)Set the source unit volume to 3/4 of full volume. This will allow for reasonable gain overlap with moderate clipping at full volume.

5)Using the chart on this page, determine the target voltage for input sensitivity adjustment according to the nominal impedance of the speaker system connected to the amplifier outputs.

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 the G1700) at 3/4 source unit volume.

7)Connect the AC voltmeter to the speaker output connectors of the amplifier. Make sure you test the voltage at the correct connectors (+ and ???).

8)Increase the ???Input Sens.??? control until the target voltage is observed with the voltmeter.

9)Once you have adjusted the G1700 to its maximum low-distortion output level, reconnect the speaker(s). The ???Input Sens.??? controls can now be adjusted downward if the amplifier requires attenuation to achieve the desired system balance.

Do not increase any ???Input Sens.??? setting for any amplifier channel or channel pair 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.

Appendix B:???

Precise Frequency Selection Chart

???Filter FREQ??? AMP Filter

Appendix C:

G1700 Specifications

General???Specifications:

Recommended Fuse Value: 50A

Recommended Fuse Type: AFS or MaxiFuse???

Input Sections:

No. of Inputs: One Stereo Pair

Input Type: Differential-balanced with RCA jack inputs

Input Range: Switchable from 200mV - 2V RMS to 800mV - 8V RMS

Amplifier???Section:

Amplifier Topology: H-Bridge, Class D Mono with patented discrete drive circuitry

Power Supply: Unregulated MOSFET switching type

Rated Power @ 14.4V with less than 1% THD + Noise (20-250 Hz):

350W RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms, 700W RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms

Rated Power at 12.5 V with less than 1% THD+Noise (20-250 Hz):

250W RMS x 1 @ 4 ohms, 500W RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms Signal to Noise Ratio: >90 dB referred to rated power (A-weighted, 20 Hz - 250 Hz noise bandwidth)

Frequency Response: 10 - 250 Hz (+0, -1 dB)

Damping Factor: >500 @ 4 ohms/50 Hz, >250 @ 2 ohms/50 Hz

Amplifier???Filter:

Amplifier Low-Pass Filter: State-variable, 12 dB/octave Butterworth or 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley with continuously variable cutoff frequency selection

from 40 - 200 Hz.. Defeatable..

Preamp Output:

Buffered pass-through type..

Dimensions(LxWxH):

11..81" x 9..25" x 2..50" (300mm x 235mm x 63..5mm)

Appendix D: TROUBLESHOOTING

???How do I properly set the input sensitivity on my amplifier???

Please refer to Appendix A (page 12) to set the input sensitivity for maximum, low-distortion output.

???My amplifier doesn???t turn on???

Check the fuse, 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 holder 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. If this does not work, proceed to the next step.

???I 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 ???Protect??? light will illuminate 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 of the amplifier is driving a load equal to or greater than 2 ohms.

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 try a different set of cables and/or a different signal source to be sure.

???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 terminal block.

Check the input connectors to ensure that they all are making good contact with the input jacks on the amplifier.

???My amplifier shuts off once in a while, usually at higher volumes???

Check your voltage source and grounding point. The power supply of the G1700 will operate with charging system voltages down to 10V. Shutdown problems at higher volume levels can occur when the charging system voltage drops below 10V. 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 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 0.2 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 wires 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 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.

Input Voltage

Low | High