JL Audio 98639 - User Manual

6.62 in

168 mm

9.81 in

250 mm

8.72 in

222 mm

2.12 in

54 mm

5.53 in

141 mm

CO N N E C T I O N G U I D E

600W Full-Range 6-Channel Class D Amplifier

with Integrated DSP

with

Thank you for purchasing a JL Audio amplifier for your sound system.

Your amplifier has been designed and manufactured to exacting

standards in order to ensure years of musical enjoyment. 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 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 contact

the JL Audio Technical Support Department at [email protected] or

call (954) 443–1100 during business hours.

Installation Applications

This amplifier is designed for operation with 12 volt, negative-

ground electrical systems. Using this product in systems 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.

Product Description

This is a six-channel, full-range Class D amplifier equipped with the

second generation of JL Audio’s NexD™ high-speed switching technology.

It is engineered to deliver reference-grade audio amplification with

outstanding efficiency and unprecedented, built-in processing power.

Instead of traditional analog processing controlled by knobs and switches,

VXi amplifiers feature an integrated DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The

amplifier and its integrated DSP are configured using an external device

(PC, Tablet or Phone), with the appropriate JL Audio TüN™ application

installed. (See

What is TüN?

section for more info.)

Planning Your Installation

It is important that you take the time to read this manual thoroughly

and that you plan your installation carefully. It is very easy to damage

expensive vehicle systems in modern automobiles. Never assume that you

have found appropriate wires without consulting a reliable wiring diagram

or without analyzing with proper test equipment. If you are uncomfortable

or unfamiliar with reading diagrams or testing methods, please enlist the

services of your authorized JL Audio dealer to perform the installation.

Your authorized dealer has the training, expertise and installation

equipment to ensure optimum performance from this product. The

following are some considerations that you must take into account when

planning your installation.

Safety Considerations

• Install your amplifier in a dry, well-ventilated location that

does not interfere with your vehicle’s safety equipment

(air bags, seat belt systems, ABS brake systems, etc.).

• Do not mount the amplifier in the engine

compartment or in any areas of extreme heat.

• Securely mount the amplifier so that it does not come

loose in the event of a collision/sudden jolt or as a result

of repeated vibrations during normal operation.

• Check before drilling to make sure that you will not be drilling into

a fuel tank, gas/brake line, wiring harness, or other vital system.

• Do not run system wiring outside or underneath the

vehicle/vessel. This is an extremely dangerous practice,

which can result in severe damage/injury.

• Take the necessary precautions when making

connections to the vehicle’s battery.

• Protect all system wires from sharp edges by carefully routing them,

tying them down and using grommets and loom where appropriate.

• Secure all wiring as needed, using cable ties or wire clamps

to protect them from moving parts and sharp edges.

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 outer

shell 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.

What is Included

(1) Amplifier

(1) Power Connector

(1) Analog Input Harness

(1) Speaker Output Harness

(1) JL Audio Badge

(4) Corner Caps

(1) USB A/B Cable (6 ft./1.8 m)

(1) Corner Cap Tool

(2) Black Hex Cap Machine Screws

(1) 2.5 mm Hex Wrench

(2) Silver Thumbscrews

(1) 3 mm Hex Wrench

(1) Connection Guide

JL Audio Badge

To complement the amplifier’s mounting orientation, the logo badge

includes a recessed key feature allowing it to be affixed at 90 degree

increments on the amplifier’s top. To install, remove the adhesive backing

and press the badge at the desired orientation.

Corner Cap Installation and Removal

The corner caps are designed to conceal the amplifier’s mounting holes

and hardware. To install, simply press a corner cap into each mounting

hole. To avoid scratching the amplifier’s chassis during removal, use the

included, plastic corner cap tool and lift below each cap.

Making Connections

VXi amplifiers utilize removable plugs and harnesses to make the

following connections:
• Power Connector

To connect the power, ground and remote turn-on wires to the amplifier,

back out the set screws on the connector using the supplied hex

wrenches. Strip back 3/8 inch (10 mm) of insulation from the end of each

wire and insert the bare wire into the receptacle on the 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. Install the power connector by plugging it into the

amplifier’s power connector receptacle, pushing firmly.

• Analog Input Harness

This harness includes connections for Signal Input (RCA plugs), Preamp

Outputs (RCA plugs), Remote Turn-On Output (wire lead) and Valet Input

(wire lead). Select either the included black hex cap machine screws or

the silver thumbscrews to secure the Analog Input Harness connector to

the amplifier.

• Speaker Output Harness

This harness includes output wire leads to connect with speaker cables.

Turn-On Mode

VXi amplifiers can be switched on and off using one of three methods,

configured by the “Turn On Mode” setting in the TüN™ Software Interface.

Refer to the table below for detailed info and decide which option is best

suited for your specific system.

Setting

Mode

Function

Connection

Remote

Conventional

(Preferred)

Turn-on/off controlled by your

source unit.

Connect your source unit

’s

+12V

remote turn-on output to the

Power Connector

’

s Remote Turn-

On Input connection.

DC

Offset

DC Offset

Sensing

(Auto)

Automatically turns on/off by

detecting the presence of small

DC signal in OEM audio outputs.

This circuit senses the Analog

Input 1 only. Note: The sensitivity

of this circuit is designed for high-

level (speaker level) signals, not for

low-level (preamp level) signals.

Make sure the OEM audio outputs

contain midrange signals.

Signal

Signal

Sensing

(Auto)

Automatically turns on by

detecting full-range OEM audio

signals and turns off after

the signal is removed (varies,

depending on input signal levels).

3

Speaker Output Harness

Connect the speaker output leads to the corresponding speaker wires.

4

JLid-COMM

Connect optional accessories (VXi-BTC, VXi-HUB, etc.) to this port.

5

JLid-CTRL

Connect optional DRC (Digital Remote Controller) wired controllers

to this port.

6

SD + Reset

Lift the dust cover to access the following utility functions:

Reset Buttons: Use a small pin to perform the following:

Reboot Amp - Press and release the right button.

Factory Reset (wipe memory, reboot amp) - Press and hold the left

button for 7 seconds.

DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode: Press and release both

buttons simultaneously.

Micro SD Slot: For service/future expansion.

7

USB

This USB A/B port permits connection to a computer for configuration

and tuning, using the TüN™ Software.

8

DIGITAL-In

Toslink port accepts 2-channel digital audio signal from any optical

(S/PDIF) digital output, with a sample rate up to 192 kHz.

9

DIGITAL-Out

Provides a digital audio output (24 bit/96 kHz) that is not susceptible to

RF interference or noise-generating electrical conditions. By default, this

is a pass-through audio output, with no signal processing applied, and

intended for use with other equipment that have an optical (Toslink)

digital audio input (S/PDIF) port. Using the TüN™ Software Interface, you

may configure this output’s routing, equalization, output level and DRC

control functionality.

1

Power Connector

A.

Run 4 AWG power wire from the positive (+12V) battery post to

the amplifier mounting location. If additional amplifiers are being

installed, run the appropriate gauge power wire for the combined,

maximum current draw, and install a fused distribution block near

the amplifiers.

B.

An appropriate fuse (sold separately) at the main power wire(s) is

vital for vehicle safety. This fuse must be installed within 18 inches

(45 cm) of the battery post connection. If this is the only device con-

nected to this main wire, use a 50 A fuse. Do not install the fuse until

the power wire has been securely connected to the amplifier.

C.

The ground connection should be made to a clean, solid metal

grounding point using 4 AWG wire, and kept as short as possible.

The metal surface of the grounding point should be sanded to create

a clean, metal-to-metal connection. For optimal grounding, we

recommend using a JL Audio ECS master ground lug (XB-MGLU). All

ground connections (source unit and amplifiers) should be made
at the same location.

D.

The remote connection should be made to the source unit’s positive

(+12V) remote turn-on output. If your source unit does not have a

dedicated remote turn-on output, consider one of the alternative

turn-on options. (See Turn-On Mode section for more info.)

2

Analog Input Harness

The Analog Input Harness accepts the following connections:
Line-Level Analog Inputs: Six female RCA jacks feed a differential-

balanced input section, providing a high degree of input flexibility, and

retaining superior noise rejection. This type of input architecture also

allows the VX600/6i to cleanly accept any analog audio signal up to 16

VRMS, without using a line-output converter.
Preamp Outputs: Two female, RCA jacks deliver line-level, analog audio

outputs (Max 4 V RMS) that are compatible with most types of aftermarket

equipment. These are configured with the TüN

™

Software Interface.

Remote: This connection provides a positive (+12V) turn-on voltage

(475 mA limit) to activate other aftermarket equipment (similar to an

aftermarket head unit’s remote turn-on lead).
Valet: When connected to negative ground, this connection activates the

Valet Mode Preset and will remain active until the ground connection is

removed. This preset is configured

using the TüN

™

Software Interface and

will override any DRC controlled preset.

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