®
How to Install and Operate
the LXA300 Amplifier
Contents
Features........................................ 2
Installation................................... 2
Before You Begin
Installation .....................................2
®
Amplifier Location ..........................2
Disconnect Battery ........................2
• Amplifier Installation Kit .............2
Supplies and Tools
LEV
Needed ..........................................3
MAX
LP
PO
WER
MIN
BASS
-BOOST
OFF
250
ON
50
HP
Routing Wires ................................3
• Bigger is Better ..........................3
Wiring............................................. 4
Power and Outputs ........................4
Power Terminal (BATT +12V) ........4
Ground Terminal (GND).................4
Remote Terminal (RMT +12V) .......4
Fuses .............................................4
Inputs and Controls .......................5
Input Wiring....................................5
Pass Output ...................................5
Power Light ....................................5
Protect Light ..................................5
Input Level Control ........................6
Bass Boost.....................................6
Crossover ......................................6
Speaker Wiring ..............................7
Testing .......................................... 9
Reconnect Battery .........................9
Test Power Wiring..........................9
Test Speaker Connections ............9
HI INPUT
250
VER
HPF
50
X-O
LPF
FULL
L
LO
W
INPUT
R
L
P
R
ASS
PR
O
TECT
Welcome!
What you're holding in your hands is no ordinary
owner's manual. We've tried to make the instructions
in this book clear and easy to follow.
For your Jensen amplifier to work right, it must be
installed correctly. This manual will show you how to
install your new amplifier like a pro. It's a good idea to
read all of these instructions before you begin the
installation. Most installations are straightforward and
can be handled by a do-it-yourselfer with the right
tools, patience, and the ability to follow instructions.
But, do-it-yourself installation isn't for everyone. If you
still don't feel confident after reading this book,
consider turning the installation job over to someone
better suited to it.
• Dealing with Alternator
Noise..........................................9
Warranty Service
• Installing in Trunk..................... 10
• Crimp Connections .................. 10
• Securing Wires ........................ 10
If your Jensen amplifier should ever require service,
you will need to have the original dated receipt. If you
ever need to return the unit for any reason, always
include the receipt with the product.
• Speaker and
Power Wires ............................10
Troubleshooting ....................... 11
Specifications
and Warranty............................. 12
Technical Assistance
For technical assistance with the operation or installation
of the LXA300, call 1-800-323-0221.
®
LXA300
Supplies and Tools Needed
Routing Wires
Supplies:
• Speaker wire (12 gauge for subwoofers, 16-18
gauge for other speakers)
• Sheet metal type screws for mounting amplifier
• Electrical tape
Battery
Battery
Connector
• Solderless crimp connectors
• 1/2" thick plywood or particle board to mount
amplifier on
Fuse or
Circuit
Breaker
Grommet
To prevent
damage to
power wire
Tools:
• Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
• Wire cutters
Receiver
• Wire strippers
Power Wire
(8 gauge
wire or
• Cordless or standard electric drill and drill bit set
• Crimping tool (if using solderless crimp connec-
tors)
larger)
• 12-volt test light or digital multimeter
• Wire brush or scraper (to remove paint for a
good ground connection to vehicle)
• Soldering iron and rosin core solder (if you're
going to solder your connections)
Power Antenna
Turn-on Wire
(18 gauge wire)
RCA Cables
Amplifier Installation Kit:
You will need an amplifier installation kit to install
your amp properly because it contains all the
wire and connectors that you will need to hook
up your new amp right the first time. If you want
to purchase these items separately you will need
the following:
Speakers
• 20-25 feet of 8 gauge wire
• 30 amp fuse or circuit breaker (to be hooked up
at the battery)
• 20 feet of 18 gauge wire for the remote turn-on/
power antenna lead
• RCA cable (for signal input from radio)
– 20 feet for trunk installation
Ground Screw
Drill 1/8" hole in
chassis sheet metal
Use the same ground if
using multiple amplifiers
Amplifier
– 12 feet for under-seat installation
• Two 8 gauge ring terminals (one for the battery
connection and the other for the ground connec-
tion at the amp). You may need two additional
ring terminals if you are using a circuit breaker at
the battery.
• Two 8 gauge barrel connectors (you may need
these depending on what type of fuse holder you
have)
• Two 8 gauge spade terminals (to hook up power
at the amp)
• Four 12 gauge spade terminals for subwoofers or
16-18 gauge spade terminals for other speaker
connections to amp
• One 18 gauge spade terminal for remote turn-on/
power antenna lead
Professional Tip
Bigger is better
Stereo installation dealers sell extra thick
power and speaker wires to ensure best
sound. Look for 8 gauge power wire, espe-
cially if you have several amplifiers.
3
®
LXA300
Wiring
Power and Outputs
+ 12V
RMT
GND
FUSE
L +
L –
R –
R +
POWER
SPEAKER
Power Terminal (BATT +12V)
Remote Terminal (RMT +12V)
Connect the radio power antenna lead from
the receiver to the amplifier REMOTE terminal.
This turns the amplifier on whenever the re-
ceiver is turned on. If a power antenna lead is
not available, connect this wire to the radio or
accessory fuse.
Connect directly to the vehicle battery+
terminal with 8 gauge wire (minimum).
+ 12V
RMT
GND
+ 12V
RMT
GND
Spade
Connector
Not Supplied
30 amp Fuse
or Circuit Breaker
Spade
Connector
8 Gauge
Wire
Butt
Connector
(not supplied)
To Battery+
Terminal
Battery
Terminal
Adapter
Install as close
to the battery
as possible
18 Gauge
Wire
To Receiver
Power
Antenna Lead
Ground Terminal (GND)
Connect to a good chassis ground. The ground
connection should be to clean, unpainted metal
to provide a good electrical connection.
Fuses
FUSE
Use only one 30 amp
blade-type fuse.
+ 12V
RMT
GND
3A0
Spade
Connector
Sheet Metal
Screw
(supplied)
Ring
Connector
8 Gauge
Wire
Drill 1/8" hole
in chassis
sheet metal
4
®
LXA300
Inputs and Controls
POWER
PROTECT
R
R
L
L
HI INPUT
LOW INPUT
PASS
Input Wiring
Pass Output
Inputs may be high level (from the receiver's
speaker) or low level (from special low level
outputs). Low level input is preferred for best
performance.
Use pass through (PASS
OUTPUT) connectors for
adding other amplifiers.
R
L
PASS
Important
Use only the low level or high level input, do
not use both at one time.
Power Light
Low Level Input
The power light comes on when 12
volt power is available at both the
battery +12 volt and RMT wires.
Use a pair of shielded stereo audio cables with
RCA type jacks. Most trunk-mount amplifier
installations require 20-foot RCA cables. Most
under-seat and pickup truck installations use
12-foot cables.
POWER
Protect Light
Connect RCA cables from your receiver to the
RCA input jacks on the amplifier.
The red protect light comes on
when the amplifier shuts down from
overheating or a short circuit
(speaker failure).
High Level Input
PROTECT
Connect left and right speaker wires coming
from radio to high level input plug as shown.
White-Left (+)
White/Black-Left (–)
Gray-Right (+)
Gray/Black-Right (–)
Black (ground)
Radio
L
R
L
R
+– – +
Splice (as
necessary)
or
POWER
R
L
HI INPUT
LOW INPUT
Hi level
input plug
on amp
5
®
LXA300
Crossover (X-OVER)
Adjust the crossover to accommodate your
chosen installation method.
LEVEL
BASS-
BOOST
OFF ON
• LPF–(low pass filter) only bass
tones go to speakers. Use with
woofers or subwoofer.
MIN MAX
LPF
X-OVER
• FULL–all tones go to speak-
ers. Use with full-range speak-
ers.
LPF HPF
FULL
50
50
250
HPF
• HPF–(high pass filter) blocks
very low tones from the speak-
ers. Use with 6" or smaller
speakers.
X-OVER
LPF HPF
FULL
LPF
Use LPF and HPF to adjust from
50 to 250Hz.
250
When using your Jensen amplifier
to run a subwoofer and two full-
range speakers (known as Tri-
mode or three channel operation)
you will need to purchase separate
high and low pass crossovers from
your local retailer. A pair of high
50
50
250
HPF
Input Level Control
LEVEL
The input level control matches the
output of your radio to the input of
the amplifier. After the installation
is complete, make sure the input
level control on the amp is turned
250
MIN MAX
pass crossovers for your full range speakers
and a low pass filter for the subwoofer. This
will allow the amplifier to work properly when
installing it in Tri-mode. Failure to install
these filters may damage your amplifier and/
or your speakers.
down all the way (counterclockwise or all the
way to the left). Play a tape or CD (make sure
bass and treble settings or EQ are flat too)
and turn the volume up slowly until you just
start to hear distortion. Now back the volume
down just a bit. On the amp, slowly turn up
the input level control (clockwise or to the
right) until you just start to hear distortion and
back it down a bit. Now your radio and ampli-
fier levels are matched.
Bass Boost
BASS-
BOOST
BASS BOOST increases the
volume of bass by up to 6 dB
at 45Hz.
OFF ON
6
®
LXA300
Speaker Wiring
2 Speakers
2 Subwoofers
RCA Cables
RCA Cables
2/4Ω
2/4Ω
2/4Ω
2/4Ω
L +
L –
R –
R +
L +
L –
R –
R +
X-OVER
X-OVER
LPF HPF
FULL
LPF HPF
FULL
7
®
LXA300
2 Speakers + Subwoofer
Bridged Subwoofer
RCA Cables
RCA Cables
2/4Ω
2/4Ω
4Ω
4Ω
L +
L –
R –
R +
L +
L –
R –
R +
High Pass
Filters
X-OVER
4Ω
minimum
LPF HPF
FULL
Low Pass
Filter
X-OVER
(available at
most car stereo
installation
LPF HPF
FULL
stores)
Important
When running a subwoofer and two full-range
speakers together (Tri-mode operation), high
and low pass filters must be used. Failure to
install these filters will damage your amp and/
or speakers.
8
®
LXA300
Testing
✓
Before you finish the installation, you should do the following tests to make sure the wiring is correct
and everything is operating properly.
Reconnect Battery
Professional Tip
Dealing with Alternator Noise
The vehicle alternator can cause a “siren”
sound in the speakers that changes with
engine speed. To prevent alternator noise:
When wiring is complete,
reconnect the battery
negative terminal.
+
–
• Do not bundle RCA cables with speaker
or power wires
• Do not run speaker wires parallel to
power wires
Test Power Wiring
• If you have more than one amplifier,
connect all ground wires to the same
screw
1. Turn on the receiver but do not turn up
the volume. The amplifier power light
should come on. If not, check the
RMT and +12V wires.
• Make sure all wires are as short as
possible
2. Turn up the receiver volume slightly. All
speakers should operate. If not, check
wiring connections at amplifier and
speakers.
• Make sure the receiver black wire has a
good connection to the vehicle chassis
ground
Test Speaker Connections
These tests make sure the speakers are
connected right. If speakers don’t play at all,
one (or both) speaker wires may be discon-
nected. If the wrong speaker plays (you hear
left speaker when you expect right speaker)
make sure you connected the wires correctly.
Once everything is operating correctly,
reassemble vehicle trim and dashboard.
9
®
LXA300
Professional Tip
Professional Tip
Securing Wires
Installing in Trunk
When installing the amplifier in the trunk, run
the power wires along the same path as the
other vehicle wiring. Many cars have insulated
channels for wiring. You will have to remove
the door sill trim and the carpet.
Be proud of your installation! Use wire ties to
bundle wires together when possible. (But
never bundle speaker wires and power wires
together!)
Professional Tip
Crimp Connections
Purchase crimp connectors and crimping
tool. Connectors are color coded.
Secure loose wires to the vehicle to make
sure they don’t rub or rattle.
1. Strip 1/4 inch (6mm) of insulation from
both wires.
2. Insert into connector.
3. Crimp tightly.
Professional Tip
Speaker and Power Wires
You can make permanent splices (using butt
connectors) or select connectors that can be
removed and reinstalled.
Do not run speaker and power wires next to
each other. Power wires can generate a
“siren” sound in the speakers. Run speaker
and power wires on opposite sides of the car.
1
2
3
Strip wire
1/4" (6mm)
10
®
LXA300
Troubleshooting
Problem
Possible Cause
Corrective Action
Amplifier does not operate
(power LED not on) when
vehicle and radio are on
No power to +12V terminal
Repair wire or connections
Check connections to radio with test light
Check fuse
No power to remote wire with radio on
Fuse blown
Radio volume needs to be
turned up too high for amp
to work
Input level control (gain control)
adjusted too low
Adjust input level control (gain control)
Radio volume is too sensitive
Sound from only one speaker
Input level control adjusted too high
Defective speaker
Adjust input level control to lower setting
Replace speaker
Poor connections to speaker (wire)
Speaker wires shorting together
RCA input cable defective
Check connections
Separate speaker wires and insulate
Replace cable
Sound distorted
Blows fuses
Input level control adjusted too high
Speaker wires shorting together
Power wires hooked up incorrectly
Speakers blown or defective
Radio has poor noise immunity
Adjust input level control
Separate speaker wires and insulate
Check power wire connections
Check speakers
Alternator whine in outputs
(vehicle ignition noise)
Disconnect audio inputs to amplifier – if noise disappears
then the radio is at fault
Improper ground connections
Make sure radio and amplifier are grounded to the same point
Loud pop in speakers when
power is turned on or off
Remote wire (blue) not properly
connected
Refer to page 4 for proper installation. If radio does not have a
power antenna lead and you have connected the remote lead to
an ignition source then you may get a “pop” in your speakers.
This is not uncommon. You may have to put a switch in line with
the remote lead to turn the amp on/off manually.
Protect light comes on/
amplifier shuts down
Amp is in thermal protection
Let amp cool down before attempting to turn back on (some
installations may require a fan to keep the amp cool, especially if
you are driving subwoofers with the amp)
Faulty speaker connection and/or
crossover
Check speakers and/or crossovers for loose or bad connections
Low battery voltage
Make sure you are getting between 10.8-15.6 volts to the
amplifier with a digital multimeter measured at the amplifier
Speaker impedance less than 2 ohms
per channel
If you are using 4 ohm speakers you cannot have more than two
speakers wired in parallel per channel Amp will not operate
into 2 ohms bridged
No output on channels
Speaker wires not connected to
speakers properly
Refer to pages 5, 6 and 7 for proper installation
Input hooked up incorrectly
Can’t find cause of problem
Contact Jensen Technical Assistance (1-800-323-0221)
11
Specifications
LXA300 Amplifier
Power output @ 14.4 VDC, 20-20 kHz ............ (4 ohms) 75 Watts per channel RMS, < 00.08% THD
(2 ohms) 100 Watts per channel RMS, < 00.1% THD
(4 ohms) bridged 200 Watts per channel RMS, < 00.1% THD
Frequency Response ..........................................................................................20 Hz-20 kHz ± 3 dB
Signal to Noise Ratio @ Rated Power....................................................................................>100 dB
Channel Separation @ Ref. Power............................................................................... >65 dB, 1 kHz
THD & IMD @ Ref. Power into 2 ohms ..................................................................................... <0.1%
Speaker Impedance .............................................................................................................. 2-8 ohms
Input Impedance ............................................................................................................... 20 k ohms
Crossover Frequencies...................................................................................... Low/High: 50-250 Hz
Power Requirement .................................................................. 14.4 VDC (10.8-15.6 VDC allowable)
Fuse Requirements........................................................................................ 30 amp blade-type fuse
Dimensions ...........................................................2.25" x 11.125" x 8" (56.5mm x 282mm x 203mm)
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Limited One Year Warranty–USA and Canada
Length of Warranty. This warranty from Recoton Mobile
Electronics shall be in effect for a period of one year from
the date of the first consumer purchase.
If shipment of the product is required, it should be packed
securely. The original dated bill of sale must always be
included with the product as proof of warranty coverage.
Persons Protected. This warranty will be enforceable by
the original owner and any subsequent owners during the
warranty period so long as proof of date of purchase from
an authorized Jensen dealer is presented whenever
warranty service is required.
What We Will Pay For. We will pay for all labor and
material expenses required to repair the product, but you
must pay any labor costs for the removal and/or installation
of the product. If the product is shipped for warranty
service, you must prepay the initial shipping charges, but
Jensen will pay the return shipping charges if the product is
returned to an address inside the USA or Canada.
What is Covered. Except as otherwise specified below,
this warranty covers all defects in material and workman-
ship in this product. The following are not covered: damage
resulting from accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, product
modification, improper installation, incorrect line voltage,
unauthorized repair or failure to follow instructions supplied
with the product; damage occurring during shipment (claims
must be presented to the carrier); elimination of car static
or other electrical interferences; any product purchased
outside USA or Canada, or on which the serial number
has been defaced, modified or removed.
Limitation of Implied or Statutory Warranties and
Conditions. All implied or statutory warranties and
conditions, including warranties or conditions of merchant-
ability, fitness for particular purposes and non-infringement,
are limited in duration to the length of this warranty.
Exclusion of Certain Damages. Jensen’s liability is
limited to the repair or replacement, at our option, of any
defective product and shall not include incidental or
consequential economic damages of any kind.
How You Can Get Service.
Some states and/or provinces do not allow limitations on
how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitations and exclusions may not
apply to you.
U.S. Purchasers. Please telephone Jensen at
1-800-323-4815. We will either inform you of the name
and address of an authorized Jensen repair station which
will service the product or will advise you to send the
product to a factory service center.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state and
province to province.
Canadian Purchasers. The product should be returned
to the Jensen dealer from whom it was purchased and
such dealer either will service or arrange for service of
the product.
®
Recoton Mobile Electronics
A Division of Recoton Audio Corporation
A RECOTON® COMPANY
1090 Emma Oaks Trail
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
©1999 Recoton Audio Corporation
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