JL Audio MX500/1 Owner's Manual

What’s Included 
(1) Amplifier
(4) Stainless steel mounting screws 
(1) User manual 

Product Description
This is a wide-range monoblock amplifier utilizing Class D technology that can 
be used alone or in stereo pairs.
 
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. 
 
Safety Considerations
•  Whenever possible, mount the amplifier in a dry, well-ventilated location 

that does not interfere with other factory installed electronic devices. If a dry 
environment is not available, a location that is not exposed to heavy splashing 
may be used.

•  While this amplifier is designed to be water-resistant, it should never be 

submerged under water or subjected to high-pressure water spray.  
Do not install where it will be directly exposed to the elements.

•  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 an exterior 

panel/hull, 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.

•  Protect all system wires from sharp edges (metal, fiberglass, etc.) 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.

Installation Procedure/Connections
1.  Disconnect the NEGATIVE battery post connection and secure the discon-

nected cable to prevent accidental reconnection during installation. This is 
an essential safety precaution during installation!

2.  Connect the RED power lead to the positive (+12V) battery post. 4 AWG is 

the minimum power wire size for this amplifier. 

3.  An appropriate fuse (sold separately), such as the JL Audio Water-Resistant 

Master MAXI™ Fuse Block (XD-MFBW-MAXI), at the main power wire(s) to 
the amplifier(s) is vital for vehicle/vessel safety. This fuse must be installed 
within 18 inches (45 cm) of the positive battery post connection. If this is 
the only device connected to this main wire, use a 50A fuse. Do not install 
the fuse until the power wire has been securely connected to the amplifier. 

4.  Connect the BLACK negative ground lead to a clean, solid metal grounding 

point near the amplifier. This can be to metal chassis ground, if available. If 
no metal chassis ground is available, it may be necessary to make this con-
nection to the NEGATIVE battery post. 4 AWG is the minimum ground wire 
size for this amplifier. All ground connections (source unit and amplifi-
ers) should be made at the same location.

5.  Connect the BLUE remote turn-on lead to the source unit’s positive (+12V) 

remote turn-on output. If your 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. 

6.  Signal Input (Low-Level): Connect the amplifier’s RCA input jacks to the 

source unit’s preamp level output jacks. You may run a stereo or a mono 
signal into the inputs of the amplifier. The amplifier’s input section automat-
ically sums stereo signals to mono for the internal amplifier section. When 
feeding a single, low-level RCA input connection, use a Y-adaptor splitter to 
split the mono signal and connect it to both Left and Right RCA inputs. 

7.  Signal Input (Hi-Level): If your source unit does not offer preamp level signal 

outputs, you can splice the speaker 

output wires of the source unit onto a 

pair of RCA plugs for the input pair or use the JL Audio ECS Speaker Wire 
to RCA adaptor (XD-CLRAIC2-SW). Make sure to observe correct polarity in 
making “Hi-Level Input” connections. Failure to do so will result in a loss of 
signal (poor performance).

8.  Connect the speaker output leads to the corresponding speaker wires.

9.  Make necessary adjustments to the filter controls and input sensitivity.  

10.  The amplifier’s subwoofer output level can be controlled from the front of 

the 

vehicle/vessel with an optional remote level controller (sold separately)

. 

Use the RBC-1 for standard (dry) installations or the M-RBC-1 for applica-
tions exposed to moisture. Connect the remote’s plug to the amplifier’s har-
ness-mounted RJ11 input jack. (Refer to Appendix B) 
 
WARNING! Failure to make safe, tight, high-integrity power connec-
tions can result in fire and extensive damage!

The amplifier’s settings and controls are located on the bottom panel beneath a 
gasketed, protective cover. Remove the four Phillips head screws from the center 
panel to access the controls and make adjustments. Replace cover when finished 
and mount the amplifier.

+12V

Red

Positive (+12V) Power Connection

GND

Black

Negative (GND) Ground Connection

REM

Blue

Positive (+12V) Remote Turn-On Input

SPK+

Lt. Blue

Positive (+) Speaker Output

SPK–

Lt. Blue/Black

Negative (–) Speaker Output

White RCA

Left Channel Signal Input

Red RCA

Right Channel Signal Input

Remote Bass Control Jack

RJ11 Input Jack for M-RBC-1 (sold separately)

Input Voltage

RCA/Preamp Level Range

 (250 mV - 4 V)

RCA/Preamp or Speaker Level R

ange (580 mV - 14 V)

Input Sens.

Adjusts the input stage of the amplifier channels to  
match the source unit’s output voltage for maximum  
clean output (refer to Appendix A)

LP Filter

Full-Range Operation of Input Signals /  
Defeats 

M-RBC-1

 

& Infrasonic Filter

Low-Pass: Configures Filter to Attenuate Frequencies  
ABOVE the Selected Filter Frequency

LP Filter  

Freq.

Adjusts the low-pass filter cutoff frequency,  
variable from 40-400 Hz, 24 dB/Octave

Infrasonic  

Filter

Adjusts the high-pass filter cutoff frequency,  
variable from 20-40 Hz, 12 dB/Octave

Bass Boost

Boost-Only Bass Equalizer: Boost range from 0dB  
(full-counterclockwise) to +12dB (full-clockwise),  
centered at 43 Hz. (always active)

Output  

Polarity

Normal speaker polarity

Polarity reversed 180 degrees

M-RBC-1 (Sold Separately)

High <or> Low-Level Inputs

(selectable via Input Voltage Switch)

Batter y

Fuse 

(not included)

[+12V]

[GND]