Harman JBL Apex PA454 User manual

JBL Apex powersports
PA454 / PA1254 / PA1502
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OWNER'S MANUAL
a .
by HARMAN

II .
., HARMAN
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE ...
Your product has been designed to provide you the performance
and ease of operation you expect from JBL. Take time to read this
manual before operating or installing your amplifier. This manual
describes general installation guidelines and operation instructions.
Please note that proper installation of mobile audio components
requires qualified experience with mechanical and electrical
procedures. If you do not have the knowledge and tools to perform
this installation. we strongly recommend consulting an authorized
JBL dealer aboutyour installation options.

JBL APEX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE ...
1
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
3
INSTALLATION AND WIRING 4
POWER AND GROUND CONNECTIONS 4
Power/Protect indicators 5
SIGNAL INPUT 5
SPEAKER OUTPUT CONNECTIONS 6
SETTING THE SOUND
11
Setting the input level
11
Crossover filters
11
SPECIFICATIONS
13
TROUBLESHOOTING
15
2

II .
.., HARMAN
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
, e,x
---
~~~
02X
0 amplifier
@ tie wraps
6) spare fuse
01X
@4X
~ 4X
81X
0 Stainless steel mounting hardware
0 high-level input adapters
0 JBL stickers
@ owner's manual
3
~
(PA 1502 -2X)

JBLAPEX
INSTALLATION AND WIRING
IMPORTANT : Disconnect the vehicle's negative (-) battery
terminal before beginning the installation.
• Wear protective eyewear when using tools.
• Choose a safe mounting location. Check clearances on both sides
of the location. Be sure that screws will not puncture brake or fuel
lines orwiring harnesses, and that wire routing will not interfere with
vehicle operation. Use caution when drilling or cutting.
• When making electrical connections, make sure they are secure
and properly insulated.
• Do not mount the amplifier with the heat sink facing downward, as
this interferes with cooling.
• Using the amplifier as a template, mark the locations of the holes
on the mounting surface.
• Drill pilot holes in the mounting surface.
• Attach the amplifier to the mounting surface with sheet metal
screws (not included).
, ,
I I
I I
J J
POWER AND GROUND CONNECTIONS
• Power: Connect the +12V power wire to the positive terminal
of the vehicle's battery. Make sure the fuse and fuse holder are
within 18" (457mm) of the battery.
• Ground: Connect the GND wire to the negative terminal of the
vehicle's battery, or to the vehicle's chassis nearthe battery with
a screw. NOTE: If possible, remove any paint from the chassis for
best contact. It's recommended to use a star washer below the
ring connector for a secure connection.
• Remote: Connect the remote turn-on wire to the "Remote Out"
lead of the source unit, if using low-level signal inputs with an
aftermarket stereo.NOTE: Ifyou're using high-level signal inputs
(your vehicle's speakerwires}, the Apex amplifier's 12-volt DC
offset feature will turn the amplifier on when it senses audio signal.
In this case, you will not have to connectthe remote turn-on wire
and can tape or cap it off to prevent the introduction of noise. 4

Ill .
., HARMAN
Power/Protect indicators
The power light will illuminate in green when the amplifier is getting
power and playing. The light will illuminate in red if the amp enters
protect mode in the event of conditions such as over/under voltage,
short circuit. amplifier output circuit failure, or excessive heat.
POWIR
0
PROTfCOON
0
Remote turn-on(to stereo)
Fuse holder
Chassis ground
() ~-~
SIGNAL INPUT
• Line-level inputs: Ifyour source unit offers preamp outputs.
connect to the amplifier's L and Rpreamp inputs using RCA patch
cables.
• High-level inputs: Ifyour audio system's source unit does not
have line-level outputs, use the supplied high-level input adapters
to connect to eitherthe front or the rear speaker output wires of
your source unit. Use solder, butt connectors. or your preferred
splicing method. The 12 volt DC offset feature will turn the
amplifier on when it senses signal
• Input level selection: Ifyou're sending signal to the amplifier
using low-level outputs from your source unit, slide the input level
selector to "LO" Ifusing high-level outputs from your source unit.
slide the selector to "HI."
5
INPUT
LEVEL
111111111
HI LO

JBLAPEX
SPEAKER OUTPUT CONNECTIONS
Connectyour speakers to the amplifier's speaker output wires.
observing proper polarity: connect each amplifier's positive (+) lead
to the appropriate positive (+) speaker terminal. and negative (-) lead
to the appropriate negative(-) speaker terminal. NOTE: Speaker-wire
extensions might be necessary.
• PA454 4-channel operation: Connect the front left speaker leads
(white and white/black) to the front left speaker's + and -terminals.
and the front right speaker leads (gray and gray/black) to the
front right speaker's + and -terminals. Next. connect the rear left
speaker leads (green and green/black) to the rear left speaker's +
and -terminals. and the rear right speaker leads (violet and violeV
black) to the rear right speaker's + and -terminals.
INPUT PA454
LEVEL
FRONT
REAR
□
LEVEL
LEVEL
@ @
HI
LO
0
MIN MAX MIN MAX
0
FRONT -HPF
EAR- HPF
I II
OFF 60 80 120
Rear r gnt (v1oleVblack)
Fron1 left -1wh1te/black) Rear right+ (v,oiet)
Front right+ (gray) Rear left- (green/blac~)
Front ,,ght (gray/black) Rear left + (green)
6

• •
., HARMAN
• PA1254 4-channel operation: Connectthe front left speaker leads
(white and white/black) to the front left speaker's + and -terminals,
and the front right speaker leads (gray and gray/black) to the
front right speaker's + and - terminals. Next, connect the rear left
speaker leads (green and green/black) to the rear left speaker's +
and - terminals, and the rear right speaker leads (violet and violet/
black) to the rear right speaker's + and -terminals.
INPUT PA1254
LEVEL
FRONT REAR
[I
LEVEL LEVEL
©. ©.
HI
LO
0
MIN MAX MIN MAX
0
FRONT-HPF
I
11
OFF 60 80 120
Front left+ (wr-1\eJ
r ro t left -(wh1'0/blac Kl Re,,r right t (V OIE t
F Or>! right j (gray) Reo1 !er -(green/black)
f t r,gllt (gray/black) Rear lei" + (green)

JBLAPEX
• PA1254 3-channel (bridged) operation: Connect the front left
speaker leads (white and white/black) to the front left speaker's +
and -terminals, and the front right speaker leads (gray and gray/
black) to the front right speaker's + and -terminals. Next, connect
the rear left+ speaker lead (green) to the single speaker's +
terminal, and the rear right -speaker lead (violet /black) to the
single speaker's -terminal.
NOTE : To prevent electrical interference or short-circuiting,
terminate the unused speaker leads with a wire cap or electrical
tape.
0
INPUT
LEVEL
[I
HI LO
FRONT- HPF
I 1111
FRONT
LEVEL
@
MIN MAX
OFF 60 80 120
Front left+ (white)
Front left -(white/black)
Front right+ (gray)
Front right-(gray/black)
PA1254
REAR
LEVEL
@
MIN MAX 0
Rear right -(violet/black)
Rear left +(green)
8

II .
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• PA1254 2- ch annel (bridged) oper ation: Connect the front left
9
+ speaker lead (white) to the front single speaker's + terminal,
and the front right -speaker lead (gray/black) to the front single
speaker's -terminal. Next, connect the rear left+ speaker lead
(green) to the rear single speaker's+ terminal, and the rear right -
speaker lead (violet /black) to the rear single speaker's -terminal.
NOTE : To prevent electrical interference or short-circuiting,
terminate the unused speaker leads with a wire cap or electrical
tape
INPUT PA1254
LEVEL
FRONT REAR
cm
LEVEL LEVEL
@. @.
HI LO
0 MIN MAX
MIN MAX 0
FRONT- HPF RE
I Iii I
OFF 60 80 120 60 0
Front left +(white) Rear right -(v,olet/black)
Front right- (gray/black) Rear left+(green)

JBL APEX
• PA1502 2-channel operation: Connectthe left speaker leads
(white and white/black) to the left speaker's + and -terminals, and
the right speaker leads (gray and gray/black) to the right speaker's
+ and -terminals.
0
INPUT
LEVEL
Cl]
HI LO
X-OVER
[I]
OFF HPF LPF
LEVEL
©.
MIN MAX
left+ (white)
PA1502
0
FREQ. - H
ST45Hz-dB
CJ
+O -t<> +12
Right+ (gray)
left (white/black)
Right • (gray/black)
• PA1502 bridged operation: Connect the amplifier's left positive
(+) wire (white) to the single speaker's + terminal, and the right
negative(-) wire (gray/black) to the speaker's -terminal.
NOTE: To prevent electrical interference or short-circuiting,
terminate the unused speaker leads with a wire cap or electrical
tape.
0
INPUT
LEVEL
CJI]
HI LO
X-OVER
Cl
OFF HPF LPF
LEVEL
©.
MIN MAX
PA1502
0
FREQ. -H
ST45Hz-dl
l[J
+O -t<> •12
left +(white) Right-(gray/black)
10

Ill .
., HARMAN
SETTING THE SOUND
Setting the input level
To match your amplifier's input sensitivity (gain) to your source unit's
output level, we recommend the following procedure:
• Turn the input level control counterclockwise to MIN (minimum).
• Play a dynamic music track through your source unit Turn the
source unit's volume control to the 3/4 position.
• Turn the input level control dial clockwise towards MAX until
you hear distortion in the music (it's no longer clear), then turn it
counterclockwise until the music sounds clear again. Your input
sensitivity is now set
LEVEL
(@
MIN M AX
Crossover filters
You can adjust your Apex amplifier's filters to suit your listening
preferences and speaker configuration.
The PA454 lets you select no filter (OFF) for a full-range signal, or
engage a high-pass filter (HPF) on the front and rear channels, if
you're powering speakers and have an independently powered
subwoofer in your system. Slide the switch to choose your desired
crossover point
FRONT- HPF
REAR - HPF
I 111111111 I 111111111
OFF 60 80 120 OFF 60 80 120
11

JBL APEX
The PA1254 lets you select either no filter (OFF) for a full-range
signal, or a high-pass filter (HPF) for your front channels ifyou're
powering a subwoofer with t he rear channels. Slide the switch to
choose your desired crossover point.
For the rear channels, you can select between no filter (OFF); a
high-pass filter (HPF) if you're powering a subwoofer independently,
or a low-pass filter (LPF) if you're using the rear channels to power a
subwoofer in bridged mode. Slide the REAR - HZ switch to choose
your desired crossover point.
FRONT- HPF
REAR- Hz REARX-OVER
I 11111111 I 111111111 I I 111111111
OFF 60 80 120 60 80 120
OFF HPF LPF
The PA1502 lets you slide the X-OVER switch to se l ect no filter (OFF)
for a full-range signal; a high-pass filter (HPF) ifyou're powering
speakers and have an independently powered subwoofer in your
system; or a low-pass filter (LPF) if you're powering a subwoofer
in bridged mode. Slide the FREQ . switch to choose your desired
crossover point.
X-OVER
FREQ. -Hz
[JD
I 111111111
OFF HPF LPF
60 80 120
The PA1502 also includes a bass boost (BOOST) switch for a +6dB
or +12dB boost at 45 Hz.
BOOST 45Hz - dB
111111111 I
+0 +6 +12
12

II .
., HARMAN
SPECIFICATIONS
Model
PA454
Operating voltage :
9V-16V
RMS power @4 ohms :
45Wx4
RMS power @2 ohms : N/A
RMS bridged power @4 ohms
N/A
Total peak power :
450W
Fuse size: 15A
High input maximum sensitivity: 500mV -15V
Line input maximum sensitivity:
200mV- 6V
Signal-to-noise ratio (reference to
>75dB
1watt):
THD +Nat rated power: <1%
Frequency response:
20Hz -20KHz
Selectable hi-pass filter:
Crossover filter
off, 60-, 80-, 120Hz @12dB/
octave
Bass boost N/A
Amplifier Class Class D
Turn-on Modes 12V & DC offset
Recommended wire gauge 10AWG
8.25" (208.50mm) W x 1.75"
Dimensions (H x W x D) : (43.00mm) H x
3.3" (83.80mm) D
Weight 2.41bs (1.1kg)
13

JBLAPEX
PA1254 PA1502
9V-16V 9V-16V
75Wx4 100Wx2
125W x 4 150W X 2
250W x 2 300W x 1
1250W 750W
40A 25A
500mV-15V
500mV -15V
200mV-6V 200mV- 6V
>75dB >75dB
<1%
<1%
20Hz - 20kHz
20Hz -20KHz
Front selectable hi-pass filter: off,
60-, 80-, 120Hz @12dB/octave Selectable all-/hi-/lo-pass filter:
Rear slectable all-/hi-/lo-pass filter:
60-, 80-, 120Hz @12dB/octave
60-, 80-, 120Hz @12dB/octave
0, +6dB, +12dB selectable
N/A
@45Hz (only when LPF is
engaged)
Class D Class D
12V & DC offset
12V & DC offset
10AWG 10AWG
9.4" (238.50mm) W x
8.25" (208.50mm) W x
1.75" (43.00mm) H x 1.75" (43.00mm) H x
3.3" (83.80mm) D 3.3" (83.80mm) D
2.91bs (1.3kg) 2.41bs (1.1kg)
14

II .
., HARM AN
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
No audio and POWE RINDICAT OR is off.
No volt age at BATT+ and/or REM terminals. or
bad or no ground connect ion. Ch eck vo ltages at
amplifier terminals with VOM.
No audio and PROTECT and POWER
INDICATORS flash
Vol tage less than 9V on BATT+ connection.
Check vehicle charging system.
No audio and PROTECT ·NDICATOR is on
Amplifier is over heated. Make sure amplifier
cooling is not blocked at mounting location.
Verify that speaker-system i mpedance is within
specifi ed limits. Or, there may be voltage
greater than 16V (or less than 8.5V) on BATT+
connection. Check vehicle charging system.
~-------- --
PROBLEM
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
PROBLEM
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
Am 0111 er fuse keeps blow,ng.
-------~
The wiring is connected incorrectly or there is a
short circuit. Review installation precautions and
procedures. Check wiring connections.
D started audio.
-------
Gain is not set properly. Check INPUT LEVE L
setting. Check speaker wires for shorts or
grounds. Amplifier or source unit may be
defect ive.
-------~
PROBLEM
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
Distorted audio ard PROTECf INDICATOR
fl;:is1es
---
Short circuit 1n speaker or wire. Remove speake r
leads one at a time to locate shorted speaker or
wire, and repair.
------ --~~--------
PROBLEM
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
15
Mus c lacks dynamics or "punch."
Speakers are not connected properly. C he ck
speaker connections for proper polarity.

~
HARMAN
~
HARMAN International Industries, Inc.
85')0 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329 USA
www.jbl.com
© 2018 HARMAN International Industries, Inc. Taus droits reserves.
JBL est une marque commerciale de HARMAN International Industries,
Incorporated, deposee aux Etats-Unis et dans d'autres pays.
Les caracteristiques, les specifications et l'aspect sont susceptibles
d'etre modifies sans preavis.
120