JBL PA454 User manual

EN
OWNER'S MANUAL
PA454
PA1254
PA1502
JBL Apex powersports
PA454 / PA1254 / PA1502
AMPLIFIERS

1
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 amplier. This manual
describes general installation guidelines and operation instructions.
Please note that proper installation of mobile audio components
requires qualied 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 about your installation options.

JBL APEX
2
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 lters 11
SPECIFICATIONS 13
TROUBLESHOOTING 15

3
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
(PA1502 - 2X )
1X2X
1X
1X 4X 4X
4X
1
2
3
67
4 5
amplier
tie wraps
spare fuse
Stainless steel mounting hardware
high-level input adapters
JBL stickers
owner’s manual

JBL APEX
4
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 or wiring 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 amplier with the heat sink facing downward, as
this interferes with cooling.
• Using the amplier as a template, mark the locations of the holes
on the mounting surface.
• Drill pilot holes in the mounting surface.
• Attach the amplier to the mounting surface with sheet metal
screws (not included).
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 near the 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: If you’re using high-level signal inputs
(your vehicle’s speaker wires), the Apex amplier’s 12-volt DC
oset feature will turn the amplier on when it senses audio signal.
In this case, you will not have to connect the remote turn-on wire
and can tape or cap it o to prevent the introduction of noise.

5
Power/Protect indicators
The power light will illuminate in green when the amplier 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, amplier output circuit failure, or excessive heat.
POWER
PROTECTION
Battery
Remote turn-on (to stereo)
Fuse holder
Chassis ground
（-）
SIGNAL INPUT
• Line-level inputs: If your source unit oers preamp outputs,
connect to the amplier’s L and R preamp inputs using RCA patch
cables.
• High-level inputs: If your audio system’s source unit does not
have line-level outputs, use the supplied high-level input adapters
to connect to either the front or the rear speaker output wires of
your source unit. Use solder, butt connectors, or your preferred
splicing method. The 12-volt DC oset feature will turn the
amplier on when it senses signal.
• Input level selection: If you’re sending signal to the amplier
using low-level outputs from your source unit, slide the input level
selector to “LO.” If using high-level outputs from your source unit,
slide the selector to “HI.”
HI LO
INPUT
LEVEL

JBL APEX
6
SPEAKER OUTPUT CONNECTIONS
Connect your speakers to the amplier’s speaker output wires,
observing proper polarity: connect each amplier’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 violet/
black) to the rear right speaker’s + and - terminals.
INPUT
LEVEL
HI
OFF 1208060 OFF 1208060
LO
MIN MAX MIN MAX
FRONT – HPF REAR – HPF
FRONT
LEVEL
PA454 REAR
LEVEL
Front left + (white)
Front right + (gray) Rear left– (green/black)
Rear right – (violet/black)
Front left – (white/black)
Front right – (gray/black) Rear left + (green)
Rear right + (violet)

7
• PA1254 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 violet/
black) to the rear right speaker’s + and - terminals.
INPUT
LEVEL
HI
OFF 1208060 60 12080
LO
MIN MAX MIN MAX
FRONT – HPF REAR X- OVER REAR – Hz
FRONT
LEVEL
PA1254 REAR
LEVEL
OFF LPFHPF
Front left + (white)
Front right + (gray) Rear left – (green/black)
Rear right – (violet/black)
Front left – (white/black)
Front right – (gray/black) Rear left + (green)
Rear right + (violet)

JBL APEX
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• 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.
INPUT
LEVEL
HI
OFF 1208060 60 12080
LO
MIN MAX MIN MAX
FRONT – HPF REAR X- OVER REAR – Hz
FRONT
LEVEL
PA1254 REAR
LEVEL
OFF LPFHPF
X X
Front left + (white)
Front right + (gray)
Rear right – (violet/black)
Front left – (white/black)
Front right – (gray/black)
Rear left + (green)

9
• PA1254 2-channel (bridged) operation: Connect the front left
+ 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
LEVEL
HI
OFF 1208060 60 12080
LO
MIN MAX MIN MAX
FRONT – HPF REAR X- OVER
REAR – Hz
FRONT
LEVEL
PA1254 REAR
LEVEL
OFF LPFHPF
X XX X
Front left + (white) Rear right – (violet/black)
Front right– (gray/black) Rear left + (green)

JBL APEX
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• PA1502 2-channel operation: Connect the 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.
INPUT
LEVEL
HI
1208060
OFF LPFHPF +0 +12+6
LO
MIN MAX
FREQ. – Hz BOOST 45Hz – dBX - OVER
LEVEL
PA1502
left + (white) Right + (gray)
left – (white/black) Right- (gray/black)
• PA1502 bridged operation: Connect the amplier’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.
INPUT
LEVEL
HI
1208060
OFF LPFHPF +0 +12+6
LO
MIN MAX
FREQ. – Hz BOOST 45Hz – dBX - OVER
LEVEL
PA1502
X X
left + (white) Right- (gray/black)

11
SETTING THE SOUND
Setting the input level
To match your amplier’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.
MIN MAX
LEVEL
Crossover lters
You can adjust your Apex amplier’s lters to suit your listening
preferences and speaker conguration.
The PA454 lets you select no lter (OFF) for a full-range signal, or
engage a high-pass lter (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.
OFF 1208060
FRONT – HPF
OFF 1208060
REAR – HPF

JBL APEX
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The PA1254 lets you select either no lter (OFF) for a full-range
signal, or a high-pass lter (HPF) for your front channels if you’re
powering a subwoofer with the rear channels. Slide the switch to
choose your desired crossover point.
For the rear channels, you can select between no lter (OFF); a
high-pass lter (HPF) if you’re powering a subwoofer independently,
or a low-pass lter (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.
OFF 1208060
FRONT – HPF
60 12080
REAR – Hz REAR X- OVER
OFF LPFHPF
The PA1502 lets you slide the X-OVER switch to select no lter (OFF)
for a full-range signal; a high-pass lter (HPF) if you’re powering
speakers and have an independently powered subwoofer in your
system; or a low-pass lter (LPF) if you’re powering a subwoofer
in bridged mode. Slide the FREQ. switch to choose your desired
crossover point.
OFF LPFHPF
X- OVER
1208060
FREQ. – Hz
The PA1502 also includes a bass boost (BOOST) switch for a +6dB
or +12dB boost at 45 Hz.
+0 +12+6
BOOST 45Hz – dB

13
SPECIFICATIONS
Model PA454
Operating voltage: 9V – 16V
RMS power @ 4 ohms: 45W x 4
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
1 watt): >75dB
THD + N at rated power: <1%
Frequency response: 20Hz -20KHz

Selectable hi-pass lter:
o, 60-, 80-, 120Hz @ 12dB/
octave
Bass boost N/A
 Class D
Turn-on Modes 12V & DC oset
Recommended wire gauge 10 AWG
Dimensions (H x W x D):
8.25" (208.50mm) W x 1.75"
(43.00mm) H x
3.3" (83.80mm) D
Weight 2.4lbs (1.1kg)

JBL APEX
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PA1254 PA1502
9V – 16V 9V – 16V
75W x 4 100W x 2
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 lter: o,
60-, 80-, 120Hz @ 12dB/octave
Rear slectable all-/hi-/lo-pass lter:
60-, 80-, 120Hz @ 12dB/octave
Selectable all-/hi-/lo-pass lter:
60-, 80-, 120Hz @ 12dB/octave
N/A
0, +6dB, +12dB selectable
@45Hz (only when LPF is
engaged)
Class D Class D
12V & DC oset 12V & DC oset
10 AWG 10 AWG
9.53" (242.08mm) W x
1.75" (43.00mm) H x
3.3" (83.80mm) D
8.25" (208.50mm) W x
1.75" (43.00mm) H x
3.3" (83.80mm) D
2.9lbs (1.3kg) 2.4lbs (1.1kg)

15
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM No audio and POWER INDICATOR is o.
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
No voltage at BATT+ and/or REM terminals, or
bad or no ground connection. Check voltages at
amplier terminals with VOM.
PROBLEM No audio and PROTECT and POWER
INDICATORS ash.
CAUSE and
SOLUTION Voltage less than 9V on BATT+ connection. Check vehicle charging system.
PROBLEM No audio and PROTECT INDICATOR is on.
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
Amplier is overheated. Make sure amplier
cooling is not blocked at mounting location.
Verify that speaker-system impedance is within
specied limits. Or, there may be voltage
greater than 16V (or less than 8.5V) on BATT+
connection. Check vehicle charging system.
PROBLEM Amplier fuse keeps blowing.
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
The wiring is connected incorrectly or there is a
short circuit. Review installation precautions and
procedures. Check wiring connections.
PROBLEM Distorted audio.
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
Gain is not set properly. Check INPUT LEVEL
setting. Check speaker wires for shorts or
grounds. Amplier or source unit may be
defective.
PROBLEM Distorted audio and PROTECT INDICATOR
ashes.
CAUSE and
SOLUTION
Short circuit in speaker or wire. Remove speaker
leads one at a time to locate shorted speaker or
wire, and repair.
PROBLEM Music lacks dynamics or "punch."
CAUSE and
SOLUTION Speakers are not connected properly. Check speaker connections for proper polarity.

FR
PA454
PA1254
PA1502
JBL Apex Powersports
PA454 / PA1254 / PA1502
MODE D'EMPLOI
AMPLIFICATEUR

17
MERCI POUR VOTRE ACHAT. . .
Votre produit a été conçu pour vous orir les performances et la
facilité d'utilisation que attendez de JBL. Prenez le temps de lire ce
manuel avant d'utiliser ou installer votre amplicateur. Ce manuel
décrit les directives d'installation générales et les instructions
d'utilisation. Veuillez noter qu'une installation convenable de
composants audio mobiles requiert une expérience qualiée en
procédures mécaniques et électriques. Si vous ne disposez pas des
connaissances et des outils permettant d'exécuter cette installation,
nous vous recommandons fortement de consulter un distributeur
agréé JBL pour connaître vos options d'installation.

JBL APEX
18
TABLE DES MATIÈRES
MERCI POUR VOTRE ACHAT. . . 17
CONTENU DE LA BOÎTE 19
INSTALLATION ET CÂBLAGE 20
CONNEXIONS D'ALIMENTATION ET DE MASSE 20
Témoin d'alimentation / protection 21
ENTRÉE DE SIGNAL 21
 22
RÉGLAGE DU SON 27
Réglage du niveau d'entrée 27
Filtres répartiteurs 27
CARACTÉRISTIQUES TECHNIQUES 29
RÉSOLUTION DES PROBLÈMES 31

19
CONTENU DE LA BOÎTE
(PA1502 - 2X )
1X2X
1X
1X 4X 4X
4X
1
2
3
67
4 5

attaches
fusible de rechange

adaptateurs d'entrées niveau haut
autocollants JBL
mode d'emploi