Jensen XA4150 Instruction sheet

Contents
JENSEN
How to Install and Operate
the XA4150 Amplifier
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
Warranty Service
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
Technical Assistance
For technical assistance with the operation or installation
of the XA4150, call 1-800-323-0221.
Features.2
Installation.2
Before You Begin
Installation.2
Amplifier Location.2
Disconnect Battery.2
• Amplifier Installation Kit . 2
Supplies and Tools
Needed.3
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
Tasting.9
Reconnect Battery.9
Test Power Wiring.9
Test Speaker Connections.9
• Dealing with Alternator
Noise . 9
• Installing in Trunk . 1 0
• Crimp Connections . 1 0
• Securing Wires . 1 0
• Speaker and
Power Wires . 1 0
Troubleshooting.11
Specifications
and Warranty.12

JENSEN
Features
XA4150
The Jensen XA4150 power amplifier is a four-
channel 600-watt total system power automotive
amplifier. The XA4150 includes:
• RCA inputs
• High level inputs
• Continuously variable low pass or high
pass crossover
• Bass boost feature
• Remote turn on/off
• Electronic protection circuitry to protect the
amplifier from short circuit, DC offset and
thermal overload
• Unique, super-efficient heat sink design
• 4 X 75 watts RMS per channel (4 x 150
watts peak)
• 2 X 200 watts RMS bridged into a 4 ohm
load
• Bridgeable design to direct full power to two
speakers
Audio Amplifiers
Amplification offers two advantages:
• The XA4150 amplifier can make the sound
of your receiver fuller and richer, even at low
volume levels.
• Many automotive receivers provide four to
10 watts at maximum power. At 75 watts
RMS per channel (200 watts bridged), the
XA4150 can be played substantially louder,
permitting the use of more powerful
speakers.
Installation
Before You Begin Installation
Before you begin, you will need tools, supplies
and adapters. It Is best to make sure you have
everything you need before you start. There Is a
list of supplies and tools on the next page.
Amplifier Location
Important
Allow air circulation around the amplifier.
The XA4150 amplifier's compact design
allows greater flexibility in mounting. It can be
mounted under a seat or in the trunk.
When selecting a location, remember that
amplifiers generate heat. Select a location
where air can circulate around the amplifier.
Do not cover the XA4150 with carpets or
enclose it behind Interior trim panels. Do not
mount the amplifier in an inverted or upside
down configuration. Every Installation will be
a bit different based upon vehicle design.
Check all locations and placements carefully
before making any cuts or connections.
Disconnect Battery
Before you begin, always
disconnect the battery
negative terminal.
Important
If wiring connections are made wrong, the unit
will not operate properly and it could be
damaged. Follow the installation instructions
carefully, or have the installation handled by
an experienced technician.
Professional Tip
Amplifier Installation Kit
Your installation job will be much easier If you
purchase an amplifier installation kit. These
kits often include low-level RCA cables, extra
large power and ground wires, a fuse or circuit
breaker and connector for the battery.
2

XA4150
JENSEN
Supplies and Tools Needed
Supplies:
• Speaker wire (12 gauge for subwoofers, 16-18
gauge for other speakers)
• Sheet metal type screws for mounting amplifier
• Electrical tape
• Solderless crimp connectors
• 1/2" thick plywood or particle board to mount
amplifier on
Tools:
• Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers
• Cordless or standard electric drill and drill bit set
• Crimping tool (if using solderless crimp
connectors)
• 12-voit 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)
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:
• 20-25 feet of 8 gauge wire
• 50 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
- 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)
• Eight 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
Routing Wires
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

XA4150
II Wiring
Power and Outputs
Power Terminal (BATT+12V)
Connect directly to the vehicle battery+
terminal with 8 gauge wire (minimum).
+ 12V RMT GND
_Not Suppli^
I 50 amp Fuse
_ I or Circuit Breaker |
Battery , Install as close
Terminal | to the battery
Adapter i as possible
iTo Battery+
Terminal
Ground Terminal (GND) _
Connect to a good chassis ground. The ground
connection should be to clean, unpainted metal
to provide a good electrical connection.
+ 12V RMT GND
Drill 1/8" hole
in chassis
sheet metal
Remote Terminal (RMT +12V)
Connect the radio power antenna lead from
the receiver to the amplifier remote (RMT)
terminal. This turns the amplifier on whenever
the receiver is turned on. If a power antenna
lead is not available, connect this wire to the
radio or accessory fuse.
+ 12V RMT GND
Butt
Connector
(not supplied)
To Receiver
Power
Antenna Lead
Fuses
4

XA4150
JENSEN^
Input Wiring
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.
Important
Use only the low level or high level input, do
not use both at one time.
Low Level Input
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.
Connect RCA cables from your receiver to the
RCA input jacks on the amplifier.
High Level Input
Connect left and right speaker wires coming
from radio to high level input plug as shown.
Hi level
input plug
on amp
Pass Output
Use pass through (PASS OUTPUT)
connectors for adding other amplifiers.
Power Light
Q The power light comes on when 12
POWER volt power is available at both the
battery +12 volt and RMT wires.
Protect Light
The red protect light comes on
Q when the amplifier shuts down from
PROTECT overheating or a short circuit
(speaker failure).
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XA4150
Input Level Control
The input level control
matches the output of your
radio to the input of the
amplifier. After the installa¬
tion is complete, make
sure the Input level control on the amp is
turned 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
amplifier levels are matched.
MIN MAX MIN MAX
Crossover
Adjust the crossover to accommodate your
chosen installation method.
X-OVER
prn
! T | . t l
LPF I HPF
FULL
LPF-(low pass filter) only bass
tones go to speakers. Use with
woofers or subwoofer.
FULL-all tones go to speakers.
Use with full-range speakers.
HPF-(hlgh pass filter) blocks very
low tones from the speakers. Use
with 6" or smaller speakers.
Use LPF and HPF to
adjust from 40 to 240Hz.
When using your Jensen
amplifier to run a
subwoofer and two full-
range speakers (known
as Tri-mode or three
channel operation) you
40 240 ib 2 io will need to purchase
separate high and low
pass crossovers from your local retailer. A
pair of high 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.
Bass Boost
BASS-BOOST
BASS BOOST increases the
i^m
volume of bass by up to 6 dB at
_J L_
OFF ON
45Hz.

XA4150
JENSEN
Speaker Wiring
The XA4150 amplifier has inputs and outputs for four channels

JENSEN
XA4150

XA4150
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
When wiring is complete,
reconnect the battery
negative terminal.
Test Power Wiring
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.
2. Turn up the receiver volume slightly. All
speakers should operate. If not, check
wiring connections at amplifier and
speakers.
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:
• Do not bundle RCA cables with speaker
or power wires
• Do not run speaker wires parallel to
power wires
• If you have more than one amplifier,
connect all ground wires to the same
screw
Make sure all wires are as short as
possible
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

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XA4150
Professional Tip
Installing in 'ntink
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.
Professional Tip
Crimp Connections
Purchase crimp connectors and crimping
tool. Connectors are color coded.
1. Strip 1/4 inch (6mm) of insulation from
both wires.
2. Insert into connector.
3. Crimp tightly.
You can make permanent splices (using butt
connectors) or select connectors that can be
removed and reinstalled.
V_/
Professional Tip
Securing Wires
Be proud of your installation! Use wire ties to
bundle wires together when possible. (But
never bundle speaker wires and power wires
together!)
Secure loose wires to the vehicle to make I
sure they don’t rub or rattle. I
Professional Tip
Speaker and Power Wires
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.
10

XA4150
JENSEN
lW>ubleshooting
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
No power to remote wire with radio on
Check connections to radio with test light
Fuse blown
Check fuse
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
Input level control adjusted too high
Adjust input level control to lower setting
Sound from only one speaker
Defective speaker
Replace speaker
Poor connections to speaker (wire)
Check connections
Speaker wires shorting together
Separate speaker wires and insulate
RCA input cable defective
Replace cable
Sound distorted
Input level control adjusted too high
Adjust input level control
Blows fuses
Speaker wires shorting together
Separate speaker wires and insulate
Power wires hooked up incorrectly
Check power wire connections
Speakers blown or defective
Check speakers
Alternator whine in outputs
(vehicle ignition noise)
Radio has poor noise immunity
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
Input hooked up incorrectly
Refer to pages 5,6 and 7 for proper installation
Can’t find cause of problem
Contact Jensen Technical Assistance (1-800-323-0221)
11