JL Audio RD500/1 amplifier
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JL Audio RD500/1 amplifier
Elegant and powerful JL Audio RD series amplifiers with excellent sound quality. RD amplifiers use JL Audio's exclusive NexD™ technology to generate large amounts of power with exceptional efficiency and reduce current and heat draw. Each model features a modern industrial design with a high-quality finish. For easy installation and sound adjustment, all connection terminals are located along one side of the amplifier with the controls at the top hidden under a removable protective cover. All RD models feature studio-quality signal processing with auto-switching capability (via signal sensing and DC offset sensing) for maximum flexibility. Differentially balanced inputs are provided to suppress noise and maximize compatibility with a wide variety of signal types. Two additional features have been included to simplify installation and set-up such as LED trim indicators to streamline the input level setting process and an "Input Type" switch on the stereo channel sections, eliminating the need for Y-adapters when bridging.
The main features of the JL Audio RD500/1 amplifier
- 1-channel class D amplifier.
- Power 1 x 250 / 500 W RMS (4 / 2 Ω).
- Compact dimensions thanks to digital technology.
- NexD™ technology for superior sound fidelity and high efficiency.
- Differentially balanced inputs help eliminate noise.
- All connection terminals on one side.
- RCA high level inputs.
- Outputs for connecting another amplifier.
- Continuous input power control.
- FULL / LP electronic crossover
- Variable Bass boost and low pass filter.
- Automatic on and off function.
- Socket input terminals.
- Optional remote control (not included).
About the JL Audio brand
JL Audio is an American manufacturer of consumer audio equipment that specializes in home, vehicle and boat sound systems. It is one of the main pioneers of vehicle sound systems and is undoubtedly best known for its high-end subwoofers. The company was founded in 1975 and is therefore one of the oldest manufacturers in this field. The original focus was on home sound systems, but already at the turn of the seventies and eighties, they also started to deal with the car audio segment, the popularity of which grew rapidly at the time. During their rich history, JL Audio produced a lot of completely unique and patented subwoofers that had almost no competition at the time. And it is similar even now. Subwoofers from this manufacturer amaze with their performance and at the same time absolutely top sound quality, unique patents and excellent workmanship. In particular, the top W6 and W7 series have long been among the most interesting products on the market today. However, the revolutionary flat subwoofers of the TW1 and TW3 series, as well as the perfectly tuned subwoofer enclosures, will also impress. You can expect the same quality from the amplifiers, and it's also worth noting the high-end products designed for integration into factory audio systems. In short, you can't go wrong with JL Audio products and you can always rely on their high quality and uniqueness.
| Catalog number | RD500/1 |
| Brand | JL Audio |
| Links | Official web presentation (English) |
| Number of amplifier channelsAmplifiers are divided into: - Monoblocks - 2-channel - 3-channel - 4-channel - 5-channel - 6-channel - multi-channel Each channel is used to power one speaker for the coaxial type, or one side if they are component speakers. Monoblock type amplifiers are mainly used for subwoofers. 2-channel are suitable for both subwoofers and, for example, the front pair of speakers in a car. 3-channel is used for front or rear speakers + subwoofer. 4-channel are used for front + rear speakers or 1 pair of speakers + subwoofer. 6 or 5-channel are used for 2 pairs of speakers + subwoofer, most often. Bridging means connecting the amplifier to a bridge, using the + pole from one channel and the - pole from the other channel. In most cases this is shown as "BRIDGED" on the amplifier. | 1 |
| Energy class of the amplifierAmplifiers are divided into two basic classes: analog and digital . Analog amplifiers (A/B) have higher consumption requirements, but usually have a more natural sound. Digital amplifiers (D) have significantly lower consumption and higher efficiency, but the sound may not be as faithful as with classic analog amplifiers. | D |
| RMS power into 4 ΩRMS power when loading speakers or subwoofer at 4 Ω. RMS power is the constant power of the amplifier and is one of the most important parameters when choosing an amplifier. | 1 x 250W |
| RMS power into 2 ΩRMS power when loading speakers or subwoofer at 2 Ω. RMS power is the constant power of the amplifier and is one of the most important parameters when choosing an amplifier. | 1 x 500W |
| Low-pass filter (LPF)LPF / LP or "low pass filter" offers the possibility to adjust the amplifier using a potentiometer so that the lower band plays only the frequencies in a certain band that you need. This filter is used to adjust the frequency range for the subwoofer, so that it does not overload or distort the sound. Example: Amplifiers most often have an LPF from 20 to 300 Hz. We recommend setting this potentiometer in the range of 45-80 Hz. | 50 - 500 Hz |
| Frequency rangeThe ability of the amplifier to reproduce the signal from the lowest frequency to the highest = faithfully reproduce the sound in a specific frequency band. Professionally: In the frequency range from 40 to 16,000 Hz, the vast majority of fundamental and overtones (harmonics) of all musical instruments are found. We are interested in the course of the radiated sound pressure in this range of frequencies when the loudspeaker system is supplied with constant power. We call this course the frequency characteristic, which tells us the level of radiated sound pressure in decibels (dB) depending on the frequency. The frequency characteristic of a speaker or speaker system can be expressed most succinctly with a graph. Mostly, however, the frequency characteristic is indicated by indicating the maximum tolerance of the sound pressure in the given frequency range, e.g. 50 to 15,000 Hz -+ 6 dB. Since the frequency characteristics of loudspeakers and systems in general are quite uneven, some manufacturers do not even specify this maximum tolerance of sound pressure in decibels in their catalogs for reasons of prestige. Data impoverished in this way is unfortunately worthless. What is valid is that the manufacturer offers a speaker system with a frequency range of 30 to 20,000 Hz, if he is worried about stating the maximum unevenness of the sound pressure in this range, because he can have a tolerance of, for example, +- 20 dB. The unevenness or undulation of the frequency curve in good speaker systems for high-quality music performance should not exceed +-3 dB in the 80 to 12,000 Hz band and +-6 dB in the 40 to 16,000 Hz band. Greater unevenness already depletes or emphasizes certain tonal areas, which can cause audible or even disturbing distortion. The proportion between fundamental tones and higher harmonics also changes, thereby changing the color of the sound, and individual musical instruments as well as the entire musical image sound unnatural. | 7 - 500 Hz |
| Harmonic Distortion (THD)Total harmonic distortion indicates how much the input signal is distorted in the amplifier. Distortions appear as overtones contained in the output signal. The proportion of originally absent parts of the signal is given as a percentage, typical values are between 0.001% and 0.5%. Distortion is measured in their power band. If it exceeds the limit of 0.7% from a certain power, it is the value of the output power of the given amplifier, from which it no longer plays without distortion and from which the distortion usually increases steeply, so that no further increase in power can be counted on. The lower the value, the better. | < 1% |
| Signal-to-noise ratioThe signal-to-noise ratio means that the output signal always contains noise. The signal-to-noise ratio expresses how much of this noise is compared to the useful signal. The so-called A value is given, which does not take deep and very high frequencies into account. This corresponds to the characteristic of human hearing, which is not so sensitive to deep frequencies, especially below 1 kHz. The higher the value, the better the amplifier is. | > 80 dB |
| Input sensitivityIn order for the amplifier to perform its function correctly, it requires an input signal of a certain level, which is different for car radios. It is measured in "Volts" (e.g. 2 V, 4 V, etc.) The higher the value at the output of the pre-amplifier, or car radio, the less demands are placed on the power of the amplifier. However, the amplifier must allow this input sensitivity, and for that reason this value is also given for the amplifier. | 0.2 - 8 V |
| Bass boostBass boost or bass enhancement. With this function, the bass itself can be emphasized, at a high level of bass boost, the speakers and the subwoofer can distort a lot and the sound will be worse than better. We therefore recommend using the "bass boost" function wisely. With maximum use of bass boost, there is a risk of damage to the speakers and thus to the subwoofer. | 0 - 12 dB |
| Damping factorDF - Damping Factor . It is the ratio of the load (repro + cables, crossover, etc.) to the internal resistance of the amplifier. The bigger the DF, the more controlled the bass. Amplifiers with a lower DF tend to hum. Subwoofers with a higher Q in the bass reflex and sometimes in the enclosure will also cause humming. | > 1000 / 50 Hz @ 4 Ω |
| High level inputsThe high-level input on the amplifier allows connection directly to the existing speakers in the car without additional purchase of an external high/low adapter. Important equipment in the case of installing an amplifier on an original car radio. | Yes |
| Automatic on and offThis function allows you to automatically switch on the amplifier. | Yes |
| Socket input terminalsFerrule terminals allow better wiring contact to the amplifier. It is also a more secure form of terminals. If you are tightening the sleeve terminals, we recommend retightening them after 1 day, as the connected cable gradually compresses. | Yes |
| Remote control included in the packageSome models of amplifiers also come with wired remote controls in the package, which on one side plug into the amplifier and on the other side you have a potentiometer that you can place anywhere in the cabin. A common place to place the remote control is under the steering wheel. The advantage is the regulation of power, and therefore volume, depending on driving conditions and the mood of the crew in the car. | No |
| Input for wired remote controlIf the amplifier has a remote control input. | Yes |
| The value of the fuses on the amplifierFrom the value of the fuses on the amplifier, you can get a true picture of the real performance of the amplifier. | 1 x 50 A |
| Dimensions of the amplifier | 248 x 177 x 54 mm |