JBL Stadium 2 Amplifier Owner’s Manual

: June 7, 2024
: JBL

Table of Contents

JBL Stadium 2 Amplifier Owner’s Manual
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JBL Stadium 2 Amplifier Owner’s Manual

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. Keep it in your glove compartment along with the owner’s manual for your car. Put your amplifier sales receipt with other important documents in order to expedite warranty service if needed. 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 about your installation options.

What’s in the box

1x amplifier
2x speaker-level input adapter
4x mounting screws
1x spare fuse 1x E.A.R.L ground terminal
3x self-tapping screws
1x owner’s manual

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, away from moisture. 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.
To keep the amplifier cool, choose a location that provides enough air circulation, such as under a seat or in the trunk.
Do not mount the amplifier with the heat sink facing downward, as this interferes with cooling.
Mount the amplifier so that it will not be damaged by the feet of passengers or shifting cargo in the trunk, and so that it remains dry.
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 the included screws.

NOTE: You may find it more convenient to make all of the connections to the amplifier before you permanently mount it.

(1) Speaker Output Connectors

Connect speakers to these terminals, observing proper polarity (connect each speaker’s positive (+) lead to the appropriate positive (+) terminal, and negative (-) lead to the appropriate negative (-) terminal.

2-channel operation: Connect the left speaker to the L+ and L- terminals, and the right speaker to the R+ and R- terminals.

Bridged operation: Connect the positive wire from the single speaker or subwoofer to the L+ terminal, and the negative wire from the speaker or subwoofer to the R- terminal.

NOTE: Minimum speaker impedance is 2 ohms.

(2) Fuses

Replace fuse only with the same amperage: 30A.

(3) Power Input Connectors

Power: Run 4-gauge power wire from the +12V input to the positive terminal of the vehicle’s battery. Insert bare wire into the terminal on the amplifier, then tighten the setscrew with a Phillips screwdriver.
Install an appropriate fuse holder and 100A fuse within 18” (457mm) of the battery. Install protective grommets when routing wires through the bulkhead or other sheet metal. Use larger-gauge wiring for longer runs.
Ground: Run a wire (the same gauge as the power wire) from the GND input to a factory bolt in the vehicle’s chassis (see illustration below).
NOTE: Remove any paint from the chassis for best contact. If using a ring connector, place a star washer below the ring connector for a secure connection.
For a more secure ground connection, use the included E.A.R.L. ground terminal. Crimp the open end of the terminal to the end of your ground wire, then place the terminal against bare chassis metal, and secure with the included self-tapping screws.
NOTE: Be sure to check below your desired ground location to ensure that the screws will not puncture brake lines, fuel lines, or wiring harnesses.

(4) Preamp outputs

The Stadium 2 amplifier allows you to send a second amplifier line-level signal. Connect a set of RCA patch cables to the line-level inputs on the Stadium amplifier at one end, and to the second amplifier’s line-level inputs at the other.

(5) Line-level inputs (RCA)

If your source unit offers preamp outputs, connect to the front and rear L and R, and subwoofer inputs using RCA patch cables.

If your car audio system’s head unit does not have line-level outputs, use the supplied bare wire-to-RCA adapters to connect the Stadium amplifier’s inputs to either the front or the rear speaker outputs of your car audio system’s head unit (splice crimps not included).

Use a small Phillips screwdriver to loosen the adapter’s set screws and insert the speaker wires into the holes on the back of the adapter. Tighten the set screws to secure the wires.

Always connect the (+) speaker wire to the adapter’s (+) terminal and the (-) speaker wire to the adapter’s (-) terminal. When all wires are connected, plug the adapters into the Stadium amplifier’s preamp inputs

Important : Some factory audio system amplifiers include electronic filters that limit the amount of bass sent to the system’s smaller speakers. This filtering will adversely affect the Stadium amplifier’s performance. To get the most bass possible, splice the high-level wires into the factory speaker outputs that are connected to the system’s largest speakers (the ones designed to reproduce the most bass).

(6) Input level

Select LO if providing signal to the amplifier with line-level connections. Select HI1 or HI2 if using speaker-level connections.

Note: If you have connected your amplifier to factory speaker outputs and the audio fails to play, change the switch to “HI2″. The “HI2” position includes a circuit designed to fool a factory audio system into “seeing” a speaker connected to its input. Important: “HI2” should never be used when the amplifier is connected to a head unit’s line-level (RCA) outputs.

(7) Auto turn-on selector

If your stereo has no “Remote Out” lead, slide the “AUTO TURN ON” switch to “ON”. This will allow the amp to turn on when it detects speaker-level audio signal.

(8) Crossover filter selectors (X-OVER)

You can choose the type of crossover filters for your system.

LPF: Low pass. Choose this setting if you’re connecting a subwoofer(s), or want to provide a lowpass filter for separate mid-bass speakers.
FULL: Full range. Choose this setting if you’re connecting full-range speakers, and not using a subwoofer in your system.
HPF: High pass. Choose this setting to prevent low bass from reaching midrange or full-range speakers when you’re using a subwoofer in your system.

(9) GAIN: Setting the input sensitivity

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).
Turn the input level control dial counter-clockwise until the music sounds clear again.
Your input level is now correctly set.

(10) Crossover frequency controls (FREQ)

Turn the dials to the left to lower the crossover point, and to the right to raise the crossover point. Crossover point settings vary by listener preference.

(11) Remote input plug/adapter

Connect a 20-gauge wire from the “Remote Out” lead of the source unit to the included connector, and then plug the connector into the input.

NOTE: Plug the wire from the source unit into the left side (“IN”) of the connector. If you’re connecting multiple amplifiers, you can plug another 20-gauge wire into the right side (“OUT”) of the connector, then plug the other end of the wire into your second amplifier’s REM input.

(12) & (13) Power/Protect indicators

The power light will illuminate when the amplifier is getting power and playing. The protect indicator will illuminate in the event of conditions such as over/under voltage, short circuit, amplifier output circuit failure, or excessive heat.

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating voltage: 9-16 volts
RMS power @ 4 ohms: 100W x 2
RMS power @ 2 ohms: 120W x 2
RMS bridged power @ 4 ohms: 240W x 1
Total peak power: 700W
Fuse size: 30A
High input maximum signal level: 20V
High input maximum sensitivity: 2V
Line input maximum signal level: 2V
Line input maximum sensitivity: 0.2V
Quiescent current draw: ≤1.3A
Line-in signal-to-noise ratio (reference to 1 watt): ≥80dB
THD + N at rated power: ≤0.1 %
Frequency response: 15Hz -35KHz@-3dB
Crossover filter: LPF/HPF 32Hz – 320Hz Variable 12dB/Oct
Dimensions (H x W x D): 54.20mm x 179.60mm x 225.30mm
Weight: 2.1kg

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM: No audio and POWER INDICATOR is off.

CAUSE and SOLUTION: No voltage at BATT+ and/or REM terminals, or bad or no ground connection. Check voltages at amplifier terminals with VOM.

PROBLEM: No audio and PROTECT INDICATOR flashes every 4 seconds.

CAUSE and SOLUTION: DC voltage on amplifier output. Amplifier may need service; see enclosed warranty card for service information.

PROBLEM: No audio and PROTECT and POWER INDICATORS flash.

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: Amplifier is overheated. Make sure amplifier cooling is not blocked at mounting location. Verily that speaker-system impedance is within specified limits. Or, there may be voltage greater than 16V (or less than 8.5V) on BATT+ connection. Check vehicle charging system.

PROBLEM: Amplifier 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. Amplifier or source unit may be defective.

PROBLEM: Distorted audio and PROTECT INDICATOR flashes.

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.

PROBLEM: Engine noise—whining or clicking—in system when the engine is on.

CAUSE and SOLUTION: Amplifier is picking up alternator noise. Turn down gain. Move audio cables away from power wires. Install an alternator noise filter on power line between battery and alternator. Check ground connections on the amplifier – a loose or improper ground is one of the main causes for noise.

HARMAN International Industries,
Incorporated 8500 Balboa Boulevard,
Northridge, CA91329 USA
www.jbl.com

© 2018 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
JBL is a trademark of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.