JL AUDIO M7-12IB Marine Subwoofer with Transflective RGB LED Lighting Owner’s Manual
- June 3, 2024
- JL AUDIO
Table of Contents
JL AUDIO M7-12IB Marine Subwoofer with Transflective RGB LED Lighting
Thank you for choosing an IL Audio Marine Subwoofer. With proper installation, your new speaker will deliver years of listening pleasure. We strongly recommend that you have your subwoofer installed by your authorized IL Audio dealer. The installation professionals employed by your dealer have the necessary tools and experience to properly install this product. If you prefer to perform your own installation, please read this instruction manual completely before beginning the process.
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
INCLUDED PARTS
- One Polymer Subwoofer Grille (attached to the subwoofer)
- One Polymer Subwoofer Grille Trim Ring (attached to the subwoofer)
- Six #10 x 1 5/8-inch (41 mm) Phillips pan-head stainless-steel screws
LED Equipped Models
Integrated Transflective”” RGB LED lighting system (patent-pending) delivers
smooth, even accent illumination, with no hot spots. LED functionality
requires separate wiring at each speaker location. Adjustable control of RGB
lighting requires the use of an RGB lighting controller (sold separately). For
optimal performance, we recommend using the JL Audio marine lighting
controller (MLC-RW).
We recommend the use of this speaker in a bi-amplified system using high- quality satellite speakers and amplifiers. We do not recommend the use of this subwoofer with a passive crossover (coil), as this type of device will adversely affect performance.
CAUTION
While this speaker is designed to be water and spray-resistant, it is not
designed to be submerged or to withstand high-pressure water spray. Do not
install on submersibles, personal watercraft, or any other vessel likely to be
underwater at any time. Please exercise care when washing your boat to avoid
damaging your speaker. Avoid contact with harsh chemicals or cleaning agents
to prevent damage to the speaker’s finish that will I not be covered under
warranty. Wash with mild soap and rinse with freshwater only.
Prolonged exposure to sound pressure levels in excess of 1 00d B can cause
permanent hearing loss. This high-performance speaker can exceed this level.
Please exercise restraint in its operation in order to preserve your ability
to enjoy its fidelity.
When installing a subwoofer in your vessel, it is extremely important to secure it firmly. This applies not only to the woofer itself, but also any structure it is mounted to. If not firmly attached, the speaker can become a dangerous projectile in a collision. Please review the mounting information carefully and use the supplied marine-grade hardware to mount this product.
WARNING
It is absolutely vital that your speaker is connected as shown in this
manual. Failure to connect the system as shown will resu It in damage to your
speakers which is NOT covered under warranty. Do not attempt to remove the
lighting LEDs from the speaker. The LEDs are permanently fixed and attempting
to remove them will cause damage and this damage will not be covered under
warranty.
ENCLOSURE SPECIFICATIONS
NOTE
The enclosure recommendations listed are external dimensions which assume the
use of 3/4″ (19mm) thick material. If you are using 5/8″ (16mm) thick
material, subtract 1/4″ (6.5mm) from each dimension. Do not use any material
with a thickness of less than 5/8″ (16mm) as this may compromise the rigidity
of the enclosure.
NOTE
All enclosure volumes listed are net internal volumes Box volume displacement,
port displacement and brace displacement must be added to obtain the final
gross internal volume. All enclosure dimensions listed have already taken this
into account.
TRANSFLECTIVE RGB LED LIGHTING
Illuminated speaker models are equipped with our innovative Transflective™ RGB
LED lighting system (patent pending). Fully integrated into the speaker
chassis, stateof-the-art LED rings are positioned behind the woofer cones to
produce vibrant accent lighting that is remarkably smooth and even, with no
hot spots. A cable harness located between the woofer terminals includes wire
leads for LED connections. Refer to the table below for individual RGB wire
connection info. Note: Wiring connections at each speaker location are
required for LED functionality.
Adjustable control of RGB lighting may be achieved with the use of an RGB lighting controller (sold separately). Refer to the instructions of your RGB lighting controller for specific connection info. Note: When selecting an RGB lighting controller, make sure that the total amperage demands of all LED circuits does not exceed the output capacity of the controller. Refer to the table below for the individual current draw amounts and sum (add) the total. For optimal performance, we recommend using the JL Audio marine lighting controller (MLC-RW).
RGB LED SPECIFICATIONS
DIRECT LED WIRING
Alternatively, you may hard wire individual leads or a combination of leads to
achieve up to seven different LED color assortments. Refer to the table below
for the wire colors used to achieve specific LED
colors.
LED WIRING CONSIDERATIONS
- Do not connect to 24V electrical systems.
- Do not connect the speakers’ LED lights to the vessel’s navigational lighting circuits.
- For short-circuit protection, we recommend installing a fuse (not included) at EACH speaker’s YELLOW(+ 12V) LED power connection lead. Refer to the RGB LED Specifications table (at left) for recommended fuse ratings.
- We recommend a minimum of 16AWG wire size for each speaker’s LED connection circuits.
- In addition to the above, we recommend activating the speakers’ LEDs thru a cabin/interior lighting circuit that supplies + 12V via an existing switch. If an existing switched circuit is not available, you may install a dedicated toggle/rocker-style switch that will supply positive (+ 12V) power. Fuse this main + 12V connection according to the total amperage demands of all LED circuits. Refer to the RGB LED
- Specifications table (at left) for individual current draw amounts and recommended fuse ratings.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLING
- Check with your local waterway authority for any regulations regarding the use of accent/speaker lighting on your vessel.
- Turn off the audio system. It is also advisable to disconnect your battery system whenever performing installation work.
- Before cutting, drilling or inserting any screw, check clearances on both sides of the planned mounting surface. Also check for any potential obstacles, such as wiring harnesses, fuel lines, hydraulic lines, etc. Check both sides of the vessel before cutting any holes.
- If you are running cables through bulkheads, drill holes for the cable and use a urethane or plastic grommet to protect the wire from chafing in the hole. Make sure that the cables will clear any mechanical devices in the boat and secure them with wire ties.
- Wear protective eyewear at all times and a dust mask and gloves when drilling or cutting.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Diagrams A & B (page 7) shows typical installation procedures into a
fiberglass panel, using the supplied hardware. Always follow proper safety
procedures. Use eye protection at all times and a dust mask and gloves when
cutting.
- Choose a flat mounting surface that has sufficient depth and air space behind it to accept the subwoofer.
- Using a hole saw or jigsaw, cut an 8.875-inch (225 mm) diameter hole.
- Route the speaker cable to the mounting location. For LED-equipped models, now is also a good time to run wires to the speaker location for LED activation.
- Place the woofer in the hole and mark the screw hole locations using a sharp, pointed tool.
- Remove the woofer and drill a pilot hole (see the Pilot Hole Recommendations chart at the right) in each of the screw locations. It is also advisable to use a hand-driven countersink tool on each hole to further inhibit gel-coat cracking of fiberglass panels.
- Connect the speaker wires from the amplifier to the woofer connections (see Speaker Connections at right).
- If equipped, connect the LED circuit leads (see page 5).
- Place the woofer, with its grille in place, into the opening, and while holding the speaker firmly in its mounting location, evenly snug the mounting screws in a criss-cross pattern, then hand tighten in a criss-cross pattern.
- Non-standard installations may require different hardware. Always use marine-grade, stainless-steel fasteners to ensure a secure, reliable installation.
SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
DIAGRAM A
Classic Grille Model Installation
DIAGRAM B
Sports Grille Model Installation
RECOMMENDED CONTINUOUS (RMS) POWER RANGE FOR Q1:iE SUBWOOFER
DRIVER
MEDIUM GRAY (MINIMUM)
From a reliability standpoint, this. a zone represents a very comfortable
operating power range for each driver. This. level of power will not stress
the woofer but will not extract all of its performance potentials. either. Use
of less than the minimum power level will not damage the woofer but may res.
ult in unsatisfactory performance.
LIGHT GRAY (OPTIMUM)
This. zone represents. the best compromise between long-term reliability, high
output, and low-distortion performance. This. power level is lower than the
woofers. continuous power rating (as published in its specifications}, but you
will still be taking advantage of the woofers. low–distortion performs.a new
range without undue risk of failure.
BLACK (WARRANTY VOID)
We do not recommend operating woofers. at this level of power. In this zone..
there is a very high prob. ability that the driver will fail due to
excess.si,-,e heat and/or mechanical stress. Subwoofer drivers operated at
these levels of power are NOT covered under warranty. When designing systems
with our drivers, it is very important to achieve a good power match between
the subwoofer amplifier and the subwoofer driver’s capabilities. The power
levels listed in the above chart represent continuous IRMSJ amplifier power
per woofer and assume that the user will regularly make full use of that power
without drastically overdriving the amplifier{s). Make sure you factor system
impedance and the total number of subwoofers into your calculations. Adhering
to these power recommendations will re. the suit in systems that are both
reliable and enjoyable.
JL AUDIO LIMITED WARRANTY (USA) Marine Subwoofer Components
JL AUDIO warrants this speaker to be free of defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the original date of purchase.
This warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original purchaser
of the product from an authorized JL AUDIO dealer. The warranty is voided if
the factory-applied product serial number is removed or defaced. Damage caused
by the following is not covered under warranty: accident, misuse, abuse,
product modification or neglect, failure to follow installation instructions,
unauthorized repair attempts, and misrepresentations by the seller. This
warranty does not cover incidental or consequential damages and does not cover
the cost of removing or reinstalling the unit(s). Cosmetic damage due to
accident or normal wear and tear is not covered under warranty.
Should service be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to
manufacturing defect or malfunction, JL AUDIO will, at its discretion, repair
or replace the defective product with new or remanufactured product at no
charge. Products installed as original equipment by boat manufacturers are
covered by the boat manufacturer’s warranty, not JL Audio, Inc.Any applicable
implied warranties are limited in duration to the period of the express
warranty as provided herein beginning with the date of the original purchase
at retail, and no warranties, whether express or implied, shall apply to this
product thereafter. Some states do not allow limitations on implied
warranties, therefore these exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty
gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary
from state to state.
If you need service on your JL AUDIO product:
All warranty returns should be sent to JL AUDIO freight prepaid through an authorized JL AUDIO dealer and must be accompanied by proof of purchase (a copy of the original sales receipt.) Direct returns from consumers or nonauthorized dealers will be refused unless specifically authorized by JL AUDIO with a valid return authorization number. Warranty expiration on products returned without proof of purchase will be determined from the manufacturing date code. Coverage may be invalidated as this date is previous to the purchase date. Return only defective components. Non-defective items received will be returned freightcollect. The customer is responsible for shipping charges and insurance in sending the product to JL AUDIO. Freight damage on returns is not covered under warranty. Always include proof of purchase (sales receipt).
For Service Information in the U.S.A. please call JL Audio customer service: at 954-443-1100 during normal business hours (Eastern Ti me) JL Audio, Inc 10369 North Commerce Parkway, Miramar, FL 33025 International Warranties: Products purchased outside the United States of America are covered only by that country’s distributor and not by JL Audio, Inc.