OWNER’S MANUAL Thank you for purchasing a JL Audio FiX™ OEM interface / processor for your automotive sound system. This product has been designed and manufactured to exacting standards in order to ensure years of musical enjoyment in your vehicle. For maximum performance, we highly recommend that you have your FiX™ processor installed by an authorized JL Audio dealer.
Protect Your Hearing! We value you as a long-term customer. For that reason, we urge you to practice restraint in the operation of this product so as to not damage your hearing and that of others in your vehicle. Studies have shown that continuous exposure to high sound pressure level can lead to permanent (irreparable) hearing loss. Automotive sound systems are capable of producing such high sound pressure levels. Please limit your continuous exposure at high volumes.
The FiX™ 86 may be used to perform the following functions: 1. Eight differential-balanced inputs accept virtually any OEM analog audio signal, from low-voltage, line-level signals to high power, amplified speakerlevel signals. FiX™ 86 automatically level-adjusts and converts each OEM input signal to digital audio with 24-bit effective resolution. 2. Any time delays between the OEM input signals are automatically synchronized. 3. FiX™ 86 is compatible with full-range or band-limited OEM signals.
Valet In Remote Out +12VDC (Switched) Ground +12VDC (Battery) Installation Procedure/Making Connections The FiX™ 86 uses removable plugs for making power and signal input connections. Receptacles in each plug accept up to 16 AWG wire. To attach wires to the plug, remove the plug from the FiX™ 86 and use a small flathead screwdriver to back out the set screws.
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OEM Analog Inputs NOTE: Turn-on Sensing CH 1 Only Input Status 1-6: Calibration Status: Amber: Power On, No Signal Green: Signal Present Momentary Red: Input Clipping Flashing Amber: No Calibration Amber: Ready for Cal. Signal Flashing Green: Calibration in Progress Green: Calibration Successful Flashing Red: Calibration Failure Alt. Green/Amber: EQ Bypassed 4 L R Bypass EQ (Press for 1 sec.) 6 Calibrate (Hold for 5 sec.
FiX™ 86 Power Connection / Audio Output Panel Power Connector 1 3 Sub Outputs Rear Outputs L R L Front Outputs R L R FiX™ 86 Input Panel Front Inputs 1/2 L+ L– R+ R– 2 USB Port 3/4 7 L+ L– R+ R– 5/6 Rear Inputs Port 7/8 Sub Inputs Engineered in USA Made in China OEM Analog Inputs 1 Power Connections 5 Turn-On Mode 2 OEM Input Connections 6 Bypass EQ / Calibrate Button 3 Output Connections 7 JLid™ Port and DRC Function 4 Status LEDs
1 Power Connections Plug Connection Power Connector The FiX™ 86 has a 5-pin “Power Connector” jack located next to the “Analog Outputs”. The Power Connector jack accepts the removable 5-pin plug and is used to make the connections below.
2 OEM Input Connections Designed to retain OEM fader functionality, the FiX™ 86 accepts full-range or band-limited factory outputs (up to 3-way front + 2-way rear) from an OEM audio source (250 mV – 30 V RMS). Engineered to combat induced cable noise, the input architecture is set up in a differential-balanced configuration, making these inputs compatible with virtually any analog audio signal. Connections are made via four plugs located on the side of the unit labeled “OEM Analog Inputs”.
OEM Input Connections continued... It is vital to observe the correct electrical polarity of each channel’s input signal. Failure to do so can result in improper calibration, loss of signal and poor performance. Some factory audio amplifiers employ a load detection circuit that looks for a low-impedance load (expecting a speaker) in order to enable audio output. When a high-impedance load like the input section of the FiX™ 86 is connected to these factory amplifiers, the audio outputs will mute.
Setting Remote DC Offset Signal Function +12VDC (Switched) Connection Note Conventional (Preferred method) Controlled by your source unit turning on or off. Connect to your source unit’s +12V remote turn-on output. If your source unit does not have a dedicated remote turn-on output, use the DC Offset or Signal setting below. DC Offset Sensing (Auto)* Automatically turns on and off by detecting the presence of small DC signal in many OEM audio outputs.
Calibration Process Chart Action 1. Turn on source unit and confirm the FiX™ 86 and all aftermarket equipment have turned on. Input Status LEDs Calibration Status LEDs Flashing amber (new unit that has never been calibrated) 2. With the OEM source unit volume set at 75%, insert the FiX™ Calibration CD and play Track 01. (Note: Track 01 begins with 20 seconds of silence.) When the FiX™ 86 is powered, 3.
7 JLid™ Port and DRC Function (optional) The JLid™ port allows connection of one of the optional remote controllers below (each sold separately) to add functionality and convenience features from the driver’s seat. DRC-100 Single Rotary Digital Remote Controller – Adds Master Volume, Handsfree Optimization and LED Status Reporting. DRC-200 Dual-Concentric Digital Remote Controller – Adds Master Volume and Subwoofer Level Control, Handsfree Optimization and LED Status Reporting.
Troubleshooting Problem Possible Cause Faulty fuse Remove fuse and check with continuity meter. Replace if necessary. Poor connection integrity Check “Ground” and both “+12VDC” connections for pinched wires; ensure tight connections. Insufficient “+12VDC (Switched)” input Make sure there is a sufficient +12V supply at the “+12VDC (Switched)” connection; if not, a relay may be required.
Specifications Electrical Specifications Power Supply Type Regulated DC-DC SMPS Operating Voltage 10 – 16V DC Standby Mode Current Draw Operating Current Draw Recommended Fuse Value Recommended Fuse Type < 1.5 mA 0.7 A at 13.
Limited Warranty – Electronics (USA) JL Audio warrants this product 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 transferrable and applies only to the original purchaser from an authorized JL Audio dealer.
Software Overview for use with TwK™ Processors (ver. 2.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS To configure the TwK™ System Tuning DSP, you will need to connect a PC to the TwK™ processor using the included USB cable, and launch the JL Audio TüN™ software. When finished, unplug the USB cable from the TwK™ processor. If you do not have the TüN™ software, you can download it for free by visiting: Use of the software implies you agree to the accompanying License Agreement.
A FEW DEFINITIONS PROJECT: The entire configuration file that you are working on, encompassing all your created PRESETs and the PROJECT level information. A PROJECT can contain from one to eleven PRESETs, including one VALET PRESET. The PROJECT is the file that will be saved in your computer, and the file that is uploaded to, and stored in the TwK™ DSP. TwK™ PROJECT files have the extension “*.twkproj” when viewed in your computer’s file browser.
NEW PROJECT CONFIGURATION Workspace Legend....................................... Page # NEW PROJECT CONFIGURATION TUNE TAB CONFIGURATION NEW PROJECT: Project Level..................... 6 “EQUALIZERS” Panel........................... 11-12 NEW PROJECT: Input Configuration......... 7 “CROSSOVERS” Panel.......................... 12-13 NEW PROJECT: Output Configuration...... 7 “DELAY/POLARITY” Panel...................... 14 SETUP TAB CONFIGURATION “OUTPUTS” Panel.................................
SETUP TAB CONFIGURATION TUNE TAB CONFIGURATION | Page 5
GETTING STARTED To start a New Project, select “Create a New Project” from the Startup Dialog Box or “New Project” from the toolbar on the left side of the interface. Whenever a new PROJECT is created, a New Project Setup Tool window pops up in front of the TüN™ interface. This tool is designed to quickly and efficiently establish the starting parameters for your PROJECT. Here, you will name the PROJECT, enter the vehicle information, add a few notes if you want, and then click “Next” .
I nput Configuration: Select from a list of common input signal configurations. The TüN™ software will automatically name the Inputs and configure the Input Mixer. These can be edited later, if needed. Output Configuration: Select from a list of output signal configurations. The TüN™ software automatically configures the Router, assigns the EQ banks, sets the DRC Mode, enters Crossover frequencies and names all of the output channels of the TwK™.
At the top right of the TüN™ interface’s dark gray frame you will find UNDO/REDO: a left facing (UNDO) arrow and a right facing (REDO) arrow. As you have probably figured out, these allow you to retrace your tuning steps and come back, one-by-one. The rest of the right vertical edge of the dark gray frame is dedicated to status indicators and for TwK™ user controls needed while connected to the PC. Below the JL AUDIO TüN™ logo, you will see a display of the current Project Level (Basic, Advanced or Expert).
SETUP TAB “INPUTS” Panel TwK™ 88: Inputs are numbered from 1-8, corresponding to the connection labels on the TwK™ 88 hardware. The adjacent Input Labels can be edited via the PC’s keyboard. Input Settings: click on the “Menu” Menu (TwK™ 88 only) to access the Input Settings Input Sensitivity: Adjustable from 250 mV (default) to 7.1 V, in 3 dB steps. Designed to match the output level of your source unit’s analog outputs to the TwK’s analog-to-digital converter.
the rear speakers. With only two EQ Banks, you can tune the entire eightchannel system. In the Basic PROJECT Level, the EQ Banks are fixed in a full-octave, graphic EQ format that should be familiar to all audio enthusiasts. This provides a fast, simple method for improving system frequency response. In the Advanced and Expert PROJECT Levels, the EQ Banks can be used in the aforementioned 10-band graphic EQ mode, or in fully Parametric mode.
TUNE TAB “EQUALIZERS” Panel: Reorder: Re-establishes numerical order (1-10) of parametric EQ band labels in order of center frequency, from low to high. (Parametric EQ only) All Reset: Resets all EQ bands to their default values All Off/On: Temporarily defeats/turns on all EQ bands EQ Select: Select an EQ to adjust from the pull-down menu (Linked EQ’s are shown as pairs). EQ Link: Allows Left and Right EQ Banks to be linked and adjusted together, with identical settings.
EQ adjustment with Arrow Keys: You can also select EQ Band Label(s) with your mouse/trackpad, and then make adjustments using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Finer adjustment steps can be achieved by using the SHIFT key, in conjunction with the arrow keys. Keyboard commands: Up/Down Arrows: Boost/Cut Left/Right Arrows: Center Frequency down/up (Parametric EQ only) CONTROL + Up/Down Arrows: “Q” Up/Down (Parametric EQ only) Control+Left Click to select and adjust multiple EQ bands.
Passband: the range of frequencies uniformly passed by a filter. Defined by two frequencies. Stopband: the range, or ranges of frequencies outside the passband. The TüN™ software provides separate controls for adjusting a HighPass Filter and a Low-Pass Filter on each Output Channel. These can be combined to create a Bandpass Filter.
“DELAY/POLARITY” Panel: The TwK™ has a powerful digital delay feature with separate entries for Speaker Distance and Additional Delay, which can apply over 24 feet of speaker distance compensation (21.3 milliseconds of delay) to each of its output channels. Among other things, this delay capability allows you to compensate for the unequal distances between the primary listener and the various speakers installed in the vehicle.
Control Linking: The small selection boxes that correspond to each channel in various control panels allow you to temporarily link the controls for multiple channels, for simultaneous adjustment. The selection box at the top of the panel selects all channels with one click. Control Linking is incredibly useful, permitting you to execute changes in multiple channels, while listening to the effect of these changes in real time.
“JL Audio”, “Ahead of the Curve” and the JL Audio logo are registered trademarks of JL Audio, Inc. • ©2017 JL Audio, Inc. • For more detailed information please visit us online at www.jlaudio.com. Due to our policy of continuous product development, all specifications are subject to change without notice. w w w . j l a u d i o .
