About the JL Audio MHX280/4
Full-size sound from a compact package
Full-size sound from a compact package
JL Audio's MHX280/4 amplifier is proof that a small amplifier can pack a serious punch. Designed specifically for marine applications, this compact 4-channel amp gives you big sound without stressing your charging system.
JL Audio's Class D NexD™ ultra-high-speed switching design eliminates the traditional drawbacks of a Class D amp to deliver full-bandwidth performance, excellent efficiency, and very low distortion levels. You'll get remarkable sound quality from an amp that fits into the kind of tight spots often found in marine applications. It's also ideal for your motorcycle, ATV, golf cart, tractor, or any other vehicle using a 12-volt charging system.
Built for boating and powersports
JL Audio designed the MHX280/4 with boating and powersports in mind, so it's not just powerful; it's also tough enough for life on the water. Powder-coat finishes, a gasketed control cover, and rugged stainless-steel hardware combine to protect this amp against the moisture, extreme temperatures, and corrosive salt.
This tough little amp delivers a solid 50 watts by four channels into 4 ohms — you can also set it up as a 3-channel amp to drive speakers and a sub, or use it in 2-channel mode to send a hefty 140 watts each to pair of subs. You can fine-tune your sound with independent front and rear crossovers with selectable full-range, high-pass or low-pass filters, while the dual-range input section accepts a wide range of input voltage levels — from line-level all the way to high-power speaker-level signals.
Product highlights:
- compact 4-channel marine amplifier
- 50 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms (70 watts RMS x 4 at 2 ohms)
- 140 watts x 2 at 4 ohms in bridged mode
- ideal for boats, motorcycles, and more
- Class-D design
- white and gray powder-coat finishes, gasketed control cover, and stainless steel hardware
- IPx6 water resistance
- fully bridgeable, can be used in 3-channel or 2-channel configurations
- high-pass and low-pass filters
- independent front and rear high-pass and low-pass filters (35-300 Hz at 12 db)
- dual-range inputs
- 8-gauge power and ground leads recommended wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
- 8-5/8"W x 1-13/16"H x 3-1/8"D
- warranty: 2 years
- MFR # 98403
What's in the box:
JL Audio MHX280/4 owner's manual
- 4-Channel marine amplifier with attached 12" wires
- 35A ATO fuse (installed in in-line fuse holder)
- Spare 35A ATO fuse
- 4 Self-tapping screws (1" length)
- Owner's Manual
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More details on the JL Audio MHX280/4
Features & specs
Performance | ||
---|---|---|
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) | 50 x 4 | |
Frequency Response at Rated RMS Power | 20-20k Hz | |
THD at Rated RMS Power | 1% | |
Signal to Noise Ratio | 89 dB | |
Input Voltage | 14.4v | |
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) | N/A | |
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) | 70 x 4 | |
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) | 140 x 2 | |
Minimum Impedance Bridged | 4 | |
Minimum Impedance Unbridged | 2 | |
Features | ||
Amplifier Class | D | |
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency | 35-300 Hz | |
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) | 12 dB/octave | |
High-Pass Crossover Frequency | 35-300 Hz | |
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) | 12 dB/octave | |
Bass Boost | No | |
Bass Boost Frequency | N/A | |
Fan Cooled | No | |
Fuse Rating | 35 | |
Speaker Level Inputs | Yes | |
Preamp Outputs | No | |
Height (inches) | 1-13/16 | |
Width (inches) | 3-1/8 | |
Depth (inches) | 9-1/8 | |
Parts Warranty | 2 Years | |
Labor Warranty | 2 Years |
Product Research
Features
4-Channel Marine Amplifier: The JL Audio MHX280/4 compact full range, 4-channel Class D marine amplifier is designed for the harsh marine environment. Its IPX6 water-resistance rating also makes it ideal for motorcycles, ATVs, or other utility vehicles. It can be used to drive four full-range speakers, or a couple of subwoofers.
NexD Switching Technology: The MHX280/4 employs an advanced, high-speed Class D switching design called NexD that allows the amp to produce serious power without overtaxing the battery and charging system.
Amplifier Ratings:
- Rated Continuous (RMS) Power @ 14.4 V:
- 50 watts RMS x 4 @ 4 Ω
- 64 watts RMS x 4 @ 3 Ω
- 70 watts RMS x 4 @ 2 Ω
- 140 watts RMS x 2 @ 4 Ω bridged
- Rated Continuous
(RMS) Power @ 12.5V:
- 36 watts RMS x 4 @ 4 Ω
- 47 watts RMS x 4 @ 3 Ω
- 52 watts RMS x 2 @ 2 Ω
- 100 watts RMS x 2 @ 4 Ω bridged
Input Section: The MHX280/4's input section accepts a wide range of input voltage levels. It can accept a line-level signal from 250 mV to 4 Volts, or speaker-level signals from 750 mV to 15 Volts. The amp is equipped with Input Voltage switches for the front (1&2) and rear (3&4) channels that allows you to choose Low or High level input signals.
Protection Circuitry: The MHX280/4's protection circuitry automatically shuts the amplifier down if thermal limits are exceeded, a short-circuit is detected in the speaker wiring, or if current levels are too high. The green Power LED and red Protect LED will indicate by its on/off or flashing status.
Controls
Control Panel: The amplifier's control panel is located on the bottom of the amplifier. The removable cover features a rubber gasket that seals out moisture and dust. The cover is held in place by 4 Phillips-head screws. You will need a small flat screwdriver to set the five switches and four rotary dials. The Control Panel is divided into Front and Rear sections with the same controls in each section, plus a Channel Mode switch. The following controls are located in the Control Panel:
- Channel Mode: The 3-way Channel Mode switch lets you
select 2-channel, 3-channel, or 4-channel operation:
- 2-channel: In 2-channel mode you can run 2 bridged mono outputs or 4 stereo outputs without fading capability. In this mode, you can use the front inputs only.
- 3-channel: 3-channel mode lets you 2 stereo front and 2 mono rear outputs, or 2 stereo front and a bridged mono output. Front inputs only are used in this mode.
- 4-channel: If you select 4-channel mode, you can run 4 stereo outputs with fading capability. Both front and rear inputs are used in this mode. You can also run 2 bridged stereo outputs with the left input signal connected to both front inputs and the right input to both rear inputs.
- Independent Controls: The amplifier offers separate
controls to the front channels and rear channels:
- Input Voltage: You can select the type of input signal being used: High Level (speaker) or Low Level (line).
- Input Sensitivity: The Input Sensitivity Control is a rotary dial that lets you match your source unit's output voltage to the input stage of the amplifier for maximum clean output.
- Filter Mode Switch: The amp is equipped with switchable crossovers for each set of channels. You can set the filter to High-Pass (HP), Low-Pass (LP), or Off.
- Filter Frequency: When the Filter Mode Switch is turned to HP or LP, you can set the cutoff frequency on the rotary dial. The filter is continuously variable from 35Hz to 300Hz, with detents at 80Hz and 135 Hz. The HP/LP filter has a slope of 12dB/Octave.
Connections
Wiring: The MHX280/4's wiring is internally connected and exits the amp through a waterproof opening. The following connections can be found, each with 12" pigtails:
- Power: Two 16-gauge wires twisted together exit the amp entering a waterproof fuse holder (a 35A ATO fuse is inserted). A 10-gauge wire exits the fuse holder. JL Audio recommends a minimum of 8-gauge wiring for the power wiring.
- Ground: A 10-gauge ground wire is connected to the amplifier. A minimum of 8-gauge wiring is recommended for the ground wire.
- Remote Turn-On: A 16-gauge remote turn-on wire is connected to the amp. You should connect the turn-on lead to the remote turn-on output of your source unit. If the source unit does not have a dedicated remote turn-on output, the amp's turn-on lead can be connected to +12V via a switch that derives power from an ignition-switched circuit. Note: The amp does not have an audio signal-sensing turn-on, so the remote turn-on lead must be connected.
- Signal Inputs (Low-Level): Four female RCA jacks are provided for the input signal--Left/Right Front and Left/Right Rear. The RCA connectors have waterproof caps.
- Signal Inputs (High-Level): If the source unit does not offer preamp level outputs, you can splice the speaker output wires to a pair of RCA plugs, or use the JL Audio XD-CLRAIC2-SW RCA-to-Speaker Wire Adapter.
- Speaker Outputs: Eight 16-gauge speaker wires are provided on the amplifier for connecting to the wiring to your speakers.
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Customer Q&A
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installed this amp on my 2012 Harley Davidson superglide in the bag and it works great the power is unbelievable and it doesn't get hot would recommend this to anyone
Darrel from Muncie, IN