JL Audio TwK™ 88 System Tuning Processor

Features

Overview: The JL Audio TwK88 is a car audio signal processor designed to give world-class system tuning capabilities in an easy to use format. Featuring an advanced 24-bit DSP processor, 8 analog RCA and 2 digital inputs that can be fully configured to any of the 8 analog RCA and 1 optical outputs, eight banks of 10-band graphic or parametric equalizers with configurable assignment, a powerful crossover section with high-, low-, and band-pass filtering with selectable slopes, front-seat control of configurable level and preset selection with the included DRC-200 Digital Remote Controller, and more. Configuration and routing are all done through a USB connected PC using JL Audio's TuN 2.0 software. Mac not supported.

Configuration: The TwK88 offers very flexible signal routing with a clear, user-friendly screen interface for the TuN software which is separated into two main sections: Setup and Tune. Different tune settings can be saved and recalled as Presets. A total of 10 Presets plus a Valet Preset can be stored in one Project file, with 6 Preset available for quick selection during use. The Valet Preset is directly tied to the Valet wire, which if grounded, will switch the TwK88 to Valet mode. This Preset can be assigned with much lower output levels or even have channels turned off, lessoning the risk of someone damaging speakers from turning the system up too high while the vehicle is being worked on or valet parked.

• Setup: The Setup screen is easy to read and gives a clear picture of the entire routing path for all channels. Each channel is listed in the Inputs column with "clickable" routing lines for the signal path that can be "drawn" on-screen to the next step in the signal chain. Input Sensitivity can be set here with tri-colored meters to show signal level with clipping. Each input goes through the Input Mixer section, then to the Equalizers. This screen shows which channels go through which of the eight 10-band equalizers and includes a basic Level adjustment for each. From there, the signal paths run through the Crossover section and then to the assignable Output section. Each Output Channel includes a tri-colored Level Meter and a Mute button. Any of the Input Channels can be assigned to the Optical Digital output, however, this acts as a pass-through for the signal and no processing will be applied to those channels. Any signal input on either of the Digital Inputs will be processed unless assigned to the Optical Digital output. The Setup screen also includes a channel assignment section for the DRC-200 Digital Remote Controller's two rotary controls, allowing each channel to be individually assigned to either or both rotary functions.
• Tune: The Tune screen is where detailed settings can be made to the Equalizer, Crossover, Delay/Polarity, and Output Level.
  • Equalizer: The TuN software includes eight assignable, 10-band Equalizers that can be either Graphic or Parametric. The Graphic EQ's default bands are: 31, 63, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, and 16000 Hz while in Parametric mode, they're variable. The Q, or width of the EQ band, is fixed in Graphic EQ mode and variable from 0.26 to 10 in Parametric mode. Either type can have the Level adjusted by +6 dB to -12 dB. There's an option for Input Channel pairs to be Linked, so they both have identical EQ curves. Each EQ band can be individually bypassed as well.
  • Crossovers: Each signal channel can pass through its own Crossover to further refine the sound. Crossover types are: High-pass, Low-pass, and Band-pass filters with a choice between two Alignments: Linkwitz-Riley (with 12, 24, or 48 dB per octave slope options) and Butterworth (with 12, 18, 24, 36, or 48 dB per octave slope options).
  • Delay/Polarity: In order to compensate for uneven distances between speakers, the TuN software allows each channel to be delayed up to 21.3 milliseconds, or 24 feet of speaker distance. An Additional Delay setting allows the user to add more to the baseline delay in either 0.2 or 0.02 ms increments. A Polarity setting allows each channel to have the polarity inverted if necessary.
  • Output Level: This section gives each Output Channel a level trim control with a range of +12.0 to -12.0 dB.

DRC-200: The JL Audio DRC-200 is a panel-mounted, wired digital remote controller that connects to the JLid port of the TwK88. It consists of dual-concentric rotary controls with stops, push-button functionality for the inner knob, and a separate RGB LED status indicator that can be dash mounted. The control knob and the LED are both wired into a single RJ-45 socket via 46" cables. An 18' control cable, terminating in male RJ-45 jacks, plugs into this socket and is run back to the TwK88. The inner knob controls the Level for any channel assigned to it, and the outer knob can be assigned to control Subwoofer Level, Fader, or Zone control. Each knob can be independently assigned to any or all signal channels.

Inputs: The input side of the TwK88 has the following jacks:

• RCAs: These comprise the 8 analog main input channels and are completely assignable.
• Optical/Coax Digital: Either of the two digital inputs, if used, automatically get assigned to Channels 1 and 2.
• USB Port: A Type-B, 2.0 USB port is used for connection to the TuN 2.0 software and for firmware updates.
• JLID Port: This RJ-45 port is used for the DRC-200 Digital Remote Control.

Outputs:

• RCAs: 8 RCA jacks comprise the main outputs of the TwK88 and are completely assignable. The output channels will get run to an outboard amplifier.
• Optical Digital: This jack can pass an un-processed signal from either the Optical Digital input or from one pair of RCA input channels.
• Power/Ground Connector: A 5-pin Euroblock connector provides the inputs for +12 VDC Battery, +12 VDC Switched (remote input), Ground, Remote Out (provides a +12 V, 100 mA remote signal to trigger aftermarket amplifiers), and a Valet In. This is provided to switch the processor to the Valet Preset when it sees a ground on this terminal.

Top Panel:

• Preset Toggle: A small push-button allows you to toggle through the Presets.
• Status LEDs: Two Signal Status LEDs are provided, one for Input signals and one for Output signals.
  • Amber: Unit is powered on, but no signal is present.
  • Green: Signal is present.
  • Momentary Red: Signal is clipping.

Specifications:

• Power Supply Type: Regulated DC-DC SMPS
• Input Operating Voltage: 10 - 16 VDC
• Operating Current Draw: 0.7 A
• Standby Current Draw: < 1.5 mA
• Recommended Fuse: 1 A
• Input Channels: 8
• Input Type: Line-level, differential-balanced
• Input Voltage Range: 250 mV - 7.1 V RMS
• Minimum Input Voltage: 10 mV RMS
• Input Level Setting: Eleven discrete selections from 250 mV - 7.1 V RMS
• Output Channels: 8
• Analog Output: Unbalanced, stereo RCA jacks
• Digital Output: Optical
• Digital Inputs: Optical and Coax
• Output Impedance: 450 Ω
• Latency:
  • Analog - Analog: 5.425 mS
  • Analog - Optical: 5.470 mS
  • Optical - Optical: 4.860 mS
  • Optical - Analog: 4.805 mS
• S/N Ratio: 98 dB (A-weighted, referred to 4V RMS output)
• THD+N @ Rated Output: 0.02% (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• Audio Resolution: 24 bit/ 48 kHz
• Number of EQ bands: 10 x 8 Channels
• Remote Level Control: DRC-200 (included)
• Remote Level Functions: Master Volume Control + Trim, Master Volume Control + Fader, Zone Control, LED Status reporting
• Dimensions: Width - 4.83", Height - 1.88", Dept - 6.15"
• Weight: 2.58 lbs.