owner’s manual
5.25-inch (130 mm) Convertible 2-Way Component System
Thank you for choosing a JL Audio Evolution™ C3 Convertible
Component System for your automotive sound system.
These Evolution™ Speakers have been designed and manufactured to
exacting standards in order to ensure years of musical enjoyment in your
vehicle. For maximum performance and extended warranty
coverage, we highly recommend that you have your new speakers installed
by an authorized JL Audio dealer. Your authorized
dealer has the training, expertise and installation equipment to ensure
optimum performance from this product. Should you
decide to install the speakers yourself, please take the time
to read this manual thoroughly so as to familiarize yourself
with its installation requirements and setup procedures.
If you have any questions regarding the instructions in this
manual or any aspect of your amplifier’s operation, please contact your
authorized JL Audio dealer for assistance. If you need further assistance,
please call the JL Audio Technical Support Department
at (954) 443-1100 during business hours.
C3-525 sPeCIFICaTIons
Woofers: Injection-Molded Polymer Frame, Patented Elevated
Frame Cooling (U.S. Patent #6,219,431 & #6,229,902), DMA-
Optimized Motor System, Mineral-Filled Polypropylene Cone,
Rubber Surround, 1-in. / 25 mm Voice Coil, Kapton® Former,
Low-Profile, Symmetrical Roll Spider, Ferrite Magnet
Included Components and Parts:
• Two C3-525cw 5.25-inch (130 mm) Woofers
• Two C3-100ct 1.00-inch (25 mm) Tweeters
• Two C3-525-XO Crossover Networks
• Two Surface-Mount Tweeter Fixtures
• Two Coaxial-Mount Tweeter Fixtures
Tweeters: 1.00 in. / 25 mm Silk Soft Dome with Ferrofluid
Cooling and Damping and Neodymium Magnet
Fixed Angle Flush-Mount, Surface-Mount and Coaxial-Mount
Systems
• Two Flush-Mount Tweeter Fixtures
• Two Metal Spring Clips for Tweeter Fixtures
• Two Metal Mesh Woofer Grilles with ABS Grille Trays
• Twelve #8 x 1.25 inch (32 mm) Sheet Metal Screws
• Four #6 x 1.00-inch (25 mm) Sheet Metal Screws
• Two 1.00-inch (25 mm) Machine Screws
• Eight Mounting Clips for Woofer Mounting
• Two 6.4 mm Female Crimpable Connectors
• Two 4.7 mm Male Crimpable Connectors
• Two 4.7 mm Female Crimpable Connectors
• Four 2.8 mm Female Crimpable Connectors
• Two 2.8 mm Male Crimpable Connectors
• Twelve Crimpable Spade Connectors
Crossover Networks: 2-way networks with 1st order
low-pass and 2nd order high-pass filters, premium Mylar®
capacitors, air-core inductors, 4-position adjustable tweeter
output level, 3-position midrange presence control,
Polyswitch tweeter protection
Continuous Power Handling: 75 Watts (RMS Method)
Frequency Response: 48 Hz - 25 KHz ( 3 dB)
Efficiency @ 1W/1m: 90.0 dB @ 1W/1m
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
• One Woofer Mounting Template
Due to ongoing product development, all specifications are subject to change without notice.
3
GeTTInG sTarTeD
aDJusTaBle mIDranGe PresenCe
•ꢀꢀTurnꢀoffꢀtheꢀaudioꢀsystem.ꢀItꢀisꢀalsoꢀ
advisableꢀtoꢀdisconnectꢀtheꢀnegativeꢀ(–)ꢀ
terminalꢀofꢀyourꢀvehicle’sꢀbatteryꢀwheneverꢀ
performingꢀinstallationꢀwork.
•ꢀꢀBeforeꢀcutting,ꢀdrillingꢀorꢀinsertingꢀanyꢀscrew,ꢀ
checkꢀclearancesꢀonꢀbothꢀsidesꢀofꢀtheꢀplannedꢀ
mountingꢀsurface.ꢀAlsoꢀcheckꢀforꢀanyꢀpotentialꢀ
obstacles,ꢀsuchꢀasꢀwindowꢀtracksꢀandꢀmotors,ꢀ
wiringꢀharnesses,ꢀetc.ꢀCheckꢀbothꢀsidesꢀofꢀtheꢀ
YourꢀC3ꢀcrossoverꢀnetworksꢀprovideꢀaꢀuniqueꢀ
midrangeꢀpresenceꢀcontrol,ꢀlocatedꢀunderꢀtheꢀcover.ꢀ
Theꢀmidrangeꢀpresenceꢀisꢀselectableꢀviaꢀaꢀsetꢀofꢀpinsꢀ
andꢀallowsꢀforꢀthreeꢀsettings.ꢀTheseꢀsettingsꢀaffectꢀtheꢀ
amplitudeꢀofꢀtheꢀupperꢀmidrangeꢀresponseꢀofꢀtheꢀC3ꢀ
componentꢀwoofer.ꢀWeꢀrecommendꢀthatꢀyouꢀbeginꢀ
yourꢀlisteningꢀinꢀtheꢀ“REF”ꢀ(Reference)ꢀandꢀadjustꢀ
upꢀorꢀdownꢀasꢀneededꢀtoꢀcompensateꢀforꢀmountingꢀ
location,ꢀorientationꢀorꢀpersonalꢀtaste.
vehicle,ꢀmanyꢀvehiclesꢀareꢀnotꢀsymmetrical!
•ꢀꢀAlwaysꢀwearꢀprotectiveꢀeyewear.
CrossoVer neTworK InsTallaTIon
TheꢀcrossoverꢀnetworksꢀsuppliedꢀwithꢀyourꢀC3ꢀ
Systemꢀshouldꢀbeꢀinstalledꢀinꢀaꢀdryꢀlocationꢀinsideꢀ
yourꢀvehicle.ꢀDOꢀNOTꢀINSTALLꢀTHEMꢀINSIDEꢀOFꢀ
AꢀDOOR!ꢀDoorsꢀoftenꢀgetꢀwetꢀonꢀtheꢀinside,ꢀwhichꢀ
canꢀdamageꢀyourꢀcrossoverꢀnetworksꢀandꢀcouldꢀ
potentiallyꢀdamageꢀyourꢀentireꢀsoundꢀsystem.ꢀTheꢀ
crossoversꢀcanꢀbeꢀscrewedꢀintoꢀaꢀsolidꢀsurfaceꢀviaꢀtwoꢀ
holesꢀlocatedꢀunderꢀtheꢀprotectiveꢀcoverꢀofꢀtheꢀcase.ꢀ
Toꢀaccessꢀtheseꢀholes,ꢀsimplyꢀsqueezeꢀtheꢀsidesꢀofꢀtheꢀ
coverꢀwhileꢀgentlyꢀpullingꢀtheꢀcoverꢀawayꢀfromꢀtheꢀ
base.ꢀMakeꢀsureꢀthatꢀyourꢀmountingꢀlocationꢀwillꢀnotꢀ
causeꢀdamageꢀtoꢀwiring,ꢀfuelꢀlines,ꢀbrakeꢀlinesꢀorꢀanyꢀ
otherꢀvitalꢀcomponentꢀofꢀyourꢀvehicle.ꢀOnceꢀyouꢀhaveꢀ
screwedꢀtheꢀcaseꢀinꢀandꢀmadeꢀyourꢀconnections,ꢀsnapꢀ
theꢀprotectiveꢀcoverꢀbackꢀintoꢀplace.ꢀ
aDJusTaBle TweeTer leVel
C3ꢀcrossoverꢀnetworksꢀalsoꢀprovideꢀfourꢀlevelsꢀ
ofꢀtweeterꢀadjustabilityꢀdesignedꢀtoꢀcompensateꢀforꢀ
differentꢀmountingꢀlocations,ꢀvehicleꢀinteriorsꢀandꢀ
personalꢀtaste.ꢀTheseꢀlevelsꢀareꢀselectableꢀviaꢀaꢀsetꢀofꢀ
pinsꢀlocatedꢀunderꢀtheꢀclearꢀcoverꢀofꢀeachꢀcrossoverꢀ
case.ꢀWeꢀrecommendꢀthatꢀyouꢀbeginꢀlisteningꢀinꢀtheꢀ
“REF”ꢀ(Reference)ꢀposition.ꢀToꢀfindꢀtheꢀoptimumꢀ
tonalꢀbalanceꢀinꢀyourꢀinstallation,ꢀexperimentꢀwithꢀ
alternateꢀtweeterꢀlevelꢀsettingsꢀbyꢀmovingꢀtheꢀpins.ꢀItꢀ
isꢀsafeꢀtoꢀswitchꢀjumpersꢀwhileꢀtheꢀsystemꢀisꢀplaying.
TweeTer ProTeCTIon
TheꢀC3ꢀcrossoverꢀnetworksꢀareꢀequippedꢀwithꢀ
anꢀadvancedꢀelectronicꢀtweeterꢀprotectionꢀcircuitꢀ
designedꢀtoꢀminimizeꢀtheꢀpossibilityꢀofꢀtweeterꢀ
failure.ꢀThisꢀelectronicꢀdeviceꢀmonitorsꢀcurrentꢀgoingꢀ
toꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀandꢀwillꢀdisconnectꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀfromꢀ
theꢀsignalꢀwhenꢀitꢀsensesꢀoverload.ꢀShouldꢀthisꢀoccurꢀ
whileꢀlisteningꢀtoꢀtheꢀaudioꢀsystem,ꢀsimplyꢀreduceꢀtheꢀ
volumeꢀforꢀaꢀfewꢀsecondsꢀandꢀtheꢀprotectionꢀcircuitꢀ
willꢀresetꢀitselfꢀautomatically.
ꢀ
CrossoVer neTworK aDJusTmenT
Theꢀcrossoverꢀnetworksꢀhaveꢀbeenꢀdesignedꢀtoꢀ
allowꢀtonalꢀadjustmentsꢀtoꢀtheꢀupperꢀmidrangeꢀ
responseꢀandꢀtweeterꢀlevel.ꢀTheseꢀadjustmentsꢀmakeꢀ
itꢀpossibleꢀtoꢀfine-tuneꢀyourꢀsystemꢀtoꢀsuitꢀyourꢀ
listeningꢀpreferencesꢀandꢀtoꢀcompensateꢀforꢀvariousꢀ
speakerꢀmountingꢀapplications.ꢀ
4 | JL Audio - C3-525 Owner’s Manual
wIrInG Your sPeaKer sYsTem
C3ꢀConvertibleꢀComponentsꢀgiveꢀyouꢀtheꢀoptionꢀ
ofꢀinstallingꢀtheꢀspeakersꢀasꢀseparateꢀcomponentꢀ
speakerꢀsystemsꢀorꢀasꢀcoaxialꢀsystemsꢀ(tweetersꢀ
mountedꢀontoꢀtheꢀcenterꢀofꢀeachꢀwoofer).
Positiveꢀ(+)ꢀandꢀnegativeꢀ(–)ꢀconnectionsꢀtoꢀtheꢀ
crossoverꢀfromꢀtheꢀamplifierꢀoutputsꢀareꢀmadeꢀwithꢀ
theꢀterminalsꢀlabeledꢀ“IN+”ꢀandꢀ“IN–”.ꢀTheꢀPositiveꢀ
andꢀNegativeꢀoutputsꢀtoꢀtheꢀwooferꢀconnectionsꢀareꢀ
labeledꢀ“W+”ꢀandꢀ“W–”onꢀtheꢀCrossoverꢀandꢀshouldꢀ
beꢀconnectedꢀtoꢀcorrespondingꢀ“WFR+”ꢀandꢀꢀ
“WFR–”ꢀterminalsꢀonꢀtheꢀwooferꢀ(asꢀillustratedꢀ
below).ꢀTheꢀtweeterꢀconnectionsꢀvaryꢀbyꢀsystemꢀ
configurationꢀandꢀmayꢀbeꢀmadeꢀinꢀoneꢀofꢀtwoꢀways.ꢀ
Inꢀcomponentꢀconfiguration,ꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀoutputs,ꢀ
labeledꢀ“T+”ꢀandꢀ“T–”ꢀonꢀtheꢀCrossoverꢀshouldꢀbeꢀwiredꢀ
directlyꢀtoꢀtheꢀcorrespondingꢀleadꢀonꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀ(Seeꢀ
DiagramꢀA).ꢀInꢀcoaxialꢀconfiguration,ꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀisꢀ
connectedꢀviaꢀanꢀinternalꢀjumperꢀ(Seeꢀpageꢀ6ꢀforꢀmoreꢀ
information)ꢀandꢀtheꢀCrossoverꢀtweeterꢀoutputsꢀshouldꢀ
beꢀwiredꢀtoꢀtheꢀcorrespondingꢀ“TWT+”ꢀandꢀ“TWT–”ꢀ
terminalsꢀonꢀtheꢀwooferꢀ(SeeꢀDiagramꢀB).ꢀ
WARNING
!!
It is absolutely vital that your component system
is connected as shown in this manual. Failure to
connect the system as shown may result in damage to
your speakers which is NOT covered under warranty.
DIaGram a: Component system wiring
Do not substitute different crossover networks into
your C3 System. Do not use crossover networks
intended for different C3 models.
Amplifier
Output
Red
Black
DIaGram B: Coaxial system wiring
Amplifier
Output
Red
Black
5
ConVerTIBle ComPonenTs
C3ꢀConvertibleꢀComponentsꢀgiveꢀyouꢀtheꢀoptionꢀ
ofꢀinstallingꢀtheꢀspeakersꢀasꢀseparateꢀcomponentꢀ
speakerꢀsystemsꢀorꢀasꢀcoaxialꢀsystemsꢀ(tweetersꢀ
mountedꢀontoꢀtheꢀcenterꢀofꢀeachꢀwoofer).
Coaxial system set-up
TheꢀCoaxialꢀconfigurationꢀofꢀtheꢀC3-525ꢀisꢀ
achievedꢀbyꢀinstallingꢀaꢀtweeterꢀontoꢀtheꢀcenterꢀofꢀ
eachꢀwooferꢀusingꢀtheꢀsuppliedꢀcoaxialꢀtweeterꢀposts.
First,ꢀremoveꢀtheꢀphaseꢀplugsꢀfromꢀtheꢀwoofersꢀ(ifꢀ
present)ꢀbyꢀpushingꢀdownꢀfirmly/evenlyꢀonꢀtheꢀplugꢀ
withꢀthumbꢀandꢀindexꢀfingerꢀandꢀturningꢀ1/4ꢀturnꢀ
counter-clockwiseꢀtoꢀunlockꢀandꢀremove.ꢀTheꢀphaseꢀ
plugsꢀwillꢀnotꢀbeꢀusedꢀinꢀcoaxialꢀconfigurationꢀandꢀ
shouldꢀbeꢀsetꢀasideꢀforꢀpossibleꢀfutureꢀuse.
Note: If the C3 system is to be used in a coaxial
configuration, the phase plugs must be removed to
accept the tweeter and tweeter post.
Component system set-up
TheꢀComponentꢀconfigurationꢀofꢀtheꢀC3-525ꢀ
isꢀachievedꢀbyꢀwiringꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀtoꢀtheꢀcrossoverꢀ
separatelyꢀandꢀinstallingꢀtheꢀincludedꢀphaseꢀplugsꢀ
ontoꢀtheꢀcenterꢀofꢀeachꢀwoofer.ꢀThe woofers are
factory-packaged in the component system
configuration with phase plugs installed.
Theꢀphaseꢀplugsꢀattachꢀtoꢀtheꢀwoofersꢀusingꢀaꢀ
simpleꢀbayonetꢀ(twistꢀandꢀlock)ꢀmechanism.ꢀ
Toꢀremoveꢀtheꢀphaseꢀplugs,ꢀsimplyꢀapplyꢀ
downwardꢀpressureꢀwithꢀyourꢀthumbꢀandꢀindexꢀ
fingerꢀandꢀtwistꢀ1/4ꢀturnꢀcounteclockwiseꢀuntilꢀ
released.ꢀThenꢀpullꢀtheꢀphaseꢀplugꢀoffꢀtheꢀreceiver.
Toꢀreattachꢀtheꢀphaseꢀplugs,ꢀalignꢀtheꢀtwoꢀ
tabsꢀonꢀtheꢀinsideꢀofꢀeachꢀphaseꢀplugꢀwithꢀtheꢀ
groovesꢀonꢀtheꢀouterꢀdiameterꢀofꢀtheꢀreceiverꢀ
inꢀtheꢀcenterꢀofꢀtheꢀwoofer.ꢀWithꢀtheseꢀaligned,ꢀ
slideꢀtheꢀphaseꢀplugꢀdownꢀintoꢀplaceꢀuntilꢀitꢀ
stops,ꢀapplyingꢀgentleꢀpressure.ꢀToꢀlock,ꢀpushꢀ
downꢀfirmly/evenlyꢀonꢀtheꢀplugꢀwithꢀthumbꢀandꢀ
indexꢀfingerꢀandꢀturnꢀ1/4ꢀturnꢀclockwise.ꢀ
Forꢀwooferꢀmountingꢀinstructions,ꢀpleaseꢀreferꢀ
toꢀPageꢀ8ꢀofꢀthisꢀManual.ꢀForꢀseparateꢀtweeterꢀ
mountingꢀinstructions,ꢀpleaseꢀreferꢀtoꢀPagesꢀ12-13ꢀofꢀ
thisꢀManual.
Next,ꢀrouteꢀtheꢀtweeter’sꢀPositiveꢀ(+)ꢀandꢀꢀ
Negativeꢀ(-)ꢀwireꢀleadsꢀthroughꢀtheꢀcenterꢀofꢀtheꢀ
coaxialꢀtweeterꢀpostꢀfromꢀtheꢀlargeꢀtweeter-cupꢀendꢀ
andꢀoutꢀtheꢀsmallerꢀendꢀ(SeeꢀFigureꢀA).ꢀTheꢀtweeterꢀ
mountsꢀtoꢀtheꢀcoaxialꢀtweeterꢀpostꢀusingꢀaꢀsimpleꢀ
bayonetꢀ(twistꢀandꢀlock)ꢀmechanism.ꢀToꢀattachꢀtheꢀ
tweeterꢀtoꢀtheꢀpost,ꢀobserveꢀtheꢀindentedꢀlockingꢀ
slotsꢀonꢀtheꢀouterꢀedgeꢀofꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀbodyꢀandꢀalignꢀ
theseꢀwithꢀtheꢀtabsꢀvisibleꢀonꢀtheꢀinsideꢀwallsꢀofꢀtheꢀ
tweeterꢀcupꢀportionꢀofꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀpost.ꢀTheꢀtweeterꢀ
shouldꢀslideꢀintoꢀplaceꢀeasilyꢀandꢀcanꢀthenꢀbeꢀlockedꢀ
byꢀpushingꢀdownꢀonꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀandꢀgivingꢀitꢀaꢀsmallꢀ
clockwiseꢀturnꢀ(SeeꢀFigureꢀB).ꢀ
Withꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀinstalledꢀintoꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀpost,ꢀ
connectꢀtheꢀPositiveꢀ(+)ꢀredꢀwireꢀleadꢀonꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀ
toꢀtheꢀlargerꢀmaleꢀconnectionꢀtabꢀinꢀtheꢀwoofer’sꢀ
center,ꢀfollowedꢀinꢀtheꢀsameꢀmanner,ꢀbyꢀtheꢀꢀ
Negativeꢀ(-)ꢀblackꢀleadꢀtoꢀtheꢀsmallerꢀconnectionꢀtab.ꢀ
(SeeꢀFigureꢀC).
Now,ꢀnoteꢀtheꢀtwoꢀtabsꢀonꢀtheꢀinsideꢀofꢀtheꢀbottomꢀ
endꢀofꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀpost.ꢀAlignꢀtheseꢀtabsꢀtoꢀtheꢀ
channelsꢀvisibleꢀonꢀoppositeꢀsidesꢀofꢀtheꢀreceiverꢀinꢀ
theꢀwoofer’sꢀcenter.ꢀWhileꢀtuckingꢀtheꢀwiresꢀintoꢀtheꢀ
tweeterꢀpost,ꢀslideꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀpostꢀdownꢀintoꢀplaceꢀ
untilꢀitꢀstopsꢀandꢀisꢀreadyꢀtoꢀbeꢀlocked.ꢀToꢀlock,ꢀpushꢀ
downꢀfirmly/evenlyꢀonꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀpostꢀwithꢀthumbꢀ
andꢀindexꢀfingerꢀandꢀturnꢀ1/4ꢀturnꢀclockwise.ꢀꢀ
(SeeꢀFigureꢀD).
Forꢀwooferꢀmountingꢀinstructions,ꢀpleaseꢀreferꢀtoꢀ
Pageꢀ11ꢀofꢀthisꢀManual.ꢀ
6 | JL Audio - C3-525 Owner’s Manual
DIaGram C: Tweeter Post / Coaxial system Configuration
FigureꢀA.
FigureꢀB.
FigureꢀC.
FigureꢀD.
DIaGram D: Phase Plug / Component system Configuration
7
CoaXIal PlaCemenT ConsIDeraTIons
Inꢀmostꢀcases,ꢀspeakersꢀinꢀtheꢀcoaxialꢀ
ComPonenT PlaCemenT ConsIDeraTIons
Aꢀcomponentꢀsystemꢀconfigurationꢀgivesꢀyouꢀtheꢀ
abilityꢀtoꢀplaceꢀtheꢀwooferꢀandꢀtweeterꢀseparatelyꢀ
inꢀyourꢀvehicleꢀinterior.ꢀThisꢀcanꢀbeꢀgoodꢀorꢀbad,ꢀ
dependingꢀonꢀhowꢀit’sꢀdone.ꢀAsꢀaꢀgeneralꢀrule,ꢀtheꢀ
tweetersꢀshouldꢀbeꢀplacedꢀrelativelyꢀcloseꢀtoꢀtheꢀ
woofersꢀforꢀbestꢀtonalꢀbalanceꢀandꢀmostꢀcoherentꢀ
imagingꢀ(theꢀcloser,ꢀtheꢀbetter).ꢀAnyꢀseparationꢀ
greaterꢀthanꢀ8ꢀinchesꢀ(20ꢀcm)ꢀisꢀlikelyꢀtoꢀresultꢀinꢀ
degradedꢀsoundꢀqualityꢀ(SeeꢀDiagramꢀH).ꢀ
configurationꢀwillꢀbeꢀplacedꢀintoꢀfactoryꢀspeakerꢀ
locations.ꢀIfꢀyouꢀhaveꢀsomeꢀspeakerꢀmountingꢀ
flexibility,ꢀkeepꢀtheꢀfollowingꢀinꢀmind:ꢀLowerꢀ
mountingꢀlocations,ꢀsuchꢀasꢀtheꢀlowerꢀfrontꢀcornerꢀ
(SeeꢀDiagramꢀF)ꢀofꢀaꢀdoorꢀorꢀaꢀkick-panelꢀprovideꢀ
theꢀgreatestꢀpathꢀlengthꢀdistancesꢀforꢀtheꢀsoundꢀ
emittedꢀbyꢀtheꢀspeakers.ꢀForꢀthisꢀreason,ꢀtheyꢀareꢀ
generallyꢀmoreꢀdesirableꢀthanꢀhigherꢀmountingꢀ
locations.ꢀHigherꢀmountingꢀlocationsꢀwillꢀusuallyꢀ
resultꢀinꢀextremeꢀnear-sideꢀsoundstageꢀbiasꢀwhichꢀ
compromisesꢀtheꢀstereoꢀlisteningꢀexperienceꢀꢀ
(SeeꢀDiagramꢀE).ꢀ
ꢀ
DIaGram e: CoaXIal ConFIGuraTIon - less Desirable Door speaker Placement
DIaGram F: CoaXIal ConFIGuraTIon - more Desirable Door speaker Placement
8 | JL Audio - C3-525 Owner’s Manual
Avoidꢀplacingꢀtweetersꢀwhereꢀtheyꢀwillꢀbeꢀblockedꢀ
byꢀobjectsꢀinꢀtheꢀinteriorꢀofꢀtheꢀcarꢀ(includingꢀseatedꢀ
occupants).ꢀWhenꢀselectingꢀaꢀmountingꢀlocation,ꢀ
lookꢀatꢀbothꢀsidesꢀofꢀtheꢀcarꢀtoꢀmakeꢀsureꢀthatꢀthisꢀ
locationꢀisꢀclearꢀonꢀbothꢀsides.ꢀ
Woofersꢀwillꢀusuallyꢀbeꢀplacedꢀintoꢀfactoryꢀ
speakerꢀlocations.ꢀIfꢀyouꢀhaveꢀsomeꢀwooferꢀmountingꢀ
flexibility,ꢀkeepꢀtheꢀfollowingꢀinꢀmind:ꢀLowerꢀ
mountingꢀlocations,ꢀsuchꢀasꢀtheꢀlowerꢀfrontꢀcornerꢀofꢀ
aꢀdoorꢀ(SeeꢀDiagramꢀH)ꢀorꢀaꢀkick-panelꢀprovideꢀtheꢀ
greatestꢀpathꢀlengthꢀdistancesꢀforꢀtheꢀsoundꢀemittedꢀ
byꢀtheꢀwoofer.ꢀForꢀthisꢀreason,ꢀtheyꢀareꢀgenerallyꢀ
moreꢀdesirableꢀthanꢀhigherꢀmountingꢀlocations.ꢀ
Higherꢀmountingꢀlocationsꢀoftenꢀresultꢀinꢀextremeꢀ
near-sideꢀsoundstageꢀbiasꢀwhichꢀcompromisesꢀtheꢀ
stereoꢀlisteningꢀexperienceꢀꢀ
Youꢀcanꢀalwaysꢀexperimentꢀwithꢀtweeterꢀ
placementꢀbeforeꢀcommittingꢀtoꢀaꢀfinalꢀmountingꢀ
location.ꢀSimplyꢀconnectꢀtheꢀrestꢀofꢀtheꢀsystemꢀandꢀ
allowꢀplentyꢀofꢀwireꢀlengthꢀforꢀtheꢀtweeters.ꢀUsingꢀ
Velcro®ꢀorꢀsimilarꢀmaterial,ꢀattachꢀtheꢀtweetersꢀinꢀ
differentꢀlocationsꢀuntilꢀyouꢀfindꢀtheꢀoneꢀwhereꢀtheyꢀ
performꢀbest.
(SeeꢀDiagramꢀG).ꢀ
DIaGram G: ComPonenT ConFIGuraTIon - less Desirable Door speaker Placement
DIaGram H: ComPonenT ConFIGuraTIon - more Desirable Door speaker Placement
9
WARNING
!!
ꢀ
Double check the clearance for both speakers
before proceeding. Many cars are different from
one side to the other!
Custom location:ꢀRunꢀspeakerꢀwireꢀtoꢀtheꢀdesiredꢀ
mountingꢀlocations.ꢀIfꢀyouꢀareꢀrunningꢀwiresꢀintoꢀ
aꢀdoor,ꢀuseꢀexistingꢀfactoryꢀwiringꢀbootsꢀwheneverꢀ
possible.ꢀIfꢀyouꢀareꢀdrillingꢀnewꢀholes,ꢀfileꢀtheirꢀedgesꢀ
andꢀinstallꢀrubberꢀgrommetsꢀintoꢀeachꢀhole.ꢀWiresꢀ
shouldꢀthenꢀbeꢀcoveredꢀwithꢀaꢀprotective,ꢀflexibleꢀ
PVCꢀsleeveꢀandꢀthenꢀrunꢀthroughꢀtheꢀdoorꢀjamb.ꢀ
Makeꢀsureꢀthatꢀtheꢀwiresꢀwillꢀclearꢀdoorꢀhingesꢀandꢀ
otherꢀstructuresꢀinꢀtheꢀdoor.ꢀIfꢀyouꢀareꢀunsureꢀaboutꢀ
anyꢀpartꢀofꢀthisꢀprocess,ꢀpleaseꢀcontactꢀyourꢀJLꢀAudioꢀ
dealerꢀforꢀinstallationꢀhelp.
Selectꢀanꢀevenꢀsurface.ꢀTighteningꢀaꢀspeakerꢀontoꢀ
anꢀunevenꢀsurfaceꢀcanꢀdamageꢀit.ꢀCarefullyꢀmeasureꢀ
andꢀmarkꢀtheꢀ“mountingꢀholeꢀdiameter”ꢀoutlineꢀinꢀ
theꢀselectedꢀlocationꢀusingꢀtheꢀdimensionsꢀlistedꢀonꢀ
pageꢀ2.ꢀBeforeꢀdrillingꢀorꢀcuttingꢀonꢀyourꢀinteriorꢀ
panels,ꢀuseꢀaꢀutilityꢀknifeꢀtoꢀcutꢀanyꢀfabric,ꢀvinylꢀ
orꢀleatherꢀfromꢀholeꢀlocations.ꢀTheseꢀmaterialsꢀcanꢀ
easilyꢀbeꢀsnaggedꢀbyꢀaꢀdrillꢀorꢀaꢀsaw,ꢀcausingꢀdamageꢀ
toꢀtheꢀpanelꢀandꢀpossibleꢀbodilyꢀinjury.ꢀDrillꢀaꢀpilotꢀ
holeꢀinꢀtheꢀcenterꢀofꢀtheꢀproposedꢀspeakerꢀmountingꢀ
hole.ꢀThen,ꢀusingꢀaꢀsaberꢀsawꢀwithꢀanꢀappropriateꢀ
blade,ꢀmakeꢀtheꢀcircularꢀcutꢀoutꢀforꢀtheꢀspeaker.ꢀFileꢀ
anyꢀroughꢀedges.
wooFer InsTallaTIon
Theꢀwoofersꢀshouldꢀbeꢀinstalledꢀinꢀoneꢀofꢀtheꢀ
followingꢀwaysꢀdependingꢀonꢀlocation:
ꢀ
Factory location:ꢀIfꢀyouꢀwillꢀbeꢀusingꢀtheꢀfactoryꢀ
speakerꢀwires,ꢀitꢀmayꢀbeꢀnecessaryꢀtoꢀchangeꢀtheꢀ
terminations.ꢀThisꢀmayꢀbeꢀaccomplishedꢀbyꢀusingꢀ
anꢀadaptorꢀplugꢀorꢀsimplyꢀbyꢀcuttingꢀtheꢀfactoryꢀ
connectorꢀoffꢀandꢀusingꢀtheꢀsuppliedꢀcrimpꢀ
connectorsꢀtoꢀterminateꢀtheꢀspeakerꢀwires.ꢀTheꢀ
largeꢀconnectorꢀisꢀforꢀtheꢀpositiveꢀ( )ꢀterminalꢀandꢀ
+
theꢀsmallꢀconnectorꢀisꢀforꢀtheꢀnegativeꢀ(–)ꢀterminalꢀ
ofꢀeachꢀwoofer.ꢀKeepꢀinꢀmindꢀthatꢀtheꢀwooferꢀwiresꢀ
mustꢀbeꢀconnectedꢀtoꢀtheꢀwooferꢀoutputsꢀofꢀtheꢀ
crossoversꢀsuppliedꢀwithꢀyourꢀsystemꢀasꢀshownꢀinꢀtheꢀ
diagramꢀonꢀpageꢀ5.ꢀIfꢀyouꢀpreferꢀtoꢀrunꢀnewꢀwires,ꢀ
referꢀtoꢀtheꢀ“CustomꢀLocation”ꢀinstallationꢀsectionꢀ
forꢀdetails.ꢀWhicheverꢀmethodꢀyouꢀchoose,ꢀobserveꢀ
correctꢀpolarityꢀinꢀyourꢀconnections.ꢀIfꢀyouꢀareꢀ
unsureꢀaboutꢀanyꢀofꢀtheseꢀissues,ꢀcontactꢀyourꢀꢀ
JLꢀAudioꢀdealerꢀforꢀinstallationꢀassistance.
Afterꢀcuttingꢀtheꢀhole,ꢀcheckꢀtoꢀseeꢀthatꢀtheꢀ
Yourꢀnewꢀspeakersꢀhaveꢀbeenꢀdesignedꢀtoꢀinstall,ꢀ
withoutꢀmodifications,ꢀintoꢀmostꢀvehiclesꢀthatꢀacceptꢀ
aꢀ6.5-inchꢀ(160ꢀmm)ꢀspeaker.ꢀMostꢀfactoryꢀ6.5-inchꢀ
speakersꢀuseꢀfourꢀmountingꢀscrewsꢀwhichꢀwillꢀlineꢀupꢀ
withꢀtheꢀmountingꢀholesꢀonꢀyourꢀwoofers.ꢀ
speakerꢀframeꢀfitsꢀintoꢀitsꢀmountingꢀholeꢀcleanly.ꢀ
Doꢀnotꢀforceꢀtheꢀframeꢀintoꢀaꢀholeꢀthatꢀisꢀtooꢀsmall.ꢀ
Onceꢀtheꢀspeakerꢀisꢀinꢀplace,ꢀuseꢀtheꢀholesꢀonꢀtheꢀ
speaker’sꢀmountingꢀflangeꢀtoꢀmarkꢀtheꢀpanelꢀwhereꢀ
theꢀfourꢀmountingꢀscrewsꢀwillꢀbeꢀpositionedꢀ(Seeꢀ
DiagramꢀJ).ꢀRemoveꢀtheꢀspeakerꢀandꢀdrillꢀ1/8-inchꢀ
(3ꢀmm)ꢀholesꢀatꢀeachꢀmark.ꢀInsertꢀtheꢀmountingꢀ
clipsꢀwithꢀtheꢀflatꢀsideꢀtowardsꢀtheꢀspeaker.ꢀConnectꢀ
theꢀspeakerꢀwires,ꢀobservingꢀcorrectꢀpolarity,ꢀandꢀ
secureꢀtheꢀspeakerꢀandꢀgrilleꢀtrayꢀtoꢀtheꢀpanelꢀbyꢀ
evenlyꢀtighteningꢀbyꢀhandꢀtheꢀprovidedꢀ#8ꢀxꢀ1.25ꢀ
inchꢀ(32ꢀmm)ꢀmountingꢀscrews.ꢀMakeꢀsureꢀtheꢀ
wooferꢀisꢀsecuredꢀsoꢀthatꢀairꢀdoesꢀnotꢀleakꢀaroundꢀ
theꢀmountingꢀflange.ꢀAirꢀleaksꢀwillꢀcauseꢀaꢀsevereꢀ
degradationꢀinꢀsoundꢀquality.ꢀSealꢀanyꢀairꢀleaksꢀ
withꢀanꢀautomotive-gradeꢀsealantꢀmaterial.
Itꢀisꢀabsolutelyꢀvitalꢀthatꢀtheꢀspeakerꢀframeꢀ
fitsꢀintoꢀtheꢀmountingꢀholeꢀcleanly.ꢀThisꢀmustꢀbeꢀ
checkedꢀpriorꢀtoꢀtighteningꢀtheꢀscrews.ꢀDoꢀnotꢀ
forceꢀtheꢀframeꢀintoꢀaꢀholeꢀthatꢀisꢀtooꢀsmall.ꢀDoꢀ
notꢀtightenꢀtheꢀspeakerꢀontoꢀanꢀunevenꢀsurface.ꢀ
Thisꢀwillꢀdamageꢀyourꢀspeakers.ꢀTheꢀspeakerꢀ
shouldꢀalsoꢀfitꢀsoꢀthatꢀairꢀdoesꢀnotꢀleakꢀaroundꢀ
theꢀmountingꢀflange.ꢀAirꢀleaksꢀwillꢀcauseꢀaꢀsevereꢀ
degradationꢀinꢀsoundꢀquality.ꢀSealꢀanyꢀairꢀleaksꢀ
withꢀanꢀautomotive-gradeꢀsealantꢀmaterial.
Useꢀtheꢀsuppliedꢀmountingꢀclipsꢀunlessꢀtheꢀfactoryꢀ
holesꢀalreadyꢀfeatureꢀthreadedꢀinserts.ꢀꢀꢀ
Hand-tightenꢀtheꢀscrewsꢀevenlyꢀ(SeeꢀDiagramꢀI).ꢀ
10 | JL Audio - C3-525 Owner’s Manual
DIaGram I: Factory location woofer Installation
DIaGram J: Custom location woofer Installation
WARNING
!!
Hand-tighten the screws evenly in a criss-cross
pattern to avoid bending the speaker frame or
stripping the mounting clips.
11
TweeTer InsTallaTIon
First,ꢀrunꢀspeakerꢀwiresꢀfromꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀoutputꢀ
ofꢀtheꢀcrossoverꢀ(seeꢀWiringꢀDiagramꢀBꢀonꢀpageꢀ5)ꢀ
toꢀtheꢀdesiredꢀtweeterꢀmountingꢀlocations,ꢀobservingꢀ
theꢀsameꢀprecautionsꢀasꢀmentionedꢀinꢀtheꢀwooferꢀ
installationꢀsection.ꢀTerminateꢀtheꢀwiresꢀwithꢀtheꢀ
suppliedꢀ2.8ꢀmmꢀmaleꢀcrimpableꢀconnectors.
surface-mount Installation
Inꢀthisꢀapplication,ꢀyouꢀwillꢀnotꢀneedꢀtoꢀcutꢀ
largeꢀholesꢀinꢀyourꢀvehicle’sꢀpanelsꢀforꢀtheꢀtweeters.ꢀ
Youꢀwillꢀonlyꢀneedꢀtoꢀdrillꢀaꢀholeꢀforꢀtheꢀwiresꢀandꢀ
twoꢀsmallerꢀholesꢀforꢀtheꢀmountingꢀscrews.ꢀThisꢀ
applicationꢀisꢀusefulꢀwhenꢀmountingꢀtheꢀtweetersꢀtoꢀ
aꢀpanelꢀthatꢀhasꢀinsufficientꢀclearanceꢀbehindꢀitꢀforꢀ
theꢀtweeter’sꢀmagnetꢀstructure.
TweeTer FIXTure InsTallaTIon:
Theꢀdomeꢀtweetersꢀsuppliedꢀwithꢀyourꢀꢀ
Usingꢀtheꢀfixtureꢀasꢀaꢀtemplate,ꢀmarkꢀtheꢀscrewꢀ
holeꢀlocationsꢀandꢀaꢀlocationꢀinꢀtheꢀcenterꢀofꢀtheꢀ
fixtureꢀforꢀtheꢀwireꢀhole.ꢀRemoveꢀtheꢀfixtureꢀandꢀ
drillꢀpilotꢀholesꢀforꢀtheꢀscrewsꢀandꢀaꢀ1/4-inchꢀ(6.4ꢀ
mm)ꢀforꢀtheꢀwires.ꢀUseꢀtheꢀsuppliedꢀ#6ꢀxꢀ1.00-inchꢀ
sheetꢀmetalꢀscrewsꢀtoꢀsecureꢀtheꢀfixtureꢀasꢀshownꢀinꢀ
DiagramꢀL.ꢀNext,ꢀrouteꢀtheꢀtweeter’sꢀpositiveꢀ(+)ꢀandꢀ
negativeꢀ(-)ꢀwireꢀleadsꢀthroughꢀtheꢀ1/4-inchꢀcenterꢀ
hole.ꢀTheꢀtweeterꢀisꢀsecuredꢀtoꢀtheꢀfixtureꢀusingꢀaꢀ
simpleꢀbayonetꢀ(twistꢀandꢀlock)ꢀmechanism.ꢀToꢀattachꢀ
theꢀtweeterꢀtoꢀtheꢀsurface-mountꢀfixture,ꢀobserveꢀtheꢀ
indentedꢀlockingꢀslotsꢀonꢀtheꢀouterꢀedgeꢀofꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀ
bodyꢀandꢀalignꢀtheseꢀwithꢀtheꢀtabsꢀvisibleꢀonꢀtheꢀ
insideꢀwallsꢀofꢀtheꢀfixture.ꢀTheꢀtweeterꢀshouldꢀslideꢀ
intoꢀplaceꢀeasilyꢀandꢀcanꢀthenꢀbeꢀlockedꢀbyꢀpushingꢀ
downꢀonꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀandꢀgivingꢀitꢀaꢀsmallꢀclockwiseꢀ
turnꢀ(SeeꢀDiagramꢀL).
C3-525ꢀsystemꢀhaveꢀbeenꢀdesignedꢀforꢀmaximumꢀ
mountingꢀversatilityꢀinꢀaꢀcomponentꢀconfiguration.ꢀ
Thereꢀareꢀtwoꢀprimaryꢀmethodsꢀbyꢀwhichꢀtheꢀ
tweetersꢀcanꢀbeꢀmountedꢀinꢀyourꢀvehicle:
Flush-mount Installation
Theꢀdomeꢀtweetersꢀsuppliedꢀwithꢀyourꢀꢀ
C3-525ꢀsystemꢀhaveꢀbeenꢀdesignedꢀtoꢀintegrateꢀwithꢀ
yourꢀinstallationꢀinꢀaꢀclean,ꢀunobtrusiveꢀmannerꢀ
usingꢀaꢀflush-mountꢀcup.ꢀThisꢀcompactꢀmountingꢀ
fixtureꢀisꢀinstalledꢀusingꢀtheꢀmethodꢀillustratedꢀinꢀ
DiagramꢀKꢀandꢀrequiresꢀaꢀmountingꢀholeꢀwithꢀaꢀ
diameterꢀofꢀ1.875ꢀin.ꢀ(47.6ꢀmm).ꢀ
Atꢀleastꢀ1.70-inchꢀ(43.2ꢀmm)ꢀofꢀclearanceꢀisꢀ
requiredꢀbehindꢀtheꢀmountingꢀsurfaceꢀofꢀtheꢀtweeterꢀ
forꢀtheꢀspringꢀclipsꢀandꢀ1-inchꢀmachineꢀscrewsꢀ
usedꢀinꢀmountingꢀtheꢀfixture.ꢀInꢀlimitedꢀdepthꢀ
applications,ꢀitꢀmayꢀbeꢀnecessaryꢀtoꢀcutꢀdownꢀtheꢀ
lengthꢀofꢀtheꢀmachineꢀscrew,ꢀorꢀtoꢀuseꢀaꢀshorterꢀscrewꢀ
(notꢀsupplied).ꢀHand-tightenꢀtheꢀmachineꢀscrewꢀuntilꢀ
theꢀfixtureꢀisꢀsecureꢀ(SeeꢀDiagramꢀK).
12 | JL Audio - C3-525 Owner’s Manual
DIaGram K: Flush-mount Tweeter Installation
DIaGram l: surface-mount Tweeter Installation
13
noTes
14 | JL Audio - C3-525 Owner’s Manual
noTes
15
lImITeD warranTY - auTomoTIVe sPeaKer sYsTems (usa)
JLꢀAUDIOꢀwarrantsꢀtheseꢀspeakersꢀ(andꢀcrossoverꢀnetworks,ꢀwhereꢀapplicable)ꢀtoꢀbeꢀfreeꢀofꢀdefectsꢀinꢀ
materialsꢀandꢀworkmanshipꢀforꢀaꢀperiodꢀofꢀone (1) year.
Thisꢀwarrantyꢀisꢀnotꢀtransferableꢀandꢀappliesꢀonlyꢀtoꢀtheꢀoriginalꢀpurchaserꢀfromꢀanꢀauthorizedꢀꢀ
JLꢀAUDIOꢀdealer.ꢀꢀShouldꢀserviceꢀbeꢀnecessaryꢀunderꢀthisꢀwarrantyꢀforꢀanyꢀreasonꢀdueꢀtoꢀmanufacturingꢀ
defectꢀorꢀmalfunction,ꢀJLꢀAUDIOꢀwillꢀ(atꢀitsꢀdiscretion),ꢀrepairꢀorꢀreplaceꢀtheꢀdefectiveꢀproductꢀwithꢀnewꢀorꢀ
remanufacturedꢀproductꢀatꢀnoꢀcharge.ꢀDamageꢀcausedꢀbyꢀtheꢀfollowingꢀisꢀnotꢀcoveredꢀunderꢀwarranty:ꢀaccident,ꢀ
misuse,ꢀabuse,ꢀproductꢀmodificationꢀorꢀneglect,ꢀfailureꢀtoꢀfollowꢀinstallationꢀinstructions,ꢀunauthorizedꢀrepairꢀ
attempts,ꢀmisrepresentationsꢀbyꢀtheꢀseller.ꢀꢀThisꢀwarrantyꢀdoesꢀnotꢀcoverꢀincidentalꢀorꢀconsequentialꢀdamagesꢀ
andꢀdoesꢀnotꢀcoverꢀtheꢀcostꢀofꢀremovingꢀorꢀreinstallingꢀtheꢀunit(s).ꢀꢀCosmeticꢀdamageꢀdueꢀtoꢀaccidentꢀorꢀnormalꢀ
wearꢀandꢀtearꢀisꢀnotꢀcoveredꢀunderꢀwarranty.
Anyꢀapplicableꢀimpliedꢀwarrantiesꢀareꢀlimitedꢀinꢀdurationꢀtoꢀtheꢀperiodꢀofꢀtheꢀexpressꢀwarrantyꢀasꢀprovidedꢀ
hereinꢀbeginningꢀwithꢀtheꢀdateꢀofꢀtheꢀoriginalꢀpurchaseꢀatꢀretail,ꢀandꢀnoꢀwarranties,ꢀwhetherꢀexpressꢀorꢀimplied,ꢀ
shallꢀapplyꢀtoꢀthisꢀproductꢀthereafter.ꢀꢀSomeꢀstatesꢀdoꢀnotꢀallowꢀlimitationsꢀonꢀimpliedꢀwarranties,ꢀthereforeꢀ
theseꢀexclusionsꢀmayꢀnotꢀapplyꢀtoꢀyou.ꢀꢀThisꢀwarrantyꢀgivesꢀyouꢀspecificꢀlegalꢀrights,ꢀandꢀyouꢀmayꢀalsoꢀhaveꢀotherꢀ
rightsꢀwhichꢀvaryꢀfromꢀstateꢀtoꢀstate.
ꢀ
If you need service on your Jl auDIo product:
AllꢀwarrantyꢀreturnsꢀshouldꢀbeꢀsentꢀtoꢀJLꢀAUDIOꢀfreightꢀprepaidꢀthroughꢀanꢀauthorizedꢀJLꢀAUDIOꢀ
dealerꢀandꢀmustꢀbeꢀaccompaniedꢀbyꢀproofꢀofꢀpurchaseꢀ(aꢀcopyꢀofꢀtheꢀoriginalꢀsalesꢀreceipt.)ꢀꢀDirectꢀ
returnsꢀfromꢀconsumersꢀorꢀnon-authorizedꢀdealersꢀwillꢀbeꢀrefusedꢀunlessꢀspecificallyꢀauthorizedꢀbyꢀ
JLꢀAUDIOꢀwithꢀaꢀvalidꢀreturnꢀauthorizationꢀnumber.ꢀꢀWarrantyꢀexpirationꢀonꢀproductsꢀreturnedꢀ
withoutꢀproofꢀofꢀpurchaseꢀwillꢀbeꢀdeterminedꢀfromꢀtheꢀmanufacturingꢀdateꢀcode.ꢀCoverageꢀmayꢀbeꢀ
invalidatedꢀasꢀthisꢀdateꢀisꢀpreviousꢀtoꢀpurchaseꢀdate.ꢀꢀReturnꢀonlyꢀdefectiveꢀcomponents.ꢀꢀIfꢀoneꢀspeakerꢀ
failsꢀinꢀaꢀsystem,ꢀreturnꢀonlyꢀthatꢀspeakerꢀcomponent,ꢀnotꢀtheꢀentireꢀsystem.ꢀNon-defectiveꢀitemsꢀ
receivedꢀwillꢀbeꢀreturnedꢀfreight-collect.ꢀꢀCustomerꢀisꢀresponsibleꢀforꢀshippingꢀchargesꢀandꢀinsuranceꢀ
inꢀsendingꢀtheꢀproductꢀtoꢀJLꢀAUDIO.ꢀꢀFreightꢀdamageꢀonꢀreturnsꢀisꢀnotꢀcoveredꢀunderꢀwarranty.ꢀ
For service Information in the u.s.a. please call
Jl audio Customer service: (954) 443-1100
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Eastern Time Zone)
Jl audio, Inc
10369 North Commerce Pkwy.
Miramar, FL 33025
(do not send product for repair to this address)
International warranties:
Products purchased outside the United States of America are covered only
by that country’s distributor and not by JL Audio, Inc.
Printed in China
C3-525-020810
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