®
JBL ES SERIES
ES150P, ES250P (120V)
OWNER’S GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
JBL® ES150P/ES250P Powered Subwoofers
For more than 60 years, JBL has been providing audio equipment to concert
halls, recording studios and movie theaters around the world, and has become
the hands-down choice of leading recording artists and sound engineers.
With the JBL ES Series, innovative technologies such as titanium-laminate-
dome tweeters, Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal (EOS) waveguides and PolyPlas
™
™
transducer reinforcement are available to you. Enjoy!
Unpacking the Subwoofer
If you suspect damage from transit, report it immediately to your dealer.
Keep the shipping carton and packing materials for future use.
PLACEMENT
Since the installation of a subwoofer can be somewhat more complicated
than installation of full-range speakers, it is essential that you read this section
very carefully prior to connecting the subwoofer to your system. Should you
have questions relating to your installation, it is advisable to call your dealer or
distributor for advice.
The performance of the subwoofer is directly related to its placement in the
listening room and how you align the subwoofer with its satellite speakers.
Setting the volume of the subwoofer in relationship to the left and right speakers
is also of critical importance because it is essential that the subwoofer integrate
smoothly with the entire system. Setting the subwoofer’s volume level too high
will result in overpowering, boomy bass. Setting the volume level too low will
negate the benefits of the subwoofer.
Figure 1. This example shows the subwoofer positioned behind
the right-channel satellite speaker to re-create the actual location
of bass instruments in an orchestra and/or add impact to movie
soundtracks.
Here are several additional facts on installation that may prove useful.
It is generally believed by most audio authorities that low frequencies (below
125Hz) are nondirectional and, therefore, placement of a subwoofer within
any listening room is not critical. While in theory it is true that the larger wave-
lengths of extremely low frequencies are basically nondirectional, the fact
is that, when installing a subwoofer within the limited confines of a room,
reflections, standing waves and absorptions generated within the room will
strongly influence the performance of any subwoofer system. As a result,
specific location of the subwoofer becomes important, and we strongly recom-
mend that you experiment with placement before choosing a final location.
Placement will depend upon your room and the amount and quality of bass
required (for example, whether or not your room permits placement of the
subwoofer near either satellite).
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CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
Rear Panel
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∞
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Phase Switch
LFE/Normal Selector
Subwoofer-Level Control
Crossover Adjustment
Line-Level/LFE Input
Power Switch
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¢
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AC 120V~60Hz
2A
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SYSTEM CONNECTIONS
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If you have a Dolby Digital or DTS receiver/processor
with a low-frequency-effects (LFE) or subwoofer output:
Set LFE/Normal switch to “LFE.”
If your receiver/processor does not contain a Dolby Digital
or DTS processor, but has subwoofer outputs:
Set line-level/LFE switch to
“Normal.”
NOTE: If your receiver/processor
has only one sub out, you may
use either the L or R input.
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OPERATION
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
Power On
The enclosure may be cleaned using a soft cloth to remove fingerprints or to
wipe off dust.
Plug your subwoofer’s AC cord into a wall outlet. Do not use the outlets on the
back of the receiver.
Initially set the Subwoofer-Level Control £ to the “min” position.
The grille may be gently vacuumed. Stains may be removed with an aerosol
cleaner, following its instructions. Do not use any solvents on the grille.
§
Turn on your sub by pressing the Power Switch
on the rear panel.
All wiring connections should be inspected and cleaned or remade periodically.
The frequency of maintenance depends on the metals involved in the connections,
atmospheric conditions and other factors, but once per year is the minimum.
Turn on your entire audio system and start a CD or movie soundtrack at
a moderate level.
If a problem occurs, make sure that all connections are properly made and
clean. If a problem exists in one loudspeaker, reverse the connection wires to
the left and right system. If the problem remains in the same speaker, then the
fault is with the loudspeaker. If the problem appears in the opposite speaker,
the cause is in another component or cable. In the event that your subwoofer
a service center near you.
Auto On/Standby
§
With the Power Switch
in the ON position, the Status LED on the
top will remain lit in red or green to indicate the On/Standby mode
of the subwoofer.
RED = STANDBY (No signal detected, Amp Off)
GREEN = ON (Signal detected, Amp On)
The subwoofer will automatically enter the Standby mode after approximately
10 minutes when no signal is detected from your system. The subwoofer will
then power ON instantly when a signal is detected. During periods of normal
§
use, the Power Switch
can be left on. You may turn off the Power Switch
§
for extended periods of nonoperation, e.g., when you are away on vacation.
Adjust Gain
Turn your Subwoofer-Level Control £ up to the halfway position. If no sound
emanates from the subwoofer, check the AC-line cord and input cables. Are the
connectors on the cables making proper contact? Is the AC plug connected to
§
a “live” receptacle? Has the Power Switch
been pressed to the “On” position?
Once you have confirmed that the subwoofer is active, proceed by playing a
CD, record or cassette. Use a selection that has ample bass information.
Set the overall volume control of the preamplifier or stereo to a comfortable
level. Adjust the Subwoofer-Level Control £ until you obtain a pleasing blend
of bass. Bass response should not overpower the room but rather be adjusted
so there is a harmonious blend across the entire musical range. Many users
have a tendency to set the subwoofer volume too loud, adhering to the belief
that a subwoofer is there to produce lots of bass. This is not entirely true.
A subwoofer is there to enhance bass, extending the response of the entire
system so the bass can be felt as well as heard. However, overall balance
must be maintained or the music will not sound natural. An experienced
listener will set the volume of the subwoofer so its impact on bass response
is always there but never obtrusive.
Phase Control
The Phase Switch ¡ determines whether the subwoofer speaker’s pistonlike
action moves in and out with the main speakers, 0˚, or opposite the main
speakers, 180˚. Proper phase adjustment depends on several variables such
as room size, subwoofer placement and listener position. Adjust the phase
switch to maximize bass output at the listening position.
Crossover Adjustment
The Crossover Adjustment Control ¢ determines the highest frequency at
which the subwoofer reproduces sounds. If your main speakers can comfortably
reproduce some low-frequency sounds, set this control to a lower frequency
setting, between 50Hz and 100Hz. This will concentrate the subwoofer’s
efforts on the ultradeep bass sounds required by today’s films and music.
If you are using smaller bookshelf speakers that do not extend to the lower
bass frequencies, set the Crossover Adjustment control to a higher setting,
between 120Hz and 150Hz.
NOTE:This control will have no effect if the LFE/Normal Selector ™ is set
to LFE. If you have a Dolby Digital or DTS processor/receiver, the Low-Pass
Frequency is set by the processor/receiver. Consult your owner’s manual
to learn how to view or change this setting.
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SPECIFICATIONS
ES150P
ES250P
Frequency Response
27Hz – 150Hz
25Hz – 150Hz
Amplifier RMS Power
300 Watts
500 Watts
400 Watts
700 Watts
†
Amplifier Peak Dynamic Power
Crossover Frequency
Driver
50Hz – 150Hz;
24dB/octave, continuously variable
50Hz – 150Hz;
24dB/octave, continuously variable
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10" (250mm) PolyPlas
12" (300mm) PolyPlas
Dimensions (H x W x D)
(with grille)
18" x 13-1/4" x 15-1/4"
(457mm x 337mm x 387mm)
19-3/4" x 15-3/4" x 16-7/8"
(502mm x 400mm x 428mm)
Weight
39 lb (17.7kg)
43 lb (19.5kg)
† The Peak Dynamic Power is measured by recording the highest center-to-peak
voltage measured across the output of a resistive load equal to minimum impedance
of the transducer, using a 50Hz sine wave burst, 3 cycles on, 17 cycles off.
Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.
JBL is a trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered
in the United States and/or other countries. Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal, PolyPlas and
Pro Sound Comes Home are trademarks of Harman International Industries,
Incorporated.
Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
™
PRO SOUND COMES HOME
Harman Consumer Group, Inc., 250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797 USA
8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329 USA
© 2007 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Part No. 406-000-05611-E
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