JBL FM52 User manual

thank you for choosing JBL. For over 50 years, JBL has
been involved in every aspect of musical and film recording and
reproduction, from live performances to monitoring the recordings
you play in your home, car, or office.
We’re confident that the JBL loudspeakers you have
chosen will provide every note of enjoyment that you expected –
and that when you think about purchasing additional audio equip-
ment for your home, car, or office you will once again choose JBL.
Please take a moment to complete the enclosed profile card. It
enables us to keep you posted on our latest advancements, and
helps us to better understand our customers and build products
that meet your needs and expectations.
FM52, FM62,
FM82, FM65C
& FM8SUB
simple
set-up guide
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 1

one. Speaker Placement
FM52, FM62, FM82 as front speakers
FM52, FM62, FM82 as rear speakers
FM65C in ceiling FM8SUB subwoofer
in wall
5 – 6 ft.
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 2

two. Speaker Connections
Speakers and electronics ter-
minals have corresponding (+)
and (–) terminals. It is impor-
tant to connect both speakers
identically: (+) on the speaker
to (+) on the amplifier and (–)
on the speaker to (–) on the
amplifier. Wiring “out of phase”
results in thin sound, weak bass
and a poor stereo image.
Connection Tips
FM52, FM62, FM82, FM65C
FM8SUB
Wire Length Recommended Size
Up to 20 ft. 16 gauge
Up to 30 ft. 12 gauge
Greater than 30 ft. 10 gauge
– +– +
Front or Rear Speaker Outputs
LEFT RIGHT
LEFT RIGHT
–+–+
– +– +
Front Speaker Outputs
LEFT RIGHT
Connection (1) Connection (2)
–+–+
Right Satellite
–+
Left Satellite
–+
Subwoofer
The wires for both speakers
should be the same length. If
one speaker is placed closer to
the amplifier than the other,
hide the excess wire behind
the wall.
The FM8SUB has two speaker
connections. Connect one set of
terminals, along with your left
satellite to the left channel of
your amplifier. Connect the
other set of terminals, along
with your right satellite to the
right channel of your amplifier.
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 3

three. Installation
FM52, FM62, FM82
Phillips #2 screwdriver Measuring tape Utility knife
Pencil Carpenter’s level Awl
Installation Kit
Template Speaker frame Thread-forming screws
Retainer clips Mounting brackets
Tools Needed
The FM Series flush-mount
speakers were designed to be
easily installed. However, if you
are unsure of your ability to
properly install these loud-
speakers, please contact your
dealer or a qualified installer.
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 4

Step One:
Remove the grille from the
speaker frame.
Step Two:
Determine the correct speaker
location.
Template
Tape
Level
Step Three:
Determine the speaker-frame
location.
≥1-1/2"
≥1-1/2" ≥1-1/2"
Step Four:
Cut the dry wall.
Step Five:
Place the mounting bracket on
the speaker frame using the
mounting guides (marked 3/8",
1/2", 5/8", and 3/4") corre-
sponding to the thickness of
the dry wall.
Kerf Line
Step Six:
Place the frame assembly in
the wall.
Step Seven:
Connect the speaker wires to
the baffle assembly and install
baffle assembly in frame.
Do not overtighten the baffle
screws.
Step Eight:
Replace the metal grille.
Existing Construction
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 5

New Construction
Step One:
Remove the grille from the
speaker frame.
Step Two:
Attach the proper mounting
bracket, marked and preset at
3/8", 1/2", 5/8", and 3/4" to the
speaker frame.
Step Three:
Determine the correct speaker
location.
≥1-1/2"
≥1-1/2" ≥1-1/2"
Step Four:
Nail or screw the speaker frame
assembly to the wall studs and
route the wires through the
frame opening.
Step Five:
Cut the drywall.
Step Six:
Connect the speaker wires to
the baffle assembly and install
baffle assembly in frame. Do
not overtighten the baffle
screws.
After the Drywall is Installed
Step Seven:
Replace the metal grille.
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 6

FM8SUB
Step One:
Remove the grille from the
subwoofer frame.
Step Two:
Determine the correct
subwoofer location.
≥1-1/2"
≥1-1/2" ≥1-1/2"
Step Three
Cut the drywall.
Step Four:
Loosen the eight phillips head
screws until the locking tabs
turn inward.
Step Five
Connect the speaker wires to
the baffle assembly.
Step Six:
Place the subwoofer in the wall.
Step Seven:
Screw down each of the eight
phillips head screws. The tabs
will swivel into place and
secure the unit to the rear
surface of the drywall.
Step Eight
Replace the metal grille.
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 7

FM65CX
Step One:
Remove the grille from the
speaker frame.
Step Two:
Determine the correct speaker
location in the ceiling.
≥1-1/2"
≥1-1/2"
Step Three:
Cut the drywall.
Step Five:
Loosen the three phillips head
screws on the frame, until the
locking tabs turn inward.
Step Eight:
Connect the speaker wires to
the speaker.
Step Six:
Place the frame assembly in
the wall.
Step Seven:
Screw down each of the three
phillips head screws. The tabs
will swivel into place and
secure the unit to the rear
surface of the drywall.
Step Ten:
Replace the metal grille.
Step Four:
Remove 4 phillips head screws
that attach speaker to frame.
Step Nine:
Reinstall speaker in frame,
using 4 phillips head screws.
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 8

Painting the Speaker Frame and Grille
FM Series loudspeakers can be
painted to match any style of
decor. If you wish to change
their color, the satin finish on
the grille and frame will func-
tion as a primer coat. Before
painting install the paint guard
(in the assembly kit) securely
into the recess in the baffle.
This will protect the speaker
components and baffle from
paint residue.
Use a high-quality spray paint,
and apply a thin coat of color.
Be certain the grille perfora-
tions remain free of paint.
Filling them with paint will
diminish the sound quality.
Note: Gently remove the
acoustical blanket from the
back of the grille before paint-
ing. Reattach the acoustical
blanket after the paint has
dried.
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 9

If there is no sound from
either of the speakers, check
the following:
• Receiver/amplifier is on and a
source is playing.
• Check all wires and connec-
tions between receiver/amplifier,
in-wall room volume control and
speakers. Make sure all wires are
connected. Make sure none of
the speaker wires are frayed, cut,
or punctured.
• Review proper operation of
your receiver/amplifier.
If there is no sound coming
from one speaker, check the
following:
• Check the “Balance” control on
your receiver/amplifier.
• Check all wires and connec-
tions between receiver/amplifier,
and speakers. Make sure all wires
are connected. Make sure none
of the speaker wires are frayed,
cut, or punctured.
If there is low bass output,
check the following:
• Make sure the connections to
the left and right “Speaker
Inputs” have the correct polarity
(+ and –).
If the system plays at low vol-
umes but shuts off as volume is
increased, check the following:
• Check all wires and connec-
tions between receiver/amplifier
and speakers. Make sure all wires
are connected. Make sure none
of the speaker wires are frayed,
cut, or punctured.
• If more than one pair of main
speakers is being used, check the
minimum impedance require-
ments of your receiver/amplifier.
Troubleshooting
FM Series Owner’s Manual 7/22/98 9:27 AM Page 10