JBL ProPerformers Plus User manual

ProPertormers PIus
JBL in the USA, 240 Crossways park West, Woodburv
NY 11797
JBL International, 8500 Balboa Blvd., Northridge,
California 91329
H A Hu.-an International Company
0wner's Manual

PNOPENFOBMEBS
PLUS
FIRST, THE
PAPERWORK
PBOPEB
PUCEMENT
LOCATIONS
Before proceeding, be sure to putyour sales receipt
in a safe place. It is necessary for proof of purchase,
warranty repairs and insurance purposes. Also fill
out the enclosed warranty card and mail it.
How you set up your ProPerformer Plus System will
have a great effect on how it sounds. Speakers work
with, or dreJrindered by, the acoustics of a room.
Their proximity to walls and corners and even how
high or low they are placed on bookshelves all have
marked effects on performance. One of the major
advantages of using a subwoofer with a speaker
system is that it allows optimum placement of the
left and right speakers for proper stereo imaging.
By using a properþ placed subwoofer to reproduce
deep bass, you have more flexibility in where you
place the main speakers.
PLACEMENT FOR
BEST STEBEO
IMAÊING
In setting up your
ProPerformer Plus
System, you should
first determine the
best position for the
JBLProPerformer
speakers. Try to
place your
FroPerformers at a
4G60 degree angle
from your listening
position (see Figure
1). The speakers and
your listening position should roughly form an
equilateral triangle, with the speakers placed the same
distance from each other as from your listening
position. This means that if the speakers are close
together your optimum listening point is relatively
close, too. Conversely, if the speakers are farther away
from you, they should also be farther apart from one
another.
Finally, adjust the way the speakers face by aiming
them toward an imaginary point slightly in front of
your listening position (see Figure 2).
(
Figure 1.
Position.
I
PLACEMENf
FOB BEET
TREBLE
I'ISPERSION
Figure 2. Possible Locations for your propertormer plus Svstem
Components.
Placing your JBL ProPerformers close to ear level will
enhance treble performance. Mounting brackets are
included so that you can attach the properformers to a
wall or vertical surface. See the paragraphs on
Mounting Bracket Instaliation for instructions on
proper wall mounting.

The subwoofer's ported, dual-chamber design
allows you to vary the bass response, depending on
where you place the subwoofer in a room. With
the ports facing the middle of the room, you'll get a
natural, open flat bass response at 88 dB. With the
subwoofer approximately one foot away from the
wall and the ports facing the wall, you'll get a
stronger bass response (up approximately 3 dB at
50 to 200 Hz). And if the subwoofer is placed in a
corner so that the pofts are one foot away from the
wall on each side, you'll get the strongest bass
response (up approximately 6 dB at 50 to200Hz).
The key to getting the sound that you like is
experimentation. The subwoofer's main advantage
is its flexibility and versatility. You can "fine-tune"
the system's sound by sliding the subwoofer
toward of away from the wall and placing the ports
either facing into the room or toward a wall. Take
advantage of this to compensate for individual
room acoustics.
Keep in mind that you'll always get a stronger bass
response from any speaker or subwoofer placed
close to a surface in the room such as a floor.
ceiling or wall.
IMPOKIAN'T: Do notplace the subwoofer near or
above any heat-producing source. Also do not set
up the subwoofer in such a way that the ports are
obstructed. Iæave at least 3 inches of 'breathing
room" for the ports.
The JBL ProPedormer Plus System makes an
excellentvideo extension or surround sound
system. In particular, your JBL subwoofer can
dramatically enhance video soundtracks. The
ProPerformer speakers may also be wall-mounted
at the rear of a room for use as rear channel
surround sound sources. The speakers' internal
SPECIALIZED
PLACEMENTS
CONNECTIONS
shielding means you can place them near a video
monitor or VCR without causing picture distortion or
accidental tape erasure. However, do not place a TV,
video monitor, video tapes or VCR on the subwoofer
enclosure.
CAUTION : Before attempting any speaker/amplifier
connections, make sure that your receiver/amplifier is
switched "off."
AIso make certain that the total system's nominal
impedance is no lower than that recommended bv the
manufacturer of your amplifier/receiver.
To connect your ProPerformer system to your
amplifier or receiver, you'll need four sections of
two-conductor insulated wire. YourJBL dealer can
recommend suitable cable. We recommend #16AWG
(16 gauge) wire as a minimum size. If your speakers
are more than 30 feet from your receiver or amplifier,
use larger diameter wire, #14 AWG or #12 AWG (the
larger the wire diameter, the lower the gauge number).
Separate the two conductors at each end of each piece
of wire, peeling them back about one inch. Strip off
aboutl/2 inch of insulation from each conductor.
Gently twist the wire strands to assure a tight bundle in
each conductor wire and make sure there are no loose
strands.
Your amp or receiver has a + (red) and a - (black)
speaker output terminal. The ProPerformer speakers
and subwoofer each have corresponding + and -
terminals on their back sides. It is important to hook
both speakers and the subwoofer up in an identical
manner, red-to-red and black-to-black, so that they are
"in phase." (Hooking them up "out of phase" results in
a thin sound.) Almost all double-stranded wire has a
means of differentiating one strand from the other.
This could be a different color conductor, a strand of
yarn in one conductor, or ribs on one part of the "
insulation.

IT DOES NOT MAKE A}[Y DIFFERENCE WHICH
OF THE TwO STRANDS OF WIRE GO TO (+) AND
(-) ON THE SPEAKERS/SUBWOOFER A}TD
AMPLIFIER AS LONG AS THEY ARE ALL DONE
IDENTICALLY.
IMPORIANT: Make sure that the wire conductors
do not touch or short out. It only takes one little fine
piece of wire out of place to cause a short.
To connect the subwoofer to the speakers, you must
mn one wire from each of the subwoofer's OLIPUT
terminals to the INPUTterminals on each of the two
speakers. Start with the LEFT OUTPUT terminals
which are located on the right side of the subwoofer
when viewed from the rear (see Figure 3). Press
down on the red spring-loaded tab on the POSITME
left tenirina[ (+), and insert the positive (+) side of
CONNECT THE
SUBWOOFEB TO
THE TPEAKENS
the wire into the
hole. Release the
tab and tug gently
to ensure contact.
Make sure that
only bare, stripped
wire is in the hole,
that all wire
strands are
contained within
the terminal hole,
and that the wire
is inserted up to
the insulation. No
loose strands of
wire should
l
CONNECT THE
SUBWOOFER TO
THE NECEIVER/
AMPLIFIEB
Attach the other ends of the wires from the
subwoofer's OUTPUT terminals to tlie input of each
ProPerformer speaker. Make sure that you att¿ch the
wire from the left ouþut to the left speaker and the
right ouþut to the right speaker.
MAKE SURE TFIAT THE RECETVER/AMPLIFIER IS
SWTTCHED OFF BEFORE CONNECTING THE
SUBWOOFER AND SPEAKERS. Connect the two
wires to the subwoofer's LEFT and RIGHT INPUT
terminals by repeating the OUTPUTconnection
procedure just described. The INPUT terminals are
located on the left side of the subwoofer when viewed
from the rear (see Figure 3). Check for tight
connections.
Connect the other end of the two INPUT wires to the
receiver/amplifier. Connect the LEFT wire's
POSITIVE and NEGATIVE sides to the corresponding
terminals on the receiver/amplifi ef s LEFT SPEAKER
OUTPUT terminals. Repeat the step at the
receiver/amplifier's RIGHT SPEAKER OUTPUT
terminals. Check all connections thoroughly for loose
wire strands and shorts. The system is now ready for
operation.
To make sure the system is connected properþ, test
for both speaker balance and phasing as follows:
A. Speaker Balance: Turn your receiver/amplifier's
balance control to the extreme LEFT position. You
should hear sound from the left speaker only. Next,
turn the balance control to the extreme RIGHT
position, and listen for sound from the right speaker
only. If you hear the opposite effect during this test,
the speakers may not be properþ connected to the
subwoofer or the subwoofer may not be properþ
connected to the receiver/amplifier. Inspect the
subwoofer's OUTPUT connections and the wiring to
the speakers, and make any necessary changes.
protrude which could potentially cause a short
circuit. Repeat the step for the black NEGATIVE (-)
left terminal, using the negative (-) side of the wire.
Repeat the process at the subwoofer's RIGHT
OUTPUTterminals.
Figure 3. Subwoofer lnpuU0utput
Terminals.
TEST THE
SYSTEM

B. Phasing: With the balance control in the
CENTER position, play a musical passage with deep,
rich bass and switch the balance control to the LEFT
and then RIGHT position. If the system produces
less bass with the balance control in the CENTER
position than it does with the balance in the extreme
LEFT or RIGHT position, the system is out of phase.
This means that somewhere in the subwoofer's
connections, a positive (+) wire or terminal has been
incorrectly connected to a negative (-) wire or
terminal. Inspect the subwoofer's INpUT
connections and the wiring to the receiver/amplifier,
and make any necessary changes.
Locate the wall stud beneath the wall. Use the
mounting bracket as a template to mark the holes with
a pencil. Be sure the bracket is level. Secure using
four # 8.x.I Il4 panhead wood screws. Mäke sure
screws are ldrrg enough to pass through wall material
and penetrate wall stud.
Att¿ch the loudspeaker to the wall bracket by sliding
the insert located on the rear of the speaker into the
wall bracket slot.
Attach speaker wire prior to installing on the wall
bracket.
The JBI ProPerformer Plus System is designed to
handle up to 100 watts per channel. Using more
power than this voids your warranty and can lead to
potential damage.
If you intend to run extension speakers from your
amplifier to another room in addition to the
ProPerformers Plus System, connect them to the
amplifier's second speaker output, not to the
subwoofer, which would result in a loss of bass from
those speakers.
To clean the speakers and subwoofer, dust with a
clean, soft cloth. Never use cleaning solvents or
MOUNTINÊ
BNACKET
INSTALLATION
PBOPEBFORMEB
USE ANI)
íIIAINTENANCE
TNOUBLE.
SHOOTINÊ
abrasives on the speakers or the subwoofer, and never
place the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner anywhere near
the subwoofer ports.
If you have a problem with your system, try the
following procedures before taking your speakers or
subwoofer in for service. Often, the problem will be in
a component other than the subwoofer or speakers.
Problem: One speaker does not play, or it sounds
distorted.
Procedure: Turn offthe receiver/amplifier, and
check all wiring. l¡ok carefuþ for loose wire strands
causing short circuits. If the wiring and connections
seem fine, reverse the subwoofer's INPUT
connections: Hook the left INPUTup to the
receiver,/amplifier's right SPEAKER OUTPUT, and the
right INPUTto the receiver/amplifier's left SPEAKER
OUTPLIT. Turn the receiver/amplifier on, and play
some music at a modest volume level. If the speaker
that was not working properþ now sounds fine, the
problem is not in the speakers or subwoofer. Check
the receiver/amplifier and source components.
Problem: Neither speaker plays, or both sound
distorted.
Procedure: Turn offthe receiver/amplifier and
disconnect the subwoofer system. This will
automatically disconnect the speakers as well. Next,
connect the subwoofer system to another
receiver/amplifier known to be operating properþ.
Play the system. If the problem fails to appear, it is the
original receiver/amplifier that is at fault.
Problem: The sound goes offand on intermittentþ.
Procedure: Check for shorts in the subwoofer and
speaker wiring that may be triggering the
receiver/ampliûer's protection circuibry. If no short is
found, follow the procedure for the preceding problem.

Problem: A "howling" sound comes out of the
speakers while you are playing records.
Procedure: Increase the distance between the
subwoofer and turntable. In all likelihood, the
problem is acoustic feedback.
Should any unit of yourJBL ProPerformer plus
System need service, please return it to the dealer
from whom it was purchased. Bring the sales receipt
or invoice with you.
You can obtain warranty service from any of the
authorized stations listed on the enclosed brochure.
Call the authorized service center nearest you to
notiû them of your warranty sewice request and
then take or ship your speakers or subwoofer
postage.prepaid to them. For your own protection,
we suggest you insure your shipment as damages
may occur and are not covered by this warranty.
TO OBTÅIN
WANNANfl
SEBVICE
l::i
¡i.
SPECIFICATIONS o Frequency Response: 40 Hz - 18 kHz
. Recommended Amplifier Power: 10 to 100 watts
. Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
. Sensitivity: 88 dB
. IæftlRight Transducers: 4 1/2" fiber cone
o Transducer Dimensions (H x W x D):
6t/4" x6" x 5I/2"
¡ SubwooferTransducer: 8" dual voice-coil, polymer
laminated cone
o Subwoofer Enclosure Type: Ported, dual-chamber
o Subwoofer Dimensions (H x W x D):
7 1/2" x 20" x 71 1/2"
o Crossover Frequency: 200 Hz
JBL continually engages in research related to product
improvement. New materials, production methods and
design refinements are introduced into existing
products without notice as a routine expression of this
philosophy. For this reason, any currentJBlproduct
may differ in some respect from its published
description but will always equal or exceed the original
design speciûcations unless otherwise stated.
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