JBL Balboa SUB/230 User manual

English
BALBOA SUB/230
BALBOA SERIES
OWNER’S GUIDE
®

2
READ FIRST! Important Safety Precautions!
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near
water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation
openings. Install in accordance with
the manufacturer s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat
sources such as radiators, heat reg-
isters, stoves or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that produce
heat.
. Do not defeat the safety purpose
of the polarized or grounding-type
plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the
other. A grounding-type plug has
two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third
prong are provided for your safety. If
the provided plug does not fit into
your outlet, consult an electrician
for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from
being walked on or pinched, particu-
larly at plugs, convenience recepta-
cles and the point where they exit
from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/acces-
sories specified by the manufac-
turer.
12. Use only with the cart,
stand, tripod, bracket or
table specified by the
manufacturer or sold
with the apparatus. When a
cart is used, use caution when mov-
ing the cart/apparatus combination
to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during
lightning storms or when unused for
long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified
service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such
as power-supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does
not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
15. Do not use attachments not
recommended by the product
manufacturer, as they may cause
hazards.
16. This product should be operated
only from the type of power source
indicated on the marking label. If
you are not sure of the type of
power supply to your home, consult
your product dealer or local power
company. For products intended to
operate from battery power, or other
sources, refer to the operating
instructions.
17. If an outside antenna or cable
system is connected to the product,
be sure the antenna or cable system
is grounded so as to provide some
protection against voltage surges
and built-up static charges. Article
810 of the National Electrical Code,
ANSI/NFPA 70, provides
information with regard to proper
grounding of the mast and support-
ing structure, grounding of the lead-
in wire to an antenna discharge unit,
size of grounding conductors, loca-
tion of antenna-discharge unit, con-
nection to grounding electrodes,
and requirements for the grounding
electrode. See Figure A.
18. An outside antenna system
should not be located in the vicinity
of overhead power lines or other
electric light or power circuits, or
where it can fall into such power
lines or circuits. When installing an
outside antenna system, extreme
care should be taken to keep from
touching such power lines or circuits,
as contact with them might
be fatal.
1 . Do not overload wall outlets,
extension cords, or integral
convenience receptacles, as this
can result in a risk of fire or
electric shock.
20. Never push objects of any kind
into this product through openings,
as they may touch dangerous volt-
age points or short-out parts that
could result in a fire or electric
shock. Never spill liquid of any kind
on the product.
21. The apparatus shall not be
exposed to dripping or splashing,
and no objects filled with liquids,
such as vases, shall be placed on
the apparatus.
22. Do not attempt to service this
product yourself, as opening or
removing covers may expose you to
dangerous voltage or other hazards.
Refer all servicing to qualified ser-
vice personnel.
23. When replacement parts are
required, be sure the service tech-
nician has used replacement parts
specified by the manufacturer or
that have the same characteristics
as the original part. Unauthorized
substitutions may result in fire, elec-
tric shock or other hazards.
24. Upon completion of any service
or repairs to this product, ask the
service technician to perform safety
checks to determine that the prod-
uct is in proper operating condition.
25. The product should be mounted
to a wall or ceiling only as recom-
mended by the manufacturer.
Figure A.
Example of Antenna Grounding as
per National Electrical Code,
ANSI/NFPA 70

SPEAKER PLACEMENT
• As a general rule, bass
response increases as a sub-
woofer is placed closer to a
wall. Therefore, bass output
is maximized when the sub-
woofer is placed in a corner.
• It is also recommended that
the subwoofer be positioned
along the same wall as the
front loudspeakers.
Low-frequency sounds are
normally omnidirectional,
meaning the listener can t tell
where they are generated
from. However, frequencies
between 75Hz and 150Hz can
be localized, especially at
higher volume levels. Position-
ing your subwoofer as recom-
mended will provide the most
natural soundstage and
imaging from your loudspeaker
system.
Remember that these are just
guidelines. Since every listen-
ing room is different, JBL
strongly recommends experi-
menting with the positioning of
your subwoofer to obtain the
most pleasing results in your
room. One technique that can
help you find the ideal sub-
woofer location is to temporar-
ily place the subwoofer near
the main listening location.
Then move around the room
and determine where you hear
the most pleasing bass perfor-
mance. This would then be the
ideal location for the sub-
woofer.
SPEAKER CONNECTION
When we designed the Balboa
Sub powered subwoofer, our
goal was to offer the user the
best possible performance
combined with the most flexi-
ble and complete installation
options. Please look over the
following three examples to
determine which description
best matches your system and
follow the corresponding
hookup instructions.
To use the binding-post
speaker terminals with bare
wire, unscrew the collar until
the hole through the center
post is visible under the collar.
Insert the bare end of the wire
through the hole in the post,
then screw the collar back
down until the connection is
tight. The holes in the center of
the collars are intended for
banana-type connectors.
To comply with European CE
certification, these holes are
blocked with plastic inserts at
the point of manufacture. To
use banana-type connectors
requires the removal of the
inserts. Do not remove these
inserts if you are using the
product in an area covered by
the European CE certification.
Speakers and electronics ter-
minals have corresponding
positive (+) and negative (–)
terminals. It is important to
connect both speakers identi-
cally: positive (+) on the
speaker to positive (+) on the
amplifier and negative (–) on
the speaker to negative (–) on
the amplifier. Wiring “out of
phase” results in thin sound,
weak bass and a poor stereo
image.
With the advent of multichan-
nel surround sound systems,
connecting all of the speakers
in your system with the correct
polarity remains equally impor-
tant in order to preserve the
proper ambience and direc-
tionality of the program
material.
3
English
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING JBL
For more than 50 years, JBL
has been involved in every
aspect of music and film
recording and reproduction,
from live performances to the
recordings you play in your
home, car or office.
We re confident that the JBL
system you have chosen will
provide every note of enjoy-
ment that you expected – and
that when you think about pur-
chasing additional audio
equipment for your home, car
or office, you will once again
choose JBL.
Please take a moment to regis-
ter your product on our Web
site at www.jbl.com.
This enables us to keep you
posted on our latest advance-
ments, and helps us to better
understand our customers and
build products that meet their
needs and expectations.
JBL Consumer Products

4
DOLBY PRO LOGIC* (NON-DIGITAL) – LINE LEVEL
Use this installation method for
Dolby Pro Logic applications
(not Dolby Digital, DTS or other
digital processing), where the
receiver/processor is
equipped with a subwoofer
output, or a volumecontrolled
preamp (line-) level output:
Use RCA-type interconnects to
connect the line-level sub-
woofer outputs on your recei-
ver or amplifier to the line-level
inputs on the subwoofer.
IMPORTANT: Do not use the
LFE input on the subwoofer
with Dolby Pro Logic proces-
sors.
NOTE: If your receiver or
amplifier only has one sub-
woofer output jack, then you
will need to use a Y-connector
(not included).
Plug the male end of the Y-
connector into your receiver or
amplifier s subwoofer output
jack, and connect each of the
two female ends to separate
RCA-type interconnects.
Finally, plug the RCA-type
interconnects into the line-
level inputs on the subwoofer.
Connect each speaker to
the corresponding speaker ter-
minals on your receiver or
amplifier.
Make sure your receiver or
processor is correctly config-
ured to indicate that the sub-
woofer is “On.”
Note for advanced users: If
your receiver/processor has a
built-in low-pass crossover fil-
ter for the subwoofer output,
you may use the LFE input to
bypass the subwoofer s inter-
nal crossover.
Use this installation method for
Dolby Digital, DTS or other dig-
ital surround processors:
Use the line-level input jack
marked “LFE” for the Low-Fre-
quency Effects channel. Con-
nect this jack to the LFE output
or subwoofer output on your
receiver or amplifier. Connect
each speaker to the corre-
sponding speaker terminals on
your receiver or amplifier.
Make sure that you have con-
figured your surround sound
processor for “Sub-woofer
On.” Also configure your
receiver for 5.1-, 6.1- or 7.1-
channel operation as appropri-
ate. The front left, front right,
center and rear speakers
should all be set to “Small.” If
your receiver allows you to set
the cross-over frequency
between the subwoofer and
the main speakers, select
120Hz or the setting that is the
closest frequency below it.
IMPORTANT: Do not use the
LFE input on the subwoofer
with Dolby Pro Logic proces-
sors.
Note for advanced users: If
your receiver/processor has a
built-in low-pass crossover fil-
ter for the subwoofer output,
you may use the LFE input to
bypass the subwoofer s inter-
nal crossover.
DOLBY* DIGITAL OR DTS®
(OR OTHER DIGITAL SURROUND MODE) CONNECTION
Left Front
Left
Front
Left
Surround
Left
Surround
Right
Surround
Right
Surround
Surround Back
Right
Surround Back
Right
Surround Back
Left
Surround Back
Left
Right
Front
Right Front
Center
Subwoofer
Subwoofer
Out
Line-
Level In
L
R
R L
Receiver

5
English
DOLBY PRO LOGIC (NON-DIGITAL) – SPEAKER LEVEL
Use this installation method
for Dolby Pro Logic applica-
tions (not Dolby Digital, DTS or
other digital processing),
where the receiver/processor
does not have a subwoofer
output, or a volume-controlled
preamp (line-) level output:
Connect your receiver or
amplifier s front left and right
speaker terminals to the left
and right terminals on the
subwoofer that are marked
“Speaker Level In.” Connect
the left and right terminals
on the subwoofer that are
marked “Speaker Level Out”
to the corresponding terminals
on the back of your front left
and right speakers.
Connect your receiver or
amplifier s center, surround
and surround back speaker
terminals to the corresponding
terminals on the back of
your center and surround
speakers.

OPERATION
Move the Master Power
switch (marked “Power” å) to
the “1” (On) position to use the
Balboa Subwoofer.
If you will be away from home
for an extended period of time,
or if the subwoofer will not be
used, switch the Master Power
switch åto the Off position.
The subwoofer Level Control
∂adjusts the volume of the
subwoofer relative to the rest
of the system. Proper level
adjustment depends on several
variables such as room size,
subwoofer placement, type of
main speakers and position.
Adjust the subwoofer level so
that the volume of the bass
information is pleasing to you.
CROSSOVER
ADJUSTMENTS
The Crossover Frequency
Control çdetermines 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 fre-
quency setting, between 50Hz
and 100Hz. This will concen-
trate 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 low-pass
crossover control to a higher
setting, between 120Hz and
150Hz. This control is not used
when the LFE switch is in the
“LFE” position.
LEVEL CONTROL
POWER
6

English
TROUBLESHOOTING
If you used the high-level
(speaker) inputs and there
is no sound from any of the
speakers:
• Check that the receiver/
amplifier is on and a source
is playing.
• Check that the powered
subwoofer is plugged into
an active electrical outlet
and is switched on.
• Check all wires and connec-
tions between the receiver/
amplifier and the speakers.
Make sure all wires are con-
nected. Make sure none of the
speaker wires are frayed, cut
or punctured, or touching
each other.
• Review proper operation
of your receiver/amplifier.
If there is low (or no) bass
output:
• Make sure the connections
to the left and right “Speaker
Inputs” have the correct
polarity (+ and –).
• Make sure that the sub-
woofer is plugged into an
active electrical outlet and
switched on.
• Adjust the crossover point.
• Flip the Phase Control switch
to the opposite position.
• If you are using a Dolby
Digital/DTS receiver or
processor, make sure that the
subwoofer adjustments on
the receiver/processor are
set up correctly.
• Slowly turn the Level Control
clockwise until you begin to
hear the desired amount of
bass.
If you used the line-level
inputs and there is no sound
from the subwoofer:
• Check that the receiver/
amplifier is on and a source is
playing.
• Check that the powered
subwoofer is plugged into an
active electrical outlet and is
switched on.
• Check all wires and
connections between the
receiver/amplifier and the
subwoofer. Make sure all
wires are connected. Make
sure none of the wires are
frayed, cut or punctured, or
touching each other.
• Review proper operation of
your receiver/amplifier.
• Slowly turn the Level
Control clockwise until you
begin to hear the desired
amount of bass.
• Make sure that you have
configured your receiver/
processor so that the sub-
woofer/LFE output is on.
PHASE CONTROL
The Phase Control ∫deter-
mines whether the sub-
woofer s piston-like action
moves in and out in phase
with the main speakers or
opposite the main speakers.
There is no correct or incor-
rect setting. Proper phase
adjustment depends on sev-
eral variables such as sub-
woofer placement and lis-
tener position. Adjust the
phase switch to maximize
bass output at the listening
position.
Remember, every system,
room and listener is different.
There are no right or wrong
settings; this switch offers the
added flexibility to adjust your
subwoofer for optimum per-
formance for your specific
listening conditions without
having to move your speak-
ers. If at some time in the
future you happen to
rearrange your listening room
and move your speakers, you
should experiment with the
phase switch in both posi-
tions, and leave it in the
position that maximizes bass
performance.
7

SPECIFICATIONS
© 2005 Harman International Industries, Incorporated
JBL is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
Part No.
406-000-05178
PRO SOUND COMES HOME™
JBL Consumer Products, 250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797
8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329
www.jbl.com
*Trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
BALBOA SUB
Amplifier Power (RMS): 100 Watts
Peak Dynamic Power †:225 Watts
Driver: 200mm (8") Pure-cellulose-fiber cone
Inputs: Line-level, LFE and
speaker-level with
5-way binding posts
Low-Pass Frequency: Variable from 50Hz to 150Hz
Frequency Response: 35Hz – Low-pass
crossover setting (–6dB)
Dimensions (including feet)
(H x W x D): 413mm x 279mm x 349mm
Weight: 13.6kg
†The Peak Dynamic Power is measured by record-
ing the highest center-to-peak voltage measured
across the output of a resistive load equal to mini-
mum impedance of the transducer, using a 50Hz
sine wave burst, 3 cycles on, 17 cycles off.
Declaration of Conformity
We, Harman Consumer Group International
2, route de Tours
72500 Chateau-du-Loir
France
declare in own responsibility that the product described
in this owner’s manual is in compliance with technical
standards:
EN 55013:2001+A1:2003
EN 55020:2002+A1:2003
EN 61000-3-2:2000
EN 61000-3-3:1995+A1:2001
EN 60065:2002
Gary Mardell
Harman Consumer Group International
Chateau-du-Loir, France 1/05