JBL G SUB 10 User manual

JBL Consumer Products, Inc.
80 Crossways Park West
Woodbury, NY 11797
8500 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91329
800 336 4JBL (4525)
A Harman International Company
Part No. JGS10OWN
G SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS
Specifications G SUB10
Amplifier Power (RMS)* 80 Watts
Low Frequency Woofer 10"
Voice Coil Diameter 2"
Cone Material Poly-fiber Laminate
Inputs Line Level & Speaker Level
Outputs Full-Range Speaker
Crossover Frequency 50–200 Hz (Continuously Variable)
Frequency Response (–6dB) 30 Hz to (62–250 Hz)**
External Dimensions (HxWxD) 17-1/4" x 13-1/4" x 14-1/4"
External Dimensions (mm) 438 x 337 x 362mm
Weight (each) 35 lbs (15.9kg)
Shipping Weight 40 lbs (18.1kg)
*ALC circuit defeated.
**Determined by crossover setting.
JBL continually strives to improve its products. New materials, production methods and design
refinements are introduced into existing models without notice as a routine expression of our design
philosophy. For this reason, JBL loudspeakers may differ in some respect from their published
specifications and descriptions, but will always equal or exceed the original specifications unless
otherwise stated.
SERVICE
Should your subwoofer ever need
service, return it to the JBL dealer
from whom it was purchased. If for
some reason this is impractical, in the
USA, call 800-336-4JBL for the
nearest warranty station. Do not
return products to the JBL factory
without prior authorization.

G SERIES
LOUDSPEAKERS
OWNER’S
MANUAL
G
SUB10
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on choosing JBL
loudspeakers. Their highly accurate,
uncolored and balanced sound
character will greatly increase your
enjoyment of recorded music. We
build JBL speakers with careful
attention to detail, using only the
highest quality materials. They will
provide many years of excellent
performance.
Your G Sub10 is easy to set up. We
recommend that you take a few
minutes to read this owner's manual
before you begin, and that you follow
instructions carefully.
Amplified Subwoofer
Your G Sub10 subwoofer has both
line-level and speaker-level stereo
inputs for versatility and ease of use.
We've also provided speaker outputs
to let you hook up satellite speakers.
Adjustable level and crossover
controls let you balance the
subwoofer with your main speakers.
Poly-fiber Laminate Woofer
Provides tight bass and well-defined
sound reproduction without
harshness, stridency, or listener
fatigue.
Acoustically Optimized Cabinet
Optimized to produce an extended
and level bass response in
conjunction with the internal amplifier.
The cabinet may be placed either
vertically or horizontally. The grille
logo may be turned to match either
orientation of the subwoofer.

2
CONNECTIONS
CAUTION: Before making any
connections to your subwoofer,
make sure the power to your
entire system is OFF.
POWER
Plug the power cord into a grounded
wall outlet or the accessory outlet on
the back of your amplifier/receiver.
INPUTS
Your G Sub10 subwoofer has
both line-level and speaker-level
input connections. Review your
receiver/TV/source amplifier
instruction manual to see which
outputs your equipment provides,
then follow the appropriate
instructions below.
Line Input –Use the RCA (phono)
input jacks labeled "Line Input" when
connecting from a line-level device,
such as a pre-amp, crossover, signal
processor, or when using any of the
line-level outputs on the rear of your
receiver/TV/source amplifier. If your
receiver has a single RCA output for
sending the signal to the subwoofer,
you may connect it to both Right &
Left input jacks by using a "Y" adapter
(not included). Many stereo/ large
screen TVs have stereo (Right & Left)
RCA jacks for sending the signal to
external audio equipment. Your
subwoofer connects to these using
both the Right & Left input jacks
(see Figure 1).
Speaker Level Input (from
amplifier) –Use these inputs when
connecting to the “Speaker Out”
(speaker mains) of the receiver/
TV/source amplifier. Run speaker
wires from the speaker output
terminals (usually coded red and
black) on the rear of the
receiver/TV/source amplifier to the
red and black input terminals labeled
"Speaker Level Input (from amplifier)"
on the subwoofer (see Figure 2).
Preparing the Hookup Wire
Your JBL dealer can recommend
suitable cables, or you can buy wire at
most hardware or electronic stores.
High-quality connectors and cable
offer consistent performance that does
not deteriorate over time. We
recommend #16 AWG two-conductor
insulated wire as a minimum size. If
your subwoofer is more than 30 feet
(10m) from your receiver/TV/source
amplifier, use larger diameter, lower
gauge wire.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove amplifier back.
No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
Warning –To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
Caution: To prevent electric shock do not use this (polarized) plug with an extension cord, receptacle
or other outlet unless the blade can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol,
within equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user to the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage”within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.

3
G SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS
1. First determine the distance
between the receiver/TV/source
amplifier and your subwoofer.
2. Now make two hookup wires this
length.
3. Strip off 3/8" of insulation from both
ends of each conductor wire.
4. Twist each set of thin wires into a
tightly-bunched spiral.
5. Now find a visual difference
between the two conductors of each
molded pair of speaker wire.
These differences can be a different
color wire (copper or "silver"); a strand
of yarn in one conductor; thin, raised
ribs on one part of the outer
insulation; or a printed "+" marking on
one of the insulators. It doesn't matter
which of the two strands of wire go to
(+) and (–) on the receiver/TV/source
Receiver or Amplifier
Subwoofer or Line Output
Level Phase Crossover Freq
+ R ––L +
+ R ––L +
+ R ––L +
Speaker Level Input
(from amplifier)
Speaker Level Output
(to external speakers)
RCA Phono
Cables
R L
L
R
Min Max 50 (Hz) 200
Line
Input
G Sub10 Subwoofer
Reverse Normal
Figure 1: Line-Level Input Connection

4
amplifier and G Sub10 subwoofer, just
be sure to connect both left and right
hookup wires identically. Push down
on the button next to the terminal hole
and insert the wire through the hole.
For each channel, connect the red
terminal on the receiver/TV/source
amplifier to the red or (+) "Speaker
Level Input" connection terminal on
the G Sub10 subwoofer, and the
black to the black or (–). Connecting
the subwoofer in this manner ensures
that both channels will be in phase;
that is, working together, not in
opposition.
CAUTION: Never attach inputs to
both line-level and speaker-level
inputs of the same channel at the
same time.
OUTPUTS
Your subwoofer has a speaker output
terminal block to enable the signal to
Receiver or Amplifier
Subwoofer or Line Output
Level Phase Crossover Freq
+ R ––L +
+ R ––L +
+ R ––L +
Speaker Level Input
(from amplifier)
Speaker Level Output
(to external speakers)
R L
L
R
Min Max 50 (Hz) 200
Line
Input
G Sub10 Subwoofer
Reverse Normal
Speaker
Wire
Figure 2: Speaker- Level Input Connection

5
G SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS
be sent to your main speakers or
satellites. Your G Sub10 subwoofer
can use the signal from your
receiver/TV/source amplifier to
produce the low bass while passing
the unaltered signal source to the
external speakers.
Speaker Level Output (to external
speakers) –Hook up the external
speakers using two-conductor
insulated wire using the same
procedure as described in “Speaker
Level Input”section. The red (+)
terminal of the subwoofer should be
connected to the red (+) terminal of
the external speaker, and the black
(–) to black. Connecting the external
speakers in this manner ensures that
they will be in phase; that is, work
together rather than in opposition.
Connecting the speakers out of phase
will not damage them, but will result
in less bass and poor imaging
(see Figure. 3).
NOTE: There is no significant change
in impedance loading to your
receiver/TV/source amplifier
when hooking up through the
G Sub10 subwoofer.
LEVEL
NOTE: When first setting up your
subwoofer, set the Level control
counterclockwise to "Min" (minimum)
before turning power switch ON.
Turn power switch to “On,”and use
the "Level" knob to add the
appropriate amount of bass to your
main speaker output. Increase the
subwoofer level by turning the level
knob clockwise until you find a setting
that is pleasing to you.
CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY
Use the "Crossover Freq" knob
to adjust the upper end of the sub-
woofer's frequency response. The
crossover control determines the
highest frequency your subwoofer will
reproduce. It allows a seamless
transition from subwoofer to satellite
speakers. When using small satellite
speakers (without much bass), you
would want the crossover frequency
more toward the upper end (200 Hz)
to fill in the sound your satellites can't
reproduce. When using larger main
speakers, a setting more toward the
low (50 Hz) end gives a smoother
transition from your subwoofer to your
main speakers. Experiment until you
find a setting that meets your
satisfaction.
MULTICOLOR LED
INDICATOR OPERATION
The LED on the rear amp plate
signifies the following operation states
of the G Sub10 subwoofer:
RED –When your subwoofer isn't
receiving a music or source signal
and the power switch is turned on, the
LED indicator turns RED telling you
that the unit is plugged in and ready
for operation. At this time, the
amplifier is in a "Standby" mode,
effectively turned off and waiting for a
signal from the source amplifier.
GREEN –When your subwoofer,
picks up a source signal, it turns on
instantly and begins to play. The LED
turns GREEN. After about 6 to 8
minutes of non-use (no signal being
received), your subwoofer goes into
the auto shut-off mode. The LED
turns RED to signify this "Standby"
condition.
NOTE: When the amplifier is in the
“Standby” mode it is effectively turned
off. The Red LED tells you that the
subwoofer is plugged into the AC wall
power with its power switch turned on,
but the amplifier circuitry is not
engaged. You do not have to reach to
the back panel and turn the power
switch off after every use. Your
G Sub10 subwoofer turns itself off
internally. For extended periods of
non-use (i.e., vacations, etc.), you
may wish to actually turn the
subwoofer off using the power switch.

6
Receiver or Amplifier
Subwoofer or Line Output
Level Phase Crossover Freq
+ R ––L +
+ R ––L +
+ R ––L +
Speaker Level Input
(from amplifier)
Speaker Level Output
(to external speakers)
R L
L
R
Min Max 50 (Hz) 200
Line
Input
G Sub10 Subwoofer
Reverse Normal
Speaker Wire
Speaker
Wire
–+ –+
External
Speakers
Figure 3: Speaker-Level Output Connection

7
G SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS
PLACEMENT
CAUTION: Do not place your
subwoofer next to heaters, furnaces,
or any other heat sources. Be
sure not to pinch or compress the
power cord.
Since the low frequencies produced
by your subwoofer are relatively non-
directional, the placement of your
subwoofer is not critical. You may
place it under an end table, next to
the wall, near the TV, anywhere you
would like. Use the PHASE switch to
maintain proper acoustic summation
with the main speakers. Listen to your
G Sub10 subwoofer and main
speakers with the switch on
"Normal" then listen to the same
material with the switch on
"Reverse." Decide which way
sounds better and leave the switch in
this position. You should repeat this
procedure if you move your sub-
woofer to another part of the room.
ALC PROTECTION
CIRCUITRY
Your G Sub10 amplifier has a built-in
Automatic Level Control circuitry that
comes on automatically when
subjected to high input signal levels.
It prevents your subwoofer driver
from being damaged by accidental
misuse, assuring you of many years
of excellent performance.
GENERAL CARE
The grille is held in place by pins
near the edges. To remove the grille,
grasp it by both top and bottom edges
and pull gently. To replace the grille,
reposition it carefully and press gently
at the corners. Do not push on the
center area of the grille.
The loudspeaker cabinet may be
cleaned with a slightly damp cloth. To
remove dust from the grille cloth, use
a vacuum with a brush attachment.
Spots may be removed with a
commercial spot remover. Do not use
any cleaners or solvents on the
speaker drivers themselves.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Your subwoofer can only be
repaired by an authorized JBL
repair station. Do not remove the
amplifier from the cabinet. There
are no user-serviceable parts
inside.
Before seeking service for your
subwoofer, please recheck all
connections as outlined in this
manual. Verify the AC wall power
source is working properly by
checking it with another appliance.
The Red LED light on rear panel
does not light when power switch
is on
1. The subwoofer may not be
receiving power. Make sure wall AC
source is working properly.
The Red LED light is on but does
not turn to Green
1. Your subwoofer may not be
receiving a signal. Your stereo sound
source may not be turned on or may
not be selected on the front panel of
the receiver/amplifier. Check settings.
The subwoofer plays at low
volumes and/or shuts off as
volume is increased, or sound is
intermittent
1. The subwoofer level control is too
low. Turn level control higher, towards
the "Max" position.
2. There may be a short circuit in one
of the connections. Check all wire
connections.
Bass is very weak
1. The polarity (+ and –) of the L & R
set of wires going to the subwoofer
may be accidentally switched during
hookup. Check connections as
outlined in the "Speaker Level
Input" section.