JBL MS-BassPro SQ User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
MS-BassPro SQ
powered automotive subwoofer

2
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the JBL®MS-BassPro SQ powered automotive
subwoofer. The MS-BassPro SQ has been designed to deliver outstanding
bass performance from a compact, easily installed powered subwoofer
enclosure.
To get the best performance from your MS-BassPro SQ, we strongly
recommend that installation be entrusted to a qualified professional.
Although these instructions explain how to install the MS-BassPro SQ in
a general sense, they do not show specific installation methods that may
be required for your particular vehicle. If you do not have the necessary
tools or experience, do not attempt the installation yourself. Instead,
please ask your authorized JBL car audio dealer about professional
installation.
In order that we may better serve you should you require warranty
service, please retain your original sales receipt and register your
MS-BassPro SQ online at www.jbl.com.
INCLUDED ITEMS
INSTALLING THE SUBWOOFER
INSTALLATION WARNINGS AND TIPS
q KV@XRVD@QOQNSDBSHUDDXDVD@QVGDMTRHMFSNNKR
q#HRBNMMDBS SGD UDGHBKDR MDF@SHUD l A@SSDQX SDQLHM@K ADENQD RS@QSHMF
the installation.
q"GDBJ BKD@Q@MBDR NM ANSG RHCDR NE @ OK@MMDC LNTMSHMF RTQE@BD !D
sure that screws or wires will not puncture brake lines, fuel lines or
wiring harnesses, and that wire routing will not interfere with the safe
operation of the vehicle.
q6GDML@JHMFDKDBSQHB@KBNMMDBSHNMR L@JDRTQDSGDX @QDRDBTQD@MC
properly insulated.
q(EXNTLTRSQDOK@BDSGD,2!@RR/QN20RETRDADRTQDSNTRDSGDR@LD
type of fuse and current rating as that of the original.
MOUNTING THE SUBWOOFER
"GNNRD@ KNB@SHNMENQSGD RTAVNNEDQSG@S CNDRMSHMSDQEDQDVHSG B@QFN
a fold-down rear seat or the trunk lid. The best location is usually a
corner of the trunk or cargo area, as shown in the illustrations. These
locations, in addition to being out of the way, will provide the best sonic
reproduction in the 60Hz to 100Hz range because the woofer output
VHKK AD fBNQMDQ KN@CDCt @F@HMRS SGD UDGHBKDR V@KKR (M @MX B@RD SGD
MS-Basspro SQ must not interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle.

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CONNECTIONS
IMPORTANT: #HRBNMMDBS SGD UDGHBKDR MDF@SHUD l A@SSDQX SDQLHM@K
before beginning installation.
AUDIO SENSE SWITCH:
No remote turn on connection is necessary because the MS-BassPro SQ
includes signal sensing turn on, which will turn the subwoofer on when
it receives an audio signal at its input connectors. The subwoofer will
automatically turn off approximately five minutes after the input signal
ceases.
(EXNTQ@TCHNRXRSDLRRNTQBDTMHSHMBKTCDR@QDLNSDSTQMNMVHQD@MCXNT
would prefer to use it, defeat the signal sensing turn on circuit by moving
the Audio Sense switch to the “off” position.
CONNECTING THE SUBWOOFER TO YOUR VEHICLE’S AUDIO
SYSTEM
3GD )!+ ,2!@RR/QN 20 HR DPTHOODC VHSG SVN KHMDKDUDK 1"  HMOTS
connectors that can handle line-level and speaker-level input signals. Use
1" @TCHNB@AKDRSNBNMMDBSSGDRTAVNNEDQSNRNTQBDTMHSRVHSGOQD@LO
KDUDKNTSOTSRTRDSGDRTOOKHDCA@QDVHQDSN1" @C@OSDQRSNBNMMDBSSGD
RTAVNNEDQSNRNTQBDTMHSRSG@SCNMSG@UD1" NTSOTSBNMMDBSNQR"NMRTKS
the following system application diagrams to help you plan the installation
of your MS-BassPro SQ. For additional installation suggestions, contact
your local authorized JBL car audio dealer.
If your car audio system’s head unit has front or rear stereo line-
level outputs:
4RD@RSDQDN1" @TCHNB@AKDMNSRTOOKHDCSNBNMMDBSSGD,2!@RR/QN
20SNSGDGD@CTMHSREQNMSNQQD@QKDES@MCQHFGSKHMDKDUDKNTSOTSR
L. Front
Speaker
L. Rear
Speaker Audio System
Head Unit Left/Right
Line-Level
Outputs
Stereo RCA Audio Cable
(not supplied)
R. Front
Speaker
R. Rear
Speaker

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If your car audio system’s head unit has a line-level subwoofer
output:
If the head unit has a line-level subwoofer output, you can connect it to
DHSGDQNESGD,2!@RR/QN20RKHMDKDUDKHMOTSBNMMDBSNQR
L. Front
Speaker
Use Either
Connector
L. Rear
Speaker Audio System
Head Unit
Subwoofer
Output
Single RCA Audio Cable
(not supplied)
R. Front
Speaker
R. Rear
Speaker
If your car audio system’s head unit does not have line-level
outputs:
4RDSGDRTOOKHDCA@QDVHQDSN1" @C@OSDQRSNBNMMDBSSGD,2!@RR/QN
20R HMOTSR SNDHSGDQ SGD EQNMSNQ SGD QD@QROD@JDQ NTSOTSR NEXNTQ B@Q
@TCHNRXRSDLRGD@CTMHSROKHBDBQHLORMNSHMBKTCDC
IMPORTANT: Some factory-installed audio system amplifiers include
DKDBSQNMHB EHKSDQR SG@S KHLHS SGD @LNTMS NE A@RR RDMS SN SGD RXRSDLR
RL@KKDQROD@JDQR3GHREHKSDQHMFVHKK@CUDQRDKX@EEDBSSGD,2!@RR/QN20R
performance. To get the most bass possible from your MS-BassPro SQ,
ROKHBD SGD A@QD VHQDSN1"  @C@OSDQR HMSN SGD E@BSNQX RXRSDL ROD@JDQ
NTSOTSRSG@S@QDBNMMDBSDCSNSGDRXRSDLR K@QFDRSROD@JDQRSGDNMDR
CDRHFMDCSNL@JDSGDLNRSA@RR
4RD@ RL@KK OGHKKHORRBQDVCQHUDQSN KNRDM SGD@C@OSDQRRDSRBQDVR@MC
insert the speaker wires into the holes on the back of the adapter. Tighten
the set screws to secure the wires.
Loosen
Screws
Insert
Wires
Tighten
Screws
KV@XRBNMMDBSSGDROD@JDQVHQDSNSGD@C@OSDQRSDQLHM@K@MCSGD
lROD@JDQVHQDSNSGD@C@OSDQRlSDQLHM@K
IMPORTANT: ,@JD RTQD SGD  @MC l A@QD VHQDR SN MNS SNTBG D@BG
other. Touching wires can cause a short circuit that can damage the head
unit or the subwoofer.
6GDM XNTQD EHMHRGDC OKTF SGD @C@OSDQR HMSN SGD RTAVNNEDQR HMOTS
connectors.

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Large Left
Speaker
Large Right
Speaker
Small Left
Speaker
Audio System
Head Unit
Splices
(not supplied)
Splices
(not supplied)
Bare Wire-to-RCA
Adapters (supplied)
Small Right
Speaker
CONNECTING THE POWER AND GROUND
4RD @S KD@RS  6& LL VHQD ENQ SGD ONRHSHUD A@SSDQX f5t
@MCFQNTMCf&-#tBNMMDBSHNMR"NMMDBSSGD,2!@RR/QN20Rf5t
SDQLHM@K CHQDBSKX SN SGD A@SSDQXR ft ONRHSHUD SDQLHM@K (MRS@KK @ ETRD
GNKCDQVHSG@ ETRDVHSGHMtBLNESGDA@SSDQXRftSDQLHM@K
BATTERY
Remote
Turn-On
(optional)
Audio System Head Unit
Chassis Ground
(bare metal)
30A Fuse
18"
(46cm)
>#18 AWG
Wire
>#10 AWG Wire
>#10 AWG Wire
1NTSD @KK ONVDQ VHQDR SGQNTFG FQNLLDSR HM SGD UDGHBKDR EHQDV@KK (E
E@BSNQXFQNLLDSR@QDMNS@U@HK@AKDHMRS@KKFQNLLDSRXNTQRDKE"NMMDBS
SGD FQNTMC VHQD EQNL SGD ,2!@RR/QN 20R f&-#t SDQLHM@K SN SGD
nearest bare-metal surface on the vehicle. For a good connection, use
sandpaper to clear the paint from the metal surface and use a screw with
a star-type lock washer.

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USING THE SUBWOOFER
WARNING: Playing loud music in an automobile can hinder your
ability to hear traffic and permanently damage your hearing. We
recommend listening at low or moderate levels while driving
your car. We accept no liability for hearing loss, bodily injury or
property damage resulting from the use or misuse of this product.
CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS
3GD)!+,2!@RR/QN20RBNMSQNKO@MDKED@STQDRBNMSQNKR@MCHMCHB@SNQR
SG@SL@JDHSD@RXENQXNTSNHMSDFQ@SDSGDRTAVNNEDQRRNTMCVHSG@KLNRS
@MXUDGHBKDRTMHPTD@BNTRSHBOQNODQSHDR%NQRODBHjBHMRSQTBSHNMRNMTRHMF
SGD,2!@RR/QN20RBNMSQNKRRDD2DSSHMFSGD"NMSQNKRNMO@FD
Phase
Switch
Input
Level
Switch
Input
Level
Control
Audio
Sense
Switch
Bass
Boost
Control
Crossover
Control
Power/
Protect
Indicator
Input Level switch: Use this switch along with the Input Level control to
RDSSGD,2!@RR/QN20RHMOTSKDUDK2S@QSSGDBNMSQNKRDSSHMFOQNBDRRNM
O@FDVHSGSGD(MOTS+DUDKRVHSBGRDSHMSGDf'HtONRHSHNM
NOTE: If you have connected the MS-BassPro SQ to a factory audio
RXRSDLR ROD@JDQ NTSOTSR SGD @TCHN RXRSDL L@X E@HK SN OK@X NQ L@X
display a “speaker disconnected” message. If this happens, change the
(MOTS +DUDK RVHSBG SN SGD f'Ht ONRHSHNM 3GD f'Ht ONRHSHNM HMBKTCDR @
circuit designed to fool this type of factory audio system into “seeing” a
speaker connected to its output.
IMPORTANT: 3GD 'H RDSSHMF RGNTKC MDUDQ AD TRDC VGDM SGD
,2!@RR/QN 20 HR BNMMDBSDC SN @M @ESDQL@QJDS GD@C TMHSR KHMDKDUDK
1" SXODNTSOTSR
Power/Protect indicator: 3GHR+$#VHKKHKKTLHM@SDQDCBNMSHMT@KKXVGDM
SGDRTAVNNEDQHRNODQ@SHMF@MCVHKKk@RGQDCVGDMSGDRTAVNNEDQHRHMSGD
protection mode. See Troubleshooting, on page 8, for more information.
Phase switch: This switch will reverse the phase of the MS-BassPro
20RNTSOTSVHSGQDRODBSSNHSRHMOTS6GDMXNTHMRS@KKSGD,2!@RR/QN
SQ with an existing factory or aftermarket system, changing the
/G@RD RVHSBG RDSSHMF SN QDUDQRD SGD RTAVNNEDQR OG@RD L@X OQNCTBD @
discernable increase or decrease in the amount of upper bass that the
RXRSDLQDOQNCTBDRCDODMCHMFNMSGD,2!@RR/QN20RKNB@SHNMHMSGD
vehicle and the distance between it and the other speakers in the vehicle.
Bass Boost control: Use this control to increase the amount of low bass
output from the MS-BassPro SQ. The Bass Boost control provides up to
C!NEANNRS@S'Y
Audio Sense switch: (E XNT CHC MNS BNMMDBS SGD ,2!@RR/QN 20R
1DLNSD 3TQM.M BNMMDBSNQ RDS SGD TCHN 2DMRD RVHSBG SN SGD f.Mt
ONRHSHNM (E XNT CHC BNMMDBS SGD ,2!@RR/QN 20R 1DLNSD 3TQM.M
BNMMDBSNQRDSSGD TCHN2DMRDRVHSBGSNSGDf.EEtONRHSHNM

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Crossover control: Use this control to adjust the amount of high-
EQDPTDMBXHMENQL@SHNM OQDRDMSHMSGD,2!@RR/QN20R NTSOTS  KNVDQ
value allows less high-frequency content.
Input Level control: Use this control to balance the relative volume of
the MS-BassPro SQ with the other speakers in the vehicle.
SETTING THE CONTROLS
,@JDRTQDSGDGD@CTMHSONVDQHRNEE@MCSGD,2!@RR/QN20R(MOTS
Level control is set to minimum.
2DSSGD,2!@RR/QN20R"QNRRNUDQBNMSQNKSNHSRL@WHLTLEQDPTDMBX
NE'Y@MCRDSSGD!@RR!NNRSBNMSQNKSNSGDNBKNBJRDSSHMF
NOTE: (EXNT@QDTRHMF@6HQDKDRR!@RR"NMSQNKVHSGSGD,2!@RR/QN20
RNKCRDO@Q@SDKXRDSHSSNL@WHLTL
3. Turn the head unit on and play a selection of your favorite music track
that has substantial bass.
 CITRS SGD "QNRRNUDQ BNMSQNK BNTMSDQBKNBJVHRD TMSHK XNT GD@Q NMKX
bass information coming from the MS-BassPro SQ. For example,
you should not hear vocals coming from the subwoofer when you are
seated in the normal listening position.
 CITRSSGD!@RR!NNRSBNMSQNKDHSGDQBKNBJVHRDNQBNTMSDQBKNBJVHRDSN
suit your taste. Be sure to find a setting that does not create audible
CHRSNQSHNMHMSGDRTAVNNEDQRRNTMC
IMPORTANT:(EHMSGDMDWSRSDOSGD,2!@RR/QN20RUNKTLDHRSNNKNV
even with the Input Level control turned all the way up, turn the Input
+DUDK BNMSQNK @KK SGD V@X CNVM ETKK BNTMSDQBKNBJVHRD @MC BG@MFD SGD
RTAVNNEDQR (MOTS +DUDKRVHSBG SN SGD f+NVtONRHSHNM3GDM QDOD@SSGD
next step.
@(EXNTHMRS@KKDCSGD6HQDKDRR!@RR"NMSQNKRDSSGD,2!@RR/QN20R
(MOTS+DUDKBNMSQNKSNHSRL@WHLTL@MCRDSSGDQDLNSDKDUDKBNMSQNKR
knob to the maximum level that provides undistorted output from the
,2!@RR/QN20VHSGSGDGD@CTMHSRUNKTLDBNMSQNK@SHSRNBKNBJ
RDSSHMF 4RD SGD 6HQDKDRR !@RR "NMSQNK SN @CITRS SGD RTAVNNEDQ
volume according to your taste while avoiding distortion from the
MS-BassPro SQ.
A(E XNT CHC MNS HMRS@KK SGD 6HQDKDRR !@RR "NMSQNK @CITRS SGD
,2!@RR/QN 20R (MOTS +DUDK BNMSQNK SN SGD L@WHLTL KDUDK SG@S
provides undistorted output from the MS-BassPro SQ with the
GD@C TMHSR UNKTLD BNMSQNK @S HSR  NBKNBJ RDSSHMF ESDQTRHMF SGD
subwoofer for a while, if you find that this setting produces too much
A@RRXNTB@MQDCTBDSGDRTAVNNEDQR(MOTS+DUDKBNMSQNKRDSSHMF
6HSGSGD/G@RDRVHSBGRDS@S¦OK@X@LTRHBSQ@BJSG@SG@RHLO@BSETK
drums, and listen for the upper bass content, paying attention to the
HLO@BSNESGDCQTLR3GDMRDSSGD/G@RDRVHSBGSN¦@MCKHRSDM
to the same music again. There may be more upper bass, less upper
bass or no change at all. The Phase switch position that provides the
most upper bass is technically correct, but you can choose either
setting according to your taste.
NOTE: In most cases the above steps will provide you with satisfactory
results. However, the actual process may require several readjustments
of each control, since the settings will interact with one another. If
necessary, consult your authorized JBL car audio dealer for help in tuning
your system.

8
TROUBLESHOOTING
(EXNTQRTAVNNEDQHRMSODQENQLHMFSGDV@XXNTSGHMJHSRGNTKCBGDBJSNRDDHESGDOQNAKDLHRBNUDQDCHMSGHRRDBSHNMADENQDB@KKHMFXNTQCD@KDQNQ
contacting JBL customer service.
Problem Causes and Solutions
Power indicator is not lit. 5VHQDETRDNQRTAVNNEDQETRDHRAKNVM@MCMDDCRQDOK@BDLDMS
'D@CTMHSMNSETMBSHNMHMFOQNODQKX
"GDBJQDLNSDSTQMNM5@MC&-#BNMMDBSHNMR
Power indicator is illuminated red
continually, but there is no bass.
(MOTSR@QDMNSOQNODQKXBNMMDBSDC"GDBJBNMMDBSHNMR
'D@CTMHSE@CDQBNMSQNKR@QDMNSRDSOQNODQKX CITRSGD@CTMHSBNMSQNKRSNEDDC@TCHNRHFM@KRSN
the subwoofer.
3. Incorrect subwoofer Level control setting.
Power indicator is flashing red, and
there is no bass.
2TAVNNEDQHRHMOQNSDBSHNMLNCD3TQM@TCHNRXRSDLNEE6GDMRTAVNNEDQ/NVDQHMCHB@SNQSTQMR
off, turn audio system back on and operate at reduced volume. If subwoofer returns to normal
operation, reduce subwoofer Input Level and/or Bass Boost control settings. If subwoofer
returns to protection mode, contact your authorized JBL dealer.
.TSOTSRNTMCRLTCCXNQCHRSNQSDC 1. Subwoofer Level control is set too high.
2TAVNNEDQ!@RR!NNRSBNMSQNKHRRDSSNNGHFG
2TAVNNEDQ"QNRRNUDQEQDPTDMBXRDKDBSHNMHRSNNGHFG2DKDBS@KNVDQBQNRRNUDQEQDPTDMBX
!@RRKDUDKHRRDSSNNGHFGNMGD@CTMHS
'D@CTMHSNTSOTSHRCHRSNQSDCNQAKNVM2DDXNTQ@TSGNQHYDC)!+B@Q@TCHNCD@KDQ
.TSOTSFDSRKNTCDQVGDMSGDGD@CTMHS
A@K@MBDHR@CITRSDCSN+NQ1
4RHMFROD@JDQKDUDKHMOTSBNMMDBSHNMR.MDNESGDROD@JDQKDUDKHMOTSBNMMDBSHNMRHRQDUDQRDCl
1DUDQRDNMDBG@MMDK

9
www.jbl.com
English
TROUBLESHOOTING (CONTINUED)
Problem Causes and Solutions
Not Enough Bass. "QNRRNUDQEQDPTDMBXRDSSHMFSNNKNV2DKDBS@GHFGDQBQNRRNUDQEQDPTDMBX
(MOTS+DUDKBNMSQNKRDSSHMFHRHMBNQQDBS(MBQD@RD(MOTS+DUDKBNMSQNKRDSSHMFNQRDS(MOTS+DUDK
switch to “Low” position.
 TCHNRXRSDLHMBKTCDR@GHFGO@RREHKSDQCDRHFMDCSNKHLHSA@RRRDMSSNRL@KKROD@JDQR(EXNTQD
TRHMF@M@ESDQL@QJDSGD@CTMHSSG@SHMBKTCDR@GHFGO@RREHKSDQ'/%NMSGDNTSOTSRBNMMDBSDC
SNSGDRTAVNNEDQSTQMSGD'/%NEEHMSGDGD@CTMHSRLDMT(EXNTQDROKHBHMFSGDRTAVNNEDQR
A@QDVHQDSN1" @C@OSDQRHMSN@E@BSNQX@TCHNRXRSDLRROD@JDQNTSOTSRSQXROKHBHMFSGDLHMSN
a different pair of speaker outputs. See If your car audio system’s head unit does not have line-
level outputs,NMO@FD
SPECIFICATIONS
Low-frequency transducer: 10" square diaphragm
Amplifier power: 61,2
Frequency response: 'Yl'Y
Fuse rating: 30A
Max current draw: 
Idle current draw: L
Input sensitivity: L5l5
"QNRRNUDQEQDPTDMBX 'Yl'YU@QH@AKD
"QNRRNUDQRKNOD C!NBS@UD
#HLDMRHNMR6W'W# ŭWŭWŭLLWLLWLL
6DHFGS KAJF

10
¡' 1, -(MSDQM@SHNM@K(MCTRSQHDR(MBNQONQ@SDC KKQHFGSRQDRDQUDC
)!+@MC!@RR/QN@QDSQ@CDL@QJRNE' 1, -(MSDQM@SHNM@K(MCTRSQHDR(MBNQONQ@SDCQDFHRSDQDC
in the United States and/or other countries.
Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.
/@QS-N
' 1, -"NMRTLDQ(MB
!@KAN@!NTKDU@QC-NQSGQHCFD" 42