JL Audio M8IB5 User manual

Thank you for choosing a JL Audio Marine Subwoofer.
With proper installation, your new speaker
will deliver years of listening pleasure.
We strongly recommend that you have your subwoofer installed
by your authorized JL Audio dealer. The installation
professionals employed by your dealer have the necessary tools and experience to
properly install this product. If you prefer to perform
your own installation, please read this instruction manual
completely before beginning the process.
OWNER’S MANUAL
Marine Subwoofer
M8IB5

2 JL AUDIO M8IB5
A
BF
C
E
D
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
The diagram above shows the typical installation procedure into a fiberglass
panel using the supplied hardware (Classic Grille Model shown. Installation
is the same for Sport Grille Models). Always follow proper safety procedures
when working on a vessel. Use eye-protection at all times and a dust mask and
gloves when cutting.
1) Choose a flat mounting surface that has sufficient depth and air space behind
it to accept the subwoofer.
2) Cut a 7.375-inch (187 mm) diameter hole.
3) Run the speaker cable to the mounting location.
4) Place the woofer in the hole and mark the screw hole locations using a sharp,
pointed tool.
5) Remove the woofer and drill a pilot hole
(see chart on next page) in each of the screw locations. It is also advisable to use
a hand-driven countersink tool on each hole to further inhibit
gel-coat cracking of fiberglass panels.
6) Connect the speaker wires and place the woofer, with its grille in place, into the
opening (for Sport Grille models, pay attention to where the logo badge will added.
7) While holding the speaker firmly in its mounting location, evenly snug the
mounting screws in a criss-cross pattern, then hand tighten in a criss-cross pattern.
Non-standard installations may require different hardware. Always use
marine-grade, stainless-steel fasteners to ensure a secure, reliable installation.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDED PARTS
• One Polymer Subwoofer Grille
• Six #8 x 1 3/8-inch (35 mm) Phillips pan-head stainless-steel screws
• Six #8 stainless-steel washers
• Logo Badges (Sport-Grille Models Only)
One Pair Black (White & Titanium/Black Models)
One Pair Red (White & Titanium/Black Models)
One Pair White (White Models Only)
One Pair Titanium (Titanium/Black Models Only)
Subwoofer Physical Specifications
Nominal Diameter: 8 in / 200 mm
Frame Outer Diameter (A): 8.80 in / 224 mm
Bolt Hole Circle (B): 7.97 in / 202 mm
Motor Overmold Outer Diameter (C): 5.50 in / 140 mm
Frontal Grille Protrusion* (D): 1.45 in / 37 mm
Mounting Hole Diameter (E): 7.375 in / 187 mm
Mounting Depth (F): 5.18 in / 132 mm
Net Weight: 6.82 lbs. / 3.094 Kg
Driver Displacement: 0.032 ft/ 0.91 litres
* Frontal grille protrusion measured from mounting surface.
Subwoofer Parameters M8IB5
Free Air Resonance (Fs): 53.37 Hz
Electrical “Q” (Qes): 0.833
Mechanical “Q” (Qms): 11.827
Total Speaker “Q” (Qts): 0.778
Equivalent Compliance (Vas): 0.57 ft3/ 16.00 litres
One-way, Linear Excursion (Xmax)*: 0.53 in / 13.5 mm
Efficiency (1W/1m)**: 86.7 dB SPL
Effective Piston Area (Sd): 35.15 in² / 0.0227 m²
DC Resistance (Re): 2.958 ohm
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohm
Infinite Baffle Use: Yes
Enclosure Use: Yes (Sealed & Ported)
Power Handling (continuous): 200W
* Xmax specifications are derived via one-way voice coil overhang method with no
correction factors applied.
** Efficiency (1W/1m) is not an accurate indicator of a subwoofer’s output capability
and should not be used as a comparison to other subwoofers to determine which
one is “louder” !
We recommend the use of this speaker in a bi-amplified system using high-quality satellite
speakers and amplifiers. We do not recommend the use of this subwoofer with a passive
crossover (coil), as this type of device will adversely affect performance.

JL AUDIO M8IB5 3
INTERCHANGEABLE LOGO BADGE
(Sport-Grille Models Only)
Interchangeable Logo Badges for Sport Grille
model subwoofers are included to further customize
your installation. The design of the Sport Grille allows
for the JL Audio logo to be added in your choice of
included colors and oriented in the manner that best
suits your installation.
NOTE: A left and a right badge of each color is
included. These two different orientations ensure the
“JL Audio” Logo will read correctly wherever positioned
(most commonly the 3:00 or 9:00 position).
Remove the adhesive backing from the badge
and affix the badge to the grille using the small
positioning hole as a guide. See diagram at right.
!! CAUTION !!
While this speaker is designed to be water and
spray resistant, it is not designed to be submerged
or to withstand high-pressure water spray.
Please exercise care when washing your boat to
avoid damaging your speaker. Do not install on
submersibles, personal watercraft or any other
vessel likely to be under water at any time.
Prolonged exposure to sound pressure levels in
excess of 100dB can cause permanent hearing loss.
This high-performance speaker can exceed this
level. Please exercise restraint in its operation in
order to preserve your ability to enjoy its fidelity.
When installing a subwoofer in your vessel, it is
extremely important to secure it firmly. This applies
not only to the woofer itself, but also the structure
it is mounted to. If not firmly attached, the speaker
can become a dangerous projectile in a collision.
Please review the mounting information carefully
and use the supplied marine-grade hardware to
mount this product.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Fiberglass Thickness Recommended Pilot Hole Drill Size
0.125 in (3.18 mm) or less 7/64 in (2.78 mm) pilot hole
foam core / fiberglass sandwich 7/64 in (2.78 mm) pilot hole
larger than 0.125 in (3.18 mm) 1/8 in (3.18 mm) pilot hole
3:00 Position
9:00 Position
Recommended Sealed Design
Volume
(net int.)
External Dimensions
(Width x Height x Depth)
F3
(Hz)
Fc
(Hz) Qtc
1.50 ft³
42.5 litres
16 in x 14 in x 16.125 in
406 mm x 457 mm x 410 mm 51.53 62.62 0.9128
ENCLOSURE SPECIFICATIONS
#8 SCREW: PILOT HOLE RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommended Ported Design
Volume
(net int.)
Enclosure External Dimensions
(Width x Height x Depth)
Round Port Specs
(Inner Diameter x Length)
Tune to:
(Hz)
F3
(Hz)
1.50 ft³
42.5 litres
16 in x 14 in x 17.125 in
406 mm x 457 mm x 435 mm
4 in x 12 in
102 mm x 305 mm 39 29.53
Sealed Design
Ported Design
NOTE: The enclosure recommendations listed are
external dimensions which assume the use of 3/4”
(19mm) thick material. If you are using 5/8” (16mm)
thick material, subtract 1/4” (6.5mm) from each
dimension. Do not use any material with a thickness
of less than 5/8” (16mm) as this may compromise the
rigidity of the enclosure.
NOTE: All enclosure volumes listed are net
internal volumes! Box volume displacement, port
displacement and brace displacement must be
added to obtain the final gross internal volume. All
enclosure dimensions listed have already taken this
into account.

Printed in U.S.A. JLM8IB5_1013-SKU#011360
MEDIUM GRAY MINIMUM:
From a reliability standpoint, this zone
represents a very comfortable operating power
range for each driver. This level of power will not
stress the woofer but will not extract all of its
performance potential, either.
Use of less than the minimum power level
will not damage the woofer, but may result in
unsatisfactory performance.
LIGHT GRAY OPTIMUM:
This zone represents the best compromise
between long-term reliability, high-output and
low-distortion performance. This power level is
lower than the woofer’s continuous power rating
(as published in its specifications), but you will still
be taking advantage of the woofer’s, low-distortion
performance range without undue risk of failure.
DARK GRAY MAXIMUM:
Slightly more SPL will be gained by pushing the
power into this zone, but typically not more than
2dB, compared to the light gray zone. The subwoofer
driver is designed to operate safely up to this power
range, but not beyond. Operate with caution.
BLACK WARRANTY VOID:
We do not recommend operating woofers at
this level of power. In this zone, there is a very
high probability that the driver will fail due to
excessive heat and/or mechanical stress.
Subwoofer drivers operated at these levels of
power are NOT covered under warranty.
JL AUDIO warrants this speaker to be free of defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the original date of purchase.
Damage caused by the following is not covered under warranty: accident,
misuse, abuse, product modification or neglect, failure to follow installation
instructions, unauthorized repair attempts, misrepresentations by the seller. This
warranty does not cover incidental or consequential damages and does not cover
the cost of removing or reinstalling the unit(s). Cosmetic damage due to accident
or normal wear and tear is not covered under warranty.
This warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original
purchaser of the product from an authorized JL AUDIO dealer. Warranty is
voided if the factory-applied product serial number is removed or defaced.
Should service be necessary under this warranty for any reason due to
manufacturing defect or malfunction, JL AUDIO will, at its discretion, repair or
replace the defective product with new or remanufactured product at no charge.
Any applicable implied warranties are limited in duration to the period of
the express warranty as provided herein beginning with the date of the original
purchase at retail, and no warranties, whether express or implied, shall apply to this
product thereafter. Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties,
therefore these exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
If you need service on your JL AUDIO product:
All warranty returns should be sent to JL AUDIO freight prepaid through an
authorized JL AUDIO dealer and must be accompanied by proof of purchase
(a copy of the original sales receipt.) Direct returns from consumers or non-
authorized dealers will be refused unless specifically authorized by JL AUDIO with
a valid return authorization number. Warranty expiration on products returned
without proof of purchase will be determined from the manufacturing date code.
Coverage may be invalidated as this date is previous to purchase date. Return only
defective components. Non-defective items received will be returned freight-
collect. Customer is responsible for shipping charges and insurance in sending the
product to JL AUDIO. Freight damage on returns is not covered under warranty.
Always include proof of purchase (sales receipt).
RECOMMENDED CONTINUOUS RMS POWER RANGE FOR ONE SUBWOOFER DRIVER:
When designing systems with our drivers, it is very important to achieve a good power match between the subwoofer amplifier and the subwoofer driver's capabilities. The power levels listed in the above
chart represent continuous (RMS) amplifier power per woofer and assume that the user will regularly make full use of that power without drastically overdriving the amplifier(s). Make sure you factor system
impedance and the total number of subwoofers into your calculations. Adhering to these power recommendations will result in systems that are both reliable and enjoyable.
For Service Information in the U.S.A. please call:
JL Audio customer service: [phone] during normal business hours (Eastern Time)
JL Audio, Inc
10369 North Commerce Parkway, Miramar, FL 33025
International Warranties:
Products purchased outside the United States of America are covered only by that country’s distributor and not by JL Audio, Inc.
JL AUDIO LIMITED WARRANTY USA
Marine Subwoofer Components