®
JBL ES SERIES
ES150P, ES250P (230V)
OWNER’S GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
JBL® ES150P/ES250P Powered Subwoofers
For more than 60 years, JBL has been providing audio equipment to
concert halls, recording studios and movie theaters around the
world, and has become the hands-down choice of leading recording
artists and sound engineers.
With the JBL ES Series, innovative technologies such as titanium-
™
laminate-dome tweeters, Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal (EOS) wave-
™
guides and PolyPlas transducer reinforcement are available to you.
Enjoy!
Unpacking the Subwoofer
If you suspect damage from transit, report it immediately to your
dealer. Keep the shipping carton and packing materials for future
use.
PLACEMENT
Since the installation of a subwoofer can be somewhat more
complicated than installation of full-range speakers, it is essential
that you read this section very carefully prior to connecting the
subwoofer to your system. Should you have questions relating to
your installation, it is advisable to call your dealer or distributor for
advice.
Figure 1. This example shows the subwoofer positioned behind the
right-channel satellite speaker to re-create the actual location of
bass instruments in an orchestra and/or add impact to movie sound-
tracks.
The performance of the subwoofer is directly related to its
placement in the listening room and how you align the subwoofer
with its satellite speakers. Setting the volume of the subwoofer in
relationship to the left and right speakers is also of critical
importance because it is essential that the subwoofer integrate
smoothly with the entire system. Setting the subwoofer’s volume
level too high will result in overpowering, boomy bass. Setting the
volume level too low will negate the benefits of the subwoofer.
Here are several additional facts on installation that may prove
useful. It is generally believed by most audio authorities that low
frequencies (below 125Hz) are nondirectional and, therefore,
placement of a subwoofer within any listening room is not critical.
While in theory it is true that the larger wavelengths of extremely
low frequencies are basically nondirectional, the fact is that, when
installing a subwoofer within the limited confines of a room,
reflections, standing waves and absorptions generated within the
room will strongly influence the performance of any subwoofer
system. As a result, specific location of the subwoofer becomes
important, and we strongly recommend that you experiment with
placement before choosing a final location.
Placement will depend upon your room and the amount and quality
of bass required (for example, whether or not your room permits
placement of the subwoofer near either satellite).
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CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
Rear Panel
0
1
2
3
4
5
Phase Switch
LFE/Normal Selector
Subwoofer-Level Control
Crossover Adjustment
Line-Level/LFE Input
Power Switch
0
1
2
3
4
5
4
SYSTEM CONNECTIONS
®
®
If you have a Dolby Digital or DTS receiver/processor
with a low-frequency-effects (LFE) or subwoofer output:
Set LFE/Normal switch to “LFE.”
If your receiver/processor does not contain a Dolby Digital
or DTS processor, but has subwoofer outputs:
Set line-level/LFE switch to
“Normal.”
NOTE: If your receiver/processor
has only one sub out, you may
use either the L or R input.
5
OPERATION
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
Power On
The enclosure may be cleaned using a soft cloth to remove finger-
prints or to wipe off dust.
Plug your subwoofer’s AC cord into a wall outlet. Do not use the
outlets on the back of the receiver.
The grille may be gently vacuumed. Stains may be removed with an
aerosol cleaner, following its instructions. Do not use any solvents
on the grille.
2
Initially set the Subwoofer-Level Control
to the “min” position.
5
Turn on your sub by pressing the Power Switch
on the rear panel.
All wiring connections should be inspected and cleaned or remade
periodically. The frequency of maintenance depends on the metals
involved in the connections, atmospheric conditions and other
factors, but once per year is the minimum.
Turn on your entire audio system and start a CD or movie soundtrack
at a moderate level.
Auto On/Standby
If a problem occurs, make sure that all connections are properly
made and clean. If a problem exists in one loudspeaker, reverse the
connection wires to the left and right system. If the problem remains
in the same speaker, then the fault is with the loudspeaker. If the
problem appears in the opposite speaker, the cause is in another
component or cable. In the event that your subwoofer ever needs
service, contact your local JBL dealer or distributor, or visit
5
With the Power Switch
in the ON position, the Status LED on the
top will remain lit in red or green to indicate the On/Standby mode of
the subwoofer.
RED = STANDBY (No signal detected, Amp Off)
GREEN = ON (Signal detected, Amp On)
The subwoofer will automatically enter the Standby mode after
approximately 10 minutes when no signal is detected from your
system. The subwoofer will then power ON instantly when a signal is
5
detected. During periods of normal use, the Power Switch
can be
5
left on. You may turn off the Power Switch
for extended periods
of nonoperation, e.g., when you are away on vacation.
Adjust Gain
Turn your Subwoofer-Level Control
2
up to the halfway position. If
no sound emanates from the subwoofer, check the AC-line cord and
input cables. Are the connectors on the cables making proper
contact? Is the AC plug connected to a “live” receptacle? Has the
5
Power Switch
been pressed to the “On” position? Once you have
confirmed that the subwoofer is active, proceed by playing a CD,
record or cassette. Use a selection that has ample bass information.
Set the overall volume control of the preamplifier or stereo to a
2
comfortable level. Adjust the Subwoofer-Level Control
until you
obtain a pleasing blend of bass. Bass response should not over-
power the room but rather be adjusted so there is a harmonious
blend across the entire musical range. Many users have a tendency
to set the subwoofer volume too loud, adhering to the belief that a
subwoofer is there to produce lots of bass. This is not entirely true.
A subwoofer is there to enhance bass, extending the response of the
entire system so the bass can be felt as well as heard. However,
overall balance must be maintained or the music will not sound
natural. An experienced listener will set the volume of the subwoofer
so its impact on bass response is always there but never obtrusive.
Phase Control
0
The Phase Switch
determines whether the subwoofer speaker’s
pistonlike action moves in and out with the main speakers, 0˚, or
opposite the main speakers, 180˚. Proper phase adjustment depends
on several variables such as room size, subwoofer placement and
listener position. Adjust the phase switch to maximize bass output at
the listening position.
Crossover Adjustment
The Crossover Adjustment Control
3
determines 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 frequency setting, between 50Hz and
100Hz. This will concentrate 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 Crossover Adjustment control to a
higher setting, between 120Hz and 150Hz.
1
NOTE: This control will have no effect if the LFE/Normal Selector
is set to LFE. If you have a Dolby Digital or DTS processor/receiver,
the Low-Pass Frequency is set by the processor/receiver. Consult
your owner’s manual to learn how to view or change this setting.
6
SPECIFICATIONS
ES150P
27Hz – 150Hz
300 Watts
ES250P
25Hz – 150Hz
400 Watts
Frequency Response
Amplifier RMS Power
†
Amplifier Peak Dynamic Power
500 Watts
700 Watts
Crossover Frequency
Driver
50Hz – 150Hz;
24dB/octave, continuously variable
50Hz – 150Hz;
24dB/octave, continuously variable
™
™
250mm (10") PolyPlas
300mm (12") PolyPlas
Dimensions (H x W x D)
(with grille)
457mm x 337mm x 387mm
(18" x 13-1/4" x 15-1/4")
502mm x 400mm x 428mm
(19-3/4" x 15-3/4" x 16-7/8")
Weight
17.7kg (39 lb)
19.5kg (43 lb)
†
The Peak Dynamic Power is measured by recording the highest center-to-peak voltage
measured across the output of a resistive load equal to minimum impedance of the transducer,
using a 50Hz sine wave burst, 3 cycles on, 17 cycles off.
Declaration of Conformity
Declaration of Conformity
We, Harman Consumer Group, Inc.
2, route de Tours
We, Harman Consumer Group, Inc.
2, route de Tours
72500 Château du Loir
France
72500 Château du Loir
France
declare in own responsibility that the product
described in this owner’s manual is in compliance
with technical standards:
declare in own responsibility that the product
described in this owner’s manual is in compliance
with technical standards:
EN 61000-6-3:2001
EN 55013:2001+A1:2003
EN 61000-6-1:2001
EN 55020:2002+A1:2003
EN 61000-3-2:2000
EN 61000-3-3:1995+A1:2001
EN 60065:2002
Laurent Rault
Laurent Rault
Harman Consumer Group, Inc.
Château du Loir, France 5/07
Harman Consumer Group, Inc.
Château du Loir, France 5/07
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Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.
JBL is a trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered
in the United States and/or other countries. Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal, PolyPlas and
Pro Sound Comes Home are trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
™
PRO SOUND COMES HOME
Harman Consumer Group, Inc., 250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797 USA
8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329 USA
2, route de Tours, 72500 Château du Loir, France
© 2007 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Part No. 406-000-05610-E
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