®
N O R T H R ID G E ™ E S E R IE S
E15 0 P, E2 5 0 P
O W N E R ’S G U ID E
T H A N K Y O U F O R C H O O S IN G J B L
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.
provide every note of enjoy-
ment that you expected –
and that when you think
about purchasing additional
audio equipment for your
home, car or office, you will
once again choose JBL.
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.
We’re confident that the JBL Please take a moment to
system you have chosen will register your product on our
JBL Consumer Products
S P E A K E R P LA C E M E N T
• As a general rule, bass
response increases as a
subwoofer is placed closer
to a wall. Therefore, bass
output is maximized when
the subwoofer is placed in a
corner.
Low-frequency sounds are nor-
mally omnidirectional, meaning
the listener can’t tell where they
are generated from. However,
frequencies between 75Hz and
150Hz can be localized, espe-
cially at higher volume levels.
Positioning your subwoofer as
recommended will provide the
most natural soundstage and
imaging from your loudspeaker
system.
recommends experimenting
with the positioning of your
subwoofer to obtain the most
pleasing results in your room.
One technique that can help
you find the ideal subwoofer
location is to temporarily place
the subwoofer near the main
listening location. Then move
around the room and determine
where you hear the most
• It is also recommended that
the subwoofer be positioned
along the same wall as the
front loudspeakers.
pleasing bass performance.
This would then be the ideal
location for the subwoofer.
Remember that these are just
guidelines. Since every listening
room is different, JBL strongly
S P E A K E R C O N N E C T IO N
When we designed the
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.
NOTE: The speaker-level con-
nection method described on
page 4 is not a preferred con-
nection and should only be
resorted to if your receiver/
processor does not have a
line-level or subwoofer output.
The customer is responsible for
proper connections, and any
damage to JBL or other equip-
ment due to improper connec-
tions will not be covered by
your JBL warranty. Consult with
your JBL dealer or an audio-
installation expert if you have
any questions about how to
connect your subwoofer using
the speaker-level inputs.
E150P and E250P powered
subwoofers, our goal was
to offer the user the best pos-
sible performance combined
with the most flexible and
complete installation options.
Please look over the following
three examples to determine
which description best
Speakers and electronics termi-
nals have corresponding positive
(+) and negative (–) terminals. It
is important to connect both
speakers identically:
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.
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
3
Analog Receiver/Processor – Speaker-Level Connections
Use this installation method
only with an analog receiver/
processor that does not have
digital processing or bass
management, and also does
not have a subwoofer output
or a volume-controlled preamp
(line-) level output:
the left high-level inputs on
the subwoofer. Insert the
speaker and left input on the
subwoofer, and then for the (+)
and (–) connections for the
right front speaker and right
high-level inputs on the sub-
woofer.
joined (twisted) wires into the
left front (+) terminal on your
receiver/amplifier. Connect the
free end of the (+) lead for the
left front speaker to the (+) ter-
minal on the back of the
speaker. Connect the free end
of the (+) lead for the left input
on the subwoofer to the left
binding-post terminal. Repeat
this process for the (–)
Connect your receiver or
amplifier’s center and sur-
round speaker terminals to the
corresponding terminals on
the back of your center and
surround speakers.
Connect the speaker wires for
both your main left and right
speakers, and for the sub-
woofer, to the same speaker
terminals on your receiver or
amplifier. The wires may be
joined by twisting together the
bare ends of the two leads
that will be connected to each
terminal on the receiver/
amplifier, as shown in the
diagram. This procedure
should be done only four times
(involving a total of eight bare-
wire ends), and only for those
wire ends that are being con-
nected to the terminals on
your receiver/amplifier. It is
important that you avoid join-
ing any other wires. Do not
twist together
connections for the left front
Left Front
Right Front
Center
+
–
+
–
+
–
Subwoofer
L
HIGH
LEVEL
IN
R
+
–
Receiver
wire ends that
are being
Left Front
Center
Right Front
inserted into
terminals on any
+
–
+
–
+
–
speaker or on the
Tw is t
He re
Tw is t
He re
subwoofer. Do not twist
together wire ends that will be
used for any speakers other
than the front left and right
speakers or the subwoofer.
Refer to the connection dia-
gram for guidance.
Left Surround
Right Surround
+
–
+
–
Left Surround
Right Surround
Twist together the (+) leads at
one end of the speaker wires
that you have designated for
the left front speaker and for
+
–
+
–
To (+) terminal on
left speaker
To front left
(+) terminal on
receiver/amplifier
To (+) terminal of left
input on subwoofer
4
Analog Receiver/Processor – Line-Level Connections
Use this installation method
with an analog receiver/
processor that does not have
digital processing or bass
management, and that is
equipped with a full-range
subwoofer output or a volume-
controlled preamp (line-) level
output:
may connect the subwoofer
output on your receiver/pre-
amplifier to either the left or
right line-level input on the
subwoofer. It makes no differ-
ence which jack you choose.
LEVEL
Max
NORMAL
Min
LFE
0º
Connect each speaker to
the corresponding speaker
terminals on your
180º
PHASE
Use RCA-type interconnect
cables to connect the line-
level subwoofer outputs on
your receiver or amplifier to
the line-level inputs on the
subwoofer.
receiver or amplifier.
CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY
Make sure your receiver
RECEIVER
150Hz
50Hz
or processor is config-
ured so that the sub-
woofer is “On.”
Subwoofer
Out
L
R
L
R
LINE LEVEL IN
Note for advanced
For LFE use L or R
IMPORTANT: Make sure that
the LFE toggle switch on the
subwoofer is in the “Normal”
position. Do not use the
“LFE” position with Dolby*
Pro Logic*-only processors.
users: If your receiver/
L
HIGH
LEVEL
IN
processor has a built-in low-
pass crossover filter for the
subwoofer output, then the LFE
switch should be set to the
“LFE” position to bypass the
subwoofer’s internal
R
+ –
Note: If your receiver or
amplifier has only one sub-
woofer output jack, then you
crossover.
Digital Receiver/Processor – LFE Connection
Use this installation method
for Dolby Digital, DTS® or other
digital surround processors
that have bass-management
programming, or for analog
receivers/processors that
have a filtered subwoofer
output:
the left or right line-level input
on the subwoofer. It makes no
difference which jack you
choose.
LEVEL
Max
Connect each speaker to
the corresponding speaker
terminals on your receiver or
amplifier.
Min
LFE
0º
NORMAL
180º
PHASE
IMPORTANT: Make sure that
the LFE toggle switch on the
subwoofer is in the “LFE”
position. Use the line-level
input jacks for the Low-
Frequency Effects channel.
Connect these jacks to the LFE
output or subwoofer output on
your receiver or amplifier.
Make sure that you have
configured your surround
sound processor for
“Subwoofer On” or
“LFE On.” The front,
center and surround
speakers should be
set to “Small” or “Large”
depending on their size and
frequency response. Consult
your receiver’s or processor’s
owner’s manual.
CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY
150Hz
50Hz
RECEIVER/PREAMPLIFIER
Subwoofer
Output/LFE
L
R
LINE LEVEL IN
For LFE use L or R
L
HIGH
LEVEL
IN
Note: If your receiver or ampli-
fier has only one subwoofer
output jack, you may connect
the subwoofer output on your
receiver/preamplifier to either
R
+ –
5
O P E R A T IO N
Power
When the unit is plugged in
and the power switch is on
and no signal is received, the
LED on the top of the unit will
turn red. When a signal is
present, the LED will turn
green.
Note: It will take several min-
utes for the LED to turn from
green to red after the input
signal to the subwoofer is
removed. Due to JBL’s unique
high-output, high-efficiency
amplifier design, power con-
sumption is minimal when the
subwoofer is not receiving a
signal. Of course, the sub-
woofer can be turned off,
whenever desired, if you do
not wish to leave it in auto
(standby) mode.
Level Control
The subwoofer Level Control
adjusts the volume of the
subwoofer relative to the rest
of the system. Proper level
adjustment depends on sev-
eral 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 determines the highest
frequency at which the sub-
woofer reproduces sounds. If
your main speakers can com-
fortably 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
LEVEL
Max
NORMAL
Min
LFE
PHASE 0º
180º
CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY
150Hz
50Hz
L
R
LINE LEVEL IN
For LFE use L or R
L
HIGH
LEVEL
IN
required by today’s films and
music. If you are using smaller
bookshelf speakers that do not
extend to the lower bass fre-
quencies, 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.
R
+
–
ON
OFF
120V
60Hz
POWER
Northridge E Series
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
6
Phase Control
The Phase Control determines
whether the subwoofer’s pis-
ton-like action moves in and
out in phase with the main
speakers or opposite the
main speakers. There is no
correct or incorrect setting.
Proper phase adjustment
depends on several variables
such as subwoofer placement
and listener position. Adjust
the phase switch to maximize
bass output at the listening
position.
If at some time in the future
you happen to rearrange your
listening room and move your
speakers, you should experi-
ment with the phase switch in
both positions, and leave it in
the position that maximizes
bass performance.
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 speakers.
T R O U B LE S H O O T IN G
If you used the high-level
(speaker) inputs and there
is no sound from any of the
speakers:
If there is low (or no) bass
output:
If you used the line-level
inputs and there is no sound
from the subwoofer:
• Make sure the connections
to the left and right “Speaker
Inputs” have the correct
polarity (+ and –).
•
Check that the receiver/
•
Check that the receiver/
amplifier is on and a source is
playing.
amplifier is on and a source
is playing.
• Make sure that the sub-
woofer is plugged into an
active electrical outlet and
switched on.
• Check that the powered
subwoofer is plugged into an
active electrical outlet and is
switched on.
• Check that the powered
subwoofer is plugged into
an active electrical outlet
and is switched on.
• Adjust the crossover point.
• Check all wires and
• 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, except for the
wires for the front left and
right speakers, which may be
joined with the wires for the
subwoofer at the receiver/
amplifier end only, if you are
using the speaker-level
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.
• 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.
• Review proper operation of
your receiver/amplifier.
• Slowly turn the Level Control
clockwise until you begin to
hear the desired amount of
bass.
• 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.
connections as described
on page 4.
• Review proper operation
of your receiver/amplifier.
7
S P E C IF IC A T IO N S
E150P
E250P
Amplifier
Power (RMS):
150 Watts
250 Watts
Peak Dynamic
Power†:
250 Watts
550 Watts
™
™
Driver:
Inputs:
10" PolyPlas
12" PolyPlas
Line Level (switchable to LFE)
and Speaker Level with
5-way binding posts
Line Level (switchable to LFE)
and Speaker Level with
5-way binding posts
Low-Pass
Frequency:
Variable from 50Hz to 150Hz
Variable from 50Hz to 150Hz
Frequency
Response:
27Hz – Low-pass
crossover setting
25Hz – Low-pass
crossover setting
Dimensions
(H x W x D):
17-3/4" x 12-1/4" x 14-1/2"
(451mm x 311mm x 368mm)
19-3/4" x 14-3/8" x 16-1/2"
(502mm x 365mm x 419mm)
Weight:
33.5 lb/15.2kg
43 lb/19.5kg
†
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.
P R O S O U N D C O M ES H O M E ™
JBL Consumer Products, 250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797
8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329
© 2003 Harman International Industries, Incorporated
*Trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
JBL is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
Part No.350883-001
All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
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