Read JBL G CENTER User Guide / Operation Manual online
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on choosing JBL
loudspeakers. Their highly accurate,
uncolored and balanced sound
character will greatly increase your
enjoyment of recorded films and
movies. JBL speakers are built with
careful attention to detail, using only
the highest quality materials. They will
provide many years of excellent
performance.
loudspeakers. Their highly accurate,
uncolored and balanced sound
character will greatly increase your
enjoyment of recorded films and
movies. JBL speakers are built with
careful attention to detail, using only
the highest quality materials. They will
provide many years of excellent
performance.
The G Center Channel Speaker is the
result of concentrated efforts to
combine traditional JBL performance
values with elegant contemporary
appearance. It is designed to give you
the clear, crisp, quality sound
reproduction needed to deliver
accurate, intelligible vocal information
required by a center channel speaker.
result of concentrated efforts to
combine traditional JBL performance
values with elegant contemporary
appearance. It is designed to give you
the clear, crisp, quality sound
reproduction needed to deliver
accurate, intelligible vocal information
required by a center channel speaker.
The G Center incorporates magnetic
shielding on the drivers which
prevents stray magnetic fields from
creating any interference or distortion
of the video picture. This allows
placement of the G Center directly on
top of the video monitor or TV.
shielding on the drivers which
prevents stray magnetic fields from
creating any interference or distortion
of the video picture. This allows
placement of the G Center directly on
top of the video monitor or TV.
Your G Center is very easy to set up,
but as it is a critical part of your
surround system, we recommend that
you take a few minutes to read this
Owner's Manual before you begin and
follow the instructions carefully.
but as it is a critical part of your
surround system, we recommend that
you take a few minutes to read this
Owner's Manual before you begin and
follow the instructions carefully.
PLACEMENT
As the center channel contains the
dialog and other central action sounds,
the speaker should be located very
close to the Monitor/TV centered with
the Monitor/TV’s center line. Place the
G Center directly on top of the
Monitor/TV with the front edge of the
speaker grille flush with the edge of
the Monitor/TV. You should also have
your Left and Right speakers within a
2 ft. or less height range of your G
Center for proper sonic performance
(see Figure 1). If for some reason you
cannot place your G Center on top of
the Monitor/TV, you may place it just
below the Monitor/TV. When used in
this position, it is recommended that
dialog and other central action sounds,
the speaker should be located very
close to the Monitor/TV centered with
the Monitor/TV’s center line. Place the
G Center directly on top of the
Monitor/TV with the front edge of the
speaker grille flush with the edge of
the Monitor/TV. You should also have
your Left and Right speakers within a
2 ft. or less height range of your G
Center for proper sonic performance
(see Figure 1). If for some reason you
cannot place your G Center on top of
the Monitor/TV, you may place it just
below the Monitor/TV. When used in
this position, it is recommended that
G SERIES
LOUDSPEAKERS
OWNER’S
MANUAL
G
CENTER
G Series Manual.qXp 7/28/98 10:41 AM Page 3
you support the G Center so the
speaker is angled up to point towards
your seated ear level listening
position.
speaker is angled up to point towards
your seated ear level listening
position.
In Case Color Interference Occurs
The speaker is shielded to work with
video applications, however some
color interference may be observed
on the TV screen depending on the
type of your TV set. If color inter-
ference is observed, turn your TV
off for 15 minutes and move the
G Center back about 1" from the front
edge of the TV. Turn on the TV and
recheck. If this is not far enough,
move back further and experiment
until the interference disappears. You
may have to turn the TV off for a few
minutes and turn it on again to clear
the screen.
The speaker is shielded to work with
video applications, however some
color interference may be observed
on the TV screen depending on the
type of your TV set. If color inter-
ference is observed, turn your TV
off for 15 minutes and move the
G Center back about 1" from the front
edge of the TV. Turn on the TV and
recheck. If this is not far enough,
move back further and experiment
until the interference disappears. You
may have to turn the TV off for a few
minutes and turn it on again to clear
the screen.
CONNECTIONS
To connect the G Center to the center
channel output of your AV receiver or
amplifier, use two-conductor insu-
lated wire. Your JBL dealer can
recommend suitable cables, or you
can buy wire at most hardware or
electronic stores. We recommend #16
AWG wire as a minimum size. If your
speaker is more than 30 feet (10 m)
from your AV receiver or amplifier,
use larger diameter, lower gauge
wire. Connections are made at the
terminals located on the back of the
G Center speaker. The terminals
accept bare wire or dual banana
plugs, either of which will provide
easy, secure connections.
channel output of your AV receiver or
amplifier, use two-conductor insu-
lated wire. Your JBL dealer can
recommend suitable cables, or you
can buy wire at most hardware or
electronic stores. We recommend #16
AWG wire as a minimum size. If your
speaker is more than 30 feet (10 m)
from your AV receiver or amplifier,
use larger diameter, lower gauge
wire. Connections are made at the
terminals located on the back of the
G Center speaker. The terminals
accept bare wire or dual banana
plugs, either of which will provide
easy, secure connections.
Preparing the hookup wire
1. First determine the distance
between G Center and the AV
Receiver’s center channel output. Be
sure to consider any obstructions, i.e.
cabinets, furniture, etc.
2. Cut a length of speaker wire this
length.
3. Strip off 3/8" of insulation from both
ends of each conductor.
4. Twist each set of thin wires into a
tightly-bunched spiral.
5. At this point you need to identify a
visual difference between the two
conductors of each molded pair of
speaker wire. Differentiating marks
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 does not make any
difference which of the two strands of
wire go to (+) and (–) on the speakers
and amplifier, as long as both
speakers are connected identically.
Push down on the button below the
terminal and insert the wire, or the
banana plug, through the hole
(see Figure 2).
1. First determine the distance
between G Center and the AV
Receiver’s center channel output. Be
sure to consider any obstructions, i.e.
cabinets, furniture, etc.
2. Cut a length of speaker wire this
length.
3. Strip off 3/8" of insulation from both
ends of each conductor.
4. Twist each set of thin wires into a
tightly-bunched spiral.
5. At this point you need to identify a
visual difference between the two
conductors of each molded pair of
speaker wire. Differentiating marks
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 does not make any
difference which of the two strands of
wire go to (+) and (–) on the speakers
and amplifier, as long as both
speakers are connected identically.
Push down on the button below the
terminal and insert the wire, or the
banana plug, through the hole
(see Figure 2).
The red terminal on the loudspeaker
should be connected to the red or (+)
center channel connection terminal
on the AV receiver or amplifier, and
the black to the black or (–).
Connecting the loudspeaker in this
manner ensures that it will be in
phase; that is, work together rather
than in opposition to the left and right
channel speakers. Connecting
should be connected to the red or (+)
center channel connection terminal
on the AV receiver or amplifier, and
the black to the black or (–).
Connecting the loudspeaker in this
manner ensures that it will be in
phase; that is, work together rather
than in opposition to the left and right
channel speakers. Connecting
2
Center
Speaker
Speaker
Center
AV Receiver
Red
(–) (+)
(–) (+)
Blk
Figure 2
(2 ft. or less)
(2 ft. or less)
Figure 1
G Series Manual.qXp 7/28/98 10:41 AM Page 4
loudspeakers out of phase will not
damage them, but will result in less
bass and poor imaging.
damage them, but will result in less
bass and poor imaging.
Center Channel Volume
To properly adjust your center
channel volume, please refer to the
owner's manual that came with your
AV Receiver for proper adjustment
procedures. Before you attempt to
adjust the volume, you need to select
the proper center channel mode on
your AV Receiver. Select the “Center
Normal” mode. Most amps have a
“test tone” or “noise sequencer”
feature to help you balance the center
channel with the rest of your system.
Using the controls on your AV
receiver/amp, adjust the center
channel level (volume) control so that
the sound from the center speaker is
the same level
To properly adjust your center
channel volume, please refer to the
owner's manual that came with your
AV Receiver for proper adjustment
procedures. Before you attempt to
adjust the volume, you need to select
the proper center channel mode on
your AV Receiver. Select the “Center
Normal” mode. Most amps have a
“test tone” or “noise sequencer”
feature to help you balance the center
channel with the rest of your system.
Using the controls on your AV
receiver/amp, adjust the center
channel level (volume) control so that
the sound from the center speaker is
the same level
at your normal
listening position, as the sound from
the left and right front speakers.
the left and right front speakers.
POWER HANDLING
Thanks to its high efficiency, the
JBL G Center loudspeaker will
produce reasonable volume levels in
a room of moderate size with very
little amplifier power. However, using
a small amplifier to obtain the desired
volume listening levels may lead to
overdriving the amplifier. This will
generate high distortion levels and
may cause damage to your
loudspeaker. For the best
performance, an amplifier should be
selected with an output rating that is
greater than the maximum power that
will be used. This margin of reserve
power will ensure that the amplifier
will not attempt to deliver more power
than its design allows. However, the
amplifier's power rating per channel
must not exceed the maximum
recommended amplifier power for that
specific loudspeaker model. Please
see the specification section for
details. Following these guidelines
will provide virtually distortion-free
sound reproduction and long
loudspeaker life.
JBL G Center loudspeaker will
produce reasonable volume levels in
a room of moderate size with very
little amplifier power. However, using
a small amplifier to obtain the desired
volume listening levels may lead to
overdriving the amplifier. This will
generate high distortion levels and
may cause damage to your
loudspeaker. For the best
performance, an amplifier should be
selected with an output rating that is
greater than the maximum power that
will be used. This margin of reserve
power will ensure that the amplifier
will not attempt to deliver more power
than its design allows. However, the
amplifier's power rating per channel
must not exceed the maximum
recommended amplifier power for that
specific loudspeaker model. Please
see the specification section for
details. Following these guidelines
will provide virtually distortion-free
sound reproduction and long
loudspeaker life.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The vast majority of new speaker
"malfunctions" end up being traced to
connections or switch settings. Check
the following tips first, before
requesting service.
"malfunctions" end up being traced to
connections or switch settings. Check
the following tips first, before
requesting service.
No sound at all or very faint sound
from the center channel speaker
1. Speaker wire has become
disconnected.
2. One of the connections between
sound source and AV receiver/amp is
faulty or has become disconnected.
3. AV receiver/amp center channel
mode not selected. Please select a
mode that activates the center
channel.
4. AV receiver/amp "audio direct"
switch is activated. This switch should
be off to activate the 5 speaker
surround mode.
5. Sound source (VDP, VCR, CD,
cassette deck, turntable) not turned
on, not activated, not hooked up or
not selected on AV receiver/amp front
panel.
from the center channel speaker
1. Speaker wire has become
disconnected.
2. One of the connections between
sound source and AV receiver/amp is
faulty or has become disconnected.
3. AV receiver/amp center channel
mode not selected. Please select a
mode that activates the center
channel.
4. AV receiver/amp "audio direct"
switch is activated. This switch should
be off to activate the 5 speaker
surround mode.
5. Sound source (VDP, VCR, CD,
cassette deck, turntable) not turned
on, not activated, not hooked up or
not selected on AV receiver/amp front
panel.
Speaker plays at low volumes
but shuts off as volume is
increased OR sound turns on
and off intermittently
A few strands of speaker wire may
be shorting out. Recheck the con-
nections. Recheck the impedance
of the amp.
but shuts off as volume is
increased OR sound turns on
and off intermittently
A few strands of speaker wire may
be shorting out. Recheck the con-
nections. Recheck the impedance
of the amp.
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 grille, re-
position it carefully and press gently
at the corners. Do not push on the
center area of the grille.
the edges. To remove the grille, grasp
it by both top and bottom edges and
pull gently. To replace grille, re-
position 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 com-
mercial spot remover. Do not use any
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 com-
mercial spot remover. Do not use any
3
G SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS
G Series Manual.qXp 7/28/98 10:41 AM Page 5
cleaners or solvents on the speaker
drivers themselves.
drivers themselves.
SERVICE
Should your loudspeaker ever need
service, return it to the JBL dealer from
whom it was purchased. If for some
reason this is impractical, in the United
States, call 800-336-4JBL for your
nearest warranty station. Military
service, return it to the JBL dealer from
whom it was purchased. If for some
reason this is impractical, in the United
States, call 800-336-4JBL for your
nearest warranty station. Military
personnel who purchased from
authorized military outlets should
return them to a similar outlet.
authorized military outlets should
return them to a similar outlet.
If purchased outside the United States,
contact your local distributor to make
arrangements for repair service.
Do not return products to the JBL
factory without prior authorization.
contact your local distributor to make
arrangements for repair service.
Do not return products to the JBL
factory without prior authorization.
JBL Consumer Products, Inc.
80 Crossways Park West
Woodbury, NY 11797
80 Crossways Park West
Woodbury, NY 11797
800 336 4JBL (4525)
A Harman International Company
Part No. 324973-001
G SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS
Specifications
G Center
High Frequency Dome Transducer
14mm Titanium Laminate
Low Frequency (High Polymer Laminate)
3-1/2" (Two)
Crossover Frequency
5.5 kHz
Frequency Response (– 6dB)
80 Hz to 20 kHz
Sensitivity (1 Watt /1 meter)
87dB
Nominal Impedance
8 Ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power*
10 to 80 Watts
External Dimensions (HxWxD)
5-3/16" x 14-1/4" x 6-5/8"
External Dimensions (millimeters)
132 x 362 x 168mm
Weight (each)
7 lbs (3.2 kg)
Shipping Weight
10 lbs (4.5 kg)
*The maximum recommended amplifier power rating will insure proper system headroom to allow for
occasional program peaks. We do not recommend sustained operation at these power levels.
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.
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.
G Series Manual.qXp 7/28/98 10:41 AM Page 2