JBL Consumer Products, SIS Products Group, 8500 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91329 Part No. SYNFULL-LINE Printed in USA on recycled paper 9/04 Designed, edited and digitally produced by Harman Consumer Group Marketing & Design Center, Woodbury, NY.
THE ONE THING THE WORLDS PREMIER MOVIE THEATERS AND CONCERT HALLS HAVE OVER SYNTHESIS ? MORE SEATS. JBL Synthesis home theater and
music systems are designed and custom-installed to duplicate the electrifying performance characteristics of acclaimed venues like the Samuel Goldwyn Theater and the Sydney Opera House, but on a somewhat more intimate scale. Industrialgrade technologies, materials and engineering, from the most applauded professional brand, deliver systems of uncompromised power and authority for the homes of purists and enthusiasts, as well as film and music professionals, everywhere. As Synthesis owners and audio reviewers alike will tell you, more impressive and realistic residential sound systems cant be found anywhere, at any price.
Table of Contents: Inside the Synthesis Sound 04. Electronics Technologies 10. Processors, Equalizers, Amplifiers 12. Loudspeaker Technologies 18. Professional Heritage 20. Synthesis Systems 23. Electronics and Loudspeaker Specifications 48. A Brief History of JBL 54

WELCOME HOME

SOPHISTICATED

SYNTHESIS

ELECTRONICS
PRECISELY MATCH THE PROGRAM MATERIAL TO THE LISTENING SPACE. Synthesis electronic components employ the most advanced signal processors, equalizers and amplifiers to create the most realistic listening experience possible in rooms of any size. Intelligent THX -certified surround sound processors automatically configure themselves to optimize the impact of any CD, DVD or satellite signal. JBLs patented Logic 7
matrixing system uses proprietary digital algorithms to improve the accuracy and timing of the signals arriving at center channel and surround sound speakers, creating a larger, more nearly perfect 360-degree soundscape. SDEC digital equalization, tuned on site by an audio expert, precisely calibrates your systems frequency response for the acoustical realities of your listening area. And high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifiers ensure faithful reproduction of both explosive special effects and ethereal musical interludes.

WELCOME INSIDE

HOW SWEET IT IS. Logic 7 processing dramatically improves the balance and timing of loudspeaker signals to deliver the largest sweet spot of any home theater system.
AND, HOW SMOOTH. SDEC digital equalization, professionally tuned to the needs of your space, reduces unwanted room resonances to deliver far smoother frequency response.
Calibrated Room Response Noncalibrated Room Response
Logic 7s far larger sweet spot.
Small sweet spot without Logic 7.
Smooth response with SDEC digital equalization.
Uneven frequency response caused by room resonances.
MORE REALISTIC SOUND FROM ANY SOURCE: LOGIC 7 PROCESSING.
IN ADDITION TO THE LATEST INDUSTRY-STANDARD sound processing technologies, including Dolby Digital, DTS-ES and THX Surround EX all Synthesis systems include JBLs patented Logic 7 processing, which , offers two principal benefits. First, Logic 7 is capable of producing discrete 7.1- or 5.1-channel sound fields from the thousands of two-channel sources still in widespread use today, making them sound truer to life. Second, Logic 7 produces a larger, more precise 360-degree soundscape from multichannel sources, greatly increasing a listening rooms sweet spot. With both Cinema and Music modes, Logic 7 processing assures you of the fullest, most realistic sound possible, regardless of source.
PERFORMANCE FINE-TUNED TO YOUR SPACE: SDEC DIGITAL EQUALIZATION.
EVERY ROOM HAS DIFFERENT ACOUSTICS. And every room creates resonances that degrade frequency response. Synthesis systems use precise, distortion-free SDEC digital equalization to counteract unwanted resonances and improve system performance. Professionally calibrated by a JBL-certified technician at the time of installation, SDEC actually customizes your system to your room, for far smoother, more lifelike reproduction of any program material.

JBL technicians use computerbased analysis instruments to fine-tune your system performance.

DIGITAL EQUALIZERS.

SDEC-2500A, OPTIMIZED SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. Offering 7-channel output and 83-band parametric EQ, the SDEC-2500A digital equalizer custom-fits the cinema and music output of your Synthesis system to the acoustic needs of your listening space. SDEC-1000A, CUSTOMIZING THE SYNTHESIS ONE SOUND. With fourth-order electronic crossover networks for use with the bi-amplified loudspeakers in Synthesis One systems, the SDEC-1000A digital equalizer offers 92-band parametric EQ across 10 channels of output with music/cinema mode switching.
Synthesis components have received the highest THX certification.

POWER AMPLIFIERS.

S800, STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. Used in arrays of as many as 10 (capable of flooding rooms as large as 75,000 cubic feet with thundering sound) the 1 x 800-watt (mono bridged)/2 x 200-watt (stereo) S800 power amplifier is the highest current ultrawide-bandwidth workhorse of the Synthesis Series. S5160, 5TH TO NTH POWER. Let us do the math for you. Two 5 x 160-watt (at 8 ohms) S5160 power amplifiers plus two 2 x 200-watt (at 8 ohms) S800 power amplifiers equals the breathtaking power of Synthesis One, designed for listening spaces of up to 27,000 cubic feet. S7150, THE SEVEN-CHANNEL SOLUTION. Delivering 7 x 160 watts of power, the S7150 power amplifier reproduces the full 360-degree imaging critical to enjoying the full impact of todays thrilling 7.1-channel THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital and DTS-ES soundtracks.
Note: All JBL Synthesis amplifiers are designed with forced-air cooling to allow them to be stacked in standard 19" racks.

LOUDSPEAKER

TECHNOLOGY
Massive 18" subwoofer guarantees soundtracks will come alive with movie theater-like impact.
Our pure-titanium tweeters produce a spacious, dramatic concert-like sound.
JBLs horn-loaded compression drivers.
State-of-the-art crossover technology.
INNOVATIVE SYNTHESIS LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS take control of your emotions and never let go. For nearly 60 years, JBL has been the leading manufacturer of professional loudspeakers for recording artists and touring musicians. And JBL collaborated closely with Lucasfilm Ltd. in developing the underlying technologies of THX, which set a new standard of realism in movie sound. JBL Synthesis loudspeaker systems represent, well, a synthesis of everything weve learned over the years about the precise reproduction of recorded sound. With horn-loaded compression drivers (an essential of cinema sound rarely heard in consumer systems), wide-dispersion titanium tweeters and high-definition crossover networks, Synthesis loudspeakers are among the most powerful and capable instruments ever to be used in home entertainment applications. COMPRESSION DRIVERS. The Concorde may be retired, but supersonic performance lives on. Synthesis uses advanced beryllium compression drivers capable of reproducing frequencies above 50kHz, delivering supersonic nuances that have gone unheard until now. HORNS. In Hollywood, everyone hopes to direct someday. Synthesis Bi-Radial horns (a patented JBL exclusive) achieve constant directivity, smoothly delivering midrange and high frequencies over a wider listening area, for an astonishingly clear, uncolored sound.

TWEETERS. Perfect (and perfectly legal) highs. Reproducing high frequencies accurately at high listening levels requires extremely light, extremely fast and extremely rigid transducer domes. Synthesis uses pure-titanium-dome tweeters for pure, distortion-free treble. MAGNETS. Rare earth and other uncommon magnets. Synthesis loudspeakers employ highly efficient magnetic circuits, built around neodymium and alnico magnets, to generate a high level of constant magnetic-flux density across the voice-coil gap of the transducers. (Subtitle: Synthesis drivers are quick enough to accurately reproduce any movie soundtrack or musical source in exquisite detail.) CROSSOVER NETWORKS. High-definition sound. Synthesis loudspeakers use JBLs unique low-distortion Charge-Coupled Linear Definition crossover networks to distribute specific frequencies to each driver, minimizing phase shifts for optimal system performance and imaging, and eliminating crossover distortion.

THE SYSTEMS

SK2-1000

K2 S9800

S1S -EX

SDP-40

SDEC-2500A

JBL SYNTHESIS HERCULES:

THE NAME IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
AT THE CENTER, THE WHOLLY EXTRAORDINARY SK2-1000 four-way speaker system with dual 10-inch woofers, featuring beryllium midrange and ultrahigh-frequency compression drivers and a specially designed Bi-Radial combination horn. To the left and right, flagship K2 S9800 three-way loudspeakers, incorporating JBLs most advanced professional technologies. All around you, six S1A dipole ambient surround speakers, each with dual 2-inch high-frequency and dual 8-inch mid-bass drivers. And from everywhere and nowhere, gloriously rich, clean bass from four S1S-EX 18-inch, 800-watt subwoofers. In all, 13 exceptionally refined loudspeaker systems, driven by the SDP-40 processor/controller, an SDEC-2500A digital equalizer and no fewer than 10 S800 amplifiers. A no-expense-spared entertainment system for listening rooms of up to 75,000 cubic feet, Hercules delivers up to 8,000 watts of power and achieves sound-pressure levels as high as 105dBA without distortion, making it by far the highest power, highest performance, highest quality system ever developed for residential use. JBL SYNTHESIS HERCULES
8000 WATTS 94dB CINEMA HIGH FREQUENCY 94dB MUSIC HIGH FREQUENCY 97dB LOW FREQUENCY

75,000

cubic feet

2, 120

cubic meters

JBL SYNTHESIS ATLAS:

POWERFUL AUDIO IN A SUBTLE PACKAGE.
THE FRONT SOUNDSTAGE INCLUDES three SK2-1000 four-way speaker systems with dual 10-inch woofers, featuring beryllium midrange and ultrahigh-frequency compression drivers in a specially designed Bi-Radial combination horn, incorporating JBLs most advanced professional technologies. Enveloping the listener, and invisible to the naked eye, six S4A multipole in-wall ambient surround speakers, each with three 1" titanium high-frequency tweeters, two 4" mid-bass drivers and one 8" dual-coil woofer. Powerful, rich bass emanates from four S1S-EX 18" 800-watt subwoofers. The electronics package includes the SDP-40 processor/controller, SDEC-2500A digital equalizer, two S7150 (7 x 160-watt) and four S800 (1 x 800) power amplifiers. Designed for listening rooms of up to 45,000 cubic feet. JBL SYNTHESIS ATLAS
5440 WATTS 94dB CINEMA HIGH FREQUENCY 94dB MUSIC HIGH FREQUENCY 97dB LOW FREQUENCY

45,000

1,270 cubic meters

S1S-EX

SDEC-1000A

SYNTHESIS ONE:

OVER-THE-TOP PERFORMANCE.
BRINGING RAREFIED POWER AND UNEQUALED REALISM to listening areas of up to 27,000 cubic feet and surpassing the highest expectations of the worlds most demanding listeners the Synthesis One system pairs two mirror-image left and right S1M music and cinema loudspeakers with a vertical S1C-S center channel speaker, four S1A dipole ambient surrounds and two S1S-EX 18-inch, 800-watt subwoofers. With an electronics package that includes the SDP-40 processor/ controller, SDEC-1000A digital equalizer, two S5160 5-channel amplifiers and two S800 2-channel amplifiers, Synthesis One sets new standards of technological innovation and manufacturing quality, and delivers an unequaled listening experience.

SYNTHESIS ONE

3200 WATTS 91dB CINEMA HIGH FREQUENCY 95dB MUSIC HIGH FREQUENCY 97dB LOW FREQUENCY

27,000

760 cubic meters

SYNTHESIS TWO:

POWER BY THE CUBIC FOOT.
IN SYNTHESIS TWO SYSTEMS, THE MAIN LEFT AND RIGHT S2ML AND S2MR loudspeakers feature dual 6-inch mid-bass drivers and deliver high frequencies with either a 2-inch compression driver/Bi-Radial horn (cinema mode) or a 1-inch titanium-dome tweeter and 4-inch midrange driver (music mode). The S2C center channel speaker duplicates the cinema-mode driver array of the main speakers. Four S4A in-wall multipole ambient surround speakers, two S2S 15-inch 250-watt powered subwoofers and electronics that include an SDP-5 processor/controller, SDEC-2500A digital equalizer, S7150 7-channel amplifier and S800 2-channel amplifier round out the Synthesis Two system. It delivers all the realism of todays most sophisticated digital sources. And its all the sonic muscle 14,000-ft.3 rooms can handle.

SYNTHESIS TWO

1520 WATTS 91dB CINEMA HIGH FREQUENCY 92dB MUSIC HIGH FREQUENCY 94dB LOW FREQUENCY

14,000

400 cubic meters

S3M, S3SL

SYNTHESIS THREE:
SYNTHESIS CAN BE VERY FLEXIBLE.
SYNTHESIS THREE IS DESIGNED to give your architect or designer maximum leeway in creating your ideal listening space. The all-important center channel speaker, for example, is available in designs optimized for either vertical (S3VC) or horizontal (S3HC) installation. The main left and right S3M cinema and music speakers may be cabinet/custom-mounted, or configured as freestanding floor units atop left- and right-firing subwoofers (S3SL and S3SR). Four S4A in-wall multipole ambient surround speakers and electronics that include the SDP-5 processor/controller, SDEC-2500A digital equalizer, S7150 7-channel amplifier and S800 2-channel amplifier complete a package that will fill rooms of up to 5,500 cubic feet with edge-of-your-seat home entertainment.

SYNTHESIS THREE

1520 WATTS 87dB CINEMA HIGH FREQUENCY 87dB MUSIC HIGH FREQUENCY 92dB LOW FREQUENCY

HTPS-400

PS1400 (alternate sub)

SYNTHESIS FOUR:

FULL-SCALE DRAMA IN A CHOICE OF CONFIGURATIONS.
SYNTHESIS FOUR SYSTEMS OFFER YOU A CHOICE of ways to fill 7,500 cubic feet of space with dramatic, full-spectrum sound from compact system components. Begin with either three-way in-wall main loudspeakers (one S4HC and two S4VCs) or three-way on-wall main loudspeakers (one PC600 and two PT800s). Back them up with two HTPS-400 powered subwoofers (the smallest THX-certified subwoofer available) and four S4A in-wall dipole surrounds. Add the power of an SDP-5 processor/controller, SDEC-2500A digital equalizer and S7150 7-channel amplifier. The choice is yours. (The 110V HTPS-400 is replaced by the PS1400BLK 14-inch active subwoofer in 230-volt markets.)

SYNTHESIS FOUR

3120 WATTS 91dB HIGH FREQUENCY 92dB LOW FREQUENCY

SYNTHESIS BOARDROOM:

SYNTHESIS AT WORK.
MANY COMPANIES UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF world-class audio/video presentation systems, and for the most successful among them, Synthesis is the system of choice. The Synthesis Boardroom package, for conference spaces of up to 7,000 cubic feet, combines a horizontal S3HC center channel loudspeaker with two voice-matched vertical S3VC left- and right-channel speakers, four S4A in-wall multipole surround speakers and two 15-inch, 250-watt powered or passive subwoofers. Electronics include the SDP-5 processor/controller, SDEC-2500A digital equalizer, S7150 7-channel amplifier and S800 2-channel amplifier. The meeting may now come to order, to spectacular effect.

SYNTHESIS ELECTRONICS 1

1520 WATTS SDP-40 SDEC-2500A S800 S7150

PACKAGE one

SYNTHESIS ELECTRONICS PACKAGE 2:
SYNTHESIS ELECTRONICS, TO GO.
INDIVIDUALLY, THEYRE AMONG THE MOST SOPHISTICATED electronics products available. The flexible, expandable SDP-5 processor/controller. The essential SDEC-2500A digital equalizer. The S7150 7-channel cinema amplifier. The S800 2-channel music amplifier. As a group in the Synthesis Electronics Package 2, theyre the basis for complete systems that are unequaled in quality and performance.

SYNTHESIS ELECTRONICS 2

1520 WATTS SDP-5 SDEC-2500A S800 S7150

PACKAGE two

SPECIFICATIONS.

DESCRIPTION

S1M Main Left and Right Cinema/ Music Loudspeakers Cinema: 80Hz17kHz Music: 80Hz22kHz Cinema: HF (1) 2" compression driver/Bi-Radial horn; LF (2) 8" mid-bass drivers Music: HF (1) 1" titaniumdome tweeter; MF (2) 5" midrange drivers; LF (2) 8" mid-bass drivers Cinema: HF 200W/LF 200W Music: HF 200W/LF 200W Cinema: HF 91dB, LF 95dB Music: HF 91dB, LF 95dB Cinema: HF 4 ohms, LF 8 ohms Music: HF 6 ohms, LF 8 ohms 27" x 21" x 9" 686mm x 533mm x 299mm 74 lb/33.6kg
S1C-S Vertical Center Channel Loudspeaker 80Hz17kHz
S1A Dipole Ambient Surround Speaker 80Hz17kHz

S1S-EX Subwoofer

S2ML & S2MR Main Left and Right Cinema/ Music Loudspeakers Cinema: 80Hz17kHz Music: 80Hz22kHz Cinema: HF (1) 2" compression driver/Bi-Radial horn; LF (2) 6" mid-bass drivers Music: HF (1) 1" titaniumdome tweeter; MF (1) 1" midrange driver; LF (2) 6" mid-bass drivers Cinema: 150 watts Music: 150 watts Cinema: 91dB Music: 92dB 8 ohms
S2C Direct-Radiating Side Surround Speakers 80Hz17kHz
S2A Dipole Ambient Surround Speaker

S2S Subwoofer

S3M Main Left and Right Cinema/ Music Loudspeakers
S3VC/S3HC Vertical/Horizontal Center Channel Loudspeaker
S3SL and S3SR Left and Right Subwoofers
FREQUENCY RESPONSE SPEAKER CONFIGURATION

20Hz200Hz

S4A 2-Way/3-Way 8" Multipurpose Configurable-Array Flush-Mount Surround Loudspeaker Dipole, Bipole and Direct-Radiating Modes 80Hz20kHz
HF (1) 2" compression driver/Bi-Radial horn LF (2) 8" mid-bass drivers
HF (2) 2" compression driver/Bi-Radial horn LF (2) 8" mid-bass drivers
LF (1) 18" shielded transducer

PS1400 14" 400W Powered Subwoofer
SK2-1000 3-Way, Dual 10" Hercules Center Speaker
K2 S9800 3-Way, 15" Floorstanding Speaker
LSR6325P 2-Way, 5-1/4" 150W Compact , Bi-Amplified Monitor
LSR6312SP 12" 250W Powered Subwoofer
80Hz22kHz FREQUENCY RESPONSE 28Hz130Hz 60Hz50kHz (6dB) 45Hz50kHz (6dB) 70Hz20kHz (+1, 2dB) 28Hz80Hz (6dB)
1" Pure-titanium dome with rubber surround, shielded, with EOSTM waveguide; 4" Titanium inverted dome with rubber surround and cast-aluminum basket, shielded; 6-1/2" Titanium-alloy inverted dome with rubber surround and cast basket, shielded 250 watts
1" Pure-titanium dome with rubber surround, shielded, with EOSTM waveguide; 4" Titanium inverted dome with rubber surround and cast-aluminum basket, shielded; 8" Titanium-alloy inverted dome with rubber surround and cast basket, shielded 250 watts
5-1/4" Low-frequency driver; 1" Titanium-dome high-frequency driver with Bi-Radial horn
1" Pure-titanium dome with rubber surround, shielded, with EOSTM waveguide; 4" Titanium inverted dome with rubber surround and castaluminum basket, shielded; Dual 6" titanium-alloy inverted domes with rubber surrounds and cast-aluminum baskets, shielded

SPEAKER CONFIGURATION

1" Pure-titanium dome with rubber surround, shielded, with EOSTM waveguide; 4" Titanium inverted dome with rubber surround and castaluminum basket, shielded; 8" Titanium-alloy inverted dome with rubber surround and cast-aluminum basket, shielded
LE14H-3 14" Aquaplas cone woofer with rubber surround; 4" Edge-wound copper voice coil and cast-aluminum basket
(2) 10" Neodymium Differential Drive (NDD)TM Aquaplas-coated woofers (2251J-2); 3" Pure-beryllium compression driver (435Be) and 1"-throat Bi-Radial horn (100 vert. x 50 horiz.); 1" Pure-beryllium compression driver (045Be)

1,000 watts

15" Pulp-cone woofer (1500AL); 3" Pure-beryllium compression driver (435Be) and 1"-throat Bi-Radial horn; 1" Pure-beryllium compression driver (045Be) and 1/2"-throat Bi-Radial horn and 1/2"-throat Bi-Radial horn (65 vert. x 35 horiz.)
LF (1) 5-1/4" Temperedpaper cone with butyl rubber surrounds, shielded; HF (1) 1" Titaniumcomposite dome in EOS waveguide
LF (1) 12" Cone with patented Neodymium Differential Drive (NDD) technology

400 watts

300 watts peak

400 watts peak

94dB (2.83V/1m)
14" x 23-7/8" x 5-1/2" 356mm x 606mm x 140mm 32 lb/14.5kg
23-7/8" x 14" x 5-1/2" 606mm x 356mm x 140mm 26 lb/11.8kg
6-13/16" x 20" x 12-1/2" 173mm x 508mm x 318mm 25 lb/11.4kg
20" x 6-13/16" x 12-1/2" 508mm x 173mm x 318mm 25 lb/11.4kg

14-5/8" x 14-5/8" x 14-5/8" 372mm x 372mm x 372mm 62 lb/28kg
11-5/8" x 26-7/16" x 7-1/4" 295mm x 672mm x 184mm 32 lb/15kg
24" x 13-1/2" x 6" 610mm x 343mm x 152mm 37 lb/17kg
19" x 20" x 15" 483mm x 508mm x 381mm 80 lb/36kg
25" x 22" x 9" 635mm x 559mm x 229mm 80 lb/36.4kg
51" x 20" x 14-3/4" 1295mm x 508mm x 375mm 198 lb/90kg
10-3/5" x 6-4/5" x 9-1/2" 269mm x 173mm x 241mm 7 lb/7.7kg
15-1/2" x 25" x 11-1/2" 394mm x 635mm x 292mm 39 lb/17.7kg
LSR6328P 2-Way, 8" Linear-Spatial Bi-Amplified Studio Monitor; 250W LF and 120W HF 50Hz20kHz (+1, 1.5dB)
1400 Array 3-Way, 14" Floorstanding
800 Array 3-Way, Dual 8" Center
1500 Array 15" 1000-Watt, Front-Firing , Powered Subwoofer
S800 Stereo/Mono THX Power Amplifier
S5160 THX Multichannel Power Amplifier
S7150 THX Multichannel Power Amplifier
SDP-40 Synthesis THX Processor/Controller
SDP-5 Synthesis THX Processor/Controller
SDEC-1000A THX Digital Crossover/Equalizer
SDEC-2500A THX Digital Equalizer

35Hz40kHz (3dB)

70Hz40kHz

25Hz400Hz

POWER OUTPUT
2 x 200 watts into 8 ohms stereo 800 watts mono into 8 ohms
5 x 160 watts into 8 ohms stereo
7 x 160 watts into 8 ohms
HF (1) Titanium-composite dome in EOSTM waveguide LF (1) 8" Carbon-fiber composite cone with Differential Drive
435AL 3" Aquaplas-treated aluminum-dome high-frequency compression driver with aluminum edge-wound voice coil and neodymium motor assembly, mounted in a vertical SonoGlassTM constant-directivity horn; 045Ti 1" Pure-titanium ultrahigh-frequency compression driver with aluminum edge-wound voice coil and 2" neodymium motor assembly, mounted in a constant-directivity horn; LE14H-3 14" Aquaplas-treated pulp-cone low-frequency driver with rubber surround, copper voice coil and 4" ferrite-magnet assembly, mounted in a trapezoidal enclosure 300 watts
175Nd 1-3/4" Aquaplas-treated aluminum-dome high-frequency compression driver with aluminum voice coil and neodymium motor assembly, mounted in a vertical SonoGlassTM constant-directivity horn; 015M 4/5" Mylar ultrahighfrequency compression driver with 2" neodymium motor assembly, mounted in a constant-directivity horn; 8" Polymer-treated pulp-cone low-frequency driver with 1-1/4" copper voice coil, mounted in a trapezoidal enclosure
1500Fe 15" Aquaplastreated (rear surface only) pulp-cone low-frequency driver with rubber surround, copper voice coil and 4" ferrite-magnet assembly, mounted in a trapezoidal enclosure

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

<10Hz70kHz (+0, 1dB)

<10Hz100kHz (+0, 1dB)

<5Hz100kHz (+0, 3dB)
10Hz20kHz (+0.1dB, 0.25dB, 0.75dB at 40kHz, reference 1kHz)
10Hz20kHz (+0.5dB, 0.1dB 0.5dB at 40kHz, reference 1kHz)

25Hz80kHz

S/N RATIO A weighted at rated power

<110dBA

>116dBA

>100dBA

108dB minimum, 111dB typical 22kHz bandwidth
108dB minimum 22kHz bandwidth

100dB, ref. max output

HARMONIC/ IM DISTORTION DIMENSIONS HxWxD
20Hz20kHz <0.02% 7" x 19" x 17-1/2" 178mm x 483mm x 445mm
20Hz20kHz <0.02% 7" x 19" x 19-1/2" 178mm x 483mm x 495mm
20Hz20kHz <0.03% 7" x 19" x 19-1/2" 178mm x 483mm x 495mm
<0.008% at 1kHz maximum output level 6-5/8" x 17-5/16" x 14-7/8" 169mm x 440mm x 377mm
<0.008% at 1kHz maximum output level 5" (w/feet) x 17-5/16" x 14-7/8" 128mm x 440mm x 377mm
3-1/2" x 19" x 18-1/2" 89mm x 483mm x 470mm
WEIGHT MAX RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER POWER SENSITIVITY 1W @ 1m NOMINAL IMPEDANCE DIMENSIONS HxWxD WEIGHT N/A 200 watts N/A

70 lb/31.8kg

88 lb/40kg

97 lb/44kg

45 lb/20.5kg

24 lb/10.7kg

22 lb/10kg

96dB N/A

90dB 8 ohms

89dB 8 ohms

N/A N/A Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice. Refinements may be made on occasion to existing products but will always meet or exceed original specifications unless otherwise stated. JBL, JBL Synthesis, Synthesis, Bi-Radial, Differential Drive and Logic 7 are registered trademarks, and Array, Boardroom, Charge-Coupled Linear Definition, VerTec, EOS, JBL Synthesis Atlas, JBL Synthesis Hercules, Neodymium Differential Drive (NDD), SoundEffects, Vented Gap Cooling and SonoGlass are trademarks, of Harman International Industries Incorporated. Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories. DTS and DTS-ES are registered trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc. Grammy Award is a registered trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. THX is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. THX Ultra2 is a trademark of THX Limited. All rights reserved.

13" x 16" x 12-4/5" 330mm x 406mm x 325mm 39 lb/17.7kg
46-3/4" x 15-1/4" x 19" 1187mm x 387mm x 483mm 100 lb/45kg
12" x 25-3/4" x 10-1/2" 305mm x 654mm x 267mm 50 lb/23kg
22" x 16-1/4" x 19" 559mm x 413mm x 483mm 100 lb/45kg

A BRIEF HISTORY OF JBL.

Harman International acquires JBL from William Thomas, and JBL embarks on a period of accelerated international growth through the Harman distribution companies. JBL is the loudspeaker powering the historic Woodstock music festival. JBL unveils the first four-way studio monitor series, the 4300s. The K2 loudspeaker system is chosen by Japans Stereo Sound as Product of the Year. JBL Synthesis is released the industrys first completely equalized, processed, powered THX Home Media System.
The JBL VerTec system is used for the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., for a crowd of 300,000 people. The JBL S2600 receives the highly coveted Golden Award and Stereo Sound COTY Award for its advanced technological execution and superior sonic performance. JBL powers the Woodstock music festival again. JBL releases the K2 S9800, employing the 435Be and 045Be pure-cast-beryllium compression drivers. Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and Japan bestow their top awards on this, the latest in the K2 series of advanced loudspeakers.

JBL Pro

Paragon

Olympus

Lansing and Hilliard redefine the state of the art for motion picture theaters with the A-4, dubbed the Voice of the Theatre.
JBL produces the D-130 15" loudspeaker, which was the first known use of a 4" flat-wire voice coil in a cone transducer.
The cylindrical reflecting principle is present in the Paragon stereophonic loudspeaker system.
JBL introduces the T-circuit output for high-output solidstate amplification.
JBL uses the first Bi-Radial horns, which are built on the concept of flat power response.
JBL is selected by Lucasfilm to develop the first commercial THX-licensed cinema speaker system.
Harman International continues to take JBLs growth to greater heights and new markets.
JBL develops Vented Gap Cooling for raising the thermal power limits of low-frequency transducers.

JBL introduces its new lower-midrange compression driver with matching horns.
The L-100, a consumer version of the popular 4310 studio monitor, is released. During the Seventies, sales volume of this product reaches in excess of 125,000 pairs.

1981 1983

Titanium-dome tweeters are introduced into consumer products, providing superlative response to 27kHz. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selects JBL components for the new sound system in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
JBLs Synthesis SDEC-1000 brings digital technology to its highest level for the benefit of the consumer.
JBL systems are installed for the third Woodstock music festival.
The JBL Synthesis S4A is the worlds first THX Ultra2 in-wall, flush-mount, multipole surround loudspeaker.
JBL sponsors The Who world tour.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards JBL engineers the Scientific and Engineering Award and the Technical Achievement Award.
JBL SYNTHESIS IS THE LATEST HIGH POINT IN A LONG,
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH MOVIES AND MUSIC.
Flat-wire milling and high-speed winding of ribbon-wire voice coils developed.
James B. Lansing Sound, Inc. is formed.
JBL introduces the model 375 high-frequency compression driver. This is the first commercially available 4" diaphragm driver, producing flat response to 9kHz. JBL manufactures a family of acoustic lenses. The 075 high-efficiency, high-frequency ring radiator is developed. This incredible device is still used in JBL product lines today.
Leo Fender of musical instrument fame incorporates the D-130 into his famous guitar amplifiers, signaling JBLs entry into the music reinforcement field. JBL Sounds Hartsfield System is called the ultimate dream speaker by LIFE magazine.
JBL produces the first two-way studio monitor to use a high-frequency compression driver with acoustic lens.
JBL monitors are ranked number one in the U.S. recording industry, in a survey conducted by Billboard.
Titanium is first used as a diaphragm material in compression drivers. JBL 4675 directradiator systems, with constant directivity, set the performance standard for cinema loudspeakers.

The Directors Guild of America chooses JBL components for its headquarters building.
JBL introduces the first Pro Audio neodymium woofer, debuting in the JBL Array Series.
JBL SoundEffects provides CD-quality wireless solutions for home media applications.
JBL announces its VerTec Line Array System, which debuts at the Democratic National Convention.
JBLs VerTec system is used for major special events, including the Super Bowl, the Grammy Awards and the World Cup opening ceremony in Seoul, S. Korea. The JBL Synthesis Hercules system reigns as the worlds most powerful home theater, offering more than 8,000 watts of power and the new SDP-40 digital processor.
JBL sponsors the Eric Clapton world tour. S4A is awarded the International CES Innovations Award.
JBL develops new rapid flare low-distortion compression drivers and a matching family of horns.
The JBL Synthesis S7150 is the first consumer 7-channel power amplifier. Synthesis Ultra at 6,500 watts, it's the most powerful home theater system available at any price.

Hartsfield

Everest

Century 100

SDEC-1000

Hercules