PSW-D112, PSW-D115
simple setup guide
thank you
for choosing JBL. For more
than 50 years, JBL has been involved in every
aspect of music and film recording and reproduc-
tion, from live performances to monitoring the
recordings you play in your home, car or office.
We’re confident that the JBL Loudspeakers you have
chosen will provide every note of enjoyment that
you expected – and that when you think about pur-
chasing additional audio equipment for your home,
car or office, you will once again choose JBL.
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JBL Consumer Products
Placement
• 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.
• It is also recommended
that the subwoofer be
positioned along the
same wall as the front
loudspeakers.
Low-frequency sounds are
normally omnidirectional,
meaning the listener can’t
tell where they are generated
from. However, frequencies
between 75Hz – 150Hz can
be localized, especially at
higher volume levels.
Positioning your subwoofer
as recommended will provide
the most natural soundstage
and imaging from your loud-
speaker system.
Remember that these are just
guidelines. Since every listen-
ing room is different, JBL
strongly recommends experi-
menting 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 tem-
porarily place the subwoofer
near the main listening loca-
tion. Then move around the
room and determine where you
hear the most pleasing bass
performance. This would then
be the ideal location for the
subwoofer.
RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER
SPKR In
L
Left
Center
Right
180
0
Phase
L
L
I
N
E
L
I
N
E
C
R
–
+
–
+
–
+
C
Hookup
O
U
T
I
N R
When we designed the
SPKR Out
Direct
PSW-D112 and PSW-D115
powered subwoofers, our goal
was to offer the user the best
possible performance com-
bined with the most flexible
and complete installation
options. Please look over the
following four examples to
determine which description
best matches your system and
follow the corresponding
hookup instructions.
L
120
90
90
150
High
Pass
C
R
180
180
60
60
120
–
+
–
+
–
+
150
LEFT
SPEAKER
CENTER
SPEAKER
RIGHT
SPEAKER
Low
Pass
Power
Off
On
+
+
+
1) If your receiver/amplifier
has no subwoofer
outputs or preamp
outputs for the left,
center and right
channels.
+
+
+
– 3 –
SPKR In
L
RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER
SUBWOOFER OUT
180
0
Phase
L
LEFT
RIGHT
L
I
N
E
L
I
C
R
N
E
C
O
U
T
I
N R
MAIN SPEAKER OUTPUT
SPKR Out
+
–
–
+
RIGHT
LEFT
Direct
L
120
90
90
150
C
R
High
Pass
180
180
60
60
120
SPKR In
150
L
Low
180
0
Phase
Pass
+
–
–
+
RIGHT
LEFT
L
L
I
L
I
C
R
LOUDSPEAKER
LOUDSPEAKER
Power
N
E
N
E
C
Off
On
O
U
T
I
N R
+
+
+
SPKR Out
Direct
L
120
RECEIVER/PREAMPLIFIER
90
90
150
C
R
High
Pass
Subwoofer
Output
180
180
60
60
120
+
150
+
+
Low
Pass
Power
2) If your receiver/amplifier
has subwoofer outputs
or preamp output jacks
for the left, center and
right channels, or left
and right only.
Note: Some receivers/ampli-
fiers have a single (mono)
subwoofer output. In this
case, it is recommended that
you use a “Y”-connector (not
included) to maximize the
subwoofer’s performance.
3) If your receiver/processor
contains a Dolby* Digital
and/or DTS** surround
processor.
Off
On
+
+
+
When hooked up using this
method, all of the crossover
and level adjustments are
controlled through the
receiver/processor.
+
+
+
– 4 –
4) If your receiver/ampli-
fier has preamp output
jacks and main input
jacks for the left, center
and right channels, or
left and right channels
only, or you have a
a variable low-pass crossover.
When hooked up as shown
above, the subwoofer will
limit the low-frequency infor-
mation that is returned to
your receiver/amplifier. Your
receiver/amplifier does
RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER
separate preamp/
processor and
power amplifier.
not need to waste valuable
power reproducing the low
frequencies. In addition,
since no low-frequency
information is being sent
to your main loudspeakers,
they are able to reproduce
mid and high frequencies
with greater clarity.
SPKR In
PRE
OUT
MAIN
IN
180
0
Phase
L
This method of hookup can
offer the highest level of
performance for your
complete loudspeaker system.
The PSW-D112 and PSW-D115
incorporate a variable high-
pass crossover in addition to
LEFT
CENTER
RIGHT
L
L
I
N
E
L
I
N
E
C
R
C
O
I
N
R UT
SPKR Out
Direct
L
120
MAIN SPEAKER OUTPUT
90
90
150
C
R
High
Pass
180
180
60
60
+
–
–
+
RIGHT
LEFT
120
150
Low
Pass
Power
Off
On
+
–
–
+
RIGHT
LEFT
LOUDSPEAKER
LOUDSPEAKER
+
+
+
+
+
+
– 5 –
Operation
Video Contour
Level Control
Power
The video-contour switch,
located on the front panel,
optimizes the subwoofer’s
performance for movie listen-
ing. When the video-contour
switch is “on,” the subwoofer’s
performance is tailored to
deliver the impact and
The subwoofer Level Control,
located on the front panel,
adjusts the volume of the
subwoofer relative to the rest
of the system. Proper level
adjustment depends on several
variables such as room size,
excitement of today’s movies.
The green LED will illuminate
when the video-contour switch
is on.
When the unit is plugged in
and power is on and no signal
is received for approximately
10 –15 minutes, the sub-
woofer will go into a standby
mode until a signal is present.
Due to JBL’s unique, high-
efficiency digital-amplifier
design, power consumption is
minimal when the subwoofer
is not receiving a signal. Of
course, the subwoofer can be
turned off, whenever desired.
subwoofer placement, type of
main speakers and listener
position. Adjust the subwoofer
level so that the volume
of the bass information is
pleasing to you.
Crossover Adjustments
High-Pass Control
Low-Pass Control
• If you hooked up your sub-
woofer as shown in Hookup 4
on page 5, you also have
the capability of adjusting
the high-pass frequency.
The High-Pass control
determines the frequency at
which the main speakers
will start reproducing
sounds. If your main speak-
ers can comfortably repro-
duce some low-frequency
sounds, also set this
control to a lower frequency
setting, between 50Hz –
100Hz. This will concentrate
the subwoofer’s efforts to
the ultradeep bass sounds,
while your main speakers
continue to reproduce the
mid-bass information. If you
are using smaller bookshelf
speakers that do not extend
to the lower bass frequencies,
set the high-pass crossover
control to a higher setting,
between 125Hz – 180Hz.
With this setting, your main
speakers will not have the
burden of reproducing any
low-frequency sounds.
• If you hooked up your sub-
woofer as shown in Hookup1
on page 3, the high-pass
frequency is fixed at 180Hz.
• If you hooked up your
subwoofer as shown in
on page 4, all crossover
adjustments are bypassed.
All crossover adjustments
must then be adjusted on
the receiver/processor.
The Low-Pass control deter-
mines 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 – 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 low-pass crossover control
to a higher setting, between
120Hz – 180Hz.
Note: If you hooked up your
subwoofer as shown in Hookup
3 on page 4, all crossover
adjustments are bypassed. All
crossover adjustments must
then be adjusted on the
120
High
90
90
150
150
Pass
180
60
60
120
Low
Pass
Final adjustment and blending
of the low-pass and high-pass
controls may evolve over sev-
eral listening sessions. A good
starting point would be to set
both the low- and high-pass
controls to the same frequency
and adjust from that point.
180
Hookup 2 on page 4, there
is no high-pass control.
Unless your receiver/
amplifier incorporates a
high-pass crossover, your
main speakers will continue
to get a full-range signal.
• If you hooked up your sub-
woofer as shown in Hookup3
receiver/processor.
– 6 –
Troubleshooting
Phase Control
If you used the high-level
(speaker) inputs and there is
no sound from any of the
speakers, check the
If there is low bass output,
check the following:
If you used the line-level
inputs and there is no sound
from the subwoofer, check
the following:
180
0
Phase
• Make sure the connections
to the left and right “Speaker
Inputs” have the correct
polarity (+ and –).
• Make sure that the sub-
woofer is plugged into an
active electrical outlet.
• Powered subwoofer is
plugged in.
• Adjust the crossover point.
• 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.
following:
• Receiver/amplifier is on and
a source is playing.
• Powered subwoofer is
plugged in.
• Check all wires and con-
nections between receiver/
amplifier and subwoofer. Make
sure all wires are connected.
Make sure none of the wires
are frayed, cut or punctured.
• Review proper operation of
your receiver/amplifier.
Remember, every system,
room and listener is different.
There are no right or wrong
settings; any setting you
choose will result in excellent
performance. Should you
decide to fine-tune your
system for optimum
performance, be patient and
trust your ears. It will be
worth the effort involved to
fully “tweak” your system.
The Phase Control determines
whether the subwoofer
• Receiver/amplifier is on
and a source is playing.
• Powered subwoofer is
speaker’s piston-like action
moves in and out with the
main speakers, 0°, or opposite
the main speakers, 180°. There
is no correct or incorrect set-
ting. 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.
plugged in.
• Check all wires and connec-
tions between receiver/ampli-
fier and speakers. Make sure
all wires are connected. Make
sure none of the speaker wires
are frayed, cut or punctured.
• Review proper operation
of your receiver/amplifier.
– 7 –
Specifications
PSW-D112
PSW-D115
Amplifier Power (RMS)
Driver
250 watts
350 watts
12" High-Polymer Laminate
Line Level and Speaker Level
Line Level and Speaker Level
Continuously variable from 60Hz – 180Hz
15" High-Polymer Laminate
Line Level and Speaker Level
Line Level and Speaker Level
Continuously variable from 60Hz – 180Hz
Inputs
Outputs
Low-Pass Frequency
High-Pass Frequency
Continuously variable from 60Hz – 180Hz
when using line-level outputs
Continuously variable from 60Hz – 180Hz
when using line-level outputs
180Hz when using speaker-level outputs
180Hz when using speaker-level outputs
Frequency Response
Dimensions
28Hz – low-pass crossover setting
25Hz – low-pass crossover setting
17-1/2 x 17-1/2 x 19-1/8"
445 x 445 x 486mm
20 x 20 x 21-3/4"
508 x 508 x 552mm
Weight
40 lbs/18.2 kg
53 lbs/24.1 kg
JBL Consumer Products
250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797
8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329
1-800-336-4JBL (4525) (USA only)
1998 JBL, Incorporated
JBL is a registered trademark of JBL, Incorporated.
*Trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
©
**DTS is a trademark of Digital Theater Systems.
Printed 9/98
Part No. PSWD112,115OM
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