Harman JBL Synthesis SSW-3 Owner'S Manual Download

Page: 3 / 12

www.jblsynthesis.com

SPEAKER CONNECTIONS

Since the SSW-3 is a passive subwoofer, only speaker-level connections are available. The SSW-3 subwoofer is specifically designed
for use in conjunction with the JBL® Synthesis SDA amplifiers. It is optimized to offer the best dynamics and frequency response with
the use of the JBL SDA-4600 amplifier, which is specially designed to use the proprietary SSW-3 tuning file and drive the signature
reactive load impedance of the SSW-3. When using a different SDA amplifier with the SSW-3, contact your certified Synthesis installer
for correct adjustment and loading of the SSW-3 tuning file. The SSW-3 is capable of running off of one SDA-4600 amplifier channel.

Speakers and electronics have corresponding (+) and (–) terminals. Most manufacturers of speakers and electronics, including JBL, use red
to denote the (+) terminal and black for the (–) terminal. It is important to connect both speakers identically: (+) on the speaker to (+) on
the amplifier, and (–) on the speaker to (–) on the amplifier. Wiring “out of phase” results in thin sound, weak bass, and a poor stereo image.
With the advent of multichannel surround sound systems, connecting all of the speakers in your system with the correct polarity remains
equally important in order to preserve the proper ambiance and directionality of the program material.
If two SSW-3 subwoofers are used, the wires for both speakers should be the same length. If one speaker is placed closer to the amplifier than
the other, hide the excess wire behind the wall. If the bass response seems low, there may be a phase problem, with the sound waves from
the two subwoofers canceling each other out. If the bass response seems low, try inverting the polarity on one subwoofer – i.e., connect
the (+) terminal on the amplifier to the (–) terminal on the speaker, and the (–) terminal on the amplifier to the (+) terminal on the speaker.
To connect the SSW-3 baffle, support the baffle on the lower baffle opening. See the “Installation Guide” section about applying the 0.625” spacer
to the back box opening. Locate the wire pair in the back box that terminate in the polarized locking connector. Dress this end of the wire to
go through any brace openings necessary so as to have a direct connection to the short wire leads from the baffle with the mating polarized
locking connector. Make sure that the wire path is such that when you rock the baffle onto the back box opening and install and tighten the
baffle mounting screws, that no wire is trapped between the baffle and the brace. Connect the polarized locking connector from back box wire
lead to the mating connector on the lead from the baffle. They should connect easily. If it feels like a force fit, re-examine the connector mating
and turn the connectors as necessary to make the correct attachment before plugging them together. Make sure you here a “click” sound from
the lock. As you rock the baffle back to install it, make sure to place the 6” x 6” piece of insulation material between the baffle and the attached
polarized locking connectors to make sure that they do not rattle against the baffle interior. If you have 5/8” wallboard and applied the 0.625”
spacer for the baffle perimeter, make sure to apply the 0.625” center spacer for the brace before settling in the baffle to screw it to the back box.
To use the push-type terminals on either end of the SSW-3 back box, depress the colored cap until the pass-through hole in the binding
post is revealed. While holding the cap down, insert the bare end of the wire, or a banana plug, into the passthrough hole. Release the cap
and tug gently on the wire to ensure that it is secure.

Note:

We recommend that you run the wire first, then connect it to the back box, then install the back box, then install the baffle, and

finally connect the wire to your power amplifier.
Connect your main receiver or processor’s line-level subwoofer output to the line-level input on your subwoofer amplifier.
After you have installed the SSW-3BB back box enclosure as described in the next section, connect the other end of the wire from the
SSW-3 back box to the speaker output terminals on your subwoofer power amplifier, making sure to observe the correct polarity.
You may prefer to use two SSW-3 subwoofer systems in Stereo mode for improved performance and superior imaging. Use two mono
subwoofer amplifiers, each connected to either the left or right subwoofer output on your receiver/processor, or use a single two-channel
subwoofer amplifier and connect the left and right line-level subwoofer outputs on your receiver/processor to the corresponding inputs
on your amplifier. Then connect the positive and negative terminals for each channel to one SSW-3 subwoofer system.

Wire Length

Recommended Size

Up to 20 ft.

16-gauge

Up to 30 ft.

12-gauge

Greater than 30 ft.

10-gauge

USING ONE SSW-3 SUBWOOFER IN MONO MODE

Amplifier

Receiver/Processor

Subwoofer