®
™
SYNTHESIS THREE ARRAY
SAM3HA,
SAM3VA
’
OWNER S AND
’
INSTALLER S
MANUAL
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INTRODUCTION
®
™
Congratulations on purchasing this JBL Synthesis Three Array home theater speaker. This product represents the
synthesis of everything that JBL has learned about the emotional power of audio and video in sixty years of preemi-
nence in the field. It sets new benchmarks in the use of “high technology” and provides you with the experience of
being in some of the world’s greatest movie houses and concert halls, right at home! JBL’s Synthesis Three Array
speaker systems feature the following:
™
®
THX ULTRA2 -LICENSED HOME AUDIO SYSTEM: When used with a THX controller and amplifiers, your
speaker system will deliver a state-of-the-art THX home theater experience to your living room. You will hear in your
home exactly what the director and sound engineer heard in the recording studio. The system will reproduce the
audio flawlessly and without distortion.
ULTRAHIGH-FREQUENCY COMPRESSION DRIVER: 1" (25mm) Pure-titanium compression driver with aluminum
edge-wound voice coil and 2" (51mm) neodymium motor assembly, mounted in a constant-directivity horn for extended
high-frequency response to exceed SACD™ and DVD-Audio specifications.
High-Power Compression Horn: Horns are commonplace in movie theaters across the world, because of
their high power handling and well-defined high-frequency output. The horns employed in SAM3 have very low dis-
tortion, and a well-controlled directivity, to put the dialogue at the center of the screen and the effects all around you.
ACCURATE MID-BASS DRIVERS AND SUBWOOFERS: The 6-1/2" (165mm) mid-bass drivers incorporate many
of JBL’s patented technologies – such as Symmetrical Field Geometry™ (SFG), Symmetrical Inductance Modulation
(SIM) and Vented Gap Cooling™ (VGC) – as well as unique cone and dome materials, to provide tight, smooth
midrange sound without harshness, stridency or listener fatigue. From two to as many as four 12" or 15" (305mm or
380mm) high-power subwoofers complete the experience with earth-shattering, deep bass.
COMMON VOICING: Synthesis Three Array uses common voicing across the front three channels. Since identical
drivers are used, each speaker has the same tonal qualities, thus as a sound is panned from one side to the other,
there will be no change in timbre.
MAGNETIC SHIELDING: All front speakers are magnetically shielded, allowing you to place them near video mon-
itors without generating interference or distorting the picture.
DUAL “INSIDE” NEODYMIUM, SHIELDED MOTOR STRUCTURE: The magnetic material is placed at the
center of the motor structure, INSIDE the voice coil diameter. This inverted dual-magnet configuration improves
magnetic shielding even further, reducing the extraneous magnetic field, and offers increased acoustic output.
DEEP-ANODIZED CONE AND DOME MATERIAL: The special deep-anodized aluminum cone and dome material,
together with the motor features, helps to reduce midband distortions to very low levels (approximately 50dB to 60dB
below the fundamental signal driven at 100dB output).
TWO-STAGE PHASE PLUG: The phase plug is a key element in this compression driver. The accuracy of the phase
plug geometry is most important to achieve a wide and flat frequency response. The pressure distribution in the phase
plug is manipulated by adjustments to the number and width of the slots and even the plug inside streamline is opti-
mized to achieve a coherent pressure front across the operating range at the exit of the phase plug.
SYMMETRICAL INDUCTANCE MODULATION (SIM): The flux-stabilizing ring and copper gap ring are also opti-
mized for size and position, to help minimize or eliminate “asymmetrical inductance modulation.” Minimizing this
asymmetrical inductance modulation leads to even further distortion reduction and improved vocal clarity.
3
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SPEAKER PLACEMENT
Positioning your loudspeakers properly is critical in order to achieve the
sonic performance of a home theater. Please read the following section
for guidance in correct and optimal placement.
L
C
R
LEFT AND RIGHT SPEAKERS: If you have purchased a Synthesis Three
Array Digital Home Theater System, then the model SAM3VA will serve as
your front left and right main speakers.
VIEWING
POSITION
Since the left and right speakers have been designed for maximum localization
of sound, they should be placed with the center of the speakers at about the
same height on screen as the actors would be, to aid in the illusion that the
actors’ voices are coming directly from their on-screen images. Ideally, the
speakers will be placed about 45 degrees apart from each other, viewed
from the listening position, so that the distance between the speakers is the
same as each speaker’s distance from the listener (see Figure 1).
FLOOR PLAN
Figure 1. 5.1-Channel system
CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKERS
SAM3VA: If you have purchased the vertical channel speaker (model
SAM3VA) for the center position, be sure to place it vertically during
installation in order to take advantage of its sound-dispersion characteristics.
If you mount it horizontally, it will not provide the correct dispersion pattern.
If the speaker is being used with a perforated projection screen, it should be
mounted behind the center of the screen (see Figure 2). If a nonperforated
projection screen, plasma display or other fixed video device is being used
in the installation, the preferred center speaker is the model SAM3HA (below).
Figure 2.
SAM3HA: If you have purchased the horizontal channel speaker (model SAM3HA) for the center position, be sure
to position it horizontally during installation in order to take advantage of its
sound-dispersion characteristics. If you mount it vertically, it will not provide
the correct dispersion pattern. Although the preferred speaker model to be
used with a perforated projection screen is the vertical model SAM3VA
(above), the SAM3HA horizontal speaker may be used instead and should be
mounted behind the center of the screen. If a nonperforated projection
screen, plasma display or other fixed video device is being used in the
installation, then the recommended location is directly below and as close
as possible to the video display (see Figure 3), although the inverse of this
Figure 3.
method will work also.
4
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SPEAKER PLACEMENT
NOTE: It is extremely important to place the tweeter/mid-bass arrays for each of the center, left and right speakers
at the same height. The horn array containing the tweeter in the center channel speaker should be no more than two
feet (0.6 meter) higher or lower than those in the left and right speakers. This preserves the “localization integrity” of
“sound pans,”in which the sound appears to move from left to center to right. If the program material also appears to
travel up and down, it can destroy the illusion of panning effects and so should be avoided.
AMBIENT SURROUND SPEAKERS: Although it has been common for many years to use a number of surround
speakers in commercial movie houses, until recently, the traditional home theater configuration called for 5.1
channels, i.e., front left, center, front right, surround left and surround right, plus a low-frequency-effects channel.
The newer surround formats that are appearing in consumer audio equipment are calling for more complicated 6.1-
and 7.1-channel systems. The advantages of using additional speakers are many. Additional channels enable a more
versatile use of directionality for a more accurate surround presentation. Also, a higher overall sound-pressure level
can be achieved with less energy expenditure from any individual speaker. Placement of the surround speakers
remains critical.
5.1-CHANNEL SYSTEMS
The ambient surround speakers work optimally if they are placed as far back
from the screen as the viewing chairs are. If there are two rows of chairs,
these speakers should be placed between them.
The ambient surround speakers should be placed higher than the seating
area, at least two feet (0.6 meter) above (seated) ear level (see Figure 4).
The preferred method to mount the ambient surrounds is to put them directly in
the side walls. This lets each speaker radiate to the front and back of the room
and to reflect off the side walls.
There are a few instances in which the ambient surrounds would perform
better if mounted in the ceiling rather than the walls. If one or both of the walls
are “acoustically dead,”due to the presence of windows, fabric, furniture or
other absorption, it may be necessary to turn the ambient speakers sideways
and, instead of mounting them in a vertical orientation, mount them in the
ceiling in a horizontal orientation.
Figure 4.
L
C
R
6.1-CHANNEL SYSTEMS
A 6.1-channel system can be thought of as a 5.1-channel system with the
addition of a rear center speaker placed midway between the two surround
speakers, and further to the rear than the surrounds. It should be placed at the
same height as the side surround speakers (see Figure 5).
FLOOR PLAN
Figure 5. 6.1-Channel system
5
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SPEAKER PLACEMENT
L
C
R
7.1-CHANNEL SYSTEMS
In a 7.1-channel system, two speakers are added for rear fill, in addition to the sur-
round speakers in a 5.1-channel system. The two additional speakers are placed on
the rear wall or near the rear wall in the ceiling (see Figure 6).
SIDE
LEFT
SIDE
RIGHT
REAR RIGHT
REAR LEFT
Figure 6. 7.1-Channel system
CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS TO THE REST OF YOUR SYSTEM
To connect the Synthesis Three Array loudspeakers to the power amplifiers or receiver, use two-conductor insulated
speaker wire. We recommend #14 AWG wire as a minimum size. Your JBL dealer can recommend suitable cables.
Both the SAM3VA and SAM3HA utilize 5-way binding posts that can accommodate up to #10 AWG stranded wire.
PREPARING THE HOOKUP WIRE
1. First determine the distance between your amplifier and the most distant speaker in each group (fronts, surrounds,
back surrounds, subwoofers).
2. Now make the hookup wires for all speakers in each group this length, even if one speaker is much closer to your
amplifier than the other. This will help maintain proper signal balance.
3. Strip off 3/8" (10mm) of insulation from both ends of each conductor.
4. Twist each set of standard wires into a tightly bunched spiral.
5. Speakers and electronics terminals have corresponding (+) and (–) terminals. Most manufacturers of speakers and
electronics, including JBL, use red to denote the (+) terminal and black for the (–) terminal, although some elec-
tronics manufacturers have adopted the new color-coding standard promulgated by the Consumer Electronics
Association. In that case, the positive terminal will be colored to correspond to the channel position, while the
negative terminal will be black.
It is important to connect all 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 poor imaging.
With the advent of multichannel surround sound systems, connecting all of the speakers in your system with the cor-
rect polarity remains equally important to preserve the proper ambience and directionality of the program material.
Now find a visual difference between the two conductors of each molded pair of speaker wires. 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 part of the outer insulation. It doesn’t matter which of the two
strands go to the (+) and (–) on the speakers and amplifiers, as long as all speakers are connected identically. Push
down on the binding post, insert the wire into the hole, and release.
6
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CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS TO THE REST OF YOUR SYSTEM
Figure 7. Synthesis Three Array with powered subwoofers
SDP-5
SDP-5 Digital Surround Processor/Controller
INPUTS
NOTE: Although the
SDP-5 is shown here,
connections for the
SDP-40 are similar.
MAIN
ZONE
2
JBL, Inc. Northridge, CA
Assembled in USA
S/PDIF INPUTS
2
1
3
2
4
TUV
INPUT
1
INPUT
2
Y
Y
PR
PR
PB
PB
Y
Y
PR
PR
PB
PB
C
US
1
1
1
2
2
3
4
4
5
5
VIDEO
VIDEO
AUDIO
CAUTION
S/N
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ATTENTION
RISQUE DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE
3
4
NE PAS OUVRIR
OUTPUT
CENTER
INPUT
7
3
IR IN
3
6
8
FRONT
SIDE
REAR
TRIGGER
OUTPUTS
(L)
(R)
(C)
(LS)
(RS)
(L)
(R)
(C)
(LS)
(RS)
L
L
L
S/PDIF
OUT
1
2
RS-232
(SUB)
(SUB)
R
R
R
SUBWOOFER
OUTPUTS
1
2
AC 100-240V ~ 50-60 HZ, 60W
SDEC-3000
INPUT CHANNEL OUTPUT
A1
A2
A3
A4
B1
B2
B3
B4
Left Front
C1
Right Front C2
Center
C3
C4
Left Side
Right Side D1
Left Rear D2
Right Rear D3
Subwoofer D4
S7150
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
INPUT
JBL SYNTHESIS
NORTHRIDGE, CA
DESIGNED, ENGINEERED AND MANUFACTURED
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TRIGGERS
IN
S5160 POWER AMPLIFIER
Ch. 1 Left Front
Ch. 2 Right Front
Ch. 3 Center
Ch. 1
Input
Ch. 2
Input
Ch. 3
Input
Ch. 4
Input
Ch. 5
Input
Ch. 6
Input
Ch. 7
Input
SPKR-1
SPKR-2
OUT
Ch. 4 Left Side
Ch. 5 Right Side
Ch. 6 Left Rear
Ch. 7 Right Rear
MANUAL
ON
AUTO
ON
ON
15A
120V
~
50/60Hz
1800W
OFF
WARNING: HAZARDOUS ENERGY, MAKE PROPER SPEAKER CONNECTIONS; SEE OWNERS MANUAL BEFORE USING.
ATTENTION:
VOIR LE CAHIER D'
INSTRUCTION
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
serial number
Ch. 1 Output
Ch. 2 Output
Ch. 3 Output
Ch. 4 Output
Ch. 5 Output
Ch. 6 Output
Ch. 7 Output
Front
Left
Front
Right
Front
Center
Side
Left
Side
Right
Rear
Left
Rear
Right
To
Subwoofers
7
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CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS TO THE REST OF YOUR SYSTEM
Figure 8. Synthesis Three Array with passive subwoofers
SDP-5
SDP-5 Digital Surround Processor/Controller
INPUTS
MAIN
ZONE
2
JBL, Inc. Northridge, CA
Assembled in USA
S/PDIF INPUTS
2
1
3
2
4
TUV
INPUT
1
INPUT
2
NOTE: Although the SDP-5
is shown here, connections
for the SDP-40 are similar.
Y
Y
PR
PR
PB
PB
Y
Y
PR
PR
PB
PB
C
US
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
VIDEO
VIDEO
AUDIO
CAUTION
S/N
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ATTENTION
RISQUE DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE
3
4
NE PAS OUVRIR
OUTPUT
CENTER
INPUT
7
3
IR IN
6
8
FRONT
SIDE
REAR
TRIGGER
OUTPUTS
(L)
(R)
(C)
(LS)
(RS)
(L)
(R)
(C)
(LS)
(RS)
L
L
L
S/PDIF
OUT
1
2
RS-232
(SUB)
(SUB)
R
R
R
SUBWOOFER
OUTPUTS
1
2
AC 100-240V ~ 50-60 HZ, 60W
SDEC-3000
INPUT CHANNEL OUTPUT
A1
A2
A3
A4
B1
B2
B3
B4
Left Front
C1
Right Front C2
Center
C3
C4
Left Side
Right Side D1
Left Rear D2
Right Rear D3
Subwoofer D4
S7150
JBL SYNTHESIS
NORTHRIDGE, CA
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
DESIGNED, ENGINEERED AND MANUFACTURED
IN THE UNITED STTES OF AMERICA
TRIGGERS
IN
S5160 POWER AMPLIFIER
INPUT
Ch. 1
Input
Ch. 2
Input
Ch. 3
Input
Ch. 4
Input
Ch. 5
Input
Ch. 6
Input
Ch. 7
Input
Ch. 1 Left Front
Ch. 2 Right Front
Ch. 3 Center
SPKR-1
SPKR-2
OUT
MANUAL
ON
AUTO
ON
Ch. 4 Left Side
Ch. 5 Right Side
Ch. 6 Left Rear
Ch. 7 Right Rear
ON
15A
120V
50/60Hz
1800W
~
OFF
WARNING: HAZARDOUS ENERGY, MAKE PROPER SPEAKER CONNECTIONS; SEE OWNERS MANUAL BEFORE USING.
ATTENTION:
VOIR LE CAHIER D'
INSTRUCTION
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
serial number
Ch. 1 Output
Ch. 2 Output
Ch. 3 Output
Ch. 4 Output
Ch. 5 Output
Ch. 6 Output
Ch. 7 Output
S800
VOIR LE CAHIER D'
INSTRUCTION
JBL SYNTHESIS
NORTHRIDGE, CA
DESIGNED, ENGINEERED AND MANUFACTURED
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ATTENTION:
TRIGGERS
IN
S800 POWER AMPLIFIER
Ch. 1 Left Sub
Ch. 2 Right Sub
BRIDGED
Ch. 1
BRIDGED
Input
Ch. 2
Input
WARNING; To reduce the risk of fire or
electric shock, do not expose
MONO
STEREO
this appliance to rain or moisture
OUT
No user serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified personnel.
AUTO
ON
MANUAL
ON
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
AVIS:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR
ON
10A
120V
50/60Hz
1200W
~
OFF
HAZARDOUS ENERGY, MAKE PROPER SPEAKER CONNECTIONS; SEE OWNERS MANUAL BEFORE USING.
WARNING:
serial number
BRIDGED
+
+
-
+
-
-
Ch. 1 Output
Ch. 2 Output
To Left To Right
Sub Sub
8
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TROUBLESHOOTING
SYMPTOM
PROBABLE CAUSE
SOLUTION
No sound coming
from speaker
• Amplifier not turned on
• Amplifier gain is low
•Turn on amplifier.
•Make sure that there is
amplifier gain for that channel.
• Correct source not
selected or turned on
•Select proper source.
• Defective patch cords to amplifier
•Check/replace patch cords.
• Speaker wires not
connected to amplifier
•Check speaker wire
connection to amplifier.
• Balance control set improperly
•Make sure Balance control is set
at center, or 12 o’clock, position.
• Speaker wires damaged
or shorted
•Make sure none of the speaker wires
are frayed, cut or punctured. Make sure
no wires are touching other wires or
terminals and creating a short circuit.
®
®
• Speaker not configured
correctly
•In Dolby Digital or DTS mode, make
sure that the receiver/processor is
configured so that the speaker in
question is enabled.
®
• Center speaker is configured
incorrectly
•In Dolby Pro Logic mode, make sure the
center speaker is not in phantom mode.
• Problem not diagnosed
•To diagnose the likely source of the
problem, it is often helpful to switch the
nonfunctioning speaker with one that
is functioning correctly. Turn off all
electronics before exchanging the
speakers. Turn everything back on, and
determine whether the problem is in
the same place, or has moved with the
speaker. If the problem is in the same
place, the source is most likely with your
receiver or amplifier. If the problem has
followed the speaker, then contact your
authorized JBL Synthesis custom installer
or dealer for further assistance. If that
is not possible, visit our Web site at
Bass is very weak
• Subwoofers are wired out
of phase
•Make sure that positive terminals on the
subwoofers go to the positive terminals
on the amplifiers (red) and do the same
for the negatives.
• Subwoofers have not
been placed optimally
•Experiment with different locations.
9
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SPECIFICATIONS
SAM3HA
SAM3VA
ULTRAHIGH-FREQUENCY DRIVER
HIGH-FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER
045TI 1" (25MM) PURE-TITANIUM COMPRESSION
DRIVER WITH ALUMINUM EDGE-WOUND VOICE COIL
AND 2" (51MM) NEODYMIUM MOTOR ASSEMBLY,
MOUNTED IN A CONSTANT-DIRECTIVITY HORN
045TI 1" (25MM) PURE-TITANIUM COMPRESSION
DRIVER WITH ALUMINUM EDGE-WOUND VOICE COIL
AND 2" (51MM) NEODYMIUM MOTOR ASSEMBLY,
MOUNTED IN A CONSTANT-DIRECTIVITY HORN
175ND-3 1-3/4" (44MM) AQUAPLAS-TREATED
ALUMINUM-DOME COMPRESSION DRIVER WITH
ALUMINUM EDGE-WOUND VOICE COIL AND NEODYMIUM
MOTOR ASSEMBLY, MOUNTED IN A VERTICAL
CONSTANT-DIRECTIVITY HORN
175ND-3 1-3/4" (44MM) AQUAPLAS-TREATED
ALUMINUM-DOME COMPRESSION DRIVER WITH
ALUMINUM EDGE-WOUND VOICE COIL AND NEODYMIUM
MOTOR ASSEMBLY, MOUNTED IN A VERTICAL
CONSTANT-DIRECTIVITY HORN
LOW-FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER
6-1/2" (165MM) DEEP-ANODIZED CONE AND DOME
MATERIAL WITH DUAL “INSIDE” NEODYMIUM
MAGNETS, SHIELDED MOTOR STRUCTURE AND 2"
(51MM) VOICE COILS
6-1/2" (165MM) DEEP-ANODIZED CONE AND DOME
MATERIAL WITH DUAL “INSIDE” NEODYMIUM
MAGNETS, SHIELDED MOTOR STRUCTURE AND 2"
(51MM) VOICE COILS
SENSITIVITY (2.83V/1M)
89DB
89DB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (–3DB)
48HZ TO 40KHZ
200 WATTS
48HZ TO 40KHZ
200 WATTS
MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED
AMPLIFIER POWER
CROSSOVER FREQUENCIES
1KHZ, 10KHZ
6 OHMS
1KHZ, 10KHZ
6 OHMS
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE
DIMENSIONS (H X W X D)
9-5/8" X 28-5/8" X 9-1/16"*
(244MM X 727MM X 230MM)
27-3/8" X 10-3/16" X 12-5/8"*
(695MM X 259MM X 321MM)
WEIGHT PER SPEAKER
31 LB (14KG)
34 LB (15.5KG)
* Note: Dimensions do not include mounting hardware or feet. Add 1" (25mm) height for feet.
All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
JBL, JBL Synthesis and Synthesis are trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries.
Array, Symmetrical Field Geometry and Vented Gap Cooling are trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
THX is a registered trademark, and THX Ultra2 is a trademark, of THX Ltd. All rights reserved.
SACD is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
Dolby and Pro Logic are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
10
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NOTES
11
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Declaration of Conformity
We, Harman Consumer Group International
2, route de Tours
72500 Château du Loir
France
declare in own responsibility that the products described
in this owner’s manual are in compliance with technical
standards:
Harman Consumer Group, Inc.
250 Crossways Park Drive
Woodbury, NY 11797
EN 61000-6-3:2001
EN 61000-6-1:2001
8500 Balboa Boulevard
Northridge, CA 91329
818.830.8757
Luc Guillaume
Harman Consumer Group International
Château du Loir, France 9/06
Part No. 301227-001 9/06
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