JBL Speaker SS88IWS User Manual

®
PERFORMANCE™  
SPECIALIST  
SS88IWS  
OWNER’S GUIDE  
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SPEAKER PLACEMENT  
Low-frequency sounds are  
normally omnidirectional,  
It is generally recommended  
that the speaker be installed so  
that the bottom of the speaker  
is approximately 12" from the  
floor. This is to help with the  
low-frequency loading (bass  
reinforcement). This also helps  
hide the speaker in a less visi-  
ble place. In special circum-  
stances it is acceptable to  
install the speaker at any  
When using two SS88IWS in-  
wall subwoofers, you may need  
to be concerned about phase,  
as the sound waves may  
cancel each other out. If bass  
response seems low, try invert-  
ing the polarity on one sub-  
woofer – 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  
meaning the listener can’t tell  
where they are generated from.  
However, frequencies between  
75Hz and 150Hz can be local-  
ized, especially at higher vol-  
ume levels. Positioning your  
subwoofer as recommended  
will provide the most natural  
soundstage and imaging from  
your loudspeaker system.  
height on a wall.  
speaker.  
It is generally recommended  
that you install your SS88IWS  
in-wall subwoofer along the  
same wall as the front loud-  
speakers. The SS88IWS sub-  
woofer is not video-shielded  
and should not be placed near  
a video display. Installing the  
SS88IWS near a corner will  
tend to maximize low-frequency  
output. Be cautious when  
installing in a corner, to avoid a  
“boomy” sound. Also take into  
consideration any unusual fea-  
tures of the room, such as an  
alcove, which may tend to cre-  
ate a localized node that may  
affect bass response in that  
area of the room.  
Remember that these are just  
guidelines. Since every listen-  
ing room is different, JBL  
strongly recommends experi-  
menting with the positioning of  
your subwoofer prior to cutting  
the wall to obtain the most  
pleasing results in your room.  
One technique that can help  
you find the ideal subwoofer  
location is to temporarily bor-  
row a stand-alone subwoofer  
and place it near the main lis-  
tening location. Then move  
around the room and determine  
where you hear the most pleas-  
ing bass performance. This  
would then be the ideal loca-  
tion for the subwoofer.  
3
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SPEAKER CONNECTIONS  
Connection Tips  
speakers in your system with  
the correct polarity remains  
equally important in order to  
preserve the proper ambience  
and directionality of the  
To use the spring-clip-type ter-  
minals on the SS88IWS loud-  
speaker, press the colored tab  
and insert the bare end of the  
wire into the hole. Release the  
tab and gently tug the wire to  
ensure that it is secure.  
program material.  
If two SS88IWS subwoofers  
are used, the wires for both  
To use the push-type terminals  
on the connections panel sup-  
plied with the optional  
Speakers and electronics have  
speakers should be the same  
corresponding (+) and (–) termi-  
length. If one speaker is  
nals. Most manufacturers of  
placed closer to the amplifier  
SS88IWSBB “back box” enclo-  
sure, 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 pass-  
through hole. Release the cap  
and tug gently on the wire to  
ensure that it is secure.  
speakers and electronics,  
including JBL, use red to  
than the other, hide the excess  
wire behind the wall. If bass  
denote the (+) terminal and  
response seems low, there  
black for the (–) terminal. It is  
may be a phase problem, with  
important to connect both  
the sound waves from the two  
speakers identically: (+) on the  
subwoofers canceling each  
speaker to (+) on the amplifier  
other out. If bass response  
and (–) on the speaker to (–) on  
seems low, try inverting the  
the amplifier. Wiring “out of  
phase” results in thin sound,  
weak bass and a poor stereo  
image. With the advent of multi-  
polarity on one subwoofer –  
i.e., connect the (+) terminal on  
the amplifier to the (–) terminal  
on the speaker, and the (–) ter-  
Since the SS88IWS is a passive  
loudspeaker, only speaker-level  
connections are available.  
channel surround sound  
minal on the amplifier to the (+)  
Depending on whether you are  
systems, connecting all of the  
terminal on the speaker.  
Wire  
Recommended  
Size  
Connection Method #1, Using One SS88IWS  
(Remove Shorting Straps)  
Length  
Up to 20 ft.  
Up to 30 ft.  
16-gauge  
12-gauge  
10-gauge  
Receiver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs  
Left  
Right  
Greater than 30 ft.  
+
+
Connection Method #1, Using One SS88IWS  
With Back Box (Remove Shorting Straps)  
Receiver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs  
Rear of SS88IWS  
B L K  
Left  
Right  
G R N  
L 2  
+
+
L 1  
C 2  
C 4  
C 1  
C 3  
J 2 J 1  
SS88IWS  
L 3  
L 4  
BLK  
ORN  
YEL/BLK  
YEL  
WHT/BLK WHT  
ORG/BLK  
ORG  
GRE/BLK  
GRE  
+
+
+
+
INPUT 1  
INPUT 2  
OUTPUT 1  
OUTPUT 2  
Front Left Speaker  
Front Right Speaker  
Connections Panel of  
SS88IWSBB Back Box  
+
+
Front Left Speaker  
Front Right Speaker  
+
+
4
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using a dedicated subwoofer  
amplifier or your main receiver/  
amplifier to power the  
SS88IWS, select one of the  
two connection methods that  
follow.  
Connect the main left and  
right speaker-level outputs on  
your receiver/amplifier to the  
Input 1 (for left channel) and  
Input 2 (for right channel)  
connectors on the SS88IWS  
loudspeaker or connection  
panel. Connect the Output 1  
terminals to the correspon-  
ding terminals on your front  
left speaker, and the Output 2  
terminals to the correspon-  
ding terminals on your front  
right speaker.  
You may wish to mount the  
SS88IWS horizontally to pre-  
serve the stereo image of the  
left and right low frequencies.  
Connection Method #1  
Use this method when you  
are using the SS88IWS with  
your main receiver/amplifier.  
Connection Method #1, Using Two SS88IWS Loudspeakers (Use Shorting Straps)  
Receiver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs  
Left  
Right  
+
+
Rear of Left SS88IWS  
Rear of Right SS88IWS  
B L K  
B L K  
G R N  
G R N  
L 2  
L 2  
L 4  
L 1  
C 1  
L 1  
C 2  
C 4  
C 2  
C 4  
C 1  
C 3  
J 2 J 1  
J 2 J 1  
SS88IWS  
SS88IWS  
C 3  
L 3  
L 3  
L 4  
BLK  
BLK  
ORN  
ORN  
Front Right Speaker  
Front Left Speaker  
+
+
Connection Method #1, Using Two SS88IWS Loudspeakers  
With Back Boxes (Use Shorting Straps)  
Receiver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs  
Left  
Right  
+
+
Connections Panel of  
Connections Panel of  
Left SS88IWSBB Back Box  
Right SS88IWSBB Back Box  
YEL/BLK  
YEL  
+
WHT/BLK WHT  
ORG/BLK  
ORG  
GRE/BLK  
GRE  
YEL/BLK  
YEL  
WHT/BLK WHT  
ORG/BLK  
ORG  
GRE/BLK  
GRE  
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
INPUT 1  
INPUT 2  
OUTPUT 1  
OUTPUT 2  
INPUT 1  
INPUT 2  
OUTPUT 1  
OUTPUT 2  
Front Right Speaker  
Front Left Speaker  
+
+
5
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The SS88IWS’s onboard cross-  
over feeds the low-passed sig-  
nal (2nd order at 100Hz) to the  
SS88IWS subwoofers, and the  
high-passed signal to the  
Connection Method #2  
the higher-order processing  
that is occurring at the preamp  
stage.  
Use this method when you are  
using the SS88IWS with a dedi-  
cated subwoofer amplifier.  
Connect your main receiver/  
processor’s line-level subwoofer  
output to the line-level input  
on your subwoofer amplifier.  
Connect the speaker terminals  
on your subwoofer amplifier to  
either Input 1 or Input 2. If your  
amplifier has stereo outputs,  
you may connect one channel  
to each of Inputs 1 and 2.  
However, you must remove the  
shorting straps when using  
stereo mode. Alternatively, you  
may connect each channel to  
a separate SS88IWS. When  
using only one input on an indi-  
vidual SS88IWS, you should  
leave the shorting straps in  
place.  
Using the SS88IWSBB  
Back Box  
speaker-level outputs for con-  
nection to the satellite speakers.  
Whichever connection method  
you choose, if you are installing  
the SS88IWSBB back box, you  
will need to connect all of the  
eight wires coming out of the  
bottom of the back box to the  
appropriate terminals on the  
loudspeaker. The wires are  
color-coded as follows:  
NOTE: When using Connection  
Method #1 with only one  
SS88IWS, the shorting straps  
must be removed.  
If you are using two SS88IWS  
subwoofers, connect the left  
speaker outputs on your  
INPUT 1 (–): Yellow with black  
stripe  
receiver/amplifier to Input 1 on  
one subwoofer (or the connec-  
tions panel on its back box),  
and the right speaker outputs  
on your receiver/amplifier to  
Input 1 on the second sub-  
woofer (or the connections  
panel on its back box). Then  
connect Output 1 from the left-  
channel subwoofer to the inputs  
on your main left speaker, and  
Output 1 from the right-channel  
subwoofer to the inputs on your  
main right speaker. When using  
the SS88IWS in this mono  
INPUT 1 (+): Solid yellow  
INPUT 2 (–): White with black  
stripe  
INPUT 2 (+): Solid white  
OUTPUT 1 (–): Orange with  
black stripe  
NOTE: The built-in network on  
the SS88IWS is a 2nd-order  
low-pass filter, crossed over at  
100Hz. This filter is always  
active. Although the subwoofer  
or LFE output on your receiver/  
processor may already be  
OUTPUT 1 (+): Solid orange  
OUTPUT 2 (–): Green with black  
stripe  
OUTPUT 2 (+): Solid green  
mode, you should not remove  
the shorting straps.  
crossed over, the SS88IWS’s  
network will not interfere with  
Connection Method #2, Using One SS88IWS in Mono Mode (Use Shorting Straps)  
Amplifier  
Receiver/Processor  
Speaker-Level  
Outputs  
Rear of SS88IWS*  
Line-Level  
Input  
Subwoofer  
Out  
B L K  
+
G R N  
L 2  
L 1  
C 2  
C 4  
C 1  
C 3  
J 2 J 1  
SS88IWS  
L 3  
L 4  
BLK  
ORN  
6
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Connection Method #2, Using One SS88IWS in Stereo Mode (Remove Shorting Straps)  
Amplifier  
Receiver/Processor  
Speaker-Level  
Outputs  
Rear of SS88IWS*  
Line-Level  
Inputs  
Subwoofer or  
Main Amp  
Out  
B L K  
+
R N G  
L 2  
L 4  
Left  
L 1  
C 2  
C 4  
C 1  
C 3  
Left  
Left  
J 2 J 1  
SS88IWS  
L 3  
BLK  
+
Right  
Right  
ORN  
Right  
* Use corresponding inputs on SS88IWSBB connections panel when installed with back box.  
Connection Method #2, Using Two SS88IWS Loudspeakers  
With Back Boxes (Use Shorting Straps)  
Receiver/Processor  
Amplifier  
Left SS88IWSBB Back Box**  
Speaker-Level  
Outputs  
Line-Level  
Inputs  
Subwoofer or  
Main Amp  
Out  
YEL/BLK  
YEL  
+
WHT/BLK WHT  
ORG/BLK  
ORG  
GRE/BLK  
GRE  
+
+
+
+
INPUT 1  
INPUT 2  
OUTPUT 1  
OUTPUT 2  
Left  
Left  
Left  
Right SS88IWSBB Back Box**  
YEL/BLK  
YEL  
+
WHT/BLK WHT  
ORG/BLK  
ORG  
GRE/BLK  
GRE  
+
+
+
+
INPUT 1  
INPUT 2  
OUTPUT 1  
OUTPUT 2  
Right  
Right  
Right  
** Use corresponding inputs on rear of SS88IWS speaker when installed without back box.  
INSTALLATION  
Tools Needed  
The JBL Performance  
Specialist in-wall speakers  
were designed to be easily  
installed. However, if you  
are unsure of your ability to  
properly install these loud-  
speakers, please contact  
your dealer or a qualified  
installer.  
Pencil  
Phillips-head #2 screwdriver  
Measuring tape  
Utility knife  
Awl  
Carpenter’s level  
7
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EXISTING CONSTRUCTION  
SS88IWS  
Notes:  
Level  
• Use the cardboard template  
when cutting the drywall.  
Although the SS88IWS may  
be oriented either horizontally  
or vertically, the installation  
procedure is the same.  
Template  
• Please be aware the tem-  
plate is slightly oversized to  
allow for some margin of  
error when cutting with the  
drywall saw – there should  
be no need to allow for fur-  
ther margin of error as this  
may risk the integrity of the  
installation.  
The grille is packed separately  
from the speaker. If at some  
later date you wish to remove  
the grille from the speaker, to  
avoid scratching the grille or  
baffle you may unfold a paper  
clip, insert the straight end  
through one of the holes in the  
grille, and gently pull up.  
Determine the correct speaker  
location.  
1/2"  
1/2"  
1/2"  
Cut the drywall.  
Connect the speaker wires  
to the speaker as  
described on pages 4–7.  
Note: Always allow at least  
one-half inch between a wall  
stud and the speaker cutout, or  
the locking tabs will not be able  
to swivel into place.  
Place the frame assembly in  
the wall until the frame surface  
is flush with the wallboard.  
Screw down each of the ten  
Phillips-head screws. It is best  
to use a low-speed cordless  
driver or a hand-held screw-  
driver to tighten the screws to  
prevent over-tightening. The  
locking tabs will swivel into  
place and secure the unit to the  
rear surface of the drywall.  
Replace the metal grille. Attach  
the JBL logo to the grille to cor-  
respond to vertical or horizontal  
installation.  
8
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NEW CONSTRUCTION  
You may either purchase the  
optional SS88IWSBB kit, or you  
may install the speaker after the  
See  
wallboard has been installed by  
Detail A  
following the instructions for  
existing construction on page 8.  
L-Brackets  
INSTRUCTIONS FOR  
INSTALLING THE SS88IWS  
USING THE SS88IWSBB BACK  
BOX KIT  
Detail B  
See  
Detail B  
The SS88IWSBB enclosure  
(“back box”) is optional. If  
desired, it is installed during  
new construction before the  
wallboard is installed.  
Centering Bar  
3. Fit the enclosure into the  
wall. The bottom edge of the  
bottom L-brackets will rest  
against the baseboard two-  
by-four. At this time, make  
note of adjustments neces-  
sary to square the enclosure  
into the wall (see Detail C).  
Included With the SS88IWSBB:  
(4) L-brackets  
(8) #10 32 x 1" screws  
(8) #10 split washers  
(8) #10 flat washers  
(8) #8 x 3/4" woofer screws  
(2) wood centering bars  
(4) #10 32 x 1-1/2" flat-head  
screws  
Centering Bar  
Installation:  
1. Install the two centering bars  
as shown in Detail B in the  
drawings. The centering bars  
are for setting the depth of  
the enclosure. They also help  
locate the left/right position  
of the enclosure as they can  
be mounted into the studs at  
the left and right to hold the  
enclosure in the correct loca-  
tion before final mounting.  
Detail C  
See  
Detail C  
L-Brackets  
Detail A  
4. After refitting and tightening  
the L-brackets into the enclo-  
sure (but not the wall studs  
yet), fit the enclosure into the  
wall once again.  
2. Install the four L-brackets to  
the four corners of the en-  
closure. Each of the eight  
screws should have both the  
split washer and flat washer  
installed; the split washer  
goes on first. Leave the  
screws a half-turn loose at  
first to allow for adjustment  
later (see Detail A). Do not  
screw the L-brackets to the  
wall studs at this time (see  
step 6).  
5. At this time, you may want to  
screw through each side of  
the wood centering bars to  
mount the enclosure to the  
studs. This will help hold the  
enclosure in position before  
the L-brackets are mounted  
to the studs.  
9
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6. Screw the L-brackets into the  
studs.  
7. Remove the wood centering  
bars and replace the flat-  
head screws into the holes  
left over (the holes left in the  
cabinet face underneath the  
bars are also counterbored to  
accept the flat-head screws).  
See  
Detail A  
8. The enclosure is now  
installed and ready for the  
wallboard to be installed  
over it.  
9. Make the connections from  
your receiver/amplifier to the  
SS88IWSBB connections  
panel, and to any other  
speakers as appropriate for  
your system, following the  
instructions on pages 4–7.  
Connect the eight wires  
hanging from the bottom of  
the SS88IWSBB back box to  
the correct terminals on the  
SS88IWS loudspeaker. See  
pages 6–7.  
PAINTING THE SPEAKER  
FRAME AND GRILLE  
JBL in-wall loudspeakers can be  
painted to match any décor. If  
you wish to change their color,  
the satin finish on the grille and  
frame will function as a primer  
coat. Before painting, install the  
plastic paint shield securely into  
the recess in the baffle. This will  
protect the speaker components  
and baffle from paint residue.  
Use a high-quality spray paint,  
and apply a thin coat of color.  
Paint the grille separately from  
the baffle before installing it.  
Be certain the grille  
perforations remain  
free of paint. Filling  
them with paint will  
diminish the sound  
quality.  
10  
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TROUBLESHOOTING  
If there is no sound  
from any of the  
speakers:  
If the system plays at  
low volumes but shuts  
off as volume is  
configured to enable all channels  
that you are using.  
increased:  
If there is low (or no)  
bass output:  
• Check that receiver/amplifier  
is on and a source is playing.  
• Check all wires and connec-  
tions between receiver/amplifier  
and speakers. Make sure all  
wires are connected. Make sure  
none of the speaker wires are  
frayed, cut, punctured or touch-  
ing each other.  
• If more than one pair of main  
speakers is being used, check  
the minimum-impedance  
requirements of your  
• Make sure the connections  
to the “Speaker Inputs” have the  
correct polarity (+ and –). If you  
are using two SS88IWS sub-  
woofers, try inverting the polarity  
on one subwoofer as described  
on page 4.  
• Check all wires and connections  
between receiver/amplifier and  
speakers. Make sure all wires  
are connected. Make sure none  
of the speaker wires are frayed,  
cut, punctured or touching each  
other.  
• Consider adding a separate  
power amplifier to drive the  
SS88IWS subwoofer.  
• Review proper operation of  
your receiver/amplifier.  
If there is no sound  
coming from one  
speaker:  
receiver/amplifier.  
®
®
• In Dolby Digital or DTS modes,  
make sure your receiver/proces-  
sor is correctly configured. When  
using a power amplifier with your  
SS88IWS subwoofer, make sure  
the subwoofer output of the  
receiver/processor has been  
enabled. See your receiver/  
processor’s owner’s manual for  
further information on correct  
speaker configuration in Dolby  
Digital, DTS and other surround  
sound modes.  
• Check the Balance control  
on your receiver/amplifier.  
• Check all wires and connec-  
tions between receiver/amplifier  
and speakers. Make sure all  
wires are connected. Make sure  
none of the speaker wires are  
frayed, cut, punctured or touch-  
ing each other. In multichannel  
applications, make sure that your  
receiver/processor has been  
11  
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SPECIFICATIONS  
SS88IWS  
Frequency Response  
Maximum Recommended Amplifier Power  
Impedance  
30Hz – 100Hz (–6dB)  
250 Watts per channel  
8 Ohms nominal per woofer  
94dB (2.83V/1m), both woofers driven  
100Hz, 2nd order  
Sensitivity  
Crossover Frequency  
Woofer  
Dual 8" polymer-coated aluminum cones w/rubber surrounds  
11-7/16" x 20-7/16" (290mm x 518mm)  
10" x 18-5/16" (254mm x 465mm)  
3-7/8" (98mm)  
Plate Size (W x H)  
Mounting Cutout Size (W x H)  
Mounting Depth  
Weight per Speaker  
17 lb (7.7kg)  
All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.  
† The maximum recommended amplifier power rating will ensure proper system headroom to allow for  
occasional peaks. We do not recommend sustained operation at these maximum power levels.  
JBL and Harman International are registered trademarks, and Performance Series, Pro Sound Comes Home and  
Straight-Line Signal Path (SSP) are trademarks, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.  
Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.  
DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.  
Declaration of Conformity  
We, Harman Consumer Group International  
2, route de Tours  
72500 Château du Loir  
France  
declare in own responsibility that the product described in  
this owner’s manual is in compliance with technical stan-  
dards:  
EN 61000-6-3:2001  
EN 61000-6-1:2001  
Laurent Rault  
Harman Consumer Group International  
Château du Loir, France 10/05  
PRO SOUND  
COMES HOME™  
OWNER’S GUIDE  
PRODUCT LINE:  
PERFORMANCESPECIALIST  
JBL Consumer Products  
250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797  
8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329  
516.255.4JBL (4525) www.jbl.com  
MODEL: SS88IWS  
NOTE: For new-construction applications, be sure  
to purchase the SS88IWSBB back box kit.  
DESIGN GOAL:  
Combine the superior performance of traditional  
JBL loudspeakers with the convenience of in-wall installation.  
© 2005 Harman International Industries, Incorporated.  
All rights reserved.  
WOOFER TYPE: Polymer-coated aluminum cone with rubber surround  
)
CROSSOVER NETWORK: Straight-Line Signal Path (SSP  
Part No. 406-000-05223  
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE: Studio Monitor  
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