Harman CINEMA 500 User Manual

CINEMA 500

Home theater speaker system

QUICK-START GUIDE

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THIS

®

PRODUCT

JBL

The Cinema 500 is a complete six-piece home theater speaker
system that includes four identical, two-way, video-shielded satellite
speakers, a dedicated, voice-matched, video-shielded center
speaker with dual midrange drivers an 8-inch (203mm), 150-watt
powered subwoofer and all of the cables you need to connect all of
the speakers to your audio/video receiver or preamp/processor and
amplifier.

INCLUDED ITEMS

1X 1X 4X 4X 8X 1X

4X

1X

3X

15 ft (4.5m)

We're confident that this JBL system will provide every note
of enjoyment that you expect – and that when you think about
purchasing additional audio equipment for your home, car or office,
you will once again choose JBL products.

This quick-start guide contains all the information you need to set
up, connect and adjust your new speaker system. For more in-depth
information, go to our Web site: www.jbl.com.

2X

30 ft (9.0m)

SUBWOOFER REAR-PANEL CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS

On/Standby

LED

Crossover

Control

Phase Switch

Power-On

Mode Switch

Subwoofer

Level Control

Line-Level In

LFE Connector

Line-Level In

L/R Connectors

Power Switch

Power Cord

On/Standby LED: When the Power-On Mode Switch is in the “Auto”
position, this LED indicates whether the subwoofer is in the On or
Standby state:

When the LED glows green, the subwoofer is turned on. •

• When the LED glows red, the subwoofer is in the Standby mode.

When the Power Switch is set to “Off,” the LED will not light up, no
matter what setting the Power-On Mode Switch is in.

Crossover Control: This control determines the highest frequency
at which the subwoofer reproduces sounds. The higher you set the
Crossover Control, the higher in frequency the subwoofer will operate
and the more its bass will “overlap” that of the satellite speakers. This
adjustment helps achieve a smooth transition of bass frequencies
between the subwoofer and the satellites for a variety of different
rooms and subwoofer locations.

NOTE: The Crossover Control functions only when you are using
the Line-Level In L/R Connectors. The Line-Level In LFE Connector
bypasses the subwoofer’s built-in crossover and Crossover Control.

Phase Switch: This switch determines whether the subwoofer
driver’s piston-like action moves in and out in phase with the satellite
speakers. If the subwoofer were to play out of phase with the satellite
speakers, the sound waves from the satellites could partially cancel
out the sound waves from the subwoofer, reducing bass performance
and sonic impact. This phenomenon depends in part on the placement
of all the speakers relative to each other in the room.

Power-On Mode Switch: When this switch is set in the “Auto”
position and the Power Switch is set to “On,” the subwoofer will
automatically turn itself on when it receives an audio signal and will
enter the Standby mode when it has gone without receiving an audio
signal for 20 minutes. When this switch is set in the “On” position, the
subwoofer will remain on whether or not it is receiving an audio signal.

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme
NMB-003 du Canada.

Subwoofer Level Control: Use this control to adjust the subwoofer’s
volume. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the volume; turn the knob
counterclockwise to decrease the volume.

Line-Level In LFE Connector: This input bypasses the subwoofer’s
internal crossover circuitry, so use it only with a receiver or processor
subwoofer output that has been low-pass filtered. If your receiver or
processor does not have a dedicated subwoofer output that is low­pass filtered, use the subwoofer’s Line-Level In L/R Connectors (see
below) instead.

Use the supplied mono RCA cable (purple connectors) to connect the
Line-Level In LFE Connector to the dedicated subwoofer output of a
receiver or preamp/processor.

Line-Level In L/R Connectors: These inputs pass through the
subwoofer’s built-in crossover. Use them if your receiver or preamp/
processor does not have a dedicated subwoofer output that is low­pass filtered.

Power Switch: Set this switch in the “On” position to turn the
subwoofer on. The subwoofer will then be in On or Standby mode,
depending on the setting of the Power-On Mode Switch.

Power Cord: After you have made and verified all subwoofer and
speaker connections described in this manual, plug the power cord
into an active, unswitched electrical outlet for proper operation of the
subwoofer. DO NOT plug this cord into the accessory outlets found on
some audio components.

2

PLACING THE SPEAKERS

FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SPEAKERS CENTER SPEAKER

TV

English

Front Left

Speaker

Surround Right
Speaker

Front Right
Speaker

Front Left

Speaker

SURROUND SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFER

Front Left

Speaker

Surround Left

Speaker

TV

Center

Speaker

TV

Center

Speaker

0 – 2 ft

(0 – 61cm)

Front Right
Speaker

Front Right

Speaker

Subwoofer

5 – 6 ft

(1.5m – 1.8m)

Surround Left
Speaker

Surround Right

Speaker

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3

SPEAKER MOUNTING OPTIONS

SHELF-MOUNTING

Satellites:

1. 3.2.

Center:

WALL-MOUNTING

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: The customer is solely responsible for

proper selection and installation of mounting hardware not included
with the speakers. JBL disclaims any liability for the selection and
installation of mounting hardware.

Satellite

1-15/16"
(49mm)

2-3/16"
(55mm)

1. Decide on locations for the speakers according to the recommendations
in Placing the Speakers, on page 3.

2. Select wall-hanging hardware that is appropriate for the construction
and materials of your walls. The Cinema 500 front, center and surround
speakers weigh 3.25 lb (1.47kg) each. Be sure to use hardware that can
support their weight.

Be sure to follow these installation instructions carefully. If you have
any questions or doubts about your ability to wall-mount the speakers
correctly, consult with your authorized JBL dealer or custom installer.

Center

7-11/16"

(195.5mm)

3. Install the wall-hanging hardware on the walls. Make sure that the

hardware is driven into studs and not into drywall or plaster. If the

hardware must be mounted in drywall or plaster, you are
responsible for selecting and using wall anchors that are
appropriate for the construction and materials of your walls.

4. Hang the speakers on the wall-mount hardware.

4

CONNECTING THE SPEAKERS

CAUTION: Before making speaker connections, be sure that your receiver or amplifier is turned off and preferably that its AC cord is
unplugged from the AC power outlet.

Connect the speakers to your receiver or amplifier: Connect the speaker's “+” terminal to the amplifier's “+” terminal:

English

1.

2.

3.

Colored Band
to “+” Terminal

Connect the speakers to the proper amplifier channels:

Front Left

Speaker

Wire with
Colored Band
to “+” Terminal

Amplifier

Wire with

Colored Band

to “+” Terminal

SPEAKER

OUTPUT

Front Right

Center

Wire with

Wire with

White Bands

Surround Left

FRONT

+–

LEFT

+–

Green Bands

+–

RIGHT CENTER

+–

+–

Wire with

Red Bands

Surround Right

Receiver

SURROUND

Wire with

Blue Bands

IMPORTANT: Make sure the ( + ) and ( – ) bare wires do not touch each other or the other terminal. Touching wires can cause a short
circuit that can damage your receiver or amplifier.

or Amplifier

Wire with

Gray Bands

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5

CONNECTING THE SUBWOOFER

TO A RECEIVER OR PREAMP/PROCESSOR WITH A DEDICATED SUBWOOFER OUTPUT

Receiver or

Amplifier

SUBWOOFER

LFE OUT

Mono RCA Cable

(included)

SUB 140P

Subwoofer

TO A RECEIVER OR PREAMP/PROCESSOR WITH A PREAMP OUTPUTS

Receiver or

Amplifier

PREAMP

OUTPUTS

Mono RCA Cable

(included)

Mono RCA Cable

(not included)

SUB 140P

Subwoofer

TO A RECEIVER OR PREAMP/PROCESSOR WITH A PREAMP OUTPUTS CONNECTED TO MAIN AMP INPUTS

Receiver or

Amplifier

PREAMP

OUTPUTS

MAIN AMP

INTPUTS

Stereo

“Y” Cable

(not included)

Stereo

Audio Cable

(not included)

Mono RCA Cable

(included)

Mono RCA Cable
(not included)

SUB 140P

Subwoofer

6

OPERATING THE SUBWOOFER

English

TURNING THE SUBWOOFER ON AND OFF

Set the subwoofer’s Power Switch to the “On” position.

If the subwoofer’s Power-On Mode Switch is set to “Auto,” the •

subwoofer will automatically turn itself on when it receives an audio
signal, and it will go into Standby mode after it has received no
audio signal for 20 minutes. The subwoofer’s LED will glow green
when the subwoofer is on and will glow red when the subwoofer is
in Standby.

If the Power-On Mode Switch is set to “On,” the subwoofer will •

remain on at all times. The subwoofer’s LED will glow green.

If you will not be using the subwoofer for an extended period – for
instance, if you’re going on vacation – set the Power Switch to the
“Off” position.

SUBWOOFER ADJUSTMENTS: CROSSOVER CONTROL

NOTE: The Crossover Control functions only
when you are using the Line-Level In L/R
Connectors. The Line-Level In LFE Connector
bypasses the subwoofer’s built-in crossover and
the Crossover Control.

The Crossover Control adjusts the subwoofer’s
built-in crossover between 50Hz and 200Hz.
The higher you set the Crossover Control, the
higher in frequency the subwoofer will operate
and the more its bass will “overlap” that of the
satellite speakers. This adjustment helps achieve
a smooth transition of bass frequencies between the subwoofer and
the satellites for a variety of different rooms and subwoofer locations.

To set the Crossover Control, listen for the smoothness of the bass.
If the bass seems too strong at certain frequencies, try a lower
Crossover Control setting. If the bass seems too weak at certain
frequencies, try a higher Crossover Control setting.

CROSSOVER

50 (Hz) 200

SUBWOOFER ADJUSTMENTS: PHASE

The Phase Switch determines whether
the subwoofer driver’s piston-like
action moves in and out in phase with
the satellite speakers. If the subwoofer
were to play out of phase with the
satellite speakers, the sound waves
from the satellites could partially cancel
out the waves from the subwoofer,
reducing bass performance and sonic impact. This phenomenon
depends in part on the placement of all the speakers relative to each
other in the room.

Although in most cases you should leave the Phase Switch in the
“Normal” position, there is no absolutely correct setting for the Phase
Switch. When the subwoofer is properly in phase with the satellite
speakers, the sound will be clearer and have maximum impact, and
percussive sounds like drums, piano and plucked strings will sound
more lifelike. The best way to set the Phase Switch is to listen to
music that you know well and to set the switch in the position that
gives drums and other percussive sounds maximum impact.

SUBWOOFER ADJUSTMENTS: VOLUME

Use the Subwoofer Level Control to set the
subwoofer’s volume. Turn the knob clockwise
to increase the subwoofer’s volume; turn the
knob counterclockwise to decrease the volume.
Once you have balanced the subwoofer’s
volume with that of the other speakers in your
system, you shouldn’t have to change it.

Notes on Setting Subwoofer Volume:

sSometimes the ideal subwoofer volume

setting for music is too loud for films, while
the ideal setting for films is too quiet for
music. When setting the subwoofer volume, listen to both music
and films with strong bass content and find a “middle ground”
volume level that works for both.

I f your subwoofer always seems too loud or too quiet, you may •

want to place it in a different location. Placing the subwoofer in a
corner will always tend to increase its bass output, while placing it
away from any walls or corners will always tend to lessen its bass
output.

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7

SPECIFICATIONS

CINEMA 500 SYSTEM

Frequency response: 32Hz – 20kHz (–6dB)

CINEMA 500 SATELLITE SPEAKERS

Low-frequency transducer: Two 3" (75mm) PolyPlas™ cone, video-shielded

High-frequency transducer:

Recommended amplifier power: 100 watts

Nominal impedance: 8 ohms

Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 86dB

Crossover frequency: 3.7kHz

Enclosure type: Sealed

Connector type: Push-spring terminal

Dimensions (H x W x D):

Weight: 3.2 lb (1.45kg)

1" (25mm) titanium-laminate dome,
video-shielded

11-3/8" x 4-3/4" x 3-3/8"
(289mm x 121mm x 86mm)

SUB140P SUBWOOFER

Low-frequency transducer: 8" (200mm) cone (down-firing)

Enclosure type: Ported (down-firing)

Amplifier power: 150 watts

Frequency response: 32Hz – 150Hz (–6dB)

Audio controls: Volume level, phase, crossover frequency

Connections:

Power requirement:

Power consumption:

Dimensions (W x H x D):

Weight: 22 lb (10kg)

LFE input, left and right RCA line-level
inputs

120V/60Hz, 150W (US);
220V – 240V/50Hz, 150W (EU)

<1W (8mA@120V) standby;
300w (2.5A@120V) peak

19" x 14" x 14"
(483mm x 355mm x 355mm)

CINEMA 500 CENTER SPEAKER

Low-frequency transducer:

High-frequency transducer:

Recommended power handling: 100 watts

Nominal impedance: 8 ohms

Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 89dB

Crossover frequency: 3.7kHz

Enclosure type: Sealed

Connector type: Push-spring terminal

Dimensions (H x W x D):

Weight: 3.2 lb (1.45kg)

Two 3" (75mm) PolyPlas cones,
video-shielded

1" (25mm) titanium-laminate dome,
video-shielded

4-7/8" x 12" x 3-3/8"
(124mm x 305mm x 86mm)

HARMAN Consumer, Inc.
8500 Ba lboa Bo ulevard, North ridge, C A 91329 USA

© 2010 HARMAN In ternational In dustri es, Inc orporated. All r ights re serve d.
JBL is a tra demar k of HARMA N Intern ationa l Indust ries, Incorporated, re gistere d in the Un ited State s
and/or other countries. PolyPlas is a trademark of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated.
Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

Part No. 950-0298-001 Rev. A

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