GRAND TOURING SERIES
2/1 Channel
Automotive Power Amplifier
GTS100x Owner’s Manual
GENUINE JBL
02
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
About Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
System Design Using the GTS100x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Signal Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Other Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Typical Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Installation and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Installation Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Physical Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Controls and Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Mounting Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Power Supply Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
+12V Battery Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Ground Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Remote Turn-On Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Audio Input Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Line-Level Input Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Input-Mode Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Speaker-Level Input Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Simultaneous Speaker-Level and Line-Level Inputs . 19
Speaker Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Gain Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Other Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Solving Noise Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Additional System Configurations for Add-On or Upgrade . . . 30
In Case of Difficulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Warranty Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Owner’s Warranty Information
Model Number
Serial Number
Dealer Name
City, State, Zip
Sales Receipt Number
Date of Purchase
Introduction
Thanks for purchasing your new
GT series automotive amplifier.
The GT series amplifier you have
chosen includes many unique
features to enhance its performance and utility. The power
amplifier circuitry is a fully discrete design notable for low
distortion and unusually clean
and clear reproduction quality.
Your GT series amplifier will
easily connect to virtually any
car audio system, whether it is
factory installed or purchased
separately.
In addition to conventional preamp-level inputs, this model features JBL’s Universal Interface
design, which facilitates simple
connection to factory radios with
the low distortion that is usually
only associated with preamplevel connection. With Universal
Interface, a factory radio can be
used either as the main music
source or combined with a CD
changer which includes volume
control capability, simultaneously connected directly to
the amplifier.
By providing this two-unit direct
connection, Universal Interface
circuitry eliminates the need for
an FM modulator to connect a
CD player to factory radios,
improving the fidelity of digital
playback.
Also, when using a high-powered
(BTL) radio through the
speaker-level inputs, Common
Sense turn-on circuitry senses
the common-mode voltage present on the radio’s speaker wires
and turns the amplifier on without an additional “remote” wire.
When the speaker-level inputs
are used exclusively, the
preamp-level inputs may be
converted to preamp-level
outputs to drive additional
amplifiers or signal processors.
In addition, the built-in active
crossover provides either highpass or low-pass operation. This
lets your GT series amplifier
power either subwoofer or main
speakers in a bi-amplified
system, without the expense of
an additional crossover.
03
04
Features
• Bridgeable 2/1 Channel
Operation
• Simultaneous Stereo
Operation
• Built-in Staggered 18dB/Octave
100Hz High-Pass and 80Hz LowPass Crossover
• No Current Limiting
• Oversized Floating Rail
MOSFET Switch-Mode
Power Supply
• Common Sense 2-Way Turn-On
• Stealth Remote Silent Turn-On
Circuitry with Power-On
Indicator
• Continuously Adjustable
Gain Controls
• Capable of Single-Ended
Operation Into 2-Ohm Loads
• Fully Complementary, DirectCoupled, Discrete Power
Amplifier Circuitry
+ Mono
• Gold-Plated RCA Input
Connectors
• Preamp Output Capability
• Convenient Easy-Disconnect
Power and Speaker Connections
• Third Order (18dB per Octave),
Capacitive/Inductive PowerSupply Filtering
• Input Mode Switching
• Made in USA
About Installation
Although the GTS100x was
designed to make installation as
easy as possible, it is a sophisticated product that requires
proper installation to realize its
full performance potential. Skill
with tools, an understanding of
basic electronics, and experience
with car stereo installation are
needed to properly install this
amplifier. If you feel you do not
have the necessary knowledge
and skills, we strongly recommend that the installation be
done by your authorized JBL
dealer. If the GTS100x is
installed by a qualified JBL
dealer, we will double the length
of your warranty to two years
from date of purchase.
If you choose to install the
GTS100x yourself, read all of
the information in this manual
before you start the installation.
Pay particular attention to the
safety precautions and notes.
It will save potential problems
later if you take a few minutes
to plan the complete installation
before you start. The routing of
wires, the power supply connection points, and the mechanical
installation of the unit should be
completely thought out before
you begin. Work carefully and
check each step as it is performed. Before operating the
amplifier, recheck the entire
installation to be sure that each
connection is correct, properly
insulated and secure.
Quick Start
Recommended for experienced professional
installers only!
1. Disconnect the negative cable
from the battery. Note: If the
vehicle’s radio features a
code-type security system,
make certain you know the
code before disconnecting
the battery!
2. Mount the amplifier to the
desired location using four
screws.
3. Run a minimum AWG #10
power cable complete with a
20-amp fuse (not included)
directly from the positive
+12V battery terminal to the
desired amplifier location.
Keep the fuse to within 5" of
the battery terminal, and
before the wire runs through
any metal partition.
Note: All wiring connections
should be made either by soldering with heatshrink tubing insulation or with high-quality crimptype insulated connectors
installed with a good crimping
tool. Soldering crimp connections
is recommended to further
enhance connection reliability.
Never use wire-nuts, insulationdisplacement connectors (i.e.,
ScotchLok type), or “twist and
tape” connections. Do not use
electrical tape; it will loosen with
age and extreme temperatures.
Never leave bare wire exposed.
4. Connect power wiring as
shown in the Wiring Diagram
on page 14, using the supplied
power harness.
5. Connect the outputs from the
signal source to the appropriate inputs of the amplifier
according to the Wiring
Diagram (page 14) with either
high-quality low-level signal
cables with RCA plugs, with
the supplied speaker-level
input connector, or both.
6. Connect the speakers to the
amplifier according to the
wiring diagram on page 14.
7. Turn the input sensitivity
adjustment to the 1/4 position.
8. Set the input level switch to
“line” if you are using the linelevel (preamp) inputs.
9. Set the crossover switch as
desired.
10. Set the input mode switch to
stereo, left
input only operation.
11. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
12. Turn on the signal source at a
low volume level and check
for the correct output from
each speaker.
13. Adjust the amplifier gain control, using the procedure
described in the Gain
Adjustments section on
page 23.
14. Read the rest of the manual to
get maximum use and enjoyment from your amplifier.
+ right or right
05
System Design Using the GTS100x
(+)
(-)
(+)
(-)
Parallel Wiring
Series Wiring
2 Ohms
Nominal
Impedance
8 Ohms
Nominal
Impedance
4 Ohms
4 Ohms
4 Ohms 4 Ohms
06
Speakers
When used in the non-bridged
mode, the GTS100x can easily
drive 2-ohm speaker loads. When
only one speaker is connected to
each channel, virtually any common speaker may be used. When
two speakers are connected in
parallel to a given channel, each
speaker must have a minimum
impedance of at least 4 ohms to
ensure that the combined load
does not drop below 2 ohms.
Although the amplifier will not be
damaged, load impedances lower
than 2 ohms will eventually
cause the amplifier to overheat,
activating the protection circuits
and causing the unit to shut off
until it cools down sufficiently.
When the GTS100x is in bridged
mode, the combined impedance
of the speaker (or speakers) connected to the bridged channel
should be at least 4 ohms. As in
the example just mentioned,
sustained operation of the
GTS100x in bridged mode with
less than 4 ohms will likely cause
overheating. If monaural operation is desired, and two 4-ohm
speakers are used, it is best to
connect each speaker to an
individual amplifier channel
and use the “L
input-mode switch to provide
monaural operation.
The GTS100x must not be used
with speakers that have either
one of their input terminals wired
to the frame of the speaker or to
the chassis of the vehicle.
+R” mode on the
Signal Sources
The low-level preamp outputs of
any radio/tape deck, CD player
or preamp/ equalizer so equipped
can drive the GTS100x. The Gain
control of the GTS100x is used to
match the amplifier to the output
voltage of the source. This
matching is important to keep
noise low and is explained in the
Gain Adjustments section of this
manual (page 23).
Thanks to Universal Interface
circuitry, the GTS100x can also
be connected to power amplifiers,
radios or equalizers that are
equipped with only speaker
outputs by connecting them
through the speaker-level input
connector. Inside the GTS100x,
the speaker-level and preamplevel inputs are connected
through a mixing circuit, which
allows them to be used simultaneously. Therefore, a low-level
source, such as a CD player
equipped with preamp controls
(Volume, Balance, Bass, Treble)
may be connected to the preamplevel inputs at the same time as a
powered radio/tape unit is connected to the speaker-level
inputs. This provides a higher
performance alternative to an
FM Modulator connection when
you wish to add CD capability to
a factory-installed cassette radio.
Switching from one source to the
other is as simple as turning the
desired source on and turning the
undesired one off — no additional
switches or relay connections
are needed.
Other Components
The system options of the
GTS100x are numerous. All JBL
amplifiers are designed with sufficient adjustment range to match
with the accepted “normal”
voltages and impedances used
by virtually all car audio components. With very few exceptions,
the GTS100x will match correctly to any equipment you
already have.
07
08
L
R
LRR
L– R+
– +
2 or 4-Ohm
Full-Range
Speakers or
Subwoofers
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
GTS100x
Application 1
Stereo Full-Range or Subwoofer Operation
Full-Range Operation
Subwoofer Operation
Crossover Input Mode Line
Switch Switch Switch
Off Stereo In
Crossover Input Mode Line
Switch Switch Switch
Low Stereo In
Main speakers are driven by head unit or additional amplifier.
Preamp or
Speaker-Level
Input
L
R
4-Ohm
Full-Range
Speaker or
Subwoofer
4-Ohm
Full-Range
Speaker or
Subwoofer
Application 2
Bridge-Mode Operation
Single Amplifier:
Subwoofer Operation (Mono)
Main speakers are driven by head unit or
additional amplifier.
GTS100x
B
L– R+
– +
GTS100x
A
For Single Amplifier
Subwoofer Use
For Dual-Amplifier
Full-Range or Subwoofer Use
Preamp or
Speaker Level
Crossover
Switch
Low
Amp
B
Input Mode
Switch
L + R
Line
Switch
In
Dual Amplifier:
Subwoofer Operation (Stereo)
Full-Range Operation (Stereo)
Crossover
Switch
Low
Amp
A + B
Input Mode
Switch
R
Line
Switch
In
Crossover
Switch
Off
Amp
A + B
Input Mode
Switch
R
Line
Switch
In
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
Typical Applications
The following diagrams show the
most common basic system configurations using the GTS100x.
More elaborate systems are
formed by using a combination
of these “building blocks.” For
additional ideas, refer to the
“Additional System Configurations for Add-On or Upgrade”
section on page 30.
09
Application 3
Biamplified, Three-Channel
Subwoofer/Satellite System
Amp Crossover Input Mode Line
Switch Switch Switch
A High Stereo In
B Low L + R In
Stereo Subwoofers may be used by configuring
GTS100x-B as shown in Application #1
GTS100x
A
L
R– R+
– +
GENUINE JBL
GTS
10 0 x
MADE IN USA
L– L+
2- or 4-Ohm
Full-Range
Speakers
– +
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
Front Rear
Preamp or
Input
GTS100x
L
B
R
Speaker-Level
Subwoofer
4-Ohm
– +
L– R+
GENUINE JBL
GTS
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
MADE IN USA
Application 4
Biamplified System Using
R
Preamp Output Capability
Amp Crossover Input Mode Line
Switch Switch Switch
A High Stereo Out
B Low L + R In
Stereo Subwoofers may be used by configuring
GTS100x-B as shown in Application #1 or
by using dual GTS100xs as shown in
Application #2
Speaker-
Level
Input
GTS100x
L R
A
L– L+
– +
Preamp
Output
GENUINE JBL
GTS
10 0 x
MADE IN USA
2- or 4-Ohm
Full-Range
Speakers
– +
R L
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
R– R+
GTS100x
B
Preamp
L R
L– R+
4-Ohm
Subwoofer
– +
Input
GENUINE JBL
GTS
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
MADE IN USA
Installation and Use
10
Installation Precautions
Before beginning the installation
of the amplifier, read the following precautions carefully. Failure
to heed these warnings could
result in personal injury or dam-
age to property.
• The GTS100x should be
installed only in vehicles that
have 12-volt negative ground
electrical systems. Connection
to other types of electrical
systems may damage the
amplifier and/or the vehicle’s
electrical system.
• Before beginning the installation, disconnect the negative
(ground) cable from the vehicle’s battery. This will prevent
accidental short circuits while
working on the installation.
Reconnect the cable only after
the installation is complete and
the wiring has been carefully
checked to be sure there are no
exposed wires or short circuits
and everything is properly and
securely connected. Note: If
the vehicle’s radio features a
code-type security system,
make certain you know the
code before disconnecting
the battery!
• Work in an area that is well
ventilated.
• Wear eye protection whenever
cutting, drilling or filing any
parts of the vehicle.
• Wear ear protection when using
high-speed drills, saws,
sanders, or grinders. We want
you to be able to enjoy the system once it is installed.
• Before cutting or drilling any
holes in the vehicle, inspect the
area carefully to be sure there
are no electrical wires, hydraulic brake lines, fuel lines,
or fuel tanks that may be damaged while doing so. Such components may be hidden within
double-walled panels or structural members of the vehicle,
so be extremely cautious.
• Do not bypass or modify the
fuse on the chassis of the
amplifier. Do not replace the
fuse with one rated for higher
current levels. Doing so could
result in damage to the amplifier and the vehicle’s electrical
system. Repeated blowing of
the power supply fuse indicates
a fault within the amplifier or
problems in the installation.
• An additional power supply
fuse (not included) should be
located as close as possible to
the battery on the
minimize the chance of electrical system damage or fire in
the event of a short circuit in
the power supply wire.
+12V wire to
Physical Installation
AIR FLOW
BEST-Vertical Mounting
AIR FLOW
GOOD-Horizontal Mounting
NEVER-Mount Upside Down
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
There are several factors to consider when selecting a mounting
location for the GTS100x.
• It must be solidly mounted in a
place where it will not be subjected to excessive shock and
vibration.
• Under no circumstances should
the amplifier be mounted where
it will be exposed to moisture or
extreme heat.
• Try to mount the amplifier
where the main
supply wire, which must be connected directly to the battery,
can be kept relatively short.
+12 volt power
• The GTS100x must be mounted
in a place where air can circulate around the fins on the chassis. Good air circulation around
the amplifier will make it operate at lower temperatures and
reduce the chance of the thermal protection circuits being
triggered. The installation positions that provide the most efficient air circulation around the
amplifier are shown at right.
• Use a mounting location that
allows access to the wiring connections and level adjustments.
This allows the unit to be
mounted before these connections and adjustments are
made. If the amplifier must be
mounted in an inaccessible
location, it may be easier to
mount it after the wiring connections and level adjustments
are complete.
11
12
L
R
LINE
IN OUT
NOM
MIN MAX
GAIN
INPUT MODE
STEREO
CROSSOVER
OFF HIGHRL
+
R
LOW
+
R
-
+
L
-
+
R
-
+
L
-
SPEAKER
OUTPUTS
SPEAKER
INPUTS
BRIDGED
FUSE 20A
POWER
BAT(+) REM GND
➀ Line-Level RCA Inputs
➁ Line Selector
➂ Gain Control
➃ Input Mode
➄ Speaker Input Connector
➅ Crossover Mode Selector
20A
Power
Connector
➆ Fuse
➇ Battery Ground
➈ Remote Turn-On
➉ Battery (+) In
➉ Speaker Output Connector
11
POWER
Power Indicator
Controls and Connectors
1. Line-Level RCA Inputs – Use
these connectors for line (preamp)-level input to the amplifier.
When speaker inputs are used,
this connector can be converted
for use as a line-level output
by setting the “Line” switch
to “Out.”
2. Line Selector – This switch sets
the line-level connectors for
either input or output. Set switch
to “In” for normal line-level input
operation. Set the switch to “Out”
to use the line-level connector for
line-level outputs to drive other
amplifiers or signal processors
when using the speaker-level
inputs.
3. Gain Control – Use this control
to adjust the input sensitivity of
the amplifier. See the “Gain
Adjustments” section on page 23
for tips on proper setup.
4. Input Mode Selector – This
switch is used to set the input
mode for both preamp and
speaker-level inputs. Set this
switch to “Stereo” for normal
operation using both left and
right inputs. Set this switch to
“R” to drive both the left and
right channels with only a single
input on the right channel. Set
this switch to “L
the left and right inputs for a
mono output on both amplifier
channels.
+R” to sum
5. Speaker Input Connector – Use
this connector for speaker-level
input signals. A wire harness is
supplied for this connector. See
the “Audio Input Connections”
section (page 17) for wiring
instructions. This input also
includes JBL’s Common Sense
input circuitry which turns the
amplifier on as soon as a highpowered head unit connected to
this input is turned on.
6. Crossover Mode Selector – This
switch controls the built-in
crossover. Set the switch to “Off”
for full-band operation. Set this
switch to “Low” to activate the
80Hz low-pass filter on the amplifier (for subwoofer use). Set the
switch to “High” to activate the
100Hz high-pass filter for use with
satellite speakers. Note that the
filter does not affect the line-level
outputs on the amplifier.
7. Fuse – 20-amp ATC-type fuse.
8., 9., 10. Power Connector –
Connection for included power
wire harness. See “Power Supply
Connections” on page 15 and the
wiring diagram on page 14 for
information on wire color codes
and proper connections.
11. Speaker Output Connector –
Connection for included speaker
output harness. See “Speaker
Connections” section on page 20
for information on wire color
codes.
12. Power Indicator LED – Power
indicator light glows for normal
operation when the amplifier is
activated by either the remote or
common sense turn-on circuits.
Mounting Instructions
Place the amplifier in the installation location. Use a pen or pencil
to mark the four mounting screw
hole locations. Set the amplifier
aside and drill the holes for the
mounting screws. (Note: If the
surface you are mounting the amp
to is covered with carpeting or
upholstery, cut a small “x” in the
material at each screw hole location before drilling the holes.
This will help prevent tearing or
stretching of the material and
keep carpet fibers from being
pulled out.) Set the amplifier in
position and align the mounting
holes with the holes previously
drilled. Put washers on the four
sheet metal screws provided and
drive them into the mounting
panel. Tighten the screws evenly
until the unit is solidly mounted.
13
Cassette/CD Tuner
(Head Unit)
CD Player
or Changer
CD Input
Cassette/CD Preamp Output
Antenna Input
Power
Antenna
Power
Antenna
Relay
Blue w/White Stripe - Remote On/Off
Yellow
Main +12V
Black - Power Ground
Chassis Ground
Vehicle Battery
–
+
Ignition Switch
Antenna
Motor Ground
Power
Supply
Blue (Blue/White)
Remote On/Off
Remote Antenna
Black - Power Ground
Red - Main +12V
Yellow - Backup Power
Speakers
+
–
+
Fuse
Fuse
Fuse
Cassette/Receiver
Power Supply
Wires
20 Amp
(Not Included)
Amplifier
Power
Connection
Amplifier
Speaker
Output
Connection
Amplifier
Speaker-
Level
Input
Cassette/CD Tuner
Speaker-Level Output Connection
(Use only when line-level output
is not available)
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
14
Wiring
Proper wiring of the GTS100x
and the associated components is
extremely important for proper
performance and long-term reliability. Using the proper type of
wire is very important. If a specific type of wire should be used
for a certain application, it will
be noted.
All wiring connections should be
made either by soldering with
heatshrink tubing insulation or
with high-quality crimp-type
insulated connectors installed
with a good crimping tool.
Soldering crimp connections
is recommended to further enhance connection reliability.
Never use wire-nuts, insulationdisplacement connectors (i.e.,
ScotchLok type), or “twist and
tape” connections. Do not use
electrical tape; it will loosen with
age and extreme temperatures.
Never leave bare wire exposed.
Route the wiring through the car
carefully. Do not allow wires to
lay against sharp sheet-metal
edges or any other surfaces that
might wear away or cut through
the insulation of the wire. Use
insulated strain reliefs, rubber
grommets and plastic tubing to
protect the wires whenever they
are run through sheet-metal panels or are placed where they
might be pulled or damaged.
Power Supply Connections
The power input and remote turnon wires are connected to the
GTS100x via the power connector
on the end of the amplifier. Use
the included wire harness for connections. In some cases, such as
a custom competition installation,
you may wish to make your own
custom power harness. The part
numbers of the mating connector
and terminals are listed in the
specifications section of the manual, and are common parts available at many electronics parts
retailers. Please do not call JBL
for these; we stock only the premade harness supplied with the
amplifier.
+12V Battery Wire (Yellow)
• Connect the yellow wire directly to
the battery.
+12 volt terminal of
• If it is necessary to extend the
power wire, use 12 gauge or
larger wire that is heat and oil
resistant.
• The GTS100x will draw as much
as 20 amps from the vehicle’s
electrical system, enough to
overload conventional vehicle
wiring. Therefore, the
power supply must be run
directly from the positive side
of the battery. Do not connect to
the vehicle’s fuse block or to a
wire feeding other accessories.
• To prevent electrical system
damage or fire, a fuse holder
and fuse (not included, maximum 20A) must be installed in
the power supply wire, as close
to the battery as possible,
and before the wire travels
through the firewall or other
metal panel.
+12-volt
Ground Wire (Black)
• Proper grounding is extremely
important. It has a significant
effect on the overall performance and noise level of the
system. The ground wire must
be solidly connected to a major
sheet-metal structure of the
vehicle. Usually the power supply ground wire can be connected to a sheet metal panel
near the amp mounting location. Scrape all paint and
primer off the sheet metal at
the grounding point to ensure a
good electrical connection.
Attach the wire to the grounding point with a sheet-metal
screw and lock washer (preferably a star lock washer) or a
bolt/lock washer/nut set.
• In some vehicles, such as those
that have non-metal bodies, it
may be necessary to extend the
power supply ground wire and
connect it to a frame rail or
even directly to the negative (–)
terminal of the battery. Use
heat- and oil-resistant 10 gauge
or larger stranded copper automotive wire and crimp or solder and insulate the wire-towire connections. Keep the
extension wire as short as possible. Solder or crimp a terminal
on the end of the extension wire
and connect it to the frame or
battery terminal.
15
16
• When multiple amplifiers are
installed in the system, it is
often best to ground all of the
amplifiers and signal processors
to the same point to prevent
noise pickup from a ground
loop. In some unusual installations the noise level will be
lower if the amplifier or amplifiers are grounded to the same
point where the head unit is
grounded. Use of heavy gauge
wire for all grounding, even signal processors and head units,
can also help to minimize possible noise pickup.
Remote Turn-On Wire
(Blue with White Stripe)
Because the JBL GTS100x
includes Common Sense two-way
turn-on circuitry, you have two
options for remotely activating
the amplifier. When using the
speaker-level inputs with a head
unit that includes a BTL power
amp, it is not necessary to connect the remote wire. The amplifier will automatically activate
whenever you turn on the head
unit. If the head unit is not of the
high-power BTL type, Common
Sense will not work. You will need
to connect a remote wire as follows. If you are using the linelevel inputs, follow the remote
wire connections listed.
The remote power control system turns the GTS100x off when
not in use to prevent discharging
of the vehicle’s battery. When
+12 volts is applied to the remote
wire, the amplifier is turned on.
A red LED on the end panel of
the amplifier lights whenever the
amplifier is on. If the head unit
+12 volt automatic antenna
has a
or amplifier remote activation
wire, connect it to the blue/white
wire of the GTS100x.
Some head units have no automatic antenna or power amp
activation wire. Other decks have
automatic antenna wires that are
“on” only when the radio is used
+12 volt signal is off when a
(the
tape is played). In such cases,
connect the remote turn-on wire
to an unused accessory terminal
in the fuse block, or any other
volt source that is turned on and
off with the vehicle’s ignition
switch. The remote on/off system
draws negligible current, so a relatively small (18 or 20 gauge)
extension wire may be used. Be
sure to securely crimp or solder
and insulate the wire-to-wire
connections.
+12
Audio Input Connections
Line-Level Input Connection
Proper wiring between the signal
source, any other components in
the system and the GTS100x will
help to keep noise levels in the
system low. Use high-quality,
low-capacitance shielded wire.
Keep the wire as short as possible. Do not splice shielded wires
together. Do not run audio signal
wires alongside power wires
either for the amp or the vehicle’s standard power wires. When
wires are run for long distances,
separate the audio signal wires
from power supply wires or vehicle wiring harnesses as much as
possible. When signal wires and
power wires must cross, try to
keep them perpendicular. Avoid
routing any wires near accessories such as ignition control
modules, tachometers, fuel
pumps or fan motors.
The line-level inputs of the
GTS100x accept standard phono
plugs (also called RCA plugs).
The outputs of most head units,
equalizers or crossovers also
accept RCA connectors. If
another type of connector is used,
adapters or special cables may
be needed. Proper wire and
connectors can be obtained from
any JBL authorized installation
specialist.
NOTE: The GTS100x has a builtin 80Hz low-pass (subwoofer)
crossover and a 100Hz high-pass
(satellite) crossover. Be sure the
crossover switch is properly set
for the chosen system configuration (see the “Typical Applications” section on page 8 for
suggestions). If you have any
questions about how to set this
switch, contact your local
JBL dealer.
Input-Mode Switch
This switch is set according to
the number of input channels
connected to the amplifier and
the desired mode of operation.
See diagrams on pages 8 and 9
and the descriptions below for
options.
Standard Operation – When using
the GTS100x as a conventional
stereo amplifier, simply connect
the preamp-level source outputs
directly to the two gold RCA connectors or connect the head unit
speaker outputs to the speakerlevel inputs with the input mode
switch set to “Stereo.” When
using two sources, both the
speaker and preamp-level inputs
may be used simultaneously. Be
sure to maintain left and right
channel consistency.
17
18
Bridged Mode Operation – To
select bridged mode operation,
set the input mode switch in
either the “R” only or “L
position. In the “R” position, signal from the right channel input
is fed to both amplifier channels.
In the “L
from both channels is summed
internally. When using a single
GTS100x for mono mode fed with
a stereo signal, it is best to use
the “L
GTS100x for each channel, or
when feeding a single GTS100x
with a mono signal from an outboard crossover, use the “R”
mode and connect your source
input to the right channel input.
+R” position, the signal
+R” mode. When using a
+R”
Simultaneous Stereo
For this connection, the Input
Mode switch is left in the stereo
position. Main speakers are connected normally to the left and
right stereo outputs, and a center-channel or subwoofer speaker
is connected in bridged mode.
Refer to the diagram on page 21
in the “Speaker Connections” section for details.
+ Mono –
Speaker-Level Input
Connections
When speaker-level signal is used
to drive the GTS100x, the signal
goes into the amp through a special four-wire harness/connector
(see the “Controls and Connectors” section, page 12). If extension wires are needed between
the head unit output and the
amplifier unit, use conventional
speaker wire. Keep the wiring
inside the passenger and trunk
compartments and make the
wires as short as possible. All
connections should be securely
crimped or soldered and insulated with heatshrink tubing.
Use the color code of the input
harness wires and the identification on the radio/tape deck output
wires to be sure that left and
right channels are correctly con-
nected and the positive/negative
polarity of each channel is connected correctly. For example,
the left positive output of the
head unit must be connected to
the left positive input of the
GTS100x. The color codes for the
speaker level input harness are
as follows:
Speaker-Level Input Color Codes
+): White
Left (
Left (–): White with
Black Stripe
+): Gray
Right (
Right (–): Gray with
Black Stripe
Simultaneous Speaker-Level
From Head
Unit #1
Remote or
Antenna Output
Dual Source Remote Wiring Diagram
From Head
Unit #2
Remote or
Antenna Output
To
GTS100x
Remote
1N4001
Diode
1N4001
Diode
and Line-Level Inputs
In some systems it may be desirable to use both the speaker-level
inputs and line-level inputs simultaneously. For instance, if you
have a stock head unit in your
car, you may connect the
speaker-level inputs of the head
unit to the GTS100x. You may
simultaneously connect a CD
player equipped with preamp volume control to the preamp-level
inputs of the GTS100x. The
Universal Interface circuitry of
the GTS100x will isolate the
inputs from each other while
mixing both signals. Therefore,
switching from one source to the
other is as simple as turning the
unused source off and turning
the desired source on. No
other switches or relay boxes
are needed.
When using this setup it is also
possible, using the wiring setup
shown at right, to allow either of
the two sources to remotely turn
on the amplifier. This is not necessary if the factory radio is of
the high-power BTL type and is
connected to the speaker-level
inputs. The Common Sense turnon circuit will activate the
GTS100x when a powered source
is used, and the conventional
remote connection of the preamplevel source will activate the amp
when it is used.
19
Speaker Connections
20
When connecting speaker wires,
be sure that no uninsulated wire
remains exposed and no loose
strands of wire touch either an
adjoining wire, terminal or
metal surface. Securely crimp or
solder all connections and insulate them with heatshrink tubing.
Use high-quality 18 gauge or
larger speaker wire for the
amplifier-to-speaker connections.
Larger wire or special highperformance speaker cables
may improve the performance
of some systems.
Be very careful when speaker
wire is routed through a door
hinge area to door-mounted
speakers. Use grommets and
strain reliefs wherever necessary
to prevent damage to the wires.
The proper speaker connection
depends on whether the GTS100x
is used bridged or stereo. The
speakers are connected to the
amplifier with the included wire
harness. If you wish to purchase
the raw connector to make a
custom-length harness, the
part number is listed in the
Specifications section. This item
is commonly available from local
electronic parts distributors.
Please do not call JBL for this
part; we stock only the harness
assemblies supplied with the
amplifier.
To get proper bass response and
stereo imaging, all the speakers
in the system must be “in
phase.” The input terminals of
the speakers will be marked in
some way to identify positive and
negative polarity. Make sure that
the positive (
is attached to the positive (
amplifier connection in every
speaker-to-amp connection. All
two-conductor speaker wire has
one conductor marked in some
way so it can be easily traced.
+) speaker terminal
+)
The speaker output wire harness
color codes are listed below:
Speaker Output Color Codes
+): White
Left (
Left (–): White with
Black Stripe
+): Gray
Right (
Right (–): Gray with
Black Stripe
Stereo Connection – Connect each
speaker directly to the speaker
output harness according to the
color codes listed above. The
input-mode switch should be set
to “Stereo.”
L
R
LINE
IN OUT
NOM
MIN MAX
GAIN
INPUT MODE
STEREO
CROSSOVER
OFF HIGHRL
+
R
LOW
+
R
-
+
L
-
+
R
-
+
L
-
SPEAKER
OUTPUTS
SPEAKER
INPUTS
BRIDGED
FUSE 20A
POWER
GNDBAT(+) REM
(+)
(+)
(–)
(–)
(+)
(–)
CC
L
Subwoofer (Low-Pass)
Tweeter/Midrange Satellites
(High-Pass)
High-Pass Satellite
Crossover Frequency: 100Hz
C: 300µF Capacitor
100V, Non-Polarized
Subwoofer Low-Pass
Crossover Frequency: 100Hz
L: 6.2mH Air Core Inductor
20A
Right
Left
Component Values for
4-Ohm Loudspeakers*
*You may scale the 100Hz values listed to a different desired frequency by using the following formulas:
A. Satellite/Subwoofer
High-Pass: x 300µF = New Capacitor Value
100
desired frequency in Hz
Low-Pass: x 6.2mH = New Inductor Value
100
desired frequency in Hz
L
R
LINE
IN OUT
NOM
MIN MAX
GAIN
INPUT MODE
STEREO
CROSSOVER
OFF HIGHRL
+
R
LOW
+
R
-
+
L
-
+
R
-
+
L
-
SPEAKER
OUTPUTS
SPEAKER
INPUTS
8 Ω L-Pad
(Optional But Recommended)
BRIDGED
FUSE 20A
POWER
(+)
(–)
(+) (+)
(–) (–)
Stereo, Non-Bridged
Speaker Connection*
Center Channel
Bridged Speaker Connection*
* Center Channel Speaker Minimum 8 Ohms, Main Speakers
Minimum 4 Ohms When Used Simultaneously.
8 Ω Minimum
4 Ω Minimum 4 Ω Minimum
20A
B. Center Channel
GNDBAT(+) REM
Simultaneous Stereo-Mono
Connection Diagrams
21
22
Bridged-Mode Connection –
Connect the loudspeaker positive
+) terminal to the RIGHT chan-
(
nel positive wire (Gray). Connect
the loudspeaker negative (–) terminal to the LEFT channel negative wire (White with Black
stripe). The input-mode switch
should be set to “R” or “L
Simultaneous Stereo
Connection – The GTS100x may
be used to drive a stereo pair of
speakers with a mono (bridged)
speaker at the same time. This
is sometimes used for centerchannel applications or for inexpensive subwoofer addition,
essentially creating a threechannel system. However, unlike
a true bi-amplified subwoofer
connection, this system configuration does not provide for
control of subwoofer-satellite
+R.”
+ Mono
balance; it requires the use of a
passive subwoofer crossover
instead of the superior active
circuitry already built into the
GTS100x, and it does not separate
the power amps driving the satellites from the amps driving the
subwoofer. Therefore, this connection is best used for addition
of a center-channel speaker, or as
an interim step as you build up to
a true bi-amplified subwoofersatellite system. Connect the
main pair of stereo speakers as
in the stereo mode, connect the
mono speaker as described for
bridged-mode connection (see
diagram on page 21). For use in
center-channel applications, a
high-power “L-Pad” or power
fader can be used to attenuate
the center channel for proper
level matching. For subwoofersatellite use, connect a nonpolarized capacitor in series with
each main speaker, and a highpower inductor (coil) in series
with the subwoofer. Your authorized JBL dealer will help you
choose the correct values for
your particular components. The
input-mode switch should be set
to “Stereo.”
Operation
Before operating the GTS100x,
recheck all wiring connections to
make sure they are correct and
secure. Be sure that a 20-amp
fuse (not included) is installed in
+12V line next to the battery.
the
Reconnect the negative ground
(–) terminal of the battery. Make
sure that the input mode selector,
crossover switch and preamp
mode switch are properly set.
Gain Adjustments
The setting of the gain control on
the GTS100x is important to
ensure proper performance, low
noise levels, and maximum reliability in the system. As a general
rule, controls on components at
the front end of the system
(source, equalizers, electronic
crossovers, etc.) should be set as
high as possible, with the amplifier gain control set as low as
possible while still providing
adequate volume levels. Using a
high signal level from the source
and a low gain setting on the
amplifier will help keep background noise levels in the
system low.
To adjust a system using a single
amplifier, start with the amplifier
input sensitivity controls fully
counterclockwise. Some radio/
tape decks have additional output
level controls or switches. Set
these to their maximum position.
Set the level controls on any
associated equipment such as
equalizers and electronic
crossovers to the maximum
position or as recommended by
the manufacturer. Set all Bass/
Treble or equalizer controls to
their centered or bypassed positions. While listening carefully to
the system output, adjust the
volume control of the radio/tape
deck to the point where you first
begin to hear audible distortion.
Reduce the level just to the point
where the distortion goes away.
This is the maximum undistorted
output level of your head unit and
signal processors, and should not
be exceeded during use. If audible distortion does not occur, continue to increase the level until
the head unit is turned all the
way up. If this setting does not
provide adequate volume levels,
gradually increase (turn clockwise) the gain control of the
GTS100x until the system plays
as loud as necessary or when the
first signs of distortion are heard.
When multiple amplifiers are
used in the system, it is best to
adjust the gain of the amplifier
driving the main (usually front)
speakers first. Then turn down
the head unit’s volume control to
a comfortable level, and adjust
the remaining amplifiers for the
desired system balance. You will
find this easiest to do by adjusting the amplifiers in the following
order: 1) front channels, 2) rear
channels, 3) subwoofers. Complex
systems incorporating tri- or
quad-amplification can be timeconsuming to adjust. Your local
authorized JBL installation specialist is the best person to help
with such adjustment.
23
24
Other Characteristics
Turn-On Delay – When installed
as described in this manual, the
GTS100x will turn on and off with
the head unit or the vehicle’s
ignition switch. When the amplifier is turned on, there is a time
delay of several seconds (longer
in cold weather) before the
amplifier will produce sound.
This eliminates the chance of
annoying noises produced by the
radio or signal processors being
amplified and passed to the
speakers when the system is
first turned on.
Power Consumption – Operating
the GTS100x when the vehicle is
not running may discharge the
battery. Under normal operating
conditions, the unit will draw an
average of 5 amps from the battery. At high volumes, the amplifier can draw as much as 20 amps
for brief bursts. After even a
short period of time, this current
drain can discharge the battery
to the point that it will not start
the vehicle. Power consumption
under “no signal” conditions is
less than 1 amp for the GTS100x.
Even this small power usage can
discharge a battery over several
hours’ time. When the GTS100x is
turned off, there is no current
drawn from the battery despite
the direct-to-battery power
connection.
Overload Protection – The
GTS100x incorporates elaborate
protection circuitry to prevent
damage to the amplifier circuitry and ensure reliable operation. This circuitry will turn the
amplifier off in the event of overheating, a short circuit on the
speaker output wiring, or improper power supply connections.
If the amplifier cycles on and off,
or does not work at all, a problem
in installation or an abnormal
electrical condition is indicated.
Check speaker wiring for short
circuits or impedance loads significantly below 2 ohms (4 ohms
in bridged mode). Check the
power supply voltage at the input
of the amplifier to be sure that it
is normal, between 11 and 16
volts. Check that the power wires
are not reversed.
If the GTS100x is operated at
very high power levels in a high
ambient temperature situation,
the unit may not be able to radiate all the heat generated by
such operation. If the temperature of the amplifier reaches a
level that could cause damage,
the thermal overload protection
circuit will turn the amplifier off.
It will turn the amp back on
again when it cools off. Repeated
activation of the protection circuits indicates that the system is
being improperly operated or
that the amplifier should be relocated to an area that either has a
lower ambient temperature or
that allows more air circulation
around the unit.
Fuse Replacement – If the fuse
on the GTS100x must be replaced,
DO NOT use a fuse rated for
higher current levels. The fuse
size for the GTS100x is 20 amps.
Exceeding the standard fuse size
or bypassing the fuse holder will
void the warranty and may cause
serious damage. It is extremely
rare for this fuse to blow. If it
blows repeatedly, it is most likely
that the amplifier has an internal
problem that will need to be
repaired by an authorized service center. The only external
cause for this fuse to blow is
reversed polarity of the power
wire connections.
25
Solving Noise Problems
26
The power supply system of
every vehicle has some electrical
“noise” that is generated by the
ignition system, the alternator,
the accessories, and their wiring.
High-performance audio equipment is more likely to pick up
such noise than conventional
equipment because it has widefrequency bandwidth and highgain (amplification) circuits. The
GTS100x has built-in power supply filters to help prevent noise
problems. If noise occurs, it is
probably the result of improper
installation. The following suggestions will help you eliminate
most noise problems.
Source Noise – Often, noise in a
system is picked up by the signal
source. Before attempting to
eliminate noise from the “amp,”
be sure it is not being picked up
by the signal source and then
passed on to the amp. To do this,
connect the signal source output
to an external amplifier which has
no other connection to the vehicle
except for the audio signal leads.
A battery-powered portable with
line inputs works well for this.
Listen to see if the noise is present in the signal from the source
unit. If so, consult the manufacturer of the source unit, or your
JBL dealer, for help in eliminating this noise. If there is no
noise in this signal, it can be
eliminated as the source of the
noise in your system.
Ground Loops – The vast majority of noise problems in car audio
systems are caused by inadequate or improper grounding.
The head unit, the amplifier and
any other components must be
grounded to a major metal member of the vehicle’s frame. Make
sure to choose a solid metal
ground point. In many new vehicles, some structural elements
are made of plastic.
Although use of a common
ground point is not usually necessary, practical experience shows
that often the noise level in the
system will be lower if the amplifiers and signal processors are all
grounded to the same point on the
chassis. Usually the head unit
does not need to be grounded to
the same point as the rest of the
system, but in some instances
grounding the head unit to the
same point will also help. If this
does not adequately reduce the
noise level, try another ground
point on the car frame. Some
ground points may work better
than others. In some instances
with plastic-bodied vehicles,
grounding the source unit and/or
amplifier directly to the battery
will provide the best results,
although, usually, this provides
the worst results with most cars.
In complex systems involving
components from different manufacturers, it helps to know the
type of power supplies used in
each component. For low-level
signal processors such as equalizers or electronic crossovers, a
manufacturer may either use a
power supply which is isolated
through a DC-to-DC converter, or
a simple regulated supply from
+12V vehicle battery.
the
Components using the latter type
of supply can be identified by a
direct connection from power
ground to the shield of the RCA
jacks (measured with no other
connections present). For these
components, the best ground connection may be one where the
power ground wire is not connected at all! The RCA cables
will provide the ground connection to the source unit. Please
note that this is only appropriate
for units which draw less than
500mA of current. Higher power
units of this type are best connected with their ground wires
connected directly to the chassis
of the head unit. The trickiest
grounding task is created when
some components of this type are
mixed with other components
using isolated supplies. For this
type of system, the following
grounding scheme will usually
work:
1. Connect the head unit chassis
to a solid vehicle ground using
a short, heavy gauge wire
(>AWG10). Do not connect
this to the vehicle’s wiring harness, but go directly to a metal
part of the vehicle.
2. Connect all non-isolated signalprocessor grounds directly to
the head unit chassis at the
same point. Run each wire
individually. Due to wire resistance, connecting multiple
wires to a single wire, then
running the single wire to the
head unit, is not the same!
3. Connect all amplifier and isolated signal processor grounds
directly to the vehicle chassis
at the same point as each
other, but not necessarily to the
same point as the head unit.
Power-Line Noise – The built-in
power supply filter of the amplifier makes external filters unnecessary. In some cases, power supply noise can enter the system
through the head unit power supply or the supply of an equalizer
or other signal processor. Putting
a filter on the head unit or signal
processor power supply input
may then be helpful.
27
28
Power wires carrying high currents may induce noise in nearby
signal wires. Make sure that
power wires and signal wires do
not run together for long distances. When power and signal
leads must cross, they should
cross at right angles. If you suspect that power line noise is
being induced in the signal leads,
you can repeat the test for source
noise described previously, but
perform the test at the amplifier
end of the signal cables.
Other Noise Sources – Common
noise problems will be solved by
proper grounding and power supply connections. However, there
are many noise suppression
devices (such as spark plug and
coil lead suppressors and rotor
and coil bypass capacitors) available at auto parts or car stereo
stores. There are also noise suppressors that can be connected
directly to the alternator, which
are effective in some situations.
The use of any such suppressors
should be discussed with a JBL
authorized installation specialist.
Certain vehicles are particularly
“noisy,” especially models that
have solid-state ignition systems
or that have non-metal bodies.
Such vehicles may require electrical noise suppression devices
which are not normally needed.
Antenna – A common noise problem is generated by a “ground
loop” produced by the antenna
shielded cable being grounded at
both the antenna mounting point
and at the head unit input. In this
instance, insulate the antenna
ground from the chassis of the
vehicle at the antenna mounting
point so the antenna shield is
grounded only at the radio’s
antenna input. Commercial
antenna ground-loop isolators
are also available.
Switching Noise – The GTS100x
has a highly developed switching
power supply which generates
some RF interference as a result
of its switch-mode operation.
Although this is internally filtered
and shielded by the GTS100x
chassis, some unusually sensitive
installations may pick up switching noise, especially when listening to weak AM radio stations. If
this unusual situation occurs, one
of the following installation corrections will typically eliminate
the problem. 1) Relocate the
amplifier to a position farther
Maintenance
away from the radio or radio
antenna. 2) Move the electrical
ground of the head unit and/or
amp to a different point on the
vehicle’s chassis. 3) Keep the
amplifier power supply wiring
away from the radio or antenna
wiring. 4) Wrap the
power supply wires for the
radio/tape deck with metallized
shielding tape or ground braid
and ground the tape to the chassis of the vehicle.
+12 volt
The GTS100x does not require
any regular maintenance.
Periodically checking the main
power supply and grounding
points and terminal connections
is advisable. Be sure the connections are solid and corrosion-free.
Loose or corroded connections
can cause annoying intermittent
noise or unusual operational
problems. Do not allow dust to
accumulate on the amplifier heat
sinks. It will reduce the amplifier’s ability to dissipate heat.
Occasional vacuum cleaning will
prevent dust accumulation.
29
Additional System
R– R+
– +
L– L+
– +
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
GTS100x
Front Outputs Rear Outputs
Front
Full-Range
Speakers
Rear
Full-Range
Speakers
System 1
Add Power to Main Speakers
Add a GTS100x to the main
(usually front) outputs of
an existing head unit.
Secondary speakers
(usually rear-fill) connect
to the head unit's internal
amplification.
Next Step:
Add a second GTS100x to
amplify the other set of
speakers or a subwoofer
(see system 2).
Use the GTS100x to drive 1
or 2 subwoofers with the
head unit powering the
main speakers. This is
an excellent way to upgrade
a good stock system.
Next Step:
Add power to Front Full-Range
Speakers (see system 3).
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
– +
GTS100x
Front Outputs Rear Outputs
Front
Full-Range
Speakers
Rear
Full-Range
Speakers
1 or 2
Subwoofers
System 2A
Add a Subwoofer (Active)
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
Configurations for
Add-On or Upgrade
The features and capabilities of
30
the GTS100x provide tremendous
system design flexibility. The diagrams on thse pages illustrate
some of the system possibilities.
They are in order of increasing
complexity, showing the way a
system may be upgraded in logical steps. Although the systems
are shown using speaker-level
connection from the head unit,
they may be built using any combination of speaker or preamp
level inputs, depending on the
capability of your head unit.
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
+–
Front Outputs Rear Outputs
Front Satellite
Speakers
Preamp output to preamp input
Rear
Full-Range
Speakers
System 3
Add a Second GTS100x
1 or 2
Subwoofers
GTS100x GTS100x
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
+–
Front Outputs Rear Outputs
Front Satellite
Speakers
Preamp output to preamp input
Rear Satellite
Speakers
System 4
Add Power to the Rear
1 or 2
Subwoofers
GTS100x GTS100x GTS100x
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
+–
Front Outputs Rear Outputs
Front Satellite
Speakers
Rear Satellite
Speakers
Preamp output to preamp input
System 5
Add a Second
Subwoofer Amplifier
+–
Subwoofers
GTS100x GTS100x GTS100x GTS100x
Get more power and system
control by adding a second
GTS100x to power the
main speakers and
subwoofers individually.
Use the built-in crossover
to high-pass the front
speakers and low-pass
the subwoofers.
Next Step:
Add power to the Rear
Full-Range Speakers.
Note: For non-fading bass, also connect the rear-channel head unit
speaker output to the speaker level input of the subwoofer GTS100x.
Add an amp for the rear
speakers for higher volume
capability and more control.
Next Step:
Add more subwoofer power.
For the ultimate in
bass output, add a
second subwoofer
amplifier for a total
system power of
340 watts RMS!
Note the crosslinking of preamp
inputs for the two
subwoofer amplifiers
to provide
non-fading bass.
Next Step:
Add additional amplifiers in bridge-mode to the front and rear main speakers.
Then add electronic crossovers and biamp front and rear speakers.
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
100 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
100 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
100 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
GTS
100 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
Use the GTS100x in
Simultaneous Stereo +
Mono mode to drive main
speakers with subwoofers.
A passive crossover is
needed for this, as
described on page 22.
Next Step:
Add a second GTS100x to
power subwoofers and
main speakers individually
(see system 3).
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
L– L+
– +
R– R+
– +
+–
Front Outputs Rear Outputs
Front
Speakers
Rear
Full-Range
Speakers
Subwoofer
System 2B
Add a Subwoofer (Passive)
GTS100x
GTS
10 0 x
CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
GENUINE JBL
HIGH CURRENT 2/1
MADE IN USA
31
In Case of Difficulty
32
Power-on light does not
come on
• Head unit not on; turn the head
unit on.
• Ground wire is disconnected or
defective; check for continuity
with an ohmmeter between the
GTS100x’s ground terminal and
a known chassis ground point.
• Battery wire is disconnected or
defective; check for approxi-
+12 volts between the
mately
GTS100x’s Battery and Ground
terminals.
• Blown fuse; check the
GTS100x’s 20-amp fuse, located
on the endpanel near the power
connector. If it is blown,
replace it with an identical one.
If the new fuse blows immediately, then check all the wiring
connections. If no fault is found,
consult your JBL dealer.
• Remote-on wire between the
head unit and the GTS100x is
disconnected or defective;
check for
GTS100x remote-on wire and
the ground wire with the head
unit on.
• Head unit connected to speakerlevel input is not BTL highpower type and no remote wire
is connected; connect remote
turn-on wire to switched
source.
+12 volts between the
+12V
Remote-on light is illuminated, but no sound is
heard from some or all of
the speakers
• Incorrect switch settings; make
sure that all switches (input
mode, line, and crossover) are
in their correct positions for
your system configuration.
• Incorrectly connected or
shorted speaker wires; check
for shorts in wiring.
• Defective or disconnected audio
cables; check for continuity
and replace if necessary.
• Incorrect gain adjustment;
verify that the GTS100x gain
controls are not turned completely down. If they are, sound
output level may be very low
and may give the impression
that the system (or part of the
system) is dead.
• Defective head unit or signal
processor; check each component for proper wiring and
operation.
• Defective GTS100x; if there is
audio signal present at the
inputs of the GTS100x and there
is no output, the GTS100x may
be defective.
Alternator whine through the
audio system with the engine
running
• Ground loops; follow the wiring
suggestions in the section
called “Solving Noise
Problems” (page 26). Also, verify that the chassis grounding
point you have chosen is true
ground by checking for continuity between the chassis ground
point and battery ground.
Bass output from speakers
too low.
• Speaker wired out of phase;
check for proper polarity on all
speaker wiring (
+ speaker terminal and
nal to
– amp terminal to – speaker
terminal).
If you want to talk to us about
any problems, call JBL Customer
Service at 1-800-336-4JBL between
9AM and 5PM Eastern time.
+ amp termi-
33
34
Specifications
Continuous Power Output 35 watts x 2 (4 ohms, 0.05% THD)
(10Hz – 50kHz, 14.4V Battery Voltage, 80kHz filter) 50 watts x 2 (2 ohms, 0.08% THD)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 100dBA
Frequency Response 10Hz – 50kHz (+0, – 1dB)
Damping Factor >200
Line-Level Input Sensitivity (for rated power) 100mV – 4V RMS (500mV nominal)
Line-Level Input Impedance 10k ohms
Speaker-Level Input Impedance 15 ohms
Speaker-Level Input Sensitivity 200mV – 8V RMS (1V nominal)
Preamp Output Sensitivity 2V out for 4V speaker-level input
Minimum Speaker Impedance
Single Ended, Non-Bridged 2 ohms
Bridged 4 ohms
Built-In Electronic Crossover 80Hz, 18dB per octave low-pass filter
Frequency and Slope 100Hz, 18dB per octave high-pass filter
Power Requirement 11 to 16V DC negative ground
Fuse Size 20 amp ATC-type fuse
Size (L x W x H) 6-5/8" x 9-1/4" x 2" (168.3mm x 235.0mm x 50.8mm)
Weight 4lbs. 3oz. (1.90kg)
Speaker Input / Output Mating Molex Mini-Fit Jr. # 39-01-2040
Connector Metal pins: 39-00-0038
Power Mating Connector Plastic housing: AMP # 1-480700-0
100 watts x 1 (4 ohms, 0.08% THD)
20Hz – 20kHz (+0, – 0.1dB)
Metal pins for ground &
Metal pins for rem. in: AMP # 350536-1
+12V: AMP # 350923-3
Warranty Terms:
1 Year Transferable Limited Warranty / 2 Year Extended Transferable Limited Warranty (USA Only)
This is an important document.
Attach your bill of sale to this
page and keep it in a safe place.
Your bill of sale is your warranty.
The JBL warranty remains in
effect for one year from the date
of the first consumer purchase
unless installed by an authorized
JBL dealer. Installation by an
authorized JBL dealer will extend
the warranty to a period of two
years.
Who is Protected by this Warranty
The JBL warranty protects the
original owner and all subsequent
owners providing that the JBL
product was purchased from an
authorized dealer in the United
States or purchased by military
personnel from an authorized
military outlet. A copy of the
original dated bill of sale must be
presented whenever warranty
service is required.
What is Covered by this Warranty
Except as specified below, the JBL
warranty covers all defects in
material and workmanship. The
following are not covered: Damage
caused by accident, misuse, abuse,
product modification or neglect;
damage occurring during shipment; damage from failure to
follow instructions contained in
the instruction manual; damage
resulting from the performance of
repairs by someone not authorized
by JBL; damage caused by installation of parts that do not conform
to JBL specifications; units used for
commercial or business use; any
claims based on misrepresentations by the seller; products sold on
an “as-is” or final sale basis; or the
cost of installing, removing, or
reinstalling the unit. JBL’s liability
is limited to the repair or replacement, at our option, of any
defective product and shall not
include incidental or consequential
damages. JBL reserves the right
to replace a discontinued model
with a comparable model. Any
replacement units or parts may
be new or rebuilt.
To Obtain Warranty Service
If you require warranty service,
please return the product to your
dealer. If this is not possible and
you live in the United States,
please call 1-800-336-4JBL, for
information on how to obtain
service or replacement.
If purchased outside the United
States, contact your local dealer
for repair or replacement.
Do Not Return Products to the JBL
Factory without Authorization.
They Will Be Returned Unopened.
You are responsible for transporting your product for repair or
replacement. JBL will pay reasonable return charges for delivery
to any location in the United States
if the repair or replacement is
covered under the warranty.
Correspondence with JBL should be
addressed to: JBL Customer
Service, 80 Crossways Park West,
Woodbury, NY 11797 or fax us at
516-496-0812. Outside the United
States, please contact your local
distributor.
This warranty gives you specific
legal rights. You may also have
other rights which vary from state
to state. Some states do not allow
the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential
damages or limitations on how long
an implied warranty lasts, so the
above may not apply to you.
35
Declaration of Conformity
C
E
L
E
B
R
A
T
I
N
G
5
0
Y
E
A
R
S
A Harman International Company
We, JBL Europe A/S
Kongevejen 194B
DK-3460 Birkerød
DENMARK
declare in own responsibility, that the product described
in this owner’s manual is in compliance with technical
standard:
EN 55 020/6.1988
Steen Michaelsen
JBL Europe A/S
Birkerød. DENMARK. 9/96
JBL Consumer Products
80 Crossways Park West
Woodbury, NY 11797
8500 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91329
800-336-4JBL (4525)
Part No. JBLGTS100xOM
Made in USA
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