JBL HTI88 User Manual

®

HOME THEATER

IN-WALL SERIES

HTI88

OWNER’S GUIDE

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING JBL

For more than 50 years, JBL	We’re confident that the	Please take a moment to
has been involved in every	JBL loudspeaker you have	register your product on our
aspect of music and film	chosen will provide every note	Web site at www.jbl.com. It
recording and reproduction,	of enjoyment that you expect –	enables us to keep you posted
from live performances to	and that when you think about	on our latest advancements,
monitoring the recordings you	purchasing additional audio	and helps us to better under-
play in your home,	equipment for your home, car	stand our customers and build
car or office.	or office, you will once again	products that meet their needs
	choose JBL.	and expectations.
		JBL Consumer Products

INCLUDED

HTI88

Template and Paint shield.

One loudspeaker with grille. Logo to be attached to grille depending on vertical or horizontal installation.

2

SPEAKER PLACEMENT

Low-frequency sounds are normally omnidirectional, meaning the listener can’t tell where they are generated from. However, frequencies between 75Hz and 150Hz can be localized, especially at higher volume levels. Positioning your subwoofer as recommended will provide the most natural soundstage and imaging from your loudspeaker system.

It is generally recommended that you install your HTI88 inwall subwoofer along the same wall as the front loudspeakers. The HTI88 subwoofer is not video-shielded and should not be placed near a video display. Installing the HTI88 near a corner will tend to maximize lowfrequency output. Be cautious when installing in a corner, to avoid a “boomy” sound. Also take into consideration any unusual features of the room, such as an alcove, which may tend to create a localized node that may affect bass response in that area of the room.

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 visible place. In special circumstances it is acceptable to install the speaker at any height on a wall.

Remember that these are just guidelines. Since every listening room is different, JBL strongly recommends experimenting 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 borrow a stand-alone subwoofer and place it near the main listening location. Then move around the room and determine where you hear the most pleasing bass performance. This would then be the ideal location for the subwoofer.

When using two HTI88 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 inverting the polarity on one subwoofer – i.e., connect the (+) terminal on the amplifier to the

(–) terminal on the speaker, and the (–) terminal on the amplifier to the (+) terminal on the speaker.

3

SPEAKER CONNECTIONS

Connection Tips

Speakers and electronics have corresponding (+) and (–) terminals. Most manufacturers of speakers and electronics, including JBL, use red to denote the (+) terminal and black for the (–) terminal. It is important to connect both speakers identically: (+) on the speaker to (+) on the amplifier and (–) on the speaker to (–) on the amplifier. Wiring “out of phase” results in thin sound, weak bass and a poor stereo image. With the advent of multichannel surround sound systems, connecting all of the

speakers in your system with the correct polarity remains equally important in order to preserve the proper ambience and directionality of the program material.

If two HTI88 subwoofers are used, the wires for both speakers should be the same length. If one speaker is placed closer to the amplifier than the other, hide the excess wire behind the wall. If bass response seems low, there may be a phase problem, with the sound waves from the two subwoofers canceling each other out. If bass response seems low, try inverting the polarity on one subwoofer – i.e., connect the (+) terminal on the amplifier to the (–) terminal on the speaker, and the (–) terminal on the amplifier to the (+) terminal on the speaker.

To use the spring-clip-type terminals on the HTI88 loudspeaker, 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.

To use the push-type terminals on the connections panel supplied with the optional HTI88BB “back box” enclosure, depress the colored cap until the passthrough 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.

Since the HTI88 is a passive loudspeaker, only speaker-level connections are available. Depending on whether you are using a dedicated subwoofer

Connec

thod #1 U

88

Wire

Recommended

(Remove Shorting Straps)

Length

Size

R

iver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs

Up to 20 ft.

16-gauge

Le

gh

Up to 30 ft.

12-gauge

Greater than 30 ft.

10-gauge

–

+

–

+

Connec

tho

#

sing One H

W

k B Remove Shorting Straps)

R

TI88

R

iver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs

L

BLK

+

–

+

–

+

–

1IN+

GRN

OUT1–

L 1

L 2

C 1

C 2

J 2

J 1

H

C 3

L 3

C 4

L 4

–

+

BLK

2

2 IN

OUT

YEL

YEL

WHT/BLK

WHT

O

BLK

O

GRE/BLK

GRE

–

+

ORN

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

I

INPUT 2

OUTPUT 1

OUTPUT 2

NPUT 1

Fron Le

aker

Fron Right S

er

C

ections Panel

of HTI88 Back Box

–

+

–

+

Front Left Speaker

Fr

t Right Speaker

–

+

–

+

4

amplifier or your main receiver/ amplifier to power the HTI88, select one of the two connection methods that follow.

Connection Method #1

Use this method when you are using the HTI88 with your main receiver/amplifier. 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 HTI88 loudspeaker or connection panel. Connect the Output 1 terminals to the corresponding 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 HTI88 horizontally to preserve the stereo image of the left and right low frequencies.

The HTI88’s onboard crossover feeds the low-passed signal (2nd order at 100Hz) to the HTI88 subwoofers, and

Connec

tho #1 U

o H

udspeakers (Use S ting S ps)

R iver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs

Left

Right

–

+

–

+

R

eft HTI88

R

ight HTI88

BLK

OUT 1 –

BLK

OUT 1 –

1 IN +

GRN

1 IN +

GRN

–

L 2

+

–

L 2

+

L 1

L 1

C 1

C 2

C 1

C 2

J 2

J 1

H

C 3

J 2

J 1

H

C 3

L 3

C 4

L 3

C 4

L 4

–

L 4

–

+

BLK

2

+

BLK

2

2 IN

OUT

2 IN

OUT

–

ORN

+

–

ORN

+

Fron Left Speaker

Fr

Right Speaker

–

+

–

+

Connec

thod #1 U

o H

udspeakers

W

k B

se Shorting Straps)

R iver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs

L

–

+

–

+

C

ctions Panel of

C

ctions Panel of

L

88 Back Box

R

t HTI 8 Back Box

YEL

YEL

WHT/BLK

WHT

O BLK

O

GRE/BLK

GRE

YEL

YEL

WH

WHT

O BLK

O

G

LK

GRE

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

I

I

T 2

OUTPUT 1

OUTPUT 2

I

INPUT 2

OUTPUT 1

NPUT 1

OUTPUT 2 NPU

Fron Left Speaker

Fr

t Right Speaker

–

+

–

+

5

the high-passed signal to the speaker-level outputs for connection to the satellite speakers.

NOTE: When using Connection Method #1 with only one HTI88, the shorting straps must be removed.

If you are using two HTI88 subwoofers, connect the left speaker outputs on your receiver/amplifier to Input 1 on one subwoofer (or the connections panel on its back box), and the right speaker outputs on your receiver/amplifier to Input 1 on the second subwoofer (or the connections panel on its back box). Then connect Output 1 from the leftchannel 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 HTI88 in this mono mode, you should not remove the shorting straps.

Connection Method #2

Use this method when you are using the HTI88 with a dedicated 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 HTI88. When using only one input on an individual HTI88, you should leave the shorting bars in place.

NOTE: The built-in network on the HTI88 is a 2nd-order lowpass filter, crossed over at 100Hz. This filter is always active. Although the subwoofer or LFE output on your receiver/processor may already be crossed over, the HTI88’s network will

not interfere with the higherorder processing that is occurring at the preamp stage.

Using the HTI88BB Back Box

Whichever connection method you choose, if you are installing the HTI88BB 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 colorcoded as follows:

INPUT 1 (–): Yellow with black stripe

INPUT 1 (+): Solid yellow

INPUT 2 (–): White with black stripe

INPUT 2 (+): Solid white

OUTPUT 1 (–): Orange with black stripe

OUTPUT 1 (+): Solid orange

OUTPUT 2 (–): Green with black stripe

OUTPUT 2 (+): Solid green

	Connec		thod #2 U
R iver/Processor			Amplifier
			Line-Level	Spea	Level
	Su
	Out		Input	Ou	ts

– +

88 in Mono Mode (Use Shorting Straps)

RTI88**

		BLK	OUT 1 –
1 IN +		GRN
–		L 2	+
	L 1
		C 1	C 2
J 2 J 1	H	C 3
	L 3		C 4
		L 4	–
+		BLK	2
2 IN			OUT
–		ORN	+

6

Connec

tho #2 U

88 in Stereo Mode (Remove Shorting Straps)

R iver/Processor		Amplifier
Su	r or	Line-Level	Spea	Level
Main Amp		Inputs	Ou	ts
	Out		–	+
	Left	Left	Left
			–	+
	Right	Right	R

	R	TI88**
		BLK
	1 IN +	GRN
	–	L 2
	L 1
		C 1
	J 2 J 1 H	C 3
	L 3
		L 4
	+
		BLK
	– 2 IN
		ORN

+ OUT 1 –

C 2

C 4

+ OUT 2 –

** Use corresponding inputs on HTI88BB connections panel when installed with back box.

Connec

thod #2 U

o H

udspeakers

Wk B se Shorting Straps)

R

iver/Processor

Amplifier

Su

r or

Line-Level

Spea

Level

L

ck Box***

Mai

Amp

Inputs

Ou

ts

WHT

O

Out

YEL

YEL

WH

O

BLK

GRE/BLK

GRE

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

Left

INPUT 1

INPUT 2

OUTPUT 1

OUTPUT 2

L

eft

R

t H

Back Box**

–

YEL

YEL

WH

WHT

O

BLK

O

GRE/BLK

GRE

+

R

ight

–

+

–

+

–

+

–

+

R

INPUT 1

INPUT 2

OUTPUT 1

OUTPUT 2

*** Use corresponding inputs on rear of HTI88 speaker when installed without back box.

INSTALLATION

The JBL HTI Series in-wall speakers were designed to be easily installed. However, if you are unsure of your ability to properly install these loudspeakers, please contact your dealer or a qualified installer.

Tools Needed

Pencil

Phillips-head #2 screwdriver

Measuring tape

Utility knife

Awl

Carpenter’s level

7

EXISTING CONSTRUCTION

HTI88

Level

T

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.

Notes:

•Use the cardboard template when cutting the drywall. Although the HTI88 may be oriented either horizontally or vertically, the installation procedure is the same.

•Please be aware the template is slightly oversized to allow for some margin of error when cutting with the drywall saw – there should be no need to allow for further margin of error as this may risk the integrity of the installation.

1/2"

1/2"

1/2"

Note: Always allow at least		Cut the drywall.
one-half inch between a wall
stud and the speaker cutout, or
the locking tabs will not be able
to swivel into place.

Connect the speaker wires to the speaker as described on pages 4–7.

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 screwdriver 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 correspond to vertical or horizontal installation.

8

NEW CONSTRUCTION

You may either purchase the optional HTI88 back box kit, or you may install the speaker after the wallboard has been installed by following the instructions for existing construction on page 8.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THE HTI88 USING THE HTI88BB BACK BOX KIT

The HTI88BB enclosure (“back box”) is optional. If desired, it is installed during new construction before the wallboard is installed.

Included With the HTI88BB:

(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

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 location before final mounting.

2.Install the four L-brackets to the four corners of the enclosure. 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).

See

Detail A

L-

See

Detail B

Centering Bar

Centering Bar

See

Detail C L-

D l A

Detail B

3.Fit the enclosure into the wall. The bottom edge of the bottom L-brackets will rest against the baseboard 2 x 4. At this time, make note of adjustments necessary to square the enclosure into the wall (see Detail C).

De

4.After refitting and tightening the L-brackets into the enclosure (but not the wall studs yet), fit the enclosure into the wall once again.

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

6.Screw the L-brackets into the studs.

7.Remove the wood centering bars and replace the flathead 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).

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 HTI88 back box 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 HTI88BB back box to the correct terminals on the HTI88 loudspeaker. See pages 6–7.

See

Detail A

PAINTING THE SPEAKER FRAME AND GRILLE

JBL HTI Series 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

TROUBLESHOOTING

If there is no sound from any of the speakers:

•Check that receiver/amplifier is on and a source is playing.

•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.

•Review proper operation of your receiver/amplifier.

If there is no sound coming from one speaker:

•Check the “Balance” control on your receiver/amplifier.

•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. In multichannel applications, make sure that your receiver/processor has been

configured to enable all channels that you are using.

If there is low (or no) bass output:

• Make sure the connections

to the “Speaker Inputs” have the correct polarity (+ and –). If you are using two HTI88 subwoofers, try inverting the polarity on one subwoofer as described on page 4.

•Consider adding a separate power amplifier to drive the HTI88 subwoofer.

•In Dolby* Digital or DTS® modes, make sure your receiver/processor is correctly configured. When using a power amplifier with your HTI88 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.

If the system plays at low volumes but shuts off as volume is increased:

•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.

•If more than one pair of main speakers is being used, check the minimum-impedance requirements of your receiver/amplifier.

11

DESIGN GOAL:

SPECIFICATIONS

HTI88

FrequencyResponse	30Hz – 100Hz (–6dB)
MaximumRecommendedAmplifierPower†	250 Watts per channel
Impedance	8 Ohms nominal per woofer
Sensitivity	94dB (2.83V/1m), both woofers driven
CrossoverFrequency	100Hz, 2nd order
Woofer	Dual 8" polymer-coated aluminum cones w/rubber surrounds
PlateSize(WxH)	11-7/16" x 20-7/16" (290mm x 518mm)
MountingCutoutSize(WxH)	10" x 18-5/16" (254mm x 465mm)
MountingDepth	3-7/8" (98mm)
WeightperSpeaker	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.

*Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

Declaration of Conformity

We, Harman Consumer Group International

2, route de Tours

72500 Chateau-du-Loir

France

declare in own responsibility that the product described in this owner’s manual is in compliance with technical standards:

EN 61000-6-3:2001

EN 61000-6-1:2001

Harman Consumer Group International

Chateau-du-Loir, France 4/05

OWNER’S GUIDE

PRODUCT LINE:

JBL Home Theater In-Wall Series

MODEL: HTI88

Combine the superior performance of traditional JBL loudspeakers with the convenience of in-wall installation.

WOOFER TYPE: Polymer-coated aluminum cone with rubber surround

CROSSOVER NETWORK: Straight-Line Signal Path™ (SSP™)

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE: Studio Monitor

PRO SOUND

COMES HOME™

JBL Consumer Products

250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797

8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329

516.255.4JBL (4525) www.jbl.com

NOTE: For new-construction applications, be sure to purchase the HTI88BB back box kit.

© 2005 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

JBL is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Part No.406-000-05223