Jbl K2S9800DG, K2S9800MG, K2.S9800WG, K2 S9800SE User Manual

Project K2 S9800

CHAPTER 1

Preface

JBL wishes to thank you for selecting a Project K2 S9800 loudspeaker system. It represents the sum total of our research and developmental efforts in sound reproduction over the last half century. We have labored to create a loudspeaker system with no acoustical or electrical limitations whatsoever. While the Project K2 S9800 loudspeaker is itself a new development, the goal behind it goes right back to the earliest days of the original James B. Lansing Sound Company.

But it is your listening pleasure that ultimately determines how successful we are in this endeavor. It is solely in the interest of ensuring a perfect listening experience that we ask you to faithfully follow the set-up and operation procedures outlined in the Project K2 S9800 Owner’s Reference.

This manual exists for several purposes. As your owner's manual, it contains all necessary background information and detailed instructions for setting up your Project K2 S9800 loudspeaker system, including unpacking the loudspeaker, selecting the correct location, speaker wire, wiring scheme and amplification, and connecting it up to its associated electronics. This information will be found in Chapters 4 through 8. In addition, we have included a detailed description of your

Project K2 S9800 loudspeakers (Chapter 3) so that you may become thoroughly acquainted with its unique design and technological features.

Although physically and materially imposing, the set-up procedure of the Project K2 loudspeaker system is relatively simple. We strongly urge you to read this manual thoroughly before you begin, and consult it frequently throughout the process. Considerations must be made in placing the speakers; their stature makes it imperative that you become familiar with the entire set-up process in advance.

Also, we believe that the historical and technical information included will add immeasurably to your total enjoyment of the loudspeaker system. As a loudspeaker, Project K2 S9800 is unparalleled in the field of sound reproduction. The story and principles behind it are an interesting, informative and fitting precursor to a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

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Project K2 S9800

CHAPTER 2

Legacy-the historical development of the JBL Project loudspeakers

Of those few who seek perfection in sound reproduction, only a handful have actually achieved it. The price is always high. It is a rare occurrence indeed when an individual or group is able to triumph over the constraints of economic and technological reality just once.

At JBL, this has happened six times. In each case, its engineers were told to build the speaker system they had always wanted to build. Whatever resources were required would be made available. Thus began an ongoing investigation into new frontiers of sound reproduction, beginning mid-century in 1950 and continuing to the present day.

The products that have resulted from this venture are now known as the JBL Project loudspeakers. Each represents the absolute peak of every technological, material and engineering innovation available at that time, combined into a single system. They are Hartsfield, Paragon, Everest, K2 S9500/7500 and K2 S5500. The newest is K2 S9800.

Although differing in performance details and physical attributes, each of the Project loudspeakers has shared a common objective: to elevate sound reproduction to levels defined only by the limitations of existing materials and technology. And despite a spread of nearly fifty years, all Project loudspeakers have shared many common features-

testimony to their foundation on the technology and manufacturing techniques upon which JBLwas built.

Defining the Project Concept

The Hartsfield began a tradition at JBL that continues today. First, engineer a product as close to perfection as possible. When it reaches that level, that is the time to make it better.

In 1954, the Hartsfield was significant not in that it represented new technology, but rather a new level of the alltechnical manufacturing approach pioneered by James B. Lansing some twenty years before it. Like its Project series successors, it was a high efficiency system incorporating compression driver technology, one combining the qualities of high output, low distortion, exceptional stereo imaging and fatiguefree listening. Most important, it was the first consumer-available listening system to do so.

In this respect, Project K2 S9800 is at once the most advanced and sophisticated loudspeaker in the world today and a speaker whose technology is deeply rooted in over 50 years of tradition. JBL's president in 1954, William Thomas, described the Hartsfield as "...the speaker system we have always wanted to build ... the finest components ever made available to serious listeners."

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He went on to describe the process behind his creation: “Most people who own and appreciate fine sound reproduction equipment look forward to the day when they will be able to assemble a system without limitation in just exactly the way they think it should be done. Periodically a manufacturer gets this same feeling ... The science of acoustics has provided us with basic principles-available to all for achieving precision reproduction. It is only a matter of incorporating these methods into a system design, and then taking every bit of trouble necessary to build a system precisely to the design.”

"It isn't easy, but that's the way it is done."

The Ranger-Paragon, JBL's second

Project system, was the first serious attempt at a reflecting speaker system, and broke ground in the new concept of stereo imaging. Essentially two independent full-range speaker systems installed in a handsome curved cabinet nearly 9 feet long, the Paragon's enclosure was treated as an extension of its transducers. In essence, the system had its own "built-in acoustics." In many respects the Paragon anticipated loudspeaker developments that would occur years-and even decades-later.

For nearly 30 years, the Paragon remained the most acoustically viable sound system for the home. Today, along with the Hartsfield, it is still the most sought-after speaker in the world.

In 1986, JBL introduced a new Project system that retained the Paragon's over-

all sense of musicality while upgrading its character by incorporating three decades' worth of continuous development in every facet of its design. Its name reflected the pinnacle of achievement it represented: Project Everest.

For the first time, the rest of the sound reproduction chain-and not the loudspeaker or its transducers-would impose limits on overall system performance. Like the Paragon and Hartsfield, Project Everest was built around compression driver technology and addressed a more refined stereo image than was previously considered technically feasible.

Since Project Everest was introduced, sound recording and playback technology has undergone a revolution of its own. With the advent of CD, extremely demanding recorded signals had become the rule rather than the excep- tion-the average source material used by the typical audio enthusiast had become superior to the best demonstration material of even just a few years ago. In overall dynamics and transient response, transducers are once again a potential weak link in the high-end audio reproduction chain.

It was in this environment that JBL set out to create its fourth and fifth Project loudspeakers, K2 S9500 and K2 S5500. As with Hartsfield, the puritan simplicity of a two-way system was considered the most promising design track.

Advances in transducer design and low frequency alignment would make the construction of a two-way system of

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Project K2 S9800

unprecedented physical and acoustical scale possible. Engineers took the core components-the low and high frequency drivers-and optimized them by redesigning their magnetic structures, diaphragms and framework for greater linearity, dynamic capability and transient response.

In the years following the introduction of the K2 S9500 and K2 S5500, sound reproduction technology underwent another series of revolutionary changes, with the introduction of DVD-Video, Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-Audio, and Super Audio CD (SACD). Frequency responses to 50 kHz and 3-digit dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratios have now become commonplace. In order to faithfully reproduce such robust sonic properties, the loudspeaker needed to undergo drastic improvements to its transducer, network and enclosure technologies.

See Figure 1.

Unlike the earlier Projects K2 S9500 and K2 S5500, the new K2 S9800 employed a 3-way design, incorporating an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) compression driver and horn to reproduce high frequencies up to 50 kHz. With the UHF handling the high frequencies, the High Frequency (HF) transducer could then be upgraded to a new design using a 3 inch diaphragm for better reproduction of lower frequencies and better blend with the woofer than the older generations’ 2-inch diaphragm. Both compression drivers utilized newly developed Beryllium diaphragms to provide the lowest distortion and flattest frequency response possible.

In order to recreate the extremely high dynamic range provided by today’s audio sources, a brand new low frequency transducer was developed from ground up, utilizing an Alnico magnet, 4-inch edge wound Voice Coil, and an Aquaplas™-coated 15 inch cone with EPDM rubber surround. Extensive computer-aided engineering and design effort made to develop the optimized port tuning employed in Project K2 S9800 has resulted in a significant advance in the concept of state-of-the- art bass reproduction. This proprietary alignment method offers the best damping characteristics and provides extremely fast alignment, eliminating the typical "bass-reflex" sound of a ported system.

All three transducers were built using the most advanced materials and precision manufacturing techniques refined from renowned JBL professional sound systems.

High power handling capability results in no limitations on the types of source material. Project K2 S9800 has very high input sensitivity; even a relatively small high-end amplifier can provide full dynamic range without compression.

Despite its power and sophistication, Project K2 S9800 is a marriage of tradition and technology. It reflects the design, engineering and manufacturing expertise derived and refined through nearly six decades of experience that are the exclusive province of one loudspeaker builder: JBL.

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Figure 1

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Project K2 S9800

CHAPTER 3

The Project K2 S9800 loudspeaker: a triumph in acoustics and technology

The following sections describe the primary features and components of the Project K2 loudspeaker system.

The enclosure of the K2 S9800 is specially designed to transfer unwanted mechanical energy away from any acoustically-active surfaces, virtually eliminating coloration.

Its massive base, along with its specially designed stainless steel modular feet, couple directly to the floor, and the system literally becomes a structural part of its environment. Any vibration is transmitted harmlessly down the channel provided by the ring/disc axes and into the floor. Both horns, the UHF housing and the enclosure top are constructed from JBL’s exclusive SonoGlass™, an extremely dense and mechanically inert material, in order to maintain a smooth energy transmission path.

See Figure 1

The Project K2 S9800 transducer/ enclosure arrangement represents the best possible balance of the various tuning options and avoids the mid-bass response build-up found in other vented systems. Response works with, rather than against, the effects of "room loading."

The unique design of the Project K2 system is the platform for its equally unique acoustical attributes.

The HF (high frequency) driver is located at the exact ear level of the listener. The UHF (ultra high frequency) driver is slightly tilted down so that its information is also directly reaching the listener’s ear. Thanks to the large HF transducer, the 15 inch woofer can be crossed over at a frequency low enough to eliminate any audible effects of its exact location and proximity.

Full image coherency is maintained, resulting in an acoustically stable pinpointed stereo image. All the sound seems to come from the HF horn in the center. Music imaging is more realistic since the sound appears to emanate from one point and not from multiple points at different times.

Project K2 is a fixed angle system without regard to frequency. Careful horn design enables the loudspeaker to strictly adhere to a 60° horizontal/30° vertical coverage pattern. This Controlled Coverage arrangement precisely defines the optimum listening area and minimizes room effects. At the same time, it provides a generous "sweet spot" for more comfortable critical listening sessions.

The 1500AL Low Frequency Driver

See Figure 3

In order to achieve the lowest possible distortion and compression along with the high linear excursion necessary, the 1500AL is equipped with an Alnico magnet. As with earlier Project K2 low frequency drivers, it utilizes forced air cooling. The entire magnetic structure is completely enclosed within a die-

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Figure 2

Figure 3

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Project K2 S9800

cast aluminum alloy frame. This provides accurate, rigid support for the motor and cone mounting points, as well as doubling as a massive heat sink by providing a huge surface area for heat dissipation.

Instead of the conventional single pole piece thermal vent, the 1500AL has three separate gap cooling ducts which more effectively cool the voice coil and reduce the likelihood of hot spots. By reducing the operating temperature of the voice coil, power compression is significantly reduced, which enables the low frequency driver to operate in a more linear fashion over a wider sound pressure level (SPL) range.

The voice coil itself is constructed from edge wound Aluminum wire on a massive 4-inch in diameter Fiberglass former. This configuration provides for further cooling ability in conjunction with the motor design.

The Aquaplas™-coated cone along

with EPDM Rubber Surround provides excellent damping and transient response characteristics.

435Be Beryllium diaphragm/ Neodymium magnet High Frequency Compression Driver

See Figure 4

The 435Be neodymium high frequency compression driver is based on the professional JBL2435 device. It incorporates a rare-earth neodymium magnet structure, designed by extensive computer modeling, including finite element analysis, which combines the

attributes of efficiency, strength, low mass and compact size. This motor structure is coupled with a 3-inch Beryllium diaphragm. Beryllium provides improved low distortion and flat frequency response over Aluminum or Titanium, thanks to its higher stiffness- to-mass ratio. This diaphragm is dusted with Aquaplas™, JBL's proven acoustical damping material, to reduce breakup and smooth out natural response irregularities.

High temperature materials and adhesives allow the driver to handle extremely high power levels over extended periods of time. The SonoGlass™ horn is acoustically inert and precisionmolded to exacting tolerances. It incorporates a unique tubular energy transmission system.

045Be Beryllium diaphragm/ Neodymium magnet Ultra-High Frequency Compression Driver

See Figure 5

The 045Be utilizes the same principles and materials as the 435Be, in a smaller footprint so that a frequency response up to 50 kHz can be achieved. This transducer was developed specifically for the K2 S9800.

Internal Crossover Network

Each loudspeaker unit has three internal dividing networks, one for each transducer. Ultra high frequency, high frequency and low frequency signal paths are completely independent to reduce any possibility of crosstalk or interference from the relatively large capacitors and inductors.

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435Be

Figure 4

045Be

Figure 5

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