JBL S4800 User Manual

S4800

3-WAY FLOORSTANDING SPEAKER SYSTEM

OWNER’S GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 PREFACE 4 CHAPTER 1 – THE S4800 LOUDSPEAKER:

8 CHAPTER 2 – UNPACKING THE S4800 SYSTEM 8 CHAPTER 3 – SELECTING CABLE

9 CHAPTER 4 – AMPLIFIER RECOMMENDATIONS 10 CHAPTER 5 – PLACEMENT AND SETUP CONSIDERATIONS 11 CHAPTER 6 – S4800 SWITCH OPERATIONS 11 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS 15 CHAPTER 7 – CARE AND MAINTENANCE 16 CHAPTER 8 – TROUBLESHOOTING AND SERVICE GUIDE 17 S4800 SPECIFICATIONS

A TRIUMPH IN ACOUSTICS AND TECHNOLOGY

PREFACE

hank you for selecting a JBL

S4800 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 S4800 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 setup and operation procedures outlined in this owner’s guide.

his guide exists for several

T purposes. As your owner’s manual, it contains all necessary background information and detailed instructions for setting up your S4800 loudspeaker system, including unpacking the loudspeaker; selecting the correct location, speaker wire, wiring scheme and amplification; and connecting it to its associated electronics. This information will be found in Chapters 2 through 6. In addition, we have included a detailed description of the S4800 speaker (Chapter 1) become thoroughly

so that you may

acquainted with its unique design and technological features.

Although physically and materially imposing, the setup procedure of the S4800 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 and weight make it imperative that you become familiar with the entire setup process in advance.

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P your product online at www.jbl.com. Registration enables us to keep you posted on our latest advancements, and helps us to better understand our customers and build products that meet their needs and expectations.

SonoGlass Bi-Radial Horn 1

00˚ Horizontal

0˚ Vertical

Curved

Dress Panel

Spiked Feet

Foot Base

1" MDF Construction

1500FE 15" LF Driver

Port Tube

435AL 3" HF C

ompression

Driver

045Ti 1" UHF

ompression

Driver

HAPTER 1 – THE S4800 LOUDSPEAKER:

C A TRIUMPH IN ACOUSTICS AND TECHNOLOGY

The new S4800 employs a 3-way, three-driver design, incorporating an ultrahigh-

ression driverand horn to repro-

frequency (UHF) com-

duce high frequencies up to 40kHz. With the UHF handling the ultrahigh 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 are mounted

in a unique combination Bi-Radial®horn structure, precision-molded from JBL’s

roprietary SonoGlass

™

aterial, an

m extremely dense and mechanically inert substance that is easily molded into the unusual shapes required for superior acoustic performance.

In order to re-create the extremely high dynamic range provided by today’s audio sources, a new low-

requency transducer was used,

f incorporating a ferrite magnet, 3inch edge-wound voice coil, and an Aquaplas-coated 15-inch cone made of Kevlar®composite, a mixture of Kevlar fiber and pulp material that provides increased rigidity. An EPDM rubber surround was chosen for both its flexibility and long life. The Symmetrical Field

™

Geometry

(SFG™) magnetic structure minimizes second harmonic distortion by providing a uniform flux field that prevents uneven cone movement. The rigid castaluminum frame is also designed to minimize distortion, as aluminum has no effect on the magnetic field. Extensive computeraided engineering and design effort made to develop the optimized port tuning employed in the S4800 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 are built using the most advanced materials and precision manufacturing techniques refined from renowned JBL

profes-

sional sound systems. High power

-handling capability results in no limitations on the types of source material. very high input sensitivity;

The S4800

even a

has

relatively small high-end amplifier can provide full dynamic range without compression.

Despite its power and sophistication, the S4800 embodies both tradi tion 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.

Figure 1. Cutaway view of S4800 speaker system.

Terminal Base: Glass-Filled ABS

Terminals: Gold-Plated 5-Way Binding Posts

Magnet: Ceramic

Back Plate: Steel SAE-1008

Pole Sleeve: High-Purity Copper

Voice Coil: Aluminum Ribbon Wire ES-1350 on High-Temp Fiberglass Former

Cone Body: Special PaperPulp Composite

Frame:

Cast 380

Aluminum

Trim Ring:

NBR Rubber

Spider Spacer:

Extruded Aluminum

6063

Dust Dome: Paper-Pulp

Composite

Spiders: Nomex

Pigtail Leads: Silver-Plated

Cadmium Copper

w/Conex Core

Polepiece: Steel SAE-1008

Surround:

EPDM Foam Rubber

Figure 2. Height of S4800 speaker system in relation to listener

The following sections describe the primary features and components of the S4800 loudspeaker system.

The enclosure of the

S4800

is specially designed to transfer unwanted mechanical energy away from any acoustically active surfaces, virtually eliminating coloration.

The massive enclosure, along with its specially designed brass modular feet, couples 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. The SonoGlass combination horn maintains a smooth energy transmission path.

S4800

The arrangement represents the best

transducer/enclosure

possible balance of the various tuning options and avoids the mid-bass response buildup found in other vented systems. Response works with, rather than against, the effects of “room loading.”

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

the sound seems to come from the combination horn. Music imaging

s more realistic

i appears to emanate from one point and not from multiple ferent times.

The S4800

em without regard to frequency.

t Careful horn design enables the loudspeaker to strictly adhere to a 100° horizontal/60° vertical coverage pattern. This controlled coverage arrangement precisely defines

Thanks to the combination horn, both the UHF (ultrahigh-frequency) and HF (high-frequency) drivers

the optimum listening area and minimizes room effects. At the same time, it provides a generous “sweet spot” for more comfortable critical listening sessions.

are located at the ear level of the listener.

See Figure 2. The large 3-inch HF transducer

allows the 15-inch woofer to 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

Figure 3. Cutaway view of 1500FE low-frequency transducer.

THE 1500FE LOWFREQUENCY DRIVER

See Figure 3. In order to achieve the lowest pos-

sible distortion and compression along with the high linear excursion necessary, the 1500FE is equipped with a ferrite magnet. As with earlier JBL low-frequency drivers, it utilizes forced-air cooling. The entire magnetic structure

ince the sound

points at dif-

is a constant-angle sys-

Phase Plug

Aluminum

Edge-Wound

oice Coil

Neodymium

Magnet

AluminumAlloy Cover

3" (75mm) P

ure-

luminum

Diaphragm

BindingPost Input Terminal

Figure 4. Cutaway view of 435AL high-frequency transducer.

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

The 1500FE has a central cooling duct that effectively cools the voice coil and reduces the likeli

hood 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-diameter fiberglass former. This configuration provides for further cooling ability in conjunction with the motor design.

The Aquaplas-coated, Kevlarcomposite cone, along with the EPDM rubber surround, provides excellent damping and transient response characteristics.

435AL ALUMINUM DIAPHRAGM/ NEODYMIUM MAGNET HIGH-FREQUENCY COMPRESSION DRIVER

See Figure 4. The 435AL neodymium high-

frequency compression driver is based on the professional JBL 2430 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 aluminum diaphragm. Aluminum provides improved lowdistortion characteristics and flat frequency response.

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 precision-molded to exacting tolerances.

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