JBL Synthesis User Manual

SYNTHESIS
OWNER’S
MANUAL

CONGRATULATIONS. Your Synthesis Home Media System is a

wonderful investment in a lifetime of quality home entertainment.

Only JBL can provide a system of this caliber. Since the “JAZZ

SINGER ” brought sound to films in 1929, the letters J-B-L have

been intimately linked to the production of the world’s finest films.

Our 50 year devotion to the art of sound reproduction has made JBL

an integral part of the musical experience.

Now your Synthesis Home Media System has placed the best seat in

the house, in your home. We invite you to sit back, and enjoy the

perfection of this state-of-the-art sight and sound system.

System Installed for:

(Owner)

At:

(Address)

On:

(Date)

Installed By:

From:

For Service , Call:

(Installer)

(Dealership)

(Dealers Phone Number)

For JBL Customer Support and Satisfaction, Call:

JBL Synthesis Service Manager

1-[phone], extension 233

On Long Island call

[phone], extension 233

TABLE
OF
CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

1.0 _______________ BASIC OPERATIONS

1.1 Powering Up 4

1.2 Basic Remote Control Operations 4–5

1.3 Basic Cinema Operations 5

1.4 Basic Music Operations 6

1.5 Turning the System Off 7

2.0 __________ ADVANCED OPERATIONS

2.1 Advanced Cinema Operations 8

2.2 Advanced Music Operations 14

2.3 Advanced Remote Control Operations 17

3.0 ______SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

3.1 General Service Policy 19

3.2 Audio and Video Service 19

4.0 __________CALIBRATION TEMPLATES

4.1 Synthesis One 20

4.2 Synthesis Two 21

JBL Synthesis System
Owner's Manual
©1993 Harman Consumer Group

JBL and Synthesis are registered trademarks of JBL Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved
Manual Designed by Harman Consumer Group,
Marketing Services • Woodbury
Written by James S. Weiss
Illustrated by Terry Robbins

JBL Consumer Products, Inc.
80 Crossways Park West, Woodbury, NY 11797
[phone]

8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329
[phone]

1.0

BASIC
OPERATIONS

This Section focuses on the basic operations required to
power up the system, to use it, to make simple everyday
adjustments to both its Cinema and Music functions,
and to turn it off. More advanced adjustments are
covered in Section 2: Advanced Operations. Your
certified JBL Installer will be glad to overview these
materials with you.

1.1 Powering Up

The system can easily and quickly be turned on using
the Remote Controller, pictured on this page. Simply
push the button marked POWER and the Surround

Processor, Amplifiers, Equalizers, Crossovers, and
Speakers will all automatically power up, in sequence.

Next, turn on the Source Devices you want to use —

VCR, Laser Disc player, CD, Television/Video, Audio
Cassette Player.

You can turn these on in any order.

1.2 Basic Remote Control
Operations

Your JBL Synthesis Remote Control unit handles
virtually all of the functions of the system. Basic
Operations include Selecting Source Devices, and
Adjusting the Master Volume.

1.2.1 Selecting Source Devices

Examine the lower half of the Remote Controller until
you have found six buttons with labels above each.
These buttons allow you to directly access a particular
source device and play it through the system. The
buttons are labeled “S-VID-1”, “S-VID-2, "VCR",
“VDP”, “CD", and “AUX”. Your Installer, with your
consultation, has determined the sources available for
use in your system. Therefore certain buttons may be
inoperative, corresponding to the sources not present.

To select a source device, simply press the
corresponding button. The surround processor will
engage that source.

4

BASIC
OPERATIONS

1.0

1.2.2 Adjusting the Master Volume

The Master Volume buttons at the top right hand part of
the Remote Controller are used to adjust the Output

Levels of the system. Press the ▲ button to make things

Louder, and the ▼button to make things Softer. These
do not adjust the Input Levels of the Source Devices. In
fact, we recommend that you do not do so. They have
been set and calibrated to mesh flawlessly with the

system, and adjusting them directly — either through
the dials on their front panels or via their own separate
Source Remote Controllers, can throw the system out of
balance.

NOTE: If, over time, you notice that one Source Device

consistently sounds Too Loud or Too Soft, call your
Certified Dealer. He or she will adjust the levels and

re–set the new levels as your “Reference Levels” to

which you can return if the system’s sound goes awry.

1.3 Basic Cinema Operations

1.3.1 Adjusting the Cinema Volume

To adjust the Volume in Cinema Mode, make sure that
the Video is powered up and that it has been selected as
the source. Then simply adjust the volume ▲ or ▼
using the MASTER VOLUME buttons.

5

1.4 Basic Music Operations

1.4.1 Adjusting the Music Volume

To adjust the Volume in Music Mode, make sure that the
appropriate Music Source Device is powered up and
that it has been Selected as the Source. Then simply
adjust the volume ▲ or ▼using the MASTER

VOLUME buttons, as shown on the left.
Link Forward: See Section 2: Advanced Operations,

page 8.

1.4.2 Adjusting the Music Balance

To adjust the Front/Back Balance in Music Mode, make
sure that the appropriate Music Source Device is
powered up and selected as the Source. To add more
sound to the Rear Ambient Surround Speakers, press
the ▲button marked Ambience + on the remote
controller. For less sound from the Ambient Surrounds,
press the ▼ button. To restore the original pre–set
balance, press the Center button, REF, which will set the
system back to its Reference Levels.

Again, if your adjustments do not produce the desired
effects, consult with Section 2: Advanced

Operations.

If you are not able to adjust the system to your liking
using the procedures outlined therein, call your
Synthesis Dealer.

6

BASIC
OPERATIONS

1.0

1.5 Turning the System Off

There is no preferred order of components when turning
the system off. However, there is one caution you should
follow:

NOTE: Do not turn the system off while any Source
Device is running and producing sound. Always make

sure all Source Devices are in “Idle” before pressing the

main POWER button.

Failure to do this can produce a noticeable “pop”, and
can, over time, damage your components. If you need to
turn off the sound to the system suddenly, for example,
to take a phone call or to reply to someone, press the

MUTE button.

Notes

7