PSW-D115
simple setup guide
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for choosing JBL. For more
than 50 years, JBL has been involved in every
aspect of music and film recording and reproduc-
tion, from live performances to the recordings you
play in your home, car or office.
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you expected – and that when you think about pur-
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Placement
• As a general rule, bass
response increases as a
subwoofer is placed closer
to a wall. Therefore, bass
output is maximized when
the subwoofer is placed in
a corner.
• It is also recommended
that the subwoofer be
positioned along the
same wall as the front
loudspeakers.
Low-frequency sounds are
normally omnidirectional,
meaning the listener can’t
tell where they are generated
from. However, frequencies
between 75Hz – 150Hz can
be localized, especially at
higher volume levels.
Positioning your subwoofer
as recommended will provide
the most natural soundstage
and imaging from your loud-
speaker system.
Remember that these are just
guidelines. Since every listen-
ing room is different, JBL
strongly recommends experi-
menting with the positioning
of your subwoofer to obtain
the most pleasing results in
your room. One technique that
can help you find the ideal
subwoofer location is to tem-
porarily place the subwoofer
near the main listening loca-
tion. 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.
RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER
SPKR In
L
Left
Center
Right
180
0
Phase
L L
L
I
N
E
C
R
I
N
E
Hookup
–
+
–
+
–
+
C
O
U
T
I
N R
When we designed the
more than one subwoofer to
your system for increased bass
output. When hooking up the
next subwoofer in the system,
simply use the “Direct” output
the same way you would
connect a single (mono)
subwoofer output from your
receiver/ amplifier.
SPKR Out
Direct
PSW-D115 powered subwoofer,
our goal was to offer the user
the best possible performance
combined with the most flexi-
ble and complete installation
options. Please look over the
following four examples to
determine which description
best matches your system and
follow the corresponding
L
120
90
90
150
High
C
R
180
180
60
60
Pass
120
–
+
–
+
–
+
150
LEFT
SPEAKER
CENTER
SPEAKER
RIGHT
SPEAKER
Low
Pass
1) If your receiver/ amplifier
has no subwoofer
outputs or preamp
outputs for the left,
center and right
Power
hookup instructions.
Off
On
The “Direct” connection on
the subwoofer is an output
that allows you to connect
+
+
+
channels.
+
+
+
– 3 –
3) If your receiver/ processor
contains Dolby* Digital or
DTS® surround processing
technology, then connect
the subwoofer or LFE out-
put from your receiver/
Set the “Low-Pass” control
to the 180Hz position.
2) If your receiver/ amplifier
has subwoofer outputs
or preamp output jacks
for the left, center and
right channels, or left
and right only.
put, you may connect the
output to either the Left,
Right or Center line-level
input on the subwoofer.
However, to maximize the
subwoofer’s performance, we
recommend that you use a
“Y”-connector (not includ-
ed). Plug the single male
end of the “Y”-connector
into the subwoofer output
on the receiver/ amplifier,
and connect each of the
2 female connectors to an
RCA-type interconnect
cable. Then connect the 2
interconnect cables to the
Left and Right line-level
inputs on the PSW-D115.
When hooked up using this
method, all of the crossover
and level adjustments are con-
trolled through the receiver/
processor.
processor to the Center
line-level input as shown.
If your receiver/ amplifier
has a single (mono) sub-
woofer output or LFE out-
SPKR In
SPKR In
L
L
RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER
SUBWOOFER OUT
180
0
Phase
180
0
Phase
L L
LEFT
RIGHT
L L
L
I
N
E
C
R
L
I
N
E
C
R
I
I
N
N
E
E
C
C
O
U
T
I
O
U
T
I
N R
N R
MAIN SPEAKER OUTPUT
SPKR Out
SPKR Out
+
–
–
+
RIGHT
LEFT
Direct
120
Direct
120
L
L
RECEIVER/PREAMPLIFIER
90
90
150
90
90
150
C
R
High
Pass
C
R
High
Pass
Subwoofer
Output
180
60
60
180
60
60
120
120
150
150
Low
Low
180
180
Pass
Pass
+
–
–
+
RIGHT
LEFT
LOUDSPEAKER
LOUDSPEAKER
Power
Power
Off
On
Off
On
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
– 4 –
4) If your receiver/ ampli-
fier has preamp output
jacks and main input
will limit the low-frequency
information that is returned
to your receiver/ amplifier.
Your receiver/ amplifier does
not need to waste valuable
power reproducing the low
frequencies. In addition,
since no low-frequency
jacks for the left, center
and right channels, or
you have a separate
preamp/ processor and
power amplifier.
RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER
SPKR In
PRE
OUT
MAIN
IN
This method of hookup can
offer the highest level of
performance for your
complete loudspeaker system.
The PSW-D115 incorporates a
variable high-pass crossover
in addition to a variable low-
pass crossover. When hooked
up as shown, the subwoofer
information is being sent
to your main loudspeakers,
they are able to reproduce
mid and high frequencies
with greater clarity.
180
0
Phase
L
LEFT
CENTER
RIGHT
L L
L
I
N
E
C
R
I
N
E
C
O
I
N
R UT
SPKR Out
Direct
L
120
MAIN SPEAKER OUTPUT
90
90
150
C
R
High
180
180
60
60
+
–
–
+
RIGHT
LEFT
Pass
120
150
Low
Pass
Power
Off
On
+
–
–
+
RIGHT
LEFT
LOUDSPEAKER
LOUDSPEAKER
+
+
+
+
+
+
– 5 –
Operation
Level Control
Video Contour
Power
The subwoofer Level Control,
located on the front panel,
adjusts the volume of the
subwoofer relative to the rest
of the system. Proper level
adjustment depends on several
variables such as room size,
subwoofer placement, type of
main speakers and listener
position. Adjust the subwoofer
level so that the volume
of the bass information is
pleasing to you.
excitement of today’s movies.
The green LED will illuminate
when the video-contour switch
is on.
The video-contour switch,
located on the front panel,
optimizes the subwoofer’s
performance for movie listen-
ing. When the video-contour
switch is on, the subwoofer’s
performance is tailored to
deliver the impact and
When the unit is plugged in
and power is on and no signal
is received, the LED on the
front of the unit will turn red.
When a signal is present, the
LED will turn green. Note:
It will take several minutes
for the LED to turn from green
to red after the input signal
to the subwoofer is removed.
Due to JBL’s unique, high-
efficiency digital-amplifier
design, power consumption is
minimal when the subwoofer
is not receiving a signal. Of
course, the subwoofer can be
turned off, whenever desired.
Crossover Adjustments
High-Pass Control
• If you hooked up your sub-
woofer as shown in Hookup 4
on page 5, you also have
the capability of adjusting
the high-pass frequency.
The high-pass control
determines the frequency at
which the main speakers
will start reproducing
sounds. If your main speak-
ers can comfortably repro-
duce some low-frequency
sounds, also set this
control to a lower frequency
setting, between 50Hz –
100Hz. This will concentrate
the subwoofer’s efforts to
the ultradeep bass sounds,
while your main speakers
continue to reproduce the
mid-bass information. If you
are using smaller bookshelf
speakers that do not extend
to the lower bass frequencies,
set the high-pass crossover
control to a higher setting,
between 125Hz – 180Hz.
With this setting, your main
speakers will not have the
burden of reproducing any
low-frequency sounds.
• If you hooked up your sub-
woofer as shown in Hookup 1
on page 3, the high-pass
frequency is fixed at 180Hz.
• If you hooked up your
subwoofer as shown in
amplifier incorporates a
high-pass crossover, your
main speakers will continue
to get a full-range signal.
Low-Pass Control
The low-pass control deter-
mines the highest frequency at
which the subwoofer reproduces
sounds. If your main speakers
can comfortably reproduce
some low-frequency sounds,
set this control to a lower
frequency setting, between
50Hz – 100Hz. This will
concentrate the subwoofer’s
efforts on the ultradeep bass
sounds required by today’s
films and music. If you are
using smaller bookshelf
120
High
150
90
90
Pass
180
60
60
Final adjustment and blending
of the low-pass and high-pass
controls may evolve over sev-
eral listening sessions. A good
starting point would be to set
both the low- and high-pass
controls to the same frequency
and adjust from that point.
120
Low
Pass
150
180
speakers that do not extend to
the lower bass frequencies, set
the low-pass crossover control
to a higher setting, between
120Hz – 180Hz.
Hookup 2 or Hookup 3
on page 4, no high-pass-
control adjustments can be
made from the subwoofer.
Unless your receiver/
– 6 –
Phase Control
Troubleshooting
If you used the high-level
(speaker) inputs and there
is no sound from any of
the speakers:
If there is low (or no)
bass output:
If you used the line-level
inputs and there is no sound
from the subwoofer:
180
0
Phase
• Make sure the connections
to the left and right “Speaker
Inputs” have the correct
polarity (+ and –).
• Check that receiver/ amplifier
is on and a source is playing.
• Check that powered sub-
woofer is plugged in.
• Check all wires and con-
nections between receiver/
amplifier and subwoofer. Make
sure all wires are connected.
Make sure none of the wires
are frayed, cut or punctured.
• Review proper operation of
your receiver/ amplifier.
• Check that receiver/ amplifier
is on and a source is playing.
• Check that powered sub-
woofer is plugged in.
• Check all wires and connec-
tions between receiver/ ampli-
fier and speakers. Make sure
all wires are connected. Make
sure none of the speaker wires
are frayed, cut or punctured.
• Review proper operation
of your receiver/ amplifier.
Remember, every system, room
and listener is different. There
are no right or wrong settings;
this switch offers the added
flexibility of being able to
adjust your subwoofer for
optimum performance for your
specific listening conditions.
Should you decide to fine-
tune your system for optimum
performance, be patient and
trust your ears. It will be
The phase control determines
whether the subwoofer
• Make sure that the sub-
woofer is plugged into an
active electrical outlet.
• Adjust the crossover point.
• Flip the phase control switch
to the opposite position.
• If you are using a Dolby*
Digital/ DTS® receiver or
processor, make sure that the
subwoofer adjustments on
the receiver/ processor are
set up correctly.
speaker’s piston-like action
moves in and out with the
main speakers, 0°, or opposite
the main speakers, 180°. There
is no correct or incorrect set-
ting. Proper phase adjustment
depends on several variables
such as subwoofer placement
and listener position. Adjust
the phase switch to maximize
bass output at the listening
position.
• Slowly turn the level
control clockwise until you
begin to hear the desired
amount of bass.
• Make sure that you have
configured your receiver/
processor so that the sub-
woofer/ LFE output is on.
worth the effort involved to
fully “tweak” your system.
• Slowly turn the level
control clockwise until you
begin to hear the desired
amount of bass.
– 7 –
Specifications
PSW-D115
Amplifier Power (RMS)
Driver
350 Watts
15" High-Polymer Laminate
Line Level and Speaker Level
Line Level and Speaker Level
Continuously variable from 60Hz – 180Hz
Inputs
Outputs
Low-Pass Frequency
High-Pass Frequency
Continuously variable from 60Hz – 180Hz
when using line-level outputs;
180Hz when using speaker-level outputs
Frequency Response
Dimensions
25Hz – low-pass crossover setting
20 x 20 x 21-3/ 4"
508 x 508 x 552mm
Weight
53 lbs/ 24.1 kg
JBL Consumer Products
250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797
8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329
1-800-336-4JBL (4525) (USA only)
1999 JBL, Incorporated
©
JBL is a registered trademark of JBL, Incorporated.
*Trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
Part No. 200930
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