JBL PB10 Review: Troubleshooting Common Subwoofer Problems

O P E R A T I O N

Power

Phase Control

When the unit is plugged in and (for the PB12 only) the power switch is on and no signal is received, the LEDs on the front of the unit will turn red. When a signal is present, the LEDs will turn green. Note: It will take several minutes for the LEDs to turn

Level Control

The subwoofer Level Control adjusts the volume of the subwoofer relative to the rest of the system. Proper level adjustment depends on several variables such as

from green to red after the input signal to the subwoofer is removed. Due to JBL’s unique, high-output,high- efficiency amplifier design, power consumption is minimal when the subwoofer is not receiving a signal. Of course, the PB12 subwoofer can be

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.

turned off, whenever desired. The PB10 must be unplugged if you do not wish to leave it in auto (standby) mode.

The Phase Control determines	bass output at the listening	in the future you happen to
whether the subwoofer’s	position.	rearrange your listening room
piston-like action moves in	Remember, every system,	and move your speakers, you
and out in phase with the		should experiment with the
	room and listener is different.
main speakers or opposite		phase switch in both
	There are no right or wrong
the main speakers. There is		positions, and leave it in
	settings; this switch offers the
no correct or incorrect		the position that maximizes
	added flexibility to adjust your
setting. Proper phase		bass performance.
	subwoofer for optimum
adjustment depends on
	performance for your specific
several variables such as
	listening conditions without
subwoofer placement and
	having to move your
listener position. Adjust the
	speakers. If at some time
phase switch to maximize

T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G

If you used the high-level If there is low (or no) bass If you used the line-level

Crossover Adjustments

The Crossover Frequency Control determines 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

LEVEL		LEVEL
Min	Max	Min	Max
LFE	NORMAL	LFE	NORMAL
PHASE 0º	180º	PHASE 0º	180º

CROSSOVER		CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY		FREQUENCY
50Hz	150Hz	50Hz	150Hz

PowerBass PB10		PowerBass PB12
L	R	L	R
LINE LEVEL IN		LINE LEVEL IN
For LFE use L or R		For LFE use L or R
	L		L

(speaker) inputs and there	output:	inputs and there is no sound
is no sound from any of the	• Make sure the connections	from the subwoofer:
speakers:
	to the left and right “Speaker	• Check that receiver/amplifier
• Check that receiver/amplifier	Inputs” have the correct	is on and a source is playing.
is on and a source is playing.	polarity (+ and –).	• Check that powered
• Check that powered	• Make sure that the	subwoofer is plugged into an
subwoofer is plugged into	subwoofer is plugged into an	active electrical outlet and is
an active electrical outlet	active electrical outlet and	switched on.
and is switched on.	(PB12 only) switched on.	• Check all wires and con-
• Check all wires and	• Adjust the crossover point.	nections between receiver/
connections between	• Flip the Phase Control	amplifier and subwoofer.
receiver/amplifier and	switch to the opposite	Make sure all wires are
speakers. Make sure all wires	position.	connected. Make sure none
are connected. Make sure	• If you are using a Dolby	of the wires are frayed, cut

required by today’s films and music. If you are using smaller bookshelf speakers that do not extend to the lower bass frequencies, set the low-pass crossover control to a higher setting, between 120Hz – 150Hz. This control is not used when the LFE switch is in the “LFE” position.

HIGH

LEVEL

IN

R

+–

L

HIGH

LEVEL

OUT

R

120VON 60Hz, 160W

HIGH

LEVEL

IN

R

+–

L

HIGH

LEVEL

OUT

R

OFF 120V

60Hz, 160W

POWER

none of the speaker wires are	Digital/DTS receiver or	or punctured.
frayed, cut or punctured.	processor, make sure that the	• Review proper operation of
• Review proper operation	subwoofer adjustments on	your receiver/amplifier.
of your receiver/amplifier.	the receiver/processor are	• Slowly turn the Level
	set up correctly.	Control clockwise until you
	• Slowly turn the Level	begin to hear the desired
	Control clockwise until you	amount of bass.
	begin to hear the desired	• Make sure that you have
	amount of bass.	configured your receiver/
		processor so that the
		subwoofer/LFE output is on.

6

PowerBass PB10	PowerBass PB12
CAUTION	CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK	RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN	DO NOT OPEN

7