JBL Century Gold User's Manual
Contents
1. Connecting the systems in this manner ensures that they will operate in phase that is they will work together rather than in opposition Connecting the speaker system out of phase will not cause damage but will adversely affect the speaker s sound FIGURE 6 CONNECTIONS BARE WIRE CONNECTING METHOD 8 BANANA SPADE CONNECTING METHOD FIGURE 7 STANDARD CONNECTING METHOD NO BI WIRING The Century Gold s outer connection panel and internal dividing network are designed so that separate sets of speaker cable can be attached to the low frequency transducer and midrange high frequency transducer portions of the dividing network This is called bi wiring Bi wiring can provide several sonic advantages and considerably more flexibility in power amplifier selection The advantages of bi wiring are as follows REDUCTION OF INTERMODULATION The majority of current flowing between an amplifier and speaker is devoted to bass reproduction In fact 6096 or more of an amplifier s output is des tined for the woofers When current flows through a wire it produces an electro magnetic field EMF that expands and collapses at a rate equal to that of the music s complex frequency components If a single speaker wire must conduct the full musical frequency the preponderance of low frequency information can interact with or modulate high frequencies The resulting intermodulation can create audible ch2. a rigid paper fiberglass composite treated with Aquaplas for strength speed and damping JBLs Symmetrical Field Geometry is employed in the form of an aluminum sleeve around the pole piece This sleeve reduces second order distortion through induced flux control Its aluminum composition is also a more efficient conductor of heat so it assists in dissipating heat away from the voice coil to extend the power capacity Cooling of the voice coil is further enhanced by the use of a vented pole piece The rigid frame is cast from aluminum alloy an excellent thermal conductor which further acts to efficiently draw heat away from the voice coil and magnet assembly This combination of advanced design technology results in a bass driver that is remarkably free from dynamic restriction due to heat buildup MID FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER The Century Gold also features an all new 5 127mm mid frequency transducer developed specifically for the Century Gold Figure 2 The voice coil is 2 SOmm in diameter and wound on edge from flat aluminum ribbon wire to a depth of precisely 4 11mm on a thermoset composite form The cone is made of Kevlar with a composite rubber vinyl surround Kevlar was chosen for the cone material because it is extremely strong and rigid while relatively low in mass This allows the driver to move fast enough to reproduce the dynamics of the critical midrange frequencies while retaining the low distortion characteristics n
3. CENTURY GOLD LIMITED EDITION LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM A NEW STANDARD FOR A NEW CENTURY Century Gold Loudspeaker System This certifies chat this Century Gold is a Limited Edition Reference Bookshelf Loudspeaker System in celebration of JBLs 50th Anniversary GENUINE JBL Greg Timbers Senior Acoustic Engineer JBL is part of the Harman International family of audio companies a group with a common purpose combining technology with a love of music to manufacture audio products that provide new levels of satisfaction perfor mance and value To promote diversity and creativity JBL operates independently in research and development When it comes to translating the results of these efforts into actual consumer and professional products JBL draws on the full combined strength of the Harman companies including one of the world s most advanced manufacturing facilities The result of this teamwork is that JBLs renowned excellence in engineering is successfully carried through to each individual product regardless of its application or price range As new audio concepts and technologies are pioneered the partnership of JBL and Harman International guarantees that consumer and professional audio users everywhere will be able to enjoy their full benefits JBL continually engages in research related to product development and improvement Because of this new materials production methods and design refinements may be introduc
4. ain the proper low to 9 o mid high balance If two identical stereo amplifiers are used one may be m nO located near each loudspeaker to drive low and mid high frequency je BATTERY AS NORMAL WS JE Herne sections through short wire runs The external strapping bars that normally connect the Century NO Gold s low frequency and high frequency terminals must be removed 1 1 before bi amping To remove the shorting straps simply loosen and slide the bars off to the side Figure 11 If the system is wired in the bi amp method set the Bi Amp Normal switch to the Bi Amp position Figure 12 and Figure 12a MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE The Century Gold loudspeaker systems have an oiled finish Cleaning should be done with an untreated dust cloth Do not use conventional furniture waxes and polishes which are not designed for oiled finishes If touch up is necessary or the finish appears to be drying out the surface may be re oiled with a commercially available oil finishing preparation Do not use any solvents on the finish The grille may be gently vacuumed Stains may be removed with an aerosol cleaner following its instructions Do not use any solvents on the grille All wiring connections should be inspected and cleaned or remade periodically The frequency of maintenance depends on the metals involved in the connections atmospheric conditions and other factors but once per year is the
5. anges to the high frequencies even before they reach the loudspeakers By using separate cables for high and low frequencies unwanted high frequency modulation is avoided Low frequency information flows through one cable while high frequencies flow through another FREQUENCY OPTIMIZED CABLES Having the opportunity to use separate low and high frequency cables allows you to use cables best suited to each frequency range Optimally you should use high quality audiophile grade speaker cables for both low and high frequency conductors However let your ears guide you to the cables that best match the Century Gold loudspeakers to your amplifier AMPLIFIER FLEXIBILITY Bi wiring also allows you the option of using separate stereo power amplifiers for left and right speakers or even four mono amplifiers Whether you use two or four amplifiers it is important to use the same brand and model to power like connections on the Century Gold Bi WiRING CONNECTIONS Figures 8 through 10 show two bi wiring options single stereo amplifier and dual stereo amplifier modes For passive and bi wire connections set the switch to the Normal Bi Wire position Figure 8a IMPORTANT 1 The external strapping bars that normally connect the Century Gold s low frequency and high frequency terminals must be removed before bi wiring To remove the shorting straps simply loosen and slide the bars off to the side Figure 11 2 Never connect two a
6. d be equidistant from your primary listening position the distance should be determined by the distance between the speakers We recommend that the angle between the speakers at the listening position be between 45 to 60 For example if the speakers are 8 apart your listening position should be 8 12 from each speaker To widen the area in which the best stereo image will be perceived turn the speaker to face the primary listening position Figure 5 It is normally recommended that the Century Gold loudspeakers be positioned so that the high frequency transducers are towards the inside In some listening environments however the imaging characteristics may be improved by positioning the high frequency transducers towards the outside We suggest you experiment with the positioning of your loud speakers to determine the ideal placement in your listening room SPEAKER GONNECTIONS The Century Gold loudspeakers can be connected by one of several methods The binding posts on the rear panel of the Century Gold will accept most types of audio cable and connectors including banana plugs and bare wire Figure 6 Follow the hookup method that best describes your system STANDARD CONNECTIONS FIGURE 7 1 For each channel connect the red terminal on the Century Gold to the red terminal on your amplifier 2 For each channel connect the black terminal on the Century Gold to the black terminal on the amplifier
7. diameter edgewound Aquaplas Ss A CZ Ss YY ff long 3 76mm Jj copper voice coil treated NN RS Y f for high linearity and w zy power handling composite cone GM Extended pole for symmetrical flux field Thick 28 7mm Thick magnet for high excursion top plate for good capability and high flux density heat sinking low magnetic leakage The Limited Edition Century Gold Bookshelf Loudspeakers set a new standard for a new century JBL combines the most advanced technology with a classic JBL design These speakers continue the longstanding tradition of precise studio monitor sound for which JBL is famous You will enjoy the benefits of pure titanium dome high frequency transducers cast frame low frequency transducers with vented pole pieces and JBLs proprietary Symmetrical Field Geometry SFG magnet design as well as high definition dividing networks incorporating the highest quality electronic components available Low FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER The Century Gold features an all new 12 300mm low frequency transducer developed specifically for the Century Gold Figure 1 Derived from JBLs legacy of highly powerful yet efficient bass drivers this woofer delivers full low frequency performance with clarity and speed unprecedented among 12 drivers The voice coil is 3 76mm in diameter and wound on edge from flat copper ribbon wire to a depth of 0 8 20mm TM on a thermoset composite form The cone is
8. ecessary for accurate musical reproduction Its very high power capability and freedom from breakup make it an ideal midrange in a system that is designed to play at high levels with absolutely no signs of distress It makes the transition from the woofer at 600Hz providing good dispersion throughout the important vocal range HIGH FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER Throughout the history of high frequency transducer design the goal of extended frequency response has been at odds with the need for high power handling JBL has long chosen titanium as the material for its highest quality high frequency transducers and the Century Gold is no exception Figure 3 Titanium possesses the essential requirements for a high frequency transducer First titanium is extremely light yet rigid The goal is to maintain a piston like action as high in frequency as possible If the material flexes easily the diaphragm will break up into random vibrations Second titanium is virtually free from fatigue The material is virtually immune from the cumulative effects of millions of flexures over long operating periods These factors coupled with the higher power handling that titanium affords allow us to produce an extremely smooth high frequency transducer with extended frequency response that can handle all the demands of today s digital programs FIGURE Z CENTURY 500 MID FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER Rubber vinyl 2 sdn long surround diameter edgewound alum
9. ed into existing products without notice For this reason any current JBL product may differ in some respect from its published description but will always equal or exceed the original design specifications unless otherwise stated REEL SONY YERS JBL wishes to thank you for selecting the Century Gold loudspeaker system While che Century Gold loudspeakers are a new development the ideas behind them go back to the earliest days of JBL This system is a definitive expression of JBLs quality and craftsmanship We have spared no effort overlooked no performance factor necessary to produce the most accurate loudspeaker possible The attention to detail extends to the enclosure The woodworking com plements the engineering Carefully crafted in hardwood veneers each enclosure is finished by hand The Limited Edition Century Gold loudspeaker system will provide many years of superb listening pleasure Please take a moment to read this owner s manual completely before you begin It is solely in the interest of ensuring a perfect listening experience that we ask you to follow the setup and hookup procedures outlined in this manual NO NO D FIGURE 1 CENTURY 1200 LOW FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER Matched spider to motor for high linearity Heavy aluminum sleeve for reducing second order Diecast aluminum harmonic distortion due to frame for high strength flux modulation distortion s I E al fir NS 7 EM m N 7
10. inum voice coil for high linearity and power handling Vented pole piece allows driver to run cooler Neodymium magnet provides high flux density with low mass Diecast aluminum frame for high strength NO 4 FIGURE 3 O50 GOLD HIGH FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER Titanium dome 1 copper voice coil provides smooth performance and high power handling Cast zinc faceplate for less resonance NO DIVIDING NETWORKS The job of the dividing network is to distribute the various frequencies to their respective transducers The network is also designed to complement component location on the baffle Slopes are chosen to match the exact response of each driver in its respective frequency range as well as to ensure that the high frequency transducers are adequately protected from dangerous low frequency components For the Century Gold system we chose our Charge Coupled Linear Definition Dividing Network The inductors are all designed for high current low distortion operation All capacitors in the network are series parallel connected and operated with D C bias This effectively enables the capacitors to operate in Class A mode which substantially increases sonic detail resolution and dynamics The low frequency section of the dividing network is mounted on a dedicated circuit board that separates both electrical and magnetic properties from that of che midrange and tweeter sections Additionally che Century G
11. minimum The battery should be replaced approximately every three years Consult your JBL dealer for specific recommendations If a problem occurs make sure that all connections are properly made and clean If a problem exists in one loudspeaker reverse the speaker wires to the left and right system If the problem remains in the same speaker then the fault is with the loudspeaker If the problem appears in the opposite speaker the cause is in another component or cable In the event that your Century Gold loudspeaker system ever needs service contact your local JBL dealer NO 12 NO 15 SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS Frequency Response Sensitivity Recommended Maximum Power Handling Nominal Impedance Crossover Frequencies Low Frequency Transducer Mid Frequency Transducer High Frequency Transducer Internal Volume Tuning Frequency Dimensions HxWxD Weight 50Hz 20kHz 1 5dB 38Hz 22kHz 6dB 90dB for 2 83V 1 meter 200 watts continuous 800 watts peak 6 ohms 600Hz 2800Hz Century 1200 Century 500 050 Gold 1 8 cubic feet 32Hz 26 1 2 x 15 x 11 7 8 673 x 381 x 302 mm 60 Ibs 27 22 kg TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Low Frequency Transducer Mid Frequency Transducer High Frequency Transducer Dividing Networks Battery Replacement Placement Speaker Connections Maintenance and Service U N ON a U A A W N M System Specifications Declaratio
12. mplifiers to the same loudspeaker without first removing the Strapping bars Operating two amplifier channels without removing the strapping bars can seriously damage your amplifiers 3 If you have hooked up your Century Gold loudspeakers in any of the bi wire configurations indicated it is not advisable to use additional speakers separately or simultaneously 4 As with conventional one amplifier connections make sure that all speaker cables are the same length FIGURE B BI WIRE CONNECTING METHOD FIGURE SA NORMAL BI WIRE POSITION BLAMP NORMALI BLWIRE FIGURE 9 ONE AMP BI WIRE S lam E Stereo amp NO 10 FIGURE 10 TwO AMP BI WIRE Preamp w Y corded output jos Stereo amps FIGURE 11 REMOVAL OF SHORTING STRAPS FIGURE 12 BI AMP CONNECTING METHOD BI AMPING CONNECTIONS The optimal method of powering the Century Gold system is with two amplifiers one for low frequencies and one for the mid high frequencies It is necessary to use a high quality active crossover module Since each amplifier only drives a limited frequency range this method allows the user to select amplifiers with the desired sonic character for low and high frequencies Make sure that the input sensitivity of each of the amplifiers is the same FIGURE 12A BI AMP SWITCH SETTING r x or that input level controls are provided to maint
13. n of Conformity JBL ES We JBL Europe A S Kongevejen 1948 DK 3460 Birkerad DENMARK declare in own responsibility that the loudspeakers JBL Consumer Products described in this owner s manual are in compliance with 80 Crossways Park West Woodbury NY 11797 iq 8500 Balboa Boulevard Northridge CA 91329 EN 50 082 1 3 1995 1 800 336 4JBL 4525 USA only 1996 JBL Incorporated JBL is a registered trademark of JBL Incorporated u GL Printed in USA 5 96 Part No CGOM96 Sieen Micnasls n JBL Europe A S q Birkerad DENMARK 5 96 H A Harman International Company irkero
14. old s dividing network allows for passive bi wire passive bi amp and full active bi amp operation For the full active bi amp mode we recommend the use of a high quality electronic crossover BATTERY REPLACEMENT The battery should be replaced approximately every 2 years This is accomplished as follows e Unscrew the two screws that hold the battery access cover in place It is located on the upper portion of the dividing network on the rear of the speaker enclosure Figure 4 e Write today s date including the year in this manual e Install the battery by aligning the battery terminals with the mating terminals in the network housing Align male to female female to male terminals then snap the connectors together assuring a tight connection e Replace the battery access cover and install screws BATTERY REPLACEMENT RECORD Date Installed FiGURE 4 BATTERY INSTALLATION o o JH sus MA d 1 k NORMAL q BLWIRE JBL INCORPORATED 8500 Balboa Blvd Northridge CA USA High Frequency A CH Qm NO FIGURE 5 PLACEMENT POSITION TOP VIEW l 1 3g 10 157 POSITION FRONT VIEW NO 3 i Ear level when seated in listening position t r PLACEMENT Ideally the systems should be placed at least three feet from any walls The height at che top of the midrange should be at ear level The two speakers shoul
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