X + 0 + Y 2 0 M HZ

OWNER’S GUIDE
PRODUCT LINE:
®

MODEL
NUMBER: SCS 178 and SCS 188 (230V)
DESIGN GOAL: Bring the thrill of live performance and movie sound to the
home environment by calling on JBL’s professional engineering leadership.
SATELLITE TYPE:Titanium-laminate-dome tweeter, reflex-loaded enclosure
SUBWOOFER TYPE: Bass-reflex enclosure
PORT DESIGN: FreeFlow™ flared
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE: Cinema Loudspeaker Series

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 THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING JBL
For more than 55 years, JBL We’re confident that the JBL or office, you will once again
has been involved in every system you have chosen will choose JBL.
aspect of music and film provide every note of enjoment
recording and reproduction, that you expected – and that JBL Consumer Products
from live performances to the when you think about
recordings you play in your purchasing additional audio
home, car or office. equipment for your home, car

INCLUDED

Four satellites for left/right One center channel speaker. Powered subwoofer.
front and surrounds. SCS 188
contains an additional satellite
to be used as surround back.

Two 6.1-meter (20-foot) speaker Two (Three in SCS 188)

cables for connection from 12.2-meter (40-foot) speaker
receiver to subwoofer. cables for connection from
receiver to left and right rear
Three 4.6-meter (15-foot) satellites and surround back
speaker cables for connection speaker. (SCS 188 only)
from subwoofer to front
speakers and center speaker.

CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: To prevent electric shock,
do not remove the grounding plug
on the power cord, or use any plug
or extension cord that does not have
a grounding plug provided.
Make certain that the
AC outlet is properly grounded.
Do not use an adapter plug
with this product.
The lightning flash with arrowhead
symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated “dangerous
voltage” within the product’s enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.
The exclamation point within an
equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important

2 operating and maintenance (servicing)

instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.

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 SPEAKER PLACEMENT
Front Speakers Center Channel Speaker Subwoofer

0 – 0.6m (0 – 2 ft.)

Surround Speakers

150-180 cm

The front speakers should be The two surround speakers The low-frequency material
placed the same distance from should be placed slightly reproduced by the subwoofer is
each other as they are from the behind the listening position mostly omnidirectional, and this
listening position. They should and, ideally, should face each speaker may be placed in a
be placed at about the same other and be at a level higher convenient location in the
height from the floor as the than the listeners’ ears. If that room. However, the best
listeners’ ears will be, or they is not possible, they may be reproduction of bass will be
may be angled toward the placed on a wall behind the heard when the subwoofer is
listeners. listening position, facing for- placed in a corner along the
ward. The surround back same wall as the front
The center channel speaker speaker (in SCS 188 only) speakers. Experiment with
should be placed slightly should be placed behind the subwoofer placement by
behind the front left and right listening position, facing the temporarily placing the
speakers, and no more than center speaker. The surround subwoofer in the listening
two feet above or below the speakers should not call position and moving around the
tweeters of the left and right attention to themselves. room until the bass
speakers. It is often convenient Experiment with their reproduction is best. Place the
to set the center speaker on top placement until you hear a subwoofer in that location.
of the television set, as shown diffuse, ambient sound
in the drawing. accompanying the main
program material heard in the
front speakers.

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 MOUNTING OPTIONS
Satellites and Surrounds

On shelves. On the wall. Wall brackets On optional stands.

are included.

Wall-Mounting
The customer is responsible for
proper selection and use of
mounting hardware, available
through hardware stores, to
properly and safely wall-mount
the speakers.

SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
Connection Tips Separate and strip the ends of phase” results in thin sound,
the speaker wire as shown. weak bass and a poor stereo
Speakers and electronics image.
terminals have corresponding With the advent of multichannel
(+) and (–) terminals. Most surround-sound systems,
manufacturers of speakers and connecting all of the speakers
electronics, including JBL, use in your system with the correct
red to denote the (+) terminal polarity remains equally
and black for the (–) terminal. important in order to preserve
The (+) lead of the speaker wire the proper ambience and
is noted with a stripe. It is directionality of the program
important to connect all material.
speakers identically: (+) on the
speaker to (+) on the amplifier
and (–) on the speaker to (–) on
4 the amplifier. Wiring “out of

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 Dolby* Pro Logic* (Non-Digital) – Speaker Level (SCS 178 only)

Use this installation method for

Dolby Pro Logic applications Left Front Right Front
Center
(not Dolby Digital, DTS® or + – + –
+ –
other digital processing),
where the receiver/processor
does not have a subwoofer
output, or a volume-controlled
preamp (line-) level output:
Subwoofer
Connect your receiver or
amplifier’s front left and right HIGH LEVEL
speaker terminals to the left + – – R +
L
and right terminals on the
subwoofer that are marked OUT
“High Level In.” Connect the
left and right terminals on the
subwoofer that are marked
IN
“High Level Out” to the cor-
responding terminals on the
back of your front left and right Receiver
speakers. Left Front Center Right Front
Connect your receiver or
amplifier’s center, left and right + – + – + –
surround-speaker terminals to
the corresponding terminals on
the back of your center, left and
right surround speakers. Left Surround Surround Back Right Surround

+ – + – + –

Left Surround Surround Back Right Surround

+ – + – + –

Only in 6.1 systems

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 Dolby Pro Logic (Non-Digital) – Line Level (SCS 178 and SCS 188)
Use this installation method for output, or a volume-controlled level inputs on the subwoofer.
Dolby Pro Logic appli-cations preamp (line-) level output: IMPORTANT: Do not use the
(not Dolby Digital, DTS® or Use RCA-type patch cords LFE input on the subwoofer
other digital processing), where to connect the line-level with Dolby Pro Logic
the receiver/processor is subwoofer outputs on your processors. Note: If your
equipped with a subwoofer receiver or amplifier to the line- receiver or amplifier only has
one subwoofer output jack,
Left Front Center Right Front then you will need to use a Y-
+ – + – + –
connector (not included). Plug
the male end of the Y-
connector into your receiver or
Subwoofer amplifier’s subwoofer output
Line- jack, and connect each of the
Level In
two female ends to separate
L
RCA-type patch cords. Finally,
R plug the RCA-type patch cords
Receiver
into the line-level inputs on the
subwoofer.
Left Subwoofer Right
Front Out Front Connect each speaker to the
+ – + – corresponding speaker
R L
terminals on your receiver or
+ –
amplifier.
Center
Left Right
Surround Surround Back Surround
+ – + – + –

Left Surround Surround Back Right Surround

+ – + – + –

Only in 6.1 systems

Dolby Digital or DTS® (or Other Digital Surround Mode) Connection

(SCS 178 and SCS 188)

RECEIVER SUBWOOFER
output or subwoofer output front right, center and rear
LINE LEVEL IN on your receiver or amplifier. speakers should all be set to
LFE INPUT
L Connect each speaker to the “Small.”
LFE OUT
R corresponding speaker If your receiver allows you to
terminals on your receiver or set the crossover frequency
amplifier. between the subwoofer and the
Use this installation method for Make sure that you have main speakers, select either
Dolby Digital, DTS® or other configured your surround- 120Hz or 150Hz, or select the
digital surround processors: sound processor for setting that is the closest
Use the line-level input jack “Subwoofer On.” The surround frequency below these.
marked “LFE” for the Low- receiver should be configured
Frequency Effects channel. for 6.1-channel operation
6 Connect this jack to the LFE (if available) and the front left,

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 O P E R AT I O N PHASE
Press the Master Power Switch signal after approximately The Phase Control ™ determines
(marked Power ¡) to the ON twenty minutes, it will whether the subwoofer’s piston-
position to use the subwoofer. automatically go into standby like action moves in and out in
When your receiver or amplifier mode. If you will be away from phase with the main speakers or
is off, or is not sending program home for an extended period of opposite the main speakers. This
material to the subwoofer, the time, or if the subwoofer will is adjusted by pressing the button
subwoofer will be in standby not be used, switch the Master to the 0°, or 180° position. The 0°
mode. When the subwoofer Power switch ¡ to the "OFF" position of the phase button plays
senses an audio signal, it will position. the bass signal in phase with the
automatically turn itself on. If main speakers. The 180° position
the subwoofer does not sense a plays the bass signal 180º, or out
of phase with the main speakers.
Proper phase adjustment
¢ ¡ £ depends on several variables
such as subwoofer placement
and listener position. Adjust the
phase switch to optimize bass
output at the listening position.
™ Every system, room and listener
is different. There are no right or
wrong settings. This switch
offers the added flexibility to
HIGH LEVEL
+ L – – R + LINE LEVEL IN adjust your subwoofer for
OUT L PHASE
optimum performance for your
LFE 0° 180°
specific listening conditions
IN R
without having to move your
IMPORTANT: CONNECT STRIPED WIRE TO RED (+ ) SPEAKER TERMINAL. speakers. If at some time in the
future you happen to rearrange
your listening room, and move
your speakers, you should
experiment with the phase
switch in both positions, and
AC 230V~50Hz
CAUTION leave it in the position that
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN 200 Watts
optimizes bass performance for
your taste.

Volume Crossover
Volume can be adjusted using The crossover filter between optimum setting for the
the Subwoofer Volume Control the subwoofer and satellites SCS 178 and SCS 188 system is
£, as shown. can be adjusted using the with the Crossover Control ¢
Crossover Control ¢. The set to the "Min" position.

Subwoofer Subwoofer
Level Level

MIN MAX MIN MAX

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 TROUBLESHOOTING
If there is no sound from any of • If your receiver/processor is If there is no sound from the
the speakers: set in Dolby Pro Logic mode, surround speakers:
• Check that receiver/amplifier make sure the center speaker • Check all wires and
is on and a source is playing. is not in phantom mode. connections between
• Check that the powered • If your receiver/processor receiver/ amplifier and
subwoofer is plugged in, its is set in Dolby Digital or DTS® speakers. Make sure all wires
Power switch ¡ is switched mode, make sure the are connected. Make sure
on to the “ON•” position. receiver/processor is con- none of the speaker wires are
• Check all wires and figured so that the center frayed, cut or punctured.
connections between speaker is enabled. • Review proper operation of
receiver/ amplifier and your receiver/amplifier and its
speakers. Make sure all wires If the system plays at low surround-sound features.
are connected. Make sure volumes but shuts off as • Make sure the movie or TV
none of the speaker wires are volume is increased: show you are watching is
frayed, cut or punctured. • Check all wires and connecti- recorded in a surround-sound
• Review proper operation of ons between receiver/ mode. If it is not, check to see
your receiver/amplifier. amplifier and speakers. Make if your receiver/ amplifier has
sure all wires are connected. other surround modes you
If there is no sound coming Make sure none of the may use.
from one speaker: speaker wires are frayed, cut • In Dolby Digital or DTS®
• Check the “Balance” control or punctured. modes, make sure your
on your receiver/amplifier. • If more than one pair of main receiver/processor is
• Check all wires and con- speakers is being used, check configured so that the
nections between receiver/ the minimum impedance surround speakers are
amplifier and speakers. Make requirements of your enabled.
sure all wires are connected. receiver/amplifier. • Review the operation of your
Make sure none of the DVD player and the jacket of
speaker wires are frayed, cut If there is low (or no) bass your DVD to make sure that
or punctured. output: the DVD features the desired
• In Dolby Digital or DTS® • Make sure the connections to Dolby Digital or DTS® mode,
modes, make sure that the the left and right “Speaker and that you have properly
receiver/processor is Inputs” have the correct selected that mode using both
configured so that the polarity (+ and –). the DVD player’s menu and
speaker in question is • Make sure the subwoofer is the DVD disc’s menu.
enabled. plugged into an active
electrical outlet.
If there is no sound from the • Make sure the powered
center speaker: subwoofer is plugged in and
• Check all wires and switched on.
connections between • In Dolby Digital or DTS®
receiver/ modes, make sure your
amplifier and speaker. Make receiver/processor is
sure all wires are connected. configured so that the
Make sure none of the subwoofer and LFE output are
speaker wires are frayed, cut enabled.
or punctured.

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 Declaration of Conformity

We, Harman Consumer International

2, route de Tours
72500 Château-du-Loir
France

declare in own responsibility, that the product

described in this owner’s manual is in
compliance with technical standards:
EN 60065:1998
EN 55013/A14:1999
EN 55020/A14:1999
EN 61000-3-2/A14:2000
EN 61000-3-3/1.1995
EN 50081-1:1992
EN 50082-1:1992

Gary Mardell
JBL,
Harman Consumer International
France,09/03
9

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 S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
SCS 178/SCS 188 Satellite and Surround Back
Frequency Response (-6dB): 90Hz – 22kHz
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 86dB
Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 25 – 100 Watts RMS per Channel
Drive Units: 12mm Polyamide/Titanium Laminate Video-shielded HF
100mm Paper Cone Video-shielded Mid/Bass
Dimensions (H x W x D): 235mm x 140mm x 179mm (9.3" x 5.5" x 7")
Weight: 2.8kg (6.2lb)

SCS 178 and SCS 188 Center

Frequency Response (-6dB): 100Hz – 22kHz
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 88dB
Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 25 – 100 Watts RMS per Channel
Drive Units: 12mm Polyamide/Titanium Laminate Video-shielded HF
Dual 100mm Paper Cone Video-shielded Mid/Bass
Dimensions (H x W x D): 145mm x 402mm x 155mm (5.7" x 15.8" x 6.1")
Weight: 4.5kg (9.9lb)

SCS 178 Active Subwoofer

Low Frequency Cut-off: 35Hz
High Frequency Cut-off: 40 Hz - 160Hz Variable
Built-in Power Amplifier: 100 Watts RMS
Drive Unit: 200mm Paper Cone Long Throw Driver. Bass Reflex Enclosure
Dimensions (H x W x D): 450mm x 250mm x 360mm (17.7" x 9.8" x 14.2")
Weight: 13.6kg (30lb)

SCS 178 System

Frequency Response (-6dB): 35Hz – 20kHz

Refinements may be made on occasion to existing products without notice,

but will always meet or exceed original specifications unless otherwise stated.
Simply Cinema is a registered trademark of JBL, Incorporated.
* Dolby and Pro Logic are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
DTS® is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

OWNER’S GUIDE PRO SOUND

PRODUCT LINE:
® COMES HOME™
JBL Consumer Products
250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797
MODEL
NUMBER: SCS 178 and SCS 188 Europe: 2. Route de Tours, 72500 Château du Loir, France

DESIGN GOAL: Bring the thrill of live performance and movie sound to the
home environment by calling on JBL’s professional engineering leadership. [Link]

SATELLITE TYPE:Titanium-laminate-dome tweeter, reflex-loaded enclosure ©2001 JBL, Incorporated.

SUBWOOFER TYPE: Bass-reflex enclosure JBL is a registered trademark of JBL, Incorporated.
PORT DESIGN: FreeFlow™ flared Part No.406-000-01570
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE: Cinema Loudspeaker Series