jbl ® MS-8 System integration digital processor User Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS www.jbl.
English INTRODUCTION Thank you for your purchase of the JBL® MS-8 System Integration Digital Processor. We have designed the MS-8 to make successful installation and setup easy and to provide you with years of enjoyable and great sound.
IMPORTANT! READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN Warning Playing loud music in an automobile can hinder your ability to hear traffic and can permanently damage your hearing. We recommend listening at low or moderate levels while driving your car. JBL accepts no liability for hearing loss, bodily injury or property damage resulting from the use or misuse of this product. Replacing the Fuse If you must replace the MS-8’s fuse, use only the same type and rating as that of the original. Do not substitute another kind.
English CONNECTIONS 25A fuse Mic connection Remote out connection +12V connection Line input connections Remote in connection GND connection Hi Level input REMOVE FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE Speaker output connections Line output connections Aux input connections Reset button Display connection Power LED Update connection Power IMPORTANT: Perform the power connections in the following order. 1. Gnd: Connect this terminal to a paint-free location on the vehicle chassis.
CONNECTIONS 2. +12V: Connect this terminal to the vehicle battery’s positive (+) terminal. Insert a 25A fuse in series on the +12V wire no further than 18 inches (46cm) from the battery terminal. IMPORTANT: Use at least 12-gauge wire for this connection. 1 x 25A + - 25A fuse within 18" of battery terminal Cable from MS-8 +12V terminal Use a grommet through the firewall 3. Rem Out: Connect this terminal to the remote turn-on terminals of all amplifiers in the system. The output is +12V DC, 1A.
English CONNECTIONS Rem In: Connect this terminal to the remote turn-on output of the system’s source unit, if the source unit has a remote turn-on output. Alternately, you can connect this terminal to the vehicle’s accessory (ACC) power circuit. Any voltage over +4V DC at this terminal will trigger the MS-8 to turn on. NOTE: See Step 3 for more details about connecting the Rem In terminal to a factory-installed stereo system.
ConNECTIONS Connecting an aftermarket head unit If you’re using the MS-8 with an aftermarket head unit that has RCA-type outputs, connect the head unit’s front left and front right outputs to the MS-8’s line inputs 1 and 2 only. Do NOT connect any other head-unit output signals to the MS-8’s line inputs 3 – 8. During the calibration/setup process, the MS-8 will “normalize” the input signals and derive as many output signals as your speaker system requires.
English ConNECTIONS Connecting a factory radio/head unit If you will be connecting the MS-8 to a factory-installed stereo or a factory-installed amplifier (often located in the vehicle’s trunk), connect each of your factory front-speaker and subwoofer outputs to one of the MS-8’s Hi Level inputs. Be sure to connect the outputs for all speakers that are part of the vehicle’s front left and front right speakers.
ConNECTIONS Aux input: If you will be using a portable music player or CD player as an auxiliary audio-source unit, connect its line or headphone output to the MS-8's Aux input using a cable that terminates in stereo RCA audio connections. You can switch between the MS-8's Head Unit inputs and Aux input in the MS-8's Input Selection menu. See Main Menu, on page 35. Aux input To headphone output www.jbl.
English CONNections AUDIO OUTPUTS Configurations You can configure the MS-8’s eight outputs in a variety of ways, depending on the speakers that are installed in your vehicle. You can configure the MS-8 for a system with one-way (full-range), two-way or three-way front speakers, a one-way or two-way center speaker, side speakers, rear speakers and one or two subwoofers.
CONNECTIONS Speaker Outputs If you’ll use the MS-8’s built-in power amplifiers to drive your system’s speakers, connect the speakers to the MS-8’s speaker outputs. Insert the included speaker-output wiring harness into the MS-8’s speaker output until it locks into place. See Main Menu, on page 35. IMPORTANT: The MS-8’s speaker-output wiring harness’s wires have clear insulation. Each channel has a copper (positive or “+”) conductor and a silver (negative or “–”) conductor.
English CONNECTIONS NOTE: You can power some of the system's speakers by the MS-8's amplifiers and some by outboard amplifiers, but you should use only one connection type per output. For example, output channel 1 may use the MS-8's amplifer OR an outboard amplifier, but not both. Be sure to use the chart above to note which speakers are connected to which MS-8 channels.
CONNECTIONS Line Outputs If you’ll be using additional outboard power amplifiers to drive your system’s speakers, connect their inputs to the MS-8’s line-output connectors. You can power some of the system’s speakers by the MS-8’s amplifiers and some by outboard amplifiers, but you should use only one connection type per output. For example, Output Channel 1 may use the MS-8’s amplifier OR an outboard amplifier, but not both.
Connections DISPLAY Use the included 6m (19.7 ft) cable to connect the display unit to the MS-8’s main unit’s display connection. Insert the cable’s straight connector into the main unit and the right-angle connector into the display.
connections UPDATE Use the Update port only for firmware upgrades. We have covered it with a sticker that you should leave in place until you are ready to install a firmware upgrade that you will download from www.JBL.com. REMOVE FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE After downloading a firmware upgrade into your PC, remove the sticker and connect the Update port to a USB port on your PC. Follow the directions that accompany the upgraded firmware to upload the new firmware from your PC to the MS-8. www.jbl.
INSTALLATION Installation warning and tips • Always wear protective eyewear when using tools. • Before beginning the installation, disconnect the negative (–) lead from the vehicle’s battery. • Check clearances on both sides of a potential mounting surface before you drill any holes or install any screws. Remember that the screws can extend behind the surface. • At the installation sites, locate and make a note of any fuel lines, hydraulic brake lines, vacuum lines and electrical wiring.
INSTALLATION MOUNTING THE MAIN UNIT Using the main unit as a template, mark the locations of the mounting holes on the mounting surface; drill pilot holes; and attach the unit to the mounting surface with the supplied screws. • Mount the unit securely. • Mount the unit so that it remains dry. • Mount the unit so that neither it nor any of its connections are damaged by the feet of backseat passengers or by cargo shifting in the trunk.
INSTALLATION INSTALLING THE DISPLAY UNIT 1. Select a safe site for the display unit, and temporarily place it there. Check the viewing angle from the driver’s seat while adjusting the display unit’s pivot arm. If the viewing angle meets your needs, then skip to Step 2. Otherwise, change the viewing angle as follows: a) Using the supplied 3mm hex wrench, loosen the recessed hex screw (inside the display base) until the pivot arm is free from the display assembly. The hex screw will remain captive.
INSTALLATION a) Insert the mounting plate, rotate it 180°, and tighten the hex set screw as shown below. b) Wipe the installation-site surface and the exposed mounting plate with one of the enclosed alcohol pads. Allow both to dry. c) Remove the protective tape from one side of one of the enclosed adhesive pads, and press the pad against the mounting plate. d) Remove the remaining protective tape, and press and hold the display unit to its site for five seconds.
installation Though you can leave the MS-8 RF remote control unmounted, JBL supplies two mounting provisions to secure the remote, making it safe and convenient to operate. Since the remote operates via radio frequency, it is not necessary to aim the remote while using it. NOTE: You can also mount the remote to a convenient surface using a Velcro® strip (not supplied), which allows you to remove the remote to change the battery.
installation MOUNTING THE REMOTE CONTROL Surface mounting 1. Find a suitable mounting location with a flat surface that’s large enough for the remote. (Note: The remote control is held in the cup by a magnet, so you can mount the cup on a vertical surface if you want.) 2. Ensure that no hazards or wiring are underneath the mounting surface. Finger cutout Remote control 3. Remove the remote from the mounting cup. Observe the position of the mounting cup’s finger cutout, as shown in the illustration. 4.
using the REMOTE CONTROL Volume Down button Volume Up button Select button Up/Down navigation buttons Back button Left/Right navigation buttons Mute button Volume Up and Down buttons: Pressing either of these buttons at any time (except during the setup/calibration process) will display the MS-8’s System Volume screen, allowing you to change the audio volume. The volume range is between –80dB and 0dB.
CALIBRATION/setup DISTRACTION WARNING: DO NOT SET UP YOUR MS-8 WHILE DRIVING. We recommend performing these setup procedures while parked at home or after pulling off the road into a position that you are absolutely sure presents no risk. Always obey all traffic laws while driving. Before you begin IMPORTANT! The MS-8 will not pass an audio signal through to its outputs until you have configured it according to the setup procedure described below.
CALIBRATION/setup LANGUAGE SELECTION The first time you power up the MS-8, the Language screen will appear on the display. This screen determines the language the MS-8 will use to display all of its setup, calibration and operation menus. When this screen appears, choose a language. The following languages are available: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish.
CALIBRATION/setup OUTPUT SETUP Next, the MS-8 will display Xover Setup. During Xover Setup, you must tell the MS-8 which speakers are connected to the system, and you must select the crossover characteristics for all of the system’s speakers. Referring to the Configuration Chart that you filled out when you connected the MS-8 will make this process easy. During Xover Setup and Channel Selection, you must enter the information according to the specific sequence that the MS-8’s display presents.
CALIBRATION/setup If you make a mistake If you make a mistake and need to reenter Output Setup information, you must abort the Xover Setup process and start it again. To abort the process: 1. Hold the remote’s Back/Menu button until the Main Menu screen appears. 2. Select Calibration/Setup; then select Input/Output Setup. 3. When the Warning Message screen appears, select Continue. 4. When the Input Setup screen appears, select Skip Input Setup. 5. The MS-8 will display the Xover Setup, Sub screen.
CALIBRATION/setup Front speakers 1. The MS-8 will then display Xover Setup > Sub, Front. Select Front. 2. The MS-8 will then display Front, with the options 1 way, 2 way, and 3 way. These options refer to the number of MS-8’s output channels that will be devoted to driving your front speakers. MS-8 Crossover Configurations Tweeter Tweeter Mid Full Range Mid Woofer 1 way 2 way 3 way Use the Up and Down navigation buttons to highlight one of these options, and press the Select button to select it.
CALIBRATION/setup 6. If in Step 2 you selected 2 way a) The MS-8 will display Front Lo/Hi Xover. This screen enables you to choose the crossover frequency between the front midrange and tweeter (or between a separate midbass driver and a midrange/tweeter). Use the Left and Right navigation buttons to display a frequency between 50Hz and 10kHz, and press the Select button to select it.
CALIBRATION/setup NOTE: The available center-speaker, side-speaker and rear-speaker options will depend on the number of MS-8 channels that are available after you have set up the subwoofer and front speakers. For example, if you are using two subwoofer channels and three-way front speakers, then all eight of MS-8’s channels will have been allocated, and the only option that will be displayed for the center speaker (as well as the side and rear speakers) will be None.
CALIBRATION/setup Rear speakers 1. The MS-8 will then display Rear, with the options None and 1 way. (Separate outputs for two-way speakers are not available for side or rear speakers.) 2. Use the remote’s Up and Down navigation buttons to highlight one of these options, and press the Select button to select it. NOTE: If you are using only one set of speakers in the back of the car or if there are no speakers in the back of the car, select None. 3. The MS-8 will then display Rear Hi Pass.
CALIBRATION/setup 3. If a speaker or amplifier is connected to the MS-8’s Channel 2, select Channel 2 from the Channel Selection menu and repeat the procedure from Step 2. 4. Repeat the procedure for each channel to which a speaker or amplifier is connected. Skip channels that are not connected to speakers or additional amplifiers. If you make a mistake, select the channel that you want to correct, and then enter the correct selection.
CALIBRATION/setup • If the MS-8’s internal amplifier is set to drive the front speakers, leave the volume set at –20dB. • If an external, higher-powered amplifier is driving the front speakers, use the remote’s Volume Down button to set the volume to a level lower than –20dB. In either case, the test-signal sweeps that you will hear during acoustic calibration should be about as loud as someone sitting in the passenger’s seat speaking at a normal conversational level.
CALIBRATION/setup Remeasure seating position: Selecting this option remeasures the seating position that has just been measured. You can select this option if you think you’ve made a mistake, if loud noises were present during any of the testsignal sweeps, if the sweeps were much louder than someone speaking at a normal volume or if you want to remeasure the seating position for any other reason.
USING THE MS-8 VOLUME UP AND DOWN BUTTONS (on the remote control) Pressing either of these buttons at any time (except during the setup/calibration process) will display the MS-8’s System Volume screen, allowing you to change the audio volume. The volume range is between –80dB and 0dB.
USING THE MS-8 Calibration/Setup: This selection performs the calibration procedures as documented in this manual. See Calibration/Setup, on page 24. NOTE: If you would like to recalibrate the acoustic performance of the system, you may enter its Calibration/Setup section, choose Acoustic Calibration and re-tune the system without repeating the input-setup, xover-setup and channel-selection procedures. System Settings: This selection accesses the MS-8’s operational and display settings.
USING THE MS-8 Note for systems that include a center-channel speaker: Logic 7 processing steers all mono information to the center channel. At first, the sound may seem wrong if you're not used to listening with the Logic 7 system. However, after listening for an extended period, you’ll find vocal and instrument placement with Logic 7 enabled and the centerchannel level in the center position to be natural sounding and consistent.
USING THE MS-8 The arrow indicates the selected band; the band’s center frequency is indicated on the left side of the screen; the amount of boost or cut that you apply is indicated on the right side of the screen. Use the Left and Right navigation buttons to select the frequency band you want to adjust, and use the Up and Down navigation buttons to make the adjustments. Each press of an Up or Down button changes the level by 0.5dB.
USING THE MS-8 Reset to default: This setting restores all of the audio controls to their default settings. The default settings are: System Levels: All controls centered Tone Control: Flat (all controls centered) Graphic EQ: Flat (all controls centered) Logic 7: On Processing: Active Seat: Driver FAVORITES MENU The MS-8 provides five Favorites positions that let you store the system’s currently active audio settings.
USING THE MS-8 SYSTEM SETTINGS MENU This menu lets you adjust the MS-8’s various system settings: Turn off delay: This setting lets you select a delay time for the MS-8 to turn additional amplifiers off via its Remote Out terminal when the MS-8 goes into its standby mode. The options are zero seconds (no delay), two seconds or five seconds. The factory default is two seconds. Brightness: This setting lets you adjust the display’s brightness.
USING THE MS-8 RESETTING THE MICROPROCESSOR If your MS-8 stops responding to the remote control (even after you’ve replaced the remote’s battery) or fails to operate in the way this manual describes, use a pen or similar pointed object to press the Reset button on the main unit (see Connections, on page 5.) NOTE: Pressing the Reset button will NOT erase your calibration settings. Need More Information? For more information, visit www.JBL.
TROUBLESHOOTING If your MS-8 doesn’t seem to be working the way it should, read this section to see if the problem and possible solution are listed here. If, after you try all of the solutions listed here, the problem persists, contact JBL Customer Service at 516.255.4JBL (4525). POWER Symptom Possible Cause Solution The power LED does not illuminate. The +12V, Gnd or Rem In terminals are not properly connected. Confirm that all power connections are correctly made according to this manual.
TROUBLESHOOTING SOUND Symptom Possible Cause Solution There is no sound in one or more channels. Improper input connection. Confirm that all required channels of the source unit are properly connected. See Audio Inputs, on page 7. Improper output connection. Confirm that the speaker in question is properly connected to the MS-8’s speaker output. See Audio Outputs, on page 10.
TROUBLESHOOTING SOUND Symptom Possible Cause Solution The source connected to the Aux input is too quiet or too loud. The Aux input level is not properly set. Use the MS-8’s System Levels screen to set the Aux level so that the Aux source’s level matches the level of the head unit source. See Audio Controls Menu, on page 35. The source player’s volume control is set too low. Set the source player’s volume control to a higher level.
TROUBLESHOOTING SOUND Symptom Possible Cause Solution The center speaker seems too loud when you’re listening to news, sports or talk radio stations. The MS-8’s Logic 7 processing is (by design) sending all mono information to the center speaker. Use the MS-8’s System Levels screen to reduce the center speaker’s level until it sounds correct to you. Then save the settings as one of the MS-8’s Favorite settings so you can recall it whenever you listen to this type of station.
TROUBLESHOOTING ERROR MESSAGES ON DISPLAY Symptom Possible Cause Solution “MS-8 Has Overheated…” There is insufficient cooling air around the main unit. Re-install the main unit in a less confined area that will allow cooling air to circulate around the unit. See Choosing a Location for the Main Unit, on page 17. “No DSP Response…” There has been a possible electrostatic discharge within the main unit.
SPECIFICATIONS Power Output: 20W x 8 channels @ 4 ohms Maximum Output Power: 30W x 8 channels @ 2 ohms Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Line Input to Line Output): >90dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Line Input to Speaker Output): >85dB Maximum Input Voltage (Speaker-Level Input): 15V Maximum Input Voltage (Line Input): 2.8V Maximum Output Voltage (Line Output): 2.8V Maximum Current Draw: 16A Standby Current Draw: <0.
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