JBL E150 Service Manual

							
 
  Northridge™ E-Series   
E150P 
Powered Subwoofer 
 
Service Manual 
 
 
 
 
JBL Consumer Products  250 Crossways Park Dr. 
     Woodbury, New York   11797      Rev2   2/2004 
 
  
						

							
 
-  CONTENTS  - 
 
BASIC SPECIFICATIONS  …………….……..…………..1 
SAFETY INFORMATION  …………….……..….………..2 
DETAILED SPECIFICAT IONS ……….……..…………..3 
CONNECTIONS………………………...……..…...…..…4 
OPERATION ……..………………….……...…….….…\
...7 
BASIC TROUBLESHOOT ING..………….………………8 
EXPLODED VIEW /PARTS  LIST…….….….…………....9 
TEST SET-UP AND PROCEDURE….….……………...10 
AMPLIFIER BLOCK DIAGRAM…….………….……..…11  
TECH TIP JBLTT2003-04  ..……….……………….…...12 
DETAILED TROUBLESHOOTING..……………… ……13 
P.C.B. DRAWINGS….…………………………………….16 
ELECTRICAL PARTS LIST ..……….……….……….…20 
IC/TRANSISTOR PINOUTS..……..….…….….….….….24 
SCHEMATICS………..……………………….…………..25 \
  PACKING……..……………………………….….….\
…...27 
 
E150P  SPECIFICATIONS 
 
Amplifier Power (RMS):       150 W atts 
Peak Dynamic Power *:       250 W atts 
Driver:      10" (254mm) PolyPlas™ 
Inputs:   Line Level (switchable to LFE) and Speaker 
Level with 5-way binding posts 
Low-Pass Frequency:       Variable from 50Hz to 150Hz 
Frequency Response:       27Hz – Low-pass crossover setting 
Dimensions (H x W  x D):       17-3/4" x 12-1/4" x 14-1/2"  (451mm x 311mm x 368mm) 
W eight:      33.5 lb/15.2kg  
 
JBL continually striv es to update and improv e existing products, as well as create new ones. The 
specifications and details in this and related JBL publications are therefore subject to change without 
notice. 
 
* The Peak Dynamic Power is measured by recording the highest center-to-peak voltage measured across the output of a resistive lo ad 
equal to minimum impedance of the transducer, using a 50Hz sine wave burst, 3 cycles on, 17 cycles off. 
E150P              
 
1  
						

							
Warning

Any person performing service of this unit will be exposed
to hazardous voltages and the risk of electric shock. It is
assumed that any person who removes the amplifier from
this cabinet has been properly trained in protecting
against avoidable injury and shock. Therefore, any service
procedures are to be performed by qualified service
personal ONLY!

Caution

Early revisions of the unit did not have a power switch.
Hazardous voltages are resent within the unit whenever it
is plugged in.
Before amplifier is plugged in, be sure its rated voltage
corresponds to the voltage of the AC power source to be
used. Incorrect voltage could cause damage to the
amplifier when the AC power cord is plugged in. Do not
exceed rated voltage by more than 10%: operation below
90% of rated voltage will cause poor performance or may
shut the unit off.

Leakage/Resistance Check

Before returning the unit to the customer, perform a
leakage or resistance test as follows:
Leakage Current. Note there is no power switch on early
revisions of this unit. When the power plug is plugged in,
the unit is live. Connect the unit to its rated power source.
Using an ammeter, measure the current between the
neutral side of the AC supply and chassis ground of the
unit under test. If leakage current exceeds 0.5mA, the unit
is defective. Reverse the polarity of the AC supply and
r epeat.
Resistance. Measure the resistance from either side of the
line cord to chassis ground, If it is less than 500k ohms,
the unit is defective.
W ARNING! DO NOT return the unit to the customer if it
fails one of these tests until the problem is located and
corrected.

Critical Components

All components identified with the IEC
symbol in the parts list and schematic
diagram designate components in which
safety can be of special significance when
r eplacing identified with. Use only the
r eplacement parts designated in the parts list or parts
with the same rating of resistance, wattage or voltage.

SAFETY INFORMATION

List of Safety Components 
Requiring Exact Replacements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part Number/ 
Designator 
Description  
  
F1 
093-205209-300  
Line Fuse Slo Blo 1.25A  
5x20mm  
083-041802-009  250V UL approved SPT-2 or 
better with polarized plug, UL 
approved wired with the hot side 
to fused  
side. Use with factory  
replacement panel strain relief 
(70305) only.  
PT1 
042-010052-003  
Power Transformer.  
Use only factory  
replacement.  
BR1  
052-400080-000  
Bridge diode. Use only  
factory replacement.  
C6,8  
034-470745-200  
4700uF 50V electrolytic  
filter caps. Be sure  
replacement part is at  
least the same working  
voltage and capacitance  
rating. Also the lead  
spacing is important.  
Incorrect spacing may  
cause premature failure  
due to internal cabinet  
pressure and vibration.  
063-531808-000  
Rear Amp Cover 
Use only factory  
replacement  
Inductor  
043-560200-000  
L1 - Use only factory  
replacement  
Inductor  
043-300101-000  
L2 - Use only factory  
replacement  
Inductor  
043-700101-000  
L3 - Use only factory  
replacement  
Inductor  
043-324300-000  
L4 - Use only factory  
replacement  
  
 
 
E150P
2  
						

							
JBL E150P Powered Sub/ Plate Amp 
LINE VOLTAGE Yes/No Hi/Lo Line Nom. Unit NotesUS 120vac/60Hz Yes 108-132 120 Vrms Normal Operation
EU 230vac/50-60Hz Yes 207-264 230 Vrms Normal operation, MOMS required
Parameter Specification Unit QA Test 
Limits Conditions Notes
Amp Section
Type (Class AB, D, other) D n/a n/a
Class D Preferred...Sink required for Class AB
Load Impedance (speaker) 4 Ohms n/a
Nominal Z-curve required
Rated Output Power 75 Watts 70
1 input driven
AVG RMS  Dynamic Power 150 Watts 135Average RMS power,  3/20 Cycles 50 Hz, Driven
6dB above its input sensitivity sensitivity
THD @ Rated Power 0.3 % 1
22k filter 75 Watts
THD @ 1 Watt 0.1 % 0.5
22k filter
DC Offset 10 mV-DC 30
@ Speaker Outputs
Damping factor 50 DF 35
Measured at amplifier board  Measured at the amplifier board THD < 0.1% 75 
Watts @ 50Hz
Input Sensitivity
Input Frequency 50 Hz 50
Nominal Freq.
L&R 128 mVrms ±2dB
To 75 Watts Single input driven LP defeat switch OFF
LFE 128 mVrms ±2dB
To 75 Watts LP defeat switch ON- Single input driven
Speaker/Hi Level Input 1.28 Vrms ±2dB
To 75 Watts Single input driven
Signal to Noise
SNR-A-Weighted 100 dBA 70
relative to rated power A-Weighting filter
SNR-unweighted 80 dBr 70
relative to rated power 22k filter
SNR rel. 1W-unweighted 65 dBr 60
relative to 1W Output 22k filter
Residual Noise Floor 1 mVrms 2Volume @max, using DVM or  A/P  
(BW=20 KHz) Line level inputs must be terminated using      
1KOHM
Residual Noise Floor 1.5 mVrms(max
)2 Volume @max, w/ A/P Swept 
Bandpass Measurement (Line 
freq.+ harmonics) (BW=20Khz)
Line level inputs must be terminated using    
1KOHM
Input Impedance Line Input 10K ohms n/a
Nominal
Speaker/Hi Level Input >4.7K ohms n/a
Nominal
Filters
Speaker in LP  2nd order vari
a60-150 Hz ± 10
Subsonic filter (HPF)  fixed 6thFixed
LFE Low pass  2nd order fixed200>LP T < 15 
Minutes
Power on Delay time 3 sec.4
AC Power Applied
Transients/Pops
ATO Transient 5 mV-peak n/a
@ Speaker Outputs
Turn-on Transient 50 mV-peak 2v-pp
@ Speaker Outputs AC Line cycled from OFF to ON
E150P              
 
 
 
3  
						

							
Parameter Specification UnitQA Test 
Limits Conditions NotesTurn-off Transient 50 mV-peak 2v-pp
@ Speaker Outputs AC Line cycled from ON to OFF
Efficiency
Efficiency 65 % 64
Nominal Line voltage 120 VAC / 230 VAC
Stand-by Input Power 15 Watts 18
@ nom. line voltage Auto turn of time (T)   must be  5 > T < 15 
Minutes
Power Cons. @ rated power 115 Watts 120
@ nom. line voltage 75 Watts @ 4 Ohms nominal line voltage
Protections
Short Circuit Protection  YES functional 
Direct short at output Amplifier should resume operation after short 
circuit condition removal 
Thermal Protection  YES functional
@1/8 max unclipped Power Temperature rise in accessible metal parts 
should not exceed 35K rise for domestic version 
or 30K rise for European versions (refer to 
requirements sheet).
DC Offset Protection YES -
DC present at Speaker Out leads Design must insure no Offset at the speaker 
output  under any operating condition including 
abnormal operation
Line Fuse Rating US Domestic version 1.25 Amps 1.25 Type-T or Slo Blo-250 V
Internal fuse with UL/SEMKO rated holder
EU 0.8 Amps 0.8Type-T or Slo Blo-250 V, Low 
Breaking capacity
Internal fuse with UL/SEMKO rated holder
4. ALL SPECS SHOULD BE MEASURED AT NOMINAL LINE VOLTAGE. 
SPEAKER CONNECTION
When we designed the E150P and E250P poweredsubwoofers, our goal was to offer the user the best pos-sible performance combinedwith the most flexible andcomplete installation options.Please look over the followingthree examples to determinewhich description bestmatches your system and follow the correspondinghookup instructions.
To use the binding-postspeaker terminals with barewire, unscrew the collar untilthe hole through the centerpost is visible under the collar.Insert the bare end of the wire
through the hole in the post,then screw the collar backdown until the connection istight. The holes in the centerof the collars are intended forbanana-type connectors.
Speakers and electronics termi-nals have corresponding positive(+) and negative (–) terminals.Itis important to connect bothspeakers identically: positive (+) on the speaker to positive (+) on the amplifierand negative (–) on the speakerto negative (–) on the amplifier.Wiring “out of phase” results inthin sound, weak bass and apoor stereo image. 
NOTE:The speaker-level con-nection method described onthe next page is not a
preferred connection  and should only beresorted to if your receiver/processor does not have a line-level or subwoofer output.The customer is responsible for
proper connections, and anydamage to JBL or other equip-ment due to improper connec-tions will not be covered byyour JBL warranty. Consult withyour JBL dealer or an audio-installation expert if you haveany questions about how toconnect your subwoofer usingthe speaker-level inputs.
E150P              
 
 
 
4  
						

							
Use this installation method
only
with an analog receiver/
processor that does not have
digital processing or bass
management, and also does
not have a subwoofer output
or a volume-controlled preamp
(line-) level output:
Connect the speaker wires for
both your main left and right
speakers, and for the sub-
woofer, to the same speaker
terminals on your receiver or
amplifier. The wires may be
joined by twisting together the
bare ends of the two leads
that will be connected to each
terminal on the receiver/
amplifier, as shown in the 
diagram. This procedure
should be done only four times
(involving a total of eight bare-
wire ends), and only for those
wire ends that are being con-
nected to the terminals on
your receiver/amplifier. 

It is
important that you avoid join-
ing any other wires. 

Do not
twist together
wire ends that
are being
inserted into
terminals on any
speaker or on the
subwoofer. Do not twist
together wire ends that will be
used for any speakers other
than the front left and right
speakers or the subwoofer.
Refer to the connection dia-
gram for guidance.
T wist together the (+) leads at
one end of the speaker wires
that you have designated for
the left front speaker and for the left high-level inputs on
the subwoofer. Insert the
joined (twisted) wires into the
left front (+) terminal on your
receiver/amplifier. Connect the
free end of the (+) lead for the
left front speaker to the (+) ter-
minal on the back of the
speaker. Connect the free end
of the (+) lead for the left input
on the subwoofer to the left
binding-post terminal. Repeat
this process for the (–) 
connections for the left front 
speaker and left input on the
subwoofer, and then for the (+)
and (–) connections for the
right front speaker and right
high-level inputs on the sub-
woofer.
Connect your receiver or
amplifier’s center and sur-
round speaker terminals to the
corresponding terminals on
the back of your center and
surround speakers.

Right Front
Left FrontCenter+      –
+      –
+        –
Subwoofer
Right Surround
Left Surround
+      –+      –
+      –
+      –
Left Front Center
+      –
Left Surround Right Front
+      –
Right Surround
+      –
R
eceiver
L
RHIGH
LEVEL INL
R
+     –
Tw ist
HereTw ist
Here

To  (+) terminal on  
left speaker
To  (+) terminal of left  
input on subwooferTo  front left 
(+) terminal on 
r eceiver/amplifier
E150P          
 
 
Analog Receiver/Processor – Speaker-Level Connections
5  
						

							
Digital Receiver/Processor – LFE Connection

Use this installation method
for Dolby Digital, DTS®or other
digital surround processors
that have bass-management
programming, or for analog
receivers/processors that
have a filtered subwoofer 
output: 
IMPORTANT: Make sure that
the LFE toggle switch on the
subwoofer is in the “LFE”
position. Use the line-level
input jacks for the Low-
Frequency Effects channel.
Connect these jacks to the LFE
output or subwoofer output on
your receiver or amplifier. 
Note: If your receiver or ampli-
fier has only one subwoofer
output jack, you may connect
the subwoofer output on your
receiver/preamplifier to either the left or right line-level input
on the subwoofer. It makes no
difference which jack you
choose. 
Connect each speaker to 
the corresponding speaker
terminals on your receiver or
amplifier.
Make sure that you have 
configured your surround
sound processor for
“Subwoofer On” or
“LFE On.” The front,
center and surround
speakers should be 
set to “Small” or “Large” 
depending on their size and
frequency response. Consult
your receiver’s or processor’s
owner’s manual.

CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY
LEVEL
LINE LEVEL IN PHASE
Min
Max
L             R
LFE                NORMAL
HIGH
LEVEL IN
+    –
50Hz 0º 180º
150Hz
Subwoofer
Output/LFE
RECEIVER/PREAMPLIFIER
L
R
For  LFE use L or R

Analog Receiver/Processor – Line-Level Connections

Use this installation method
with an analog receiver/
processor that does not have
digital processing or bass
management, and that is
equipped with a full-range
subwoofer output or a volume-
controlled preamp (line-) level
output:
Use RCA-type interconnect
cables to connect the line-
level subwoofer outputs on
your receiver or amplifier to
the line-level inputs on the
subwoofer. 
IMPORTANT: Make sure that
the LFE toggle switch on the
subwoofer is in the “Normal”
position. Do not use the 
“LFE” position with Dolby* 
Pro Logic*-only processors. 
Note: If your receiver or
amplifier has only one sub-
woofer output jack, then you may connect the subwoofer
output on your receiver/pre-
amplifier to either the left or
right line-level input on the
subwoofer. It makes no differ-
ence which jack you choose.
Connect each speaker to 
the corresponding speaker
terminals on your 
receiver or amplifier.
Make sure your receiver
or processor is config-
ured so
that the sub-woofer is “On.”
Note for advanced
users: If your receiver/
processor has a built-in low-
pass crossover filter for the
subwoofer output, then the LFE
switch should be set to the
“LFE” position to bypass the
subwoofer’s internal
crossover.

CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY
LEVEL
LINE LEVEL IN PHASE
Min
Max
L             R
LFE                NORMAL
HIGH
LEVEL IN
+    –
50Hz 0º 180º
150Hz
SubwooferOut
RECEIVER
L
R
For  LFE use L or R
L             R

E150P          
 
 
6  
						

							
OPERATION

When the unit is plugged in
and the power switch is on
and no signal is received, the
LED on the top of the unit will
turn red. When a signal is
present, the LED will turn
green.Note: It will take several min-
utes for the LED to turn from
green to red after the input
signal to the subwoofer is
removed. Due to JBL’s unique
high-output, 
high-efficiencyamplifier design, power con-sumption is minimal when the
subwoofer is not receiving a
signal. Of course, the sub-
woofer can be turned off,
whenever desired, if you do
not wish to leave it in auto
(standby) mode.
The subwoofer Level Control
adjusts the volume of the 
subwoofer relative to the rest
of the system. Proper level
adjustment depends on sev-
eral variables such as room size, subwoofer placement,
type of main speakers and 
position. Adjust the subwoofer
level so that the volume of the
bass information is pleasing 
to you.

Crossover Adjustments

The Crossover Frequency
Control determines the highest
frequency at 
which the sub-
woofer reproducessounds. If
your main speakers can com-
fortably reproduce some low-
frequency sounds, set this
control to a lower frequency
setting, between 50Hz and
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 speakers that do not
extend to the lower bass fre-
quencies, set the low-pass
crossover control to a higher
setting, between 120Hz and
150Hz. This control is not used
when the LFE switch is in the
“LFE” position.

CROSSOVER
FREQUENCY LEVEL
LINE LEVEL IN PHASE
Min
Max
L
R
L             R
For  LFE use L or R
LFE                NORMAL
Northridge E Series
HIGH
LEVEL IN
POWER
+    –
120V
60Hz
50Hz 0º 180º
150Hz
CAUTIONRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCKDO NOT OPEN
ON OFF
E150P          
 
 Power
Level Control
7  
						

							
TROUBLESHOOTING

If you used the high-level
(speaker) inputs and there 
is no sound from any of the
speakers:

• Check that the receiver/
amplifier is on and a source 
is playing.
• Check that the powered 
subwoofer is plugged into 
an active electrical outlet 
and is switched on.
• Check all wires and connec-
tions between the receiver/
amplifier and the speakers.
Make sure all wires are con-
nected. Make sure none of
the speaker wires are frayed,
cut or punctured, or touching
each other, except for the
wires for the front left and
right speakers, which may be
joined with the wires for the
subwoofer at the receiver/
amplifier end only, if you are
using the speaker-level 
connections  
• Review proper operation 
of your receiver/amplifier.
If there is low (or no) bass
output:
• Make sure the connections
to the left and right “Speaker
Inputs” have the correct 
polarity (+ and –).
• Make sure that the sub-
woofer is plugged into an
active electrical outlet and
switched on.
• 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.
• Slowly turn the Level Control
clockwise until you begin to
hear the desired amount of
bass.
If you used the line-level
inputs and there is no sound
from the subwoofer:
• Check that the receiver/
amplifier is on and a source is
playing.
• Check that the powered 
subwoofer is plugged into an
active electrical outlet and is
switched on.
• Check all wires and 
connections between the
receiver/amplifier and the
subwoofer. Make sure all
wires are connected. Make
sure none of the wires are
frayed, cut or punctured, or
touching each other.
• Review proper operation of
your receiver/amplifier.
• 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.
Phase Control
The Phase Control determines
whether the subwoofer’s pis-
ton-like action moves in and
out in phase with the main
speakers or opposite the
main speakers. There is no
correct or incorrect setting.
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.
Remember, every system,
room and listener is different.
There are no right or wrong
settings; this switch offers the
added flexibility to adjust your
subwoofer for optimum per-
formance for your specific 
listening conditions without
having to move your speakers.
If at some time in the future
you happen to rearrange your
listening room and move your
speakers, you should experi-
ment with the phase switch in
both positions, and leave it in
the position that maximizes
bass performance.
E150P          
 
 
8  
						

							
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ref# Part Number Description Qty 
    
1 350883-001 MANUAL, OWNER-E150P/E250P 1 
2 350884-002 CARTON,MASTER-E150P  (BEECH MODEL)    1 
 350884-001 CARTON,MASTER-E150P  (BLACK MODEL) 1 
 350884-003 CARTON,MASTER-E150P  (CHERRY MODEL) 1 
3 350885-001 PAD,END,TOP-E150P 1 
4 350885-002 PAD,END,BOT-E150P 1 
5 338381-001 WARRANTY CARD,1/5YR,JBL 1 
6 351348-001 PLATE,LED/LOGO-E150P/E250P 1 
7 338125-002 ASY,LED-E150P/E250P 1 
8 336486-001 ASY,FOOT,PLSTC- E150P 4 
9 763-31110-40 SCREW, 8 X 2 1/2,TR,PH,PB,BLK ZINC,LCS  (FOOT) 4 
10 908302-012 SCREW, PB,HXS,#6x.75,ZINC     (LOGO PLATE) 4 
11 903802-016 SCREW, PB,HXS,#8x1",ZINC       (WOOFER) 8 
12 338127-002 ASY, WOOFER,10"           DCR 5.8 Ω 1 
13 336804-001 ASY, PORT TUBE 1 
14 351219-001 ASY, GRILLE, BLK, FRNT 1 
15 333249-003 CUP,GRILLE,TITANIUM,  (BEECH MODEL) (CHERRY MODEL) 4 
 333249-001 CUP,GRILLE (BLACK MODEL) 4 
16 351242-001 RING,TRIM,10"-E150P 1 
17 903401-012 SCREW, 6 X 3/4,PAN,PH,PB,BLK ZINC,LCS     (AMPLIFIER) 10 
 
131216
15761017
14
11
9
8
Amplifier – Not for SaleE150P 
Exploded View
9