General Installation Notes; Connecting The Speakers To Amplification; Preparing The Hook-Up Wire - JBL SYNTHESIS SCL-1 Owner's Manual

GeneraL InsTaLLaTIOn nOTes

1. Identify all wiring connections to rear enclosure and to baffle network.
2. Choose from the wiring options (single wire, bi-wire, bi-amp) before installation.

COnneCTInG THe sPeaKers TO aMPLIFICaTIOn

To connect the Synthesis SCL-1 loudspeakers to power amplifier(s) or receiver, use two-conductor insulated speaker wire..
WIRE LENGTH RECOMMENDED SIzE
Up to 20 ft. 14-gauge
Up to 30 ft. 12-gaugue
Greater than 30 ft. 10-gaugue
The SCL-1 spring-loaded binding posts can accommodate up to #10 AWG stranded wire.

PREPARING THE HOOK-UP WIRE

1. Determine the distance between your amplifier and the most distant speaker in each group (fronts, surrounds,
rear surrounds).
2. Make the hookup wires for all speakers in each group this same length, even if one speaker is much closer to
your amplifier than the farthest one to maintain proper channel balance. Remember to make extra wires for bi-
amp or bi-wire usage should you opt for either method.
3. Run wires through walls to the mounting positions.
4. Strip off 3/8" of insulation from both ends of each conductor and twist each set of stranded wires into a tightly
bunched spiral.
5. Speakers and electronics terminals have corresponding positive (+) and negative (–) terminals. Most
manufacturers of speakers and electronics, including JBL, Inc., use red to denote the (+) terminal and black for
the (–) terminal. Please confirm before connecting.
It is important to connect all speakers identically: (+) on the speaker to (+) on the amplifier and (–) on
the speaker to (–) on the amplifier. wiring any one speaker "out of phase" (+ to - and - to +) to other
speakers in the system results in thin sound, weak bass and poor imaging.
Find a visual difference between the two conductors of each pair of speaker wires. Differentiating marks can be a
different color wire (copper or silver); a strand of yarn in one conductor; thin, raised ribs on one part of the outer
insulation; or a printed marking on one part of the outer insulation. It doesn't matter which of the two strands go to the
(+) and (–) on the speakers and amplifiers, as long as all speakers are connected identically positive (+) to positive (+),
negative (–) to negative (–) (Figure 8).
Receiver/Amplifier
(One Channel Shown)
Side View of SCL-1 with
Speaker Connection Panel
Figure 8
7