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Thank you for purchasing JBL VTX Series products Of all the achievements JBL has made over the years, the VTX Series stands as a milestone in the practical application of creative engineering. The next generation in line arrays, VTX heralds a new era in performance, system integration and user friendliness.
VTX B18 | User Manual 2 - SAFETY Before using a JBL VTX Series system, please review the following for important information on safety and protection of your investment. 2.1 - SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Read these instructions Keep these instructions Heed all warnings...
For all other hardware and fittings, refer to the hardware manufacturer’s inspection and maintenance guidelines for process . JBL is not responsible for the application of its products for any purpose or the misuse of this information for any purpose. Furthermore, JBL is not responsible for the abuse of its products caused by avoiding compliance with inspection and maintenance procedures or any other abuse.
VTX B18 | User Manual 2.6 - SYMBOLS The following set of symbols are used in this document: CAUTION: This symbol gives notice of a potential risk of harm to the individual or the equipment. Instruction marked with this symbol must be strictly followed.
VTX B18 | User Manual 3 - SYSTEM COMPONENTS VTX B18 Fault Menu/Exit Thermal 1 2 3 4 Power Bridge 1/2 Clip Prev Bridge 3/4 Data DRIVECORE SERIES Signal Next Ready Fault Fault Thermal Thermal Power Bridge 1/2 Clip Clip...
VTX B18 | User Manual 4 - COMPA TIBLE ACCESSORIES The accessories listed below are compatible with the VTX B18. For more detailed information about the B18 accessories refer to the VTX B18 Rigging manuals found at www.JBLpro.com. 4.1 - VTX A8 AF - ARRA Y FRAME •...
VTX B18 | User Manual 4.4 - VTX A8 SB - SUSPENSION BAR • Compatible with VTX A8 and VTX B18 • Maximum Limit: 24 x VTX A8 / 16 x VTX B18 • Used for pull-back applications • Shackle Size: 5/8”...
10° rotation marks for horizontal array aiming TIP: For B18 specific accessories refer to the VTX B18 User and Rigging manuals found at www.JBLpro.com. CAUTION: Always use components and accessories specified and approved by JBL Professional. When a cart is used,...
5.2 - ARRA Y LINK JBL Array Link is a mobile companion app that works in conjunc- tion with JBL’s LAC software to assist with deploying JBL VTX Series systems. Array Link uses a QR code system to transfer all mechanical array information from the main LAC application to a mobile phone.
The VTX B18 is JBL Professional’s next-generation single 18” subwoofer, designed to complement VTX full-range sound reinforcement systems. The VTX B18 features JBL’s new 2288H 18” woofer, engineered for improved linearity, increased sensitivity and extra-long excursion. The 2288H is based on JBL’s Differential Drive, dual voice coil, dual-gap technology, which delivers better heat dissipation, lower power compression and wider dynamic range than con- ventional single-coil designs.
7 - CONNECTIONS The VTX B18 is equipped with four Neutrik NL4 SpeakON connectors, two at the rear for the cabinet and two at the front grill. All four NL4 connectors are wired in parallel and can be used interchangeably. The NL4 connectors at the front of the B18 are typically used when the B18s are setup in a cardioid configuration and when some of the enclosures are pointed backwards.
B18 subwoofers. When stacked in blocks of 2, 3 or 4, B18 cabinets can be configured in either front-firing or cardioid mode (the CVR soft cover can cover stacks of 2 or 3 B18s). The VTX B18 VT CVR, a reinforced protective cover, is available to cover and protect the subwoofers during transportation.
VTX B18 | User Manual 8.1 - ROT A TING THE DOLL Y T ABS - FOR USE WITH THE ACC DOLL Y There are two dolly tabs available at the front of the B18 that are used to secure the front face ACC dolly board to the B18. The tabs are retractable and ship from the factory oriented towards the inside of the B18.
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VTX B18 | User Manual STEPS: • Remove the 4 x Phillips screws holding each bracket, reverse the orientation of the brackets and reinstall the Phillips screws • Reconnect the Molex connector and secure the grill TOOLS REQUIRED: A 4mm HEX key is required to remove the four M6 screws holding the grill on the B18. A Phillips...
VTX full-range cabinets (like the VTX A8 or A12) are set to 80Hz, or when additional overlap between the full-range and subwoofer cab- inets is desirable. VTX B18 80 REAR: The 80Hz rear preset was designed to be work in conjunction with the stand B18 80 preset and used for rear-facing B18 cabinets in cardioid configurations.
10.1 - B18 USING CROWN I-TECH 12000HD When using Crown Audio I-Tech 12000HD amplifiers, up to four VTX B18 (2 x per channel) subwoofers can be powered per amplifier. Based on the B18 component resource requirements, this allows for optimum power-to-transducer ratio without compromising the maximum SPL capabilities of the system.
Cardioid configurations can be created using Crown Audio I-Tech 12000HD amplifiers. In this case, any one of the amplifier channels can be set for cardioid using JBL Performance Manager software application. Up to two forward or two rear facing B18s can be used per amplifier channel.
Based on the B18 component resource requirements, this allows for optimum power-to-transducer ratio without compromising the maximum SPL capabilities of the system. The example below illustrates how to connect 4 x VTX B18 cabinets to a 4-channel I-Tech HD amplifier using standard 4-conductor NL4 cables. The channel selection switch at the back of each B18 is used to assign each cabinet to the appropriate amplifier channel.
Channel Selection Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD CAUTION: Make sure the total number of VTX B18 enclosures per circuit / amplifier does not exceed the maximum number recommended. 10.5 - CROWN AUDIO V-RACK VTX series systems are compatible with the Crown Audio V-Rack 12000HD and Crown Audio V-Rack 4x3500HD touring racks. The number of supported cabinets per amplifier and wiring options remain the same as the Crown Audio I-Tech examples illustrated in this document.
The VTX B18 individually is an omni-directional subwoofer but a cardioid coverage can be achieved by physically reversing the orienta- tion of some of the B18 cabinets and selecting the appropriate amplifier preset.
3:1 ratio utilizes one rear facing B18 for every three front facing B18s. All configurations use the same cardioid amplifier preset (i.e. VTX B18 80 REAR) which means that the amount of rear rejection is controlled by the front-to-back ratio.
VTX B18 | User Manual 11.2 - MINIMUM SPACE BETWEEN CARDIOID ST ACKS When creating large subwoofer arrays using cardioid blocks of B18 subwoofers, some space should be allowed between the stacks to maximize rejection directly behind the array. As a minimum a distance of 1.5 meters (4.9’) between stacks should be allowed.
3 x Forward Facing B18s With the prober JBL preset, rear facing subwoofers, not only reject sound at the back of an array, but also positively contribute to the sound pressure at the front of the array. The contribution is not at the same rate as if all subwoofers were arranged facing forward but, they do contribute none the less.
Example 1 : 3x VTX B18 symmetrically arranged (front-rear-front) Example 2 : 3x VTX B18 in an asymmetric configuration (front-front-rear)
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VTX B18 | User Manual In some cases, none-symmetric arrays have to be used especially when the arrays are arranged in blocks of 4. In these cases, the pro- duced coverage is always biased towards one direction, but strategic selection of placement can help shape the coverage to the specific need.
B18. When B18s are grouped together on one amplifiers channel a common F/R switch is pre- sented for the group. Cardioid arrays created in the JBL Line Array Calculator application can be imported into Performance Manager and all cardioid parameters are maintained.
VTX B18 | User Manual 13 - ELECTRONIC DELA Y STEERING (EDS) When constructing large horizontal subwoofer arrays, the overall size of an array can have a negative impact on the subwoofer cover- age. The longer the array, the narrower the coverage. Electronic Delay Steering (EDS) is a technique used to alter the coverage angle of a given subwoofer array by applying a specific, pre-calculated delay value to each subwoofer enclosure.
VTX B18 | User Manual 13.2 - EDS EXAMPLE - WITH DELA YS To improve the coverage of this array (assuming a wider coverage is desirable), the delay calculation function of LAC-3 can be used to generate delay values for each B18 cluster and electronically alter the coverage of the array. The goal is the electronically curve the array for a predetermine angle, and “open”...
The DCR value of a transducer gives an accurate representation of its electrical state. Any mechanical defects are not character- ized by this test. Refer to the VTX B18 service manual for instructions on how to perform a rub-and-buzz test using a sine wave...
VTX B18 | User Manual 14.2 - USING PERFORMANCE MANAGER When in the field, the Test System Mode in Performance Manager can be used to test an A8/B18 system. This test method is quick and especially useful for determining whether all the speaker cables, including cabinet-to-cabinet NL jumpers, are properly functioning.
JBL continually engages in research related to product improvement. Some materials, production methods and design refinements are introduced into existing products without notice as a routine expression of that philosophy. 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.
Jupiter 2A Block, 4 Floor Marathahalli Ring Road Bangalore 560103, India +918049365905 www.harman.com Professional Contacts, Outside the USA: Contact the JBL Professional Distributor in your area. A complete list of JBL Professional international distributors is provided at our U.S.A. website: www.jblpro.com...