JBL SYNTHESIS SMA-8300 Owner's Manual

8 & 4-channel bridgeable class d amplifier

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SMA-8300

SMA-4750

8 & 4-Channel Bridgeable Class D Amplifier

Owners Manual

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Page 2: Important Safety Instructions
IMPORTANT Safety Instructions Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Page 3 Table of Contents Safety Instructions ..............................2 Introduction ................................5 What’s in the Box ..............................5 Front Panel Overview .............................. 6 Rear Panel Overview .............................. 7 Installing the Amp ..............................8 Unpacking ................................8 Additional Materials ............................. 8 Rack Mounting ..............................8 Hardware Setup ..............................
Page 4 Bridge Mono Mode .............................28 System Settings ..............................29 Lighting / Display Options ...........................29 Security / Front Panel Lockout ..........................29 Power Modes ..............................30 Diagnostics .................................31 Network Settings ..............................32 Dante / AES67 ...............................33 Configuring The Amp Using the Web Client ......................34 Accessing The Web Client To Configure The Amplifier Over A Network .............34 Monitor Page ..............................34 Routing And Mixing .............................35 Bridged Mode ..............................35...
Page 5 Please take the time to study the owner’s manual so that you can obtain the best possible performance from your amplifier. For more information and other languages, visit https://www.jblsynthesis.com/. Should further assistance be required feel free to contact JBL Synthesis technical support at the numbers below. Inside the US and Canada: +1 888.691.4171 Outside the US and Canada: +44 1707 668 012 What’s in the Box...
Page 6: Front Panel Overview
Front Panel Overview BACK BUTTON ENCODER MENU BUTTON Press this button to navigate back one level This encoder supports rotary and Pressing this button will enter the Main when navigating menus. pushbutton operation. It is used to navigate menu, where amplifier settings can be the menus and select on-screen options.
Page 7: Rear Panel Overview
Rear Panel Overview + BRIDGE – + BRIDGE – – CH1 + – CH2 + – CH3 + – CH7 + ETHERN E T DANTE/AES67 100Mb PRI MARY SE CONDARY 12V TRIGGER POWER INL ET + BRIDGE – + BRIDGE – –...
Page 8: Installing The Amp
Unpack your amplifier and inspect for any damage that may have occurred during transit. If damage is found, notify the shipping company immediately. Only you can initiate a claim for shipping damage, though JBL will be happy to help as needed. If the product arrived showing signs of damage, save the shipping carton for the shipper’s inspection.
Page 9: Hardware Setup
Hardware Setup CONNECTING THE AC POWER CORD Connect your amplifier to the AC mains power outlet using the supplied AC power cord. First, connect the IEC end of the cord to the IEC connector on the amplifier. Then plug the other end of the cord to the AC mains. The third (ground) prong of the supplied AC power cord connector is a required safety feature.
Page 10 7. Do not operate the amplifier with less than the rated load impedance. Due to the amplifier’s output protection, such a configuration may result in premature clipping and speaker damage. REMEMBER: JBL/ HARMAN is not liable for damage that results from overdriving other system components. © 2025 Harman International...
Page 11: Wiring Input Connectors
10 AWG for your output connectors When using bare wire, JBL recommends that output wiring is tinned. To reduce strain on input and output wiring, horizontal lacer bars such as the Middle Atlantic® part# LBP-4R90 are recommended.
Page 12: Menu Structure
Configuring the Amp Using the Front Panel Display The SMA amplifiers can be configured in two ways: via the Web UI, and via the front panel display. While both methods are sufficient, setup using the Web UI is recommended as it tends to be more efficient. MENU STRUCTURE This diagram shows the high-level SMA-8300 &...
Page 13: The Home Screen
THE HOME SCREEN The Home Screen (shown below) is the first screen displayed in the amplifier’s front panel display once the amplifier has completed the boot sequence. This diagram illustrates how to navigate the menu from the Home Screen using the front panel display. Home Press MENU to Screen...
Page 14: Adjusting Channel Volume
ADJUSTING CHANNEL VOLUME Channel volume can either be controlled globally or independently per channel. The volume range is from -80dB to 0dB. The minimum/maximum global volume limits are governed by the channel with the highest or lowest volume setting. For gain structure purposes, it is important to note that volume adjustment occurs at the end of the DSP signal chain and before output limiting.
Page 15 INPUT SOURCE / MIXING Home Conﬁgure Ampliﬁer Input Source / Mixing Screen The amplifiers ship from the factory with each output channel sourced from its respective analog input (analog input 1 goes to output 1, analog input 2 goes to output 2, etc.). To edit Input Source / Mixing settings: INPUT SOURCE/MIXING From the Home screen, press the MENU button.
Page 16: Input Setup
INPUT SETUP Input sensitivity selects the input voltage level that’s required to generate a full-rated, amplified output. One way that this feature may be used is to match input levels between balanced and unbalanced connections. Input Gain, on the other hand, is used to make additional adjustments beyond what input sensitivity can do. NOTE: Input settings will also affect Dante / AES67 signal flow.
Page 17: Output Setup
OUTPUT SETUP SMA Series amplifiers are extremely capable and flexible. In the Output Setup menu, the following items can be adjusted: • Hi-Z/Low-Z on an individual channel basis (SMA-8300 must be bridged to support HiZ) 70Vrms or 100Vrms operation • Channel assignments - Any input can be sent to any amplifier output •...
Page 18 Home Conﬁgure Ampliﬁer Output Setup Output Fader Linking Screen Output Fader Linking OUTPUT BRIDGING OUTPUT FADER LINKING • From the Home screen, press the MENU button Link Ch 1 and Ch 2: Select the "Configure Amplifier" option from the • Link Ch 2 and Ch 3: menu using the ENCODER.
Page 19: Speaker Tunings
If applicable, additional prompts will appear to allow selection of the specific speaker model and additional • options • Repeat for any additional channels NOTE: For active bi-amp configurations with the JBL Synthesis SCL-1, please refer to the SCL-1 owner’s manual © 2025 Harman International Table of Contents...
Page 20: Dsp Setup
DSP SETUP From the DSP Setup menu, input level, PEQ, crossover, delay, and limiter settings can be adjusted to optimize the loudspeaker performance. To easily optimize DSP settings for a particular JBL Synthesis Custom Loudspeaker (SCL) model, see the “Speaker Tunings”...
Page 21 Delay The amplifiers have an Input Delay (pre-crossover) and Output Delay (post-crossover) DSP module for each channel. The Output Delay can be used to time-align the various drivers in a multi-way speaker system or for close- proximity zone delay (to compensate for the slap-delay artifacts caused when bleed from an adjacent channel is audible).
Page 22 PEQ (Parametric EQ) Input and Output PEQs are available. Each PEQ section contains 8 configurable biquads. The Output (post- crossover) PEQs are typically used for speaker tuning settings, and the Input (pre-crossover) PEQs provide additional EQ filtering for the system if required. To edit PEQ settings manually: INPUT PEQ •...
Page 23 Crossover Crossover filter settings can be edited from the Crossover screen. Crossover filters are used to restrict the range of frequencies sent to a loudspeaker or driver for protection and sound optimization. OUTPUT CROSSOVER CH 1 / 8 To edit crossover settings manually: •...
Page 24 Limiter (LevelMAX™) Limiters are used to set a "ceiling" on the output level to protect drivers from over-excursion. The thermal limiters in the amplifiers can also protect against thermal driver failure (overheating). For advanced users, LevelMAX can be configured manually using the information found in this guide.
Page 25: Device Presets
A device preset can be used to configure the amp for a specific application and speaker model. For example, you may wish to use one device preset that optimizes the DSP settings for a JBL Synthesis bi-amplified speaker whilst using another preset for a pair of loudspeakers with different characteristics. Subtle changes can also be made between device presets, such as a change of input channel assignments.
Page 26: Load Preset
LOAD PRESET To load a device preset from the front panel: LOAD PRESET From the Home screen, press the MENU button • • Select the "Configure Amplifier" option from the PRESET: Default menu using the ENCODER Last applied preset:’Default ’ Select the "Load Preset"...
Page 27: Application Examples
Application Examples SINGLE-ENDED MODE Typical input/output wiring is shown in the image below. INPUTS: Connect the input wires for each channel. See "Wiring Input Connectors" for further information on analog input wiring. If an input signal is intended to drive multiple outputs, it can be routed as such using the procedure in the “Input Source / Mixing”...
Page 28: Bridge Mono Mode
See "Output Setup" for information on configuring an output pair for bridge mono operation. System Wiring in Bridge Mono Mode (JBL Synthesis SSW-1 shown) NOTE: Always route the input and output wires in separate bundles. © 2025 Harman International...
Page 29: System Settings
System Settings LIGHTING / DISPLAY OPTIONS Home System Settings Lighting/Display Options Screen These options can be used to turn off the front panel LCD. LIGHTING/DISPLAY OPTIONS To Edit Lighting Options: From the Home screen, press the MENU button • DISPLAY TIMEOUT: Always On •...
Page 30: Power Modes
POWER MODES Home System Settings Power Modes Screen To Edit Power Mode Settings: POWER MODES • From the Home screen, press the MENU button • Select the "System Settings" option from the menu SIGNAL SENSE using the ENCODER Select the "Power Modes" option from the menu •...
Page 31: Information Displayed
To Enter the Diagnostics Screen: OUTPUT BRIDGING DIAGNOSTICS Figure X: Diagnostics screen From the Home Screen, press the MENU button • DEVICE NAME: JBL-SMA-8 Select the "System Settings" option from the menu • using the ENCODER FIRMWARE: sma-1234 • Select the "Diagnostics" option...
Page 32: Network Settings
Network Settings Network settings can be configured from either the front panel display or the Web UI. DHCP is enabled by default, allowing the SMA amplifier to automatically obtain an IP address when connecting to an Ethernet switch or router with an active DHCP server, or when using Auto-IP.
Page 33 Dante / AES67 The Dante / AES67 page if for informational purposes only. It will show the status of the connection/links. To Enter the Dante / AES67 Screen: OUTPUT BRIDGING AES67 • From the Home Screen, press the MENU button PRIMARY LINK: Not connected Select the "DANTE / AES67"...
Page 34: Monitor Page
Configuring The Amp Using the Web Client This section of the manual describes how to configure the SMA amplifier for your application using the PC web client. This includes assigning input channels, editing internal routing and DSP settings, and configuring output settings.
Page 35: Bridged Mode
ROUTING AND MIXING The amplifiers ship with each output channel sourced from its respective analog input (e.g., analog input 1 goes to output 1, etc.) as shown below. A maximum of 2 input channels can be assigned and consequently mixed to each output channel by selecting the checkbox next to the intersection of the desired in/out combination.
Page 36 INPUT The INPUT page is designed to facilitate the configuration of parameters related to input channels, such as input gain, mute/unmute, input sensitivity, delay, and PEQ. Input Monitor Section 1. As seen in the figure to the right, the following parameters can be adjusted here: a.
Page 37 Setting the PEQ The DSP section includes 8 biquads for each channel that can be configured as the following filter types by using the “FILTER TYPE” drop-down menu: BELL LOW PASS 1ST ORDER LOW PASS 2ND ORDER LOW SHELF HIGH PASS 1ST ORDER HIGH PASS 2ND ORDER HIGH SHELF ALL PASS 1ST ORDER...
Page 38: Signal Type
OUTPUT & TUNING The OUTPUT & TUNING page is designed to facilitate the configuration of parameters related to output channels, such as gain, mute/unmute, polarity, impedance, delay, crossover, limiter, and PEQ. Output Monitor Section 1. As seen in the figure to the right, the following parameters can be adjusted here: a.
Page 39 To select which input channel to configure, simply click on the corresponding number in the “DSP” portion of the OUTPUT & TUNING page as shown below (Channel 1 is currently selected). Setting the PEQ The output PEQ also contains 8 biquads for use on each output channel. The instructions for configuring the output PEQ are identical to those of the input PEQ.
Page 40 Brand b. Market c. Series d. Model e. Usage 2. Regarding Usage: For active bi-amp configurations with the JBL Synthesis SCL-1, please refer to the SCL-1 owner’s manual © 2025 Harman International Table of Contents...
Page 41 SETTINGS The SETTINGS page is used to obtain information about your unit, configure system-level settings, and manage network and software details. The following items can be found on this page: • Amp ID information • Front Panel Display Settings • Power modes: •...
Page 42 Firmware Update Process Occasionally, a new version of firmware will become available. When this is the case, it is strongly recommended that you perform the update for your amplifier. You can perform the update via the “SETTINGS” page of the Web UI under “SYSTEM ACTIONS”...
Page 43 Firmware Update Process (continued) Click to choose a FW update file Click “UPDATE FIRWMARE” to begin the update The Update Progress Bar shows that the FW update has been sent to the amplifier Finally, the front panel display of the amplifier will show the actual firmware update process. The amplifier must be allowed to automatically reboot so that the firmware update can be completed.
Page 44 Reset The Reset function allows an SMA amplifier to be reverted to its default settings. When initiated, it will perform the following tasks: • Erase all user presets (this includes all user DSP and configuration settings) Reset all system settings •...
Page 45 When the amplifier is locked, there are several areas on the monitor page that will indicate such (as seen in the image below). To UNLOCK the amplifier using a PIN: 1. Click the “UNLOCK” button 2. Enter the PIN and click “UNLOCK” to unlock the amplifier ©...
Page 46: System Protection
Be sure that the load connected to the amplifier is within the 2.7-16 Ohms limit (5.4-16 Ohms in Bridge Mono mode). If wiring and load are verified as correct and the fault condition persists, contact JBL Synthesis technical support. If for any reason a loss of power occurs, the amp will return to its most recent state upon reboot.
Page 47: Troubleshooting
Input routing is not configured correctly for application. See "Input Setup” • If all else fails… • Contact an authorized JBL Synthesis dealer Contact JBL Synthesis technical support • © 2025 Harman International Table of Contents...
Page 48: Specifications
Specifications SMA-8300 Connectors Analog audio input 8x XLR (Balanced) Digital audio input (Dante/AES67) 2x RJ45 8x Binding Posts, accommodates 10AWG Speaker output wire, spade and banana termination 1x 3.5mm (in) 12VDC trigger control 1x 3.5mm (out) Network/monitoring/control 1x RJ45 Power Standard IEC Power (2 channels driven, 0.5% THD max) Rated Power (8Ω)
Page 49 SMA-4750 Connectors Analog audio input 4x XLR (Balanced) Digital audio input (Dante/AES67) 2x RJ45 4x Binding Posts, accommodates 10AWG Speaker output wire, spade, and banana termination 1x 3.5mm (in) 12VDC trigger control 1x 3.5mm (out) Network/Monitoring/Control 1x RJ45 Power Standard IEC Power (2 channels driven, 0.5% THD max) Rated Power (8Ω) 750W...
Page 50 POWER DRAW AND THERMAL JBL Synthesis SMA-8300 Single Ended Mode 120V AC/60Hz 230V AC/50Hz Condition Load Line Power Dissipated as Heat Line current Power Dissipated as Heat current (amps) watts kcal/hr watts kcal/hr (amps) At Idle Awake 0.634 66.3 57.0 0.434...
Page 51 DIMENSIONS [88.9mm] 3.50” [482.6mm] 19.0” [432.6mm] [432.6mm] 17.0” 17.0” © 2025 Harman International Table of Contents...
Page 52 UK Business Address: Ground Floor, Westside 2, London Road, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9TD, United Kingdom. © 2025 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. JBL is a trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated in the United States and other countries.

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