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Century Gold
LIMITED EDITION
LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM
A NEW STANDARD FOR A NEW CENTURY
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G N 5 I 0 T A Y final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:15 PM Page 13 Century Gold Loudspeaker System This certifies that this Century Gold is a Limited Edition Reference Bookshelf Loudspeaker System, in celebration of JBL’s 50th Anniversary. Genuine JBL Greg Timbers Senior Acoustic Engineer R E B A E R L S E C
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G N 5 I 0 T A Y final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:15 PM Page 16 JBL is part of the Harman International family of audio companies, a group with a common purpose: combining technology with a love of music to manufacture audio products that provide new levels of satisfaction, perfor- mance and value. To promote diversity and creativity, JBL operates independently in research and development. When it comes to translating the results of these efforts into actual consumer and professional products, JBL dr
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 2 JBL wishes to thank you for selecting the Century Gold loudspeaker system. While the Century Gold loudspeakers are a new development, the ideas behind them go back to the earliest days of JBL. This system is a definitive expression of JBL’s quality and craftsmanship. We have spared no effort, overlooked no performance factor necessary to produce the most accurate loudspeaker possible. The attention to detail extends to the enclosure. The woodworking com-
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 3 The Limited Edition Century Gold Bookshelf Loudspeakers set a new standard for a new century. JBL combines the most advanced technology with a classic JBL design. These speakers continue the longstanding tradition of precise studio monitor sound for which JBL is famous. You will enjoy the benefits of pure titanium dome high-frequency transducers, cast-frame low-frequency transducers with vented pole pieces, and JBL’s ™ proprietary Symmetrical Field Geome
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 6 Figure 2 Century 500 Mid-Frequency Transducer Mid-Frequency Transducer 0.4" (11mm) long, The Century Gold also features an all-new 5" (127mm) mid-frequency Rubber/vinyl 2" (50mm) surround diameter edgewound transducer developed specifically for the Century Gold (Figure 2). The aluminum voice coil for high linearity and power handling voice coil is 2" (50mm) in diameter and wound on edge from flat aluminum ™ ribbon wire to a depth of preci
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 7 Dividing Networks The job of the dividing network is to distribute the various frequencies to their respective transducers. The network is also designed to complement component location on the baffle. Slopes are chosen to match the exact response of each driver in its respective frequency range, as well as to ensure that the high-frequency transducers are adequately protected from dangerous low-frequency components. For the Century Gold system, we chose
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 10 Figure 4 Battery Installation Battery Replacement The battery should be replaced approximately every 2 years. This is BI-AMP accomplished as follows: BATTERY NORMAL/ BI-WIRE • Unscrew the two screws that hold the battery access cover in place. It JBL INCORPORATED 8500 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA USA is located on the upper portion of the dividing network, on the rear of High Frequency the speaker enclosure (Figure 4). Low Frequency • Write today’s dat
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:15 PM Page 11 Figure 5 Placement Placement Position Top View Ideally the systems should be placed at least three feet from any walls. The height, at the top of the midrange, should be at ear level. The two speakers 3' 3' 3' should be equidistant from your primary listening position; the distance should be determined by the distance between the speakers. We recommend 10 – 15 10 – 15 that the angle between the speakers, at the listening position, be between 45° to 60°
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:15 PM Page 12 Figure 6 Connections Speaker Connections Bare Wire Connecting Method The Century Gold loudspeakers can be connected by one of several methods. The binding posts on the rear panel of the Century Gold will accept most types of audio cable and connectors, including banana plugs and bare wire (Figure 6). Follow the hookup method that best describes your system. Standard Connections (Figure 7) Banana/Spade Connecting Method 1. For each channel, connect th
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 9 Bi-Wiring The Century Gold’s outer connection panel and internal dividing network are designed so that separate sets of speaker cable can be attached to the low-frequency transducer and midrange/high-frequency transducer portions of the dividing network. This is called bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can provide several sonic advantages and considerably more flexibility in power amplifier selection. The advantages of bi-wiring are as follows: Reduction of Intermodul
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 8 Figure 8 Bi-Wire Connecting Method Bi-Wiring Connections Figures 8 through 10 show two bi-wiring options, single stereo amplifier AMP NORMAL/ BI-WIRE and dual stereo amplifier modes. For passive and bi-wire connections, set the switch to the Normal/Bi-Wire position (Figure 8a). Important 1. The external “strapping bars” that normally connect the Century Figure 8a Normal/Bi-Wire Position Gold’s low-frequency and high-frequency terminals must be removed be
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 5 Figure 12 Bi-Amp Connecting Method Bi-Amping Connections AMP The optimal method of powering the Century Gold system is with NORMAL/ BI-WIRE two amplifiers, one for low frequencies and one for the mid/high frequencies. It is necessary to use a high-quality active crossover module. Since each amplifier only drives a limited frequency range, this method allows the user to select amplifiers with the desired sonic character for low and high frequencies. Make s
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 4 Maintenance and Service The Century Gold loudspeaker systems have an oiled finish. Cleaning should be done with an untreated dust cloth. Do not use conventional furniture waxes and polishes, which are not designed for oiled finishes. If touch-up is necessary or the finish appears to be drying out, the surface may be re-oiled with a commercially available oil-finishing preparation. Do not use any solvents on the finish. The grille may be gently vacuumed. Stai
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:14 PM Page 1 System Specifications Frequency Response: 50Hz – 20kHz ±1.5dB 38Hz – 22kHz – 6dB Sensitivity: 90dB for 2.83V @ 1 meter Recommended Maximum 200 watts continuous Power Handling: 800 watts peak Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms Crossover Frequencies: 600Hz, 2800Hz Low-Frequency Transducer: Century 1200 Mid-Frequency Transducer: Century 500 No. High-Frequency Transducer: 050 Gold 13 Internal Volume: 1.8 cubic feet Tuning Frequency: 32Hz Dimensions (HxWxD): 26-1/2 x
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final cg om 5-15 7/20/98 1:15 PM Page 15 Table of Contents Introduction 2 Low-Frequency Transducer 3 Mid-Frequency Transducer 4 High-Frequency Transducer 4 Dividing Networks 5 Battery Replacement 6 Placement 7 Speaker Connections 8 Maintenance and Service 12 System Specifications 13 Declaration of Conformity We, JBL Europe A/S Kongevejen 194B DK-3460 Birkerød DENMARK declare in own responsibility, that the loudspeakers JBL Consumer Products described in this owner’s manual are in compliance wi
