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Speakers and electronics have
corresponding (+) and (–) termi-
nals. Most manufacturers of
speakers and electronics,
including JBL, use red to
denote the (+) terminal and
black for the (–) terminal. It is
important to connect both
speakers identically: (+) on the
speaker to (+) on the amplifier
and (–) on the speaker to (–) on
the amplifier. Wiring “out of
phase” results in thin sound,
weak bass and a poor stereo
image. With the advent of multi-
channel surround sound
systems, connecting all of the
Connection Tips
speakers in your system with
the correct polarity remains
equally important in order to
preserve the proper ambience
and directionality of the
program material.
If two SS88IWS subwoofers
are used, the wires for both
speakers should be the same
length. If one speaker is
placed closer to the amplifier
than the other, hide the excess
wire behind the wall. If bass
response seems low, there
may be a phase problem, with
the sound waves from the two
subwoofers canceling each
other out. If bass response
seems low, try inverting the
polarity on one subwoofer –
i.e., connect the (+) terminal on
the amplifier to the (–) terminal
on the speaker, and the (–) ter-
minal on the amplifier to the (+)
terminal on the speaker.
SPEAKER CONNECTIONS
4
To use the spring-clip-type ter-
minals on the SS88IWS loud-
speaker, press the colored tab
and insert the bare end of the
wire into the hole. Release the
tab and gently tug the wire to
ensure that it is secure.
To use the push-type terminals
on the connections panel sup-
plied with the optional
SS88IWSBB “back box” enclo-
sure, depress the colored cap
until the pass-through hole in
the binding post is revealed.
While holding the cap down,
insert the bare end of the wire,
or a banana plug, into the pass-
through hole. Release the cap
and tug gently on the wire to
ensure that it is secure.
Since the SS88IWS is a passive
loudspeaker, only speaker-level
connections are available.
Depending on whether you are
SS88IWS
L 1
L 2
L 3
L 4
BLK
GRN
BLK
ORN
J 1
C 1
C 3
C 2
+ OUT 2 –
+ OUT 1 –
C 4
J 2
+ IN 2 –
+ IN 1 –
– +– +
Receiver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs
Connection Method #1, Using One SS88IWS
(Remove Shorting Straps)
Left Right
– +
Front Left Speaker
– +
Front Right Speaker
Rear of SS88IWS
Wire Recommended
Length Size
Up to 20 ft. 16-gauge
Up to 30 ft. 12-gauge
Greater than 30 ft. 10-gauge
YEL/BLK
YEL
WHT/BLK
WHT
ORG/BLK
ORG
GRE/BLK
GRE
INPUT 1
INPUT 2
OUTPUT 1 OUTPUT 2
– + – + – + – +
– +– +
Receiver/Amplifier Speaker Outputs
Left Right
– +
Front Left Speaker
– +
Front Right Speaker
Connections Panel of
SS88IWSBB Back Box
Connection Method #1, Using One SS88IWS
With Back Box (Remove Shorting Straps)
SS88IWS OM 10/18/05 11:57 AM Page 4