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JBL Professional
Ceiling Speaker Configuration Software
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Rev 1.1.0
DESCRIPTION
The JBL Pro CSC Ceiling Speaker Configurator provides first-pass information about which JBL Pro
ceiling speaker models can be used for various in-ceiling distributed applications to achieve target sound
levels in the most economical manner.
For music systems, the goal is to achieve the proper level of background or foreground music, as
determined by the application type. For paging systems, the goal is to achieve proper intelligibility by
allowing the level of the paging to exceed the ambient sound level by at least 10 decibels, which is the
generally accepted requirement for achieving proper speech intelligibility.
Based on the target sound level requirement as defined by the user-input information above, CSC compares
multiple possibilities of loudspeaker models that could be used, the required spacing for each depending on
its coverage, the total number of loudspeakers, and the cost of each system.
CSC reports which loudspeaker model will achieve the sound level goal at the lowest possible cost. If it’s a
70V/100V T-version speaker, it reports which tap to use for achieving the goal. It also approximates the
number of speakers required for a given floor space and lists the spacing between speakers.
For systems where subwoofers are desired, CSC can advise how many subwoofers are needed to add a
comparable amount of low frequency sound to match well with the main speakers.
Limitations of CSC Software vs. JBL’s DSD Software
With the information CSC provides, it is possible to select a JBL Professional in-ceiling loudspeaker model
and know the approximate the number of loudspeakers to use for a project. This can be very useful in a
sales situation where estimates need to be completed quickly, or as a first-step in a larger engineering
project to select some starting-point models to consider. However, CSC is an estimation tool. It is limited
to an edge-to-edge layout density and is based on very general floor area information. Listener height is
set at 4 feet (1.2 m) and is non-adjustable. Ceiling Height is selectable in whole feet or meters and
maximum ceiling height range of CSC is 20 feet (and 6 meters for metric setting). It is designed to suggest
the most cost-effective model to use for achieving the minimum requirements of the goal. Sound level
results are correct to within about ±2 dB.
By contrast, JBL Pro’s
free download DSD Distributed System Design software is an engineering tool.
DSD allows for more exacting computations utilizing additional specific information about the venue. It
looks at more factors, such as the aspect ratio of the room, and provides more exact engineering results,
such as exact placement locations. Listener height can be adjusted to match the application. However,
DSD requires the user to already know which model of JBL loudspeaker they want to use. Therefore, DSD
can be used after CSC, allowing the user to input the model of JBL loudspeaker that was selected by CSC
as being the most cost-effective way of achieving the goal, and then allowing the user to go through various
“what if?” design scenarios by choosing different loudspeaker models, taps settings, spacings, etc.
Bandwidth -- Note that neither the CSC or DSD programs take bandwidth (how much bass the speaker
produces) into consideration. Some loudspeaker models produce more bass than others. If the application
requires wide-bandwidth sound, then choose the speaker model that has a good bass response, or plan on
adding subwoofers (use the Subwoofer Calculator).