JBL Ms 8 Service Manual

CTiONsEnglish
AUDIO OUTPUTS
Configurations
 
You can configure the MS-8’s eight outputs in a variety of ways, depending on the speakers that are 
installed in your vehicle. You can configure the MS-8 for a system with one-way (full-range), two-way or 
three-way front speakers, a one-way or two-way center speaker, side speakers, rear speakers and one 
or two subwoofers. Remember, however, that the total number of available channels is eight, so any 
combination of front, center, side, rear and subwoofer...

CONNe CT i ON s
To ensure proper polarity, connect each MS-8 positive (+) terminal to the respective 
“+” terminal on the speaker. Connect the negative (–) terminals in a similar way.
+
–+ +
+
– –
–
+ +
+
– –
–
+–
Left front
(tweeter) Right front
(tweeter)
Left front
(midrange) Right front
(midrange)
Left side (coaxial) Right side
(coaxial)
Left rear (coaxial) Right rear
(coaxial)
MS-8
main unit Speaker-output
wiring harness
Vehicle
Speaker System
Speaker Outputs
If you’ll use the MS-8’s built-in power...

e CT i ON s
NOTE: You can power some of the system's speakers by the MS-8's amplifiers and some by outboard 
amplifiers, but you should use only one connection type per output. For example, output channel 1 may use the 
MS-8's amplifer OR an outboard amplifier, but not both. Be sure to use the chart above to note which speakers 
are connected to which MS-8 channels.
+ –
++
– –
+
+
+
–
–
–
+ –
Left front
(Tweeter)
Left front
(midrange)
Left rear(coaxial)
Not
used
Speaker output wiring...

+ –
++
– –
+
+
+
–
–
–
+
–
Left front
(tweeter)
Left front
(midrange) Left rear
(coaxial)
Front
speaker
amplifier Rear
speaker
amplifier Subwoofer
amplifier
RCA
audio cables
MS-8 main unit
Ch. 8 is unused
in this example
Right rear(coaxial)
Subwoofer Right front
(midrange)
Right front
(tweeter)
Vehicle
Speaker  System
CONN e CT i ON s
Line Outputs
If you’ll be using additional outboard power amplifiers to drive your system’s speakers, connect their inputs to 
the MS-8’s line-output connectors. You can...

DISPLAY
Use the included 6m (19.7 ft) cable to connect the display unit to the MS-8’s main unit’s display connection. 
Insert the cable’s straight connector into the main unit and the right-angle connector into the display. 
NOTE: The display unit must be connected during setup but may be disconnected after setup and after 
you’ve made any additional adjustments in the Audio Controls menu (see Audio Controls Menu, on page 36). 
If the display unit is disconnected after setup and final adjustment, you...

CONNe CT i ON s
After downloading a firmware upgrade into your PC, remove the sticker and connect the 
Update port to a USB port on your PC. Follow the directions that accompany the upgraded 
firmware to upload the new firmware from your PC to the MS-8.
REMOVE
FOR
SOFT WARE
UPD ATE
UPDATE
Use the Update port only for firmware upgrades. We have covered it with a sticker that you should leave in 
place until you are ready to install a firmware upgrade that you will download from www.JBL.com.
16...

Usi NG   T he  re MOT e  CONT r
OL
Volume Up and Down buttons:  Pressing either of these buttons at any time (except during the 
setup/calibration process) will display the MS-8’s  System Volume screen, allowing you to change 
the audio volume. The volume range is between –80dB and 0dB.
Navigation and select buttons:  Use the four navigation buttons (Up, Down, Left and Right) to navigate 
through the MS-8’s various setup and operation screens. The Select button selects or otherwise 
changes the state of...

Tr OUBL esh OOT i NG
If your MS-8 doesn’t seem to be working the way it should, read this section to 
see if the problem and possible solution are listed here. If, after you try all of the 
solutions listed here, the problem persists, contact JBL Customer Service at 
516.255.4JBL (4525).
POWer
s
OUN d
The power LED does not 
illuminate.
Symptom
Symptom Possible Cause
Possible Cause Solution
Solution
The power LED illuminates, 
but the display does not 
illuminate.
There is no sound in all 
channels....

Tr OUBL esh OOT i NG
sOUN d
Symptom
Possible Cause Solution
There is no sound in one or 
more channels.
The sound comes from the 
incorrect speaker.
Sound comes from only the 
left or right side speakers; or 
sound comes from only the 
front or rear speakers. The Balance and/or Fader 
controls are set all one way 
or another.
Use the MS-8’s System 
Levels screen to set the 
controls to their center 
positions. See Audio 
Controls Menu
, on page 35.
Incorrect output connection.
Incorrect channel...

sOUN d
The Aux input level is not 
properly set.
The source player’s volume 
control is set too low. Set the source player’s 
volume control to a higher 
level.
The source connected to the 
Aux input is too quiet or too 
loud.
The sound in all speakers is 
distorted. The MS-8’s System Volume 
control and the head unit’s 
volume control are not properly 
adjusted.
The MS-8’s Bass Control and/
or Graphic EQ bass bands 
are set with too much boost, 
combined with a high System 
Volume setting. Reduce the...