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Illustrates how to connect speakers and audio sources to the unit.
Diagram for the Pro-Logic surround decoder IC.
Diagram for the digital delay IC.
Diagram for the quad bilateral switch IC.
Diagram for the quad operational amplifier IC.
Diagrams for the dual operational amplifier ICs.
Diagrams for the electronic volume control ICs.
The JBL ESC200 is a Dolby Pro-Logic® Surround Processor/Amplifier designed to enhance your audio experience, particularly for home theater systems. It functions as the central hub for processing and amplifying audio signals, delivering a surround sound environment.
At its core, the ESC200 processes audio signals using Dolby Pro-Logic® technology, which takes a stereo input and decodes it into multiple channels (front left, center, front right, surround left, surround right, and subwoofer). This creates an immersive sound field, making movies and music more engaging by distributing sound effects and dialogue to specific speakers around the listener. Beyond Pro-Logic, the device also offers various sound modes, including Stereo, Hall, and Concert, allowing users to tailor the audio output to different content types or personal preferences.
The amplifier section of the ESC200 is responsible for boosting the processed audio signals to drive a multi-speaker setup. It includes multiple power amplifier stages, each dedicated to a specific channel (front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, and subwoofer). This integrated design simplifies the setup by combining the processing and amplification functions into a single unit, eliminating the need for separate components. The device is equipped with input selection capabilities, allowing users to switch between different audio sources connected via RCA jacks.
The ESC200 offers a user-friendly interface with clearly labeled controls on its front panel. A prominent VOLUME control allows for easy adjustment of the overall sound level, enabling users to increase or decrease the volume as needed. For fine-tuning the soundstage, a dedicated CENTER control adjusts the volume of the center speaker, which is crucial for clear dialogue in movies.
Tone controls are provided for customizing the audio characteristics: the TREBLE control adjusts the level of high frequencies, while the BASS control manages the overall bass output. For an extra low-frequency punch, the BASS BOOST feature can be activated to increase the bass output specifically for the subwoofer.
To ensure a balanced sound distribution across the listening area, the ESC200 includes BALANCE controls. These allow users to adjust the relative strengths of the front and rear speakers, as well as the left and right speakers, ensuring that sound is evenly distributed and localized correctly within the surround field.
The device features several sound mode buttons:
Input selection is straightforward with the INPUT 1/2 button, which allows users to switch between two different music sources connected to the RCA input jacks. Finally, the POWER button serves to turn the ESC200 on or off, providing a simple means of controlling the device's operational status.
The ESC200 is designed to integrate seamlessly with various audio and video components. It provides speaker terminals for connecting front right, front left, center, right rear, and left rear satellite speakers, as well as a dedicated output for a subwoofer. Source connections are made via RCA jacks, typically for devices like stereo TVs, VCRs, or other audio equipment. For specific setups, an RCA Y-cable to a phone jack is included, allowing connection to devices with headphone outputs. The system also comes with all necessary speaker wires and RCA cables for a complete setup.
While the manual primarily focuses on operational aspects, it implicitly suggests several maintenance considerations through its design and included components. The "ESC200 Unit Exploded View" and "Parts Lists" sections provide a detailed breakdown of internal components, which is invaluable for authorized service technicians. This includes information on various PCBs (Main PCB, Keypad PCB, Display PCB), integrated circuits, capacitors, resistors, and transistors. Such detailed documentation supports troubleshooting and component replacement, ensuring the longevity of the device.
The inclusion of specific part numbers for fuses (e.g., 120V FUSE 3A GMA TYPE, 230V FUSE 1.6A GMA TYPE) indicates that fuse replacement is a standard maintenance procedure for power protection. The presence of heat sinks for the amplifier and regulator components (e.g., HEAT SINK for 7805, HEAT SINK for 7809) highlights the importance of proper thermal management. Ensuring these heat sinks remain clear of obstructions and dust is crucial for preventing overheating and maintaining optimal performance.
The manual also lists rubber feet as a component, which are important for stability and vibration dampening. Over time, these might need replacement if they wear out or detach. The remote control, a key usage feature, requires a 1.5V AAA battery, indicating that periodic battery replacement is a user-level maintenance task.
Overall, the ESC200 is designed for straightforward use and offers comprehensive internal documentation for professional servicing, ensuring its continued functionality within a home theater setup.
General| Input Sensitivity | 1.1V |
|---|---|
| Input Impedance | 20kΩ |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | >100dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | >100dB |
| THD | <0.05% |
| Power Output | 200W per channel at 4Ω |
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