JBL 500GTi User Manual

Welcome to Club GTi  
About This Manual  
Thank you for purchasing the finest  
automotive woofer/midrange JBL has ever  
produced. As a GTi Competition Series  
Because of the performance capability  
of your GTi Competition Series product,  
and the variety of potential system  
owner, you are a member of a select group configurations, we strongly recommend  
of people who enjoy the most advanced  
mobile audio products available. We call  
this group “Club GTi.” By sending in the  
customer information card, which you will  
find attached to your warranty, we will  
automatically register you as a Club GTi  
member which will give you access to  
exclusive Club GTi apparel and other  
special offers we will make available from  
time to time. We suggest you fill the card  
out at your earliest convenience.  
that you have the system professionally  
installed. You will also get a better warranty  
if your equipment is professionally installed  
by an authorized GTi dealer and you have  
your warranty card stamped. This manual  
provides information on installation and  
usage to help a skilled technician get the  
most from your GTi Competition Series  
product. This manual does not cover basic  
information about installation which is  
common knowledge to a professional  
installer, except for information which is  
unique to the 400 and 500GTi Midranges.  
If you feel you possess the necessary  
skills, and prefer to install the equipment  
yourself, this manual will provide you with  
the necessary specifics to properly use the  
400 or 500GTi in typical installations.  
Consult your JBL dealer, or a qualified  
technician, for more information.  
Also, be sure to save your sales  
receipt in a safe place. It will be necessary  
to use this document as proof of purchase  
in the event that you ever need warranty  
service. It is also useful for insurance  
purposes and for establishing value when  
you re-sell your vehicle.  
3
Wire High Temperature Fiberglass Voice  
Coil. This voice coil uses lightweight  
aluminum wire to maintain the agility to  
reproduce high frequencies while its large  
diameter assures extremely high thermal  
power handling.  
Autosound at its Best  
Designing Your System  
The 400 and 500GTi’s are built to  
meet the same rigorous standards of  
construction and performance that have  
long established JBL’s renowned home  
and professional speaker systems. The  
400 and 500GTi Woofer/Midranges  
incorporate advanced JBL woven Kevlar  
cones which are especially suited to the  
unique acoustic and environmental  
conditions which characterize automotive  
sound. The 400 and 500GTi are  
The availability of separate  
components makes a variety of system  
designs possible. Because of their small  
size, the 400 and 500GTi’s are perfect for  
many different applications. The overall  
quality of any system design is a result of  
how well all of the components work  
together, not just the result of the  
performance of any one component.  
JBL GTi Series tweeter and subwoofer  
transducers are the ideal companion  
products to your 400 and 500GTi  
The cone motion of these high  
excursion designs is controlled by a  
Aromatic Polyamid Fiber Spider. This new  
material is able to control the 0.6" motion of  
the cone while maintaining musical  
accuracy because it is 3 times stronger  
than conventional spider materials.  
Treated Kevlar fiber cones are used  
because of their combination of low weight,  
high stiffness and resistance to resonances.  
The 400 and 500GTi Woofer/Midranges are  
topped off with a treated fabric inverted dome  
for smooth reproduction of high frequencies.  
What does all this technology add up  
to? A driver with flat frequency response,  
excellent off-axis response, and high  
output capability, all in a small and elegant  
package. The result is exceptionally  
smooth and detailed music reproduction to  
5kHz and clean sound that cuts through  
road noise.  
engineered to provide excellent frequency  
response low distortion, and high-power  
handling, in a minimum size.  
Woofer/Midranges. Each of the GTi  
Competition Series components is  
The small size of the GTi  
designed to complement the others to  
provide the highest performance with the  
simplest and most predictable system  
design. To use the 400 and 500GTi as the  
woofer/midrange transducers in a high  
quality system, we recommend you use  
either a high quality active crossover such  
as JBL’s GTX47, GTX4 or GTX2. If you  
prefer passive crossovers, we suggest a  
complete 408GTi or 508GTi system which  
includes the 08GTi Tweeter, 400 or 500GTi  
Woofer/Midranges is made possible  
through the use of a Neodymium magnet  
assembly with JBL’s Stray Field  
Containment Geometry. By preventing  
stray magnetic fields, this closed circuit  
magnetic assembly design concentrates  
the magnetic field on the voice coil where  
it provides superior performance. This high  
concentration of magnetic power is  
coupled to a 2" Edge-wound Aluminum  
4
Woofer/Midrange, and a laboratory-  
optimized crossover. The most popular  
system configuration is a hybrid using an  
active crossover for the subwoofer to  
midrange crossover point, and a passive  
crossover for the midrange to tweeter  
crossover. Your GTi Competition series  
dealer is uniquely qualified to help guide  
you on the best system configuration for  
your needs.  
2. The best center image will be  
achieved when the distance from the  
left speaker to your left ear is as equal  
as possible to the distance from the  
right speaker to your right ear. This is  
most easily achieved by placing the  
400 and 500GTi as far forward as  
you can.  
3. The best system integration is  
achieved when the woofer/midrange  
is mounted close to the tweeter.  
Installing the tweeter close to the  
woofer/midrange helps smooth the  
transition from woofer/midrange to  
tweeter at the crossover point.  
4. You will get the best frequency  
response when the path from the  
woofer/midrange and tweeter to  
your ear is unobstructed.  
Installation Warnings and Tips  
Be careful not to cut or drill into fuel  
tanks, fuel lines, brake or hydraulic  
lines, vacuum lines or electrical wiring  
when working on your vehicle. Inspect  
behind panels before you cut or drill.  
Be sure to check for clearance of  
window, cranks and linkages when  
mounting speakers in door panels.  
Do not use the 400 and 500GTi  
unmounted. Failure to securely mount  
this product could result in damage or  
injury, particularly in the event of an  
accident.  
Component Placement  
The location of each of the  
loudspeakers plays a vital role in achieving  
proper frequency response and spacious  
imaging. Because the 400 and 500GTi  
have an extremely wide and smooth  
dispersion pattern, excellent performance  
may be achieved in any vehicle. Because  
of the wide variety of vehicles, there is  
not one “right” way to locate the 400 and  
500GTi, however knowledge of the  
following considerations will help you get  
the most from your system:  
Do not mount the 400 and 500GTi  
where it will get wet.  
Always disconnect the ground wire  
from the battery before doing any  
work on the vehicle.  
5. Because of the high acoustic energy  
capability of the 400 and 500GTi, they  
must be securely mounted in a rigid  
panel which is free from resonances,  
rattles and air leakage.  
1. The most spacious stereo image is  
achieved when the 400 and 500GTi’s  
are placed as wide apart as possible.  
5
5. Replace the stock speaker panels.  
speaker which will align the grille logo  
in the desired orientation.  
2. Cut out the speaker hole at the  
mounting location. Drill 3 pilot screw  
holes using a 1/8" (3mm) drill.  
3. Run speaker wire to the hole location  
making sure that either an active or  
passive crossover is connected to the  
speaker.  
4. Put the speaker fabric displacement  
ring under the speaker as shown in  
Figure B.  
Mounting Instructions  
Pick a mounting location after reading  
the recommendations in the Component  
Location section of this manual.  
MOUNTING  
RING  
Mounting Speakers in  
Stock Hole Locations  
1. Access the stock speaker location and  
remove the stock speaker. The 400 and  
500GTi include mounting ring adaptors  
ADAPTOR  
which allow the speaker to be mounted in  
1
4
standard 4" and 5 / " holes respectively.  
5. Attach the included foam gasket to  
the rear mounting surface of the  
woofer/midrange. Connect the  
speaker wire to the speaker by either  
soldering (preferred) or using crimp  
terminals. Make sure to observe  
polarity when connecting wire to the  
speaker. The plus terminal is indicated  
by the red "W" marking.  
2. Attach the mounting ring adaptor to  
1
4
the stock location using four #8 x 1 / "  
screws as shown in Figure A.  
3. Attach the included foam gasket to  
the rear mounting surface of the  
Figure A  
Mounting Speakers in Custom Hole  
Locations  
woofer/midrange. Connect the speaker  
wire to the speaker by either soldering  
(preferred) or using crimp terminals. Make  
sure to observe polarity when connecting  
wire to the speaker. The plus terminal is  
indicated by the red "W" marking.  
1. Using the fabric displacement ring as  
a template, mark the location of the  
3 screw holes and the speaker cutout  
holes. Before cutting or drilling  
make sure that there are no car  
components, electrical wiring or any  
other items that could be damaged.  
Also choose an orientation for the  
6. Mount the speaker to the hole location,  
1
4
using three #8 x 1 / " screws and three  
shoulder washers as shown in Figure B.  
7. Push the grille down onto the speaker  
4. Mount the woofer/midrange driver to  
the mounting ring adaptor using three  
making sure the tabs match with the  
slots in the grille. Twist the grille about / "  
7
16  
#8 x / " screws and three shoulder  
1
2
washers as shown in Figure A.  
Clockwise to lock the grille into place.  
6
Logo Orientation on Grille  
to the amplifier. A minimum wire gauge of  
18AWG is recommended, with larger size  
wire suggested for runs longer than 10 feet.  
The polarity (the positive / negative  
orientation of the connections) for every  
speaker-to-amplifier connection must be  
consistent from left to right channel to  
assure proper imaging and optimum  
frequency response. This does not mean  
FABRIC  
The orientation of the logo on the  
grille relative to the grille frame can be  
adjusted. Simply remove the metal grille  
and reassemble the metal grille to the  
grille frame utilizing a different tab slot.  
DISPLACEMENT  
RING  
GRILLE  
FRAME  
tweeter  
JBL 08GTi  
AMPLIFIER  
Figure B  
midrange  
JBL 400GTi  
AMPLIFIER  
midbass  
JBL 600GTi  
ACTIVE  
X-OVER  
HEAD  
UNIT  
AMPLIFIER  
AMPLIFIER  
Note: The metal grille is designed so  
that it can be covered with grille cloth if  
desired. Simply remove the metal grille  
from the grille frame as shown in Figure C.  
Then use spray adhesive to glue and wrap  
the grille cloth to the metal grille. Push the  
metal grille with cloth back in the plastic  
trim ring. For even better interior matching  
it is also possible to use plastic compatible  
paint to match the grille frame to the  
vehicle’s interior.  
woofer  
JBL 1200GTi  
Figure C  
tweeter  
JBL 08GTi  
PASSIVE  
X-OVER  
HEAD  
UNIT  
AMPLIFIER  
METAL  
GRILLE  
midrange  
JBL 400GTi  
midbass  
JBL 600GTi  
Wiring  
Figure D  
Use 2-conductor stranded type,  
insulated wire to connect the 400 and  
500GTi to its crossover, and the crossover  
woofer  
JBL 1200GTi  
7
that the 400 and 500GTi should always be  
connected in the same polarity as the tweeter  
however. It is possible, that due to the  
difference in the distance the sound travels  
from the woofer/midrange to your ears  
compared to the distance from the tweeters in  
frequency operation, it should have its high  
and extremely low frequencies blocked by  
electrical means in order to achieve the best  
system fidelity and the widest dynamic range.  
For the best performance, we recom-  
perfect, it is advisable to keep your crossover  
points away from the range where your  
hearing is most sensitive. Therefore we  
recommend that you try to keep the high-pass  
frequency below 250Hz and the low-pass  
above 2500Hz. This lets the 400 or 500GTi  
reproduce the entire range of frequencies,  
covering the most important vocal and  
lead instrument fundamentals without a  
crossover point.  
mend that an active crossover with a  
a typical system, and the short wavelengths of minimum of 12dB per octave slope be used  
sound at the crossover frequency, that a  
connection where the tweeters are connected  
in reverse polarity from the other drivers in the  
system may actually result in better sound.  
Because there is no way to accurately predict  
this before installation, we recommend that  
you try the connection both ways, and leave it  
in the polarity that gives the smoothest audible tem imaging. You can fine-tune the crossover  
transition between the woofer/midrange and  
tweeter.  
for the transition point between the subwoofer  
and the 400 or 500GTi. The optimum  
crossover frequency for this transition is de-  
pendent on the specific components used, the  
vehicle, and other installation details. As a  
general rule, the crossover frequency should  
be as low as possible to achieve the best sys-  
If you prefer to use all passive  
crossovers, you will need to construct or  
purchase either a low-pass or band-pass  
filter for the midrange driver and match it  
to a high-pass filter for the tweeter. When a  
matched GTi Competition Series system  
is used, the best crossover choice is the  
laboratory-optimized, system-matched  
crossover which is included with the 408GTi or  
508GTi system. If you have not yet installed  
your components, we suggest that you  
consult your dealer for this system package.  
The most advanced system designs  
use active electronic crossovers such as  
the JBL GTX2, GTX4 or GTX47 at both the  
after the installation is complete for the best  
sound. A good place to start your tuning  
process is between 50Hz and 150Hz when  
using the 500GTi and between 80Hz and  
150Hz when using the 400GTi. In 4-way sys-  
tems using a midbass driver such as the  
600GTi, the crossover point may be raised  
higher without detrimentally affecting imaging  
as long as the midbass drivers can be  
System Connections  
There are a variety of system options  
available with the 400 and 500GTi. The  
simplest configuration is to use the 400 and  
500GTi connected in parallel to a tweeter  
which includes a high-pass crossover such as  
the 08GTi, GT03 or GT07. Because the 400  
and 500GTi is specifically designed for mid  
mounted reasonably close to the midranges.  
This higher crossover fre-quency will allow the subwoofer(or midbass) to woofer/midrange  
system to play louder. Since no crossover is transition point and at the woofer/midrange  
8
to tweeter transition. Set the high crossover  
frequency at or above 5kHz if a 12dB per  
octave crossover is used and at or above  
3.5kHz if you are using an 18 or 24dB per  
octave crossover. For safety, the maximum  
recommended amplifier power routed  
directly to the 400 and 500GTi Midrange is  
150 watts for the 400GTi and 200 watts for  
the 500GTi.  
best performance and system reliability, you  
should select an amplifier with an output rating exception to this is if the passive crossover  
improper setting of amplifier level controls. An  
greater than the maximum power likely to be  
used to generate the desired volume levels. If  
you want your system “Loud + Clear,” we  
suggest that you step up to a JBL power  
amplifier which has an RMS power rating  
equal to, but not exceeding, the Maximum  
Recommended Amplifier Power listed in the  
specifications of your specific JBL speaker.  
This margin of reserve power will ensure that  
the amplifier will not attempt to deliver more  
power than it’s design allows. Your dealer will  
be happy to point out which high power JBL  
amplifiers are optimum for your application  
and listening habits.  
components are mounted near a source of  
radiated noise, the network may pick-up this  
noise with sufficient power to drive the 400  
and 500GTi. For this reason, be careful not to  
mount any passive crossover components  
near wires carrying high currents such as  
battery cables or wires leading to ammeters  
or tachometers.  
A Note on Power Handling  
Distortion is usually the result of  
overdriving one or more components in the  
system. The problem is most likely insufficient  
amplifier power, or improper setting of gain  
controls. Refer to the instructions which came  
with the electronics for assistance. The 400  
and 500GTi will not play as loudly, or handle  
As a result of their high efficiency, all  
JBL loudspeakers will produce reasonable  
volume levels in the automotive environment  
using very little amplifier power. However, the  
use of a low-powered amplifier to attain very  
high volume levels could lead to overdriving  
the amplifier. This will generate high  
distortion levels which can easily damage  
loudspeakers, even if the rated power of the  
amplifier is below the rated maximum power  
handling of the loudspeaker!  
Following these guidelines will provide  
virtually distortion free sound reproduction and the full rated power, when used without a  
long loudspeaker life.  
high-pass crossover. When using the 400 or  
500GTi full-range, be careful to limit the  
volume level to that which can be reproduced  
without audible distortion from the speaker.  
If you want to talk to us about any  
problems, call JBL Customer Service at  
1-800-336-4JBL (4525) between 9AM and  
5PM eastern time.  
In Case of Difficulty  
The most common difficulties are noise,  
distortion, and intermittent connections.  
System noise is usually not the fault of  
the 400 and 500GTi. Hiss or “alternator  
whine” is most often the result of faulty  
grounding of the system electronics or  
As a general rule, do not turn up the  
volume control past the point where you hear  
distortion in the form of either signal distortion  
from an overdriven amplifier or mechanical  
noise from an overstressed speaker. For the  
9
Specifications:  
400GTi  
500GTi  
Frequency Response Without Crossover:  
80Hz – 5kHz  
60Hz – 5kHz  
Recommended Minimum High-Pass Crossover  
Frequency for Medium Power Operation:  
80Hz  
5kHz  
60Hz  
5kHz  
Recommended Maximum Low-Pass  
Crossover Frequency:  
Continuous Power Handling With 12dB Passive  
Network High Passed at Recommended  
Minimum Frequency:  
100 Watts  
150 Watts  
150 Watts  
200 Watts  
Continuous Power Handling With 12dB  
Passive Network High Passed  
at 150–200Hz (Midrange Operation):  
Continuous Power Handling With 18dB Per  
Octave High-PassActive Crossover at  
Recommended Minimum Frequency:  
150 Watts  
75 Watts  
150 Watts  
20 Watts  
89dB  
200 Watts  
100 Watts  
200 Watts  
20 Watts  
91dB  
Power Handling When Used Without High-Pass:  
Maximum Recommended Amplifier Power:  
Minimum Recommended Amplifier Power:  
Sensitivity (2.83 Volts / 1 Meter):  
Impedance:  
4 Ohms  
4 Ohms  
Dimensions:  
Overall Diameter (Mounting Tab to Frame Edge):  
Height:  
438" (111mm)  
218" (54mm)  
518" (130mm)  
238" (60mm)  
Mounting Depth:  
178" (48mm)  
218" (54mm)  
Cutout Size:  
334" (95mm)  
434" (121mm)  
Weight  
1 lb. 7 oz. (0.66kg)  
1 lb. 10 oz. (0.75kg)  
10  
Thiele-Small Specifications:  
Free Air Resonance (Fs):  
Electrical Damping (Qes):  
Mechanical Damping (Qms):  
Total Damping (Qt):  
400GTi  
500GTi  
125Hz  
100Hz  
0.52  
0.51  
5.17  
5.14  
0.47  
0.4  
Equivalent Volume of Compilance (Vas):  
Effective Cone Area (Sd):  
Center to Peak Linear Excursion (Xmax):  
Voice Coil DC Resistance (Re):  
Voice Coil Inductance (Le):  
Voice Coil Diameter:  
0.0388 cu. ft. (1.10 liters)  
(0.0060 m2)  
0.1059 cu. ft. (3.0 liters)  
(0.0092 m2)  
0.126 inches (3.2mm)  
3.4 ohms  
0.126 inches (3.2mm)  
3.4 ohms  
0.22mH @ 1kHz  
2 inches (51mm)  
0.400 inches (10.2mm)  
0.200 inches (5.1mm)  
6.2 T/M  
0.22mH @ 1kHz  
2 inches (51mm)  
0.400 inches (10.2mm)  
0.200 inches (5.1mm)  
6.2 T/M  
Voice Coil Length (Winding Length):  
Air Gap Height:  
BL Product:  
Effective Moving Mass (Mm):  
0.28 oz. (8.0 grams)  
0.32 oz. (9.0 grams)  
Note: The Thiele-Small specifications shown apply only after a break-in period of approximately 2 hours.  
JBL continually strives to improve its products. New materials, production methods and other refinements may result in a change from published  
specifications and description. The changes will equal or exceed the original specifications, unless otherwise stated.  
11  
NMGP/N:304364-001  
5/94  

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