4
I
NTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of this JBL Synthesis
®
SDEC Digital Equalizer! You have chosen a product that
embodies the best of what JBL
®
has discovered about the emotional power of audio reproduction in more than sixty
years of preeminence in the field. This Digital Equalizer has been designed and crafted to provide the user with a
high level of sonic performance; special attention has been paid to minimize the number of components in the audio
signal path, resulting in extremely low distortion, excellent transient response and wide dynamic range. Synthesis
products set new benchmarks in audio technology, and, when used as part of a complete JBL Synthesis system,
will bring the ambience and acoustics of some of the world’s greatest concert halls and theaters into your home.
To obtain the best performance from this Digital Equalizer, please be sure to completely read this user’s manual
and use the SDEC Digital Equalizer only in accordance with its instructions.
From its inception, JBL Synthesis has been the answer to the questions: “How do you build a state-of-the-art
home theater system and make it sound superb in every installation? How can you be sure all the hardware is
compatible?” These were the big questions fifteen years ago; Synthesis was the answer. Once again, JBL Synthesis
moves beyond the competition and is the answer. The JBL Synthesis Digital Equalizer (SDEC) is a (up to) 12-channel-
in/20-channel-out 24-bit, 96kHz digital audio signal processor. Unlike nearly all other audio components on the
market, the SDEC has been designed to work specifically with other Synthesis System components. This narrow
application focus has allowed our engineers to design a product with far fewer compromises, resulting in
unequalled system performance. By reading the following pages, you will become familiar with the technological
features and unique capabilities incorporated within the SDEC and available nowhere else.
Until now, anything beyond the most basic equalization has been impossible without expensive acoustical instru-
mentation and the knowledge to use it. This is why, traditionally, equalizers have been general-purpose devices,
designed to be applicable to any audio system, usually of doing more harm than good! Add to this situation the fact
that equalizing a speaker system by ear is truly a futile exercise. This helps to account for the generally low
acceptance of equalizers outside of professional audio applications.
F
EATURES
• Up to 120 bands of fully parametric EQ
• Built-in crossover for bi-amp outputs (SDEC-4000 only)
• Delay adjustment for each output
• Delay adjustment for driver compensation
• Four subwoofer outputs (SDEC-4000 only)
• Two pairs of side speaker outputs for large rooms with multiple rows of seating (SDEC-4000 only)
• 24-Bit DSP
• 96kHz sample rate on all inputs and outputs
• Balanced or Single-Ended (unbalanced) inputs and outputs
I
NTRODUCTION AND
F
EATURES
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