JBL Speaker System DD66000 User Manual

Project EVEREST DD66000  
Project EVEREST DD66000  
Product Commentaries  
and User Guide  
Thank you for purchasing Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker system.  
Before using the system, please take time to read through this user guide to  
understand well on this product and also to use it properly.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
CHAPTER 1  
Preface  
JBL wishes to thank you for selecting a Project EVEREST DD66000  
loudspeaker system. It represents the sum total of our research and  
developmental efforts in sound reproduction over the last half century. We have  
labored to create a loudspeaker system with no acoustical or electrical  
limitations whatsoever. While the Project Everest DD66000 loudspeaker is  
itself a new development, the goal behind it goes right back to the earliest days  
of the original James B. Lansing Sound Company.  
But it is your listening pleasure that ultimately determines how successful we  
are in this endeavor. It is solely in the interest of ensuring a perfect listening  
experience that we ask you to faithfully follow the set-up and operation  
procedures outlined in the Project EVEREST DD66000 Owner’s Reference.  
This manual exists for several purposes.  
As your owner's manual, it contains all necessary background information and  
detailed instructions for setting up your Project EVEREST DD66000  
loudspeaker system, including unpacking the loudspeaker, selecting the correct  
location, speaker wire, wiring scheme and amplification, and connecting it up  
to its associated electronics. This information will be found in Chapters 4  
through 8. In addition, we have included a detailed description of your Project  
EVEREST DD66000 loudspeakers (Chapter 3) so that you may become  
thoroughly acquainted with its unique design and technological features.  
Although physically and materially imposing, the set-up procedure of the  
Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker system is relatively simple. We  
strongly urge you to read this manual thoroughly before you begin, and consult  
it frequently throughout the process. Considerations must be made in placing  
the speakers; their stature makes it imperative that you become familiar with  
the entire set-up process in advance.  
Also, we believe that the historical and technical information included will add  
immeasurably to your total enjoyment of the loudspeaker system. As a  
loudspeaker, Project EVEREST DD66000 is unparalleled in the field of sound  
reproduction. The story and principles behind it are an interesting, informative  
and fitting precursor to a lifetime of musical enjoyment.  
 
CHAPTER 2  
Legacy - the historical development of the JBLProject loudspeakers  
Of those few who seek perfection in sound reproduction, only a handful have  
actually achieved it. The price is always high. It is a rare occurrence indeed  
when an individual or group is able to triumph over the constraints of economic  
and technological reality just once.  
At JBL, this has happened eight times. In each case, its engineers were told to  
build the speaker system they had always wanted to build. Whatever resources  
were required would be made available. Thus began an ongoing investigation  
into new frontiers of sound reproduction, beginning mid -century in 1950 and  
continuing to the present day.  
The products that have resulted fromthis venture are now known as the JBL  
Project loudspeakers. Each represents the absolute peak of every technological,  
material and engineering innovation available at that time, combined into a  
single system. They are Hartsfield, Pragon, Everest DD55000, K2 S9500/7500,  
K2 S5500, K2 S9800, and K2 S5800. The newest is EVEREST DD66000.  
Although differing in performance details and physical attributes, each of the  
Project loudspeakers has shared a common objective: to elevate sound  
reproduction to levels defined only by the limitations of existing materials and  
technology. And despite a spread of nearly sixty years, all Project loudspeakers  
have shared many common features testimony to their foundation on the  
technology and manufacturing techniques upon which JBL was built.  
Defining the Project Concept  
The Hartsfield began a tradition at JBL that continues today. First, engineer a  
product as close to perfection as possible. When it reaches that level, that is the  
time to make it better.  
In 1954, the Hartsfield was significant not in that it represented new technology,  
but rather a new level of the all technical manufacturing approach pioneered by  
James B. Lansing some twenty years before it. Like its Project series  
successors, it was a high efficiency system incorporating compression driver  
technology, one combining the qualities of high output, low distortion,  
exceptional stereo imaging and fatigue-free listening. Most important, it was  
the first consumer-available listening system to do so.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
In this respect, Project EVEREST DD66000 is at once the most advanced and  
sophisticated loudspeaker in the world today and a speaker whose technology  
is deeply rooted in over 60 years of tradition. JBL's president in 1954, Willia m  
Thomas, described the Hartsfield as "...the speaker system we have always  
wanted to build ... the finest components ever made available to serious  
listeners . "  
He went on to describe the process behind his creation: “Most people who own  
and appreciate fine sound reproduction equipment look forward to the day  
when they will be able to assemble a system without limitation in just exactly  
the way they think it should be done. Periodically a manufacturer gets this same  
feeling ... The science of acoustics has provided us with basic  
principles-available to all for achieving precision reproduction. It is only a  
matter of incorporating these methods into a system design, and then taking  
every bit of trouble necessary to build a system precisely to the design.”  
"It isn't easy, but that's the way it is done . "  
The Ranger-Paragon, JBL's second Project system, was the first serious  
attempt at a reflecting speaker system, and broke ground in the new concept of  
stereo imaging. Essentially two independent full-range speaker systems  
installed in a handsome curved cabinet nearly 9 feet (2.7 metre) long, the  
Paragon's enclosure was treated as an extension of its transducers. In essence,  
the system had its own "built-in acoustics." In many respects the Paragon  
anticipated loudspeaker developments that would occur years-and even  
decades -later. This “built-in acoustics” concept is inherited in the latest Project  
EVEREST DD66000.  
For nearly 30 years, the Paragon remained the most acoustically viable sound  
system for the home. Today, along with the Hartsfield, it is still the most  
sought-after speaker in the world.  
In 1986, JBL introduced a new Project system that retained the Paragon's  
overall sense of musicality while upgrading its character by incorporating three  
decades' worth of continuous development in every facet of its design. Its name  
reflected the pinnacle of achievement it represented: Project Everest. This was  
the original Project EVEREST DD55000.  
For the first time, the rest of the sound reproduction chain - and not the  
loudspeaker or its transducers - would impose limits on overall system  
performance. Like the Paragon and Hartsfield, Project Everest was built  
around compression driver technology and addressed a more refined stereo  
image than was previously considered technically feasible.  
 
Since Project Everest was introduced, sound recording and playback  
technology has undergone a revolution of its own. With the advent of CD,  
extremely demanding recorded signals had become the rule rather than the  
exception - the average source material used by the typical audio enthusiast had  
become superior to the best demonstration materialof even just a few years ago.  
In overall dynamics and transient response, transducers are once again a  
potential weak link in the high-end audio reproduction chain.  
It was in this environment that JBL set out to create its fourth and fifth Project  
loudspeakers, K2 S9500 and K2 S5500. As with Hartsfield, the puritan  
simplicity of a two-way system was considered the most promising design  
track. Advances in transducer design and low frequency alignment would make  
the construction of a two-way system of unprecedented physical and acoustical  
scale possible. Engineers took the core components - the low and high  
frequency drivers - and optimized them by redesigning their magnetic  
structures, diaphragms and framework for greater linearity, dynamic capability  
and transient response.  
In the years following the introduction of the K2 S9500 and K2 S5500, sound  
reproduction technology underwent another series of revolutionary changes,  
with the introduction of DVD-Video, Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-Audio, and  
Super Audio CD (SACD). Frequency responses to 50 kHz and 3-digit dynamic  
range and signal-to-noise ratios have now become commonplace. In order to  
faithfully reproduce such robust sonic properties, the loudspeaker needed to  
undergo drastic improvements to its transducer, network and enclosure  
technologies .  
The new K2 S9800 employed a 3-way design, incorporating an Ultra High  
Frequency (UHF) compression driver and horn to reproduce high frequencies  
up to 50 kHz. With the UHF handling the high frequencies, the High Frequency  
(HF) transducer could then be upgraded to a new design using a 3 inch  
diaphragm for better reproduction of lower frequencies and better blend with  
the woofer than the older generations’ 2-inch diaphragm. Both compression  
drivers utilized newly developed Beryllium diaphragms to provide the lowest  
distortion and flattest frequency response possible.  
In order to recreate the extremely high dynamic range provided by today’s  
audio sources, a brand new low frequency transducer was developed from  
ground up, utilizing an Alnico magnet, 4-inch edge wound Voice Coil, and a 15  
inch cone. Extensive computer-aided engineering and design effort made to  
develop the optimized port tuning employed in Project K2 S9800 has resulted  
in a significant advance in the concept of state-of-the-art acoustic reproduction.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
As an outcome of the K2 development, a loudspeaker system with higher  
sensitivity and wider dynamic range became reality without power compression  
or distortion even at an extremely high drive level.  
The development of the Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker system was  
th  
started as a celebration of JBL’s 60 Anniversary and as a realization of the  
above-mentioned potentials . The solemn personality of the Hartsfield,  
exceptional wood-craftsmanship of the Paragon, “built-in acoustics” which  
considers the enclosure as an extension of transducers , and the state-of-the-art  
transducer technologies that were build up from two generations of the Project  
K2 developments are poured into this new challenge to the acoustical and  
electrical limitations in the second model of the Project Everest.  
Despite its power and sophistication, Project EVEREST DD66000 is a marriage  
of tradition and technology. It reflects the design, material, engineering and  
manufacturing expertise derived and refined through nearly six decades of  
experience that are the exclusive province of one loudspeaker builder: JBL.  
 
CHAPTER 3  
The Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker: a triumph in acoustics and  
technology  
The following sections describe the primary features and components of the  
Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker system.  
The basic system configuration is what JBL has historically referred to as an  
augmented 2-way. In the 1950’s and 1960’s JBL built primarily 2-way systems  
with a 12” or 15” woofer crossed over to a large format compression  
driver/horn combination. Some of the systems would be “augmented” by a  
UHF device, most usually the 075 ring radiator that would operate above 8 kHz.  
These systems would have only a single crossover point in the middle of the  
audio range in an attempt to minimize any sonic degradation caused by the  
dividing network. The DD66000 has a single midrange crossover at 700 Hz  
blending one 1501Al woofer to the 476Be compression driver and horn  
combination. The 045Be -1 UHF driver is brought in at 20 kHz to cover an  
octave and a half of ultrasonic frequencies. A second 1501Al operates in the  
bass frequency range from below 30 Hz to around 150 Hz where it is rolled off  
at a gradual 6 dB/Octave. The first order slope ensures proper amplitude and  
phase summing between the two woofers over their total operating range. Both  
woofers operate below 150 Hz but only one of them extends up to the 700 Hz  
crossover point. This is done to achieve proper directivity control throughout  
the entire woofer operating range while delivering powerful and extended low  
frequency performance. Above 700 Hz, the HF compression driver and horn  
combination operates unassisted all the way to 20 kHz. (Fig.1)  
Figure 1 – On-Axis response of the DD66000 system and that of each of the transducers through its  
crossover network. (2.83V @ 1m)  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
The transducers, horns and crossover networks are housed in a visually  
stunning enclosure that is reminiscent of both the Hartsfield and Paragon  
systems. The specially curved baffle provides the sidewalls for the main horn.  
The top and bottom horn flares are accomplished by the attachment of precision  
molded SonoGlass™ horn “lips” to the upper enclosure surface. The UHF  
driver is mounted to a SonoGlass™ horn which is itself mounted to the back of  
the die cast aluminum housing.  
All of the enclosure is 25 mm MDF. The complex bracing is used to precisely  
hold the curved panels in exactly the correct shape allowing exceptional fit and  
consistency.  
The woofer baffle module is a 6-sided shell and form an extremely rigid and  
secure final structure. A leather covered outer baffle is then applied giving the  
total combined woofer baffle a thickness of 45 mm. The outer baffle is  
removable should repair or replacement of the leather surface ever be  
necessary.  
The system is ported on the rear with a tuning frequency of 34 Hz. Two large  
100 mm diameter flared ports are combined with the input connections on a  
massive 3-piece die cast aluminum structure. The entire enclosure rests on 4  
stainless steel foot assemblies. Stainless steel coasters are included to protect  
wood and tile floors from damage from the spike feet. The grille assembly is  
constructed of MDF and uses a thick, perforated metal sheet to provide the  
curved shape. The grille is held on the enclosure using metal pins and rubber  
cups.  
The 1501Al and 476Be are both designed to be absolute minimum distortion  
drive units. Although they are capable of tremendous acoustic output, their  
design intent is to be completely linear in every way up to a reasonable drive  
level. This enables the system to sound the same regardless of playback level.  
 
TRANSDUCERS  
The 1501AL Low Frequency Driver  
See Fig ure 2  
The 1501A L Low Frequency driver is very similar to the 1500A L used in the  
S9800 system. It incorporates a new high impedance voice coil to allow a pair  
of woofers to be used while still maintaining an 8 ohm system impedance. The  
voice coil length has been increased to 30.5 mm (from 20.3 mm) and its milling  
width has been reduced slightly. This was done to allow greater clearance from  
the outer diameter of the coil to the laminated top plate and to provide a larger  
surface area of coil surface for heat dissipation. These coil improvements allow  
the 1501A L to handle up to 25% more power than the 1500A L.  
Figure 2 – 1501AL section view  
The 1500AL LF driver is a 380 mm diameter device with a 100 mm voice coil  
completely immersed in a radial field generated by an Alnico 5DG magnet.  
Alnico was chosen because of its stable operating point. This material is  
insensitive to temperature changes and back EMF from the coil. JBL has  
overcome the tendency of Alnico to demagnetize with high drive by utilizing a  
massive shorting ring at the base of the motor assembly. The top plate is  
constructed of alternating copper-steel laminations. The presence of the copper  
rings linearizes the magnetic properties of the gap to all but eliminate eddy  
current distortion.  
The outer suspension is made of EPDM foamed rubber, which has the  
longevity and frequency response characteristics of traditional rubber surrounds,  
but with a low density very close to that of foam surrounds. Low loss EPDM  
material was chosen so that the transient detail of musical signals could be  
preserved. Dual inverted Nomex spiders are employed for the cancellation of  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
even-order distortion components. All suspension elements are tailored for  
maximum mechanical displacement linearity.  
The cone is comprised of a special layered paper pulp matrix with proprietary  
Aquaplas ™ damping which offers more pistonic behavior throughout the  
woofer’s operating bandwidth, and controlled cone breakup beyond it.  
A thick wall, cast aluminum frame is used to rigidly support the motor structure.  
This fully vented frame and motor design also serves to minimize the  
backpressure under the dome and spider, which helps to reduce harmonic  
distortion to even lower levels. JBL’s Vented Gap Cooling (VGC) is  
incorporated within the motor structure, and lowers the operating temperature  
of the coil during moments of high power operation.  
Altogether these design factors provide reduced harmonic distortions at very  
low and high acoustic output, improved power handling, reduced power  
compression, and more consistent spectral balance with varying input drive  
level.  
476Be High Frequency Compression Driver and Horn  
See Figure 3  
The 476Be High Frequency Compression driver makes use of a 100 mm  
diameter, pure Beryllium diaphragm with 99 mm aluminum Edge-wound coil,  
operating into JBL’s existing Rapid Flare type, Coherent Wave phasing plug.  
The use of an efficient Neodymium rare-earth motor structure with new Copper  
Sleeved pole piece maintains maximum gap flux and reduced coil inductance at  
a minimum size and weight. The combination of these features has created a  
driver that can deliver superior sound quality regardless of acoustic power  
output with very little distortion and power compression.  
Figure 3 – 476Be section view  
 
A high purity copper sleeve is used for the pole piece. This greatly  
improves the electrical conductivity of the copper sleeve for lower coil  
inductance and thus greater high frequency output at 15 kHz and above.  
The copper sleeved pole quickly wicks away heat generated by the coil and  
contributes in reduction of dynamic power compression. To compensate  
for the higher reluctance gap caused by the use of a copper sleeved pole  
piece, large magnet area was used in conjunction with special high-grade  
and high-temperature grade Neodymium.  
The Phasing plug is of JBL’s traditional Rapid Flare, Coherent Wave 4-slot  
design. This Coherent Wave design shapes the wave output producing a  
truly coincident wave front as the sound enters the horn.  
The diaphragm is formed of pure Beryllium foil that is manufactured with  
a proprietary, high temperature and pressure forming process. This process  
enables the proprietary integrated JBL diamond surround to be formed as  
one piece with the dome. Compared to other methods, forming the  
diaphragms out of sheets of Beryllium foil yields greater reliability and  
resistance against failures due to fatigue. If breakage ever does occur, the  
diaphragmdoes not shatter into pieces or harmful dust. Berylliumhas a  
stiffness-to-density ratio about 5 times that of Aluminum, Magnesium,  
Titanium, and Iron. This enables to maintain pistonic behavior up to  
20,000Hz, eliminate diaphragm modal breakup and keep the upper  
frequency response very smooth with minimal distortion spikes. Compared  
to the 475Nd compression driver use in JBL’s original K2 S9500 system,  
this is about a 45% reduction in moving mass. With such a low mass, the  
moving assembly is able to respond even quicker to musical transients to  
further enhance detail and micro dynamic nuances.  
JBL’s diamond pattern surround is utilized to maintain proper control and  
tuning of the second diaphragm resonance (the surround resonance mode).  
The proper control and placement of this surround resonance is critical for  
good high frequency shape, extension, and level.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
These features, when taken as a whole, create a new large format compression  
driver with the greatest high frequency extension, lowest distortion, smoothest  
response and greatest sonic detail.  
045Be-1 Ultra-High Frequency Compression Driver and Horn  
Like the 045Be, the 045Be -1 uses a 25-mm beryllium diaphragm and 50-mm  
neodymium magnetic structure. The pure beryllium diaphragm is less than 0.04  
mm thick and has a mass of only 0.1 gram. The single layer aluminum ribbon  
voice coil is wound without a former and attached directly to the diaphragm.  
The driver employs the smallest annular slit phasing plug that JBL has ever  
designed. The 045Be-1 has been redesigned to improve manufacturing yield  
and consistency. Small changes have been made to the top plate and some  
significant improvements were made to the surroundshape and clamping  
methodology. As a result, the driver has picked up nearly 5 dB of increased  
output above 30 kHz. A section view of the 045Be-1 driver is shown in Figure  
4.  
Figure 4 – 045Be-1 section view  
The extremely low mass of the moving system, high magnetic flux density and  
the high rigidity of beryllium produce response that is very smooth from below  
8 kHz to beyond 50 kHz.  
The response curve has a slight down hill tilt due to the constant directivity  
nature of the horn used in this system. The horn is properly scaled to maintain  
a coverage angle of 60 degrees in the horizontal plane and 30 degrees in the  
vertical plane over the frequency interval from 10 kHz to 50 kHz.  
 
Internal Crossover Network  
The circuit topology, combined with the acoustic behavior of the 1501A L and  
476Be provides a 24 dB-per-octave transition at 700 Hz. This is the primary  
crossover point of the system. Additionally, the 045Be-1 is turned on above 20  
kHz to provide extended response to beyond 50 kHz. A second 1501A L woofer  
is used from below 30Hz to around 150 Hz at which point it is gently rolled off  
at 6 dB-per-octave. The design intent is to use both woofers in the bass  
frequencies and slowly transition to a single woofer in the midrange. This  
technique allows a primary crossover point between just two drivers and  
permits proper control of the directivity pattern of the system while providing  
tremendous power and air movement capabilities at the lower frequencies. As  
a result, the speed and power of the DD66000 system is unmatched from the  
lowest to the highest frequencies.  
All of the electrical components are of the highest quality and lowest internal  
loss. The inductors used are air core so as to not introduce nonlinear hysteresis  
effects. Capacitors are constructed using polypropylene foil, which is known  
for having minimal distortion caused by dielectric absorption nonlinearities.  
The mid, high and ultra-high frequency networks employ battery bias to  
operate the capacitors effectively in a Class A mode. Every attempt is made to  
present as smooth a system impedance as possible to the driving amplifier.  
This design element is often overlooked in many loudspeaker systems.  
Amplifiers work their best when they are given a smooth, level load impedance  
in which to deliver current. (Fig.5)  
Figure 5 – DD66000 system impedance  
The aggregate of these attributes allows the DD66000 system to translate the  
electrical signal from source material into an accurate and unencumbered  
three-dimensional sound field. The system can do this at any desired listening  
level from whisper quiet to big-band loud while at the same time, maintaining  
unchanged acoustic characteristics.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
CHAPTER 4  
Unpacking the Project EVEREST DD66000 System  
All components of the Project EVEREST system have been very carefully  
packed for maximum protection against damage.  
As with any superior audio product, it is advisable to keep the original packing  
materials in case it is necessary to transport the Project EVEREST system.  
Because of the bulk and weight of this loudspeaker, at least two people are  
required to unpack it in the following manner.  
Stainless steel round feet are installed onto the bottomof the speaker cabinet.  
In order to avoid damages to the floor, we strongly advise to unpack on a well  
protected surface such as a thick carpet or cardboard. (Loudspeaker system is  
wrapped with non-wovens for protection, but this is omitted in drawings  
below.)  
I.  
Cut the straps, which tie the carton, by scissors or a knife. (Please be  
careful that the cut strapsprings up and hit your face or hand.)  
Slowly lift up the top cover and remove it. If there is not enough room  
above the boxto pull out the top cover, cut side and top of it by a knife  
(drawing II-2) and pull it horizontally (drawing II-3).  
II.  
I
II  
II-2  
II-3  
III.  
Remove cardboard and packing materials. Please do not forget to  
take out accessories from the upper endpads.  
Remove upper endpads.  
Slide down the loudspeaker system from the bottom board together  
with bottom cardboard.  
IV.  
V.  
III  
IV  
V
 
VI.  
Cut tapes at the corners of the bottom cardboard (drawing VI), slide  
out the loudspeaker system toward you together with bottom endpads  
(drawing VI-2).  
VII.  
Lift the system slightly on the right and left in turn to remove bottom  
endpads.  
VIII.  
VI  
Remove the protective non-wovens.  
VI-2  
VII  
VIII  
Products are shipped with round-tipped spikes on the bottom of the cabinet. If  
you would like to use pin-point spikes, please refer to figure 6 on page 12, and  
remove round-tipped spikes and replace them with pin-point spikes. In case,  
it is hard to loosen, please use 18mm size spanner/wrench.  
Four metal coasters are also provided. These are to be placed between  
the foot and the floor should further protection of the floor coverings be  
required.  
Grille Removal  
The EVEREST DD66000 is shipped with its grille on the system. You  
can remove the grille in the following procedures.  
Step 1: Hold the lower parts of the grille with both hands and pull it up.  
Step 2: Pull the grille toward you in order to take the grille out of the  
pins from the cabinet.  
Step 3: Pull the grille down and remove the grille from the cabinet.  
Repeat the above procedures in a reverse order in order to install the grille back  
to the cabinet.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
CHAPTER 5  
Selecting Cable  
Speaker wire and interconnecting cables are an important component in any  
audio system. With a system such as the Project EVEREST, they assume a  
new level of criticality.  
The Project EVEREST loudspeakers are internally wired with proprietary high  
quality copper cables, specially designed for JBL. The same care that was given  
to the selection of internal system wiring should be afforded to the selection  
and application of the cables that will connect Project EVEREST loudspeakers  
to other system components.  
It is advisable to use high quality wire and to select the highest grade wire  
available fromthe manufacturer. Many manufacturers produce audiophile  
cables worth considering for Project EVEREST. As with all electronics and  
associated comp onents, however, every manufacturer offers products of  
varying quality to suit a range of budgets and applications.  
We recommend using an audiophile quality speaker wire of not less than 16  
gauge for connections up to 5 meters (15 feet) as a minimumrequirement.  
Project EVEREST specialist dealers have the experience and knowledge to  
recommend suitable speaker wire to best complement a particular system.  
For maximum signal purity, it is advisable to locate the amplifier(s) as close as  
possible to the loudspeakers, even if this means that a longer distance will be  
needed between the amplifier(s) and preamplifier.  
Both the left and right speaker/amplifierconnections should be the same length.  
If the distance between one speaker and the amplifier(s) is greater than the  
other speaker and amplifier(s), use the longer length for both connections.  
For bi-wire connections, the same type of wires may be used for both low  
frequency and high frequency sections to reduce wire effects (resistance,  
inductance, etc.) and to avoid intermodulation of low and high frequencies in  
the wires. Specialized wires for low frequency and high frequency sections may  
yield excellent results. Whatever wires are used, be sure that the low frequency  
wires are as short as possible and the left and right wires for each section are  
the same length.  
To secure firm connection, we recommend Y or U type plugs.  
 
CHAPTER 6  
Amplifier Recommendations  
No single type of amplifier is specified for use with the Project EVEREST  
DD66000 system. The speakers are highly efficient and will operate adequately  
with an amplifier or receiver of 70-100 watts.  
However, the transient response and audio definition of a high-end system such  
as Project Everest DD66000 will pick up all inefficiencies and distortion in an  
amplifier system. For full-range operation, the Project Everest DD66000  
system should not be used with an amplifier/receiver of less than 100 watts.  
Amplifiers/receivers of 100-500 watts will ensure optimum system  
performance.  
There is no effective limit to the power handling capabilities of the Project  
EVEREST DD66000 loudspeakers when driven by consumer audio amplifiers.  
No damage will occur when used with high powered components. Source  
impedance is an important criterion in selecting an appropriate unit; the  
selected amplifier(s) should have a very high current capacity and must be  
capable of driving a low-impedance load.  
For bi-wiring or bi-amplification applications, four identical amplifiers or two  
dual-channel units may be used, although specialized low frequency and high  
frequency amplifiers offer clear advantages. (If four amplifier channels are  
used, the high frequency amplifier may be up to 6 dB less powerful than the  
low frequency amplifier. Due to the power versus frequency distribution of the  
music, the low frequency section requires approximately four times the power  
of the high frequency section.).  
Project EVEREST DD66000 specialist dealers can recommend amplification to  
best suit individual needs. In all cases, the left and right amp lifiers for each  
section must be identical. Make sure that the input sensitivity of the two  
amplifiers is equal or that input level controls are provided to maintain the  
proper low to mid/high balance. If two identicalstereo amplifiers are chosen,  
each amplifier may be located near a loudspeaker and drive low frequency and  
high frequency sections through short wire runs.  
The addition of a crossover network should be connected directly to the low  
and high frequency amplifiers driving this system, and is required if the system  
is to be biamplified.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
CHAPTER 7  
Placement and Set-up Considerations  
The Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker system is designed to be less  
affected by room acoustics than conventional imaging systems. However, it is  
very sensitive to overall symmetry, proximity to walls, ceilings and corners.  
Ideally, any listening room should contain a combination of live surfaces (e.g.,  
walls and windows) and absorbent surfaces (e.g., drapes, carpets, upholstery).  
If the distance between floor to ceiling is low, it is preferable that one surface  
has an absorbent covering. With Project EVEREST DD66000, it is most  
important to be able to accommodate the optimum listening area that is defined  
by the 100° horizontal/60° vertical coverage pattern of the horn.  
In order to obtain the best stereo effect, the speakers should be placed at the  
same distance from the listening position.  
·
The distances to the right and left speakers are determined by the  
relationship between the  
distance from the listening  
position to the speakers and the  
angles of the speakers (refer to  
the figure on the right). The  
imaging qualities enable the  
speakers to be placed relatively  
far apart from each other, but  
this weakens center imaging  
such as vocal. By increasing  
the inward angle of the  
speakers toward the listener will improve the center imaging.  
The listener should be centered in  
front of the speakers and furniture  
should be of an appropriate height so  
that when the listener is sitting, the ear  
level is on a vertical plane with the  
high-frequency horn (approximately  
90 cm/ 35.5 in) as illustrated on the right.  
The surrounding environment for the speakers affect bass sound quality.  
Placing the speakers close to wall behind them or side walls bring about  
abundance of bass, but too close distance will result in dull bass. On the  
other hand, too much distance will reduce the mass of bass but result is in  
·
·
 
fast and sharp bass. The low frequency alignment feature enables placing the  
speakers near or even in a corner without producing an over-abundance of  
bass. This corner placement ability allows optimum performance even in  
small rooms . Find the most suitable point by using various source materials.  
The Project EVEREST DD66000 requires right or left speaker designation,  
depending on installed locations. Once speaker locations are decide, please  
refer to System Orientation in Chapter 8 Control Panel and set it up.  
CAUTION: Project EVEREST DD66000 is a massive system comprised of  
materials chosen for their density, with its weight concentrated in a relatively  
narrow area. Verify the integrity of the floor surface before placing and setting  
up the speakers. See Floor Requirements. Remember that these speakers  
weigh close to 140 kg (308 lbs) each and cannot be easily moved once they are  
installed.  
Floor Requirements  
The floor in the location selected for setting up the Project EVEREST DD66000  
speakers must be capable of supporting a load of 140 kg (308 lbs). Because of  
the coupling effect of the stainless steel feet, a flat, hard surface such as wood  
or linoleum is preferable. However, the design of the loudspeaker's coupling  
system, along with the speaker's extreme weight, should result in excellent  
performance on any surface, even on carpets.  
To prevent indentations on wood or linoleum floors caused by the weight of the  
loudspeaker, always utilize the enclosed coasters. Do not set up the Project  
EVEREST DD66000 system directly on a ceramic tile floor; the concentrated  
weight might cause the tiles to crack.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
CHAPTER 8  
Project EVEREST DD66000 Switch Operations  
The EVEREST DD66000 has 2 control panels under  
the cover at the center bottom of the front baffle.  
Shorting bars or switches inside the control panel  
enable to switch orientation of the system and  
biamplifier and also to adjust woofer and  
high-frequency levels. They also provide access to  
the 9-volt batteries used for capacitor bias. Remove  
the control panel cover referring the illustrations on  
the right, and make necessary adjustments.  
To change setups using shorting bars, use the  
supplied hexagonal driver to remove the screws  
fixing the bar. Then, move the bar according to setup you prefer. Then, put  
screws back.  
Attention: As loose mounting screws on the terminals could cause bad contact,  
make sure that they are firmly affixed. However, if you screw too strong, there  
is a risk of damaging the terminals themselves. Please use the supplied  
hexagonal driver and tighten screws with reasonable torque.  
The Project EVEREST DD66000 can set up and adjust the following by using  
the above procedures.  
System Orientation  
The two low frequency drivers operate over different ranges as described earlier.  
For proper imaging, it is necessary that the midrange woofer (LF2) be in the  
inboard position for the pair of systems. The proper setting of the system  
orientation jumper bars can configure a single DD66000 system as either a “left  
or right” system. It is necessary that both bars be moved together. Improper  
sound will result from staggering the bars. The bars select which woofer  
 
receives the low and which woofer receives the  
midrange signals. One system should be set to “left”  
and be positioned as the left speaker system. The other  
system should be set to “right” and be positioned as  
the right speaker.  
HF Drive / LF Drive  
This allows to switch normal drive using a set of  
amplifiers and bi-amp drive using 2 sets of amplifiers.  
Move the shorting bar only in case of bi-amp driving.  
Selection of the Bi-Amp position for the shorting bars bypasses the crossover  
function for the full range woofer and the high frequency driver. The low  
frequency woofer and the ultra-high frequency drivers are unchanged. Use of  
this feature requires the addition of an external dividing network to provide the  
700 Hz primary crossover point for the system. The built-in attenuation and  
equalization for the 476Be remains in place. The high frequency level trim  
remains operational, as does battery bias for both the low and high frequency  
sections. Normally all 3 sets of bars (2-LF and 1-HF) would be moved  
together. It is possible to operate the system with just the low frequency  
system or the high frequency system set to Bi-Amp. Under this circumstance  
it would be necessary to use a combination of external dividing network along  
with the internal network. However, this would require some very special  
needs and is not generally recommended. Figure 12 shows the low frequency  
and high frequency voltage drive functions necessary to properly Bi-Amplify a  
DD66000 system using an external dividing network and two amplifiers  
channels. Neither the low pass nor high pass drive is a standard Butterworth  
alignment or, for that matter, any standard alignment. The provided drive  
curves were derived using the internal passive network and resulting acoustic  
low pass and high pass shapes. Duplicating these shapes will result in the  
same frequency response and directivity pattern as a passive DD66000. The  
low pass is made up of two cascaded second order sections and the high pass is  
a single high pass section. The values within a high quality analog dividing  
network can usually be modified to achieve these results. Recent digital  
crossover units will have no problem duplicating these curves.  
Figure 12  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
HF Level  
This switch adjusts the attenuation applied to the 476Be (high frequency or HF  
unit) by approximately 0.5 dB over the range of 1,000 Hz to about 8,000 Hz.  
The action is accomplished by trimming the main attenuation resistors.  
Mid-range sound becomes calm by reducing level and brighter by increasing  
level. No addit ional parts are inserted in the signal path and there is no sonic  
deterioration by position or adjustment functions.  
LF Level  
There is a level trim available for each of the two woofers (LF1 and LF2).  
Moving a bar from Low to High will increase the drive level to a portion of the  
frequency spectrum over which each woofer operates. LF1 refers to the low  
range woofer (up to 150 Hz) and will affect the output level in the range of  
60Hz – 150Hz by about 0.5 dB. LF2 refers to the main woofer and will affect  
the output level in the range of 150 Hz to 700 Hz. The purpose of these  
adjustments is to allow fine-tuning of the mid-bass and midrange response of  
the system to better integrate with varying room characteristics.  
Normally, the control bars of LF1/LF2 are moved together to get the maximum  
effect (LF1 & LF2 = High or LF1 & LF 2 = Low). Depending on room  
environment, you may get a good balance by moving of them. In case speaker  
systems are placed close to corners of the room and the distance between 2  
systems are great and you notice bass boost by reflections from walls , try to  
increase the LF2 level and decrease LF2 level (LF1 = Low, LF2 = High). These  
adjustments will not cause loss of series element from adjustments they are  
done by change values of damp ing resisters which are in parallel.  
Change from LF1 level trim  
Change from LF2 level trim  
 
Battery Installation  
The network of this system utilizes the proprietary JBL “charge-couple  
method” to activate capacitors by applying DC bias using battery and this  
eliminates unwanted distortions. Please refer to procedures below and install  
the supplied batteries on the battery holders.  
Battery Installation Procedures:  
1. Remove the control panel cover at the  
bottom of the front baffle. (refer to figures in  
Chapter 8)  
2. Remove the package film from batteries and  
put these batteries into the battery holders  
inside the control panel on the left.  
Connector is snap type and has polarities.  
Push up battery after making sure that  
polarity orientation is correct.  
3. Put the control panel cover back on the  
baffle.  
Bias is applied to capacitors which are insulation components and there is no  
current consumption in batteries. Thus, battery life is the same as battery life  
with natural discharge (about 2 years in alkaline batteries).  
In order to maintain the bias effect, we recommend to replace batteries  
regularly in every year or two.  
Only the same type of battery (006P rectangular 9V alkaline battery) must be  
used. This battery can be easily found at electric appliance stores and  
convenient stores.  
* The supplied batteries are for testing the bias function, and they should be  
replaced with new batteries soon.  
* Bias is applied to reduce distortion from components. In the event of flat  
battery, there is no effect on the network circuitry, and there is no symptom as  
no sound or intermittent sound from the system. However, you will notice the  
level of distortion reduction effect of the bias network circuitry after new  
batteries are installed.  
The batteries provide a voltage bias to each of the capacitor positions in the  
various networks. The biasing of the capacitors is done through a large value  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
resistor (2.2 MO) and thus, draws no appreciable current. The expiration date  
printed on the battery generally coincides with the need to replace the batteries.  
Each capacitor position is actually made up of two capacitors connected in  
series. The battery voltage is applied to the center connection of the two  
capacitors. This produces a voltage potential between the two plates within the  
capacitor. When the two parts are taken as a whole, there is no DC voltage that  
appears across them, but individually they are each biased. The sonic result of  
the biasing yields an increase in detail, increased smoothness and considerably  
more natural decay of sounds within the music.  
 
CHAPTER 9  
Project EVEREST DD66000 Connections  
Caution: Turn all amplifiers off before connecting or disconnecting Project  
EVEREST DD66000 loudspeakers. Making connections while an amplifier is  
operating could seriously damage the loudspeaker system and void the  
warranty. All amplifiers must also be turned off before connecting or  
disconnecting cables at the amplifier or preamplifier inputs.  
All connections between the amplifier(s) and the Project EVEREST DD66000  
loudspeaker system are made at the terminals located on the back of the  
enclosure. The left-hand terminals (black letters) are negative, and the  
right-hand terminals (red letters) are positive. These correspond to the negative  
and positive conductors in the speaker wire.  
Assign one of the two conductors as the negative conductor and the other as the  
positive conductor. Use these same designations for all system wiring. Always  
connect the conductors of the speaker wire appropriately to the corresponding  
negative and positive terminals on all system components. This will ensure that  
all components will work together (“in phase”). Connecting the speakers out of  
phase will not damage them but will result in reduced low  
frequency output and impaired stereo effect.  
Speaker wires may be fastened to the terminals by several  
methods. The most positive connection is made by directly  
connecting clean, bare connectors (exposed by stripping the ends  
of the wire) to the terminal posts.  
For this type of connection, loosen the knobs on the terminals  
and insert the exposed (bare) ends of each speaker wire into the  
hole exposed on the terminal shaft (+ to +, - to -). Retighten the  
knob on each terminal so that a snug positive connection is  
achieved. Do not apply excessive force and do not overtighten.  
To avoid a short circuit, trim off any excess wire that is not in  
contact with the binding post contact surfaces.  
Project EVEREST DD66000 terminals are also designed to  
accept spade or banana-type connectors which are fastened to  
the ends of the wires and, in turn, are attached to the terminal  
posts.  
2 sets of input terminals of Project EVEREST DD66000 are compatible with  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
bi-wire and bi-amp connections. Read the following explanations and connect  
in the suitable method.  
I. Passive Connecting Method  
The passive method requires one amplifier and one set of wires. Connections  
are made to either the upper terminals or the lower terminals . Do not remove  
the shorting straps.  
II. Bi-Wire Connecting Method  
The bi-wire connection method requires one amplifier and two sets of speaker  
wires. By removing the shorting straps, connections may be made to the  
individual network sections using four connectors, high frequency wires to the  
upper terminals and low frequency wires to the lower terminals.  
III. Bi-Amp Connecting Method  
The bi-amp connection method requires two amplifiers, one for the low  
frequency and one for the high frequency unit, and a crossover network. By  
removing the shorting straps, connections may be made in the following way.  
Wires from the high frequency amplifierare connected to the upper terminals,  
and wires from the low frequency amplifiers are connected to the lower  
terminals.  
Project EVEREST DD66000 is shipped with twisted pair shorting straps  
installed. In case bi-wire or bi-amp connection method is to be employed,  
remove the straps from the terminals referring to figures below and retighten  
the terminals. If the amplifiers are connected to the Project EVEREST  
DD66000 loudspeakers in the bi-wire or bi-amp mode with the shorting straps  
still on, the amplifier outputs will be shorted which could result in costly  
amplifier damage when power is switched on.  
·
·
In case shorting straps are used, make sure the conductors and sleeves of  
straps are firmly fastened by the terminals.  
For safety and firm connection, cable termination with either spade or  
 
banana-type connector is recommended.  
As mentioned earlier, the Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeakers may be  
connected to the amplifier(s) by one of three methods: passive, bi-wire and  
bi-amp. Each method, described above, has its own advantages, and the Project  
EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker system will deliver superb performance with  
all methods.  
Final Checklist:  
·
·
Connect and plug in all other system electronics.  
Check all connections. In case of bi-amping or bi-wiring, make sure both  
shorting straps are removed.  
·
Make sure the system orientation and HF/LF drive switching in the control  
panel are correctly set.  
The system is now ready for use. The Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker  
system is fully functional as soon as it is set up. There may be subtle tonal  
changes in bass output over the first week to 10 days of operation. These are  
caused as the movement of the low frequency drivers becomes more fluid and  
the parts settle in. This process is completely normal and natural with  
transducers of this caliber. Even during this initial period, there is no restriction  
on the amount of amplification that may be applied.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
CHAPTER 10  
Project EVEREST DD66000 Care and Maintenance  
The Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker system requires no maintenance  
other than an occasional dusting with a soft, dry, lint-free cotton cloth. The  
horns may also be wiped with a soft cloth. Treat the lacquered surface very  
carefully to avoid scratching the finish. To remove fingerprints and smudges,  
apply a small amount of diluted ammonia -free or alcohol-free neutral detergent  
to the cloth and gently clean the surface.  
Never use any abrasive cleaners or chemicals to clean the enclosure. If the  
enclosure becomes perceptibly scratched or otherwise damaged, consult a  
qualified furniture repair shop.  
All wiring connections should be inspected and cleaned or remade periodically.  
The frequency of maintenance depends on the metals involved in the  
connections, atmospheric conditions, and other factors. Consult the Project  
EVEREST DD66000 specialist dealer for specific recommendations.  
 
CHAPTER 11  
Troubleshooting and Service Guide  
Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeakers are designed to provide years of  
trouble-free service. No maintenance is required.  
If a problem occurs, make sure that all connections are properly made and clean.  
If a problem exists in one loudspeaker, reverse the speaker wires to the left and  
right system. If the problem remains in the same speaker, then the fault is in the  
loudspeaker. In this event, consult the Project EVEREST DD66000 specialist  
dealer for assistance. If the problem appears in the opposite speaker, the cause  
is in another component or cable.  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
CHAPTER 12  
The Project EVEREST DD66000 Register  
In purchasing a Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker system, you have  
joined a privileged group of music lovers who have sought, and finally found, a  
system that will reproduce sound to a level of perfection of which no other  
system in the world is capable.  
JBL has established the Project EVEREST DD66000 Register so that we can  
provide aftersales services and maintain an ongoing dialog with all Project  
EVEREST DD66000 system owners. Through periodic letters and mailings, we  
will be able to communicate information of interest to Project EVEREST  
DD66000 owners, including news of technological advancements, new  
products, and special promo tions. We look forward to sharing these items with  
those who have chosen to invest in a Project EVEREST DD66000 loudspeaker  
system.  
 
CHAPTER 13  
The Project EVEREST DD66000 System Specifications  
Low Frequency Driver :  
380mm (15”) Pulp-Cone Woofer (1500AL) x 2  
High Frequency Driver :  
100mm (4”) Beryllium Compression Driver (435Be)  
Ultra-High Frequency Driver :  
Power Handling (RMS) :  
Frequency Response (-6dB) :  
Low Frequency Extension (-10dB) :  
Nominal Impedance :  
25mm (1”) Beryllium Compression Driver (045Be)  
500W  
45Hz – 50kHz  
32Hz  
8 ohms nominal  
5.5 ohms @ 85Hz  
3.5 ohms @ 40kHz  
96dB  
Sensitivity (2.83V@1m) :  
Horn Directivity (horizontal x vertical) :  
High Frequency :  
100º x 60º  
Ultra-High Frequency : 60º x 30º  
Crossover Frequency :  
Control Function :  
150Hz (LLF LPF -6dB/oct)  
700Hz (LF LPF -24dB/oct)  
20kHz (UHF HPF -24dB/oct)  
HF Level Control (-0.5dB / 0dB / +0.5dB)  
LF Level Control (Low / High)  
LF / HF Drive Mode Switch (Normal / Bi-Amp)  
System Orientation Switch (Left / Right)  
Finish :  
Santos Rosewood (Black Leather Baffle / Gray Grille)  
Cherry (Black Leather Baffle / Gray Grille)  
Ebony (Black Leather Baffle / Gray Grille)  
- Made-to-order  
Maple (Cashmere Leather Baffle / Light Gray Grille)  
- Made-to-order  
Dimensions :  
Weight :  
965mm (w) x 1,109mm (h) x 469mm (d)  
(incl. feet , not spike, refer to figure16)  
137kg without grille  
142kg with grille  
Package Weight :  
174kg  
 
Project EVEREST DD66000  
JBL and Harman International  
JBL is part of the Harman International audio companies, a group with a  
common purpose: combining technology with a love of music to manufacture  
audio products that provide new levels of satisfaction, performance and value.  
To promote diversity and creativity, JBL operates independently in research  
and development. When it comes to translating the results of these efforts into  
actual consumer and professional products, JBL draws on the full combined  
strength of the Harman companies, which includes one of the world's most  
advanced manufacturing facilities. The result of this teamwork is that JBL's  
renowned excellence in engineering is successfully carried through to each  
individual product, regardless of its application or price range.  
As new audio concepts and technologies are pioneered, the partnership of JBL  
and Harman International guarantees that consumer and professional audio  
users everywhere will be able to enjoy their full range of benefits.  
JBL continually engages in research related to product development and  
improvement. Because of this, new materials, production methods and design  
refinements will be introduced into existing products without notice. For this  
reason, any current JBL product may differ in some respect from its published  
description, but will always equal or exceed the original design specifications  
unless otherwise stated.  
©Copyright 2006 JBL Incorporated  
JBL Incorporated  
8500 Balboa Boulevard  
Northridge, CA 91329  
USA  
JBL is a registered trademark of JBL, Inc.  
Monster Cable is a registered trademark of Monster Cable Products, Inc.  
Aquaplas and SonoGlass are registered trade marks of JBL, Inc.  
 

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