JBL MPro 200 Series User Manual
Part Number: 336824-001
Before You Begin - Important Information
The MPRO speakers covered by this manual are designed for portable applications, including placement directly on the floor, stage, or a stable platform, or mounting on a tripod stand or pole mount. JBL Professional does not support suspension of these MPRO models or their fixed installation in outdoor or high moisture environments. Moisture can damage the speaker cone and surround, and corrode electrical contacts. Avoid direct moisture exposure and prolonged exposure to intense direct sunlight, as this can prematurely dry out the driver suspension and degrade surfaces due to UV light.
MPRO speakers can generate considerable energy. On slippery surfaces like polished wood or linoleum, speakers may move due to acoustic output. Take precautions to prevent speakers from falling off stages or tables.
Some MPRO speaker models feature a 35 mm receptacle cup for tripod mounting. When using stands, observe the following precautions:
- Verify the stand's specifications to ensure it can support the speaker's weight and follow all safety precautions from the stand manufacturer.
- Always place the stand on a flat, level, and stable surface. Fully extend tripod legs and position the stand to avoid trip hazards.
- Route cables to prevent performers, crew, and audience from tripping and pulling speakers over.
- Do not place more than one speaker on a stand designed for a single speaker.
- Exercise caution in windy outdoor conditions; consider using additional weight (e.g., sandbags) on the stand base for stability.
- If unsure about handling the speaker's weight, ask for assistance when placing it on a tripod.
Hearing Damage Warning: Prolonged Exposure to Excessive Sound Pressure Levels (SPL)
MPRO loudspeakers can easily generate sound pressure levels (SPL) sufficient to cause permanent hearing damage to performers, production crew, and audience members. Caution should be taken to avoid prolonged exposure to SPL in excess of 90 dB.
Product Range
The MPro 200 Series comprises four high-performance, high-quality, carpet-covered speakers:
- Laminar Flow Baffle™: Seamlessly integrates the horn, ports, baffle, and woofer to reduce distortion and diffraction, with a large horn mouth enhancing mid-range performance.
- Construction: 18 mm plywood construction covered with top-grade heavy (12 oz) carpet.
- SonicGuard™: All MPRO 200 Series two-way speakers include JBL's SonicGuard high-frequency driver protection. This system routes excess power to special light bulbs, which may briefly flicker under normal use. Frequent flickering indicates excessive power, requiring a reduction in performance levels.
Multilingual Notes on SonicGuard:
- French: SonicGuard protects high-frequency compression drivers by routing excess power to special bulbs, which might occasionally flicker. Frequent flickering signals excessive power.
- German: SonicGuard protects high-frequency drivers by diverting excess power to special bulbs. Occasional brief flickering is normal; frequent flickering indicates too much power and requires reduced output.
- Spanish: SonicGuard protects high-frequency compression drivers by routing excess current to special bulbs. Brief, occasional flickering is normal; regular flickering indicates excessive power, necessitating reduced performance levels.
MPro 200 Series Models
MP212 - 12", Two-Way, Bass-Reflex
Ideal for main PA for speech, vocals, and instrument reinforcement. Serves as a satellite speaker over the MP255S for dance music and DJ use. Cost-effective and flexible for pro audio rental or stage monitor applications. Its "Multi-angle" enclosure allows use for FOH (front of house) or stage monitor setups.
MP215 - 15", Two-Way, Bass-Reflex
Suitable for main PA for speech, vocals, instrument reinforcement, and dance music playback. Also functions well as a satellite speaker over the MP255S for dance music and DJ applications.
MP225 - Dual 15", Two-Way, Bass-Reflex
Designed for main PA for live performance and dance music playback. Features dual fifteen-inch, two-way configuration for robust low-frequency power and extension without needing a subwoofer.
MP255S - Dual 15", Band-Pass Subwoofer
Adds low-frequency power and extension to performances. Its dual fifteen-inch band-pass design delivers bass energy for "punch" and power. Equipped with dual Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 input connectors for secure connection and loop-through capability. Features four heavy-duty casters on the rear for easy transport.
Specifications
Detailed specifications for each model are provided in the following tables.
MP212 Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| System Type | 12", 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Frequency Range (-10 dB) | 50 Hz - 16 kHz |
| Frequency Response (±3 dB) | 64 Hz - 16 kHz |
| Crossover Frequency | 1,800 Hz (SonicGuard™ HF driver protection) |
| Nominal Dispersion | 70° x 70° |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 610 mm x 404 mm x 348 mm (24.0 in x 15.9 in x 13.7 in) |
| Net Weight | 20.2 kg (44.5 lbs.) |
| LF Driver | 1 x JBL M112-8 |
| HF Driver | 1 x JBL 2412 |
| Sensitivity (1w/1m) | 99 dB SPL |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Rated Maximum SPL | 129 dB peak, @1 m (3.3 ft) |
| Power Capacity¹ | 250 watts |
| Peak Power Capacity¹ | 1,000 watts |
| Input Connectors | Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 (x1), 1/4" phone jack (x1), parallel |
| Included Accessories | User Guide |
MP215 Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| System Type | 15", 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Frequency Range (-10 dB) | 45 Hz - 16 kHz |
| Frequency Response (±3 dB) | 50 Hz - 12.5 kHz |
| Crossover Frequency | 1,300 Hz (SonicGuard™ HF driver protection) |
| Nominal Dispersion | 70° x 70° |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 709 mm x 466 mm x 348 mm (28.5 in x 18.4 in x 13.7 in) |
| Net Weight | 22.2 kg (49 lbs.) |
| LF Driver | 1 x JBL M115-8A |
| HF Driver | 1 x JBL 2412 |
| Sensitivity (1w/1m) | 99 dB SPL |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Rated Maximum SPL | 129 dB peak, @1 m (3.3 ft) |
| Power Capacity¹ | 250 watts |
| Peak Power Capacity¹ | 1,000 watts |
| Input Connectors | Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 (x1), 1/4" phone jack (x1), parallel |
| Included Accessories | User Guide |
MP225 Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| System Type | Dual 15", 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Frequency Range (-10 dB) | 32 Hz - 12.5 kHz |
| Frequency Response (±3 dB) | 42 Hz - 11.5 kHz |
| Crossover Frequency | 1,800 Hz (SonicGuard™ HF driver protection) |
| Nominal Dispersion | 70° x 70° |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 1163 mm x 463 mm x 513 mm (45.1 in x 18.3 in x 20.2 in) |
| Net Weight | 45.1 kg (99.5 lbs.) |
| LF Driver | 2 x JBL M115-8A |
| HF Driver | 1 x JBL 2412 |
| Sensitivity (1w/1m) | 101 dB SPL |
| Nominal Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Rated Maximum SPL | 134 dB peak, @1 m (3.3 ft) |
| Power Capacity¹ | 500 watts |
| Peak Power Capacity¹ | 2,000 watts |
| Input Connectors | Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 (x1), 1/4" phone jack (x1), parallel |
| Included Accessories | User Guide |
MP255S Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| System Type | Dual 15", band-pass subwoofer |
| Frequency Range (-10 dB) | 32 Hz - 180 Hz |
| Frequency Response (±3 dB) | 32 Hz - 160 Hz |
| Crossover Frequency | Internal 300 Hz, 6 dB / Octave Low Pass Filter |
| Nominal Dispersion | N/A |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 950 mm x 527 mm x 940 mm (37.4 in x 20.75 in x 37.0 in) |
| Net Weight | 52.2 kg (115 lbs.) |
| LF Driver | 2 x JBL M115-8A |
| HF Driver | N/A |
| Sensitivity (1w/1m) | 102 dB SPL |
| Nominal Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Rated Maximum SPL | 135 dB peak, @1 m (3.3 ft) |
| Power Capacity¹ | 500 watts |
| Peak Power Capacity¹ | 2,000 watts |
| Input Connectors | Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 (x2); factory wired for pins 1± operation, user configurable for 2± operation |
| Included Accessories | User Guide; 24 inch (610 mm), 35 mm (diameter) steel pole |
¹ Power Capacity and Peak Power Capacity ratings are based on average and peak power handling capacity of product samples subjected to a 100-hour power test using IEC filtered random noise with a crest factor of 6 dB.
The Subwoofer (MP255S)
The MP255S is designed for vertical orientation to minimize its footprint. A pole is included to allow elevation of a mid/high speaker using its 35 mm pole mount socket. The MP255S can also be laid on its side if space permits, offering slightly better low-frequency performance in the horizontal position.
Connecting Directly to Your Existing Amplifier
The MP255S is a dual 15" band-pass subwoofer with a built-in low-pass filter (LPF). This LPF prevents the subwoofer from producing midrange frequencies, for which it is not well-suited. This allows the MP255S to perform well even when driven by the same amplifier as your mid/high speaker. However, some amplifiers may not handle the resulting low impedance load. Consult your amplifier's specifications to ensure it can handle the combined load of the MP255S and your mid/high speaker.
The table below shows amplifier load per channel:
| Configuration | Amplifier Load / Ch. |
|---|---|
| MP255S Only | 4Ω |
| MP255S plus one 8Ω Mid / High Speaker | 2.67Ω |
| MP255S plus one 4Ω Mid / High Speaker | 2Ω |
Connecting the MP255S in this manner yields better performance than conventional subwoofers. For optimal performance, use a separate amplifier and crossover, or amplifiers with integrated high and low pass filters.
Block Diagrams
MP212, MP215, MP225 Block Diagram: This diagram illustrates the internal signal path. It shows input connectors (1/4" phone and Speakon NL-4), parallel output connectors, SonicGuard™ HF protection circuitry, a high-pass filter (HPF) for the tweeter, and a low-pass filter (LPF) for the woofer, connecting to the respective drivers.
MP255S Block Diagram: This diagram shows the signal path for the subwoofer. It includes input connectors (Speakon NL-4 with options for pin configuration), a low-pass filter (LPF), and connections to the dual 15" woofers.
Speaker Cables
Proper speaker cables are essential for optimal performance and safety. The manual illustrates various cable connection types:
- 1/4" Phone to NL-4
- Dual Banana to NL-4
- NL-4 to NL-4 (with 2-conductor cable)
- NL-4 to NL-4 (with 4-conductor cable)
A graph titled "Minimum Wire Size for 0.5 dB Loss" is provided. It shows the relationship between wire size (in AWG and mm²) and wire length (in feet and meters) required to maintain signal integrity with minimal loss (under 0.5 dB) for 8 Ohm, 4 Ohm, and 2 Ohm speaker loads.
Configuration Examples
Basic Configuration
This setup demonstrates connecting an amplifier to MP212, MP215, or MP225 speakers. It shows two options for input connectors: using 1/4" TS Phone jacks or Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 connectors, with parallel output connectors available.
Subwoofer Configuration
This configuration illustrates integrating the MP255S subwoofer with the main MPro speakers (MP212, MP215, MP225). It shows how to connect the amplifier to both the main speakers and the subwoofer, utilizing parallel connections and appropriate wiring for the subwoofer.
Bi-Amp Configuration
This advanced setup details a bi-amplification system. It involves a crossover/processor receiving the audio signal from a mixer, then splitting it to separate amplifiers for mid/high frequencies and low frequencies. These amplifiers then connect to the respective speaker drivers. The diagram shows custom output connector panels and options for connecting the MP255S subwoofer using either 4-conductor or 2-conductor cables, with a note regarding necessary configuration for ±2 operation.
JBL Warranty and Contact Information
Warranty Coverage
JBL's Limited Warranty protects the original and subsequent owners for a specified period from the date of the first consumer purchase, provided the original dated bill of sale is presented.
- Professional Loudspeaker Products (except enclosures): Five years.
- Amplifiers: Three years.
- Enclosures and All Other Products: Two years.
What is Not Covered:
The warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, abuse, product modification, neglect, shipment damage, failure to follow instructions, unauthorized repairs, claims based on seller misrepresentations, or products with defaced or removed serial numbers.
Cost of Repairs:
JBL covers all labor and material expenses for covered repairs. Original shipping cartons are recommended; replacement cartons may incur a charge.
Obtaining Warranty Service:
To obtain service, contact JBL Incorporated (Attn: Customer Service Department) via mail or phone. You may be directed to an authorized service agency or asked to ship the unit to the factory. Always present the original bill of sale. Do not ship without prior authorization. JBL will pay return shipping charges for covered warranty repairs.
Contact Information:
- Mailing Address: JBL Professional, 8500 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91329
- Shipping Address: JBL Professional, 8370 Balboa Blvd., Dock D, Northridge, CA 91329
- Customer Service (U.S.A.): Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Pacific Coast Time. Phone: (800) 8JBLPRO (800.852.5776). Website: www.jblproservice.com
- World Wide Web: www.jblpro.com
- Outside the USA: Contact your local JBL Professional Distributor. A list is available on the JBL USA website.
- Customer Registration: Register online at www.jblpro.com/registration.
