JBL MPro 200 Series Professional Loudspeakers
Brand: JBL
Model Series: MPro 200 Series
Introduction and Safety Information
This manual provides information for the JBL MPro 200 Series loudspeakers, designed for portable applications. These speakers can be placed on the floor, stage, a stable platform, or mounted on a tripod stand or pole mount. JBL Professional does not support suspension or fixed outdoor installation in high-moisture environments.
Important Safety Precautions:
- Avoid direct moisture, prolonged direct sunlight, and intense UV light, as these can damage speaker components and surfaces.
- Speakers can generate considerable energy. Ensure they are placed on stable surfaces to prevent movement or falling.
- When using tripod stands:
- Verify the stand's weight capacity.
- Ensure the stand is on a flat, level, stable surface with legs fully extended.
- Position stands to avoid trip hazards.
- Route cables carefully to prevent tripping.
- Do not place more than one speaker on a single-speaker stand.
- Use extra weight (e.g., sandbags) in windy conditions for stability.
- Seek assistance when lifting heavy speakers.
- Hearing Protection: MPro loudspeakers can produce sound pressure levels (SPL) sufficient to cause permanent hearing damage. Avoid prolonged exposure to SPLs exceeding 90 dB.
Note: Sections of this manual are also available in Spanish, French, and German, covering similar safety and operational information.
Product Range
The MPro 200 Series comprises four high-performance, carpet-covered loudspeakers:
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Laminar Flow Baffle™
Integrates horn, ports, baffle, and woofer to reduce distortion and diffraction, enhancing mid-range performance.
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Construction
18 mm plywood, covered with top-grade heavy (12 oz) carpet.
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SonicGuard™
High-frequency driver protection that routes excess power to special light bulbs. A brief flicker during normal use is normal; frequent flickering indicates excessive power and requires reduced performance levels.
MPro 200 Series Models
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MP212 - 12", Two-Way, Bass-Reflex
Primary use: Main PA for speech, vocals, and instrument reinforcement. Suitable as a satellite over the MP255S for dance music and DJ use. Also functions as a cost-effective stage monitor for live performance. Its "multi-angle" enclosure allows for FOH (front of house) or stage monitor applications.
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MP215 - 15", Two-Way, Bass-Reflex
Primary use: Main PA for speech, vocals, instrument reinforcement, and dance music playback. Also a good satellite option over the MP255S for dance music and DJ use.
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MP225 - Dual 15", Two-Way, Bass-Reflex
Primary use: Main PA for live performance and dance music playback. Features dual fifteen-inch drivers for enhanced low-frequency power and extension without needing a subwoofer.
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MP255S - Dual 15", Band-Pass Subwoofer
Primary use: Adds low-frequency power and extension. Features a dual fifteen-inch band-pass design for impactful bass. Equipped with Dual Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 input connectors for secure connection and loop-through. Four heavy-duty casters on the rear facilitate transport.
Specifications
The following table details the technical specifications for each MPro 200 Series model:
| Specification | MP212 | MP215 | MP225 | MP255S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System Type | 12", 2-way, bass-reflex | 15", 2-way, bass-reflex | Dual 15", 2-way, bass-reflex | Dual 15", band-pass subwoofer |
| Frequency Range (-10 dB) | 50 Hz - 16 kHz | 45 Hz - 16 kHz | 32 Hz - 12.5 kHz | 32 Hz - 180 Hz |
| Frequency Response (±3 dB) | 64 Hz - 16 kHz | 50 Hz - 12.5 kHz | 42 Hz - 11.5 kHz | 32 Hz - 160 Hz |
| Crossover Frequency | 1,800 Hz | 1,300 Hz | 1,800 Hz | Internal 300 Hz, 6 dB / Octave Low Pass Filter |
| Nominal Dispersion | 70° x 70° | 70° x 70° | 70° x 70° | N/A |
| 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) | 709 mm x 466 mm x 348 mm (28.5 in x 18.4 in x 13.7 in) | 1163 mm x 463 mm x 513 mm (45.1 in x 18.3 in x 20.2 in) | 950 mm x 527 mm x 940 mm (37.4 in x 20.75 in x 37.0 in) |
| Net Weight | 20.2 kg (44.5 lbs.) | 22.2 kg (49 lbs.) | 45.1 kg (99.5 lbs.) | 52.2 kg (115 lbs.) |
| LF Driver | 1 x JBL M112-8 | 1 x JBL M115-8A | 2 x JBL M115-8A | 2 x JBL M115-8A |
| HF Driver | 1 x JBL 2412 | 1 x JBL 2412 | 1 x JBL 2412 | N/A |
| Sensitivity (1w/1m) | 99 dB SPL | 99 dB SPL | 101 dB SPL | 102 dB SPL |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Rated Maximum SPL | 129 dB peak,@1 m (3.3 ft) | 129 dB peak,@1 m (3.3 ft) | 134 dB peak,@1 m (3.3 ft) | 135 dB peak,@1 m (3.3 ft) |
| Power Capacity¹ | 250 watts | 250 watts | 500 watts | 500 watts |
| Peak Power Capacity¹ | 1,000 watts | 1,000 watts | 2,000 watts | 2,000 watts |
| Input Connectors | Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 (x1), 1/4" phone jack (x1), parallel | Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 (x1), 1/4" phone jack (x1), parallel | Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 (x1), 1/4" phone jack (x1), parallel | Neutrik® Speakon® NL-4 (x2); factory wired for pins 1± operation, user configurable for 2± operation |
| Included Accessories | User Guide | User Guide | User Guide | User Guide; 24 inch (610 mm), 35 mm (diameter) steel pole |
¹ Power Capacity and Peak Power Capacity ratings are based on IEC filtered random noise with a crest factor of 6 dB.
MP255S Subwoofer Details
The MP255S subwoofer is designed for vertical orientation to minimize its footprint. A pole is included to allow elevation of a mid/high speaker via its 35 mm pole mount socket. It can also be laid on its side for slightly better low-frequency performance.
Connecting Directly to an Amplifier
The MP255S is a dual 15" band-pass subwoofer with a built-in low-pass filter (LPF) that passes lower frequencies and blocks higher ones. This LPF prevents the subwoofer from producing midrange frequencies, allowing it to perform well even when driven by the same amplifier as a mid/high speaker. However, some amplifiers may struggle with the resulting low impedance load.
| Amplifier Load / Channel | MP255S Only | MP255S plus one 8Ω Mid / High Speaker | MP255S plus one 4Ω Mid / High Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 4Ω | 2.67Ω | 2Ω |
For optimal performance, it is recommended to use a separate amplifier and crossover, or amplifiers with integrated high and low pass filters. Connecting the MP255S this way yields better performance than conventional subwoofers.
Block Diagrams
The block diagrams illustrate the internal signal paths and component connections for the MPro 200 Series models.
MP212, MP215, MP225 Block Diagram
These models feature an input section with parallel connectors (8Ω impedance). The signal passes through a High-Pass Filter (HPF) and SonicGuard™ HF Protection before reaching the High-Frequency (HF) driver. For full-range operation, a connection bypasses the HPF and SonicGuard. The Low-Pass Filter (LPF) is applied to the Low-Frequency (LF) driver. The MP225 model includes an option to bypass the LPF for specific configurations.
MP255S Block Diagram
The MP255S subwoofer features input connectors (1+ and 2+) with impedance set to 4Ω. It includes a Low-Pass Filter (LPF) to manage frequencies. The diagram shows factory-wired input and thru connections, with a custom option for different configurations. The input panel (rear view) shows standard Speakon NL-4 connections.
Speaker Cables and Connections
Various cable types are used to connect speakers to amplifiers:
- 1/4" Phone to NL-4: Connects a 1/4" phone plug (Tip, Sleeve) to an NL-4 connector (Pins 1+, 1-, 2+, 2-).
- Dual Banana to NL-4: Connects dual banana plugs (+) and (-) to an NL-4 connector (Pins 1+, 1-, 2+, 2-). Ground tab is also present.
- NL-4 to NL-4 (2-conductor cable): Standard connection between two NL-4 connectors using two conductors.
- NL-4 to NL-4 (4-conductor cable): Utilizes all four conductors of an NL-4 cable for advanced configurations.
Minimum Wire Size for 0.5 dB Loss
The following graph illustrates the recommended minimum wire size (AWG and mm²) based on wire length (feet and meters) and speaker impedance (Ohm) to minimize signal loss (0.5 dB):
- For 8Ω speakers, longer cable runs require thicker wire (e.g., 10 AWG for ~150 ft / 46m).
- For 4Ω speakers, thicker wire is needed sooner (e.g., 10 AWG for ~75 ft / 23m).
- For 2Ω speakers, the thickest recommended wire (e.g., 10 AWG) supports the shortest cable lengths (~30 ft / 9m).
Visual Description of Graph: The graph plots Wire Length (Feet/Meters) on the Y-axis against Wire Size (AWG/mm²) on the X-axis. Three curves represent 8 Ohm, 4 Ohm, and 2 Ohm impedances. As impedance decreases or wire length increases, a larger wire gauge (lower AWG number) is required to maintain signal integrity.
Configuration Examples
Basic Configuration
This section shows how to connect MPro 200 Series speakers (MP212, MP215, MP225) to an amplifier. Two options are presented:
- Option 1: Using 1/4" TS Phone Connectors: Connects the amplifier's output to the speaker's input using standard 1/4" phone cables.
- Option 2: Using Speakon NL-4 Connectors: Connects the amplifier's output to the speaker's input using professional NL-4 (Speakon) cables, ensuring a secure connection.
Subwoofer Configuration
This illustrates connecting the MP255S subwoofer alongside MPro 200 Series full-range speakers (MP212, MP215, MP225) to an amplifier. It shows the subwoofer's input connectors (4Ω impedance) and how it integrates with the amplifier outputs.
Bi-Amp Configuration
This advanced setup involves a Crossover/Processor, a Mid/High Amplifier, and a Low Amplifier. The signal is split and processed before being sent to dedicated amplifiers for the mid/high speakers and the subwoofer. The diagram shows connections from a mixer to the crossover, then to the amplifiers, and finally to the MPro speakers and MP255S subwoofer. It details the use of 4-conductor or 2-conductor cables for connecting to the MP255S, noting that the subwoofer must be configured for +2 operation for certain connections.
JBL Warranty and Contact Information
Warranty Coverage
Who is Protected: The original owner and subsequent owners, provided the product was purchased in the Continental United States, Hawaii, or Alaska, and the original dated bill of sale is presented for service. (Purchases outside these areas or by military outlets may have different warranty terms; contact local distributors.)
Warranty Duration:
- Professional loudspeaker products (excluding enclosures): 5 years from the date of original purchase.
- Amplifiers: 3 years from the date of original purchase.
- Enclosures and all other JBL products: 2 years from the date of original purchase.
What is Covered:
Defects in material and workmanship.
What is NOT Covered:
- Damage from accident, misuse, abuse, modification, or neglect.
- Damage occurring during shipment.
- Damage from failure to follow instructions in the manual.
- Repairs performed by unauthorized personnel.
- Claims based on seller misrepresentations.
- Products with defaced, modified, or removed serial numbers.
Repair Costs:
JBL will pay for all labor and material expenses for covered repairs. Original shipping cartons should be saved; replacement cartons may incur a charge.
Obtaining Warranty Service:
Contact JBL Incorporated 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. The original bill of sale is required. Do not ship without prior authorization. JBL will cover return shipping charges for warranty-covered 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:
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 www.jblpro.com.
Customer Registration: Register online at www.jblpro.com/registration.
© 2002 JBL Professional. A Harman International Company.
