JL Audio Primacy S3
Breathtaking Sound Made Simple
Stand-Mounted Two-Way S3 Speakers
AUDIO IN ITS ULTIMATE FORM
JL Audio Primacy S3 is a luxury audio system that delivers exceptional performance without clutter or complication.
ACTIVE SPEAKER
This JL Audio Primacy S3 loudspeaker features a fully active design with built-in DSP-optimised amplifier channels for the tweeter and woofer section.
BEAUTIFULLY BUILT
Cast and precision-machined aluminium-alloy loudspeaker enclosures provide maximum structural integrity and performance, with replaceable cosmetic to match a wide range of décors.
SIMPLY PERFECT
JL Audio Primacy eliminates the complexities of high-end audio by combining the amplifier, signal processing and loudspeaker into a single package, without clutter or complication.
PRIMACY CS STEREO CENTERPIECE COMPATIBLE
The optional Primacy CS stereo centerpiece allows for control of digital, analogue and streaming sources as well as personalised listening profiles.
OPTIONAL ROOM OPTIMISATION
When paired with a Primacy CS stereo centerpiece, you will get Primacy Automatic Room Optimisation (P.A.R.O.), which measures and optimises the entire system — including any additional powered subwoofers — for your room and listening position.
ACTIVE LOUDSPEAKER DESIGN
ACTIVE DESIGN
Individual amplifier channels are connected to each driver section.
Each amplifier is connected directly to the driver(s) with optimal control and damping over each moving diaphragm.
LOSSLESS DSP CROSSOVERS
DSP filtering occurs at the input of each of the 3 active amplifier channels. These crossover filters operate more predictably and with better linearity than a passive system.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE TRIPLE-CORE DSP
A digital signal processor, operating at 32-bit/192 kHz audio resolution, provides precise control over crossover filters, equalisation, dynamics, delay and phase.
LOUDSPEAKER ENCLOSURES
ALL-METAL ENCLOSURE
An all-metal enclosure provides exceptional rigidity and is more environmentally stable than wood. It won’t absorb moisture, expand, shrink or crack over time.
ALLOY CASTING
The enclosure starts with a massive one-piece alloy casting, which includes many internal features, such as the bracing and ports for the woofer section.
PRECISE MACHINING
The enclosure is placed into large 5-axis CNC machines, and every assembly surface is milled and honed to within ±0.025 mm (±0.0001 inches) for all critical dimensions.
FRONT BAFFLE
The front baffle is a 0.90” thick aluminium extrusion, with secondary machining and a durable powder-coated finish.
The midrange driver is mechanically decoupled from the baffle surface.
ENCLOSURE SHAPE
The narrow front baffle design and gentle contours help smooth dispersion in the mid- and upper-frequency ranges.
DRIVERS
CARBON TWEETER
The 1” dome tweeter employs a pure carbon diaphragm for low mass and excellent damping.
A highly linear magnetic circuit ensures low distortion, superb dynamics and smooth performance.
WOOFER
This 5.5” woofer with its mineral-filled polypropylene cone offers light weight and excellent damping properties.
It’s further enhanced with an additional support structure for cone rigidity.
DMA OPTIMISATION
DMA optimisation precisely models the behaviour of the loudspeaker motor, including the modulating effects of current flowing through the voice coil.
AMPLIFIERS
BUILT-IN AMPLIFIERS
Each S3 audio system has 2 built-in amplifiers — 1 for each driver section.
These employ their most advanced switching technology.
Gain and transient response are optimised to each driver’s characteristics.
AMPLIFIER OUTPUTS
Output devices are surface mounted with short power paths that reduce parasitic inductance, leading to cleaner switching and reduced electromagnetic emissions
VOLUME CONTROL
When used with an optional Primacy CS stereo centerpiece or an optional Dante® digital audio network, volume level adjustments are made at the end of the audio chain — resulting in a higher signal-to-noise performance.
REGULATED POWER SUPPLIES
Each amplifier and the analogue and digital audio sections use separate triple-regulated power supplies synchronised to the digital audio sample rate.
INPUTS AND ONBOARD SETUP
ANALOGUE INPUTS
Each loudspeaker includes a balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analogue input.
A switch is provided to choose grounded or isolated modes for the analogue input.
DANTE DIGITAL INPUT
Directly stream digital audio to the loudspeaker’s internal amplifiers via Cat 6 cables when connected to a Primacy CS stereo centerpiece or Dante digital audio network (both sold separately).
HIGH-PASS FILTER
A rear-panel switch on each loudspeaker can engage a fourth-order (24 decibels/octave) high-pass filter at 80 Hz, convenient for adding a subwoofer to handle low-frequency duties.
BASS LIFT AND TREBLE CUT
Rear-panel switches on each loudspeaker can engage a bass lift and/or treble cut in the overall response.
These can be helpful to fine-tune the response to your listening space.
Specifications JL Audio Primacy S3
General |
|
| WARRANTY | 5 years |
| SIZES | Tweeter: 1″ Woofer: 5.5″ |
| PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS (HEIGHT) | 526 mm (20.7″) |
| PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS (WIDTH) | 257 mm (10.1″) |
| PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS (DEPTH) | 343 mm (13.5″) |
| WEIGHT | 37 kg (82 lbs) |
| LIGHT MODES | Off, on or dim |
| 12 V TRIGGER OUTPUT CAPACITY | 50 mA max (1/8″ (3.5 mm) mini jack) |
| AMPLIFIER POWER (RMS) | 400 W (Total) Tweeter: 200 W Woofer: 200 W See Additional |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE (ANECHOIC) | 55 Hz to 20 kHz, ±2 dB, -3 dB @ 44 Hz, -6 dB @ 36 Hz. Factory calibrated to achieve ±1.5 dB to reference response |
| LATENCY | 4.46 ms (at the speaker’s analogue input) |
| MAXIMUM PEAK SHORT TERM SINE WAVE ACOUSTIC OUTPUT, AVERAGED FROM 100 HZ TO 3 KHZ @ 1 M, HALF SPACE | >114 dB SPL |
| ENCLOSURE TYPE | Tweeter: sealed assembly Woofer: bass-reflex design vented at the base of the primary cast alloy enclosure |
| ENCLOSURE FINISH | Black Gloss |
| GRILLE(S) INCLUDED | |
| POWER MODES | Off, on or automatic (signal-sensing or 12V trigger) |
Signal Processing |
|
| UNBALANCED INPUT(S) | Mono (one RCA jack – input impedance of 50k ohms) |
| BALANCED INPUT(S) | Mono (one female XLR jack – input impedance of 50k ohms) |
| DANTE NETWORK CONNECTIONS | Two RJ45 ports |
| ANALOGUE INPUT SENSITIVITY | 0.32 V (-10 dBV) to 8.0 V (+18 dBV) |
| INPUT GROUNDING | Isolated or grounded (analog inputs) |
| INPUT MODES | Analogue or Dante® Network |
| LEVEL CONTROL | Level Trim (dB): 0 to -5 dB and muted (-∞) |
| FILTER MODE(S) | High-pass, Bass Lift, Treble Cut |
| FILTER SLOPE(S) | High-pass: 24 dB/octave |
| FILTER FREQUENCY RANGE | High-pass: 80 Hz Bass Lift: +3 dB shelving filter @ 116 Hz, Q=0.4 Treble Cut: -2 dB shelving filter @ 2000 Hz, Q=0.4 |
| FILTER DEFEAT FUNCTION | |
| CALIBRATION MODE | Primacy Automatic Room Optimization (P.A.R.O.) via PC and Primacy Centerpiece (sold separately) |
| CROSSOVER FREQUENCIES/SLOPE | 240 Hz/3 kHz, 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley |
| ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL CONVERTER | ESS SABRE ES9822PRO (operating in mono mode) |
| DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSOR | AKM triple-core with Velvet Sound technology, processing at 32 bit/192 kHz for local system volume, crossovers, delays, equalization and dynamics for each amplifier and driver section |
| PROCESSING BIT DEPTH/RESOLUTION | 32 bit/192 kHz |
| DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE CONVERTERS | ESS SABRE Reference DACs x 3 (operating in mono mode) |
Electrical |
|
| MAINS VOLTAGE | 240V AC, 50/60 Hz |
| POWER SUPPLY DESIGN | Worldwide voltage compatibility with power factor correction and synchronized regulated switching power supply. |
| FUSE TYPE/VALUE | 120 V: 10 A, 250 V, 3AB fast acting, 0.25 in ceramic cartridge 240 V: 6.3 A, 250 V, 3AB fast acting, 5 x 20 mm glass cartridge |
| POWER CORD | Detachable IEC style 120 V: 18 AWG, 10 A 240 V: 17 AWG, 10 A |
| STANDBY POWER CONSUMPTION | Auto power switch with Eco mode: <0.5 W Auto power switch with Faster: <7.0 W |
| IDLE POWER CONSUMPTION (ACTIVE WITH NO SIGNAL) | 120 V: ~40 W 240 V: ~40 W |
| ACTIVE POWER CONSUMPTION (ON WITH SIGNAL, 80 DB SPL @ 1 M, C-WEIGHTED) | 120 V: ~42 W 240 V: ~41 W |
Optional Stands available
Floor Stand for JL Audio Primacy™ S3 Loudspeaker
General |
|
| HEIGHT | 690 mm (27.18”); with speaker: 1.171 mm (46.11”) |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 378 mm (14.9”) |
| DEPTH | 467 mm (18.4”) |
| WEIGHT | 18.6 kg (41.1 lbs) |
