JL Audio Primacy S3

Part Number 010-03807-00

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AUDIO IN ITS ULTIMATE FORM

JL Audio primacy

BREATHTAKING SOUND. MADE SIMPLE.

STAND-MOUNTED TWO-WAY S3 speakers

A PROCESS OF PERFECTION

DSP-OPTIMIZED AMPLIFIER CHANNELS
FOR EACH DRIVER SECTION

UNMATCHED STYLE

Match your décor with swappable cosmetic panels

FINE-TUNED
TO ANY ROOM

optional room optimization
with primacy cs

AUDIO IN ITS ULTIMATE FORM

JL Audio Primacy S3 is a luxury audio system that delivers exceptional performance without clutter or complication.

FULLY ACTIVE SPEAKER

BUILT-IN AMPLIFIERS WITH DSP

CAST AND MACHINED ALUMINUM-ALLOY ENCLOSURE

PAIRS WITH OPTIONAL PRIMACY CS STEREO CENTERPIECE

BALANCED, UNBALANCED AND DIGITAL INPUTS

REPLACEABLE COSMETIC PANELS (SOLD SEPARATELY) TO MATCH DÉCOR

WHAT YOU'LL LOVE

ACTIVE SPEAKER

This loudspeaker features a fully active design with built-in DSP-optimized amplifier channels for the tweeter and woofer section.

BEAUTIFULLY BUILT

Cast and precision-machined aluminum-alloy loudspeaker enclosures provide maximum structural integrity and performance, with replaceable cosmetic panels 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, analog and streaming sources as well as personalized listening profiles.

OPTIONAL ROOM OPTIMIZATION

When paired with a Primacy CS stereo centerpiece, you’ll get Primacy Automatic Room Optimization (P.A.R.O.), which measures and optimizes 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, equalization, 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 ±0.0001 inches (±0.025 mm) for all critical dimensions.

FRONT BAFFLE

The front baffle is a 0.90-inch thick aluminum 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-inch 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-inch 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 OPTIMIZATION

DMA optimization precisely models the behavior 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 our most advanced switching technology. Gain and transient response are optimized 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 analog and digital audio sections use separate triple-regulated power supplies synchronized to the digital audio sample rate.

INPUTS AND ONBOARD SETUP

ANALOG INPUTS

Each loudspeaker includes a balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog input. A switch is provided to choose grounded or isolated modes for the analog 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.

General
Warranty	5 years
Sizes	Tweeter: 1" Woofer: 5.5"
Physical dimensions (Height)	20.7" (526 mm)
Physical dimensions (Width)	10.1" (257 mm)
Physical dimensions (Depth)	13.5" (343 mm)
Weight	82 lbs (37 kg)
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 analog 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	yes
Power modes	off, on or automatic (signal-sensing or 12V trigger)
Signal Processing
Unbalanced inputs	Mono (one RCA jack - input impedance of 50k ohms)
Balanced inputs	Mono (one female XLR jack - input impedance of 50k ohms)
Dante Network connections	two RJ45 ports
Analog input sensitivity	0.32 V (-10 dBV) to 8.0 V (+18 dBV)
Input grounding	Isolated or grounded (analog inputs)
Input modes	Analog 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	yes
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
Analog 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 analog converters	ESS SABRE Reference DACs x 3 (operating in mono mode)
Electrical
Mains voltage	100 to 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
Additional
Additional	Amplifier power: This rating was not tested under the FTC standard

S3 speaker with black gloss decorative side panels
Power cord
White gloves
Documentation

JL Audio Primacy S3