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JBL CSMA 280 Commercial Series Mixer/Amplifier

BH #JBCSMA280 • MFR #CSMA280
2 reviews
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JBL CSMA 280 Commercial Series Mixer/Amplifier
Key Features
  • For Commercial and Industrial Use
  • 80W into 8 or 4 Ohm Loads
  • 10W Per Channel
  • 8 Input Channels, 2 Output Channel
Designed for commercial and industrial use, the CSMA 280 Commercial Series Mixer/Amplifier from JBL is a mixer/amplifier with eight mixer-channel inputs and two output channels. It's capable of reaching 80W of peak power with 10W per channel. The unit's front panel sports volume controls for each channel, as well as two master volume adjustment knobs, two sets of bass and treble controls, and a power switch. The volume controls are illuminated so they can be seen and operated in darkened environments.
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JBL CSMA-280 Overview

Designed for commercial and industrial use, the CSMA 280 Commercial Series Mixer/Amplifier from JBL is a mixer/amplifier with eight mixer-channel inputs and two output channels. It's capable of reaching 80W of peak power with 10W per channel. The unit's front panel sports volume controls for each channel, as well as two master volume adjustment knobs, two sets of bass and treble controls, and a power switch. The volume controls are illuminated so they can be seen and operated in darkened environments.

The amplifier, capable of driving both eight and four Ohm loads, can be used with 70V and 100V distributed audio systems without the need for a separate transformer. On its back panel you'll find euroblock connections for mic/line inputs, as well as unbalanced RCA inputs, speaker connections, dip switches for input routing, and more. The unit is also equipped with two RJ45 connectors for use with JBL CSR-V in-wall volume controls (available separately).

This Commercial Series mixer/amplifier boasts such features as voice activating ducking (useful for paging over background music), priority muting for channels one and five, and a sleep mode which automatically powers down the unit when no audible signal has been received for longer than 30 minutes. Also, with two auxiliary outputs, you may connect to an additional amplifier, though the master volume and tone controls will have no bearing on the resulting signal.

Channel Modes
8 inputs with 2 outputs of 80W of power.
Controls
Independent Bass and Treble controls for each output channel.
Input level and output volume controls.
Hi-Z Switch
The Hi-Z switch will switch in the built-in output transformer allowing the unit to drive 70V or 100V speaker systems directly when connected to the appropriate output terminals.
Phantom Power
Phantom power (27 V) can be applied to all mic inputs by turning on Phantom Power within the dip switches.
VOX Function
Voice activated ducking is available on input channel 1 and channel 5. The audio input level required to activate ducking is set using the trim pot on the rear panel. Adjusting in the counter-clockwise direction will reduce that level, while the full clockwise setting will disable the VOX function.
Priority Muting
Channels one and five may be used as priority channels, muting all other channels when pins 4 and 5 are shorted using a switch closure. If the amplifier has entered sleep mode due to inactivity, invoking priority will also bring the unit out of sleep and ready for transmitting an announcement.
Remote Volume Control
Remote volume control can be implemented using a CSR-V controller connected via an Ethernet cable to the RJ45 connector on the back panel.
Sleep Mode
This unit is designed to go into sleep mode after approximately 30 minutes operating with no signal at any of the inputs. Return of signal (-40 dBu or 7.75mVRMS) to any input will wake the unit. Also, a switch closure across the priority input pins will return the unit to normal operating mode.
AUX output
An auxiliary output that you may connect to additional amplifiers is available. The audio signal is the mix of the input channels. Note that the master volume control and tone controls will have no effect on the aux output signal.
Manufacturing
Crown's DriveCore technology
HARMAN's GreenEdge environmental standards
Certifications and Approvals
Lead-free RoHS standards, utilizing recycled metals, and using an energy-saving powder coat process
Energy Star certified
UPC: 871015007373

JBL CSMA-280 Specs

Form Factor/Type
Rackmount
Number of Mixer Inputs
8
Number of Amplifier Channels
2
Load Impedance/Voltage Support
4 / 8 Ohms
70 V (60 Ohms Minimum)
100 V (120 Ohms Minimum)
Power Rating per Channel
2x 10 W RMS
80 W Peak at 4/8 Ohms
Performance
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±2 dB (Low-Z)
80 Hz to 15 kHz ±2 dB (70/100 V)
20 Hz to 20 kHz ±1 dB (Line Output)
SNR/Noise
> 90 dB SNR
THD/Distortion
≤ 0.5% THD (20 Hz to 20 kHz, Main Output)
≤ 0.05% THD (Line Output)
Crosstalk
-70 dB (1 kHz)
Signal Processing
DSP
No
EQ & Filters
2-Band EQ
Connectivity
Analog Audio I/O
2x Block 5-Pin Balanced Line/Mic Input
6x Block 3-Pin Balanced Line/Mic Input
6x Stereo 2RCA Unbalanced Summed-Mono Input
2x Block 3-Pin Balanced Aux Output
Digital Audio I/O
No
Network I/O
No
Other I/O
2x RJ45 Remote/Volume
USB I/O
No
Phantom Power
+27 V
Wireless
No
Power
Input Power
100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
AC Power Connector
1x IEC
Physical
Display
Single-LED Indicators Only
Rackmount Size
1 U (with Included Hardware)
Operating Conditions
32 to 95°F / 0 to 35°C up to 95% Humidity
Dimensions
17.2 x 11.9 x 1.7" / 436.9 x 302.3 x 43.2 mm
Weight
11.9 lb / 5.4 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
16 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
20.5 x 16.3 x 5.2"

JBL CSMA-280 Reviews

Known issue with this unit

By mark
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2017-09-29

We were hoping to use this amp in a classroom setting. Unfortunately the unit powers off just about every 20-30 minuets while being used. It has a faulty auto shut off feature that people need to be aware of. According to JBL this is a known issue with this unit. To fix the auto shut off problem you must either rewire the RCA inputs or solder the sleep circuit within the unit. This is the second JBL CSMA 280 amplifier we have tried to install within the last couple of weeks. The first unit arrived with plastic pieces falling out of the inside of the amp. To put it mildly, I would never buy this amp again and do not recommend it.

Automatically shuts off every 25 minuets while in use.

By mark
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2017-09-26

We were hoping to use this amp in a classroom setting. Unfortunately the unit powers off just about every 20-30 minuets while being used. It has an auto shut off feature if there is no signal within 30 minuets...JBL customer support was very helpful when contacted. This is a known issue with this unit. To fix the issue you must either rewire the RCA inputs or solder the sleep circuit within the unit. This is the second JBL CSMA 280 amplifier we have tried to install within the last couple of weeks. The first unit arrived with plastic pieces falling out of the inside of the amp. To put it mildly, I would never buy this amp again and do not recommend it.

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