How to load JBL 705i / 708i tuning file into a BSS Blu signal processor (step by step)

[eric-c]

All,

Hoping someone can provide the medium to high level steps on how to load the macro file (preset filters) for single wire into the BSS Blu 50

Here is what I did thus far

- Purchased JBL 705i and a BSS Blu 50
- based on this thread I downloaded and installed HiQnet London Architect 6.02 R3 (on Windows 11 24H2 Pro)
- downloaded JBL 705i single wire zip file and ultimately extracted the contents and put it in c:\users\<username>\documents\My Macros\LSR705_SingleWires_20160104.macro
- factory reset the BSS Blu 50
- able to discover the BSS Blu 50 on the network and updated the firmware
- can see the LSR705_SingleWires_20160104.macro in the hardware section under processing objects

I searched the web and used the online help (macro) in the HiQnet London Architect SW. Still unclear to me on the next steps since I am new to this software. Most of the hits are on Audio vs London Architect and or using "hacked" presets. Assuming I need to load / associate the macro files into the input ports, write this somehow into the BSS Blu 50, then the BSS blu 50 will always run these macros when it is on.

Once someone provides the med to high level steps and I can get this working. I am more than happy to document step by step with graphics and urls (eg factory reset) in this thread and will change the title

Appreciate any guidance that can be provided.

Eric

 

[sneakmasterG]

I've felt your pain when I was setting mine up. I tried looking, but I'm not sure exactly how I did it.

There are some old youtube videos that helped me, along with random forum postings. Here's a few videos you might start with.

Also, within London Architect there is a guide that you can open. At the bottom left of your screenshot it says "For help, press F1". Do that, it's a good resource.
Stick with it, it'll be worth the effort.

 

[eric-c]

Greatly appreciated. I didn't come across these short concise videos previously. I think I got it. In the next few days, I'll create the cabling in / out to the Blu 50 and test this out. Very high level and I do plan to document this in this thread with graphics. For now so I don't forget

What you will need:

- BSS Blu xxx controller (my case it was a BSS Blu 50)
- Windows PC running at least Win7 (my case it was Windows 11) with an ethernet controller on the same switch / network segment ideally
- HiQnet London Architect v6.02.R3 SW downloaded
- JBL 708i or 705i (single or biwire BSS London Architect) files downloaded

What you do:
- install the HIQnet London Architect (LA) SW
- extract the contents of the BSS London file (eg 705i single wire) and put it in c:\users\<username>\documents\My Macros\LSR705_SingleWires_20160104.macro
- factory reset the BSS Blu 50 (provide url and or provide attachment)
- discover the BSS Blu 50 on the network,
- LA SW advises you to disable your windows firewall which I did
- in my case, even with a factory reset, BSS Blu 50 had an odd static IP address (got unifi networking to find out) I installed a USB to ethernet adapter with a static IP on the same subnet IP as the BSS Blu 50, also had to specify this USB ethernet as an adapter to use when scanning the network
- ended up getting to the BSS Blu 50 and changing its networking to DHCP
- In LA updated the firmware
- Ensure you can see the LSR705_SingleWires_20160104.macro in the hardware section under processing objects, JBL
- modify the appropriate blu processor in "design" <add graphic> and reference to youtube
- add the specific process object for the JBL 705i single wire
- copy the above 3x (BSS Blu 50 has 4 in 4 out)
- wire / link the JBL 705i single wire object between the 4 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs
- save your design
- name your "design" accordingly eg BLU50 JBL705i single
- save your design aka unassigned
- change the name of your network / discovered BSS Blu to the same as that of your "design" eg BLU50 JBL705i single
- ensure there is a green star on your physical / network discovered BSS Blu
- then "run" the config so it writes it to the BSS Blu <reference you tube video>

 

[sneakmasterG]

Managing Network Ports in Soundweb London

help.harmanpro.com

On the used equipment I purchased, previous owners have set a static IP address, which can be a pain to connect to if you don’t have a lot of networking experience. The link above is really helpful (see the bottom section). Buy a serial to usb cable to connect the BSS device directly to the computer and set it for auto IP. After this you’ll be able to find it on your network.

Eric - It looks like you already battled through this, but it’s something to keep in mind for other users.

 

[eric-c]

Thanks the serial connection is a great tip. Another tip is buying the right width 3.5mm pitch phoenix connectors namely make sure they are 10.5 mm wide.


The long story:

Last night started making the female xlr pig tails for the inputs and was planning to wire the BSS Blu 50 output directly to the Extron 2004 input.

I use an Extron 2004 (4 ch) amp for my surrounds and rears. Extron 2004 like the BSS Blu 50 also uses 3 pin 3.5mm Phoenix connectors for the inputs (outputs).

Extron 2004 the individual inputs (H) are spaced:

Last year, I got the amp from e-bay and of course it did not have the phoenix connectors so I bought a bag of twenty 3 pin 3.5mm pitch plug / connectors from Amazon and made a pig tail to female XLRs. Has been working perfectly for over a year now.

BSS Blu 50, the inputs and outputs are directly adjacent to each other

The BSS Blu 50 I got (ebay) didn't come with any of the three pin 3.5 mm pitch Phoenix input connectors. No problem, pulled out the extras (green in photo below) I used from the Extron amp only to find that they do not fit adjacently on the BSS Blu 50 because they are too wide. I search my old Amazon order and found they are 12mm wide and verified this via measuring it. Then measured the width of orange 3 pin 3.5 mm pitch Phoenix output connectors and they were 10.5 mm wide.

So searched high and low and finally found 3 pin 3.5 mm pitch Phoenix connectors that are 10.5 mm wide (thanks Digikey and Tyco Electronics). These were shipped today. Once I receive the 10.5 mm wide Phoenix connectors and I will finish wiring the BSS Blu to the Extron 2004 power amp. I will then document the process of setting up end to end.

BSS Blu 80 rear

<Edit April 12, 2025> received the BSS Blu 80- and measured the pitch and it is 5.08 edited below to reflect. The amazon link that SneakMaster G provided appears to be the right part.

On a side note, I also purchased (not received yet) a BSS Blu 80 on ebay for a decent price. My plan is to use this as backup. The ebay listing picture showed zero phoenix connectors on the back So went looking for BSS part number 32-0290 6 pin x 3.5 5.08 mm RA Orange or better yet a similar size and form factor plug. No luck, it is a unique plug with rounded bottoms. Could only find the original BSS part # 32-0290 at $17 each and almost all online stores says out of stock with long lead times.

If anyone knows where to get this specific 6 pin 3.5 mm pitch plug with rounded bottoms. I am all ears.

 

[sneakmasterG]

https://a.co/d/3tEn4dd

I’ve had to buy various connectors from Amazon to go with my eBay equipment purchases. The ones linked above visually look right, but you can verify the measurements look okay. Or order and return if there’s an issue.

If not, there’s a lot of options on Amazon. Search for phoenix terminal bock. Refine your search from there for the right connector shape and number of terminals.

 

[eric-c]

Preparation (step by step)

Scenario

JBL Master Reference Monitor 705i or 708i speakers are passive versions of the active 705p and 708p. The 705i and 708i need both external amplification and to be eq’ed/tuned to provide the intended sound from JBL. To achieve this, there are two options:

• Crown DCi Network model power amps (which have fans) with the appropriate JBL tuning files
• Harman BSS Blu signal processor(s) with JBL tuning files and an external power amplifier.

Many people go the BSS Blu route because you can use virtually any power amplifier (especially fanless) and used BSS Blu processors are readily available on ebay at greatly discounted prices. The BSS Blu 50 is popular because it is fanless however it has 4 inputs and 4 outputs. The 4x4 in/out will allow you to run 4 channels in “single wire” mode. If you run in “bi wire”/”bi amp” mode then you will be limited to 2 channels. There are many BSS Blu models to choose from that have more inputs, outputs, expandability options etc.

My specific scenario will serve as the basis of this step by step.

• Prepro XLR Outs for Right/Left Surround, Right/Left Rear
  • Four 3’ XLR colored cables to easily identify the channel
    • Red: Right Surround
    • Black: Left Surround
    • Gray: Right Rear
    • Blue: Left Rear
  • My largish and heavy prepro is in a tall shelf that is hard to move so the above color coded extension cables makes it really easy for me as the XLR cables are easy to access and identify without plugging and unplugging cables from the back of the prepro.

• BSS Blu 50
  • Input: Made XLR female “pig tails” using microphone colored microphone cables:
    • Red: Right Surround
    • Black: Left Surround
    • Gray: Right Rear
    • Blue: Left Rear
  • Output: used the same raw color coded microphone cable

• Extron 2004 4 channel power amp
  • This has Phoenix block connectors for inputs
  • Used color coded electrical tape to wrap around the speaker cable
    • Red: Right Surround
    • Black: Left Surround
    • Gray: Right Rear
    • Blue: Left Rear

• Four JBL 705i speakers for surrounds

Prequisites for Installation


Must have:

• Personal Computer
  • running a semi current windows operating system (eg 10/11)
  • ethernet (ideal) connected
  • on a network running DHCP
  • very handy if it is physically close to the BSS Blu 50

• HiQnet London Architect v6.02.R3 SW downloaded

• JBL 708i or 705i (single or biwire BSS London Architect) files downloaded

• BSS Blu 50
  • Power Supply
  • all the properly sized Phoenix input and output connectors (see previous post)
    • many times, these will not come with the BSS Blu as the BSS Blu has been quickly ripped out of an install and easiest way to do that is to pull the connectors and take the unit out and leave the connectors behind.

• Power amplifier
  • In my scenario, I am running “single wire” so one channel for each speaker

• JBL 705i speakers
  • You must have all the Phoenix blocks (see picture below)
  • If you are running in single wire (my scenario), the bi wire blocks need to be in place and shorted

• Ethernet cables to network ethernet switch for PC and BSS Blu

• Microphone (raw) or similar three wire (two plus shield) cable for the BSS Blu 50 Phoenix blocks
  • Optimally different colored outer jacket to easily identify
  • I sourced mine from a local pro AV shop that sold various colors by the ft or meter

• Small flat head screw driver for the Phoenix connectors

• Cable strippers

• Soldering tools and skills for:
  • BSS Blu 50 inputs: Raw Female XLR if using another XLR cable as an extension (my scenario) or plugged directly to prepro outputs.
  • BSS Blu 50 outputs: Raw Male XLR that plug directly into the power amps XLR inputs.
    • my Extron 2004 power amp has Phoenix connectors for inputs so I did not need the male XLRs
  • I bought my Neutrik female XLR plugs from the same pro AV Shop that sold the raw microphone cable by the foot.
  • XLR's are used in my case. You can use RCA as well. Just follow the wiring schematics for the BSS Blu for RCA/single ended. If XLR is available, I prefer XLR because:
    • its locking
    • better noise rejection
    • more idiot proof as XLR cables have a male and female side
      • inputs (female connection) component side
      • outputs (male connection) component side
      • whereas RCA is always female (in or out) at the component level and the cables are male to male.

• Speaker Cable

Highly recommended:

• USB to Serial connector (RS232) female 9 pin
  • For direct connection from PC to BSS Blu for configuration

• USB to ethernet dongle
  • Can be very handy if using a notebook with no built in ethernet
  • I have a spare and used it so the integrated ethernet was connected to my network/internet and the USB ethernet dongle was used to set a static IP on the same subnet as the BSS Blue. You will need some decent networking skills to determine the static IP address of the BSS Blu 50 (esp since it has no LCD panel) even after a factory reset.
  • I could have set the integrated ethernet to static but this made things a lot easier especially when it came to decommissioning the second ethernet connection

• Multi colored rolls of electrician’s tape
  • Label speaker and or microphone cable for easy identification especially if all the cabling is the same color

• Brother P Touch Label Maker with multi color tapes
  • Use / buy the 12mm tape. I bought the 18mm tape and its too tall especially when labelling the BSS Blu 50 since the input and output connectors are butted against each other. Luckily I had some red and black 12mm tape. In the pictures, the blue and white are 18mm
  • Label inputs, outputs, speaker outs on BSS Blu 50, power amps
  • Label microphone / XLR cable especially if they are all the same color

Multi colored Electricians tape

Multi colored xlr cables

Color coded cables using raw microphone cable (home made)

Extron 2004 power amp labelled

BSS Blu 50 rear with cables connected

JBL 705i rear in single wire configuration

BSS Blu 80 readiness

Just received a BSS Blu 80 and I installed the quiet Noctua fan mod as outlined here. Please note the BSS Blu 80 uses one 5 volt fan that is 40mm x 40mm x 20mm (not 10mm) deep. The new Noctua fan is significantly quieter than the original fan that is for sure. Some of the BSS Blu processors have four fans. It must be super loud as the original single fan on the BSS Blu 80 was quite loud. Of course if you are listening to audio only (eg no projector fan or projector in hush box, there is always the fanless BSS Blu 50

Home Made cables for the BSS Blu 80

Labelled chassis

 

[eric-c]

Installation and Configuration of London Architect Software for BSS Blu 50

• install the HIQnet London Architect (LA) SW

• extract the contents of the BSS London tuning file previously downloaded which is specific to the (speaker model: 708i or 705i) and (single wire or biwire)
  • The files will ultimately go in the "My Macros" folder in the "documents" folders for the currently logged in user
    • eg for 705i single wire it will look like c:\users\<username>\documents\My Macros\LSR705_SingleWires_20160104.macro
      • the LA SW which is quite old refers to this as "My Documents" which was the term used on much older windows operating systems (XP?)

• Factory reset aka "Safe Mode" the BSS Blu 50
  • this is assuming that you received the BSS Blu second hand and do not know the configuration condition of it

• Open up the HiQnet London Architect Software
  • I put a shortcut on the Windows 11 task bar to make it easier to find / launch

• Discover the BSS Blu 50 on the network. PDF Document from BSS on the steps.
  • LA will advise you to disable the firewall
  • in my case, even with a factory reset / Safe Mode, BSS Blu 50 had an odd static IP address that remained (got unifi networking to find out, there are other methods). Because of the static IP for a different subnet, I could not discover the BSS Blu 50.
    • I installed a USB to ethernet adapter with a static IP on the same subnet IP as the BSS Blu 50, also had to specify this USB ethernet as an adapter to use when scanning the network
      • now I was able to discover
    • Once changed you will need to rescan the network and if I recall, you may have to do another factory reset / safe mode.
  • use the "highly recommended" USB to serial (female 9 pin) connector and attach to the BSS Blu 50 to discover and change the network to DHCP vs static as outlined in a previous post in this thread
  • Once discovered it will look like this under Network.
    • Also note the JBL Processing object LSR705SgWirV1.1.
  • 

• Once discovered, LA may prompt you to update the firmware
  • it did in my case

• Ensure you can see the LSR705_SingleWires_20160104.macro in the hardware section under processing objects, JBL
  • If not double check file name extension (.macro) and location "My Macros" as outlines above.
    • if you did make a change. "Rescan Macros" under Tools, Rescan Macro Directory
    • 

• modify the appropriate blu processor in "design"
  • youtube video on general configuration
  • under Hardware, Devices, BSS, drag and drop Blu 50 to the "Main 100%" window
  • 
  • 
    
  • Then double click on the Blu 50 rectangle to expand it
  • use the right/left and up/down scroll bars to find all four objects especially the yellow Input and output cards
  • move the objects so they are all visible in the same window without using the scroll bars
  • 

• add the specific process object for the JBL 705i single wire
  • youtube video on general configuration
  • right click on the blank space between the yellow input/output cards for new
  • under New, JBL, LSR705SgWirV1.1 (choose it)
  • 
    
    
  • 
    
  • You should now have an object that looks like this
  • 

• copy the above 3x (BSS Blu 50 has 4 in 4 out)
  • refer to above video
  • and move the object so they are all aligned neatly
  • 

• wire / link the JBL 705i single wire object between the 4 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs
  • youtube video on adding objects and wiring
  • Click on one of the four inputs click (hold) and drag it to the processing object and release the mouse button
  • 
  • repeat the above 3x for input
  • do the same for processing object to output analog card.
  • It should look like this
  • 

• save your design
  • File, Save As
  • Note, in my graphic, I already previously saved
  • 

Please note, that I previously set everything up and was trying to retrace as much as possible. You will see the "Main 100%" tab missing because I deleted it (before I got smart). Do not delete Main : 100%. I have since disconnected and stored the BSS Blu 50.

The BSS Blu 80 thread after this one does take step by step after this point with more detail on getting the programing into the Hardware. Also the youtube video is excellent

• change the name of your network / discovered BSS Blu to the same as that of your "design" eg BLU50 JBL705i
  • Youtube video on "going online"
  • under the network section, ethernet, Blu-50's, click on the device
  • edit the name to match that of your design
    • Note, it must be the exact name (caps, spaces etc)
  • 

• ensure there is a green star on your physical / network discovered BSS Blu
  • Youtube video on "going online"
  • refer to the video as I already ran mine

• then "run" the config so it writes it to the BSS Blu
  • also shown in above youtube video
  • Click on the Run / Play button
  • 
  • click on OK
  • 
  • you can then see it run
  • 

That should do it. Save and exit out of application

Get audio and it appears to be working. I have not setup up REW (future project) to see if the tunings were applied with a before and after. Lastly, I did not see any of the input or output LEDs light up. I thought it may not have been setup correctly. Read the manual and only at a specific input and output level will the signal LEDs light up. So I cranked the volume on my prepro and then I could see the LED's flashing

Feel free to correct anything where I may have erred.

 

[eric-c]

Installation and Configuration of London Architect Software for BSS Blu 80


I received a BSS Blu 80 and made the Noctua (quiet fan mod). I plan to use this as my DSP even with the fan because quite frankly, it looks cooler in my rack

• install the HIQnet London Architect (LA) SW

• extract the contents of the BSS London tuning file previously downloaded which is specific to the (speaker model: 708i or 705i) and (single wire or biwire)
  • The files will ultimately go in the "My Macros" folder in the "documents" folders for the currently logged in user
    • eg for 705i single wire it will look like c:\users\<username>\documents\My Macros\LSR705_SingleWires_20160104.macro
      • the LA SW which is quite old refers to this as "My Documents" which was the term used on much older windows operating systems (XP?)

• Factory reset aka "Safe Mode" the BSS Blu 80
  • this is assuming that you received the BSS Blu second hand and do not know the configuration condition of it
  • Factory resetting / Safe Mode does not change the static ip address that was previously set
    • luckily the LCD panel will display the IP address and subnet

• Open up the HiQnet London Architect Software
  • I put a shortcut on the Windows 11 task bar to make it easier to find / launch

• Discover the BSS Blu 80 on the network. PDF Document from BSS on the steps.
  • LA will advise you to disable the firewall
  • Discovering devices is easier with BSS DSPs with an LCD panel as you can see what IP address it has
  • In my case, even with a factory reset / Safe Mode, BSS Blu 80 still had a static IP address of 192.168.100.1 / 255.255.255.0
    • I installed a USB to ethernet adapter with a static IP of 192.168.100.2 / 255.255.255.0 on the same subnet IP as the BSS Blu 80, also had to specify this USB ethernet as an adapter to use when scanning the network in Tools, Application Preferences
    • 
      • strangely, (maybe became of my of my Unifi networking setup), I could not see the ethernet pop with the discovered BSS
      • only when I plugged the ethernet cable directly from the BSS Blu 80 to the USB to ethernet adapter did it appear. In other words, bypassed my network switch entirely
  • Once discovered it will look like this under Network (above graphic)
  • Changed the Static IP address to DHCP
    • click on the modify settings icon in the network section then "Use AutoIP/DHCP
    • 
    • Make sure you:
      • replug the BSS Blu 80 ethernet cable back to your network switch

• ,<Optional> Update the firmware, it may have prompted you when you first discovered the BSS Blu
  • You can manually check it by clicking on the firmware icon under network.

• Ensure you can see the LSR705_SingleWires_20160104.macro in the hardware section under processing objects, JBL
  • If not double check file name extension (.macro) and location "My Macros" as outlines above.
    • if you did make a change. "Rescan Macros" under Tools, Rescan Macro Directory
    • Ensure the primary network your PC is enabled ie the same network giving out the DHCP address
    • Note in scenario, I did not give my BSS Blu 80 a name when I modified its settings thus no name here either
  • 

• modify the appropriate blu processor in "design"
  • youtube video on general configuration
  • If there is no "Main 100%" window open then open one up
  • File, new to open up a Main 100% window
  • 

• Setup the configuration for the BSS Blu 80
  • navigate to Network, Blu-80's and the device found (mine is unnamed)
  • drag and drop it to the "Main 100%" window above
  • 

• Prepare the input and output modules by separating them
  • double click the Blu 80 box to expand it / separate the input and output cards
  • Resize the window and move the various input and output modules so they are all in the same windows
  • I moved B (input module) adjacent to D (output module) to make things easy as I plan to use B as the input module
    • the only modules that need to be modified are the yellow ones
  • 

• add the specific process object for the JBL 705i single wire
  • youtube video on general configuration
  • right click on the blank space between the yellow input/output cards for new
  • under New, JBL, LSR705SgWirV1.1 (choose it)
  • 
  • 
    
  • You should now have an object that looks like this (I moved mine)
  • 

• copy the above 3x (my BSS Blu 80 has 12 in 4 out)
  • refer to above video
  • right click the object then copy
  • right click the background and paste (3x)
  • and move the object so they are all aligned neatly
  • 

• wire / link the JBL 705i single wire object between the 4 analog inputs (need to specify card A, B, C, D) and 4 analog outputs
  • youtube video on adding objects and wiring
  • Click on one of the four inputs click and drag it to the processing object and click again.
  • 
• • repeat the above 3x for input
  • do the same for processing object to output analog card.
  • It should look like this
  • 

• save your design
  • File, Save As
  • I named mine "blu 80 jbl 705i"
  • 

• change the name of your network / discovered BSS Blu to the same as that of your "design" eg blu 80 jbl 705i
  • Youtube video on "going online"
  • under the network section, ethernet, Blu-80's, click on the device
  • edit the name to match that of your design
    • Note, it must be the exact name (caps, spaces etc)
    • Modify Device Settings icon
    • change name and click ok
  • 
  • You will be prompted and click yes to continue. Click Yes

• Changing name of your logical design to match.
  • Youtube video on "going online"
  • Click on the "Main : 100%" windows
    • View, Properties
    • Change the object name to match the discovered device. Again I used "blu 80 jbl 705i"
  • 
• The Ethernet discovered device should turn to black and the unassigned disappear
• 
  • You can close the properties window.

• Load the programming into the BSS Blu 80
  • click on the play button
  • then use the load device button
  • 
  • loading progress and completion
  • 
  • Click on OK
  • It will show subscribing then completion with the device now showing online
  • 
  • 

That should do it. Save and exit out of application

• You can validate on the BSS Blu 80 that the profile is active
  •