I think you've missed an important, techical point as to why these receivers are labelled 'modern' - these are one of the very few AV receivers at any price to use Class D amplification. What's also interesting is that JBL give ratings for all channels driven, not just the usual 2 channels by most other manufacturers. And they also include basic room correction to get the user up and running out of the box.
Yes - I did miss that the amplifiers within the MA Series AV Receivers are Class D. Thanks for raising. You are correct the not many are. The McIntosh MHT300 is another example of one having Class D. Where are you finding and all channels driven specification? Each official resource I have seen from JBL shows only 2-channel amplifier ratings: Website, specification sheet, manual: FTC Rated Output Power (20Hz- 20kHz, 2 channels driven, 1% THD max, 8Ω) 140W Rated Power @ 8Ω (20Hz - 20kHz, 2 channels driven, 0.5% THD max) 140 W RMS Rated Power @ 4Ω (20Hz - 20kHz, 2 channels driven, 0.5% THD max) 240 W RMS Within those published values, they do include the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ratings which is the US Government rules designed to provide consumers with a more consistent benchmark on reported power of amplifiers by suppliers. However, FTC does not require an all channels driven test and does not go far enough on normalizing distortion, so it is still possible for brands to publish data using liberal test practices - 2 ch with high distortion. -Jon
@@ripewaveooooo heck yeah they are class D?! It’s about time we get some AVRS that way. I’m still with my pioneer lx901 & was waiting for a good modern class d to upgrade to. I only need 9 Channels so this is looking good!
Very odd that more don't. I suspect that there is a lot of engineering behind a good class D amplifier. Many of the big players don't own that technology and find it more profitable to go with the Class AB designs they own. However, why Pioneer had Class D and moved back to Class AB remains a mystery to me.
EZSet EQ was the Harman/Kardon brand AVR calibration, on My AVR 760 there was even an EZSet EQ II version as it was able to calibrate 2 separate subwoofers. It worked quite well there were two sets of measures, « near field » to measure the speakers themselves and « far field » to measure what was the room influence on the sound. It worked quite well tbh.
This is first thing about these receivers that seems positive.We sure need a new built in room correction that might show promise but lack of pre outs is big miss
@@ripewave i have the 310. I went with black at first but then swapped it out for the white. The menu is tough on the 310, but since I only use it for music and I have a network streamer connected, there was no reason to upgrade to the next version.
The only reason I'd consider a JBL AVR is because of the HARMAN/Lexicon Logic-7 sound mode. But unfortunately, yjey no longer offer such mode in the new line of AVRs. So, I'll stick with Denon...
I appreciate the honest feedback. My aim is to present products with clear details so each viewer can come to their own conclusions and to minimize after purchase surprises. -Jon
I'm curious how JBL utilizes those full-graphic-screens on the HP Models. If they'll show cover-art and a spectrum analyzer during streaming, it'd be big benefit over those dot-matrix screens other companies still use in way more expensive AVRs.
Great question. I can’t find any evidence so far that the display does more then produce status information about the device. Given its limited support for direct streaming, I suspect that album art will not be included. -Jon
Nice! I got the MA710 just to try something new and had to setup a return for it, as it was not decoding audio properly. 5 channel decoding was correct channel-wise but sounded very veiled/muddy and with every Atmos or DTS:X movie I tried, the center channel dialogue/audio would come out of my rear left surround speaker ..really weird. Almost seemed like a software issue. I triple checked all connections and made sure the unit was updated, tried a factory reset etc. with no luck. I ended up finding a used Sony AN1000 and that worked flawlessly upon hookup. I feel like the Sony sounds better than the Denon x6500h that I had prior ever did. The Sony AN1000 has been a real surprise. I guess I can finally retire my 25 year old Sony STR DA777ES once and for all now! What a great receiver that is/was - that thing just will not die lol. I hope the JBL works out for ya! Looking forward to your review. @@ripewave
All units are Class D amplification / THD is 0.5% - terrible numbers. This is quite frankly terrible - any sensitive speakers will highlight the distortion. And no mic included? Use your iPhone? That's a joke. JBL should have stayed away from the AVR game / I mean come on - not even an AM - FM tuner? And made in China for this kind of money? This line up will fade away like Harmon Kardon did when they went to Class D amps - somebody at H/K didn't get that memo.
Class D implication can be good - very good. But not all Class D amps are good. To only measure within 0.5% will inflate the values. The more I hear about these new model, the more I am concerned. Good point about EZ set EQ measurements - reading the JBL provided instructions they say to use the microphone in your mobile device. As you say - not good. -Jon
@@ripewave Only good implementation I've encountered with Class D amps are from NAD - and the amount you pay is insidious in comparison to a Class A/B or even a Class G - which Onkyo has a new stereo amplifier with Class G technology. But Jon, Class D amps have been around since the 1960's and more or less abandoned by audiophiles like myself because of the high THD above 200 hz that is quite audible. In my opinion, that's why Class D amps are used primarily in subwoofers and car audio
The fact that these are digital amplifier is great for ppl like me with limited space.
I think you've missed an important, techical point as to why these receivers are labelled 'modern' - these are one of the very few AV receivers at any price to use Class D amplification. What's also interesting is that JBL give ratings for all channels driven, not just the usual 2 channels by most other manufacturers. And they also include basic room correction to get the user up and running out of the box.
Yes - I did miss that the amplifiers within the MA Series AV Receivers are Class D. Thanks for raising. You are correct the not many are. The McIntosh MHT300 is another example of one having Class D.
Where are you finding and all channels driven specification? Each official resource I have seen from JBL shows only 2-channel amplifier ratings:
Website, specification sheet, manual:
FTC Rated Output Power (20Hz- 20kHz, 2 channels driven, 1% THD max, 8Ω)
140W
Rated Power @ 8Ω (20Hz - 20kHz, 2 channels driven, 0.5% THD max)
140 W RMS
Rated Power @ 4Ω (20Hz - 20kHz, 2 channels driven, 0.5% THD max)
240 W RMS
Within those published values, they do include the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ratings which is the US Government rules designed to provide consumers with a more consistent benchmark on reported power of amplifiers by suppliers. However, FTC does not require an all channels driven test and does not go far enough on normalizing distortion, so it is still possible for brands to publish data using liberal test practices - 2 ch with high distortion. -Jon
@@ripewaveooooo heck yeah they are class D?! It’s about time we get some AVRS that way. I’m still with my pioneer lx901 & was waiting for a good modern class d to upgrade to. I only need 9 Channels so this is looking good!
Very odd that more don't. I suspect that there is a lot of engineering behind a good class D amplifier. Many of the big players don't own that technology and find it more profitable to go with the Class AB designs they own. However, why Pioneer had Class D and moved back to Class AB remains a mystery to me.
EZSet EQ was the Harman/Kardon brand AVR calibration, on My AVR 760 there was even an EZSet EQ II version as it was able to calibrate 2 separate subwoofers. It worked quite well there were two sets of measures, « near field » to measure the speakers themselves and « far field » to measure what was the room influence on the sound. It worked quite well tbh.
Thanks for the knowledge. So they resurrected that tool from older products. Very helpful. -Jon
This is first thing about these receivers that seems positive.We sure need a new built in room correction that might show promise but lack of pre outs is big miss
Thanks for the review.
Not much information out there on these yet.
I'm happy you did this.
I'm now subscribed.
Thanks for subscribing. I hope to bring one of these I house soon. -Jon
@@ripewave i have the 310. I went with black at first but then swapped it out for the white. The menu is tough on the 310, but since I only use it for music and I have a network streamer connected, there was no reason to upgrade to the next version.
The only reason I'd consider a JBL AVR is because of the HARMAN/Lexicon Logic-7 sound mode. But unfortunately, yjey no longer offer such mode in the new line of AVRs. So, I'll stick with Denon...
It seems they are not doing much with the Lexicon brand and technology nowadays. -Jon
Thanks for covering these. Unfortunately I don't see anything to tempt me from the more traditional options.
I appreciate the honest feedback. My aim is to present products with clear details so each viewer can come to their own conclusions and to minimize after purchase surprises. -Jon
No Preouts is a bad move by JBL on these new AV Receivers
Good can purchase licence for Dirac Calibration on higher end models
Nice fair balanced feedback. -Jon
MA710 has preouts when selected in the menu system
@ripewave great break down on these units they look very good. Do you no the voltage on the subwoofer.
I do not know the voltage of the subwoofer output. It is not published by JBL. -Jon
@ripewave Thanks for your fast response I'm definitely staying tune for the review of this product.
You didn't mention that these are class D amplifiers. Otherwise, great review.
Thanks for filling in that detail. I did miss that one. -Jon
i like the simplicity of the 9100 and would probably try one
in a small room setup...
I have the feeling that a smaller room is the right setting for these JBL MA Series AV Receivers. -Jon
I'm curious how JBL utilizes those full-graphic-screens on the HP Models. If they'll show cover-art and a spectrum analyzer during streaming, it'd be big benefit over those dot-matrix screens other companies still use in way more expensive AVRs.
Great question. I can’t find any evidence so far that the display does more then produce status information about the device. Given its limited support for direct streaming, I suspect that album art will not be included. -Jon
These are at Best Buy, in store
Thank you - I just ordered one from them for review. -Jon
Looking forward to your review of it - what model did you get?? Thanks! @@ripewave
I go the MA9100HP. Will open tomorrow. -Jon
Nice! I got the MA710 just to try something new and had to setup a return for it, as it was not decoding audio properly. 5 channel decoding was correct channel-wise but sounded very veiled/muddy and with every Atmos or DTS:X movie I tried, the center channel dialogue/audio would come out of my rear left surround speaker ..really weird. Almost seemed like a software issue. I triple checked all connections and made sure the unit was updated, tried a factory reset etc. with no luck. I ended up finding a used Sony AN1000 and that worked flawlessly upon hookup. I feel like the Sony sounds better than the Denon x6500h that I had prior ever did. The Sony AN1000 has been a real surprise. I guess I can finally retire my 25 year old Sony STR DA777ES once and for all now! What a great receiver that is/was - that thing just will not die lol. I hope the JBL works out for ya! Looking forward to your review. @@ripewave
I returned the 710 , it can't hold the bi amp mode
Bi amp mode is waste of time anyway
Potentially a software issue. Did you return for just that issue, or were there other factors? -Jon
@@ripewave they would shut off after glitching out
Not good
@@Music.Movies.67 they look nice but my R11s need Ws
All units are Class D amplification / THD is 0.5% - terrible numbers.
This is quite frankly terrible - any sensitive speakers will highlight the distortion.
And no mic included? Use your iPhone? That's a joke. JBL should have stayed away from the AVR game / I mean come on - not even an AM - FM tuner? And made in China for this kind of money?
This line up will fade away like Harmon Kardon did when they went to Class D amps - somebody at H/K didn't get that memo.
Class D implication can be good - very good. But not all Class D amps are good. To only measure within 0.5% will inflate the values. The more I hear about these new model, the more I am concerned. Good point about EZ set EQ measurements - reading the JBL provided instructions they say to use the microphone in your mobile device. As you say - not good. -Jon
@@ripewave Only good implementation I've encountered with Class D amps are from NAD - and the amount you pay is insidious in comparison to a Class A/B or even a Class G - which Onkyo has a new stereo amplifier with Class G technology.
But Jon, Class D amps have been around since the 1960's and more or less abandoned by audiophiles like myself because of the high THD above 200 hz that is quite audible. In my opinion, that's why Class D amps are used primarily in subwoofers and car audio
I think that good Class D amplifiers have been more expensive. McIntosh has the MI502 Digital Amplfier and MHT-300 AV Receiver based on Class D. -Jon
I spent a few minutes on it in best buy, it looks cheap, shoddy plastic, I don't like it!
That is disappointing.great feedback nevertheless.-Jon