JBL goes Dirac Live ready and Class-D

[fristil]

Must say that with EZ i get much better, tight, defined bass than before

 

[Svend P]

In terms of sound, the X3800 won't be able to hold a candle to the JBL. Perhaps you can make a comparison on a simple 2.0 setup without tone controls and other sound corrections.

In all other comparisons, we agree that no one can tell amplifiers apart. And yet you feel confident to make this outrageous claim? Have you tested them blind against each other?

 

[EWL5]

In all other comparisons, we agree that no one can tell amplifiers apart. And yet you feel confident to make this outrageous claim? Have you tested them blind against each other?

This post already showed it's possible to EQ the JBL close to "ruler flat" FR w/EZ:

JBL goes Dirac Live ready and Class-D

Despite the name printed on it, that isn't just an HDMI board - I see a network module with attached antenna on the left. Post #35 shows another interior shot.

www.audiosciencereview.com

In Audyssey, the Denon can also be EQ'd flat w/the caveat that you need to buy the $20 Audyssey app to get rid of MRC compensation. After that, They have more in common w/each other than not (even amp power)!

I would imagine that with both AVRs running on Dirac, it'd be hard to tell them apart in a DBT!

 

[GXAlan]

You might find an ok compromise where no null is completely excited, but they are still there
…
I wasn't being pedantic at all. I'm just saying that nulls are a huge detriment and a second sub is often WAY more important than height speakers. I'm not saying you can't get a good setup without multiple subs, just that people don't really have their priorities straight.
…
Why would you resort to strawman arguments like this?

Sorry, my fault for the statement. The “bare minimum” phrase was misinterpreted as an extreme.

I agree with what you say here. Although I think the compromise of reduced nulls isn’t as bad.

For many modest budgets, I personally would tell someone to get one sub with that budget and upgrade to a second sub a year from now versus getting two small subs right now this very moment. One RSL 12S versus your two Polk HTS-10.

So I am with you that multiple subs are key… but I do think starting off with one solid sub isn’t just as good as “the bare minimum.”

 

[Sig.Rossi]

Any possibilty to use the JBL MA series with an active monitor as center speaker?

I guess a dedicated center pre out would be necessary, right?

 

[GXAlan]

Any possibilty to use the JBL MA series with an active monitor as center speaker?

I guess a dedicated center pre out would be necessary, right?

They don’t have center outs, so you have to use a high to low converter. I am not sure if they have been measured here to figure out if they are audibly transparent.

 

[Sig.Rossi]

Thanks, I didn't even know such a thing existed.

 

[Sig.Rossi]

Something like this?

Audiowandler Lautsprechersignal auf Cinchsignal Masse Entkoppler Massetrenner

Masse Entkoppler mit Impedanz Anpassung Highlevel auch Cinch High/Low Adapter oder auch HighLevel Wandler genannt. Für Lautsprechersignal…

www.ela-profi.de

 

[SpoOokY]

This post already showed it's possible to EQ the JBL close to "ruler flat" FR w/EZ:

JBL goes Dirac Live ready and Class-D

Despite the name printed on it, that isn't just an HDMI board - I see a network module with attached antenna on the left. Post #35 shows another interior shot.

www.audiosciencereview.com

In Audyssey, the Denon can also be EQ'd flat w/the caveat that you need to buy the $20 Audyssey app to get rid of MRC compensation. After that, They have more in common w/each other than not (even amp power)!

I would imagine that with both AVRs running on Dirac, it'd be hard to tell them apart in a DBT!

Well, first of all the green line is kind of an estimated in room response. It is not validated using the micro. The real frequency response will looks entirely different. That also goes for Audyssey as well as Dirac.
Above that, a ruler flat response it NOTHING anybody would want. That is the major drawback of Audyssey without the app or Audyssey one. It just sounds anemic and boring with bass and punch lacking. What you actually want, and that would mitigate the shortcomings of the human ear, is a harman house curve with a 10 dB decline from 20hz to 20Khz.
This is also not part of EZ Set, as only bass is being corrected, but it sounds like bass, even though in the app you see a ruler flat line, is a little bit boosted which sounds just great!

 

[NOAMattD]

Above that, a ruler flat response it NOTHING anybody would want. That is the major drawback of Audyssey without the app or Audyssey one. It just sounds anemic and boring with bass and punch lacking.

Sure if you leave it like that. But if you can EQ a speaker to be ruler flat, then all you need is simple tone controls or shelf filters to get a house curve that's to your tastes.

 

[fristil]

I noticed today that the sound disappeared when I watched 2 movies. Alita Battle Angel and In the land of Saint and sinners. The sound disappeared for about 3-4 sec, the decoder text on the display disappeared too, then it came back again

 

[pogo]

Are you using a certified HDMI cable?

 

[fristil]

Are you using a certified HDMI cable?

Yes i quality supra 8k hdmi cables

 

[pogo]

I have not seen any certification of this cable!?
But I would try a different cable anyway.

 

[tusc]

MA9100HP unboxing and setup:

 

[kyuu]

Mr. Ripewave here has a point about EZ Set EQ not being able to automatically set the speaker delays and levels. Very much goes against the ethos of making these AVRs appealing to those new to the audio world beyond soundbars and bluetooth speakers. Most of his other complaints pretty much get a shrug from me, though. It has enough configuration options for what one would realistically need.

And yeah, font sizes on the front screen need to be increased. My eyes are still pretty decent, but they certainly aren't getting better as I age.

 

[Bentail]

@tusc Any opinion on the JBL MAxxxx compared to the Onkyo?

I did try out the Integra drx3.2. To me, the 7100 was more detailed and dynamic. This was without Dirac on the 7100, but with Dirac on the Integra. The Integra had less of a problem driving the x800 ML sub, but I compensated by increasing the volume on the sub. I think there is a voltage issue with the MA7100hp. My speakers, ML Motion 40i fronts and SLM surrounds, seemed to perform better with the JBL, with no top end or ear fatigue. I also liked the mellower sound of the 7100, but that is just me. All my opinion.

 

[kyuu]

The Integra had less of a problem driving the x800 ML sub, but I compensated by increasing the volume on the sub. I think there is a voltage issue with the MA7100hp.

Weird, since one of the other posters experiences seemed to imply the sub out was too hot, but yours implies the opposite. Wonder if someone could stick a multimeter on it and see what the voltage is at 0dB?

 

[Bentail]

Too bad I returned it, or I would check it. At the time, I figured that it was normal. I am hoping that the review on the site will be a good review. I will probably purchase it again if so. Maybe soon.

 

[tusc]

@tusc Any opinion on the JBL MAxxxx compared to the Onkyo?

@kyuu , finally have time to reply. I enjoy the sound of the JBL when playing stereo music in 2.1 mode. Unfortunately, I feel when watching movies it seems to have issues with the volume level not being uniform across my main front speakers and center channel. It's as almost as though the amp felt strained during loud dynamic scenes. Maybe it's the 4ohm speakers? Not sure. I've determined I want to get an AVR with preamps since I have an old 3 channel amp I want to use for the LCRs. I'm closely approaching the 30-day return on this unit so I most likely will be sending it back.

I've tried with EQ on/off and the difference is not noticeable. When I had the Onkyo 7100, Dirac was very noticeable. I'm not sure if EZ Seteq is ideally set up for me. I even tried cleaning out the bottom of my iPhone's mic port, not knowing how critical it might be for picking up the test tones.

I did try out the Integra drx3.2. To me, the 7100 was more detailed and dynamic. This was without Dirac on the 7100, but with Dirac on the Integra. The Integra had less of a problem driving the x800 ML sub, but I compensated by increasing the volume on the sub. I think there is a voltage issue with the MA7100hp. My speakers, ML Motion 40i fronts and SLM surrounds, seemed to perform better with the JBL, with no top end or ear fatigue. I also liked the mellower sound of the 7100, but that is just me. All my opinion.

Funny, I just pulled the trigger on the DRX 3.4 which was on sale up until last week. I want Dirac and can't justify spending more for it given the cost of the JBL. I'm not thrilled with losing the modern look of the MA series. On the other hand, if you have the JBL in a home theater room, I feel that the screen loses its charm rather quickly. If you're watching mostly movies, there's no media art on the screen (just what HDMI input you're using). And if you're sitting 10 feet away, the text is too small to read. The i button on Onkyo/Integra remotes is much more useful for onscreen media information.

I feel that pairing the Integra with a power amp will work for me. Just my 2 cents.