JBL goes Dirac Live ready and Class-D

[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.

 

[kyuu]

Since the EZ Set EQ does not set your speaker levels and distances, it's quite possible there is a mismatch in the levels between your front 3 speakers. Obviously if you feel like you want to return it, probably not worth it to purchase a Dirac license and see if that fixes your issue.

 

[fristil]

After a couple of weeks I must say I really like this AVR, get more punch, dynamic, clear sound on movies then my Yamaha RX-V6A. I dont experience any volume issues from the front during dynamic scenes

 

[tusc]

Since the EZ Set EQ does not set your speaker levels and distances, it's quite possible there is a mismatch in the levels between your front 3 speakers. Obviously if you feel like you want to return it, probably not worth it to purchase a Dirac license and see if that fixes your issue.

Could it be my speakers? I'm using Polk Audio LSI9 for fronts and an LSIC center channel. They're rated at 88db and 4ohms. They're known for craving a lot of power and might not be the best fit for this AVR. It probably doesn't help that my home theater is in a basement that is not closed off. A separate power map might be a better fit for my needs.

 

[vash2695]

Could it be my speakers? I'm using Polk Audio LSI9 for fronts and an LSIC center channel. They're rated at 88db and 4ohms. They're known for craving a lot of power and might not be the best fit for this AVR. It probably doesn't help that my home theater is in a basement that is not closed off. A separate power map might be a better fit for my needs.

Sorry if I missed this from one of your earlier posts, but if you haven't already done it, speaker levels should almost always need adjusted due to the acoustic properties of different environments and your relative listening position. I have a matched set of front speakers and they still need several db of adjustment between them to be properly balanced.

If you haven't tried it already, I recommend a phone app like AudioTool. It's not going to be as accurate as a dedicated meter but that doesn't matter much when you're referencing measurements to each other. Sit at your usual listening position, go to the level setting menu, and play the test tone on each speaker as you adjust them to match the same level. Assuming you can adjust the master volume separately for the test tone, try to get it close to 75db for your front left speaker as reference, then adjust all the rest to match with the exception of the sub.

 

[GXAlan]

Could it be my speakers? I'm using Polk Audio LSI9 for fronts and an LSIC center channel. They're rated at 88db and 4ohms. They're known for craving a lot of power and might not be the best fit for this AVR. It probably doesn't help that my home theater is in a basement that is not closed off. A separate power map might be a better fit for my needs.

The LSi 9 dips to 2.5 ohms around 50 Hz. Are you running them as large or crossed over at something like 80 Hz?

 

[tusc]

Sorry if I missed this from one of your earlier posts, but if you haven't already done it, speaker levels should almost always need adjusted due to the acoustic properties of different environments and your relative listening position. I have a matched set of front speakers and they still need several db of adjustment between them to be properly balanced.

If you haven't tried it already, I recommend a phone app like AudioTool. It's not going to be as accurate as a dedicated meter but that doesn't matter much when you're referencing measurements to each other. Sit at your usual listening position, go to the level setting menu, and play the test tone on each speaker as you adjust them to match the same level. Assuming you can adjust the master volume separately for the test tone, try to get it close to 75db for your front left speaker as reference, then adjust all the rest to match with the exception of the sub.

It was one of the first things I went through before running EZSet EQ. My left front speaker sits next to a wall and I've had to set the level a few db below the right speaker which has no wall next to it. I'm using an old RadioShack SPL meter and tried the free NIOSH sound level meter for iOS and they show similar SPL levels.

The LSi 9 dips to 2.5 ohms around 50 Hz. Are you running them as large or crossed over at something like 80 Hz?

I have the crossover set to 70Hz as the punchy bass from the LSis is beneficial for movie viewing.

 

[Doctors11]

 

[tusc]

You beat me to it. The last 5 minutes talk about sound quality . He gives it a good score for sound, considering it a tier 2 class ( RZ50 is in the same tier).

He did say if you have less than an ideal room then the EZ Set EQ might not be sufficient and you might have to step up to Dirac to resolve those issues. I feel like I’m in this category.

I have since replaced the JBL with a DRX 3.4, setup Dirac, and am pleased with the results. I have the option of using the pre outs with an existing power amp I have but if I want to revisit class d sound, I can consider the Fosi mono V3 for the mains. I’d still be under the cost of the 7100HP, and with Dirac included.

Interesting that the 9100HP has the same rating as the Fosi: 240 watts at 4 ohms. I wonder if they are using similar chips.

 

[Doctors11]

You beat me to it. The last 5 minutes talk about sound quality . He gives it a good score for sound, considering it a tier 2 class ( RZ50 is in the same tier).

He did say if you have less than an ideal room then the EZ Set EQ might not be sufficient and you might have to step up to Dirac to resolve those issues. I feel like I’m in this category.

I have since replaced the JBL with a DRX 3.4, setup Dirac, and am pleased with the results. I have the option of using the pre outs with an existing power amp I have but if I want to revisit class d sound, I can consider the Fosi mono V3 for the mains. Interesting that the JBL has the same rating as the Fosi: 240 watts at 4 ohms.

Yes. And I'm surprised he places it above the Marantz Cinema 50. I wonder if the HDAMs are muddying the sound too much?

 

[Bentail]

Yes. And I'm surprised he places it above the Marantz Cinema 50. I wonder if the HDAMs are muddying the sound too much?

I returned the JBL MA-7100 a month ago, purchased the DRX 3.2 and returned it. Now, I went back to purchase a Marantz Cinema 50. The Marantz is in a different class. The JBL handled my 4 ohm speakers fine, but just did not have the impact of my SR6012 which had some heat damage from a nearby fireplace. The DRX 3.2 was also ok, but seemed to weaken as a movie was playing. I think it was getting hot and went into some sort of safety mode. The new Cinema 50 has no issues and does not fall short for me. The sound is clearer to me than any that I have tried. I believe that the listener preference should be considered. I believe that most of his tier one were very neutral sounding AVR’s. He may refer that. My opinion.

 

[Doctors11]

I returned the JBL MA-7100 a month ago, purchased the DRX 3.2 and returned it. Now, I went back to purchase a Marantz Cinema 50. The Marantz is in a different class. The JBL handled my 4 ohm speakers fine, but just did not have the impact of my SR6012 which had some heat damage from a nearby fireplace. The DRX 3.2 was also ok, but seemed to weaken as a movie was playing. I think it was getting hot and went into some sort of safety mode. The new Cinema 50 has no issues and does not fall short for me. The sound is clearer to me than any that I have tried. I believe that the listener preference should be considered. I believe that most of his tier one were very neutral sounding AVR’s. He may refer that. My opinion.

Thanks for that. Do you listen to music through the Marantz?

 

[dlaloum]

You beat me to it. The last 5 minutes talk about sound quality . He gives it a good score for sound, considering it a tier 2 class ( RZ50 is in the same tier).

He did say if you have less than an ideal room then the EZ Set EQ might not be sufficient and you might have to step up to Dirac to resolve those issues. I feel like I’m in this category.

I have since replaced the JBL with a DRX 3.4, setup Dirac, and am pleased with the results. I have the option of using the pre outs with an existing power amp I have but if I want to revisit class d sound, I can consider the Fosi mono V3 for the mains. I’d still be under the cost of the 7100HP, and with Dirac included.

Interesting that the 9100HP has the same rating as the Fosi: 240 watts at 4 ohms. I wonder if they are using similar chips.

I've used my DRX 3.4 with both Quad 606 (AB Current Dumping) and Crown XLS (Class D) power amps without any issues...

Found no audible difference between the two power amp options (other power amps have difficulty with my 1.6 ohm speakers - and are audibly different as a result!)

The JBL's would be worthy contenders for a single box alternative... but then so would the Onkyo RZ70 / Integra DRX 8.4 at a similar price point

 

[Bentail]

Thanks for that. Do you listen to music through the Marantz?

Yes, I listen to 90 percent music.

 

[pogo]

The MA9100HP was tested in the german trade magazine AUDIOstereoplay. The power cube measurement shows stable behavior with complex loads.

 

[dlaloum]

The MA9100HP was tested in the german trade magazine AUDIOstereoplay. The power cube measurement shows stable behavior with complex loads.

That would place it in competition with things like the Onkyo RZ70 rather than the RZ50 (which struggles with difficult loads). Or in the Denon range, the X6800 rather than the X3800/4800.

 

[pogo]

The power cube is even more linear than that of an AHB2

 

[kyuu]

ASR review of the MA7100HP is imminent. Keep a lookout for it to be posted in the next day or two.

 

[pogo]

I hope @amirm does his reactive load test on the 7100. The power cube test on the 9100 was very positive.