New Products

JBL today announced its most ambitious product launch in recent memory with lifestyle-focused AV receivers and mix-and-match speakers for music and movies that draw on its rich history in audio with support from a parent company that also happens to be the top TV brand in the world — Samsung.

From the brand that brought us some of the most iconic speakers of all time, the introduction spans 13 entries: Five AVRs under the MA Series umbrella at prices ranging from $399 to $1,599, and eight speaker models under the Stage 2 label at prices ranging from $300 to $1,200/pair.

JBL is clearly targeting a younger demographic and has gone out of its way to fight complexity and the intimidation that often follows with gear purposefully designed to be easy to set up and operate.

The Receivers
The MA series AVR lineup comprises five models featuring Class D amplification for all channels, Dolby and DTS surround-sound decoding, compatibility with Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast, streaming via Spotify and Bluetooth, high-resolution 24-bit/192-kHz digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and two features that go a long way toward easing system setup: an intuitive on-screen menu system and a new EZ Set EQ app said to automate the process of optimizing sound based on room acoustics in a couple minutes. The Wi-Fi-enabled receivers also feature “Works with SmartThings” integration for creating automated routines that can simplify control over smart-home devices.

Let’s take a closer look at each model in ascending price order:

Kicking off the lineup at the entry-level price of $399, the 5.2-channel MA310 is rated to deliver 60 watts per channel RMS into 8 ohms and is equipped with four 4K/60 HDMI inputs and one HDMI output, two digital inputs (coax and optical), and two sets of analog RCA inputs, and two subwoofer outputs.

The 5.2-channel MA510 kicks things up a notch with 8K/60 and 4K/120 signal compatibility, support for the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) formats, a higher 75-watt power rating, and eARC HDMI compatibility (the MA310 supports only ARC). Connections are the same as the MA310.

Bumping up the power and channel-count, the 7.2-channel MA710 ups per-channel output to 110 watts and brings aptX HD and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth 5.4 into the fold (the 310 and 510 support Bluetooth 4.1 LE) along with two HDMI inputs for a total of six (still one output), a moving-magnet phono input, and Zone 2 pre-outs for delivering stereo audio to a second room.

For those who like the 7.2 configuration but want more power, the MA710HP takes it up to 175 watts/channel RMS into 8 ohms and adds a second HDMI output along with Bluetooth transmission capability and an upgrade path to Dirac Live room-correction processing.

The flagship of the MA Series is the 9.2 channel MA9100HP (shown), which builds on the MA7100HP by bumping power up to 140 watts/channel and offering 5.1-, 7.1- and 9.1-channel configurability with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround processing; it also features low-noise Class D amplification and is “Dirac Live Ready” like the MA7100HP.

The Speakers
Building on JBL’s illustrious 75-plus-year history in sound reproduction, Stage 2 Series speakers were developed at the state-of-the-art JBL Center of Acoustics Excellence in Northridge, California and incorporate the next generation of the brand’s patented High-Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguide to produce “room-filling sound” from a 1-inch anodized aluminum tweeter.

Here’s a snapshot of the new models, each of which also feature a removable grille and woodgrain finish.

Topping the Stage 2 lineup are two tower models, the 260F two-and-a-half-way design with two 6.5-inch woofers and the slightly larger 280F. Both are compatible with the 240H Dolby Atmos height module, featuring a 4.5-inch woofer and tweeter in a wedge-shaped cabinet designed to sit atop either speaker.

A classic two-way bookshelf option is offered in two sizes, the 240B and slightly larger 250B, which mates a 5.25-inch woofer with the tweeter.

Movie soundtrack dialogue and centered sounds and effects are conveyed by the 245C center-channel speaker featuring a tweeter flanked by two 4.5-inch woofers on either side.

Rounding out the line are two powered subwoofers, the 200P and 220P; details weren’t available at press time.

“Solving for modern consumer behaviors and concerns was front and center when we developed these products,” explained Dave Tovissi, vice president and general manager of Harman International’s Luxury Audio Group. “We designed the systems to blend perfectly into today’s lifestyle, giving users the sound quality and simplicity of use they always wanted from a home theater system but never found — until now.”

JBL is offering light and dark color options called Latte and Espresso for its new electronics and speakers. For more information, visit jbl.com.