Home Theater Systems Reviews

Speaker
Type: Two-way, biamplified monitor
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.7, birch wood dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 4.2, birch wood cone
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 6
Available Finishes: Cherry hardwood
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 10.2 x 5.7 x 9.6
Weight (pounds): 7

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

HT Labs Measures: JVC EX-A10 Compact Component System

Sensitivity: 82.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the EX-A10 (purple trace). The left channel was measured with grille at a distance of 1 meter.

The EX-A10's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures + 3.96 /– 2.34 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 59 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 53 Hz.—MJP

At A Glance: Compact Integrated Amplifier: RX-EXA10

Features
Processing Modes: Dolby Digital, DTS bit streams (down- mix to two-channel), CC Converter, 3D Phonic
Audio D/A Converter: 24-bit/192-kilohertz
Number of Amp Channels: 2 (4 amplifiers total)
Power Rating (watts per channel): 30 (woofer), into 6 ohms; 20 (tweeter), into 6 ohms
Frequency Response: +/–1 dB from 20 Hz to 40 kHz
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 3.7 x 9.7 x 11.75
Weight (pounds): 6

Connections
Inputs:
Video: None
Audio: Optical digital (2), stereo analog (2)
Outputs:
Video: Component video (1), S-video (1), composite video (1)
Audio: Subwoofer (1)
Additional: Synchro (to disc player)

At A Glance: Compact DVD Player: XV-EXA10

Features
Compatible Playback Formats: DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD, VCD, SVCD, CD-R/-RW DVD-R/-RW, MP3, SMA, JPEG, DivX, ASF, MPEG-1, MPEG-2
4Possible Playback Resolutions: 480p, 480i
Video D/A Converter: 12-bit/108-megahertz
Audio D/A Converter: 24-bit/192-kilohertz
Bass Management for Analog Audio Outs: No
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 3.3 x 9.7 x 10.7
Weight (pounds): 4.9
Price: $1,000 for system

Connections
Inputs: Video: None
Audio: None
Outputs:
Video: Component video (1), S-video (1), compos- ite video (1)
Audio: Optical digital (1), stereo analog (1)
Additional: Synchro (to integrated amp), AV Compu Link

Ratings: JVC EX-A10 Compact Component System

Build Quality: 92
Surprisingly fine fit and finish, especially the speakers
• How drivers will age is uncertain

Value: 83
• Conventional HTIBs sell for far lower prices
• Two-channel stereo, not surround sound

Features: 90
• Birch speaker diaphragms are a big plus
• Two compact speakers and no sub not compelling for many movies

Performance: 94
• Relaxing sound gets you hooked
• Sounds best with low-volume music

Ergonomics: 91
• Setting up a system doesn't get much easier than this
• Compact components fit into any room

Overall Rating: 90
Speaker diaphragms of pressed birch seemed a novel idea. What the system gave was an involving sound with much of the feeling of old-fashioned, golden-age analog. JVC's two-decade R&D quest is not a dead end but an avenue worth pursuing, both for manufacturers and consumers.

General Information
EX-A10 Compact Component System, $1,000
JVC
(800) 252-5722
www.jvc.com
Dealer Locator Code JVC