JBL MA9100HP AVR review

Those who know of JBL electronics know of Synthesis, their high-end line of processors and amplifiers that are aimed squarely at the custom-install market and as such, didn’t need dressing up. But the MA series is a consumer-oriented and forward facing line of products that would be out in the living room, perhaps as the centrepiece even. To serve that audience, a glass fronted, minimalist fascia sticks to the brief. Both the oversized dials are multifunctional with push-to-select functionality. The left dial controls inputs and navigation around the settings menu while the volume dial can be pushed to mute.

A colour display also shows off album art if you’re streaming content, natively or via AirPlay. There are splashes of ‘JBL orange’ on the top panel, an LED underglow beneath the fascia and even the feet wear orange pads. Customisation is offered in the form of user-selectable hues for the LED underlight and it does look pretty cool in a darkened room. Both the main display and the LED ambient light can be switched off if you want to focus on the on-screen action exclusively.

JBL doesn’t reveal much about the kind of modules being used in the amplifier stage of the MA9100HP, but what we do know is that it is a full Class-D architecture and it’s easy to tell the moment you lift it up. For a 9-channel amplifier, it tips the scales at a bantamweight 7.6kgs and your back will thank you for it. Rated to deliver 140 watts per channel at 8 ohms, it manages to hang with other flagships comfortably in terms of output, in a far more compact chassis.

It doesn’t skimp on connectivity, with six 8K-capable HDMI inputs and two outputs, one of which supports eARC. Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision along with DTS are the headliners for format junkies, but there is no dearth of content options via Wi-Fi streaming or Bluetooth wireless onboard. A moving magnet phono input secures the budding vinyl lovers while embracing digital with coaxial, optical and USB inputs.

Perhaps a bit of a brag and a bit of utility is provided in the form of EZ Set EQ which tames the bass for difficult rooms in under a minute, using just your iPhone microphone. Android users don’t enjoy the same privileges due to variance in microphone quality, but can use an external mic and still avail of the EZ Set EQ feature. If you wish to take it up a notch and perform room correction, the MA9100HP also has support for DIRAC Live, the license for  which can be purchased separately. To get on a wireless network, you have to download the JBL Premium Audio app and a separate app for the EZ Set EQ, which seems to be a bit lazy. Why not just integrate the EZ Set EQ set of functions into the JBL Premium Audio app

If Synthesis is anything to go by, then JBL has a very good internal reference point to start from. The MA series might be a fraction of the cost, but the first scene from Kraven The Hunter proves that there is no dilution of dynamics or clarity. Being Class D has inherent advantages in terms of the noise floor and distortion and the MA9100HP exploits that to the max. Even mediocre VFX and weak writing like on this Marvel debacle starts to capture your imagination, thanks to the whizbang surround panning and sharp transients that pack in more attack than the Hunter. 

Using the EZ Set EQ really did work as advertised and within 30 seconds, we had a bass response that was more coherent and full-bodied than without it. The app also shows before and after correction graphs and even though it all sounds very technical, it really isn’t complicated at all. It does ask you to enter your speakers natural roll-off frequency, for which you may have to refer to their spec sheets and account for a marginal loss depending on your in-room placement. 

Sound quality in two-channel mode turned out to be no different than multichannel, exhibiting exceptional imaging, fine timing and rhythm. Vocals are solidly anchored within a holographic soundstage that only slightly lacked in depth and scale compared to our reference Rotel Michi X5, but that costs more than twice as much! It does sound like a solid 2-channel integrated amplifier and will debunk all notions you may have about dreading Class-D power. The album art displayed on the front panel is a nice touch, albeit a bit pointless though, since most people will be seated across the room from a typical AVR location. Its on-screen display resolution is basic too and the album art doesn’t extend to a connected TV via HDMI. Bummer. 

It is, however, extremely easy to use and set-up, thanks to a simplistic menu system and a remote that is halfway between an Apple TV and a set-top box controller. Compared to our reference Marantz Cinema 40, the sound is more exciting but slightly lacking in gravitas or depth, but it’s not something you will notice without a direct A/B comparison and the Cinema 40 is in a different price category too.

With nine channels on board and two subwoofer outputs (although identical), the JBL MA9100HP is everything you need to jump start a killer home-theatre in one box. Streaming, amplification, processing and even a degree of bass EQ that could go a long way in shaping an irregular response, it has it all. Clean design and clean sound means that starting from a clean slate has paid off for JBL!