Some exciting stuff: JBL to launch new lineup of Home Theater products! The series is comprised of a new brand of home theater receivers called “Modern Audio” and a special home theater line of speakers called “Stage 2”. The focus of the series is to offer simplicity and easy setup, together at an approachable price. The new line of products was unveiled on 17 July this year in Hollywood USA.
The speaker line offers eight types of speakers ranging from two floor standing speakers, the Stage 260F and the Stage 280F, two types of bookshelf speakers, the 240B and 250B, a center channel called the 245C, a Dolby Atmos pair: Stage 240H, and, of course, two powered subwoofer options, the 200P and the 220P. Below an extract from jbl.com where you can see the whole lineup and information on the very affordable prices of this series (please note these prices are available in the US market, but, most probably a similar price point will be available on all markets):
All loudspeakers have two color options: latte and espresso, both with visible woodgrain, no high-gloss option exists, but that is logical at this price point. The floor-standing, bookshelf and center speakers feature the same 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter mounted in a “horn” configuration, JBL’s specialty for so many years. The woofers are made from polycellulose and are ribbed cone. All speakers are rear ported.
Going to the other part of these series, the processor, JBL is launching no less than five Modern Audio AV receivers that you can see below:
I must tell you: these are some very fair prices for what these home theater receivers have to offer. Depending on the model these receivers have 8K video processing, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Bluetooth, Airplay 2, Google Chromecast, Roon Ready and MM phono inputs. The top models, MA7100HP and MA9100HP come with Dirac Live Ready. It seems that no feature is being missed. The look of the new receivers is sleek and matches the “mid-century” design code of JBL.
JBL has spoiled us with some great speakers over the years, their monitor series and classic type of sound and design, but this time their strategy is different: JBL is stepping down the audiophile ladder and blending in the consumer scene, where these two new series, the JBL Modern Audio receivers and the Stage 2 loudspeakers, could make a real breakthrough. Cool, isn’t it?
