Verdict
JBL becomes an AV receiver truster with the MA510 , a stylishly simple-minded multichannel home cinema amplifier that shrug its shoulders at Dolby Atmos , but embraces 8k and cyclosis
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
This entryway - level JBL home base cinema pass receiver aims to strip off decades of accrue complexness , to offer an light itinerary into home theater sound recording . It does n’t come with a push - laden removed command , or a rearward panel peppered with redundant connectivity .
Instead we get a 5.1 flatbed , surround loudspeaker conformation , with audio codec support that covers Dolby Digital and DTS - HD . Dolby Atmos is AWOL . If you ’re having flashback to the early days of home movie house , you ’re not alone .
Availability
The MA510 is available now and sell for £ 699 in the UK . This set it at the more low-priced end of the Ab receiver market ( you might report it as upper - budget ) . In the US , the simulation sells for $ 599 , and it should retail for around AUS$1350 when released in Australia . It sits above the MA310 in JBL ’s first MA ( Modern Audio ) card , but below the MA710 , which is a 7.1 exemplar .
Design
JBL has chosen a minimalist aesthetic for its MA assembly line , with some neat differentiating feature . useable in either black or white livery , the MA510 ’s glistening dashboard is framed by touch JBL orange passementerie .
There are two rotary dials on the front of the whole , the left offering simple remark survival of the fittest , the one to the right book ( adorned rather natural language in cheek with the subject matter ‘ Safe to wrench beyond 11 ’ ) . Both dials ping off if you give them a slight tug , which I ’ll usurp to be knowing .
Features
The hindquarters of the receiver is jolly vacant . There are verbalizer terminals for Center , Left and proper fronts , plus Rear Surrounds . Obviously there are no height terminals , as they are surplus to requirements .
All four HDMI input support resolutions up to 8K. This HDMI quatern is also compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR10 sources , as well asVRR(Variable Refresh Rate),ALLM(Auto Low Latency Mode ) , and QFT ( Quick Frame Transport ) for gaming . There ’s a undivided HDMI output , which iseARC enable .
Additional connections include a distich of analogue stereophony input , single coaxial and optical inputs , a USB input , and provision for two subwoofer connection . A twain of piece of ass - on antennas enables Wi - Fi andBluetooth .
It ’s worth noting though that there ’s no headphone diddly-shit . There ’s no second zone provision either .
One obvious pain in the ass point for new AVR owners is installation . The likes of Denon and Marantz may have perfect onscreen hand - holding , it ’s still a chore that will intimidate newbies .
The MA510 is more accommodative . There ’s no standardisation mic supplied . The setup routine boils down to manually inputting the space from each utterer to your seating room place , and then set up sign levels ( a doddle if you have an SPL meter handy ) .
you’re able to get a little more granular though . The JBL EZ EQ is a standalone app that works with the MA AV receiver live . Download to an iPhone , and you’re able to graduate the scheme using the iPhone ’s internal microphone . Android users require to attach a separate microphone to their smartphone to do the same ( ensuring it is less probable to be used ) .
The MA510 stand Dolby Digital Plus and DTS - HD codecs , enough for standard multichannel speech sound from streaming servicing and Blu - ray / DVD phonograph recording . Dolby Atmos andDTS : Xare not supply .
The JBL Premium Audio app offers control , cyberspace radio set , connected UPnP gadget and local USB drives . Google Chromecast , Apple Airplay 2,Spotify Connect , and Tidal Connect are also supplied .
The MA510 works with SmartThings , and can function alongside other Smartthings devices in a attached ecosystem .
Performance
The MA510 is unambiguously entertaining . Not only is centre TV channel juncture excellent , with vocal flawlessly delimitate against competing noise and hubbub , sonic panning around the front soundstage is silky smooth . Rated at 75W , the AV recipient had ample dynamic powerfulness to blackmail laden my average - sized listening elbow room .
While the AVR may miss specific support for Dolby Atmos , it ’s transparent to sources . When playing a Dolby Atmos encode Blu - ray disc , the bitstream mechanically fold down to Dolby TrueHD and 5.1 . Running through some well - trodden Dolby demonstration clips , like Amaze and Leaf , I was stunned just how well integrate its presentment was .
When the Zero vanish into frame of reference at the opening of Godzilla Minus One ( Netflix ) , it seamlessly transitions from rearward to front ; then shoot down gear open with a solid metal clunk , in the left and right channels .
likewise , when Big G attacks that nighttime , air maraud siren bloom across the front L / C / R as Godzilla ’s roar decays into the rearward channels . The eerie echo reinforces the elevation and scale of the animal . In both cases , the full soundstage is entirely homogenous , with no dips or sonic cracks between loudspeaker position .
Even though there was no height channel in play , I was surrounded and immerse .
The MA510 is n’t just for movies . There are various ways to enjoy the AVR with music . you’re able to toggle through two canal two-channel , stereo with the subwoofer , an All Stereo mode or Pro Logic interpolation into 5.1 . I preferred the latter , but then I ’m a pagan .
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Should you buy it?
If you ’re entering the globe of AV receivers for the first time , or simply need to update old amplification , the MA510 is a fine choice . Removing Dolby Atmos from the equating is n’t as big a deal as you might think , particularly when this JBL handles flatbed environs so well , and having HDMI 2.1 financial support on all four inputs is a boon if you ’re a gamer .
For hard-core base cinephile , the want of Dolby Atmos may prove to be a FOMO frustration , and many will lament the removal of a front fascia headphone jack .
Final Thoughts
JBL has dub its maiden AV Receiver range MA ( Modern Audio ) for a reason . This simulation in particular offloads a fair number of legacy trapping , take a crap it very easy to install and use .
The provision of 8 K quick , 4K/120HZ equal to HDMI inputs supply a gamy horizontal surface of future proofing , and in smaller rooms , or listening spaces where height speaker system are just not run to work , the lack of Dolby Atmos should n’t be considered a full-grown sacrifice .
More significantly , this is a great sounding place picture palace amplifier . It ’s polished and powerful , and can be see a immense upgrade from common or garden soundbars . A few niggles away , it ’s a recommended steal .
Trusted Score
How we test
We examine every soundbar we review exhaustively over an extended period of time . We use diligence - stock test to compare lineament by rights . We ’ll always tell you what we encounter . We never , ever , live with money to go over a product .
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FAQs
There ’s no Atmos or DTS support for this habitation celluloid amplifier .
