0305WHC08 JVC THA-75R new

20/3/03

Page 26
Group Test: Musical Systems

JVC TH-A75R

Test Scenes
The 6.1-channel capabilities of the TH-A75R are, without doubt, its biggest attraction

Good Points

An impressive all-rounder that delivers good movie and music performance and is the first model to bring 6.1-channel surround sound to a one-box cinema system

Bad Points

No DVD-Audio or SACD playback. Weak dialogue from the centre speaker and an ugly remote control

Overall

A worthy replacement for a mini hi-fi system that also plays movies. Its 6.1-channel capabilities are a real bonus and will appeal to anyone who wants the ultimate in wraparound movie effects

Ratings

Style ########## Ease of use #########$ Features ########## Picture ########## Movie Sound#########$ Music Sound ########## Value ########## Overall ##########
VC has had great success with some of the most stylish and best-performing one-box systems we have seen. Indeed, its TH-A75R was originally given a Best Buy for its top all-round performance when we first looked at it in our March issue. And as one of the most musical systems weve heard, it now gets to pit itself against the other tunesmiths here. The TH-A75R is the first all-in-one system to incorporate 6.1-channel cinema sound, and, thankfully, it takes full advantage of extra rear-channel information used on Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES soundtracks to produce convincing wraparound effects. The JVCs musical credentials dont stretch to playing DVD-Audio or SACD formats, but we still reckon it makes a great home cinema system that is also suited to playing your fave tunes. Its quite a headturner, too. Benefiting from JVCs stylish design values, the TH-A75R has a low-profile main unit, and a fine blend of silver and mirror-fronted sleekness, plus tasteful cool-blue backlighting. Unlike the Yamaha and Pioneer models, however, the TH-A75R houses all of its amplification in the main unit, resulting in a more elegant subwoofer model. The satellite speakers are designed with JVCs usual flair, and are housed in aluminium cabinets with silver-foil speaker grilles and can easily be wall-mounted. The TH-A75Rs 6.1-channel surround capabilities are, without
doubt, the systems biggest attraction, but the number of DVD movies that actually utilise the extra rear channel is relatively small. Other noteworthy features on the TH-A75R are Dolby Pro-Logic II, and the ability to play digital camera JPEG stills transferred from PC to CD-R and CD-R/W discs.

Moulin Rouge

A right song and dance
But before you reach for your wallet, lets take a look at its performance. Pictures from the TH-A75R have almost cinematic depths and demonstrate the kind of showmanship that befits the exuberant Moulin Rouge movie, plus there is little in the way of picture anomalies. Colours and black levels are solid, showing off the extravagant film sets to stunning effect. Baz Luhrmanns extravagant Moulin Rouge soundtrack loses little on the JVC. The satellites create a colourful soundscape that fills the room with sound. The sub sounds tight and enthusiastic during most of the soundtrack, but during The Can-Can, it sounds lean and lacking in energy. But its the centre speaker that is the systems biggest weakness, and it doesnt add enough weight to dialogue, making Ewan McGregors singing sound rather thin.
The revel is in the detail

The JVC lights up the screen with cinematic images that show up every last detail

Minging singing

The centre speaker lets the side down. Its tiny size makes actors voices sound thin and nasal and doesnt do enough justice to some of the movies fine singing

Bolly good

The satellites form the perfect surround effect and are suited to the Bollywood-style music during Spectacular, Spectacular
What Home Cinema May 2003

Page 27

Best in Test

Pioneer NS-DV1000

The most complete home entertainment system available today
Quite simply, the best home cinema system currently on sale. As well as being a home cinema, it includes SACD and DVD-Audio for the best multi-channel and stereo hi-fi

Bush WS7671

If you can find one of these much-admired Bush models, then youll be well chuffed with both the performance and the price (400)
Sony DAV-S550 The best-looking system on sale today? Possibly, although its a matter of personal taste. But with SACD and home cinema surround processing, its an extremely tempting prospect

Hitachi 42PD3000

A hang-on-the-wall screen like this Hitachi would be the perfect addition to the JVC system. Top performance for way less than 5,000
Yamaha DVX S-100 Yamaha is a long-time home cinema expert, and was producing AV gear way before DVD. Not a bad hi-fi system, this Yamahas has skills in cinema, too

Sanyo PLV-Z1

Considering the best LCD projectors on the market are still the most expensive, this stylish Sanyo offers great pictures and is well priced at under 1,300

Further Info

Call 5000 or visit www.jvc.co.uk
JVC TH-A75R The only non-SACD or non-DVD-A system here, the JVC makes up for it by being one of the only one-box systems to boast 6.1-channel surround sound. Its actually a much better hi-fi system than others here, too

Recommended Screens

Given these admittedly minor shortcomings with movie sound, the JVC produces a big musical sound with CD material that belies the speakers compact size. They work well with music and give you the impression that Sinead OConnor is singing in the middle of your lounge on Massive Attacks 100th Window CD. Treble needs taming, and this is no surprise given the small metallic cabinets. But the sub marries perfectly with the satellites and theres only a slight loss in mid-range detail. The bass boost mode is fun, but its heavy-handedness can soon become fatiguing. Although the JVC wont play DVD-Audio or SACD, it can play back the Dolby Digital soundtrack also found on many DVD-Audio discs, as well as dedicated DTS music discs. Playing the Dolby Digital soundtrack from the Corrs In Blue DVD-A disc demonstrates the JVCs musical abilities, and, although it lacks the higher sound resolution of the DVD-Audio soundtrack, it remains enjoyable to listen to through the JVC system. Clearly, JVC has done it again. The TH-A75R may lack compatibility with DVD-Audio and SACD, but its verve with CDs and its 6.1-channel capabilities more than makes up for it. The systems movie sound is only slightly marred by the weak centre speaker. Overall, though, the JVC will do your CD collection justice, and it makes a decent all-round package.

Philips LX8000SA This months cover star is a real looker even if it isnt to everyones liking. As a musical home cinema system, its one of the best which is why its part of this test but its the levels of bass we were most impressed with. This system knows how to let loose the sub-sonic Gods of War! Well worth auditioning