JBL AVR101IN

The AVR101IN is an audio-video amplifier from JBL, designed to hold the central place in a home cinema installation. It brings together in a single unit the amplification of five channels, the switching of video sources, the decoding of multichannel soundtracks and a tuner. In other words, it receives the signal from the Blu-ray player, the set-top box or the games console, decodes the audio, distributes power to the speakers and sends the picture back to the television or the projector via a single connection.

The amplification section is rated at 5x75 W RMS, a reserve intended for a 5.1 configuration in a standard-sized living room, with enough headroom to avoid clipping on the peaks of an action soundtrack. Decoding supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, the lossless formats used on Blu-ray discs: the multichannel track is reproduced exactly as it was recorded, without intermediate destructive compression. An automatic acoustic calibration procedure adjusts the unit to the room and to the actual placement of the speakers, a decisive step for the consistency of the sound field. 3D compatibility concerns the passage of the video signal through the HDMI connections, and the internet connection opens access to vTuner online radio stations as well as a traditional FM tuner.

The connectivity reflects this role as a central hub:

Four HDMI inputs are enough to connect a disc player, a set-top box, a games console and an additional source at the same time, without juggling cables. The optical and coaxial inputs accommodate devices without HDMI, while the dedicated subwoofer output leaves the choice of an active module suited to the room.

This model suits anyone wishing to move from television listening to a genuine multichannel installation without multiplying the number of components: a single unit for picture, sound and radio. Its dimensions of 44x12.1x30 cm and its weight of 4.6 kg make it easy to fit into a low cabinet, provided it is given adequate ventilation above and on the sides, as heat dissipation remains the main enemy of this type of electronics.