Thread: JVS EX-AK1 Audio System

The EX-AKI audio system from Victor Company of Japan Ltd (JVC) uses a hybrid-feedback digital amplifier, which works in synergy with the wood-cone speaker to deliver superb sound. It is a compact component system supporting K2 technology, Dolby and DTS digital, and built-in FM/ AM radio tuner. Just switch on the player and you will hear really natural sound.

The uniqueness of the system lies in its speakers. Each of the speak¬ers employs a birch wood cone/ diaphragm mounted in a bass-reflex enclosure made from cherry wood. It took JVC as long as 20 years of research and discovery to come up with the wooden diaphragms for producing natural sound from the speakers. Basically, it is a two-way system, having an 8cm wooden diaphragm and a bass reflex system. The speaker box is magnetically shielded and compact measuring only 12x16x23 cm3 However, even at full volume, you won't hear the sound crapping out in the speakers.

So what makes the wooden diaphragm so special? Well, JVC has two reasons for its invention. Technically, wood features high sound propagation speed, which ensures high sound definition and its sufficient vibration attenuation delivers crisp and clear sound. The other reason is purely intuitive-if wood sounds good in guitars, violins, mandolins and other musical instruments, why not give it a try in speaker diaphragms.

The audio system consists of the main unit, two speakers and a remote control. The main unit or the centre unit consists of one DVD / CD drive and a digital power amplifier. The digital power amplifier delivers a 60W RMS power output. Power consumption during operation and standby is 24W and 1 W, respectively. The size of the main unit is 23.2xlO,2x26.9 cm3. The connections for the right and left speakers are provided at the rear side of the unit, marked with '+' (positive) and '-' (negative) signs" The positive and negative terminals of the speaker should be connected to the respective positive and negative terminals marked on the main unit.

Also included with the system are an AM loop antenna and an FM antenna. These antennae have to be plugged into the respective terminals at the rear side of the main unit. The FM stereo/ AM tuner has auto digital tuning function with preset facilities for the radio broadcast programmes. You can preset 30 FM stations and Supported formats 15 AM stations. Just tune into the FM/ AM station to select your favourite programmes and then press the memory button on the remote followed by the preset number to be stored.

The EX-AKI audio system supports playback of MP3, WA V and WMA audio files and DVD Video/ Audio, DVD VR, DVD-R/RW, VCD, Super VCD, CD and CD-R/RW video. You can also play still image files in JPEG formats and watch your favourite photos on your computer monitor or TV screen. On the front panel, the amplifier has a bulging volume knob and power 'on' /'off: eject, K2, stop, forward, play/pause, reverse and FM/ AM/ Aux/TV buttons. And, of course, one disk drawer and VFD display window with three-level intensity controls. The input and output terminals provided on the rear side of the main unit are active sub-woofer out, digital out, component video out (Y Pb Pr), SCART, A V COMPU link and AUX in (right and left).



The remote control is a 70-key device operated off two AA-size batteries with a range of about 10 metres in the line of sight from the main unit. The bass and treble controls on the remote can be adjusted from -5 to +5 level. The radio data system buttons on the remote let you scan for a parwithout having to constantly manipulate the tuning dial.

Operating the system is simple as far as playing audio is concerned. Just insert your favourite audio CD or DVD into the DVD/CD tray, . press 'play' button and there you go! Maan Mausam Ka soundtrack of Jagjit Singh would be a good choice to start with. We played it to hear his magical voice emerge smooth, warm and clear. The original vocal and instrumental effects appeared quite natural. If you are sitting right in front of this sound system, the sound appears to be on the forefront of the soundstage. The intensity from the midrange speakers was not so loud but smooth and natural. If the sound effect is not up to the mark, just slide down the cover of your remote, keep your right thumb on the bass/treble buttons and adjust the respective

Technical Specifications should be connected to the re¬spective positive and negative terminals marked on the main unit. Also included with the sys¬tem are an AM loop antenna and an FM antenna. These an¬tennae have to be plugged into the respective terminals at the rear side of the main unit. The FM stereo/ AM tuner has auto digital tuning function with preset facilities for the radio broadcast programmes. You can preset 30 FM stations and Supported formats 15 AM stations. Just tune into the FM/ AM station to select your favourite programmes and then press the memory button on the remote followed by the preset number to be stored.

The EX-AKI audio system supports playback of MP3, WA V and WMA audio files and DVD Video/ Audio, DVD VR, DVD¬R/RW, VCD, Super VCD, CD and CD-R/RW video. You can also play still image files in JPEG formats and watch your favourite photos on your computer monitor or TV screen. On the front panel, the amplifier has a bulging volume knob and power 'on' /'off: eject, K2, stop, forward, play/pause, you hear and feel the warm coloration of the music flowing into your ears.

Next, we changed to Kenny G's The Joy of Life instrumental music. The depth of the instrumental effect was amazingly seamless. The sounds of the saxophone, flute and strings were warm and sweet. The clarity of sound and crispness were incomparable. We tried other Bollywood and Western movie sound tracks as well and the results were quite impressive. We also tried the high-decibel rock'n'roll music. The sound output now wasn't as loud as expected even at the maximum volume. So it's probably unsuitable for people who love to hear hard rock and heavy metal music.

The system also lacks 3D surround effect as compared to home theatre systems. But, of course, it can supersede the two-channel desktop system and dominate a medium-sized room with a compelling soundstage. To be precise, it is not a home theatre system but a compact components system for those who like classical, sentimental, jazz and slow country songs.

Other few problems that we noticed are quite significant. If your TV doesn't have component video input connector, you will be in real trouble. Most TV sets in India have the composite AV connector only. You need a component video-/ SCART-to-composite AV converter to watch movies or photos on your TV. JVC doesn't recommend the use of their speakers with other makes of audio amplifiers and JVC amplifiers with other speakers. At the time of this review, the system didn't come with a manual in English, which made it difficult to decode various instructions and operations.