JBL SVA Center
The JBL SVA Center is a three-way, vented-box center channel speaker from JBL's SoundView Array (SVA) series. That was the company's mid-priced home theater lineup, above entry-level speakers and below the flagship THX-certified models. It was designed to anchor the front soundstage in a complete SVA surround system, typically paired with the SVA 2100 satellites and the PSW 1000 powered subwoofer.
The driver complement is substantial for a center channel: three 5" woofers flank a 4" midrange and a 1" titanium-laminate dome tweeter, all arranged horizontally. The crossover is set at 350Hz and 4.5kHz, and the cabinet is ported. It's rated at 90dB sensitivity, 8 ohms nominal impedance, with a frequency response of 55Hz–20kHz. The speaker measures 7.5" × 24" × 10" and weighs 22 lbs. It's magnetically shielded, though the shielding wasn't considered strong enough for direct placement on top of a CRT television — JBL recommended a shelf above or below instead.
Period reviews were generally favorable. Audio (December 1997, p.74) covered the SVA line in an equipment profile, noting the SVA Center's horizontal woofer arrangement around the tweeter horn. The SoundStage! Network review praised the SVA Center for clear, intelligible dialog, tonal matching to the SVA 2100 satellites, and clean reproduction of voices without coloration. It held up well at high playback levels for movies and delivered an enveloping front soundstage. The small footprint was noted as a practical plus for TV-stand placement.
The criticisms were practical ones. The 5" woofers limit low-frequency output, so a subwoofer crossover of 80Hz or higher was recommended. The binding posts sit too close together for thick, high-quality speaker cable. At higher volumes with demanding soundtracks, the speaker sounded slightly strained compared to larger centers. At $550 USD at the time of review, it wasn't cheap, but the reviewer felt its performance competed with far more costly centers.
The horizontal MTM-style layout does produce off-axis lobing, though that's characteristic of the format rather than a unique flaw. No production years have been documented, and the record relies on a single detailed review source. No repair or maintenance information has surfaced.
Known specifications:
- Type: Three-way, vented-box (bass reflex) center channel
- Drivers: Three 5" woofers, one 4" midrange, one 1" titanium-laminate dome tweeter
- Crossover: 350Hz, 4.5kHz
- Frequency response: 55Hz–20kHz
- Sensitivity: 90dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Dimensions (H×W×D): 7.5" × 24" × 10"
- Weight: 22 lbs
- Price at review: $550 USD
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