Hey Arkay, consider contributing to this article, and cleaning it up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JVC
Are you kidding? I think there are a few possible inaccuracies and a lot more that could be added to that, but I'm not qualified to do that - I'm no JVC expert!
(I am qualified to edit for grammar, punctuation and diction/syntax, even though I do break the rules sometimes in my posts.
)
JVC made some great gear..grossly under-rated in audio circles IMO!
Definitely. Like most manufacturers, they made a range of gear, from average mass-market stuff to some pretty good high-end gear. Their good stuff is sometimes very good.
Their "space-ship console" receivers with the angled gyro-wheel tuning were not bad receivers, but their looks make them controversial; some love 'em, some hate 'em. Those seem to be best-accepted in Japan and in Germany, judging by online comments and auction-site prices. I have the TOTL from the series, and think it is pretty nice. The sound is quite nice, and the equalizer in it is scoffed at because it has only a few (5, I think) bands, but functionally it works better than most!
I've seen the Nivico label on a lot of very "Japanese" and "retro" looking units like portable "suitcase" type turntables and radios that were not their best in terms of construction or sonic quality, but very, very decorative!
JVC also made some nice amps in the "silver" era, and some very decent turntables, as well as some speakers that were popular and well-respected in Japan. I've had a pair of their SC-3 III speakers for a few years, large 2-way bookshelf speakers that were considered among the very best speakers of their time in Japan, a bit like the AR 3as or large Advents of Japan, if that is a possible comparison. They sound especially nice on strings, vocals, small jazz groups, etc... The speakers went through several versions, including an anniversary re-release in a smaller size. I'll probably sell them soon (too many speakers!), but not without a twinge of regret. They made other audiophile speakers later on, that were only sold in Japan, too.
Not the very best of Japanese stuff, but nevertheless not bad and much under-rated by many, IMO.