RBH used to build and design JBL in their heyday, they also were the OEM for Fosgate and MacIntosh back in the real audiophile days.
I haven't seen anything from JBL other than their prosound concert monitors that will hold their own against RBH these days. While I like and have always liked JBL, RBH is by far a better value for money all around as they R&D their own product the MC series, though assembled in China (like everything else) uses an aluminum driver that you just can't overdrive and distort. PERSONALLY I would go for the 616's though as the 414's will not offer any real bottom end.
As for the in-wall vs cabinet myths, they are getting so close to sounding the same now it's not funny. I can A>B in my soundroom and most people can't tell if they are hearing in-walls of cab models. Of course, if you have more money, look at the RBH Signature in-walls, they will need to be added to new home construction or you will have to make big holes in your drywall for them though, the boxes are a lot bigger than the baffles, unlike the MC series where the cut-out is smaller than the trim. I'd put a set of SI-6000's or 6100's up against the new Paradigm SE8 towers any day. Low end extension? Remember those specs are not regulated and unless in a MASSIVE anechoic chamber low end frequency response is all but impossible to measure. There are even some companies that use a -6d spec and SIMULATE what would be heard in an average room, it's a GUESS not a specification. RBH will offer tighter, cleaner bottom end and virtually unlimited power handling with their aluminum cones. Other products will usually bottom out and get muddy if not completely crapping.
PLUS, with in-wall products from RBH you are covered with a 25 YEAR warranty!!!! Not the 5 years common with cabs.
As for music distro, MOST companies now offer 4X4 or 4X6 systems, and use glitzy looking keypads to sell them, however they are usually integrating a low quality, class D amp with high distortion levels. Channel Vision available from most low voltage electrical installers, makes an A-Kit, 4 sources to 6 zones that offers amp and preamp separates, a class A/B amp that drives a hard 60WPC.
DON'T be fooled by the latest ZONE marketing for power ratings either, companies like Russound etc. often show 60WPZ (watts per zone) which is actually 30WPC and that's at a peak if you are ever lucky to hear it without distorting. With 5% THD, Class D amps for home audio distribution are the big disappointment for customers these days. Stay simple with keypads, look for class A/B and a reasonable WPC figure with low distortion. Couple THAT with RBH Tk615 in ceilings (unless you can afford MC series) and you will be very happy. NuVo? Run screaming, it's about bottom of the barrel for distributed audio, the type of junk you find at big box retailers.
