What’s New

On the heels of a very successful HARMAN Explore (CES) event last month, we’re keeping up the pace with the next big trade show for 2024. As I write this, I’m on a flight to Barcelona, Spain where our team will be exhibiting at the largest systems integration show in Europe. Now in its 20^th year, Integrated Systems Europe, or simply ISE as it’s typically called, is focused on all manner of products designed for residential and commercial installations. While our colleagues in HARMAN Professional will be there with an impressive selection of their products, our Luxury Audio team will be at our stand 2H100 in the Residential and Smart Building where we will be focused on our JBL and JBL Synthesis brands.

The highlight of our exhibit is the custom JBL Synthesis demonstration theater where we showcase two complete systems highlighting the scalability of the brand and our solutions. In our demo sessions, attendees will first listen to a system based around the SDR-38 AV receiver powering SCL in-wall and in-ceiling loudspeakers including the SCL-6, SCL-7, and SCL-8. After experiencing what we can deliver for smaller rooms and lower budgets, we switch to the second system and demonstrate our flagship SCL-1 and SSW-1 models in a system based upon the SDP-58 AV preamplifier. It is an impressive experience and reinforces the position we have as the industry standard for immersive audio performance for customers who demand the very best.

On static display, we will feature a selection of products from JBL Synthesis including the SDP-75 AV preamplifier. Updated for 2024, the SDP-75 gains a new HDMI 2.0 video board and new audio DACs, plus a new motherboard and updated power supplies for faster video switching and improved audio performance. The new HDMI board adds an additional input and eARC capabilities to the platform. Customers who purchase the updated SDP-75 will have the opportunity to upgrade to HDMI 2.1 when that board becomes available later this year. The updated SDP-75 has received Platinum Certification in madVR Labs Certified for Envy program signifying that it meets the testing standards to work with their Envy Extreme and Envy Pro video processors. The JBL Synthesis SDP-58 and SDR-38, along with the ARCAM AV41, AVR31, AVR21, and AVR11 received Gold Certificatioat

As companions to the SDP-75 and SDP-58 AV preamplifiers, we will be previewing the forthcoming JBL Synthesis SMA Series multichannel amplifiers that will be available this fall. The SMA-8300 and SMA-4750 are Class D designs that pack a ton of power into a chassis that only takes up two rack spaces. They feature powerful DSP for custom loudspeaker tuning including EQ, delays, and limiters and a front-panel graphical user interface. The SMA-8300 delivers 300W x 8 channels into 8-ohms and can be bridged to 1,200W x 4 channels into 8-ohms. The more powerful SMA-4750 delivers 750W x 4 channels into 8-ohms and can be bridged to 2,500W x 2 channels into 8-ohms, making it the ideal amplifier to drive the SSW-1 subwoofer. Both models include a host of control capabilities, XLR inputs and binding post speaker terminals, and a feature set designed specifically for residential systems integration.

In addition to our JBL Synthesis immersive theater solutions, we will have our latest JBL architectural amplifiers and loudspeakers on display showcasing the breadth of our portfolio for the custom installation market. JBL architectural loudspeakers on display include the new Stage 2 Series, plus the B Series, Studio 2 Series, and Conceal Series invisible loudspeakers.

New for 2024, the DA Series multichannel amplifiers are the perfect companions for JBL in-wall and in-ceiling loudspeakers in a distributed audio system. The DA850 and DA1650 are 8-channel and 16-channel Class D amplifiers that are only one rack space high. Each offers 50W of power per channel into 8-ohms and 110W per channel into 4-ohms. Adjacent channels can be bridged to offer up to 185W of power for primary listening zone applications. Flexible inputs, controls, and configurations allow both models to easily serve a variety of system designs. The DA850 and DA1650 are available now.

In addition to the JBL architectural solutions at the stand, attendees will be able to listen to our award-winning powered loudspeakers in the Active Zone. Winners of multiple product of the year honors, the 4305P and 4329P Studio Monitor powered loudspeaker systems offer unparalleled acoustic performance in conjunction with best-in-class features including wired and wireless audio streaming, high-resolution DACs, and compatibility with Roon. The new L42ms will be demonstrated with the matching L10cs subwoofer to highlight how it makes the ideal step-up from a traditional soundbar. The L42ms is also certified for the Works with SmartThings program allowing users to configure simple automation routines in partnership with other certified products including Galaxy mobile devices and Samsung televisions and appliances.

ISE 2024 is taking place January 30 – February 2 in Barcelona, Spain. If you or your customers will be in attendance, be sure to stop by the Luxury Audio stand 2H100 to say hello and get the latest information on our products and solutions for the residential custom integration market.