Training Tips
JBL Summit Series Naming
By Matt Dever | Global Product Line Manager, HARMAN Luxury Audio
Maa-Kaa-Who??? Ma-ka-lu
The Backstory on the naming of the JBL Summit Series
During the early days of the development of the new JBL Summit Series, while the engineering teams dove into creating what you see and hear today in Summit Makalu, Summit Pumori, and Summit Ama. There was another handful of folks involved in discussing how these incredible new models would be referred to around the world. Should a product of this stature be relegated to a model number? Should it be a name? Should it be both a name and a number?
From the product conceptual stage, we were guided by the following:
- We were creating a family of speaker models designed on the shoulders of legendary models like the D30085 Hartsfield, the D44000 Paragon, and eventually the Project Everest DD55000 & Project K2-S9900 flagship models.
- Each of these models represented the pinnacle of JBL technologies available at the time of their introductions – the best compression driver technology – the best dispersion horn technology – the best dynamic driver design – the finest crossover designs and all wrapped up in beautiful cabinet designs.
- For over 40 years, Project Everest and Project K2 have held the position at this pinnacle, Project Everest being the best JBL dual-fifteen inch-based loudspeaker available and Project K2 being the best JBL single-fifteen inch-based loudspeaker available.
- No better naming could have been chosen in 1985 than to pair with the highest and second highest mountains in the world names to support these modern era loudspeakers than Everest and K2. Who could argue with the comparison of the most technically challenging and awe-inspiring beautiful summit vistas of Everest and K2 being linked to a pair of the most technically advanced, beautiful looking, and sounding loudspeakers.
- We also knew that the new JBL Summit Series was going to continue in the tradition of these greats, offering the best compression driver technology – the best dispersion wave-guide/horn technology – the best dynamic driver design – the finest crossover designs and all wrapped up in a beautiful cabinet designs. But now for this new generation, we were going to extend the range to showcase the finest that JBL can create in an 8-inch dynamic driver design, 10-inch dynamic driver design, and 12-inch dynamic driver design to join today’s Project Everest and Project K2 loudspeaker family. We would also be sharing the design across the family, compression driver technology, dynamic driver design, cabinet design, and finish options.
Back to the naming discussion:
- We have the top-two name spots locked-in with over 40 years of Everest and K2. So, we investigated the history of JBL and what other mountain names had been previously used that should be considered – in the 1960’s there was an C50 Olympus, followed in the 1970’s by the L88-1 Cortina named after the Cortina d'Ampezzo region in the Italian Dolomites, known for its iconic mountain peaks. But none of those seemed right. No real connection to each other.
- We looked at the five highest mountains in the world, could it be that easy of a naming line-up?: 1) Everest, 2) K2, 3) Kangchenjunga, 4) Lhotse, and the 5) Makalu. For those in the west, that use the ABCs in the creation of words, #3 and #4 presented great challenges around pronunciation. Kangchenjunga, heck, I can barely spell it, let alone pronounce it, and Lhotse was not much better. So, using the 5 highest mountains of the world was out of consideration.
- Other iconic mountain names considered; Kilimanjaro (Africa’s tallest mountain), Fuji (Japan’s sacred, iconic volcano), Denali (North America’s highest peak), The Matterhorn (Distinctive pyramid shape in the Alps), Mount Blanc (Western Europe’s highest, in the Alps), and even Rainier (The most distinguished peak in the contiguous United States).
- We needed to be cognizant of other commercial brands use of these names so not to step on any “toes” regarding copyright. Kilimanjaro is associated with a climbing gear company, as well a clothing company. Denali has been extensively used in the automotive industry. Mount Blanc is used in association with the famous Mount Blanc writing instruments company. Mount Fuji, to sacred to be considered and Mount Rainer and the Matterhorn, while interesting, didn’t seem to offer any connection to each other, or to Everest or K2.
Throughout the process, we continually reminded ourselves of the guiding product concept; Building out a family of loudspeakers built on the shoulders of Project Everest & Project K2, and each model would share the technologies (D2 Compression drivers, HC4 Dynamic driver cone design, Cabinet construction/isolation implementation, and the gorgeous cosmetic finishes. This led us back to looking at the geographical area where Everest and K2 are located – a area of the earth known as the Himalayan Arc, a massive, crescent-shaped mountain belt formed by the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, the area stretches about 2,400 km from northern Pakistan to Myanmar/ China (Tibet). The area is home to the 14 highest mountains in the world.
There’s a proverb that states “An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”, meaning a child often shares similar characteristics, behaviors, or traits with their parents, reflecting their upbringing and inherited qualities. What better way to honor the 40+ year legacy of the generations of Everest and K2 than to select the names from the Himalayan Arc vicinity. This led us to investigate the history of the region, its related mountains, and their relationship if any, to Everest or K2. After a little name testing around the globe, a legal trademark review or two, the following names rose to the top for selection: MAKALU – PUMORI – AMA (DABLAM).
The TWELEVE-inch 3-way loudspeaker would be JBL SUMMIT MAKALU
MAKALU (maa-kuh-loo OR muh-kaa-loo, depending on dialect)
The world’s 5th highest mountain at 8,481m (27,825’) and located 19km (12 miles) southeast of Mount Everest. Makalu has an almost perfect pyramid shape with four sharp ridges climbing up to its summit. The first climb attempts were in 1954, with the first successful ascent in May of 1955 by a French team. Makalu is an isolated peak whose shape is a four-sided pyramid.
The TEN-inch 3-way loudspeaker would be JBL SUMMIT PUMORI
PUMORI (pu-mori)
Nicknamed “Everest’s Daughter”, rising to a height of 7,161m (23,494’) and situated just 8km (4.9 miles) west of Everest, Pumori is literally in the shadow of Everest. Mount Pumori is an attractive mountain that lies in the upper Khumbu region of Nepal-Tibet. Climbers often use Mount Pumori to build confidence and gain technical skills before attempting to climb Everest.
The EIGHT-inch 2-way stand-mount loudspeaker would be JBL SUMMIT AMA
AMA (a-ma)
From the full name of the mountain Ama Dablam, meaning ‘Mother’s Necklace’, reaching a height of 6,812m (22,349’) and only 12km (7.5miles) south/south-west from Everest. Ama dominates the eastern skyline from Everest Base Camp and has been called the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas” due to its impressive iconic shape.
Each model has its respective mountain tracing tastefully adorning each unit right below its HDI horn and finished in either Summit Gold or Summit Platinum, as a nod to each namesake majestic mountain.
We anticipate that each of the new models will pay proper homage to the legacy of the JBL Project Generation models that have come before, while setting the stage for future generations in highlighting the best of JBL designs.
For full details of each of these impressive new models, please visit us at www.jbl.com/summit.