Training Tips

By Dean Little – Technical Training Manager EMEA

Since early 2025 we have provided our EMEA distribution network with The Cinema Designer software to better enable them to support their installer base with the tools to enable them to design cinema projects quicker, easier and with a more professional output that they can share with the end user showcasing JBL Synthesis within the project.

Although this was a great start to helping them offer cinema design, there was still improvement needed for a better understanding of what requirements are needed within cinema specifications and specifically CEDIA RP22 specifications and how JBL Synthesis can help them to achieve the high standards within RP22

We worked in conjunction with Ben Goff of CEDIA to organize a three-day workshop, May 12-14, covering Immersive Cinema Design, RP22 and its requirements and the JBL Synthesis solution. JBL Synthesis distributors across EMEA region were invited to attend the workshop hosted at the HARMAN Experience Centre in Hemel Hempstead, UK.

The three-day course started with an introduction to the new JBL Synthesis electronics and speakers showcasing how the Synthesis range now allows for more versatility when designing immersive audio projects. This was followed by a training update on how to best utilize the Cinema Designer software to ensure projects are designed to the best possible standards and allowing for customers to have a professional hand-out to show the specified system and layout.

Days two and three were hosted by CEDIA and delivered a hands-on workshop covering RP22 standards and how to achieve the levels needed for high quality cinema rooms. Using good old-fashioned pen, paper and rulers the attendees were split into groups to design their own cinema rooms and then throughout the day amended the design based on their learnings.

The session allowed our distributors to not only learn how best to design high quality rooms but also how JBL Synthesis products were able to meet, and exceed the standards required to achieve level 4 room designs versus competitors. The session also highlighted the benefits of using the new SDP-70 processor in more projects when it is launched.

At the end of the three-day course our distributors all agreed that they were now able to better understand design and creation of cinema projects that can meet a higher standard and offer this as an additional service to their installation customers to further enhance JBL Synthesis offering.

The session allowed for them to see the benefits of the JBL range including how they can now better sell in the new SDP-70 (at an amazing price point) and why the increased channel count is important for the customer

The attendees understood the ability to add additional subwoofers to their projects beyond just extra bass performance (with one distributor already doubling subwoofer order for his project).

The attendees were able to see and understand the measurements that the JBL Synthesis range delivers vs competitors and how this is key in high end design within RP22.

Quotes from some of the attendees:

“This is the kind of workshop that helps us to be a few steps ahead of the competition!”

“The interaction between the group was the best part. The questions and subsequent discussions offered some of the best insights not just into the technical subject at hand but potential ways to increase sales”

“Being able to talk and exchange opinions with the other professionals. Also having the opportunity to speak with the HARMAN team and Ben, who are true experts”.