The High End Munich audio show will take place this week and Harman Luxury Audio’s JBL brand is introducing new architectural and all-weather loudspeakers in conjunction with the event.
The venerable California loudspeaker company has announced the JBL Stage Architectural Series crafted to be visually discreet, with Zero Bezel magnetic grilles; as well as the JBL Stage XD Series speakers implementing patented acoustic technologies and featuring IP67-rated weatherized waterproof enclosures.
Stage Architectural Speakers Provide 8 In-Wall/In-Ceiling Options
JBL states its Stage Architectural loudspeakers include high-performance design elements such as 1-inch aluminum acoustic lens tweeters, patented High-Definition Imaging (HDI) waveguides, baffles with acoustic smoothing, and premium crossover components.
A range of eight models is available in various configurations for both in-wall and in-ceiling installations.
In-wall models include larger waveguides with JBL’s patented HDI geometry for smooth dispersion and low distortion, the company explains. Polycellulose cone woofers and premium air-core inductors and mylar cap capacitor crossover network components ensure that sound remains dynamic at all listening levels.
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A rigid baffle design with acoustic smoothing is said to offer improved transducer integration as well as Harman’s target curve acoustic performance for smooth, accurate sound over a large listening area.
The XL-2 Mounting System provides for quick installation and is compatible with up to 2-inch material thickness. Paintable Zero Bezel magnetically attached grilles provide a contemporary appearance that blends easily into any décor, JBL adds.
“We made sure that the performance of the JBL Stage Architectural Series Loudspeakers would exceed expectations and deliver the great sound that is JBL’s legacy,” says Jim Garrett, senior director, Product Strategy and Planning, Harman Luxury Audio Group.
“Their audio reproduction is elegant yet dynamic at the same time — a perfect combination for delivering beautiful sound whether listening to your favorite music streaming service or delivering the immersive experience of a great movie soundtrack.”
The Stage 250WL in-wall loudspeaker (MSRP $250/each) has dual 5.25-inch Polycellulose cone woofers, a 1-inch aluminum tweeter with an acoustic lens, and a HDI waveguide with optimized geometry.
The Stage 260W ($150/each) incorporates a 6.5-inch woofer and a 1-inch aluminum tweeter and HDI waveguide, while the larger Stage 280W ($225/each) in-wall loudspeaker has an 8-inch Polycellulose cone woofer for big bass plus a 1-inch aluminum tweeter and HDI waveguide. All three models use nickel-plated, spring-loaded connectors and have mounting depths of under 4 inches, according to the company.
The in-ceiling Stage 260C ($150/each) has a 6.5-inch woofer with 1-inch aluminum tweeter and acoustic lens waveguide, while the Stage 280C ($225/each) in-ceiling speaker features an 8-inch Polycellulose cone woofer and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter with an acoustic lens waveguide.
]The in-ceiling Stage 260CDT ($175/each) employs dual ¾-inch aluminum tweeters with acoustic lens waveguides and a dual voice coil 6.5-inch woofer to deliver stereo sound from a single speaker. They have nickel-plated, spring-loaded connectors and mounting depths of under 4.5 inches.
Additionally, two Ceiling Square Angled (CSA) models offer a contemporary square footprint and a baffle with the transducers positioned at a 15-degree angle.
The Stage 260CSA ($150/each) in-ceiling model has a 6.5-inch Polycellulose cone woofer and 1-inch aluminum tweeter with an acoustic lens waveguide; the larger Stage 280CSA ($225/each) in-ceiling model uses an 8-inch Polycellulose cone woofer and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter with an acoustic lens waveguide. Both incorporate nickel-plated, spring-loaded connectors and have mounting depths of under 5.5 inches.
Preconstruction brackets are available for all models, and square grille accessory kits are available for the Stage 260C, Stage 280C and Stage 260CDT round in-ceiling models.
JBL Stage XD Series Offers Flexibility for Indoor/Outdoor Applications
Available in two sizes, the Stage Series comes in black and white finishes and includes wall-mount brackets for use in a variety of indoor and outdoor applications, the company notes.
Featuring sustainably designed packaging and product, the JBL Stage XD Series speakers are the first repairable IP67 outdoor loudspeakers available, according to the company.
Instead of throwing away the speakers should they ever fail, these models are designed to come apart and undergo repair in case of damage due to prolonged exposure to adverse conditions.
“We’ve brought the high-performance sound of JBL to the great outdoors with resiliency and sustainability in mind,” says Garrett.
“The IP67 rating of the Stage XD Series represents one of the highest levels of ingress protection certification. This level of weatherization provides protection against ingress of harmful dust and airborne particles, as well as protection against water and liquids, including immersion in water up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) for up to 30 minutes.”
JBL Stage XD loudspeakers have a 1-inch aluminum tweeter with an acoustic lens and HDI waveguide to deliver dynamic, intelligible sound over a wide listening area, JBL says.
The larger Stage XD-6 (MSRP $599/pair) employs a 6.5-inch Polycellulose cone woofer, while the smaller Stage XD-5 ($499/pair) uses a 5.25-inch woofer.
Wall-mounts are included, and the Stage XD Series also offers Zero Bezel magnetically attached grilles and a rotatable logo for horizontal and vertical orientations.
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