Tag Archives: JBL

Lifestyle, News

[IFA 2023] JBL Shows Off JBL Authentics Series

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HARMAN International showed off a brand new line of speakers at IFA 2023. The JBL Authentics range of home speakers brings a sense of style complete with JBL’s signature sound tuning. JBL isn’t just harmonising tunes, it’s harmonizing two giants, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, in one seamless audio experience.

In today’s audio landscape, immersion is key. According to a recent HARMAN survey, 75% of respondents highlighted the importance of audio quality in conveying the true emotions of music. High-quality audio aids concentration, relaxation, and a deeper emotional connection to the content. To cater to this demand, JBL Authentics is engineered to deliver stadium-like sound in your living room. This collection consists of three distinct models: Authentics 200, 300, and 500. While the Authentics 200 and 300 cater to indoor and outdoor needs, the Authentics 500 stands tall as a powerhouse.

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The JBL Authentics lineup also employs technologies like Spatial audio to provide a true sense of immersion. The inclusion of this technology isn’t something new for JBL as the company has been producing products like the JBL BAR which employs the same technology to deliver 3D soundscapes. The expertise is put to good use across the JBL Authentics line with the Authentics 200, Authentics 300, and the Authentics 500. The Authentics 500, in particular, leverages Dolby Atmos encoding and HARMAN’s patented Constant Sound Field technology. This combination expands the sound stage, enveloping your room in a rich auditory experience.

Three Models for Any User to Choose From

The JBL Authentics 300, designed for both indoor and outdoor use, boasts impressive audio specs. It features a pair of one-inch tweeters, a full-range 5.25-inch woofer, and a 6.5-inch downward-firing passive bass radiator. This configuration promises a slightly bass-forward sound profile with clear mids and highs.

  • 497034 JBL AUTHENTICS 300 a6e819 original 1692267256
  • 497035 JBL AUTHENTICS 500 4263fd original 1692267257
  • 497033 JBL AUTHENTICS 200 a6e1e4 original 1692267250

For those seeking even more power, the Authentics 500 is a 270W beast with three 1-inch tweeters, three 2.75-inch midrange woofers, and a 6.5-inch downward-firing subwoofer. It also supports Dolby Atmos for a 3D audio experience that will transport you into the heart of your entertainment. The JBL Authentics 200 rounds up the trio with an assembly of entry-level specifications with a similar configuration to the 300: two one-inch tweeters, a full-range five-inch woofer, and a six-inch passive radiator.

A Symphony of Voice Assistants

What sets the JBL Authentics range apart is its ability to simultaneously access and operate both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Unlike some speakers that require you to choose one assistant over the other, JBL’s innovation allows for a seamless interplay between the two. Imagine setting a timer with Google Assistant and having Amazon Alexa stop it – these speakers make it possible.

This dual functionality extends to music playback as well. You can start a song with one voice assistant and pause it with the other, eliminating the need to remember which assistant initiated the action. It’s a game-changer for households with multiple smart devices and users who prefer different voice assistants.

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With these voice giants at your command, you can effortlessly control music, smart home devices, set timers, and more, hands-free. The flexibility to choose between Google Assistant and Alexa for different tasks empowers users like never before.

Designed to Bring Vintage to the Future

Vintage design has gained immense popularity, with 64% of survey respondents valuing design in their audio devices. Authentics marries the best of the past and present, drawing inspiration from the iconic JBL L-100 home speakers of the 1970s. Vintage echoes blend seamlessly with modern materials, colours, and textures, creating a unique design that captivates.

Sustainability is also at the core of Authentics, with recycled aluminium cabinets and handles, along with internal parts crafted from recycled plastic.

Pricing & Availability

The JBL Authentics speakers will be available in Europe on September 15 and North America on September 17.

  • JBL Authentics 200 – USD$329.99 (MYR1,629.23)
  • JBL Authentics 300 – USD$429.99 (MYR2,001.64)
  • JBL Authentics 500 – USD$699.99 (MYR3,258.48)

For those willing to take the plunge, Whether you’re after stunning sound quality, seamless voice assistant integration, or a fusion of vintage and modern design, the JBL Authentics range promises to deliver an authentic and immersive audio experience.

Accessories, Mobile, News

JBL Celebrates 75 Years by Launching the Tour ONE and Tour Pro+ TWS Noise Cancelling Headphones

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Plenty of companies celebrate their significant milestone with special edition products. It is quite normal that you get an anniversary edition of things, especially in the world of gadgets. What do you mean why? You get anniversary version of cars, why not tech?

Not too many celebrate their major anniversary by launching a product though, JBL is one of those companies. This year JBL celebrates their 75th year in business. While they might not have existed quite as long as some audiophile brands, 75 years in the industry is a long time. This is also in consideration that some of the players in the audio industry have just started dabbling in high-end audio in the last five years or even less.

Of course, having 75 years of experience in the industry, JBL is one of the foremost brands in the audio industry. In fact, they make some of the best and most value-for-money production level gear. They really know a thing or two when it comes to making audiophile stuff then.

To celebrate their 75 years in the industry, they launched two new high-end noise-cancelling wireless headphones, very fitting. They launched one JBL Tour ONE and one JBL Tour Pro+ TWS in Malaysia. As per their name, they are part of JBL’s Tour series of audio gear.

JBL Tour ONE

  • JBL Tour ONE Image 1
    Source: JBL
  • JBL Tour ONE Image 3
    Source: JBL
  • JBL Tour ONE Image 2
    Source: JBL

This one will set you back MYR 1,699, about the same as the Sony WH-1000XM4 currently. In that sense, it goes up against one of the best in the business. You are going to ask the question; “why should I get this one instead of the Sony?”

The JBL Tour ONE offers what JBL calls the True Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. The headphone cleverly monitors environmental sounds and automatically determines the amount of noise cancellation that needs to be pumped into your ears. You can even turn on the feature even if your headphone was not connected to your smartphone device. They call the feature SilentNow and you can just turn off the world with the feature.

The JBL Tour ONE is not just a one trick pony though. The JBL Pro Sound tuned driver features HARMAN’s clever Smart Audio Mode that switches your headphone’s audio profile according to what you are using your headphone for. The system will optimise the connection for either “normal listening”, “music mode”, or “video mode”. In “music mode”, the headphones automatically increase the fidelity of music for your enjoyment. Obviously, latency suffers and therefore watching videos with it might be less than ideal. In “video mode” then, latency is prioritised and minimised.

Battery life is not bad too. You get up to 25 hours of battery life with Noise Cancelling function on. Without Noise Cancelling, you double the battery life. If you run out of battery, a 10-minute charge gives you up to two hours of playback time.

JBL Tour Pro+ TWS

  • JBL Tour Pro TWS Image 1
    Source: JBL
  • JBL Tour Pro TWS Image 2
    Source: JBL
  • JBL Tour Pro TWS Image 3
    Source: JBL

For a more active lifestyle, an over-ear headphone may not be the most suitable tool you want to carry in your gearbag. You need something light, something portable, and quick to deploy. You want the JBL Tour Pro+ TWS headphones.

True to its name, it is a compact true wireless earbuds package that fits in your pocket like it belongs there. The 6.9mm dynamic drivers ensures that the small package can deliver big sounds though. All of that while still offering up to 30 hours in playback time (up to 6 hours on a single charge with Active Noise Cancelling on, 8 hours without Noise Cancelling). When you run out, you can simply put it on a wireless charging pad and quickly charge it. Either that or plug a USB Type-C charging chord to it and get one hour of playback time in just 10 minutes.

The JBL Tour Pro+ TWS also comes with Adaptive Noise Cancelling technology that either cancels out noise completely or lets noise in to your ears when you need to stay aware of the situation around you. Of course, the 3-mic beamforming technology mics that are on the earbuds also acts as the microphones for voice calls or voice chats. At the same time, Dual Connect + Sync also allows you to choose whether or not you pick up your calls and play music with either side of your earbuds. Fast Pair allows your Android device to quickly connect to the TWS headphones with no fuss. Of course, it is IPX4 rated, so you can take it to the gym and it is ready for the weather at least.

Prices and Availability

Both the JBL Tour ONE and Tour Pro+ TWS are now available via JBL’s own online store and official retail partners including Shopee and Lazada. The JBL Tour ONE headphone will set you back MYR 1,699 as per mentioned. The JBL Tour Pro+ TWS on the other hand will set you back MYR 1,099. Unfortunately, unlike plenty of JBL’s products, there are no colour choices on this one. More information on the JBL Tour ONE and JBL Tour Pro+ TWS can be found on JBL’s website.