Music, movies, games—sound is an essential part of modern entertainment.
While live events and movie theaters are certainly important, we now live in an era where we can enjoy all kinds of content from our homes.
So, why not be a little more particular about our audio products?
We went behind the scenes at the "HARMAN ExPLORE TOKYO 2024 Autumn New Product Showcase" hosted by Harman International Japan Co Ltd!
We got a look at a large number of devices, including the unannounced JBL Quantum 360 WIRELESS and JBL TOUR PRO 3!
HARMAN ExPLORE TOKYO 2024 Autumn New Product Showcase
Harman International is a company that develops solutions in a wide range of fields, including professional and consumer audio devices and in-vehicle displays.
It has major brands such as AKG, harman/kardon, JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, and is widely used by general consumers, professionals, event venues, and movie theaters.
Harman International held the "HARMAN ExPLORE TOKYO 2024 Autumn New Product Showcase"!
We got to experience the latest models, including unannounced ones, ahead of time, as well as products that are already on sale!
Car Audio
The JBL brand is also world-class in car audio.
The first thing that catches your eye at the exhibition is the Toyota Land Cruiser 250!
JBL collaborated with Toyota Motor Corporation from the early stages of development.
They developed the optimal sound system for the Land Cruiser 250 by equipping it with a total of 15 devices, including the following:
- 9cm wide-dispersion speaker on the instrument panel
- 2.5cm horn tweeter
- 20cm x 23cm mid-woofer on the front door
- 2.5cm horn tweeter on the rear door
- 15cm mid-woofer on the rear door
- 8cm satellite speaker
- 22.4cm subwoofer
- Dedicated amplifier
Saiga NAKThe design is tailored to the car's interior space, and the powerful, expressive sound is its main selling point.
With a configuration carefully designed for the driver, passenger, and even the rear seats, the music you hear is sure to make your drive even more enjoyable!
トヨタのランドクルーザー“250”に搭載されたハーマンインターナショナルのJBLオーディオを試聴‼️
チューニングされた14個のスピーカーと1個のアンプが最高のサウンドを実現します✨#トヨタ #ランドクルーザー #ランクル250 #JBL pic.twitter.com/YDNYdcyrus— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) September 16, 2024
Many Stylish, Portable Speakers
This is the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 portable Bluetooth speaker.
While it's on the larger side for a portable speaker, it's characterized by its elegant design that blends in with interiors and a built-in rechargeable battery that allows for up to 8 hours of playback.
JBL Xtreme 4 is a portable speaker equipped with AI Sound Boost, a next-generation amplifier technology.
With a convenient carrying strap and an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, it's perfect for outdoor use!
The JBL Go 4, weighing 190 grams, and JBL Clip 5, weighing 285 grams, are two ultra-portable speakers.
With an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, they are perfect for a small outdoor gathering, or even for use in the bath!
If you connect them to your smartphone via Bluetooth, you can even sing karaoke in the bath!
And this is the JBL Authentics 300.
Released simultaneously in November 2023 with the JBL Authentics 200, this product's main selling point is its high-quality music playback via Wi-Fi streaming.
Its authentic design also makes it a great addition to your interior.
And here is the JBL PartyBox Stage 320, one of the largest JBL products.
Its two 165mm woofers reproduce the low frequencies and two 25mm dome tweeters reproduce the high frequencies, allowing it to deliver high-quality sound to an area the size of a tennis court, even outdoors.
While the body weighs 16.5 kilograms, it has a telescopic handle and wheels, so you can roll it around like a suitcase.
New Soundbars Planned for Release
Harman Kardon Enchant 1100 is an all-in-one soundbar that achieves authentic 3D sound with Dolby Atmos and the proprietary MultiBeam technology.
A total of 11 speaker drivers deliver 5.1.2-channel immersive sound, and the total output is a whopping 315W.
It is equipped with a wide variety of input/output terminals, such as the following:
- HDMI input
- HDMI output (eARC compatible)
- Optical digital input
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- Ethernet
Since it supports 4K pass-through, it can be flexibly connected to TVs and video equipment.
Details about the Harman Kardon Enchant 1100 are expected to be announced soon, so let's wait for further news...!
This is the JBL Cinema SB580, a 3.1-channel soundbar system with a wireless subwoofer that was released in July 2024.
This product's appeal lies in its Dolby Atmos compatibility and its 120W independently driven 2-way center channel speaker.
This is a very cost-effective model, priced at 39,600 yen (including tax), with a compact yet 200W high-power output subwoofer.
New JBL MA Series AV Amplifiers
The MA Series of AV amplifiers is the first to be released by the JBL brand.
Designed for extreme ease of use, the minimal buttons and easy-to-read LCD panel make them less intimidating.
The 9.2-channel AV amplifier JBL MA9100HP costs 253,000 yen (including tax), and the 7.2-channel AV amplifier JBL MA710 costs 121,000 yen (including tax).
The HDMI ports support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz, so they are a perfect match for the PlayStation 5!
JBL TOUR PRO 3 Finally Appears!
The most notable product is the flagship true wireless earbud model, JBL TOUR PRO 3, the latest model in the JBL TOUR PRO series!
The JBL TOUR PRO 3 is JBL's first model to be equipped with a dual driver that reproduces both low and high frequencies.
Furthermore, its hybrid noise-canceling 2.0, which adapts in real-time to the surrounding environment, tailors its tuning to the wearer's ear canal and wearing condition.
The smart charging case's screen is approximately 29% larger than the previous model!
In addition, by connecting this smart charging case with the included Type-C to 3.5mm cable or Type-C to Type-C cable, it can transmit audio signals to the earbuds.
When combined with AURACAST, it can transmit to multiple earbuds and speakers at the same time, allowing for various uses both at home and on the go!
More details about the JBL TOUR PRO 3 are expected to be announced soon.
New Gaming Headsets
Other products on display included the JBL Quantum TWS, a dustproof and waterproof true wireless earbud for sports.
Bluetoothと2.4GHzの同時接続にも対応！完全ワイヤレスゲーミングイヤホン「JBL Quantum TWS」をレビュー！
The JBL Endurance Peak 3 is a dustproof and waterproof true wireless earbud for sports.
The recently announced gaming headset is the JBL Quantum 100M2.
And the unannounced JBL QUANTUM 360 WIRELESS was also on display.
This is the JBL JUNIOR 470NC, a smart headphone for children, developed to protect their hearing from the risk of hearing loss caused by smartphones.
Its volume limit and app-based management make it a product that can be used with peace of mind.
A crowdfunding campaign is scheduled to run from early October to late November 2024, so if you're interested, be sure to pre-register from the special page on GREEN FUNDING!
JBL TOUR PRO 3 Review Coming Soon!
There were an incredible number of products at the HARMAN ExPLORE TOKYO 2024 Autumn New Product Showcase!
The exhibits were impressive, featuring not only JBL, which also handles gaming devices, but also Harman Kardon, ARCAM, and more.
In particular, a review article about my top pick, the JBL TOUR PRO 3, is scheduled to be published at a later date, so look forward to it!
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HARMAN ExPLORE TOKYO 2024
秋季新製品内覧会 イベントレポ✍️
＼今回の目玉はなんといっても「TOUR PRO 3」🔥
前モデルよりケースの画面サイズが約29％アップ⤴️音質・機能・操作性が大きく向上した、JBL最上位イヤホンの発表をお楽しみに💥 pic.twitter.com/ecMp9wXBFZ
— JBL JAPAN (@JBL_JAPAN) September 17, 2024
