Harman International, Inc., the world's largest audio manufacturer, held a preview of its new products for fall/winter 2020, including the JBLQuantum ONE, the brand's first gaming headset. Harman International Inc. held a preview of its new products for fall/winter 2020.
Funglr Games was also invited to this preview and was able to experience Harman International's pure audio products and pre-launch products!
This time, we will report on the touch & try corner where you can touch and try the products of Harman International's brands such as "JBL" and "Mark Levinson", following the content of the business strategy presentation we published in the previous issue. JBL!
Touch and Try Attractive JBL Portable Products
Let's start with JBL's portable Bluetooth speakers, such as the " JBL Pulse 4," which made a strong statement at the business strategy presentation we reported last time!
On the left is the JBL Pulse 4 and on the right is the JBL Boombox 2.
The "JBL Boombox 2" is quite large, even for a portable device.
It is 484mm long and weighs about 6kg, so you might be able to carry it on your shoulder and listen to music just like in the days of yore.
"Okay! Then let's do it! I thought, "Okay, let's try it!" but as expected, I felt like I would float on the water if I did so, so I decided not to do so.
| JBL Boombox 2 | |
| Type | Portable Bluetooth speaker |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Playback Time / Charging Time | Approx. 24 hours playback time / 6.5 hours charging time (at 5V/0.9A)
Charging and playback time varies depending on volume level and playback content. Please use the included AC adapter for charging. |
| Waterproof | IPX7 |
| Size (H x W x D) | 201 x 484 x 256 (mm) |
| Weight | Approx. 5.9kg |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.1 (Class 2) |
| Supported profiles | A2DP, AVRCP |
| Speaker configuration | 20mm diameter tweeter x 2
2 x 106mm diameter woofers Passive radiator x 2 |
| Maximum output power | Max. 40W x 2 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz |
| Accessories | AC power adapter, power cable |
| Reference price | JBL Online Store retail price 44,800 yen (excluding tax) |
The JBL Pulse 4 is the one you've been waiting for, and the lighting is even more prominent than before due to the dimmer lighting.
The lighting is not just glowing.
The sound and illumination are interlocked, the volume can be seen by the light, and you can enjoy music with sound and light.
The way it glows is just so cool that even if you don't play any sound, it will look great just by placing it there.
However, if it calls itself a speaker, and if it is a JBL product, the most important thing is the sound quality.
I connected it via Bluetooth to check it out and found it to be quite powerful! The sound is quite crisp, even with its appearance.
It produces a solid bass sound that you would not expect from a portable product.
However, perhaps to keep up with the bass, the main unit was quite heavy.
It is heavy enough to be used as a dumbbell, so I would like to carry it in my bag when the occasion calls for it.
It is also IPX7 waterproof, so it might be a good idea to use it in the bath with the lights off.
Incidentally, I asked the person who showed me around, "Are these gaming speakers? " to the person who showed me around, and apparently it is not.
But if the "JBL Pulse 4" were to be shown on the screen, it would look pretty good, wouldn't it?
There are even " glow-in-the-dark sticks " in the gaming device industry, so if I'm going to be streaming, I'd like to collect more and more glow-in-the-dark devices...!
| JBL PULSE 4 | |
| Type | Portable Bluetooth speaker |
|---|---|
| Color | Available in 2 colors (Black, White) |
| Continuous use time | Up to approx. 12 hours of playback
*Charging and playback time varies depending on volume level and playback content. |
| Charging time | Approx. 3.5 hours charging (at 5V/3A)
Charging time may vary depending on the performance of the combined AC adapter. |
| Waterproof | IPX7 |
| Size (H x W x D) | 207 x 96 x 96 (mm) |
| Weight | Approx. 1260g |
| Bluetooth | Version 4.2 (Class 2) |
| Supported profiles | A2DP, AVRCP |
| Speaker configuration | 57mm driver x 2
Passive radiator x 1 |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz |
| Maximum Output Power | 20W max. |
| Included accessories | USB Type-C cable for charging (1.2m, 5V3A compatible) |
| Reference price | JBL Online Store retail price 19,800 yen (excluding tax) |
Next is the " JBL GO3," which will go on sale on November 13, 2020, as announced in the previous business strategy presentation, the round one in the center is the " JBL HORIZON 2," and the speaker with a radio, the " JBL TUNER2 " is on the far right. FM ".
The "JBL GO3" is noticeably smaller than the "JBL HORIZON 2".
The "JBL HORIZON 2" and "JBL TUNER2 FM" are speakers that can listen to FM radio, and the "JBL HORIZON 2" can be used as an alarm clock.
JBL" has an image of high-end speakers, but surprisingly, there are many familiar products that are easy to incorporate into daily life.
| JBL GO3 | |
| Type | Portable Bluetooth speaker |
|---|---|
| Color | Available in 6 colors (black, blue, red, gray, orange, and pink) |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.1 |
| Waterproof function | IP67 |
| Continuous use time | Up to approx. 5 hours
*Charging and playback time varies depending on usage environment. |
| Battery | Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Charging: approx. 2.5 hours, playback: approx. 5 hours Charging and playback time may vary depending on the operating environment. |
| Size (H x W x D) | 75 x 87.5 x 41.3 (mm) |
| Weight | Approx. 209g |
| Supported profiles | A2DPv1.3, AVRCPv1.6 |
| Audio input | Bluetooth |
| Supported codecs | SBC |
| Units used | 1 x 43 x 47mm full-range speaker |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz |
| Maximum output power | 4.2W max. |
| Included accessories | USB cable for charging (USB Type-C) |
| Release Date | November 13, 2020 (Friday) |
| Reference price | JBL Online Store retail price: 4,380 yen (excluding tax) |
| JBL HORIZON 2 | |
| Type | Bluetooth speaker with alarm clock |
| Color | Black |
| Size (H x W x D) | 75 x 87.5 x 41.3 (mm) |
| Weight | Approx. 209g |
| Bluetooth | Version 4.2 |
| Audio Input | Bluetooth, external audio input |
| Units used | 38mm x 2 |
| Maximum output power | Max. 8W (4W x 2) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz |
| Accessories | Power adapter, FM antenna |
| Reference price | JBL Online Store retail price 4,380 yen (excluding tax) |
| JBL TUNER2 FM | |
| Type | Portable Bluetooth speaker with Wide FM |
| Color | Black |
| Playback Time / Charging Time | Approx. 12 hours playback time / 3.5 hours charging time (at 5V/0.9A)
Charging and playback time varies depending on volume level and playback content. Charging time may vary depending on the performance of the combined AC adapter. |
| Waterproof | IPX7 |
| Size (H x W x D) | 70 x 180 x 72 (mm) |
| Weight | Approx. 543g |
| Bluetooth | Version 4.2 (Class 2) |
| Supported profiles | A2DP, AVRCP |
| Speaker configuration | 1 x 44.45mm driver, 1 x passive radiator |
| Maximum output power | Max. 5W |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz |
| Included accessories | USB Type-C cable for charging (1.2m, 5V3A compatible) |
| Reference price | JBL Online Store retail price 11,800 yen (excluding tax) |
Pre-release headphones and earphones on display!
Next to the portable Bluetooth speakers were JBL earphones and headphones!
Speaking of JBL headphones, we often feature the " JBL Quantum " series on Saiga NAK.
Here we have the " CLUB " series, JBL's new top-of-the-line headphones, as well as the JBL TUNE115TWS, an entry-level model of fully wireless earbuds.
From left to right
- CLUB ONE
- CLUB 950NC
- CLUB PRO+ TWS
- JBL TUNE115TWS
...and so on.
All of these models were not on sale at the time of the preview.
In particular, the "CLUB" series is the first JBL brand headphones and earphones to feature hybrid noise canceling, and the company announced in the business strategy presentation that noise canceling is growing.
The number of models may be further expanded in the future.
| Product Name | CLUB ONE | CLUB 950NC | CLUB PRO+ TWS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Wireless hybrid noise-canceling over-ear headphones with Hi-Resolution | Wireless Hybrid Noise-Canceling Over-Ear Headphones with Hi-Resolution | Hybrid noise-canceling fully wireless earphones |
| Color | Black | Black | Black |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.0 | Version 5.0 | Version 5.1 |
| Unit | 40mm dynamic driver | 40mm dynamic driver | 6.8mm dynamic driver |
| Supported profiles | A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5, HFP 1.6 | A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5, HFP 1.6 | A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.7 |
| Frequency Response | (Passive) 10Hz to 40kHz
(Active - with BT) 20Hz-20kHz | (Passive) 16Hz-40kHz
(active - with BT) 20Hz-20kHz | 10Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 32Ω | 32Ω | 16Ω |
| Supported codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Weight | Approx. 378.5g | Approx. 372g | Main body of earphone: approx. 7g each for left and right
Charging case: approx. 55.4g |
| Continuous use time | Charging time: 2 hours
Bluetooth playback time: 45 hours Bluetooth and ANC playback time: 23 hours Aux-in ANC playback time: 25 hours Quick Charge: 2 hours of playback time with a 15-minute charge | Charging time: 2 hours
Bluetooth playback time: 55 hours Bluetooth and ANC playback time: 25 hours Aux-in ANC playback time: 30 hours About 2 hours of playback time with 15 minutes of quick charge | When ANC is on: Main body of earphone 6 hours + case 18 hours = approx. 24 hours
When ANC is off, the main body of the earphone about 8 hours + 24 hours in the case = about 32 hours 1 hour of playback is possible with a quick charge of 10 minutes. |
| Accessories | 1.2m audio cable with microphone
3.5mm to 6.3mm audio plug 1.5m coil cable Flight adapter USB charging cable Carrying case | 1.2m audio cable with microphone
USB charging cable Carrying case | Ear tips (S, M, L M pre-installed)
USB cable for charging |
| Release date | Mid-November 2020 | Mid-November 2020 | Mid-November 2020 |
| Reference price | JBL Online Store retail price: 34,800 yen (excluding tax) | JBL Online Store price: 24,800 yen (excluding tax) | JBL Online Store retail price 22,800 yen (excluding tax) |
| JBL TUNE115TWS | |
| Type | Bluetooth fully wireless earphone |
|---|---|
| Color | Black, White |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.0 |
| Supported profiles | A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6, HFP V1.7 |
| Unit | 5.8mm diameter driver |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Supported codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Weight | Main body of earphones: Approx. 5g each
Charging case: approx. 41.5g |
| Continuous use time | Battery (earphone): Charging: approx. 2 hours Music playback: max. approx. 21 hours
Battery (case): earphone chargeable time: max. approx. 15 hours Charging and playback time varies depending on the usage environment. |
| Accessories | USB Type-C charging cable, ear tips (S / M / L) |
| Release date | Mid-November 2020 |
| Reference price | JBL Online Store retail price: 7,880 yen (excluding tax) |
And of course, the "JBL Quantum" series gaming headsets!
And don't forget the " JBL Quant um" series.
The gaming facilities are set up amidst a luxurious atmosphere of high-end audio products.
The "JBL Quantum" series is available in this space for gaming device lovers!
The " JBL Quant um ONE" is the flagship model of the JBL Quantum series, which was also provided to Saiga NAK.
It is a very popular model for saiganak.com because of its excellent sound quality and comfort.
Needless to say, the "JBL Quantum ONE" is cool, but the stand is cool too, with the logo...
I tried the " JBL Quant um 400," a wired model priced at less than 10,000 yen before tax.
The higher-end models "JBL Quantum ONE" and "JBL Quantum 800" have an active noise canceling function, but these are not equipped with it.
However, the venue was playing high-quality music at a fairly high volume, and wearing the "JBL Quantum 400" speakers provided a good amount of sound insulation.
The JBL Quantum 400s are not so tight that they constrict your ears, but rather they gently hold the earbuds in place.
The "JBL Quantum ENGINE " is also compatible with the " JBL Quantum SURROUND ", so it can reproduce the sound field not only horizontally but also vertically.
Unlike the "Quantum ONE" and "Quantum 800," these speakers are wired, but that makes them more affordable, so they are highly recommended for those who are willing to pay a reasonable price. We highly recommend them to those who are willing to pay a reasonable price for them.
Of course, it glows. (Important).
Lose track of time with luxury audio...
There is of course an area where you can enjoy luxury audio with JBL home speakers sold by Harman International and Mark Levinson players and amplifiers!
What a luxurious time to sit back on the sofa and enjoy high quality audio without any worries!
This year, you may be spending more time at home due to the spread of the new coronavirus, and this may be an opportunity for you to start paying attention to the audio system in your home.
"I could listen to that forever! " but unfortunately the time passed quickly.
JBL, a long-established audio manufacturer that has fully entered the booming gaming industry, is still a real force to be reckoned with.
The power of JBL was clearly demonstrated at this preview. We are very much looking forward to seeing how the "JBL Quantum" series lineup will turn out in the future!
For more information on JBL products and news, please visit the official JBL website!
Also check out " Harman Audio, " the official online store for JBL and other brands handled by Harman International!