— Advanced-Technology Home Theater and Stereo Models Utilize Innovative Compression Driver Configuration to Achieve Extraordinary Sound Quality —
15 November 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODBURY, NY — JBL, celebrating 60 years as a leading manufacturer of professional and consumer loudspeakers, is featuring its ultrahigh-end Project Array loudspeakers at EHX, at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA, Booth 435 (November 15 — 17, 2006). The five JBL Project Array models combine innovative compression driver technology with dynamic drivers, to take advantage of the sonic strengths of both designs.
The 1400 Array is featured in live demonstrations in a 2-channel system with JBL Synthesis electronics, showcasing its capacity for reproducing music with remarkable realism and sonic accuracy.
To deliver extraordinary sonic performance in the finest home theater and music systems, JBL Project Array models utilize technologies directly derived from the company’s professional loudspeakers. Project Array models include the 1400 Array and 1000 Array floorstanding loudspeakers; the 800 Array stand-mounted model; the 880 Array center channel loudspeaker; and the 1500 Array powered subwoofer with a built-in 1000-watt amplifier.
Exclusive JBL Compression Driver Technology
To achieve their superlative performance, the 1400 Array, 1000 Array and 800 Array loudspeakers feature exclusive Bi-Radial horn compression drivers mounted vertically in a freestanding configuration. This design eliminates enclosure diffraction effects to provide precise, ultrastable imaging, along with a wider, deeper, more three-dimensional soundstage. The 880 Array employs a vertically mounted Bi-Radial compression driver flanked by dual woofers to deliver articulate reproduction of dialogue and effects, and to provide a seamless sonic blend when multiple Project Array loudspeakers are used in a surround sound home theater system.
The vertical Bi-Radial horns — made from an extremely dense and inert material to eliminate unwanted sonic colorations — incorporate their midrange/high-frequency and ultrahigh-frequency transducers into a unified horn assembly. This design optimizes the horn’s dispersion pattern and tonal accuracy, both on- and off-axis. The ultrahigh-frequency transducers used in each model are directly mounted to their loudspeaker diaphragms, achieving high-frequency response to beyond 40kHz. The Bi-Radial design yields a richly detailed midrange and remarkably clear, open high frequencies, with no harshness or glare, delivered over a wide listening area.
Leading-Edge Engineering and Construction
To complement these unique compression drivers, Project Array loudspeakers employ low-frequency transducers that incorporate JBL’s most advanced engineering and materials technologies. All models feature treated-pulp-cone woofers; the 1400 Array and 1500 Array utilize JBL’s exclusive Aquaplas formulation, while the other models use an advanced-technology polymer material. The woofer cones combine the inherent musicality of the natural pulp-cone fiber with the added rigidity provided by the coating treatments, which preserves sonic neutrality while damping internal resonances, smoothing out the frequency balance and tightening bass response.
Performance is further enhanced by the use of heavy-duty motor assemblies and large-diameter voice coils that utilize JBL’s Symmetrical Field Geometry (SFG) circuit, a proprietary technology that lowers woofer distortion by maintaining a symmetrical magnetic field (unlike conventional woofer designs with asymmetrical magnetic fields) in the voice-coil gap. The uniform magnetic field around the voice coil ensures linear cone travel, provides high-power-handling capability, and dramatically reduces harmonic distortion. The woofers incorporate die-cast frames, vented polepieces for highly efficient cooling, and additional enhancements to achieve maximum low-frequency performance.
JBL Project Array loudspeakers are constructed from the highest grade materials and components, including high-order crossover networks using low-loss air-core inductors, and audiophile-grade polypropylene-dielectric capacitors selected for maximum sonic purity. The woofer enclosures are made from thick-walled medium-density fiberboard (MDF), with trapezoidal, heavily braced internal geometry designs to minimize internal standing waves and enclosure colorations.
JBL Project Array loudspeakers are as distinctive in appearance as they are in performance. All models are available in an elegant lacquered-wood finish, complemented by an ultraflat, soft-touch, rubberized black finish for the top surfaces, giving the loudspeakers a totally unique design that blends classic and high-tech elements.
Suggested retail pricing of JBL Project Array loudspeakers begins at $3,000 each.
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group’s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com) is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAR.”
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For additional information, contact:
Frank Doris
FM Group Public Relations
631-385-1304 ext. 402
frank.doris@fm-group.net
JBL, Synthesis, JBL Synthesis and Bi-Radial are registered trademarks, and Project Array and Symmetrical Field Geometry are trademarks, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
