3 May 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODBURY, NY — JBL celebrating 60 years as a leading manufacturer of consumer and professional loudspeakers, today announced that four complete JBL Synthesis Atlas multichannel audio systems have been selected for use in custom-built screening rooms at the 59th Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes), which will take place May 17 — 28, 2006, in Cannes, France. In support of the Festival, JBL has signed on as an official partner of the Marche du Film.
The JBL Synthesis Atlas 7.1-channel systems will be installed in one 25-seat, one 75-seat and two 40-seat theaters, all of which will be specially built at the renowned Gray d’Albion Hotel in Cannes to present feature films submitted by producers, directors and filmmakers from all over the world. In addition, a JBL Studio L multichannel loudspeaker system, Harman Kardon high-performance audio/video components and AKG wireless surround headphones will be used in two screening rooms custom-built to present short films for the Festival’s Short Film Corner, a showcase for the more than 800 short films to be featured at Cannes.
Paul Bente, president of JBL Consumer Products, noted: “JBL is proud to have been chosen once again to provide audio installations for the Cannes Film Festival, and to contribute to the success of the Festival in presenting the very best in cinema artistry. The ultrahigh-end JBL Synthesis Atlas systems used in this year’s screening rooms are the finest JBL systems ever to be installed at Cannes, and their extraordinary sound quality, in conjunction with the installations’ state-of-the-art video capabilities, will offer attendees a powerful and emotionally compelling cinema experience.”
The THX Ultra-certified JBL Synthesis Atlas systems for the Gray d’Albion installations feature SK2-1000 main-channel left-, center- and right-front loudspeakers, S3VC vertical loudspeakers used for the surround channels, and S1S-EX 18-inch subwoofers. Each system’s electronics include the SDP-40 digital surround processor/system controller and SDEC2500A digital equalizer, in addition to the S800 2-channel x 200-watt power amplifiers, S7150 7-channel x 150-watt power amplifiers, and custom S2500IC interconnect kits.
And to deliver spectacular big-screen picture quality, the installations feature Screen Research ClearPix2 projection screens, and Runco high-definition DLP projectors (the 75-seat theater uses a Barco high-definition DLP projector). The technical department of the Marche du Film designed the installations, and Booster Corporation, a Cannes-based JBL systems integration specialist, will install the systems.
JBL Synthesis Atlas: Engineered for Extraordinary Sonic Realism
A key component of the Synthesis Atlas installations is the 7.1-channel JBL Synthesis SDP-40 surround processor/preamplifier, a THX Ultra2-certified component that incorporates a multitude of advanced functions and features, including 8-channel, 24-bit DSP audio processing for the highest possible fidelity and resolution. The SDP-40 includes a wide selection of audio and video inputs and switching facilities, enabling it to accommodate the variety of professional and consumer playback sources that will be used to show films at the Gray d’Albion theaters.
The SDP-40 is compatible with all popular surround sound decoding formats, and incorporates Harman International’s proprietary Logic 7 surround sound processing, which provides enhanced surround sound realism from both matrix-encoded and two-channel stereo recordings. Logic 7’s Cinema Mode is optimized for playback of movie soundtracks, and delivers superior imaging and separation, a greater sense of envelopment, and a more seamless sound field.
The JBL Synthesis SDEC2500A digital equalizer optimizes the performance of a Synthesis multichannel system in any room by the application of ultraprecise 83-band digital parametric equalization and leading-edge DSP technologies. The SDEC2500A is used in conjunction with JBL’s exclusive Digital Acoustic Calibration System (DACS), which allows a Synthesis system to be precisely tuned to the room in which it is installed.
JBL Synthesis Atlas loudspeakers incorporate a number of advanced JBL technologies to achieve an unparalleled level of sonic realism. The loudspeakers include state-of-the-art beryllium compression drivers and beryllium ultrahigh-frequency transducers for maximum high-frequency and midrange clarity; high-power cast-frame woofers that deliver powerful, articulate low-frequency response; controlled-dispersion enclosures for optimum sound coverage over a wider area; and many additional refinements.
The S800 stereo power amplifiers and seven-channel S7150 power amplifier are engineered for superb sonic performance, and are designed to interface with other Synthesis system components for sophisticated automatic control capabilities.
JBL Synthesis systems are available exclusively from authorized JBL Synthesis dealers, all of whom are systems integration specialists. The turnkey systems are installed and calibrated by the installing dealer using a calibration kit that includes JBL’s proprietary DACS software and equipment and measurement microphones, and that interfaces with the SDEC2500A digital equalizer and computes the necessary corrections for accurate in-room frequency response.
JBL Studio L Series Loudspeakers: Studio-Quality Sound and Outstanding Installation Flexibility
JBL Studio L Series loudspeakers incorporate design innovations and technologies directly derived from the company’s professional recording studio monitors to achieve superlative sonic accuracy and musical realism. The 5.1-channel Studio L system to be used in one of the Short Film Corner screening rooms includes two L820 wall-mount/bookshelf monitors for the main left- and right-front channels, an LC2 center channel speaker, two L810 wall-mount/bookshelf models for the surround channels, and an L8400P 12-inch, 600-watt powered subwoofer.
Harman Kardon Audio/Video Components: Designed for Exceptional Performance
The JBL Studio L Series loudspeakers are complemented by the Harman Kardon AVR 635 7.1-channel audio/video receiver and DVD 23 progressive-scan DVD-video player. Both components are engineered to deliver superlative sound and picture quality, along with unmatched flexibility and ease of use.
The Harman Kardon AVR 635 7.1-channel audio/video receiver offers a host of innovative features to deliver exceptional performance and multiroom versatility. The AVR 635 incorporates the company’s feature set, providing automatic system calibration functions and room equalization to achieve a remarkable level of sonic accuracy. The receiver offers a host of additional advanced features, including a powerful high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier section, compatibility with popular surround sound formats, HDTV-compatible video switching, multiroom/multisource operation, and much more.
The Harman Kardon DVD 23 progressive-scan DVD-video player (available in Europe; the DVD 27 is offered in the U.S.) incorporates leading-edge pixel-by-pixel video processing for extraordinary image quality, along with advanced audio technologies and unique playback capabilities that make it easier than ever to enjoy favorite movies, music and images.
AKG HEARO 787 SURROUND Wireless Headphones: Delivering Expansive Surround Sound
The AKG HEARO 787 SURROUND headphones will be featured in the two Short Film Corner screening rooms. AKG’s HEARO 787 SURROUND headphones deliver a realistic, immersive surround sound listening experience, thanks to AKG’s exclusive Individual Virtual Acoustics technology with Logic 7 processing that simulates up to eight channels of virtual loudspeakers. The elegantly styled headphones combine a choice of stereo and surround listening modes with unsurpassed comfort and the convenience of UHF wireless operation.
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, Harman Kardon, AKG and Logic 7 are registered trademarks, and JBL Synthesis Atlas, Studio Series, Digital Acoustic Calibration System (DACS) and are trademarks, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
THX, THX Ultra and THX Ultra2 are trademarks of THX Ltd., which may be registered in some jurisdictions.
All rights reserved.
DLP is a trademark of Texas Instruments.
Runco is a trademark of Runco International.
ClearPix2 is a trademark of Screen Research.
