JBL is marking its 80th anniversary in 2026, using the milestone to highlight its presence across professional, consumer and installed audio markets, while also introducing new home cinema products in India.
Founded in 1946 by James B. Lansing, JBL has maintained a broad footprint spanning studio monitoring, live sound, cinema and consumer audio. Today, as part of Harman, the brand continues to operate across both professional and residential sectors, including large-scale venue sound and home entertainment systems.
As part of its anniversary activity, JBL is rolling out a series of global initiatives throughout 2026, including the JBL Playback Gallery, an exhibition of historical products and technologies with technical demonstrations. The programme is expected to visit cities including Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Tokyo and Vienna, alongside a themed season of Harman’s Audio Talks podcast and a limited-run digital publication.
Alongside the global programme, JBL has also used the anniversary to launch its new Bar MK2 Series soundbars in India, extending its home cinema offering in the region. The range includes models such as the Bar 1300MK2, Bar 1000MK2 and Bar 800MK2, designed to deliver immersive audio from a simplified, wireless-focused form factor.
The systems combine Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing with JBL’s MultiBeam technology, alongside detachable wireless surround speakers intended to enable flexible system layouts without additional wiring. Features such as dialogue enhancement, AI-driven bass management and integrated calibration are positioned as part of a broader push towards accessible, high-performance home cinema solutions.
JBL also pointed to ongoing investment in areas such as spatial audio, adaptive sound processing and immersive listening, alongside sustainability initiatives within product design and manufacturing.