6 September 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODBURY, NY — At CEDIA 2007, JBL, Inc., is showcasing a wide variety of its latest JBL Synthesis systems and components, including live demonstrations of a complete Synthesis Project Array 7.4-channel system in a large-scale custom home theater installation.
The current JBL Synthesis lineup incorporates upgrades that are among the most significant in its 15-year history. All systems now feature latest generation loudspeaker technologies and electronics, including SDEC-4000 or SDEC-3000 multichannel digital equalizers, to deliver extraordinary sonic accuracy, in any room, that meets or exceeds the standards for professional theaters.
Paul Bente, president of JBL Consumer Products, noted: “Since the launch of our Synthesis division, JBL has dedicated itself to offering home entertainment systems that deliver the absolute highest levels of performance. Thanks to a number of important advancements in our loudspeaker designs, electronics, and room-measurement and correction capabilities, our 2007 JBL Synthesis systems set remarkable new standards in sound quality and flexibility for custom-installation home cinema.”
Following are highlights of the JBL Synthesis systems and products on exhibit at the Colorado Convention Center, Booth 580 (September 6 — 9).
JBL Synthesis Electronics: Engineered for Optimum Performance
The JBL Synthesis SDEC-4000 digital equalizer — included in the Synthesis Project Array and other JBL Synthesis systems — and the SDEC-3000 are sophisticated audio processors that optimize the performance of a Synthesis multichannel system in any room through the application of leading-edge DSP technologies and up to 120 bands of fully parametric digital equalization. The SDEC-4000 and SDEC-3000 are significantly improved from previous models, and provide extraordinary sonic accuracy, as well as ease of installation and greater operational flexibility. All JBL Synthesis systems are now shipping with either the SDEC-4000 or SDEC-3000.
In all rooms, there are powerful room resonances that overly emphasize some frequencies and attenuate others. The SDEC-4000 and SDEC-3000 compensate for these irregularities with far more precision than is available from traditional equalization methods. Both models offer filter parameters from 1/100 octave to four octaves wide at +15dB to — infinity, between 20Hz — 20kHz, to correct dips and peaks throughout the frequency range. Because no two rooms are alike, JBL DACS (Digital Acoustic Calibration System) technology allows a JBL factory-trained-and-certified technician to custom-fit the sound of a Synthesis system to the room in which it is installed. DACS uses multiple microphones to measure five different locations in a room, and applies proprietary 24-bit digital-signal processing to analyze and correct for the room’s frequency dips and peaks. The result is extremely accurate in-room frequency response.
The SDEC-4000 and SDEC-3000 offer numerous additional advanced features, including automatic time-alignment compensation for all of the loudspeakers and drivers in a multichannel system; an Auto-Film-Screen-Compensation feature that automatically corrects for the attenuation in high-frequency output that can occur when a loudspeaker is located behind a projection screen; Windows-based application software for advanced system-configuration capabilities; and many additional features. The SDEC-4000 has the capability of equalizing up to 16 main and surround channels, and four subwoofers, while the SDEC-3000 can equalize up to eight channels and two subwoofers. In addition, the SDEC-4000 features a built-in crossover for use with the Synthesis Array Module (SAM) SAM 1 midrange/high-frequency loudspeaker array and SAM 2 low-frequency loudspeaker array.
The JBL Synthesis SDP-40HD surround processor/preamplifier used in the Synthesis Project Array and other Synthesis systems is a state-of-the-art component that delivers unsurpassed digital-audio and high-definition-video performance. It offers numerous advanced features, including six HDMI inputs, twelve configurable audio inputs, and multiple DC trigger control outputs and IR inputs. The SDP-40HD incorporates two 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converters operating in dual-mono mode for each audio output, to provide the highest possible fidelity and resolution. The SDP-40HD is compatible with all popular surround sound decoding formats, and incorporates proprietary Logic 7 surround sound processing, which provides enhanced surround sound realism from both matrix-encoded and two-channel recordings.
Synthesis Array Loudspeakers: Exceptional Sonic Accuracy and Installation Flexibility
The JBL SAM 1 midrange/high-frequency array and SAM 2 low-frequency array loudspeakers, which are now included in the upgraded Synthesis One Array, Synthesis Two Array and Synthesis Three Array systems, and the SAM3HA and SAM3VA Synthesis Array Module horizontal and vertical loudspeakers incorporate advanced engineering and materials and bring the configurable installation versatility of the company’s acclaimed VerTec line-array professional audio loudspeakers to home listeners.
The SAM 1, SAM3HA and SAM3VA share many of the driver technologies — including proprietary
Bi-Radial horns that are mated with an aluminum midrange and pure-titanium compression drivers —
of the company’s reference-standard Project Array and K2 Series loudspeakers. The Bi-Radial horns incorporate their midrange/high-frequency and ultrahigh-frequency transducers into a unified horn assembly. This design optimizes the horn’s dispersion and tonal accuracy, both on- and off-axis, and delivers extended high-frequency response to beyond 40kHz.
The SAM 2 employs dual 8-inch woofers that utilize exclusive JBL Metal Matrix technology, in which the aluminum woofer cones are deep-anodized to produce rigid yet lightweight driver diaphragms, providing exceptional articulation. The SAM 1 and SAM 2’s modular design enables them to be easily attached together to create loudspeaker arrays in a variety of configurations.
Project Array Loudspeakers: Designed to Deliver Extraordinary Sound Quality
The Project Array model 1400 Array loudspeakers used in the JBL Synthesis Array system at CEDIA 2007 incorporate innovative JBL compression-driver technologies and advanced-technology dynamic drivers to take advantage of the sonic strengths of both designs. (The 1400 Array and other Project Array models are also available separately.) Project Array loudspeakers combine the exceptional dynamic range, transient response and “effortless” sound quality of horn-loaded compression drivers with the precise imaging, three-dimensional soundstage and articulate low-frequency impact provided by the finest dynamic drivers.
Project Array loudspeakers feature Bi-Radial-horn compression drivers mounted into a unified horn assembly that is configured to optimize the horn’s performance. Project Array loudspeakers also employ ultimate-quality low-frequency drivers that are engineered to deliver extended and articulate bass response. The loudspeakers are constructed from only the highest grade materials and components.
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 — a unique design that blends classic and high-tech elements.
The Synthesis Project Array system featured at CEDIA also includes the S4Ai multipolar in-wall surround-effects loudspeaker, which can be switched to bipole, dipole or direct-radiating operation for optimum surround reproduction in any home theater system, and the S1S-EX subwoofer, which features a massive 18-inch woofer with true deep bass extension all the way down to 18Hz.
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG), Inc., 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 Public Relations
631-385-1304, ext. 402
frank.doris@fm-group.net
JBL, Synthesis, JBL Synthesis, Logic 7, VerTec, Bi-Radial, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon are registered trademarks, and Project Array, DACS and Array are trademarks, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
© 2007 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
