New JBL Summit Speakers

[amirm]

Nicely done short promo of the three new models:

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — May 15, 2025 — HARMAN Luxury Audio Group today announced the world debut of three new additions to the JBL Summit Series, a breathtaking expression of JBL’s most advanced loudspeaker craftsmanship. Premiering at HIGH END Munich 2025, the expanded Summit Series now spans five models — including the iconic JBL Everest and K2 — and introduces three new designs — Makalu, Pumori, and Ama — crafted for the world’s most discerning listeners. “The JBL Summit Series is the culmination of everything JBL stands for — acoustic precision, timeless design, and an emotional connection to music,” said Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy and Planning, HARMAN Luxury Audio. “With these new models, we are honoring our heritage while pushing the boundaries of sound reproduction further than ever before.” Crafted for the Peak of Performance From Project Everest to the present, JBL has spent decades reaching new altitudes in acoustic innovation. The Summit Series continues that legacy — a testament to 80 years of engineering and passion for sound. With the addition of Summit Makalu, Summit Pumori, and Summit Ama, JBL offers a lineup that blends refined design, proprietary technologies, and unmatched dynamic performance. Each model is inspired by a Himalayan peak and crafted to deliver unparalleled sound reproduction that stirs emotion and reveals new layers in every recording. Summit Makalu: A Force of Nature Named after Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain and an imposing pyramid-shaped peak located just 19 kilometers (12 miles) from Everest, the Summit Makalu commands attention with its bold stature and breathtaking sonic scale. As the flagship of the new additions, this 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker is designed to anchor large, immersive listening spaces with deep, articulate bass and soaring midrange detail. A 12-inch woofer and 8-inch midrange driver — both utilizing JBL’s proprietary HC4 composite cones — work in harmony with the patented D2 compression driver and precision-molded HDI™ Sonoglass® horn to deliver stunning dynamics and crystal-clear imaging. The Makalu’s contoured cabinet, offered in rich ebony veneer with gold accents or high-gloss piano black with platinum detailing, makes a powerful visual statement befitting its namesake. Summit Pumori: Balanced and Bold Inspired by Mount Pumori, affectionately known as the “Daughter of Everest,” the Summit Pumori captures the mountain’s grace and strength in sonic form. This 3-way floorstanding model is meticulously voiced for musical balance and purity. Its 10-inch woofer and 8-inch midrange driver are tuned to bring lifelike scale and warmth to every performance, while JBL’s signature D2 compression driver and HDI™ horn architecture preserve nuance and clarity. With its softly contoured cabinet, luxurious finishes, and emotionally engaging performance, Pumori delivers a transcendent listening experience grounded in heritage and beauty. Summit Ama: Clarity in Compact Form Derived from Ama Dablam, one of the Himalayas’ most iconic and picturesque peaks whose name means “Mother’s Necklace,” the Summit Ama is a compact masterpiece designed to reveal the heart of the music. This 2-way stand-mount loudspeaker pairs an 8-inch HC4 cone woofer with a D2 compression driver and HDI™ horn to deliver exceptional clarity, control, and coherence across the frequency spectrum. The Summit Ama’s elegant cabinet rests on a matching steel-and-aluminum stand. Timeless Design, Legendary Craftsmanship From their finely sculpted enclosures to the luxurious finishes, each Summit Series loudspeaker is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Cabinets are heavily braced, softly contoured, and built to eliminate resonance. Binding posts are wrapped in carbon fiber and plated in rhodium. JBL’s proprietary MultiCap™ crossover network ensures purity and performance throughout the entire audio chain. Each model integrates JBL IsoAcoustics™ adjustable isolation feet — ensuring that its sound remains as pure as the mountain that inspired it. These loudspeakers are not just engineered — they are artfully crafted for those who view listening as a pursuit of something greater. The new additions to the JBL Summit Series will be globally available later in 2025 through authorized JBL retailers and partners. The recommended retail prices are $19,995 USD per pair for the JBL Summit Ama including stands, $29,995 USD for a pair of JBL Summit Pumori and $44,995 USD for a set of JBL Summit Makalu, respectively. To learn more and explore the exclusive JBL Summit Series, visit https://www.jbl.com/summit-series. Watch the JBL Summit Series launch video here. # # # ​ PR Link: https://tigglobalpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/051525-JBL_Summit_Series_PR_Final.docx Video Link: https://youtu.be/GiE3wV57sqs Images Link: https://bit.ly/JBL_Summit_Series Image Caption: JBL Unveils the Summit Series at HIGH END Munich 2025.

 

[amirm]

They look like much more attractive/high-end looking version of the HDI series.

 

[Hugo9000]

Hmm, Summit Pumori already exists:

Original Summit Pumori

 

[BeeKay]

They look like much more attractive/high-end looking version of the HDI series.

If I should ever feel the urge to add a veneered refrigerator to my living room I’d be all in.

 

[oldsysop]

Makalu : Real speaker, not a stupid desk toy.

 

[thewas]

Hmm, Summit Pumori already exists:

Original Summit Pumori

And two threads where they are already discussed.

New JBL offerings: New Summit Series Models

New high end offerings from JBL. NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — May 15, 2025 — HARMAN Luxury Audio Group today announced the world debut of three new additions to the JBL Summit Series, a breathtaking expression of JBL’s most advanced loudspeaker craftsmanship. Premiering at HIGH END Munich 2025, the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

75 years of JBL: 75 years of Loud + Clear!

My ears told me. I finally built my 3 way- 2 enclosures, heavy dampened, heavy braced, cement and fiberglass ballasted. Electronic X overed 3 amped, put in comparison with the jbl l100t , the jbl seemed to play behind a mattress. Clarity was lost detail was lost. I dumped them. Only kept the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[beeface]

1. so are these gonna sound better or worse than the 4367 and M2?

2. publish the measurements, JBL! We know you have them

 

[kyuu]

Who is going to volunteer to send one of these in to Amir? Probably better be the Ama, unless you're going to accompany the speaker to help lift those refrigerators onto the Klippel.

 

[EAXAE]

What’s with the kitsch styling? Carbon front panels—really? And it’s not even real carbon fiber, unless I missed it. No mention of the material anywhere.

The 43XX series, HDI, M2, Everest, and K2 are all done pretty tastefully. This one sticks out in the worst way.

Hard pass from me.

 

[Penelinfi]

Maybe a successor to the 15 year old "LS" series

LS40

 

[Matias]

What’s with the kitsch styling? Carbon front panels—really? And it’s not even real carbon fiber, unless I missed it. No mention of the material anywhere.

The 43XX series, HDI, M2, Everest, and K2 are all done pretty tastefully. This one sticks out in the worst way.

Hard pass from me.

For the prices 20k-50k these are real carbon fiber for sure. Plus CF prices have been going down a lot the last decade or so.

But I agree: no description of new tech or great measurements to show, just lots of subjective marketing talk, a fake 3D video, and "polarizing aesthetics" as some reviewers like to say.

 

[HeadDoc12]

JBL is probably the most frustrating brand in all of hi-fi. They make the M2, widely regarded as one of the best speakers available. So they have the tech to make great products. They practically OWN there Bluetooth speaker market, and they are a subsidiary of Samsung, so I assume marketing money isn’t a problem. But they make SO MANY speakers from SO MANY different lines, and the quality varies REALLY widely, so we, the consumers are left scratching our heads and trying to figure out which ones are worth investigating. I know some of their studio monitors are bargains, and their powered home speakers make me ponder straying from my beloved KEF setup, but WTF: did the Summit line need more speakers? Are these any good at all? I think more and more companies realize that the ultra expensive speaker market is where the profits are (Looking at you, DALI), and they know almost all of their customers at that level don’t know the difference between a scatter plot and a whizzer cone, but they do know wood is pretty and expensive MUST mean good. I am happy to pay no attention to Wilson Audio or B & W, but I feel like JBL tarnishes their (deservedly respected) brand with too much crap.

 

[EERecordist]

It looks like expensive audio equipment is swinging toward luxury materials. Not my style, but design goes through cycles. I did always like walnut wood horns though. The Marantz Grand Horizon speaker also has gold. Will gold anodized aluminum front panels come back?

Bang & Olufsen launches custom products with Atelier line

The B&O Atelier allows semi-custom editions of its standard products and full custom designs. They allow the customer to select colors: https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/us/story/atelier-editions And full custom: https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/us/story/bespoke Launch video at their Mayfair...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[PjV]

Maybe a successor to the 15 year old "LS" series

LS40

Are these re-purposed tower PC cases?

 

[BeeKay]

Are these re-purposed tower PC cases?

 

[Doenerkunde]

Their design makes me think, that they target gulf states or east asian markets, where plain "utilitarian" designs maybe aren't that sought after.

I sometimes chuckle about the stark contrast in names between german gastronomy and arab gastronomy in Germany. Typical german gastronomy is named something like "Zum urigen Stübchen" ("Quaint Cubbyhole"), while arab gastronomy is often named something like "Dubai Royal Luxury Palace Deluxe". Understatement vs overstatement taken to the extreme.

 

[WaveCollapser]

As a proud owner of old JBLs (that I unfortunately can't listen to at the moment), I have to say the design of these new speakers is not it

 

[Heinrich]

Eventually three-way (or four way considering the tweeter section) again. The visual design addresses the Asian marketplace, not for me.

I wonder if the tonality of the ad-clip was tuned to match the speakers; it's a little bit cinema-boomy, too much lows and too polished overall ...

 

[Purité Audio]

I prefer the black option,

 

[Puddingbuks]

It is a pita that all high end seems to get even more expensive. I cannot keep up… The M2 was way cheaper.

Gotta start an OF, but wonder who wants to pay for me…