(May 20, 2022) HARMAN Luxury Audio Group has launched its new JBL Stage Architectural Series of loudspeakers. Crafted to be visually discreet with Zero Bezel magnetic grilles, all eight models carry wallet-friendly price tags and are billed as "easy to install." Three different in-wall designs utilize 1" aluminum acoustic lens tweeters, JBL's patented High-Definition Imaging (HDI™) waveguides, baffles with acoustic smoothing, and premium crossover components. The Stage 250WL in-wall carries a 5.25" Polycellulose cone woofer, while the Stage 260W and Stage 280W have 6.5" and 8" woofers, respectfully. All three incorporate nickel-plated, spring-loaded connectors and have mounting depths of under 4".
"We made sure that the performance of the JBL Stage Architectural Series Loudspeakers would exceed expectations and deliver the great sound that is JBL's legacy," said Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy and Planning, HARMAN Luxury Audio Group. "Their audio reproduction is elegant yet dynamic at the same time — a perfect combination for delivering beautiful sound whether listening to your favorite music streaming service or delivering the immersive experience of a great movie soundtrack."
Two different in-ceiling models (Stage 260C, 280C) utilize 6.5" and 8" woofers with 1" tweeters, while the 260CDT switches things up with dual 3/4" tweeters and a 6.5" driver. Even more unique are two Ceiling Square Angled (CSA) designs with a contemporary square footprint and a baffle with transducers positioned at a 15-degree angle. The Stage 260CSA in-ceiling loudspeaker features a 6.5" Polycellulose cone woofer and 1" aluminum tweeter, while the larger Stage 280CSA features an 8" woofer for powerful bass. Both have mounting depths of under 5.5".
Preconstruction brackets are available for all models, and square grille accessory kits are available for the Stage 260C, Stage 280C, and Stage 260CDT round in-ceiling models.
The Stage XD Series is perfect for indoor and outdoor applications. Featuring sustainably designed packaging and product, the JBL Stage XD Series speakers are the first repairable IP67 outdoor loudspeakers available. Instead of throwing away the speakers should they ever fail, these speakers can come apart and undergo repair in case of damage due to prolonged exposure to adverse conditions. The XD-6 utilizes a 6.5" woofer paired with a 1" aluminum tweeter, while the XD-5 carries a 5.25" woofer allowing for a smaller overall form factor. Both are capable of handling the elements and ship with wall mounts and Zero Bezel magnetically attached grilles.
"We've brought the high-performance sound of JBL to the great outdoors with resiliency and sustainability in mind," explains Garrett. "The IP67 rating of the Stage XD Series represents one of the highest levels of ingress protection certification. This level of weatherization provides protection against ingress of harmful dust and airborne particles, as well as protection against water and liquids, including immersion in water up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) for up to 30 minutes."
Full pricing (MSRP) across all speakers is as follows:
- Stage 260W: $150 each
- Stage 280W: $225 each
- Stage 250WL: $250 each
- Stage 260C: $150 each
- Stage 280C: $225 each
- Stage 260CDT: $175 each
- Stage 260CSA: $150 each
- Stage 280CSA: $225 each
- Stage XD-6: $599/pair
- Stage XD-5: $449/pair
