JBL Celebrates 80 Years of Powering Voices

JBL Brand Ambassador Benson Boone reflects the brand’s continued commitment to the artists shaping today’s music and culture while honoring 80 years of audio innovation. 

LOS ANGELES, April 24 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — JBL, the iconic audio brand from HARMAN, is celebrating its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of delivering sound that moves generations.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260423455760/en/

A legacy of leadership

Since its founding by visionary engineer James B. Lansing in 1946, JBL has set the standard for audio innovation. From professional recording studios and home entertainment to powering legendary cultural moments like Woodstock and Tomorrowland, JBL has always been committed to delivering authentic, unfiltered sound.

Today, JBL’s influence is unparalleled. It stands as a global leader in personal audio, with hundreds of millions listening to the music they love through JBL portable speakers and headphones. And JBL Professional continues to power over 40% of the world’s cinemas, while serving stadiums, recording studios, music venues and more, ensuring high-quality sound is accessible to listeners everywhere…even in your car.

“For 80 years, JBL’s engineering legacy has been the benchmark for high-fidelity audio, and that standard lives in every JBL product made today. As we celebrate this milestone, JBL remains committed to carrying this standard forward in the technologies that will power the next generation of sound and culture,” said Dave Rogers, President, HARMAN Lifestyle Division.

Eight decades of innovation
For more than eight decades, JBL engineers have pioneered technologies that have transformed how sound is created and experienced, from groundbreaking loudspeaker designs to award-winning smart audio solutions for professional, luxury, portable, and car audio. This relentless pursuit of excellence has earned JBL some of the industry’s highest honours, including Academy Awards for achievements in sound engineering, and a Grammy Award for its “continual mastery and innovation in concert, studio, cinema and broadcast sound and monitors to ensure exacting standards for the most accurate sonic experience.”

Looking ahead, JBL is shaping the future of sound with investments in breakthrough technologies such as spatial audio, adaptive soundscapes, and immersive listening experiences that seamlessly integrate audio into everyday life. Sustainability is also a critical frontier for JBL, guiding product design and production toward a more responsible future for audio innovation.

Amplifying the future
JBL’s commitment to innovation extends beyond breakthrough products. Through community-driven initiatives like the JBL Music Academy, the JBL Campus Program, and partnerships with organizations such as Girls Make Beats, JBL is bringing together emerging artists and the broader industry to break down barriers and amplify the diverse voices that will define the future of audio.

“Authenticity in music is everything. JBL has always been, and will always be, about ensuring artists’ voices are heard, and audiences experience their vision unfiltered, whether on the move, at home, or at a live event. JBL brings the world together through the power of sound.” – Martin Garrix, JBL Global Ambassador.

Anniversary highlights
JBL will mark its 80th anniversary with a series of global initiatives, including the JBL Playback Gallery— showcasing eight decades of iconic JBL products with expert commentary and technical demonstrations. The tour will visit landmark cities throughout 2026, including Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Tokyo, and Vienna.

Other projects include a special digital magazine available for a limited time here, and a full-season takeover of HARMAN’s Audio Talks podcast series. This podcast includes conversations with engineers, designers, and musicians who have influenced JBL’s sound. The celebrations also come to life through a commemorative anniversary video.

With 80 years of audio excellence behind it and a bold vision for the future, JBL stays committed to powering voices that move, connect, and inspire people across the globe.

Learn more about JBL’s 80th anniversary here: https://www.jbl.com/our-story.html

About JBL
For 80 years, JBL has shaped life’s most memorable moments at the intersection of music, lifestyle, gaming and sports. JBL elevates listening experiences with superior audio quality and product designs that encourage individuality and self-expression. With unmatched professional credentials and industry-leading innovation, JBL is a trailblazer in the audio industry because of passionate and talented engineers and designers around the globe. JBL Pro Sound is the foremost technology pushing culture forward through major pop culture events and partnerships with the world’s top talent across music, sports and esports.

About HARMAN
HARMAN is a global leader in Lifestyle Audio and Automotive technology. We create intelligent experiences that enrich people’s lives on the road, in their homes, on the stage, and everywhere in between. Our iconic audio brands — including JBL®, Harman Kardon®, AKG®, Bowers & Wilkins®, Denon®, and Marantz® — bring premium sound to consumers and audio/visual professionals worldwide. More than 50 million vehicles globally rely on HARMAN’s technologies to deliver safer, smarter, and more intuitive in-cabin experiences. HARMAN is a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and has approximately 26,000 employees around the world.

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Contact

HARMAN Lifestyle Communications
Lifestyle.communications@harman.com

Source : HARMAN

6TH ASIAN BEACH GAMES OPEN IN SANYA AFTER POSTPONEMENT FROM 2020

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) — The Sixth Asian Beach Games has officially opened in China’s tropical resort city of Sanya, with the opening ceremony held at the seaside Yasha Park.

Around 10,000 participants, including 1,790 athletes, are taking part in the continental multi-sport event, which was originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese State Councillor Shen Yiqin declared the Games open after 45 delegations marched into the stadium, according to a statement.

The games mark the first time Hainan has hosted a continental-level beach sports event. It is also the island’s first major international sporting event since the Hainan Free Trade Port was inaugurated last December.

Held from April 22 to 30, the games feature 14 sports, 15 disciplines and 62 events. It is the second time China has hosted the Asian Beach Games, after the 2012 edition in Haiyang, Shandong Province.

China has sent a delegation of 255 members, including 171 athletes, competing in 13 sports and 60 events, marking the country’s highest participation in Asian Beach Games history.

— BERNAMA

FUJIAN OPENS 2026 CULTURAL AND TOURISM CONFERENCE IN ZHANGZHOU

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) — The 2026 Fujian Provincial Conference on the Development of Cultural and Tourism Economy kicked off recently in Zhangzhou, China’s Fujian Province, highlighting elements of Minnan (Southern Fujian) wisdom, lifestyle, and culture.

The conference, themed “Building a World-Class Destination, Cultivating a Pillar Industry”, coincides with a major initiative to build the World Minnan Cultural Exchange Center and features six main activities and 60 peripheral events aimed at attracting global visitors, according to a statement.

The opening ceremony featured the Homing Minnan (Return to Southern Fujian) show, set against the backdrop of the historic Yuegang Port and local craftsmanship, utilising interactive staging to bring the “daring to try, striving to win” spirit to life.

The event focuses on industrial synergy and investment promotion, encouraging interaction across the cultural tourism sector, with projects covering emerging performance-driven economies, sports tourism, “film-and-TV-plus-tourism”, and wellness retreats.

Highlighting regional identity, the conference also features Minnan cultural showcases, including comedy acts, galas and cross-strait Gezi Opera performances, alongside the “Fresh Fujian Lifestyle” campaign aimed at offering domestic and international visitors an authentic taste of southern Fujian.

Since 2023, the annual conference has been seen as a vital catalyst for boosting industry confidence and facilitating the deep integration of culture and tourism across the province.

— BERNAMA

MONGOLIAN MINING CORPORATION POSTS HIGHER COAL OUTPUT FOR QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) — Mongolian Mining Corporation reported a mixed but generally stronger operational performance for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, according to data released by the company.

The group (Mongolian Mining Corporation and its subsidiaries) recorded 4,846 kilotonnes (kt) of run-of-mine (ROM) coal mined, representing a 22 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter and 32 per cent year-on-year.

In a statement, the group said washed coking coal production stood at 2,276.9 kt, down three per cent quarter-on-quarter but up eight per cent compared to the same period last year.

Coal sales rose significantly on an annual basis, with 2,558.4 kt sold, marking a 60 per cent year-on-year increase, although marginally lower quarter-on-quarter.

In its gold and metals segment, the group reported gold sales of 8,527 ounces (oz), up 20 per cent from the previous quarter, supported by stronger pricing conditions. The average gold price increased 17 per cent to US$4,872 per oz, reflecting firmer market conditions during the period.

The group remains the largest producer and exporter of washed coking coal in Mongolia, with operations spanning multiple subsidiaries engaged in coal, gold, and other metals production.

— BERNAMA

SHANGPREE EYES SOUTHEAST ASIA EXPANSION WITH BEAUTY ASIA SHOWCASE

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) — SHANGPREE, Korea’s premier aesthetic skincare brand, is accelerating its global expansion by participating in ‘Beauty Asia’, taking place on April 20 to 22 in Singapore.

Following successful launches on Amazon United States (US) and Japan, the brand is set to enter Amazon Singapore and Shopee in 2026, strengthening its digital footprint across Southeast Asia.

A SHANGPREE representative said participation in Beauty Asia provides an opportunity to showcase the brand’s rigorous standards and 36-year heritage to the global market.

“With our recent expansion and upcoming launches, we are committed to making our high-end aesthetic spa solutions more accessible to customers across Southeast Asia,” the representative added in a statement.

At the exhibition, SHANGPREE will present its iconic bestsellers alongside the newly launched ‘Focus on Focus PROGRAM (FF Program)’, a high-performance intensive care line designed to precisely analyse and restore skin balance disrupted by external stressors.

Developed based on 36 years of aesthetic clinical data since 1990, the lineup reflects SHANGPREE’s mission of bringing professional aesthetician-level care into daily skincare routines.

The brand, which has established a presence in luxury retail channels such as Harrods in London and Barneys New York, views its participation in Beauty Asia as a strategic step to strengthen its position as a global high-end skincare player.

Its product lineup includes the Marine Energy Eye Mask, Gold Premium Plus Modeling Mask and Phyto Essence UV Sunscreen.

— BERNAMA