JBL announced a major expansion of its Synthesis sub-brand at ISE 2026 in Barcelona. JBL Synthesis is introducing four new in-wall speakers, four freestanding speakers, two AV processors, one AV receiver, and one subwoofer. All these products aim to be part of a top-tier home theater system.
Harman Luxury Audio Group, the parent company of JBL Synthesis, is making a bold entrance at ISE this year. In addition to the new products from its subsidiary Arcam, its subsidiary JBL Synthesis is also launching a substantial lineup of new products. With the introduction of nine new JBL Synthesis custom-install loudspeakers and three next-generation processing and amplification components, the company claims to be launching one of the most significant expansions of the JBL Synthesis ecosystem.
JBL Synthesis: speakers for in-wall or ceiling mounting
The four new in-wall and in-ceiling models are timbre-matched and designed to function as part of a complete JBL Synthesis system, whether they're powering the front LCR channels behind an acoustically transparent baffle or supporting the surround and immersive channels in larger rooms.
The SCL-2XL is now the undisputed powerhouse of the lineup, officially replacing the SCL-2 as JBL Synthesis's flagship in-wall speaker. Featuring four 8-inch woofers and a powerful compression driver, it's designed for reference-level LCR applications in large and extra-large home theaters, while also delivering the power to handle demanding surround sound duties where less powerful in-wall speakers fall short.
The SCL-4XL is the new core model for flush-mount installation, replacing the SCL-4. This more versatile model combines two 8-inch woofers with a compression driver optimized for wide and consistent sound dispersion. The focus here is on balance and uniformity across various seating positions, making it an excellent choice for high-end home theater rooms where even sound dispersion is just as important as sound power.
The SCL-6XL, with its four 6.5-inch speakers, is slightly smaller, yet designed for serious performance while offering more installation-friendly dimensions, making it easier to integrate into high-end architectural designs without sacrificing dynamics. The existing SCL-6 remains in the lineup.
According to the manufacturer, the SCL-7XL is the most precise of the four. Its dual 6.5-inch drivers, combined with an offset HDI horn, allow sound to be accurately directed at the listening position. This makes it an ideal choice for surround and center channel applications where directivity control is crucial and placement options are limited. The existing SCL-7 will remain in the current lineup.
The existing SCL-5 is the flagship of the traditional round in-ceiling speakers in the JBL Synthesis Custom Loudspeaker Series, built for serious, immersive home theater applications where height channels aren't an afterthought. Designed for use as height, LCR, or surround channels in medium to large rooms, the SCL-5 combines a 7-inch Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofer with JBL's 2409H 1-inch compression driver and an offset HDI horn.
The existing SCL-8 uses the same engineering philosophy, but has been scaled down for smaller spaces. As the most compact circular in-ceiling speaker in the SCL series, it is designed for height, LCR, or surround applications in small to medium-sized rooms where placement flexibility is as important as performance.
Conceptually identical to its bigger brother, the SCL-8 combines a 5.25-inch Advanced Aluminum Matrix woofer with JBL's 2410H-2 compression driver and an offset HDI horn.
JBL Synthesis speakers for freestanding installation
The SCL-10XL is the top-of-the-line in-room loudspeaker range. With two 10-inch woofers, it's designed for serious sound reproduction and impressive volume, whether placed behind a projection screen or built into a custom cabinet. This is the type of speaker designed to anchor large rooms where dynamics and headroom are more important than visual subtlety.
The SCL-10 boasts a more compact design, yet retains the signature JBL Synthesis character. Its dual 6.5-inch drivers deliver powerful dynamics and flexibility in medium-sized to large rooms, making it a practical choice when larger enclosures aren't feasible due to space constraints or restricted sightlines.
The SCL-9XL is built for impact. Featuring a quadruple 5.25-inch speaker array and a powerful compression driver, this wall-mounted model is designed to keep pace with large screens and immersive systems that demand scale and impact.
The SCL-9 is the slimmer, more design-friendly alternative to wall mounting. Featuring two 5.25-inch drivers, it's designed for LCR or surround sound applications in spaces where aesthetics are just as important as performance, without compromising the JBL Synthesis sound.
The existing SCL-1 sits at the pinnacle of the JBL Synthesis SCL loudspeaker series and was designed with one goal in mind: uncompromising front-stage performance in demanding home theater environments. Designed as a custom-built in-room or built-in LCR solution, the SCL-1 combines JBL's flagship D2430K dual 3-inch compression drivers with a large-format HDI horn. This delivers extreme power, clarity, and controlled directivity that won't waver even at reference levels. The system is supported by two 12-inch carbon-cellulose composite woofers housed in JBL's patented Complementary Bass Alignment System enclosure. This delivers powerful bass response while simultaneously providing a low-frequency load for amplifiers.
The new SSW-5, a new 12-inch active subwoofer with 1,000 watts of power, completes the lineup. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the SCL speakers, this subwoofer delivers deep, controlled bass. It's the perfect complement to in-room, wall-mounted, or combined systems.
JBL Synthesis: AV processors and amplifiers
JBL Synthesis doesn't treat electronics as an afterthought. In addition to its extensive SCL speaker line, the brand is introducing three new processing and amplification components designed to form the backbone of modern, immersive home theater systems.
The SDP-70 Immersive AV Processor is the top-of-the-line model. With 24 processing channels, it's designed for large-scale immersive designs where channel count, routing flexibility, and network integration are crucial. Support for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) enables advanced low-frequency control across multiple speakers and subwoofers, making it ideal for home theaters and high-end media rooms with ambitious layouts.
The SDP-60 Immersive AV Processor brings many of these capabilities together in a streamlined 16-channel platform. It offers reference-quality decoding, fully balanced outputs, Matrix Channel Assignment, and support for Dirac Live ART optimization. This processor is designed for serious home theater spaces that don't require an extremely high channel count, but do demand precision and consistency.
The SDR-40 Immersive AV Receiver offers an all-in-one solution without compromising functionality. It combines 16-channel processing with nine channels of Class G amplification, resulting in high power and improved efficiency in a single enclosure. For installers looking to simplify system deployment without sacrificing immersive performance, this is a practical solution for high-end installations.
Detailed technical data, pricing and delivery information are yet to be announced.
