JBL SDR-38 and JBL SDP-58 – Product offensive around HDMI 2.1 and 8K

JBL Synthesis announces new devices with HDMI 2.1 and 8K Ultra HD video support. Included are not only updates for the JBL SDP-55 AV Surround Processor and JBL SDR-35 AVR AV receivers, but also the new JBL SDP-58 and JBL SDR-38 systems. Also new is a dedicated subwoofer amplifier, the JBL SDA-1700.

JBL Synthesis announced an HDMI 2.1 video board as an upgrade to its JBL SDR-35 AVR as well as JBL SDP-55 AV solutions some time ago, but this is said to be just the beginning of a product offensive that the company, part of the Harman Luxury Audio Group and thus part of the Harman International Industries group, is now announcing.

The new products extend the brand’s ability to deliver immersive audio systems with premium performance across all price ranges, according to the JBL Synthesis promise.

JBL SDR-35 AVR and JBL SDP-55 AV – HDMI 2.1 Video Board

As just mentioned, the new HDMI 2.1 video board for the JBL SDR-35 AVR and JBL SDP-55 AV systems is at the top of these product announcements from JBL Synthesis around HDMI 2.1 and 8K. The company had already announced this update option months ago and concretized it accordingly at the beginning of July 2021, but without naming prices.

That has not been done yet, and concrete information will only be announced in November 2021. It is now clear that the upgrade will be rolled out in December 2021 with worldwide availability via the authorized dealer network of Harman Luxury Audio.

The upgrade will replace the existing HDMI 2.0 video card with a new HDMI 2.1 video card, which will also support uncompressed 8K video content on all inputs and outputs, according to the manufacturer.

JBL SDP-58 and JBL SDR-38

While serving existing customers with the upgrade, new customers will be supplied with two new models in the first quarter of 2022, which are designed as successors to the JBL SDP-55 and JBL SDR-35 systems. These are of course to be equipped for HDMI 2.1 and content in 8K from the outset, so will feature the HDMI 2.1 video card ex works.

The close relationship of the new solutions to their respective predecessors is already evident from the name, because these will be called JBL SDP-58 and JBL SDR-38.

It’s also fitting that JBL Synthesis states that the JBL SDP-58 and JBL SDR-38 have all the features of their predecessor models, including full 16-channel support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro 3D surround formats, DIRAC Live room calibration, multi-subwoofer bass control, DANTE connectivity, IMAX Enhanced certification and more.

JBL SDA-1700 Subwoofer Amplifier

Another announcement from JBL Synthesis is the new JBL SDA-1700, which is a subwoofer-only amplifier. This is specifically designed for the JBL SSW-4 passive in-wall subwoofer module and is intended to expand the manufacturer’s brand portfolio for custom installation solutions.

The new JBL SDA-1700 has a rack-mountable housing for two slots, is equipped with a level control on the front and controls for crossover, phase, single-band PEQ and module EQ on the rear. One relies here on an energy-efficiently working amplifier in Class D, which can provide a power of after all 350 watts at a single JBL SSW-4 or even 700 watts at a pair of this subwoofer.

Wide range of products for custom installation systems

The company sees this product announcement not only in the context of the aforementioned 8K HDMI 2.1 upgrade and new systems for Q1 2022 as a crucial step in expanding its lineup for professional home cinema systems, but also in the context of its recently expanded lineup of SCL in-wall and in-ceiling speaker systems.

The intent, according to JBL Synthesis, is to provide dealers with the ability to offer customized solutions for various applications while maintaining the high level of performance that JBL Synthesis products stand for.

“The products announced today further strengthen our JBL Synthesis brand and enhance our relationship with our retail partners around the world. With our expanded portfolio of best-in-class products, patented technologies, and the ability to scale our systems to fit virtually any budget and room size, dealers and customers alike can be assured they are getting the best performance for their custom AV installations.”

Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy and Planning, Harman Luxury Audio Group

As indicated, the company is still being quite cagey about certain information, most notably pricing. Even for the 8K HDMI 2.1 upgrade for the JBL SDP-55 and JBL SDR-35 AV receiver systems, which will be offered starting in October 2021, they don’t want to provide this information until November. For the new systems JBL SDP-58 Surround Processor as well as JBL SDR-38 AV receiver one announces accordingly also still no prices, however these are expected anyway only presumably in the first quarter 2022, likewise the JBL SDA-1700 Subwoofer amplifier, for which one announces likewise the price not yet.

Getting to the point

Harman International Industries is pushing the envelope on solutions ready for content in 8K, presenting initial information around new JBL Synthesis-branded solutions. While the existing JBL SDR-35 AVR as well as JBL SDP-55 AV systems can be upgraded with an 8K HDMI 2.1 upgrade, as known, their successors in the form of the JBL SDR-38 and JBL SDP-58 should be available in the first quarter of 2022. The topic of custom installation will also be covered with an innovation, namely the JBL SDA-1700 subwoofer amplifier.