By: Dipin Sehdev

JBL Synthesis has long been one of the cornerstones of serious home theater design. For integrators and enthusiasts alike, the brand represents a known quantity: predictable performance, massive dynamic headroom, and system-level consistency that scales from high-end media rooms to no-compromise, reference cinemas. At ISE 2026, HARMAN Luxury Audio Group made it clear that JBL Synthesis has no intention of standing still.

The company unveiled its largest Synthesis expansion in years, introducing nine new Custom Loudspeakers (SCL) alongside three next-generation processing and amplification components. Rather than isolated product updates, this is a deliberate ecosystem move—one that acknowledges how sophisticated residential cinema projects have become and how varied real-world installation constraints can be.

The timing is notable. With immersive audio firmly entrenched and room-correction technology advancing rapidly, system designers now expect flexibility without sacrificing coherence. JBL Synthesis is responding by widening the toolbox while keeping voicing, performance targets, and system integration tightly controlled.

A Familiar Staple, Now Sharper

JBL Synthesis speakers have been a staple in high-end home theaters for years, especially in architecturally integrated installs. What’s refreshing about this update is that it doesn’t abandon that DNA—it refines it. Updated transducer designs, advanced compression drivers, and the latest HDI horn geometry run throughout the new lineup, ensuring consistent tonal balance whether sound is coming from behind an acoustically transparent screen, the side walls, or the ceiling.

This matters because immersive systems are only as convincing as their weakest channel. JBL Synthesis’ approach continues to treat every speaker as part of a unified system rather than a collection of parts.

Expanded SCL Loudspeaker Lineup

At the core of the announcement are new XL-series in-wall speakers, designed for high-output architectural installations where floorstanding speakers simply aren’t an option.

• SCL-2XL becomes the new heavyweight reference in-wall model, with quad 8-inch woofers and a high-output compression driver. It’s intended primarily for LCR duties behind acoustically transparent screens in large theaters.

• SCL-4XL steps in as a versatile workhorse with dual 8-inch woofers, balancing output and coverage for demanding cinema rooms.

• SCL-6XL uses four 6.5-inch drivers, offering a slightly more compact footprint without sacrificing scale.

• SCL-7XL features dual 6.5-inch drivers and an offset HDI horn, allowing sound to be aimed more precisely at the listening area—ideal for center or surround applications with tricky placement.

For installations where cutting into walls isn’t feasible, JBL Synthesis also expanded its in-room and on-wall offerings. Models like the SCL-10XL, SCL-9XL, and slimmer SCL-9 bring the same compression-driver dynamics and controlled directivity into visually sensitive rooms.

Ceiling channels haven’t been forgotten either. The SCL-5 and SCL-8 in-ceiling models are designed to ensure height speakers keep pace with the rest of the system, rather than sounding like an afterthought.

Bass That Scales With the System

Low-frequency performance remains a defining part of the Synthesis identity. JBL continues to offer passive subwoofer options for large installations, but the new SSW-5 powered subwoofer rounds out the lineup with a 12-inch driver and a 1,000-watt amplifier. It’s designed to integrate cleanly with the SCL family, giving integrators more flexibility when passive designs aren’t practical.

Next-Generation Processing and Amplification

Loudspeakers are only half the equation. JBL Synthesis’ new electronics reinforce its top-tier positioning.

• SDP-70 is the flagship, offering 24 channels of processing with support for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART)—a major addition that allows system-wide low-frequency optimization across speakers and subwoofers.

• SDP-60 brings similar technology to a more approachable 16-channel processor, still supporting Dirac ART and all major immersive formats.

• SDR-40 combines 16-channel processing with nine channels of Class G amplification, offering an all-in-one solution without sacrificing performance.

The inclusion of Dirac ART is especially welcome. As room correction becomes more sophisticated, its impact on real-world performance can rival hardware upgrades—and it’s encouraging to see JBL Synthesis embracing that direction.

The Big Picture

This expansion isn’t about chasing specs for marketing slides. It’s about giving designers and installers more ways to deliver predictable, reference-level results without mixing brands or compromising system voicing. JBL Synthesis remains firmly positioned at the top of the home-theater food chain, and this update ensures the lineup is better aligned with how modern theaters are actually built.

JBL Synthesis New Products Overview

Loudspeakers & Subwoofers

Processing & Amplification

Availability & Pricing

Bottom line: JBL Synthesis hasn’t reinvented itself—it has refined and expanded what already works. For anyone building a serious home theater, this remains one of the safest bets in the business, now with more flexibility and smarter system optimization than ever before.