JBL grooves the retro vibes — Spinner BT, Authentics speakers launched

Amid rapid technological advancements, it's refreshing to see a renowned audio equipment manufacturer like JBL embrace nostalgia while blending it seamlessly with cutting-edge technology.

JBL has promised to whisk audiophiles on a journey through time.

This as the JBL Spinner BT Turntable and the retro-chic Authentics Speaker Range, among other products, were launched by the iconic audio brand last 10 October in Okada's Cove Manila in Pasay City.

Remember the iconic JBL L100 speaker from the 1970s that graced countless homes with its distinctive Quadrex grille pattern? JBL has revived this timeless design, infusing it with the magic of modern technology, and the result is the Authentics range of speakers.

The speakers, from where we sat during the launch, pay homage to the heritage of JBL's sound, presenting a mix of retro charm and contemporary flair.

Speakers in the Authentics series can be expected not just to look great, but to sound phenomenal. Out of the box, they offer seamless connectivity, too, through built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Chromecast, and Spotify Connect.

Voice commands

Furthermore, they boast compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing users to control smart home devices and access a wide range of music streaming services with voice commands.

Sound-wise, Wi-Fi connections will beat Bluetooth connections as the latter chops off audio data when streaming. With Wi-Fi, it's as if a user has gotten a dedicated, high-quality connection for connection to an amplifier.

The Authentics are all-in-one box solutions that TechTalks will soon give a listen to see if they would live up to the marque brand and hype.

Pluses are the intuitive controls and the JBL One app that ensure a hassle-free listening experience. The Authentics range offers three distinct models, namely the Authentics 500, 300 and the 200.

Flagship

The flagship model Authentics 500 delivers Dolby Atmos music performance, creating an immersive, room-filling sound that may also allow it to serve as a soundbar underneath a huge television for watching concerts and movies.

The Authentics 300, on the other hand, comes with a metal handle and an eight-hour built-in battery, allowing users to take superior sound with them wherever they go.

The most diminutive in size but not in performance is the Authentics 200, which provides remarkable sound quality with a balanced sound, amazing clarity, and deep bass.

If you're a vinyl enthusiast, the JBL Spinner BT Turntable is a dream come true. It features a vibrant design and elegant finish, with an aluminum platter and tonearm, black MDF plinth with JBL orange or gold accents, a contemporary front panel, and a hinged dust cover.

It produces a smooth, distortion-free sound driven by a belt drive and motor with an optical sensor underneath. The die-cast aluminum platter ensures records are played perfectly in time at 33⅓ rpm for albums, or 45 rpm for EPs and singles. The black MDF plinth enhances sound tonality for an uncompromised sound.

Together, the JBL Authentics Speaker range and Spinner BT Turntable offer a truly immersive audio experience, combining the rich, warm sound of vinyl records with the latest wireless connectivity and powerful sound reproduction.