Harman introduces waterproof wireless speakers

Models promote the JBL and Harman Kardon wireless speakers during a press conference at the JBL Store in Gangnam, southern Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Harman International Korea

By Yoon Sung-won

Harman has unveiled its new wireless speakers in Korea, targeting new demand ahead of the summer vacation season, Thursday.

The world’s largest audio device provider introduced the waterproof speakers Clip 2 and Charge 3, designed for outdoor activities under its JBL brand as well as Onyx Studio 3 and Go+Play of the premium Harman Kardon brand.

Expectations are that Harman will step up market competition with Sony and Bose as it accelerates its update timeline for its product lineup with diverse models to meet both outdoor and indoor uses, offering more options to customers.

“The company has decided to move up the release of new products considering market demand and development of applicable new technologies,” a spokeswoman at Harman International Korea said during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. “We expect our newly upgraded portable Bluetooth speakers will draw favorable responses from customers who seek to enjoy music while spending their vacation on a waterslide or in cool indoor environments.”

Harman said it has upgraded the JBL speakers with the IPX7 grade waterproof function. Clip 2 and Charge 3 are designed to last in shallow water for up to 30 minutes.

“Made of a combination of durable fabric and rubber, the JBL speakers float on water and thus can be used while playing in a pool,” a Harman International Korea official said.

Harman Kardon’s Onyx Studio 3 and Go+Play are relatively bigger, heavier models with larger output as they are designed for more frequent use at indoor environments such as on a table or desk, the company said.

Beside JBL and Harman Kardon, Harman International’s brands include AKG, Infinity, Lexicon, Mark Levinson and Revel which provide a wide range of audio devices from car audio equipment to automated systems. The company posted $6.2 billion in sales in the 2015 fiscal year.

At Thursday’s media event, Harman also showcased the JBL Cinema SB150, a 2.1-channel sound bar as a simpler alternative for a home theater sound system, and the JBL Trip, a wireless speaker designed to be attached to the sun visor of a car.