In the Philippines, music is not reserved for concerts or special occasions. It follows Filipinos through ordinary days and big gatherings alike — from songs played during commutes and work breaks to karaoke sessions that stretch into the night.
That connection to music, and to sound itself, became the starting point for JBL’s 80th anniversary showcase in the country, held on May 15 at Clark Marriott Hotel in Pampanga.
Instead of presenting sound as one type of experience, JBL framed its latest products around the many ways people listen today—alone, on the move, while gaming, or during gatherings with family and friends.
For Grace Koh, general manager and vice president for Consumer Audio at HARMAN Asia Pacific, the milestone reflects JBL’s long-running focus on how people create, hear, and connect through sound.
“For 80 years, JBL has been pioneering audio technology, shaping how we create, hear, and connect through sound,” Koh said. “In the Philippines, music is more than what we hear. It is something we live together.”
The product presentation followed the same listener-first direction, beginning with JBL’s personal audio lineup for users who rely on headphones and earbuds throughout the day. The range included the Live 780NC, Live 680NC, Live Beam 4, Live Flex 4, Tune 780NC, Tune 680NC, Tune 730BT, and Tune 530BT, covering everyday uses such as work, study, travel, and entertainment.
The brand also turned to gaming through the JBL Quantum Series, including the Quantum 650 and Quantum 250. Megan Lee, Director of Product Planning and Strategy for Consumer Audio at HARMAN Asia Pacific, said the line was designed with comfort, cleaner design, and longer use in mind.
“When we had the chance to revisit Quantum, we wanted to build a product from the ground up. We wanted to make it modular,” Lee said.
John Nieves, editor in chief of UNBOX, said the practical design stood out in the headset.
“One thing I really like is that everything important is user-replaceable. The ear cups can be taken off and put back on, and the battery is also replaceable, so you do not have to waste a perfectly good headphone if your battery dies,” Nieves said.
Filipina gamer Rojean Delos Reyes, meanwhile, pointed out the importance of clear and balanced sound during gameplay.
“For us gamers, sound is really important, especially in FPS games,” Delos Reyes said. “The audio has to be clear and balanced so we can hear where the enemies are.”
For listeners who prefer portable speakers, JBL presented the Go 5 and Xtreme 5, designed for those who bring music to trips, outdoor hangouts, or casual get-togethers.
Karaoke and party audio were another major focus, with the showcase including the PartyBox 130, PartyBox Encore 2 Plus, PartyBox On-the-Go 2 Plus, JBL EasySing Mics, and EasySing Mic Mini. The EasySing products use AI vocal removal to lower or remove vocals from songs, turning tracks into karaoke-style backing music.
“When new songs are released, you do not need to wait for the karaoke or instrumental version,” Lee said. “You can immediately find it [the song], adjust the balance, and stream it right away.”
