Harman launches new JAM6500N JBL head unit with user built-in DSP tuning

Stamford, Conn. – HARMAN International Industries, the premier connected technologies company for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, announced today the launch of the JBL Advanced Marine (JAM) JAM6500N head unit. The JAM6500N is a best-in-class marine multi-media receiver designed to deliver a marine audio stereo solution with built-in DSP audio tuning that results in a superior audio experience.

JBL Advanced Marine JAM6500N is engineered to offer exceptional audio performance in an open-air marine environment. Giving users a completely customizable audio experience, the JAM6500N can be adjusted with the four-zone independent output and each zone has its own tone control. From the head unit users can use the built-in equalizer for fine-tune adjustments, but for advanced tuning JBL has added the JBL Advanced Tuning Tool V1. A consumer-facing DSP tuning tool that connects via a Windows PC, it is simple and easy enough to be tuned by a do-it-yourselfer, while still capable of satisfying the most experienced installers.

The JAM6500N is engineered to be capable of transmitting audio from multiple sources, including best-in-class Bluetooth performance with a 30-yard communication range, USB-C, auxiliary input and AM/FM, while providing connectivity for SiriusXM and DAB+ playback. It provides four zones of volume, tone and equalizer control with a 10-band EQ for each zone, each having their independent sub-level controls. This product is rugged and built to withstand the marine environment with an IPX7 rating, while allowing the unit to be surface or flush mounted. It has a 4.3-inch bonded sunlight-viewable display, along with five rubberized buttons and a rotary encoder to ensure the product feels good and is easy to control. JBL Advanced Marine JAM6500N is also NMEA 2000 certified, allowing control from most major manufacturers’ multifunction displays or one of JBL’s JAMR6500 remote controls.

“At JBL we pride ourselves in the innovation, versatility and performance of our marine stereos,” said Kent Jopling, Senior Global Sales Manager, Special Markets. “The new JBL JAM6500N not only looks and sounds great, but its intuitive tuning tool allows users and installers to dial in the sound quality to perfectly match the unique set up of the boat. This is a game changer in on the water audio entertainment.”

An optimally sized rotary knob with a soft rubber barrel grip is placed on a metal-stemmed rotary encoder that reduces knob flex and features prominent detents, making for error-free menu navigation & effortless volume adjustment with clear, tactile feedback. Spaced buttons that project from the front surface, let the user control their music without taking their eyes off their driving. When the user needs to see the screen, legible icons and the optically bonded display contrasting against the visually edgeless UV-coated front lens enabling fast interaction. The front lens is visually bookended by the two strips of mounting trim and all-matte finish knobs and buttons which make for an OEM-like surface mount installation that’s visually compatible with any boat. Removable mounting trim gives the installer the option to do a rear flush mount for an even cleaner appearance in any application.

The innovation of the unit resides in the easy-to-use tuning interface. The tuning tool is designed to be clear and foolproof with all functions identified in a logical format, with more than enough tuning horsepower to satisfy the most experienced installers. The user interface includes pre-determined crossover points during system setup to ensure that the speakers are not damaged when configuring the audio system, plus they are fully variable so users can make adjustments to ensure the best performance from the speakers. Each zone can be adjusted left, right and sub-woofer for a total of 12 channels of RCA output. Packing in incredible customizability, the tuning tool allows users to fine tune gain limiters, phase control, parametric and graphic EQ control and time delay, for each channel, just to name a few. The software features 16-channel variable crossovers with 0-to-48dB slopes to tune all four output zones, 16-channel time delay, 10-band parametric or graphic EQ on all 16 output channels, channel gain, master volume control, with four presets, in addition to an output clipping indicator.

The JAM6500N is available for $699. For more information on Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL or their full lines of marine audio products, please visit www.harman.com, www.jbl.com or contact them at [email protected]. The JAM6500N will be on display at IBEX from October 1-3, at booth 3-2137.