JBL Storms the Summit of High-End Loudspeakers
The JBL Summit Makalu is a reference floor-standing loudspeaker for demanding music lovers and the flagship of the Summit series.
MAKALU (maa-kuh-loo)
Just 19 km from Mount Everest, Makalu rises 8,481 m into the sky as the fifth-highest mountain in the world. Its almost perfect pyramid shape with four sharp ridges makes it one of the most impressive peaks in the Himalayas. The first successful ascent was made in 1955 by a French team. As an isolated giant, Makalu fascinates adventurers and mountaineers worldwide.
The Summit Makalu features newly developed drivers, starting with JBL's patented D2830K 3-inch (75 mm) dual diaphragm compression driver with two drive units, coupled with a large-format Sonoglass® High-Definition Imaging (HDI™) horn. The sonic foundation of the Summit Makalu is a 200 mm mid-bass driver and a 300 mm (12 inch) woofer, both with cast frame construction. They utilize a three-layer Hybrid Carbon Cellulose Composite (HC4) cone, based on a patented combination of carbon fibers and pure cellulose. The front and rear layers enclose a closed-cell foam core. This hybrid cone construction offers the optimal balance of stiffness, mass, and structural integrity to ensure high performance, low distortion, and high power handling.
Signal distribution to the individual drivers is handled by a MultiCap™ crossover with single-wire as well as bi-amp/bi-wire connectivity. By using numerous smaller capacitors instead of a few large components, this design achieves a lower ESR (electrostatic series resistance) value and minimizes energy losses due to mechanical movements. The result: higher signal throughput to the drivers, increased power handling, improved dynamics, extremely low distortion, and exceptional sound clarity.
All driver and crossover components are housed in an elaborately designed cabinet featuring an internal, multi-braced and damped structure with curved walls – to minimize standing waves inside. The cabinets are available in either high-gloss black finish with Summit platinum accents or high-gloss ebony veneer with Summit gold accents.
The Summit Makalu is equipped with specially developed JBL | IsoAcoustic® isolation feet that are directly connected to the floor. They resist the vibrations generated by the loudspeaker drivers and effectively decouple the loudspeaker from the surface. The result: tighter bass, a clearly defined soundstage, and particularly spacious, precise imaging.
- Patented D2830K 75mm dual diaphragm, dual-motor high-frequency compression driver
- Patented High-Definition Imaging (HDI™) Sonoglass® high-frequency horn
- 200mm cast-frame, three-layer Hybrid Carbon Cellulose Composite (HC4) mid-bass cone
- 300mm cast-frame, three-layer Hybrid Carbon Cellulose Composite (HC4) woofer cone
- MultiCap™ crossover with single-wire and bi-amp/bi-wire connectivity
- Finely crafted and beautifully detailed cabinet with carbon fiber baffle trim
- Softly curved cabinet walls with heavily braced and damped construction
- JBL | IsoAcoustics™ adjustable acoustic isolation feet
- Luxurious high-gloss finishes with Summit Platinum or Summit Gold details
