JBL is marking its 80th anniversary with a week-long exhibition in Seoul, showcasing historic speakers, modern audio products and the evolution of sound technology. The event will also feature a separate display celebrating 60 years of Bowers & Wilkins.
JBL is celebrating eight decades in the audio industry with the JBL Playback Gallery, an exhibition scheduled to run from October 24 to 31 at Project Space Line in Seoul, South Korea.
The exhibition brings together products from different stages of JBL’s history, allowing visitors to explore how speaker technology has evolved from traditional home audio systems to today’s portable Bluetooth speakers, headphones and high-end loudspeakers.
According to the announcement from Samsung Newsroom, the Seoul event is the final stop on a global exhibition tour that has visited cities including Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Vienna, Munich, Nagoya and Tokyo.
Spread across three floors, the gallery combines JBL’s heritage with its latest products. It also features a dedicated section marking the 60th anniversary of premium audio brand Bowers & Wilkins.
JBL Revisits Eight Decades of Audio History
One of the main attractions is the “JBL Heritage” section, which explores the brand’s development through recreated living rooms inspired by the 1920s, 1950s and 1970s.
The displays illustrate how audio equipment has changed alongside the way people listen to music at home.
A 1929 Jackson-Bell radio represents the early history of speaker manufacturing associated with James B. Lansing, the founder of JBL. Lansing established Lansing Manufacturing in Los Angeles in 1927, laying part of the foundation for the company’s later development.
The 1950s section features the JBL Paragon, a home stereo speaker system introduced in 1957. Its distinctive curved wooden cabinet housed the left and right speaker systems in a single piece of furniture. According to the exhibition material, each unit required approximately 100 hours of woodworking.
The 1970s display features the JBL L100 Century, a home loudspeaker introduced in 1970 and based on the company’s 4310 studio monitor. The model became one of JBL’s most successful home loudspeakers.
Beyond the period-inspired rooms, visitors can explore major milestones in the company’s development, including its contributions to recording studios, cinema sound systems and concert venues.
From Professional Audio to Home Listening
Another section, titled “Pro to Home,” examines how technologies developed for professional audio environments have influenced home listening equipment.
A featured product is the Summit K2, the latest model in a high-end loudspeaker series that traces its origins to Project K2, introduced in 1989.
The series reflects JBL’s continued focus on high-performance home audio, combining advanced acoustic technologies with powerful sound reproduction and musical detail.
The exhibition also presents the L100 Classic 80, a limited-edition speaker created for JBL’s anniversary. It combines the appearance of the original L100 design from the 1970s with modern audio technology.
Only 800 pairs of the L100 Classic 80 are being produced worldwide, according to the supplied announcement. Each set includes a commemorative plaque signed by JBL Chief Systems Engineer Chris Hagen and a unique serial number.
JBL Products Reflect Modern Lifestyles
While the second floor looks back at the company’s history, the first floor focuses on how JBL products fit into contemporary life.
The exhibition features two themed areas inspired by Seoul’s urban environment. “Seoul by Night” recreates an outdoor urban setting, with Bluetooth speakers and JBL PartyBox products. “Seoul by Day” focuses on headphones and earbuds designed for everyday listening.
A collaborative artwork by Korean artist DAWN adds a local cultural element. The design reinterprets JBL’s anniversary campaign logo using traditional Korean patterns, bronze bells and colours associated with dancheong, a decorative painting style found on traditional Korean architecture.
The exhibition also reflects the relationship between JBL and its parent company, HARMAN, which is owned by Samsung Electronics. Samsung announced its acquisition of HARMAN in 2016, bringing JBL into its wider technology and audio portfolio.
Bowers & Wilkins Marks 60 Years of Premium Sound
The third floor is dedicated to Bowers & Wilkins, which is celebrating 60 years since its founding in the United Kingdom in 1966.
The section traces the company’s development from its early speaker products to the Nautilus, one of its best-known designs. It also features five models from the recently unveiled 800 Series Diamond D5 range, according to the announcement.
A major theme is the brand’s longstanding association with Abbey Road Studios in London. Successive generations of Bowers & Wilkins’ 800 Series speakers have been used as reference monitors by recording engineers and producers working on music and film soundtracks.
The display also includes personal audio products, including wireless headphones, illustrating how the brand has expanded beyond traditional loudspeakers.
Visitors Can Explore the Exhibition From October 24
The JBL Playback Gallery will open to visitors at Project Space Line in Seoul from October 24 through October 31, 2026. Guided tours and product demonstrations are planned to help visitors learn about the products and experience their sound.
The exhibition brings together historic equipment, modern products and examples of professional audio technology in one place. Rather than focusing only on individual products, it highlights how listening habits have changed over the decades.
From radios and large wooden speakers to portable Bluetooth devices and premium headphones, JBL’s anniversary exhibition offers a look at the technologies and designs that have shaped its place in the audio industry.
For JBL, the event serves as both a celebration of its history and an opportunity to present its latest products to a new generation of listeners.