JBL speakers are made primarily in China, with additional production in Mexico, India, Hungary, and Germany.
The brand is known for its portable Bluetooth speakers, professional PA systems, and studio monitors used across the music and film industries.
JBL is owned by Harman International, which itself became a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics in 2017 following an 8 billion dollar acquisition.
Knowing where JBL speakers are made helps shoppers understand the manufacturing behind a brand that started in a small Los Angeles workshop nearly 80 years ago.
This article covers JBL’s manufacturing locations, its ownership history, and how it compares with other major speaker brands.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes JBL Speakers?
JBL is a brand of Harman International Industries, which designs and engineers JBL products while contracting with outside manufacturers for production.
JBL was founded in Los Angeles in 1946 by engineer James Bullough Lansing, and its headquarters remain in the city today.
Harman International, JBL’s parent company, is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics in 2017.
Where Are JBL Speakers Made?
The majority of JBL’s consumer speakers, including its popular portable Bluetooth lineup, are manufactured in China.
Harman also operates or contracts manufacturing facilities in Mexico, India, Hungary, and Germany, depending on the product line and target market.
China remains the primary hub largely due to lower energy and labor costs, which helps keep JBL’s consumer speakers competitively priced.
Engineering, research, and design work happens across more than 70 Harman sites worldwide, including significant operations in India.
How Did JBL Get Its Start?
JBL traces its roots to the Lansing Manufacturing Company, founded in 1927 by James Bullough Lansing to build speaker drivers for radio consoles.
After a series of business changes, Lansing founded James B. Lansing Sound in 1946, which was later shortened to the JBL name still used today.
JBL speakers powered the sound system at Woodstock in 1969, the same year the company was acquired by Sidney Harman’s Jervis Corporation.
JBL vs Bose: How Do Their Manufacturing Operations Compare?
JBL and Bose are two of the most recognized names in consumer audio, but their corporate structures differ significantly.
Bose remains a privately held company, largely owned through a trust benefiting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and it manufactures many products in Mexico and China.
JBL, by contrast, sits inside the much larger Samsung corporate structure through Harman, giving it access to Samsung’s manufacturing scale and automotive audio partnerships.
Who Owns JBL Today?
JBL is owned by Harman International Industries, which has controlled the brand since 1969.
Samsung Electronics acquired Harman in 2017 for approximately 8 billion dollars, primarily to strengthen its position in automotive infotainment and connected car audio.
For more on how other Harman owned and Apple owned audio brands source their products, see Who Makes Beats Headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where JBL Speakers Are Made
Are JBL speakers made in the USA?
No. JBL speakers are primarily manufactured in China, with additional production in Mexico, India, Hungary, and Germany.
Where are JBL speakers made now?
Most JBL speakers are made in China, though Harman also manufactures JBL products in several other countries depending on the product line.
Who owns JBL?
JBL is owned by Harman International, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.
Is JBL a Chinese company?
No. JBL is an American brand founded in Los Angeles in 1946. It manufactures many products in China but is not a Chinese owned company.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.