Samsung Unveils Sound Exhibition Featuring 70-Year-Old White House Speaker

"This speaker was actually used in the White House. Only about 1,000 units were produced from 1957 to 1983."

On October 21, at the second floor of 'Project Space Line' in Gangnam, Seoul, the standout product was a large wooden speaker resembling a piece of furniture. This was the 'Paragon' speaker, launched by the American audio brand JBL in 1957. Its structure combines left and right speakers into a single large cabinet, featuring an ornate design reminiscent of an antique display case. During a listening demonstration, the rich resonance of the nearly 70-year-old Paragon was evident.

Samsung Electronics organized the 'Sound Legends' exhibition to celebrate JBL's 80th anniversary and Bowers & Wilkins' 60th anniversary. Running from October 24 to 31, the exhibition features representative products from both brands, ranging from 1920s radios to the latest high-end speakers. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Samsung's announcement to acquire Harman.
 
The docent tour began on the third floor at the Bowers & Wilkins exhibition. Featured was the 'Nautilus' speaker, released in 1993. With a unique design resembling a sea-dwelling nautilus, it combines acoustic technology and aesthetics. Praised as one of the most beautiful speakers in history, it embodies Bowers & Wilkins' philosophy of delivering faithful sound reproduction.

The docent explained, "The design was not initially intended to be artistic; it emerged from the research process aimed at reproducing perfect sound."

The Nautilus's distinctive shape is designed to minimize sound distortion. It employs a tubular structure to reduce unwanted noise and vibrations generated from the back of the speaker. Notably, a tube approximately 3 meters long is required for bass reproduction, utilizing the nautilus's spiral structure. It is known that founder John Bowers began research on it but did not see the completed product during his lifetime. It continues to be produced on a custom-order basis.

In the listening area, visitors could experience the '800 Series Diamond D5,' introduced to celebrate the 60th anniversary. This model features a high-frequency driver made from synthetic diamond. A listening demonstration of the '802 D5,' used at Abbey Road Studios in the UK, followed. Bowers & Wilkins has collaborated with Abbey Road Studios since 1979, gaining recognition for its monitoring speakers that accurately reproduce original sound in music production.
 
On the second floor, the JBL exhibition showcased the evolution of audio technology over the decades. Products ranged from the 'Jackson-Bell Radio' made in 1929 to the Paragon from the 1950s and the 'L100 Century' from the 1970s. JBL, founded in 1946 by American audio engineer James B. Lansing, has expanded its technology from theaters and concert halls to home audio.

The Paragon, in particular, combines left and right stereo channels into a single large cabinet, considering both sound performance and design. According to the docent, producing one unit requires about 100 hours of skilled woodworking. Only about 1,000 units were produced from 1957 to 1983, making it a rare model that was also used in the White House.

A listening demonstration of the L100 Century, launched in 1970, followed. This model, characterized by its orange grille, was developed for home use based on professional studio monitor speakers. It is considered one of the best-selling speakers worldwide in the 1970s. The docent noted, "This product was born from the desire to hear the vivid sounds experienced in studios at home."

The exhibition also featured JBL's latest high-end speaker, the 'K2,' which has not yet been released in South Korea. This model encapsulates JBL's decades of expertise in audio technology and hi-fi audio design. The onsite docent introduced the K2 as the first model unveiled in South Korea during the 80th-anniversary exhibition, emphasizing its exceptional resolution and delicate musical expression. A live listening demonstration confirmed the audio performance of the latest JBL speakers.

On the first floor, JBL's latest products were showcased. Visitors could explore JBL's audio products, which have evolved to suit various everyday environments. The portable Bluetooth speaker 'Flip' series was displayed, showcasing design and functionality changes from the first generation launched in 2012 to the latest models. The product range included portable speakers suitable for outdoor activities, powerful party speakers like the 'PartyBox' that combine output and lighting effects, and headphones and earphones specialized for personal listening.

Notably, an 80th-anniversary commemorative product was introduced, inheriting the design of the 1970s L100 Century. This reflects JBL's journey from its roots in concert halls and recording studios to expanding into home, outdoor, and personal audio markets.

This exhibition also serves as a showcase of Samsung Electronics' achievements in expanding its audio business. In 2016, Samsung announced its acquisition of Harman for approximately $8 billion, completing the acquisition the following year. Harman's global revenue increased more than twofold from 7.1 trillion won in 2017 to 15.8 trillion won last year. Last year's operating profit reached a record high of 1.5 trillion won.

Last year, Samsung acquired premium audio brands including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz through Harman for $350 million. Moving forward, Samsung plans to enhance product competitiveness by integrating Harman's audio technology into smartphones, TVs, and soundbars.

Son Young-kwon, Samsung Electronics' advisor and Harman board chairman, stated, "This is an opportunity to experience the sound history that JBL has built over 80 years and the 60-year legacy of Bowers & Wilkins in one place. Samsung Electronics will continue to innovate audio technology with Harman so that customers worldwide can enjoy the best sound in every moment of their lives."