Who owns JBL speakers and headphones now?

JBL speakers and headphones are ultimately owned by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. JBL is owned directly within Samsung’s wholly owned Harman subsidiary, Harman International Industries, Incorporated.

Is JBL Flip 5 waterproof?

Yes. The JBL Flip 5 has an IPX7 waterproof rating and is specified for submersion up to three feet under the applicable test conditions.

Is JBL Clip 5 waterproof?

The exact protection rating should be checked in the JBL Clip 5 product specifications for the sales region and model. JBL’s Clip range includes waterproof portable speakers, but the rating for Clip 5 should not be inferred from the rating of Clip 4.

Is JBL Go 4 waterproof?

The JBL Go 4’s water-resistance rating should be checked in its official product specifications before purchase or use near water. JBL assigns protection ratings by model, so the rating for another Go speaker does not establish the rating for Go 4.

Is JBL Charge 5 waterproof?

Yes. The JBL Charge 5 has an IP67 waterproof-rated exterior. JBL also describes the Charge 5 as having a USB output for charging other devices and up to 20 hours of playtime.

Is JBL better than Bose or Sony?

JBL, Bose, and Sony compete across overlapping audio categories, but no single brand is objectively better for every shopper. The meaningful comparison is between specific products with similar prices and uses, including sound profile, noise cancellation, battery life, durability, controls, and connectivity.

Yes. Harman International Industries, Incorporated owns JBL as one of its audio brands. Harman became a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics in 2017, making Samsung Electronics JBL’s ultimate owner.

Who owns JBL?

JBL

Ultimate ownerSouth KoreaSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Made O'Meter is free and ad-free, built to keep ownership like this transparent.

Brand origin: United States
Main production: China

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Political donations in the US

Samsung gave US$315,000 to Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025.

The company's political action committee gave 45% to Republican and 38% to Democratic candidates in the 2025 to 2026 election cycle.

Information from the US Federal Election Commission (FEC). Made O'Meter takes no side. Source: FEC · the PAC

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Ownership chain

BrandJBLUnited States
Harman International Industries, Incorporated
Ultimate ownerSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.South Korea

About JBL

What is JBL?

JBL is an audio brand that makes consumer, professional, automotive, home entertainment, multimedia, and connected audio products. James B. Lansing founded the company that became JBL in Los Angeles, California, in 1946. JBL’s founder supplied the initials used in the JBL name. JBL’s official website is jbl.com. JBL’s product history began with loudspeakers and drivers. The company produced the D101 15-inch loudspeaker and the D175 high-frequency driver among its first products in 1946. JBL later developed products for professional sound, home audio, musical instruments, cars, portable listening, and headphones. JBL has been associated with several notable audio applications. JBL components were used in Fender amplifiers in 1959 after Leo Fender integrated the JBL D130 driver. JBL loudspeakers powered the Woodstock rock festival in 1969. JBL entered the automotive market in 1984 by supplying its first in-car audio system for the Lincoln Town Car. JBL is now one of the audio brands operated by Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman’s other brands include Harman Kardon, AKG, Infinity, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, and Revel. Harman became a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics in 2017.

Who owns JBL?

JBL is ultimately owned by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. The ownership chain is JBL, then Harman International Industries, Incorporated, then Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Harman owns JBL as one of its audio brands. Samsung Electronics completed its acquisition of Harman International in 2017 for approximately $8 billion. The transaction made JBL part of Samsung’s wholly owned Harman subsidiary. Samsung Electronics is headquartered in South Korea and is a publicly listed company. Harman’s history with JBL began when Sidney Harman acquired JBL through the Jervis Corporation in 1969. Harman’s stewardship increased JBL’s annual gross business from approximately $8 million to approximately $60 million. Sidney Harman sold JBL and his other high-fidelity holdings to Beatrice Foods in early 1977. Sidney Harman re-acquired JBL approximately three and a half years later. Harman reported approximately $8.4 billion in total sales revenue for the 2019 income year. That figure covered Harman rather than JBL alone.

Where does JBL come from?

JBL originated in the United States, and James B. Lansing founded the company that became JBL in Los Angeles, California, in 1946. The company was originally registered as Lansing Sound, Incorporated. Before founding the JBL business, James B. Lansing established the Lansing Manufacturing Company, an earlier loudspeaker business. Altec Service Corporation acquired Lansing Manufacturing Company in 1941 for a reported $50,000, creating Altec Lansing Corporation. At Altec Lansing’s request, Lansing Sound was renamed James B. Lansing Sound, Incorporated. The name was later shortened to JBL Sound and then JBL. JBL introduced the JBL brand name in 1955 to resolve naming disputes with Altec Lansing Corporation. James B. Lansing died in 1949. William Thomas became president of the company after Lansing’s death. The company continued developing loudspeakers and audio components under the JBL name. JBL released the original L100 loudspeaker in 1970. The L100 featured a distinctive waffle grille design. JBL later became part of Harman after Sidney Harman acquired the company in 1969, and it became part of Samsung Electronics through Harman in 2017.

What products does JBL make?

JBL makes portable Bluetooth speakers, home audio systems, headphones, professional loudspeakers, studio monitors, automotive audio systems, and related connected audio products. JBL’s product families include Flip, Charge, Clip, Go, and other portable speaker lines. The JBL Flip 5 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with an IPX7 waterproof rating. JBL states that the Flip 5 can be submerged to a depth of up to three feet under the applicable testing conditions. The Flip 5 has a 20 watt RMS rated output and up to 12 hours of music playtime, depending on volume and audio content. The JBL Charge 5 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with an IP67 waterproof-rated exterior. JBL describes the Charge 5 as having a developed speaker driver, two JBL bass radiators, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and a USB output that can charge other devices. JBL lists up to 20 hours of playtime for the Charge 5. The JBL Clip 4 is an ultra-portable waterproof Bluetooth speaker with an integrated carabiner. JBL lists up to 10 hours of playtime for the Clip 4. JBL also markets portable speakers in the Go family and newer versions of the Flip, Clip, and Charge families. JBL also makes headphones and earphones for consumer listening. Professional products include loudspeakers and audio equipment used in recording, performance, entertainment, and installed sound environments. Automotive products include systems supplied to vehicle manufacturers and audio technologies used in connected cars.

Is JBL waterproof?

JBL speakers are not all waterproof, but many JBL portable speaker models have specific water-resistance ratings. The rating depends on the exact model and should be checked in that model’s specifications. The JBL Flip 5 is IPX7 waterproof. The JBL Charge 5 has an IP67 waterproof rating, which also includes dust protection. JBL lists the Clip 4 as waterproof. A waterproof rating does not mean that every JBL product can be submerged, exposed to salt water, or used in the same conditions. IP ratings describe resistance under defined test conditions. Product seals can deteriorate through wear, impact, repairs, or improper use. A shopper should use the rating published for the exact JBL model rather than assume that all JBL speakers have the same protection.

How did JBL develop its audio business?

JBL developed from a loudspeaker company into a supplier for professional audio, home audio, musical instruments, automotive systems, and portable connected products. The company’s first products included the D101 15-inch loudspeaker and D175 high-frequency driver in 1946. JBL components entered the musical-instrument market through Fender amplifiers in 1959. Leo Fender integrated the JBL D130 driver into Fender amplifier products. JBL loudspeakers powered the Woodstock rock festival in 1969, the same year Sidney Harman acquired JBL through the Jervis Corporation. The original L100 loudspeaker arrived in 1970 with its recognizable waffle grille. The product became part of JBL’s home audio history and represented the company’s move beyond professional loudspeakers. JBL entered automotive audio in 1984 with an in-car audio system for the Lincoln Town Car. The company later expanded across consumer, automotive, professional, and connected audio markets. JBL entered Guinness World Records in 2017 for the most connected Bluetooth speakers.

Where are JBL products made?

JBL products are designed and sold through Harman’s global audio business, while the manufacturing location can vary by model and market. The available company information identifies JBL’s origin as Los Angeles, California, but does not establish one manufacturing country for every current JBL product. JBL’s products span portable speakers, headphones, professional equipment, automotive systems, and home audio. These categories can use different production arrangements and facilities. The country of manufacture for a particular item is normally stated on its packaging, product label, regulatory marking, or product documentation. The country where JBL originated is the United States. JBL’s current ownership is separate from its origin. Samsung Electronics, headquartered in South Korea, owns Harman, and Harman owns JBL.

Is JBL a good brand for speakers and headphones?

JBL is an established audio brand with products spanning portable speakers, headphones, professional audio, home entertainment, automotive audio, and connected technologies. JBL’s history includes products introduced in 1946, professional loudspeakers used at Woodstock in 1969, the L100 loudspeaker in 1970, and automotive audio supplied for the Lincoln Town Car in 1984. Whether a JBL product suits a shopper depends on the specific model, intended use, sound preferences, battery requirements, connectivity, durability rating, and price. JBL’s portable range includes models with published water-resistance ratings, while JBL’s professional and home audio products serve different uses. JBL and Bose compete in several consumer audio categories, including portable speakers and headphones. JBL and Sony also compete in portable audio, headphones, and other consumer electronics categories. A direct comparison should use products in the same category and price range rather than compare the brands as single products.

Subsidiaries: Harman International Industries

Frequently asked questions about JBL

Who owns JBL speakers and headphones now?: JBL speakers and headphones are ultimately owned by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. JBL is owned directly within Samsung’s wholly owned Harman subsidiary, Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
Which country is JBL from?: JBL is from the United States. James B. Lansing founded the company that became JBL in Los Angeles, California, in 1946.
Is JBL Flip 5 waterproof?: Yes. The JBL Flip 5 has an IPX7 waterproof rating and is specified for submersion up to three feet under the applicable test conditions.
Is JBL Clip 5 waterproof?: The exact protection rating should be checked in the JBL Clip 5 product specifications for the sales region and model. JBL’s Clip range includes waterproof portable speakers, but the rating for Clip 5 should not be inferred from the rating of Clip 4.
Is JBL Go 4 waterproof?: The JBL Go 4’s water-resistance rating should be checked in its official product specifications before purchase or use near water. JBL assigns protection ratings by model, so the rating for another Go speaker does not establish the rating for Go 4.
Is JBL Charge 5 waterproof?: Yes. The JBL Charge 5 has an IP67 waterproof-rated exterior. JBL also describes the Charge 5 as having a USB output for charging other devices and up to 20 hours of playtime.
Is JBL better than Bose or Sony?: JBL, Bose, and Sony compete across overlapping audio categories, but no single brand is objectively better for every shopper. The meaningful comparison is between specific products with similar prices and uses, including sound profile, noise cancellation, battery life, durability, controls, and connectivity.
Does Harman own JBL?: Yes. Harman International Industries, Incorporated owns JBL as one of its audio brands. Harman became a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics in 2017, making Samsung Electronics JBL’s ultimate owner.