Another sad day for JBL

[Robh3606]

Can we refrain from the geopolitical and just stick with JBL. I would like to clean this up but it might just be best to just close it. It's a bit of a mess in there.

Rob

[Horn Fanatic]

Can we refrain from the geopolitical and just stick with JBL. I would like to clean this up but it might just be best to just close it. It's a bit of a mess in there.

Rob

I agree.

[LowPhreak]

Yes, let us get back to the OT. I just wanted to point out a thing or two since I saw Wagner going off the wall there, as he is prone to do on occasion. To some extent I do too sometimes. No harm, no foul IMO.

On the other hand, as a professor once said to me: one definition of "politics" is - "who gets what". I thought it sounded trite at the time...too simplistic...but later it started to make sense. It caused me to consider that in most areas of life, we all engage in some form of "politics" every day - such as at work, in public, even at home with family & friends. Do we not?

In the case here with the engineers and the situation at Harmin', it was definitely a political move in that sense. It's inevitable that some of us would discuss it in that context.

[BMWCCA]

In the case here with the engineers and the situation at Harmin', it was definitely a political move in that sense. It's inevitable that some of us would discuss it in that context.

Discussing it in the context of the original topic is one thing. Deteriorating to the point of simply hearing yourself speak, pontificate, and demean others has been the hallmark of threads here recently. That's what needs to stop.

In case this thread gets locked, I'd like everyone to remember that JBL's loss here is the brilliant contributions of Greg and Jerry and we've enjoyed the unprecedented benefit hearing this news and reaction from Greg himself. I fear the rest of this thread has betrayed and potentially lost the trust that Greg put in this group as shown by his willingness to share his thoughts with us. I'd hate to lose that source of learned contribution going forward—simply because we screwed-the-pooch!

[brutal]

IBTL

Sad to hear of more shenanigans at Harman Mr. Timbers, truly sad.

I'm going to go hug my 250Ti's again before turning in.

[tomee]

I am very sad to see this era of JBL excellence being dismantled bit by bit. Hearing about fantastic experience, creativity and knowledge just being wasted is indeed discouraging. It is especially disappointing to hear about the way this is being done and the apparent lack of insight in the JBL brand value & heritage at Harman Group. That is where it all started.

It is brilliant that Mr Timbers does take the time to help us out here on the forum. Such help/ information is invaluable, especially for us that make our living in completely other areas and have started to understand that the more we learn the less we know. Hat’s off.

I’m an investment banker by trade & profession and I took a look at the Harman Group’s numbers . The story becomes brutally clear when reading them. The other business areas are growing rapidly with increasing earnings while “Professional” is more or less at a standstill since several years. If this is due to that the group resources have been allocated to the other divisions or the fact that there are more car & mobile phone owners in the world than audiophiles is difficult to se. The acquisition in the group lately has also been targeted towards the other divisions. In 2015 the “Infotainment ” now “Connected Car” division grew beyond 3 times the size of “Professional” and with an nominal EBITDA growth of 33% while “Professional“ only had 8%. “Lifestyle”, where “Luxury Audio” is a piece alongside automotive and others, is about twice the size of “Professional” and when looking at the presentations there is no doubt that the “automotive” & “portable” part seems to be where the growth is . The writing has been on the wall for some time it appears.

....

//RoB

very well said! Thank you for putting the time into that post.

IMHO without "JBL Pro" the other divisions have little or no reputation! Having the link to pro-sound is what helps buyers looking at high profit gizmos and gadgets, like blue-tooth speakers, take JBL seriously!!! I know this because that is why my daughter wants one of these things - she recognizes the JBL logo. Everyone does because they see it at concerts and movie theatres!!!
Maybe they think they'll do all pro-sound development in Brazil, at Selenium?

I hope that everyone being let go by JBL can find challenging work with people that value them for their knowledge and skills.

[Ed Kreamer]

So, With all this taking place at jbl, is it also taking place at Revel? If not, why not?

[4345]

Thanks for keeping us up to date and informed. Too bad Harman could not keep a small manufacturing facility in the USA to service vintage products and produce a high end retro-line. Instead of Mr. Paliwal getting millions, it would have been wiser to invest in their reputation and brand. Mcintosh still produces in the USA, and probably profitably. I am sure by keeping their production here, it helps their brands' status immeasurably. Maybe a group of us can buy back the JBL brand once Harman goes into bankruptcy in a few years!

[edgewound]

I have had the pleasure of meeting and speaking extensively with Greg Timbers a few years ago at the unveiling of Everest II at CES. Jerry Moro was there, too. Both exceeding talented engineers. The man that designed the VGC technology, Doug Button, had left a few years prior.

Never in my life have I met a more unassuming, humble, down-to-earth engineer that absolutely lived for what he does...and did. It was pretty clear back then that the future of JBL in the USA was cloudy at best. Upper management had no plans to introduce the best of JBL Consumer to the US market that was readily available in Japan. I asked why? He simply shrugged. Wasn't his job to market....just design great stuff.

The Professional Division has been putting out product for the last ten years that is absolutely unworthy of the brand to the working musician... to the absolutely most expensive high-end that only top touring sound companies and theaters can afford. No middle ground, work-horse systems anymore like the bullet-proof Cabaret series of the 1980s-90s.

This unceremonious, insulting, escort-out-of-the building, dismissal of such talent that built the brand over decades is plain criminal to investors as well as consumers. At some point, the JBL brand marketers will not be able to rely on "JBL Professional Sound at Home", because the R&D guys have been kicked out the door, the technology will not exist at JBL, Dinesh Paliwal will take his fortune...laughing all the way to the bank...to "turn around" another multi-national conglomerate he knows nothing about, except an 8 figure payday....and strip it's heritage as well.

New Harman management has left a wake of destruction in it's path...and nobody there cares anymore.

Sad days at JBL, indeed.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Every brilliant invention had a beginning.
HARMAN is dedicated to providing hands-on, real-world work experience to help students and recent graduates like you who are in the beginning career stages prepare for the next step in the professional world. As an intern, you are an integral part of the team and relied upon to share your unique perspective. The ability to apply original thinking to solve problems and create opportunities is something we embrace. With newly acquired knowledge and skills, our recent graduates are ready to make their mark on the world.

Explore all of our opportunities and find a role that will help you showcase your potential.

Audiophiles from every generation call on HARMAN to deliver the best in sound in the studio and on the stage, at home and on the go. HARMAN’s portfolio of legendary audio brands includes AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®and Revel®. More than 25 million vehicles on the road today enjoy an enhanced driving experience, thanks to HARMAN audio and infotainment. We extend the same spirit of innovation to the world’s leading performance and sporting venues, providing everyone with the best seats in the house.
Seizing the rich opportunities of today’s global markets requires more than legendary sound.


http://www.harman.com/careers

A glance at the Harman Corporate careers pages and then reading the opening post of this thread one cannot help but think what went wrong leading to the demise of Greg and more recently Jerry.

It takes time to create talent and who could be more appropriate to inspire, lead and mentor a team than Greg and Jerry.

It's also very un American what happened but then given the leadership what would you expect.

If the nut case that did this is reading this and thinks he is being shamed you are correct.

[DS-21]

So, With all this taking place at jbl, is it also taking place at Revel? If not, why not?

The Revel Performa3 line uses lightly-modified SB Acoustics drivers rather than parts designed in house. All ceramic magnets rather than neo, too.

[JuniorJBL]

If the nut case that did this is reading this and thinks he is being shamed you are correct.

Well put Ian!

[SEAWOLF97]

At some point, the JBL brand marketers will not be able to rely on "JBL Professional Sound at Home", because the R&D guys have been kicked out the door, the technology will not exist at JBL, Dinesh Paliwal will take his fortune...laughing all the way to the bank...to "turn around" another multi-national conglomerate he knows nothing about, except an 8 figure payday....and strip it's heritage as well.

New Harman management has left a wake of destruction in it's path...and nobody there cares anymore.

Sad days at JBL, indeed.

I'll bet Dinesh Paliwal doesn't even know who Andy Grove was ..

Andy Grove was the godfather of modern tech CEOs

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ern-tech-ceos/

He was CEO at Intel when I was there. legendary , and made the atmosphere fun.

[Mr. Widget]

JBL (Harman Luxury) laid off 3 more employees yesterday. Their seniority totaled over 70 years. The big hit was Jerry Moro. Jerry's work is legendary and his transducers have been featured in most of my designs for years.

I recently was fortunate enough to receive (4) 1501AL-2 woofers to upgrade my DD66000s to the DD67000s. Needless to say the months of effort required for me to acquire these was well worth it. Here is a case where Jerry Moro was able to take an amazing driver and further refine it making it even more amazing. The idea that there will be no more pushing the envelope to achieve impossibly great drivers and speaker designs at JBL is so sad. For me personally, I have a number of fantastic JBLs by this team and will continue to enjoy them I hope for many years... but for there to be no 75th Anniversary JBL or beyond is so shortsighted.

A successful company and a brand is more than a great P&L statement. It is great employees, satisfied loyal customers, and if you're lucky enough to last... an amazing heritage that you can build on. So sad.


Widget

[1audiohack]

Below is a link to a Ted Talk. This is a positive talk in what leadership is and is not.

I think this answers, for me at least why I/we deep down feel the way we do about the antics at Harman.

If you don't watch it all, start about 20 minutes in, the gist of this starts about 25 minutes in. Just watch it all.


https://youtu.be/ReRcHdeUG9Y

All the best,
Barry.