JBL Commercial Solutions Series Launch

Recently launched new JBL product group - single /multi zone DSP's, paging stations, amplifiers and speakers.

Off the back of the recently launched CSS Ceiling Speaker range, JBL have now added to this with some complementary Zone Control DSP's, paging stations, wall controllers, an amplifier package and..... yep, a few more speakers. All these packaged under the JBL Commercial Solutions banner, and indeed now have their own website to match, noted at the foot of this article.

These new Commercial Solutions products provide affordable, scalable performance building blocks for paging and background music applications including retail stores, restaurants, offices, schools and other public facilities.

So what do we have here then? Well, firstly let's take the JBL Commercial Sound Mixers, or CSM devices. There are 2 variants, the CSM-21 and CSM-32. The 21 features 2 RCA audio source inputs, plus a mic and a balanced direct in. Outputs are either stereo, stereo with 125Hz HPF sub, or mono, all to a single zone. The CSM-32 offers 3 RCA source inputs, plus mic and direct in. It outputs to 2 zones either in stereo, stereo with a sub or mono, and in addition features a isolated output designed to hook up to a phone system for music on hold type applications. Both models also feature a music mute control input, to which a fire alarm panel could be connected to automatically mute the music in the event of an emergency. Harman patented Autowarmth™ and Levelgaurd™ are also included on both models to help make your sound warmer at lower levels and protect the system when it gets driven a little harder respectively, and once these and other settings have been adjusted to the installers liking they can be hidden away behind an included security cover.

These mixers present themselves as an analogue zoner, but are actually all digital DSP's behind the scenes, a giveaway being the USB port on the back for future firmware upgrades. Paging is accomplished from basic contact closures to drive the page steering, for which there is a matching range of single zone, 2 zone and 4 zone paging stations available. The 4 zone station at first appears to be at odds with the CSM devices as this is at maximum a 2 zone DSP, however if more output zones were required, then the RG45 Link buss can send all audio from the 1st device to the second, resulting in a 4 zone system with 3 audio sources, plus a mic input. Connect up the steering closures to the second CSM's page connections and you are done. No PC is required for set up or commissioning, indeed you'd only ever need one to update the firmware.

To partner the CSM's, 3 remote wall panels are also available, cunning denoted CSR-V (Commercial Sound Remote- Volume only), CSR-2SV (2 source selector and volume) and CSR-3SV (3 source selector and volume). These connect back to the CSM over some CAT5 cable, to the appropriate zone control input on the CSM. Cable length can be up to 300m and the panel is available in a EU sized plate (pictured) or a more useful single gang Australian size plate. All are available in black or white.

More?
Ok then, how about a 2 channel Amplifier - 120wpc at 8Ù/4Ù with global limiter, global 70Hz HPF and auto standby? Even better, its convection cooled, and is a svelte ½ rack space wide and 1RU space tall. That would be the CSA-2120. You want 100v/70v too? Ok, check out its partner transformer the CST-2120, designed to sit neatly alongside the CSA-2120 in a 1RU space.

Lastly we have a new loudspeaker to check out. And doesn't this look familiar? No, not a Control 1Pro, but the snappily named CSS-1S/T. This may look like a Control 1Pro but its innards are quite different, it features a 10w multitap transformer, and can also be run at 8Ù, at which its power handling is 60w. Wall mount bracket is included.

Pricing on the CSM DSP devices starts from $795 inc, the CSPM paging mics are priced from $205.00 inc GST. All the wall panel remotes cost the same - $95.00 inc GST. Pricing and availability on the speakers and amplification package are forthcoming.

So there you have it, a very cost effective, simple to integrate, scalable commercial audio system with a name you, and perhaps more importantly your customers actually have heard of. Available right now.

Jands