JBL Summit Everest and K2 make Asia-Pacific debut

JBL has presented the Summit Everest and Summit K2 at StereoNET Asia 2026, bringing the successors to its Project Everest and Project K2 loudspeakers to Asia-Pacific after their global debut at HIGH END Vienna 2026.

The two floor-standing models sit at the top of JBL’s residential audio range and complete the five-model Summit Series alongside the Summit Makalu, Summit Pumori and Summit Ama. Both will be available in Singapore from 10 July through Sound Gallery by IMS, with the Summit Everest priced at S$199,000 per pair and the Summit K2 at S$139,000 per pair.

Their arrival continues a product line that JBL has developed selectively since introducing Project Hartsfield in 1954. Project Paragon, Project Everest and Project K2 followed, with the “Project” name reserved for loudspeakers built around the company’s latest driver, enclosure and system designs.

Summit Everest succeeds four generations of Project Everest developed over more than 40 years, while Summit K2 continues a range first introduced in 1989. Although the two models differ in scale, they share the same approach to driver layout, cabinet construction and amplification options.

Everest and K2 share a common design approach

Summit Everest is the larger of the two models. Its 3.5-way design uses three two-inch JBL D2820 compression drivers to reproduce midrange and high frequencies. Their output is combined through a custom three-input manifold before passing through a large-format Sonoglass horn.

Lower frequencies are handled by two 10-inch mid-bass drivers and two 15-inch woofers. JBL uses its Differential Drive system and three-layer Hybrid Carbon Cellulose Composite cones across all four drivers, with the company claiming improved stiffness, power handling and distortion control.

The speaker has a stated frequency response extending from 20Hz to beyond 23kHz.

Summit K2 uses the same general arrangement in a smaller three-way configuration. Three 1.5-inch D2815 compression drivers feed into another three-input manifold and Sonoglass horn, while a single 10-inch mid-bass driver and one 15-inch woofer reproduce the lower frequencies.

Both models therefore use a group of compression drivers as a single midrange and high-frequency system, paired with large dedicated drivers for bass. The main difference lies in scale, with the Everest adding a second mid-bass driver and woofer to support its position above the K2.

Shared components extend through the cabinet

JBL has also carried the same crossover and enclosure design across both loudspeakers. Its MultiCap crossover network divides the audio signal between the drivers using a larger number of smaller capacitors in place of fewer large units.

According to the company, this arrangement reduces electrical resistance and energy loss while increasing power handling. The loudspeakers can be connected through a single amplifier channel or configured with separate amplification for different driver sections through bi-wire, bi-amp, tri-wire or tri-amp connections.

The curved cabinets use offset internal bracing, damping and pre-stressed pressed panels to reduce standing waves inside the enclosure. Custom isolation feet developed with IsoAcoustics separate the loudspeakers from the supporting surface, with the aim of limiting vibration transfer.

Other materials include rhodium-plated binding posts wrapped in carbon fibre and silver-plated copper internal wiring. Both models are available in high-gloss black with platinum-coloured accents or Macassar Ebony veneer with gold-coloured detailing.

The Summit Everest and Summit K2 will be sold exclusively in Singapore through Sound Gallery by IMS. Product demonstrations are available at its showrooms at The Adelphi and T-Space Tampines.