What brand is JBL under?
JBL is under Harman International Industries, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.
JBL began as an independent audio brand in 1946, founded by James Bullough Lansing. Today it operates as one of Harman’s consumer-facing brands within Samsung Electronics’ broader portfolio. In 2017, Samsung completed its acquisition of Harman, bringing JBL into Samsung's corporate family while preserving JBL's brand identity and product focus.
Corporate lineage
Understanding JBL's placement requires tracing its corporate lineage from the brand up through Harman to Samsung.
- JBL — the iconic consumer and professional audio brand known for speakers, headphones, and sound systems
- Harman International — the umbrella company that owns JBL and other audio brands
- Samsung Electronics — the parent company that owns Harman as a subsidiary
These relationships place JBL squarely within Harman's brand family, which in turn is part of Samsung Electronics' broader electronics ecosystem.
Harman’s brand portfolio
Harman's portfolio includes a mix of consumer, professional, and automotive audio brands. Notable brands under Harman include:
- JBL
- Harman Kardon
- AKG
- Infinity
- Mark Levinson
- Revel
- Soundcraft
Being part of Harman means JBL shares resources with these brands, including research, manufacturing, and distribution channels, while continuing to operate under its own brand identity.
Ownership timeline
Samsung Electronics completed its acquisition of Harman International in 2017 for about $8 billion, bringing Harman—and by extension JBL—into Samsung's corporate structure. The deal closed in March 2017, and Harman has since functioned as a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, maintaining autonomy over brand strategy while benefiting from Samsung's scale and technology resources.
Implications for consumers
For consumers, JBL's status as part of Harman and Samsung means continued access to JBL's product lineup with broader support and supply chain backing. It also means potential cross-brand collaboration within the Harman portfolio and access to Samsung's distribution networks and research investments, though JBL products retain their distinct brand voice and market positioning.
Summary
In short, JBL sits under Harman International Industries, which is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. This places JBL within a global entertainment-tech ecosystem that spans premium audio brands, consumer electronics, and advanced manufacturing capabilities, while preserving JBL's identity as a leading maker of speakers and headphones.
