Who is JBL owned by?
JBL is owned by Samsung Electronics, via Harman International Industries, the entity that oversees JBL and other Harman brands.
Ownership history
The JBL brand began life as an independent audio company founded by James B. Lansing in 1946. Over the decades, JBL became part of Harman International Industries, a major portfolio of audio brands. In 2017, Harman International Industries was acquired by Samsung Electronics, placing JBL under Samsung's corporate umbrella. Today, JBL operates as a key brand within Harman’s portfolio, itself owned by Samsung.
Before the list below, note that the JBL name continues to function as a consumer-facing brand with its own product identity, even as it sits within a larger corporate structure. This arrangement allows JBL to benefit from Harman’s engineering and Samsung’s global reach while preserving the brand’s distinctive sound and design language.
- JBL originated as James B. Lansing Sound, founded in 1946, in Los Angeles.
- For decades, JBL operated as part of Harman International Industries, a conglomerate that houses multiple audio brands.
- Samsung Electronics acquired Harman International Industries in 2017, making JBL part of Samsung’s corporate portfolio through Harman.
In summary, JBL’s ownership is tightly linked to Samsung Electronics, with Harman International Industries serving as the immediate parent brand that manages JBL’s product strategy and branding within Samsung’s global business.
Current status and brand portfolio
As of today, JBL remains a leading consumer-audio brand under Harman, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. This structure provides JBL with access to Harman’s engineering resources, distribution channels, and Samsung’s manufacturing scale, while maintaining the JBL name and its distinctive market position.
Brand ecosystem under Harman
JBL sits alongside Harman Kardon, AKG, and other audio brands within Harman’s portfolio. Each brand maintains its own design language and product focus, but all benefit from shared technology and cross-brand collaboration enabled by Harman and Samsung.
Summary: JBL is owned by Samsung Electronics through Harman International Industries, reflecting a long history of brand evolution from an independent company to a globally distributed audio brand within Samsung’s corporate structure.
Which company owns JBL?
JBL's parent company is Harman International Industries, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. Samsung acquired Harman in 2017, and JBL operates under Harman's umbrella alongside other brands like AKG, Harman Kardon, and Mark Levinson.
- Harman International: JBL is a brand owned by Harman International, which develops audio, infotainment, and connected car systems for various markets.
- Samsung Electronics: Since March 2017, Harman International has been a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.
Who is Harman owned by?
Harman is owned by Samsung Electronics, which acquired the company in 2017. Harman operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung, continuing to design and manufacture audio and infotainment systems for cars, as well as consumer audio products.
- Parent company: Samsung Electronics
- Ownership: Harman is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung.
- Acquisition date: Samsung completed its acquisition of Harman in March 2017.
- Function: Harman maintains its own leadership and continues to operate in its respective markets, including automotive, consumer, and enterprise.
Does Samsung own JBL?
Yes, Samsung owns JBL through its subsidiary, Harman International. Samsung acquired Harman International in 2016, and Harman is the parent company for brands including JBL, AKG, and Harman Kardon.
- Samsung's acquisition: Samsung purchased Harman International, a US-based auto and audio product maker, for $8 billion in 2016.
- Harman's role: Harman International continues to operate as an independent subsidiary and is the parent company for a large portfolio of audio brands, such as JBL.
- Recent expansion: Harman has continued to expand its portfolio with recent acquisitions, such as the consumer audio division of Masimo, which brought more brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz under the Samsung umbrella.
Who is better, Sony or JBL?
While both brands cater to bass lovers, JBL is often preferred for its consistent bass emphasis across price ranges, whereas Sony excels in premium models with deeper customisation and clarity.
