JBL Everest, K2, Makalu, Pumori, And Ama Loudspeakers Assessment Review
The legendary JBL continues their excellence with five new loudspeaker designs. 
HIGH END 2025 Audiophile Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin

  HARMAN Luxury Audio Group, owned by Samsung, is showcasing their world debut of three new additions to the JBL Summit Series, a breathtaking expression of JBL's most advanced loudspeaker craftsmanship. Premiering at HIGH END Munich 2025, the expanded Summit Series now spans five models including the JBL Everest and K2, plus three new designs, Makalu, Pumori, and Ama. Each loudspeaker has been design and engineered for the world's most discerning listeners.

From Project Everest to the present, JBL has spent decades reaching new altitudes in acoustic innovation. The Summit Series continues that legacy — a testament to 80 years of engineering and passion for sound. With the addition of Summit Makalu, Summit Pumori, and Summit Ama, JBL offers a lineup that blends refined design, proprietary technologies, and unmatched dynamic performance. Each model is inspired by a Himalayan peak and crafted to deliver unparalleled sound reproduction that stirs emotion and reveals new layers in every recording.

Named after Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain and an imposing pyramid-shaped peak located just 19 kilometers (12 miles) from Everest, the Summit Makalu commands attention with its bold stature and breathtaking sonic scale. As the flagship of the new additions, this three-way floorstanding loudspeaker is designed to anchor large, immersive listening spaces with deep, articulate bass and soaring midrange detail. A 12" woofer and 8" midrange driver — both utilizing JBL's proprietary HC4 composite cones — work in harmony with the patented D2 compression driver and precision-molded HDI Sonoglass horn to deliver stunning dynamics and crystal-clear imaging. The Makalu's contoured cabinet, offered in rich ebony veneer with gold accents or high-gloss piano black with platinum detailing, makes a powerful visual statement befitting its namesake.

Inspired by Mount Pumori, affectionately known as the "Daughter of Everest," the Summit Pumori captures the mountain's grace and strength in sonic form. This three-way floorstanding model is meticulously voiced for musical balance and purity. Its 10" woofer and 8" midrange driver are tuned to bring lifelike scale and warmth to every performance, while JBL's signature D2 compression driver and HDI horn architecture preserve nuance and clarity. With its softly contoured cabinet, luxurious finishes, and emotionally engaging performance, Pumori delivers a transcendent listening experience grounded in heritage and beauty.

Derived from Ama Dablam, one of the Himalayas' most iconic and picturesque peaks whose name means "Mother's Necklace," the Summit Ama is a compact masterpiece designed to reveal the heart of the music.

This two-way stand-mount loudspeaker pairs an 8" HC4 cone woofer with a D2 compression driver and HDI horn to deliver exceptional clarity, control, and coherence across the frequency spectrum. The Summit Ama's elegant cabinet rests on a matching steel-and-aluminum stand.

The new additions to the JBL Summit Series will be globally available later in 2025 through authorized JBL retailers and partners. The recommended retail prices are $19,995 per pair for the JBL Summit Ama including stands, $29,995 for a pair of JBL Summit Pumori and $44,995 for a set of JBL Summit Makalu, respectively.

Our Review Of JBL's Everest, K2, Makalu, Pumori, And Ama Loudspeakers
From JBL's finely sculpted enclosures to the luxurious finishes and ultra-high-end loudspeaker design and engineering, each Summit Series loudspeaker is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Cabinets are heavily braced, softly contoured, and built to eliminate resonance. For fans of Enjoy the Music.com who love tweaks, the JBL loudspeaker wire binding posts are wrapped in carbon fiber and plated in rhodium! JBL's proprietary MultiCap crossover network ensures purity and performance throughout the entire audio chain. Custom drivers play a key role in achieving exceptionally immersive high-quality natural sound.

Plus each model integrates JBL IsoAcoustics adjustable isolation feet — ensuring that its sound remains as pure as the mountain that inspired it. These loudspeakers are not just engineered — they are artfully crafted for those who view listening as a pursuit of something greater. Be sure to visit our Review Magazine to learn more about luxurious audiophile equipment, plus we provide thought-provoking think pieces and much more! As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music.

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