- Garmin-owned JL Audio introduces new hi-fi products
- Two speakers: T6 and S3, each with high prices
- Also features the CS Stereo Centerpiece preamplifier and transmitter
Garmin, everyone’s favorite smartwatch brand, has taken a break from wearables, like the recent Tactix 8, to launch a series of overpriced home audio devices.
This is the Primacy range from JL Audio and this is one of Garmin’s sub-brands. You’d be forgiven for not having heard of them, as their core areas are car and marine audio, and this leap into luxury hi-fi is sure to turn some heads.
However, don’t expect these devices to be priced similarly to the best Garmin watches. they are oh really expensive pieces of hi-fi equipment, with prices to match elite products from companies like Bowers & Wilkins and Wilson Audio, which you can only buy from specialist audio dealers.
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Meet the friends of Primacy
Let’s talk first about the Garmin JL Audio Primacy T6 (just above). This is the most expensive of the group, priced at around $90,000 per pair.
These active floorstanding speakers have six drivers each: a 1-inch carbon tweeter, a 5.5-inch midrange driver, and four 5.5-inch woofers. These are three amplifiers per unit, with a total of 1000W output, and each amplifier has its own DSP and DAC, with support for 32-bit/192kHz audio.
The JL Audio Primacy S3, which sells for $35,000 a pair, drops the specs a bit. They’re active speakers again, with the same 1-inch dome tweeter as the larger model, plus a 5.5-inch woofer and two amplifiers per unit.
Both speakers have several improvements such as shaped housings and audio filters to deliver tuned sound. They connect via XLR, RCA or Cat 6
Completing the trio, apparently to keep tabs on the others, is the $15,000 CS Stereo Centerpiece. It is both a transmitter (with support for various audio services) and a preamplifier. It has all the bells and whistles you’d expect for the price, like room correction, user profiles, Bluetooth support, and a built-in display.
None of Garmin’s new devices are available on their website. Instead, the listings guide you to your local retailer, where you can pick them up.
The best stereo speakers for all budgets.
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