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Garmin's new $1,000 subwoofers disappear into walls and blend into decor
- Garmin has launched the new $1,000 JL Audio Pavilion Thin-line series, an 8-inch architectural subwoofer system that disappears into walls and ceilings.
- The ultra-shallow 3.8-inch design fits directly into standard drywall using a dog-leg clamp system, eliminating the need for bulky back-boxes.
- Each unit includes paintable magnetic grilles and features an IPX5 rating, making them visually unobtrusive and durable enough for outdoor use.
When Garmin acquired high-end audio giant JL Audio back in 2023, the big question was how Garmin’s marine and outdoor expertise would mix with JL’s premium acoustic engineering. We’re seeing the latest result of that marriage: the new JL Audio Pavilion Thin-line Subwoofers.
Aimed squarely at custom home theater integrators and architectural audio fans, these 8-inch in-wall and in-ceiling subwoofers promise to deliver JL Audio’s signature deep, tight bass without swallowing up an inch of your precious floor space, Garmin notes in its press release.
The real headline feature here is the physical footprint. Traditional in-wall subwoofers often require massive, dedicated back-boxes that are a nightmare to retrofit into existing drywall. The Pavilion Thin-line sidesteps this entirely by utilizing remarkably shallow 3.8-inch mounting depth and an infinite baffle design, as ecoustics highlights.
To keep the sound tight and muddy distortion at bay within such tight quarters, Garmin is leaning on JL Audio’s proprietary engineering. The subwoofers utilize a specialized “Concentric Tube Suspension” design. Essentially, it keeps the physical components tightly nested, ensuring the driver maintains a clean, deep, and tight low-end response even at higher power levels.
Furthermore, Garmin isn’t restricting these to indoor home theaters. These Pavilion subwoofers feature an IPX5 water-resistance rating and meet strict ASTM standards for UV and salt-fog exposure. This makes them suitable for installation in covered patios, pool decks, or even on yachts.
Installation relies on a straightforward dog-leg mounting system that clamps directly to drywall ranging from 0.25 to 1.625 inches thick, though new-construction brackets are available for fresh rough-in frames.
To help them blend into home decor, the subwoofers ship with paintable, ultra-thin magnetic grilles in both round and square form factors, available in Satin Black or Satin White finishes.
High-end architectural audio rarely comes cheap, and Garmin isn’t breaking the trend here. The JL Audio Pavilion thin-line subwoofers carry a suggested retail price of $1,000.00 each. They are available immediately through Garmin’s online storefront and authorized premium audio dealers.
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