Garmin Adds JL Audio A60 Marine Head Units With Built In DSP

Garmin has released two new marine head units under the JL Audio brand. The A60 and A60-H models include built-in digital signal processing, Bluetooth LE audio streaming, and control of four separate audio zones.

The A60 features a modern design with a 2.95 inch color display rated at 640 by 360 pixels. The A60-H uses a hideaway design meant to integrate directly with Garmin multifunction displays and reduce dash clutter. Both units carry IPX6 and IPX7 ratings for resistance to water, salt fog, UV exposure, and temperature change.

Boaters can control the system remotely through the Garmin Audio app, compatible quatix marine smartwatches, or two new accessories. The JL Audio R5 volume controller installs through a single 1.5 inch hole and offers a dash mounted knob for quick volume and playback control. The JL Audio NRX-300 wired remote adds an optically bonded LCD display and five button control across all four zones. Both accessories connect over the boat’s NMEA 2000 network and carry an IPX7 rating.

The units also include a built in DAB tuner, which Garmin said delivers a clearer signal than standard AM or FM radio on the water, and support Speed vs. Volume adjustment, which raises stereo volume automatically as boat speed and ambient noise increase.

Susan Lyman, Garmin’s vice president of global consumer sales and marketing, said the company built the A60 line to give boat owners a premium and affordable audio option with a modern design suited to current mid size boat trends.