Garmin Turns Up the Volume
with the JL Audio A60 & A60‑H
Two next-generation marine head units fuse Garmin's helm ecosystem with JL Audio's legendary sound engineering — one built to shine at the dash, the other built to disappear into it.
A New High-Water Mark for Helm Audio
Garmin has unveiled the JL Audio A60 and A60‑H, a pair of advanced marine head units aimed at mid-size boat owners who want premium, DSP-driven sound without a custom-install budget.
Both units run on the same core: built-in digital signal processing and four independently controlled audio zones — so the cockpit, cabin, and swim platform can each get their own mix. Where they differ is philosophy: the A60 puts a sunlight-readable color display right at the helm, while the A60‑H drops the screen entirely and hides the source unit out of sight, controlled through a Garmin MFD, the Garmin Audio app, or an optional remote.
One Sound Engine, Two Personalities
Same DSP. Same four zones. Completely different relationship with your dashboard.
JL Audio A60
A sleek, modern face designed to sit front-and-center at the helm — full display, full control, right where you can see it.
JL Audio A60‑H
The "H" stands for hideaway — a screenless source unit engineered to tuck out of sight behind your Garmin MFD, controlled entirely through the MFD, the Garmin Audio app, or an optional remote.
What Makes It Sound So Good
Both models pack the same feature set that put JL Audio on the map, now wired directly into Garmin's marine ecosystem.
Built-In Signal Processing
Onboard DSP manages power delivery to speakers and subwoofers for cleaner, more precise sound at any volume.
Four Audio Zones
Independently control volume and source across cockpit, cabin, tower, and swim platform.
Bluetooth LE Streaming
Fast, stable wireless audio streaming straight from a paired phone or tablet.
Built-In DAB Tuner
Digital radio reception baked right into the head unit — no extra hardware required.
Quatix Smartwatch Control
Adjust volume and switch sources right from a compatible Garmin quatix marine smartwatch.
NMEA 2000 Ready
Plugs straight into your boat's existing electronics network for unified system control.
"We're excited to offer boat owners a new premium, convenient and affordable audio solution that will entertain on every trip."— Susan Lyman, Vice President of Global Consumer Sales & Marketing, Garmin
The Numbers, Side by Side
Same engine, different footprint. Here's how each unit breaks down on its own.
JL Audio A60
$599.99| Form factor | Standalone helm display, modern face-forward design |
|---|---|
| Mounting | Surface / flush mount at the helm |
| Display | 2.95" high-resolution color, 640 × 360 px, sunlight-readable |
| Water resistance | IPX6 and IPX7 rated |
| Audio processing | Built-in DSP with speaker/subwoofer power management |
| Zones | Four independently controlled audio zones |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth LE streaming, built-in DAB tuner, NMEA 2000 |
| App & wearable | Garmin Audio app; compatible quatix smartwatches |
JL Audio A60‑H
$599.99| Form factor | Hideaway source unit, compact low-profile chassis |
|---|---|
| Mounting | Remote-mount, integrates behind a Garmin MFD |
| Display | None — screenless, controlled via Garmin MFD, app, or remote |
| Water resistance | IPX6 and IPX7 rated |
| Audio processing | Built-in DSP with speaker/subwoofer power management |
| Zones | Four independently controlled audio zones |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth LE streaming, built-in DAB tuner, NMEA 2000 |
| App & wearable | Garmin Audio app; compatible quatix smartwatches |
JL Audio R5 Volume Controller
NRX-300 Wired Remote with LCD
Why This Launch Actually Matters
The A60 and A60‑H aren't just another accessory drop — they're a milestone in a partnership Garmin has been building for years.
Garmin completes its acquisition of JL Audio, bringing the premium audio manufacturer's 600+ employees and decades of driver and amplifier expertise in-house.
Garmin integrates JL Audio engineering across its marine lineup, deepening compatibility with Garmin MFDs, NMEA 2000 networks, and the Garmin Audio app.
Garmin unveils the JL Audio A60 and A60‑H — the most fully integrated head units yet, built specifically to disappear into or star on a Garmin-equipped helm.
Ready to Upgrade the Helm?
The JL Audio A60 and A60‑H are in stock now at Amped Up Marine.