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Best JBL Soundbars
There are many factors to consider when looking for the best JBL soundbar. Some people may be looking for a system that provides surround sound, while others are more interested in something simple and easy to use. Whatever your needs, there is definitely a JBL soundbar that is perfect for you.
In this review, I'll take a look at some of the most popular JBL soundbars in June 2024 on the market and see how they are compared. I will also talk about some of the features that make these models so great. So if you're in the market for a new sound system or just curious about what JBL has to offer, read on for more information!
If you're short on time, here are my top two jbl soundbars.
Table of contents:
- Best JBL Soundbar - Buyer’s Guide
- Best JBL Soundbars - TOP 5
- JBL Best Soundbars: Comparison
- JBL Soundbar 5.1
- JBL Soundbar 2.1
- JBL 9.1 Soundbar
- JBL 2.0 Soundbar
- JBL 1300 11.1.4 Soundbar
- FAQ about Best JBL Soundbar
- Best JBL Soundbars: Conclusion
Best JBL Soundbar - Buyer’s Guide
What to look for before buying? Here's a comprehensive guide to help you make the best choice:
Number of Channels
The number of channels in a speaker system has a direct impact on the volume and quality of the sound. The most common standards for stereo sound are 2.1, which includes two speakers and a subwoofer, and 3.1, which includes three speakers and a subwoofer. For surround sound playback, you need at least five speakers, which is why 5.0 and 5.1 are the most popular standards.
However, if you want truly immersive sound, you'll need even more channels. Systems with 7.1 or 9.1 channels are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide a truly realistic experience. So if you're looking for the best sound quality, make sure to choose a speaker system with as many channels as possible.
Functionality
Soundbars have come a long way since their introduction. Originally designed solely to improve sound quality, today these devices can do much more. Many on the market today are equipped with features such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as well as the ability to read memory cards and discs. Work with an Alexa assistant. Some even have built-in subwoofers to boost bass. For example, JBL 1300 11.1.4 ch Sound bar or JBL 5.1 Soundbar with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI Connectivity and work with an Alexa.
And while they can't boast all the perks of a full-fledged home theater, modern soundbars can replicate the experience exactly. You only need to see what functions this or that soundbar offers and choose which one will suit you perfectly.
Total Power of the Speakers
Total power is one of the main parameters to consider when choosing a sound system. It is usually expressed in watts and indicates the maximum power the system can reproduce. However, it is important to note that total power does not necessarily indicate sound quality. In fact, many factors such as frequency response, distortion, and signal-to-noise ratio affect sound quality. Total power is simply an indication of the potential power of the system.
When choosing a sound system, it is important to consider the size of the room as well as the total power of the speakers. A sound system with a total power rating of 200 watts would be sufficient for a large room, while a sound system with a total power rating of 30 watts would be sufficient for a small bedroom. Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide what power is needed for their particular needs. For example, JBL Soundbar 5.1 with 550 watts, JBL Soundbar 2.1 Deep Bass with 300 watts and JBL Soundbar 2.0 with 80 watts.
Subwoofer Type
Subwoofers come in two main types: external and internal. External subwoofers are larger and more powerful, but they can lose bass if they're not placed properly. Internal subwoofers are smaller and more compact, so they're a good choice if space is limited. Both types of subwoofers have their pros and cons, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs.
If you want the most powerful bass possible, an external subwoofer is the way to go. If you're short on space, an internal subwoofer will be a better fit. Whichever type you choose, make sure to place it carefully to get the best sound possible.
Best JBL Soundbars - TOP 5
Discover the top choices for the jbl soundbars.
JBL Best Soundbars: Comparison
Let's explore a lot more and take a closer look at each of these soundbars.
| JBL Soundbar Model | Watts | Sound Quality | Connectivity | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Soundbar 5.1 Virtual Surround | 550 W | 5.1 Virtual Surround | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | Bass Boost, Subwoofer, Multi Room Audio, 10" wireless subwoofer |
| JBL Soundbar 2.1 Deep Bass | 300 W | 2.1 Deep Bass | Bluetooth, HDMI | Bass Boost, Subwoofer, Display |
| JBL 9.1 Soundbar | 820 W | 9.1 Surround Sound | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | Dolby Enabled, 10" wireless subwoofer |
| JBL 2.0 Soundbar | 80 W | 2.0 Stereo | Bluetooth, USB | Subwoofer, Compact Design |
| JBL 1300 Soundbar | 1170 W | 11.1.4 Surround Sound | Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, HDMI | Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, 12" wireless subwoofer |
JBL Soundbar 5.1 Virtual Surround Review
Editor's Choice
The JBL Bar 5.1 with wireless subwoofer is a first-class soundbar that offers excellent sound quality and easy connectivity. With built-in Bluetooth, you can easily stream music from your smartphone or other device. The 550-watt soundbar comes with built-in chromecast and airplay2. It also features a wireless subwoofer for deep bass and is compatible with 4K video for the best picture quality. It can also work with Alexa. If you're looking for an outstanding soundbar to enhance your home theater experience, the JBL Bar 5.1 is a great option.
Pros:
- Impressive sound
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- 550 watt of total system power
- Work with Alexa
Cons:
- No Dolby Atmos
Summary: As indicated by my tests the JBL Bar 5.1 soundbar, featuring a wireless subwoofer and 550-watt output, delivers exceptional sound quality and is equipped with built-in Chromecast, AirPlay2, and Bluetooth for seamless streaming from various devices. It supports 4K video compatibility, deep bass, and works with Alexa, making it an ideal choice for an enhanced home theater experience.
- WiFi / Bluetooth / HDMI
- 550 W of power
- Wireless Subwoofer
- Work with Alexa
JBL Soundbar 2.1 Deep Bass Review
Best Overall
One of the standout features of JBL Soundbar 2.1 is its impressive 300W of total system power. This level of power ensures that audio output is both clear and impactful, suitable for a range of entertainment needs, from movies to music. Complementing the soundbar, the 6.5" wireless subwoofer delivers deep and thrilling sound, adding a rich bass that enhances the overall audio experience. Whether you're watching an action-packed movie or enjoying your favorite music album, the sound quality does not disappoint.
The JBL SoundBar 2.1 offers wireless music streaming via Bluetooth, which is a convenient feature for those who love to play audio from their mobile devices or tablets. This functionality allows for easy streaming of your favorite tunes, podcasts, or audiobooks without the hassle of wires.
Another significant aspect of this soundbar is the JBL Surround Sound feature. It creates an immersive sound experience for your TV, essentially transforming your living room into a mini-theater. The best part is that it accomplishes this without the need for extra wires or speakers, maintaining a clean and uncluttered setup.
In terms of connectivity, the JBL SoundBar 2.1 keeps things simple yet effective. It offers HDMI and optical cable connections, both of which are straightforward to set up. The user-friendly nature of this soundbar makes it accessible even to those who might not be tech-savvy, ensuring a quick and hassle-free setup process.
Pros:
- 300W of total system power
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Wireless Subwoofer
- Simple Connectivity
- Compact and Sleek Design
Cons:
- No Dolby Atmos
Summary: My findings show that the JBL SoundBar 2.1 is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enhance their audio experience at home. Its combination of powerful sound, deep bass from the wireless subwoofer, convenient Bluetooth streaming, immersive surround sound, and easy setup makes it a versatile and appealing option for a wide range of users. Whether for movies, music, or regular TV viewing, the JBL SoundBar 2.1 enriches your audio experience with quality and simplicity.
JBL 9.1 Soundbar with Surround Speakers and Dolby Atmos Review
Premium Choice
The JBL BAR 9.1 is an impressive soundbar thanks to its support for Dolby Atmos and DTS: X in a true 5.1.4 configuration. The panel design is functional rather than catchy, but the removable wireless battery-operated rear speakers are an elegant solution for adding rear channels without overloading your living room.The system is easy to set up, and there's even an automatic sound calibration feature, which is nice. The display is informative and easy to read, and the remote is quite successful, even though the buttons have multiple functions. There is no dedicated mobile app for this system, but you do get Bluetooth, Chromecast and AirPlay 2.
There is only one HDMI input, but on the positive side, there is an HDMI output with eARC support. This allows lossless audio to be sent back to the soundbar from a compatible TV. The BAR 9.1 can transmit HDR10 and Dolby Vision, but not HLG and HDR10+, which is certainly not great, but bearable. Most importantly, though, this JBL soundbar sounds great (even with a slightly narrow soundstage), and the included subwoofer is a real monster.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Quick installation
- Dolby Atmos
- Wireless connections
Cons:
- The dialogues in some movies are not that audible enough
Summary: My research indicates that the JBL BAR 9.1 soundbar stands out with its Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support in a 5.1.4 setup, featuring a functional design with innovative removable wireless rear speakers for a clutter-free setup and automatic sound calibration. Despite having only one HDMI input, it compensates with an HDMI output with eARC, HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, alongside Bluetooth, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2 connectivity, delivering excellent sound quality with a powerful subwoofer, although lacking a mobile app and support for HLG and HDR10+.
- Wi-Fi / HDMI
- Dolby Atmos and DTS: X
- Ultra HD 4K Pass-through with Dolby Vision
- Wireless Subwoofer
JBL 2.0 Soundbar Review
Best Budget
The JBL 2.0 soundbar boasts 80W of total system power, which is quite impressive for its size. This power ensures that the audio output is robust and clear, making it suitable for a range of uses, from enhancing TV audio to playing music. The JBL Surround Sound feature is a standout, as it provides an immersive sound experience for your TV, creating a mini-theater atmosphere without the need for additional wires or speakers.
For music lovers, the JBL SoundBar 2.0 offers the convenience of wireless music streaming via Bluetooth. This feature allows you to easily play audio from your mobile devices or tablets, making it perfect for casual listening, parties, or simply enjoying your favorite tunes in a more dynamic way than what your device speakers can offer.
In terms of connectivity, the soundbar keeps it straightforward yet effective. It supports both HDMI and optical cable connections, which are super simple to set up and use. This user-friendly aspect makes it accessible even to those who might not be tech-savvy, ensuring a quick and hassle-free setup process.
The compact, low-profile design of the JBL Bar 2.0 is one of its most appealing features. It's specifically designed to fit effortlessly into various living spaces and can be placed unobtrusively in front of your TV. This design ensures that it doesn't dominate your room's aesthetics but rather complements them.
Pros:
- Bluetooth Streaming
- Compact and Sleek Design
- Remote control
- Simple Connectivity and Setup
Cons:
- No Dolby Atmos
Summary: The JBL SoundBar 2.0 is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their audio experience without the complexities of a larger sound system. Its blend of solid sound performance, Bluetooth streaming, immersive surround sound, easy setup, and compact design makes it a versatile and appealing option for a wide range of users. Whether for enhancing TV audio, playing music, or creating a more immersive watching experience, the JBL SoundBar 2.0 enriches your audio experience with quality and simplicity.
JBL 1300 11.1.4 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer Review
Best Alternative Choice
The JBL Bar 1300 11.1.4 Soundbar stands as a powerhouse in home audio, delivering an immersive audio experience that rivals many high-end home theater systems. The JBL Bar 1300 isn’t just a soundbar; it’s a full-fledged surround sound system. Equipped with four up-firing drivers in the main bar and two more in the detachable speakers, it offers genuine Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. The addition of MultiBeam technology enhances the 3D surround sound experience, enveloping you in clear, detailed, and expansive sound that pulls you right into the heart of your favorite movies and music.
A highlight of the JBL Bar 1300 is its detachable surround speakers that provide real wireless surround sound without the usual hassles of setup. These battery-powered speakers can be placed behind you to deliver a truly immersive listening experience without any cumbersome wires or additional power connections. The built-in Wi-Fi with AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), and Chromecast offers extensive streaming possibilities. Users can access over 300 online music services, Internet radio, and podcasts in high-definition sound. Automatic software updates are another benefit, ensuring your sound system is always at the cutting edge with the latest features.
The soundbar’s 1170 watts of total system power is more than capable of filling a room with rich, dynamic sound. The included 12-inch wireless subwoofer complements the soundbar perfectly, delivering deep, thrilling bass that enhances any audio experience. The subwoofer's wireless design allows for flexible placement, ensuring optimal bass performance throughout your space.
Pros:
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Detachable Wireless Surround Speakers
- High-Power Output 1170 watts
- Built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast
- Powerful Subwoofer
Cons:
- Size and Space
Summary: The JBL Bar 1300 11.1.4 Soundbar is an exceptional choice for anyone looking to elevate their home audio experience. Its combination of cutting-edge audio technologies, user-friendly features, and powerful sound output makes it a top-tier choice for cinema lovers and audiophiles alike. Whether it’s the immersive quality of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X or the convenience of wireless streaming and detachable speakers, the JBL Bar 1300 ensures a premium audio experience that is hard to match.
- Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth / HDMI
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- 12" Wireless subwoofer
FAQ about Best JBL Soundbar
Here I address the most common queries about the best JBL soundbar, ensuring you have all the information to make the right choice.
How to Connect a JBL Soundbar to a TV ?
The easiest connection is via an HDMI cord, found in almost every existing soundbar package. The HDMI connection supports digital audio and video with a single connection. Connect one end of the cord to the TV and the other end to the soundbar. And that's it, you're ready to listen to surround sound. Each soundbar comes with instructions, read them carefully before connecting.
What is the Advantage of Soundbars?
One of the main benefits of soundbars is that they improve the sound quality of your TV. A soundbar can help make the sound clearer and more powerful. It can also provide a deeper listening experience by creating surround sound. This is especially useful if you're watching a movie or TV show with a lot of action. Most soundbars use Bluetooth to stream sound from your phone, tablet or laptop. All of these factors make soundbars an attractive option for many homeowners. And if you're looking for better sound quality for your TV, a soundbar is a great solution.
What is Dolby Atmos?
When you hear Dolby Atmos, you hear sound in a whole new way. It is a surround sound technology developed by Dolby Laboratories that expands the capabilities of existing surround systems by adding height channels, allowing sounds to be interpreted as three-dimensional objects. This provides a more immersive and realistic listening experience, as well as a clearer sense of directionality and localization of sounds. In addition, Dolby Atmos features object-oriented audio that allows sounds to be independently located in a three-dimensional space, rather than being restricted to specific locations in the surround sound field.
What is Dolby Digital?
Dolby digital is a digital multichannel sound system developed by Dolby Laboratories to create high quality optical phonograms of merged movie soundtracks. The system uses a proprietary compression algorithm to reduce the overall size of the soundtrack while maintaining sound quality. The resulting soundtracks are then encoded onto a DVD or Blu-ray disc. Dolby digital is the most common format for movie soundtracks, and is also frequently used for TV, video game, and music recordings.
Best JBL Soundbars: Conclusion
JBL's range of soundbars stands out in the market for their blend of powerful audio performance, innovative features, and sleek designs. Whether you're considering the immersive surround sound of the JBL Bar 5.1 or JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass with its wireless subwoofer or the compact yet robust JBL Bar 2.0, each model offers a unique set of features to enhance your home audio experience.
With options catering to different needs - from deep bass enthusiasts to those seeking smart, space-saving solutions - JBL demonstrates its prowess in delivering high-quality sound tailored to modern lifestyles.
The common denominators across their range are ease of connectivity, versatility in media device integration, and a commitment to delivering a rich, immersive listening experience. JBL soundbars, with their impressive sound quality and user-friendly interfaces, are excellent choices for anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment system.
Go Deeper:
Our geeky guru has been slicing through tech on gagadget.com since 2020, from projectors, tvs to speakers and many more, unearthing the truth behind the specs with sharp, insightful reviews.
