Forget the wired sound system for your home entertainment setup, wireless is where it’s at. One of the latest examples of this technology is the new JBL Bar line of soundbars. Led by the flagship JBL Bar 1300, the cinema-like audio gear brings Dolby Atmos, DTS:X 3D Surround Sound and detachable wireless speakers to outfit your living room.
In addition to the JBL Bar 1300, the company has four other models aimed at different budgets. These include the JBL Bar 1000, 800, 500 and 300 soundbars, each with different features that correspond to the different price ranges.
Clear dialogue is a must in any modern soundbar. JBL’s answer is a technology called Harman’s PureVoice, which uses an algorithm to make voices easier to hear. The idea is that you can hear dialogue even amidst competing loud noises – if you look at them, principle. All newly launched soundbars include PureVoice, so you’ll benefit from this feature no matter how much you spend.
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An added feature on all JBL Bar models is wireless integration with the JBL One app. With the app and a Wi-Fi connection, you can seamlessly connect the soundbars to your favorite music streaming service while also adjusting the EQ settings to your liking. Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant are also supported. And if you want to cast audio without using the JBL One app, the soundbars also support AirPlay 2, Alexa multi-room playback and Chromecast.
What sets the JBL Bar 1300 apart from the series?
At $1,999.95, the 1300 model is the most expensive of the new soundbars, which makes sense when you look at its internals. First of all, it has a power of 1170W, making it the most powerful. It also has the best capacity to produce true Dolby Atmos, as it includes six upward-firing drivers, making it feel like sound is coming from all directions.
The JBL Bar 1300 also features two detachable wireless surround speakers that you can place in your living room. In the past, running a surround sound system required careful cable management. Thanks to the battery-powered wireless units, you can now coordinate the speakers much more easily. That and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer ensure you get plenty of powerful bass sounds.
From now through July, the JBL Bar 1300 is available exclusively from Harvey Norman, but the other new soundbar models are available from other home entertainment retailers.
specifications
Here’s a rundown of the internals of each new soundbar and what the different models offer.
| JBL Bar 1300 | JBL Bar 1000 | JBL Bar 800 | JBL Bar 500 | JBL bar 300 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| channels | 11.1.4 | 7.1.4 | 5.1.2 | 5.1 | 5.0 All in One |
| Total output power of the speakers | 1170W | 880W | 720W | 590W | 260W |
| Removable rear channels | Yes | Yes | Yes | NO | NO |
| True Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Virtual | Virtual |
| DTS:X 3D surround sound | Yes | Yes | NO | NO | NO |
| MultiBeam | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI eARC with 4K Dolby Vision pass-through | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Encouraging drivers | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Subwoofers | 10 inch WiFi | 10 inch WiFi | 10 inch WiFi | 10 inch WiFi | Built-in |
| HARMAN PureVoice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| JBL One app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $1,999.95 | $1,499.95 | $999.95 | $749.95 | $529.95 |
As you can see, you always get more for what you spend. While the cheaper models might not get true Dolby Atmos or detachable wireless parts, you still benefit from PureVoice and app integration. JBL speakers have a strong reputation, so we’re keen to hear the new soundbars when we get the chance.
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