JBL’s new Dolby Atmos Soundbar Range, contains a flagship system for rival Samsung and Sonos that replaces one of our favorite sound bars
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- JBL reveals his new range of Dolby Atmos Soundbars, the Bar MK2 series
- It is plagued by the flagship JBL Bar 1300MK2, a 11.1.4 -channel soundbar
- Four other sound bars are also in reach
JBL has announced his new range of Dolby Atmos Soundbars, the Bar MK2 series, with five models.
The flagship soundbar of the range is the JBL Bar 1300MK2 – successor to the JBL Bar 1300xone of the Best Soundbars In recent years we have tested a 11.1.4-channel soundbar with a double eight-inch compact sub- and removable wireless afterwards speakers with Bluetooth functionality, in total a maximum power output of 2,470W.
The other sound bars in the range are the JBL Bar1000MK2, JBL Bar 700MK2, JBL Bar 500MK2 and JBL BAR 300MK2.
View the grid below for the channel configuration, the power and the subwoofer and the rear speaker of each sound bar of each soundbar:
Soundbar |
Canal configuration |
Total power |
Subwoofer/rear speakers |
JBL Bar 1300MK2 |
11.1.4 |
2,470W |
Double 8 “compact subwoofer / 2 removable wireless rear speakers with Bluetooth functionality |
JBL Bar 1000MK2 |
7.1.4 |
960W |
10 “Subwoofer/ 2 detachable wireless speakers |
JBL Bar 700MK2 |
7.1 |
780W |
10 “Subwoofer / 2 detachable wireless speakers |
JBL Bar 500MK2 |
5.1 |
750W |
10 “Subwoofer / no extra speakers |
JBL Bar 300MK2 |
5.0 |
450W |
No subwoofer or extra speakers |
The JBL Bar Range will first be launched in the first June 2025 with the Bar 1000MK2, BAR 700MK2, BAR 500MK2 and BAR 300MK2 released during this time and the JBL BAR 1300MK2 flagship, which will be launched in the US later in the year in the United Kingdom.
Prices for the JBL bar range are as follows – We have no prices for countries outside the US:
- JBL Bar 1300MK2: $ 1,699.95 / £ 1,299.99
- JBL Bar 1000MK2: $ 1,199 / £ 899.99
- JBL Bar 700MK2: $ 899 / £ 799.99
- JBL Bar 500MK2: $ 649 / £ 499.99
- JBL Bar 300MK2: $ 449 / £ 349.99
JBL Bar Range: Functions
Every soundbar in JBL’s Bar MK2 series comes with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon Ready functions. Everything except the bar 300MK2 will support Amazon Music HD, although the bar will support 300MK2 SamsungSmartThings.
Each soundbar in the range will also somehow support Dolby Atmos, with the flagship bar 1300MK2 and BAR 1000MK2 that supports real Dolby Atmos, while the three Step-Down models support virtual Dolby Atmos.
It is also worth noting that only the BAR 1300MK2 and BAR 1000MK2 DTS: X support the launch. The other three receive DTS: Virtual X later in the year via an update.
It was also confirmed that these sound bars will support Eclipsa Audio,
Regarding other technologies, all sound bars support JBL’s Multibeam 3.0 Tech, which is said to create a compelling, surround sound experience from a single soundbar. They will all support PureVoice 2.0 for improved dialogue and speech.
All sound bars are also compatible with the JBL One-Platform, compatible with the JBL One app, for streaming Hi-Res and spatial audio from compatible music services.
Want to put Flagship Dolby Atmos Soundbars on notification?
We are spoiled as a choice when it comes to the Best Dolby Atmos Soundbars in recent months. Both Sonos Arc Ultra And Marshall Heston 120 have turned out excellent all-in-one sound bars for less than $ 1,000 / £ 1,000, which earn 4-out-of-5 and 5-out-of-5 stars respectively in their reviews.
Last year, the Samsung HW-Q990D Cemented himself as our favorite solution for multiple boxes system density thanks to its incredible power and compelling, nuanced sound and we look forward to getting his successor, the Samsung HW-Q990F, very soon.
But would the JBL Bar 1300MK2 and BAR 1000MK2 be about to inform these sound bars? In terms of functions, both bars are full of ready-made support for streaming services (although their rivals are also), but it is the removable rear speakers of the BAR 1300 MK2, making it noticeable: something we liked on the predecessor, the bar 1300x when we judged it. It is a handy solution to keep your speaker setup tidy if you are not using.
The bar 1000MK2 can be a little more expensive than the Sonos ARC Ultra and the Marshall Heston 120 ($ 200 more to be precise) but it has the extra advantage of a recorded subwoofer who will probably give it an advantage in the bass department. In the UK, the 1000MK2 bar is actually set at £ 899.99, £ 100 cheaper than the ARC Ultra and Heston 120.
The JBL bar 1300 mk2, priced at $ 1,699.99 / £ 1,299.99, seems to be launched at a comparable price in the US, but considerably cheaper in the United Kingdom than the Samsung HW-Q990F, which has fallen to $ 1,599.99 / £ 1,575.99. The BAR 1300MK2 offers 2,470 W Total power to the 756W of the Q990F, which would actually make it more in line with the JBL Bar 1000MK2.
On paper, the JBL bars have all the potential to offer more power for the similar prices if many rivals and if it can get the performance well, JBL could shake the Dolby Atmos Soundbar market again.
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