JBL is releasing an all-new line-up of Dolby Atmos soundbars with models to suit every budget.
All the soundbars in the four-strong new JBL Bar Series include support for Dolby Atmos and wireless music streaming via AirPlay 2, Alexa multi-room music and built-in Chromecast. The entire range can also be linked to voice assistant-enabled devices compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri.
Available from October in Europe, the JBL Bar 1000 is the brand’s new flagship model with 7.1.4 channels of sound and four upward-firing drivers. It is capable of delivering both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D sound formats, and is priced at £1000 (around $1172 / AU$1689)
With a similar design to JBL’s previous soundbars, the JBL Bar 1000 includes detachable battery-powered rear speakers for truly wireless surround sound and a 10-inch wireless (except for power) subwoofer. The system boasts 880-watts of output power and supports JBL’s proprietary beamforming technology called MultiBeam, which aims to provide a more immersive listening experience so that owners can "hear and feel surround sound without needing additional speakers".
The JBL Bar 800 has a similar build to its big sibling with detachable wireless surround speakers and a 10-inch separate sub, but it drops two front and height channels for a smaller 720-watt 5.1.2 system. There's support onboard for Dolby Atmos but not JBL's MultiBeam technology. Priced at £800 (around $938 / AU$1351), the Bar 800 will also be available in Europe from October.
Meanwhile, the JBL Bar 500 is a 5.1 system with a single soundbar and a separate 10-inch wireless sub supporting virtual Dolby Atmos, MultiBeam processing and 590-watts output power. It is available from September and is priced at £500 (around $586/AU$844).
Finally, the JBL Bar 300, also launching in September, is described as a 5.0 single soundbar system with a built-in sub. This 260-watt system also supports virtual Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam processing and costs £350 (around $410 / AU$591).
The entire range can be controlled using the JBL One app and includes customisable EQ settings as well as JBL's PureVoice setting, which automatically optimises dialogue clarity.
The JBL Bar Series is available only in the UK and Europe.
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