JBL Bar 1000MK2
The original JBL Bar 1000 made a compelling case for itself as a versatile soundbar for those who wanted the option of surround sound speakers that weren’t necessarily permanently installed and were easy to place as needed. Now, JBL is back with a follow-up: the JBL Bar 1000MK2
You don’t need to attach them to the soundbar to charge them if you prefer to keep them in surround positions, though. Each speaker has a small USB-C port on it that you can use to power it. So if you do want to place them in a more permanent position, you can.
In the box, you’ll also get mounting hardware to mount the soundbar and the surround speakers, which is handy. Many standalone soundbars at a similar price point sell mounting gear separately.
Also: I replaced my Sonos Arc Ultra with this Samsung flagship soundbar – and it’s a worthy alternative
The detachable surround speakers can be used independently of the soundbar. They each have Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use them as individual Bluetooth speakers around your home.
Perhaps the least versatile aspect of the JBL Bar 1000MK2’s design is the included 10-inch external subwoofer. I love that JBL has included a relatively bulky subwoofer with the soundbar, but its size does make it more difficult to place in your living room than a slimmer subwoofer like the Sonos Sub 4, which is my sub of choice. You’ll need to find a corner or another area in your living room where you can place the subwoofer.
Immersive and powerful audio
The design isn’t just a gimmick. The soundbar is also very capable when it comes to audio performance. When the surround speakers are detached from the soundbar and placed in their correct positions, they deliver immersive audio when watching content encoded in Dolby Atmos.
The immersion was quite good; sound effects from beside and above me translated well, though a lot of that has to do with the fact that my living space is well-suited to ceiling sound reflections, and your experience may vary if you have a different-shaped space.
Also: Marshall’s first soundbar rocks as a mainstream alternative – Here’s my take
That said, I was most surprised by how immersive the audio still was with the surround speakers attached to the soundbar. To be sure, it wasn’t quite as immersive as with the surround speakers detached and in the surround position, but the soundbar delivered a convincing surround experience using reflections.
As a result, you can mostly keep the surround speakers attached to the soundbar without losing too much or without feeling like you’re really missing out. It’s perfect for day-to-day watching or consuming content that doesn’t necessarily rely on a surround sound experience. Then, when you have a movie night, you can move those surround speakers to increase the level of immersion.
If you’re willing to spend (a lot) more and don’t mind permanent rear speakers, then it’s still perhaps worth going for something like the Arc Ultra, a home theater-in-a-box that retails for $2,000. But at the Bar 1000MK2’s price point, you can’t find competitors with the same balance of audio response and versatility.