ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The JBL Bar 1000MK2 includes a soundbar, two detachable rear speakers, and an external subwoofer for $1,200.
- It’s a versatile system, with powerful audio performance suitable for large rooms.
- It’s not an ideal option for people who want permanent rear speakers.
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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.
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Like the original, the soundbar comes with satellite speakers that can magnetically attach to the soundbar when you don’t want or need the surround sound experience. Then, when movie night comes, detach them from the sides of the soundbar for more immersive audio. But at $1,200, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 certainly isn’t cheap. Is it worth buying? Or should you go for something else? Let’s dive in.
Versatility is key
The best thing about the JBL Bar 1000MK2 is its versatile design. The design makes it easy for those with smaller living rooms to get a surround sound setup without permanently mounted, wired surround speakers. It’s kind of a genius concept.
The two surround speakers simply look like part of the soundbar itself when they’re attached to the sides, and they charge when they’re attached. If you mostly keep them attached to the soundbar and only take them off for certain types of content, you shouldn’t need to worry much about battery life — you’ll get 10 hours on a charge.
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.
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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.
The JBL Bar 1000MK2’s included external subwoofer.
Christian de Looper/ZDNET
The versatility extends beyond the general design of the soundbar, though — you get versatile connectivity options too. On the back of the soundbar, you’ll find an HDMI eARC port for connecting the soundbar to your TV, but you’ll also get three HDMI 2.1 pass-through ports, meaning you can use the soundbar as a hub for your sources, including modern game consoles.
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The soundbar connects to Wi-Fi, so it supports wireless streaming options like AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. You can also use the JBL One app to stream from platforms like Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect.
Christian de Looper/ZDNET
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.
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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.
One of the JBL Bar 1000MK2’s detachable rear speakers.
Christian de Looper/ZDNET
The overall frequency response on offer by the soundbar is impressive too, and much of that is owed to the included subwoofer. The subwoofer has a 10-inch driver, and it was able to pump out deep and impactful bass that at times verged on being a little much.
Thankfully, you can tweak the audio response in the JBL One app, so if you find that the bass response is a bit over the top, you can tone it down. I found the frequency response to be good both when watching TV and movies and when listening to music casually.
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The performance went beyond a good frequency response. The soundbar can get very loud, and it’s well-suited to larger living rooms. This model has a 960W total power output, which is a step up from the original JBL Bar 1000’s 880W output.
ZDNET’s buying advice
The JBL Bar 1000MK2 is easily one of the best all-in-one home theater soundbars. In addition to sounding excellent, it’s the most versatile soundbar I’ve ever tested. If you like the idea of surround sound but don’t necessarily want to permanently install rear speakers, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 is easily the way to go.
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 with rear Sonos Era speakers and a Sonos subwoofer, which is at least $1,826 and at most $2,696. Or you could go with the Samsung HW-Q990F, 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.
