The JBL Bar 1300 is a 11.1.4 channel soundbar – which means 11 important outputs from the ‘bar, one sub, then 4 peak/overhead channels – and as with the model’s earlier Bar 9.1 this new mannequin makes use of removable and rechargeable wi-fi rear audio system to ship immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based sound while not having to run cables throughout the room or plug them into energy sockets.
The Bar 1300 additionally ups the ante by rising the channel in comparison with the sooner mannequin, including a beefier subwoofer, rising the amplification energy, and together with much more options. All of which places this JBL system in direct competitors with comparable fashions from LG and Samsung as a contender as among the finest soundbars you should buy…
JBL BAR 1300: PRICE & RELEASE DATE
The JBL Bar 1300 is on sale now, obtainable at £1,299/$1,699. This pricing is aggressive when you think about the important thing options of the soundbar and the price of competing fashions from LG and Samsung. The widget above will present you real-time pricing for the Bar 1300 so you may snag the most effective deal immediately.
JBL BAR 1300 REVIEW: FEATURES & WHAT’S NEW?
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The JBL Bar 1300 affords an 11.1.4-channel system utilizing a structure based mostly round a important unit, two wi-fi rears, and a 10-inch rear-ported and downward-firing wi-fi subwoofer.
The soundbar comprises six racetrack drivers, 5 tweeters, and 4 full-range up-firing drivers, whereas the rears every have a racetrack driver, an up-firing driver, and a passive radiator. There’s 650W of amplification within the soundbar, 110W in every of the rear audio system, and 300W within the sub.
The Bar 1300 decodes the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio codecs, delivering them utilizing entrance left and proper channels, a centre channel, entrance and rear overhead channels, width channels, and entrance and rear facet channels, making a three-dimensional hemisphere of sound.
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Using equivalent drivers ensures a cohesive and balanced soundstage, however there’s additionally an auto-calibration characteristic that’s run utilizing the included zapper or through the app. Observe the directions on the display and also you’ll shortly have a calibrated system with any sonic aberrations within the room corrected.
By way of different options, the Bar 1300 takes the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast and AirPlay discovered on the Bar 9.1 however provides Alexa Multi-Room, a hat-trick of voice assistants (Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant), and Pure Voice to deliver out dialogue in immediately’s extra advanced encompass mixes.
Whereas the Bar 9.1 additionally used removable rears, the Bar 1300 goes additional by permitting you to pair certainly one of them with any Bluetooth gadgets as a standalone speaker, and even pair each for a stereo setup. When totally charged the removable rears have a claimed most play time of 12 hours.
JBL BAR 1300 REVIEW: PERFORMANCE
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The JBL Bar 1300 is undeniably glorious because of its mixture of high quality audio system, highly effective amplification, and weighty subwoofer. The mixture of equivalent drivers and auto-cal characteristic produces a coherent and balanced supply with seamless steering of results across the room.
This soundbar is sweet with music, because of bigger drivers that present readability and element, whereas the width of the cupboard creates loads of stereo separation. The beefy sub delivers a stable basis of bass that feels tight and managed, particularly after operating the automated calibration characteristic.
With multichannel music, films or TV exhibits, the side-firing audio system create further width, whereas the centre channel retains the dialogue clear and targeted on the display. The wi-fi rear audio system are freed from delays or dropouts, delivering multichannel audio with real encompass presence.
In terms of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X your entire 11.1.4-channel soundstage is employed, creating a totally immersive spatial sonic expertise. There’s a sense of being enveloped in a sensible hemisphere of sound because the decoding locations audio objects in three-dimensional house.
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Leaving the rear audio system hooked up to the primary unit produces a really large entrance soundstage that’s superb for merely watching common TV programmes, whereas the Pure Voice characteristic might be helpful in the case of delivering clear dialogue in even the busiest of advanced multichannel sound mixes.
The Bar 1300 works exceptionally properly with video games, creating a sensible and fascinating soundstage that’s significantly efficient with first-person shooters. The balanced nature of the system strikes sounds seamlessly from speaker to speaker, making a larger sense of immersion.
The general supply may be very dynamic, with loads of headroom because of all these highly effective amps. So whether or not watching TV, immersing your self in films, listening to music or enjoying video games, this soundbar delivers an exhilarating and enveloping sonic expertise that’s certain to please.
JBL BAR 1300 REVIEW: DESIGN & USABILITY
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The JBL Bar 1300 sports activities a modern design with curved edges, mesh grilles, and a black end. The styling is minimalist, and at solely 60mm excessive the ‘bar ought to have the ability to sit in entrance of a TV with out blocking the display. The construct high quality is stable, and it’s the right width for the most effective 65-inch TVs.
There are easy controls on the highest of the soundbar itself, plus a primary show on the front-right. The removable rear audio system are clearly designed to match the styling of the soundbar, particularly when hooked up, whereas the wi-fi subwoofer is completed in a easy matte black.
JBL contains L-shaped brackets for wall-mounting the soundbar, and smaller U-shaped brackets for putting in the surrounds in the back of the room. In the event you do that, there are facet caps for protecting the place the rear audio system usually dock, and as a substitute you recharge them utilizing their USB-C ports.
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The Bar 1300 contains three HDMI inputs, and an HDMI output with eARC. All move HDR10 and Dolby Imaginative and prescient, however there’s no assist for HDR10+, 4K/120Hz or VRR. The latter two will disappoint players. As well as, there’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast and AirPlay for wi-fi connections.
The included distant management is small, easy, simple to make use of, and pretty sturdy. The principle controls are current and proper, plus there are buttons for tweaking the degrees of the overhead and rear audio system, together with the subwoofer, and fascinating the auto-calibration characteristic.
The JBL One app (iOS and Android) is a well-designed and intuitive interface that provides the identical controls because the wand, plus a number of different capabilities that can help you simply setup the Wi-Fi, combine music streamers, personalise the audio options, and handle the soundbar settings.
Verdict
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The JBL Bar 1300 is a formidable addition to the model’s soundbar vary, upping the ante in comparison with the sooner Bar 9.1 with its immersive 11.1.4 structure, whereas additionally providing a real different to competing spatial audio methods from the likes of LG and Samsung.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are delivered by a robust and dynamic speaker configuration that features a subwoofer able to digging deep. There are additionally helpful options just like the removable rears, slick distant app, and efficient auto-cal that ensures a balanced and cohesive system.
The result’s a formidable performer that produces a fascinating and pleasing object-based audio expertise. It’s not low-cost, however in case you’re on the lookout for a high-quality and really versatile immersive audio answer, this wi-fi soundbar system is an completed and hassle-free answer.
Additionally contemplate
The plain competitor is Samsung’s HW-Q990C, which additionally affords Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio utilizing an equally immersive 11.1.4-channel speaker structure. Because of some latest worth reductions it’s additionally surprisingly low-cost, as you may see within the real-time procuring widget beneath.
By way of different manufacturers, the LG S95QR is one other chance. Its 9.1.5-channel system has fewer facet channels however an additional centre peak driver as a substitute. In any other case it’s similar to the JBL and Samsung soundbars, however is at present the costliest choice (once more, see beneath).
