I have been lucky sufficient to check out a number of new soundbars at dwelling over the previous few months. From the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini launched at IFA in September to the brand new Bose Sensible Extremely Soundbar (full assessment coming quickly), I’ve had some huge nights in adventuring by means of my picks of the perfect Netflix motion motion pictures.
I have been impressed by the efficiency each standalone soundbar fashions ship, however it’s JBL’s Bar 1300X packaged with a wi-fi subwoofer and removable battery-powered rear audio system that impressed me essentially the most and gave the explosive cinema expertise these kinds of films demand.
Though I have never but given a full Tom’s Information assessment to the JBL Bar 1300X (often called the Bar 1300 within the U.Ok.), it has been my predominant TV soundbar for the previous couple of months, and has delivered a persistently rewarding expertise with all types of TV content material and films.
The JBL Bar 1300 delivers huge immersive film soundtracks on film evening.
The soundbar runs 54-inches huge beneath the TV display (it can be wall mounted), so you are going to wish to companion it with one of many Finest 65-inch TV screens (or bigger). The unassuming plain styling on the surface provides little away as to the soundbar’s spectacular 11.1.4 Dolby Atmos encompass capabilities, and regardless of the a number of speaker driver array and highly effective amplifier hidden away internally, it is slender sufficient to not foul the underside of the TV display.
The JBL does not stand out in the identical means that the blingy Devialet Dione Opéra de Paris soundbar does with its 22-carat gold accents, however the JBL’s matte end is extra sensible and the underwhelming end and lack of sunshine up controls avoids pointless reflections messing up the picture on the display.
So far as seems to be are involved, the Bar 1300X feels slightly unassuming for its $1,600 (£1,299 / AU$1,999) price ticket. However when it comes to its sound output, I would go as far to say that the JBL Bar 1300 is without doubt one of the most versatile Dolby Atmos Soundbars I’ve heard, delivering huge immersive, multi-channel soundtracks on film evening.
JBL Bar 1300X: A sensible encompass answer
The 2 removable encompass audio system are battery powered to allow them to be positioned immediately behind the listener’s seating place. JBL claims that they’ll run wirelessly for as much as 10 hours; in actual world use, I managed to get about 3 days with them indifferent watching TV for a number of hours an evening earlier than the entrance show on the soundbar popped as much as inform me that the cost on the rear audio system was getting low.
To high them up, you merely reconnect the audio system to the ends of the primary soundbar. There’s additionally a USB-C energy socket on every speaker to maintain them topped must you wish to hold them completely put in as rear audio system, slightly than having to recurrently high them up from the primary soundbar. You can even pair one of many removable wi-fi audio system to any Bluetooth system to make use of as a standalone speaker, or pair them collectively for stereo sound.
The setup is Wi-Fi appropriate, and has AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in. It integrates with common music streaming platforms by way of a brand new JBL One app, and there are customizable EQ settings for a customized listening expertise. Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice-activated help are all on board.
The JBL Bar 1300X package deal comes with a 12-inch wi-fi subwoofer, however as I’m within the U.Ok. the subwoofer partnered with my Bar 1300 had a 10-inch woofer.
JBL Bar 1300X: A Dolby Atmos powerhouse
Whereas I discovered the Dolby Atmos removable speaker labored finest connected to the primary soundbar when watching common TV dramas and information broadcasts, they actually got here into their very own behind the room with huge film soundtracks like Extraction 2. With 1,170W of energy output on faucet, the JBL delivered a spectacular efficiency with each grueling motion sequence.
The rears with up-firing Dolby Atmos peak audio system delivered one of the vital cohesive encompass sound performances I’ve skilled from a wi-fi speaker setup. Gunshots rang out all through the film’s numerous shootout sequences, and objects and explosions moved across the room monitoring each digicam angle over the 21-minute one-shot sequence, leaving me breathless from the carnage that unfolded on the display.
The smaller subwoofer dimensions of the partnering subwoofer for the U.Ok. model did not disappoint, and I can solely think about that the bigger mannequin partnered with the 1300X will make intestine wrenching results sound much more spectacular.
Much more impressively, as the consequences panned to the rear audio system they did not change their sonic character as they moved from one speaker to a different. They remained totally plausible.
With a strong set up expertise that features a worthwhile calibration mode to tune the sound output to your room, robust connectivity and a straightforward to navigate management app, the JBL Bar 1300 is a robust contender for one of many Finest Dolby Atmos soundbars and will simply rank amongst my finest TV sound upgrades I’ve examined.
Look out for my full JBL Bar 1300 assessment coming quickly.
