JBL Bar 1000 Dolby Atmos soundbar: Bring your home entertainment experience to the next level
JBL Bar 1000 7.1.4 ch soundbar. Pictures: JBL.
Investing in a high-quality TV or projector is only half the battle to creating an immersive home entertainment experience. You're missing half of that home cinema experience without good sound to match. But for many, investing in a traditional surround sound system can be daunting, as retrofitting a sound system with awkward cables and large speakers is messy. I’ve been testing a potential solution to this dilemma: the JBL Bar 1000 Dolby Atmos Soundbar.
Styled in classic JBL fashion, the Bar 1000 boasts a sleek matte black finish with a black metal mesh to protect its drivers. The configuration includes five 46x90mm racetrack drivers for enhanced mid and low-end frequencies and three 20mm tweeters for crisp high-frequency sounds. But the real game-changer is the inclusion of magnetically attached, truly wireless, and battery-operated detachable rear speakers. JBL say they're good for 10 hours of use, but they will go into a low power mode when the soundbar is not in use. They can be charged directly via a USB-C cable or by reattaching them to the sides of the soundbar. I like to have them attached while listening to music and place them behind me for movies.Â
The main bass speaker is massive and can produce earth-shattering low frequencies that add incredible impact to your favourite action flicks or enhance the nuances of vocals in dialogue.
The Bar 1000 features manual controls on the soundbar, including volume adjustment and input selection. It also has a remote control matching the soundbar's colour and design. It has eleven buttons and a volume rocker that controls all the basic functions, but you can also use your TV remote for volume or the JBL One app if you misplace the remote.
At first glance, the JBL Bar 1000 may look like a traditional soundbar, but it comes packed with some innovative and convenient features that set it apart. This 7.1.4-channel system features seven forward-facing drivers, a large wireless subwoofer with a 10-inch woofer, and four upward-firing drivers that create an immersive, atmospheric sound reminiscent of a proper movie theatre.
In addition to its impressive audio capabilities, the Bar 1000 doubles as a smart speaker with built-in beamforming mics and support for Google Assistant, Chromecast, Siri, AirPlay, and Alexa. It also features four HDMI ports, including an eARC port for uncompressed Dolby Atmos sound, a USB-A port for software updates, an Ethernet port for wired internet connection, and optical input for older TVs or audio devices.
The JBL One app makes setup easier than ever. On first use, it will guide you through a calibration setup designed to maximise the soundscape for the optimal listening position. If you decide to change the placement of the speakers, you can run the calibration again.
One of the main features of the Bar 1000 is its support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround sound, which can deliver a truly immersive audio experience by bringing movies, music, and games to life like never before. With upward-firing drivers and advanced Dolby Atmos technology, you'll hear sound from all directions, creating a sense of height and depth that puts you right in the middle of the action.
Naturally, Dolby Atmos needs to be supported by your TV or streaming device; not all do. I used my Apple TV 4K and LG C2, because they support Dolby Atmos. However, not all content or streaming services support the format. Many movies and TV shows will at least support surround sound. According to Dolby, lots of original and re-issued content can now be enjoyed in Dolby Atmos on Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and TIDAL.
Sound quality is subjective, and even with the best sound system, not all moves are made equal regarding how well the sound is mixed. Your experience will also vary from mine, as your room's size, shape, and furnishings will greatly affect the sound. Also, the upfiring speakers of the Bar 1000 work by bouncing the sound from the ceiling, a virtual way of mimicking the actual downfiring speakers of a full-blown Dolby Atmos system.
While the Bar 1000 simulates a lot of a true Dolby Atmos setup, nothing comes close to the impact and immersion it creates from its 880w of total power output.
With its powerful subwoofer and advanced audio processing, this soundbar delivers rich, detailed sound with deep, impactful bass that rivals much larger and more expensive systems. Watching movies, listening to music, or playing games ensures an immersive audio experience that will upgrade your home entertainment setup.
While I love Dolby Atmos for its 3D soundscaping, it’s not good if I can’t hear the dialogue. The Bar 1000 produces clear and natural voice tones that aren’t fatiguing and easy to understand, even at lower volumes.
While I’m not a fan of Dolby Atmos for music on headphones, the Bar 1000 makes a case for it. For testing, I used Apple Music, which has a growing library of Dolby Atmos mixes. While it can be impressive, I found it hit or miss, depending on how good the mix was. The really good Atmos tracks show how good the surround tech can be for music, and the soundbar does an incredible job of showcasing it.
The Bar 1000 also excels as a streaming device, and I could access all my music from my NAS server over DNLA.
During my testing, I had no issues with audio being out of sync, which has been a problem with other soundbars. However, if your TV streaming box isn’t behaving, you can use the audio sync slider in the JBL One app to get your audio in sync.
Overall, the sound quality is outstanding, and the incredibly powerful bass and clear vocals are two standout features. And the Dolby Atmos surround sound will have you coming back for more and wondering how you listened to your TV speakers for so long.
The JBL Bar 1000 Dolby Atmos Soundbar is exceptional for home theatre and music listening. Its innovative design, impressive features, and amazing sound quality offer everything you need to create a cinematic audio experience in your home. Say goodbye to messy installations and complicated setups. If you've been searching for the perfect soundbar to complement your TV, look no further than the JBL Bar 1000. Highly recommended.
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