Subj : I tested the JBL Bar 1000MK2 soundbar for two weeks, and its Dolb To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Sat Oct 25 2025 12:15:07 I tested the JBL Bar 1000MK2 soundbar for two weeks, and its Dolby Atmos surround sound with a unique wireless twist Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000 Description: The Bar 1000MK2 perfectly adapts to any TV room with powerful, immersive sound. Its not for everyone, but if you appreciate its strengths, theres no other soundbar like it. FULL STORY ======================================================================JBL Bar 1000MK2: Two minute review The Bar 1000MK2 kit with wireless surround speakers, remote control, and accessory cables and mounts (subwoofer not shown) (Image credit: Future) The JBL Bar 1000MK2 is designed to address a problem inherent to the discrete surround speakers that come with soundbar systems: what happens when you dont have a suitable place to plug them in? Its a challenge the JBL Bar 1000MK2 addresses elegantly by using detachable, rechargeable surround speakers that can be placed almost anywhere with or without power. Along with its detachable surround speakers, this model goes beyond most of the best soundbars by including not one, but three dedicated HDMI inputs. Its blistering with wireless connections, too, including AirPlay and Google Cast. The included 10-inch wireless sub completes the picture, turning the Bar 1000MK2 into a highly flexible home theater system. It creates highly immersive, cinematic experiences that put you in the middle of the action, but its not without its flaws. Height channel effects, the hallmark of a great Dolby Atmos or DTS:X soundtrack, can be a little underwhelming, and dialogue isnt quite as clear as other soundbars such as the Sonos Arc Ultra or Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar . Music quality can vary: modern recordings (especially those mixed as Dolby Atmos tracks) shine, but older material loses something on playback. Still, all in, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 is a fun, powerful, and versatile addition to any TV setup. JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Price & release date The Bar 1000MK2 uses the JBL One app for setup control, but most functions can be carried out using the included hardware remote (Image credit: Future) $1,199.95 / 899.99 (about AU$1,845) Released June 2025 JBL launched the Bar 1000MK2 in June 2025 in both the US and the UK. Additional countries are planned for October and beyond, but pricing for these markets has yet to be announced. As an update to the Bar 1000, JBL has kept the main ingredients (the included sub, detachable surrounds, and three dedicated HDMI inputs), but has made some small changes to the components. Instead of five racetrack drivers and three tweeters on the main bar, there are now six racetracks and only two tweeters. The deleted tweeter might make a difference: it was centrally located, where it played a role in dialogue clarity. The detachable surrounds have also been modified. Here again, JBL has swapped tweeters for full-range racetrack drivers. The surrounds can now be used in another room for remote TV listening, or as an alternative to the main bar and subwoofer in Night mode. Curiously, JBLs pricing creates different comparisons depending on where you live. In the US, its $200 more expensive than the Sonos Arc Ultra ($999) and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($999), and yet, in the UK, all three products are priced alike at 899. The Bar 1000MK2's price has dropped in the US since launch, however, with it now widely available for $999. Given that the Bar 1000MK2 comes with its own wireless subwoofer and surround speakers, which isnt the case for Sonos or Bose, it may make more sense for buyers to compare it to similarly equipped products like Samsungs HW-Q930F ($1,399) or LGs S90TR ($1,199). JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Specs Dimensions (W x H x D) Soundbar: 33.6 x 2.0 x 5.0 inches; detachable surround speaker (each): 7.4 x 2.0 x 5.0 inches; subwoofer: 12.8 x 15.7 x 12.8 inches Speaker channels 7.1.4 Connections: 1x HDMI out (with eARC), 3x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-A Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Yes/Yes Sub included Yes Rear speakers included Yes Features AirPlay 2, Google Cast, HDMI 2.1, 4K 60Hz, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision pass-through, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Dolby Atmos Music, Roon Ready, rear speaker broadcast mode, Night Listening mode, native integration of music services including Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and more JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Features Image 1 of 5 The Bar 1000MK2 provides 3 HDMI inputs along with an HDMI output (with eARC); the fully wireless surround speakers dock into the soundbar's sides for charging and also have a USB-C port for power (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Future) Three dedicated HDMI inputs with 4K/HDR passthrough Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with comprehensive streaming support Fully wireless surround speakers that can be placed anywhere JBLs top-tier products have a reputation for being chock-full of features, and the Bar 1000MK2 is no exception. Im thrilled when a soundbar offers even one HDMI input to compensate for the one it takes up on the TV. With three of these inputs, the Bar 1000MK2 doubles as an AV receiver alternative, letting you hook up multiple devices like Blu-ray players or game consoles. Im a little disappointed that the optical connection is strictly an alternative to the HDMI eARC port (you cant use it as its own discrete input), and gamers should take note that the soundbars video passthrough is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. With both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, plus Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect, you can stream just about any music source to the Bar 1000MK2. Better yet, JBL lets you natively stream services like Tidal and Amazon Music from within the JBL One companion app, ensuring compatibility with Dolby Atmos Music tracks (when available). Longtime JBL fans should note that, unlike previous JBL soundbars, the Bar 1000MK2 isnt compatible with Amazon Alexa for voice control or multiroom audio. JBL remains the only soundbar maker that uses fully wireless surround speakers, which enable a huge range of placement options. New on the MK2 is the ability to use them as auxiliary TV speakers for listening in a different room, or as personal night mode speakers. Wondering about what its like to use rechargeable speakers? Honestly, its pretty great. JBL estimates a single charge will get you about 10 hours of use, depending on your volume level. For me, that translated into two weeks between charges, watching about 1.5-2 hours of TV per day. And that included a three-hour continuous listening session where I put the system through a series of test clips and playlists. I really appreciate that JBL includes wall-mounting hardware for both the main bar and the surrounds. And, cleverly, the mounts for the surrounds are designed for easy on-and-off placement to help with recharging. Finding a way to leave them plugged in via USB-C while wall-mounted, on the other hand, might prove tricky, and JBL doesnt include chargers in the box. Features score: 5 / 5 JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Performance Both the soundbar and wireless surrounds (shown here docked on the soundbar for charging) feature upfiring Atmos speakers (Image credit: Future) Impressive surround sound Lackluster height channels and precision Slightly harsh music rendering With a total of 10 drivers in the main soundbar, two drivers in each surround module, and a big, 10-inch cone on the down-firing subwoofer, the Bar 1000MK2 has all the ingredients needed for a full-throated home theater experience. Whether youve got access to Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or just good ol Dolby Digital 5.1, this soundbar does a great job of putting you in the middle of the action. With the speakers PureVoice mode on (the default), I found dialogue clarity adequate, but not as crystal-clear as the Sonos Arc Ultra or Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. Its not a deal-breaker, but at this price, I expect top-notch dialogue quality. JBLs 7.1.4-channel system successfully decoded Dolby Atmos up to 9.1.6 and DTS:X at up to 7.1.4. There isnt a lot of DTS:X content out there, but its nice to know the Bar 1000MK2 can handle it. Those detachable, fully wireless surround speakers may look like toys, but theyre the real deal. Placing them on either end of my couch created an excellent sound field. During key moments in Ford v Ferrari , race cars could clearly be heard careening from my left to my right as they battled for dominance on (and sometimes off) the track. Ideally, they should be placed just behind your listening position, but its not vital. However, leaving the surround speakers attached to the main soundbar (where they recharge if you dont want to use your own chargers) will give you much less immersive sound. The Bar 1000MK2 simply isnt as adept at creating virtual surround and rear height effects from the front of your room. If you want a single bar that can do that, the Sonos Arc Ultra, Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, and Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus are better choices. Image 1 of 3 The Bar 1000MK2 system's large, ported subwoofer features a downfiring 10-inch cone driver (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Despite its impressive overall performance, there are some specific weaknesses. Some soundtrack elements lack sufficient dynamic range. During the classic courtyard shootout scene from No Time To Die , when James Bond sits stoically as his Aston Martin gets riddled with bullets, the automatic gunfire ricochets all around the room, as it should. But the overhead church bells sound flat, and in the moments leading up to this scene, the car chase lacks presence and immediacy. Similarly, even with the soundbars Atmos setting at max (the loudest you can push the height drivers), it was hard to hear the difference between surround and overhead effects. Ive reviewed a lot of single-speaker soundbars recently, and the Bar 1000MK2 reminded me that even the best of these units cant compete with a dedicated subwoofer. Though the power and impact of this sub seem disproportionately low when compared to its size, the unit does what it needs to do. Of the available five subwoofer power levels, I found levels four and five to be plenty of punch for movies. For music, however, I needed to tone it down: levels one to three were more enjoyable. Speaking of music, Im sad to report that its an uneven aspect of the Bar 1000MK2s performance. It seems that JBL hasnt moved the needle much since it released the Bar 9.1 -- its first soundbar with wireless surrounds. Like that speaker, the Bar 1000MK2 has trouble with its midranges, and the highs have a tendency to get shouty and shrill, particularly at higher volumes. On the bright side, the system is compatible with hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, and it seems to love tracks that have been produced in recent years. Modern recordings, especially those in Dolby Atmos Music, really shine. But older songs lose a lot. There are no EQ presets (e.g., Music, Movies, Sports, etc.); however, JBL does offer an equalizer in the JBL One app. Still, all my tweaking didnt resolve the issue. Strangely, equalizer adjustments are universal; theres no way to save your changes or apply different settings to each input. Using the wireless speakers for portable TV audio (Broadcasting mode) is a clever idea. If youve ever grouped a Sonos kitchen speaker with a Sonos soundbar, its the same concept. And the wireless speakers have an impressive range. With the soundbar in my basement, I was still able to get a stable signal on our third floor. You can even choose mono or stereo sound. Where the idea stumbles, somewhat, is that the speakers dont have their own built-in volume control. Changing the volume on the main system affects that of the wireless speakers. You can make it slightly quieter or louder using the JBL One apps three rear channel settings: low, medium, and high. Quiet, personal listening (Night listening mode) works well, too, cutting sound from the main bar and sub and routing it all to the wireless speakers. In this mode, its the regular volume level that controls what you hear. Im just a bit sad that JBL doesnt offer the choice of mono/stereo in Night listening mode. Performance score: 3.5 / 5 JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Design The Bar 1000MK2 has a bright alphanumeric LED display for control feedback (Image credit: Future) Magnetic covers provide a finished look to both the bar and surrounds Ultra short height keeps it from obstructing your TVs lower frame Lack of front-firing tweeters may diminish dialogue crispness Its impossible to overlook the Bar 1000MK2s main design element: those detachable wireless surrounds. Its unique, its clever, and it works. It may not be for everyone, but the flexibility of placement and the elimination of wires are a boon to those with awkward spaces. With a utilitarian, black plastic body and plastic grille, the Bar 1000 MK2s design wont win any beauty contests. But if youre of the opinion that soundbars should be heard, not seen, the 1000MK2 is a stunner. As powerful soundbars go, the Bar 1000MK2 is remarkably compact, especially when you remove the wireless surround speakers. At just two inches tall, the MK2 is one of the shortest soundbars Ive ever tested. Most folks wont have to worry about it blocking the IR receiver (or screen) on their TVs. A front-mounted alphanumeric display briefly comes to life to inform you of input changes, volume level, audio format (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, etc.), and a wealth of other settings and alerts, which I find very helpful. I dont like being forced to consult an app for these details (as is the case with many soundbars). It would be perfect if only you could adjust its brightness or disable it entirely. The included magnetic end-caps arent a very elegant solution to the problem of how to hide the exposed charging contacts, but once installed, they do provide a very elegant finish to both the soundbar and the surrounds. Its harder to be enthusiastic about the included wireless subwoofer. At 15 inches tall and with a nearly 13-inch square footprint, its big, and that makes it harder to tuck away. You may be able to get away with placing objects on its flat top surface -- one of our cats decided it was the ideal spot for a nap and was surprisingly unfazed by the low-frequency rumbles, which I suppose is a quirky testament to the cabinets ability to dampen vibrations. The soundbars top controls are basic in the extreme: Volume and input selection. If youre using the speaker purely for TV audio, the sparse offering is fine. If youre using it for music, it can feel limiting, especially the lack of muting, play/pause, and track skipping. Good thing the Bar 1000MK2 ships with a remote. It covers all of those missing functions and then some. But Im baffled by JBLs decision to use icons instead of words to label buttons that control sub, surround, Atmos levels, and calibration. Curiously, this is only on the North American model. The European version gets English labels, even though that part of the world speaks many more languages than in Canada, the US, and Mexico. Behind the front and top grilles on the main bar, JBL has installed six 1.7x3.1-inch racetrack drivers, two 1-inch tweeters, and two 2.75-inch up-firing full-range drivers. Its an unusual configuration: JBL uses the two tweeters as side beam drivers -- meaning theyre used to help with surround channels. It relies on the six racetrack drivers for the all-important center channel, which may explain why I found the Bar 1000MK2 less crisp on the dialogue front than other soundbars. Bose uses a central tweeter on the Smart Ultra Soundbar, and Sonos puts three front-firing tweeters on the Arc Ultra. Each wireless surround has a 1.7x3.5-inch racetrack driver and a 2.75-inch, up-firing full-range driver. Design score: 4 / 5 JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Setup & usability Image 1 of 3 Set up, adjustment, and music streaming app screens on the JBL One app (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Easy setup and calibration Front display provides vital feedback JBL One app is simple and easy to use Getting the Bar 1000MK2 set up is a snap. For basic use as a TV speaker, you can simply plug it into power and your TVs HDMI (or optical) connection, plug in the subwoofer, and youre done. But its worth it to download the free and intuitive JBL One app. The app walks you through getting the soundbar connected to Wi-Fi which takes less than one minute after which you can access software updates and use streaming platforms like Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect. Theres also native support for several streaming music services, including Tidal and Amazon Music, which helps to ensure youre getting Dolby Atmos Music when available (Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Google Cast arent currently compatible with this format). If you own more than one JBL Wi-Fi-based audio product, e.g., Charge 5 Wi-Fi, or one of the Authentics models, the app also lets you control these speakers individually or as groups. Most of the time, you wont need the app after the initial setup. Thanks to the built-in display, most tasks are easily performed with the remote. Exceptions to this are changing the EQ setting and switching to Night or Broadcast listening. You dont need the app to perform the room calibration of the wireless surrounds, but its easier than using the remote and built-in display. Calibration is very easy, and only involves two automated steps: a reading of the room with the surround speakers positioned where you normally sit, and another with the speakers placed in their regular positions off to the sides of your listening spot. Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5 JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Value Following discounts, the Bar 1000MK2's US price matches all-in-one soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar (Image credit: Future) Good bang for the buck Dialogue, Atmos effects, and music could be stronger Incredibly versatile Is the JBL Bar 1000MK2 a perfect soundbar? No, but for the price, it packs a feature set you simply wont find anywhere else. Multiple HDMI inputs, full Wi-Fi streaming options, excellent cinematic surround sound, and of course, those funky detachable wireless speakers. Its nearest direct competitors, the Samsung HW-Q930F ($1,399) and LG S90TR ($1,199), are, like the 1000MK2, priced just under each brands flagships. TechRadar hasnt reviewed these models, but if our experiences with their higher-end siblings ( Samsung HW-Q990F and LG S95TR ) are any indication, theyll deliver better overall sound quality. What they wont give you is the Bar 1000MK2s three HDMI inputs (they only have one), its fully wireless surround speakers (they have power cords), or the ability to use those speakers for remote/night listening. Value score: 4 / 5 Should I buy the JBL Bar 1000MK2? Section Notes Score Features Three HDMI inputs, fully wireless surround speakers and extensive wireless streaming support 5 / 5 Performance Good surround immersion but lackluster Atmos effects, dialogue clarity and music performance 3.5 / 5 Design Detachable wireless surround speakers dock into soundbar; slim profile with large alphanumeric LED display 4 / 5 Setup & usability Simple setup and calibration; feature-packed JBL One app, but most functions can be controlled with hardware remote 4.5 / 5 Value Impressive features and versatility for price but performance could be stronger 4 / 5 Buy it if... You want full cinematic surround sound at a reasonable price Companies like Bose, Sonos, and Marshall dont include subwoofers and surrounds with their soundbars. Adding them increases the price of a full home theater setup by up to 100% or more. The Bar 1000MK2 comes with everything you need. You have an unusual TV room Not everyone has conveniently located power outlets or even good spots to mount surround speakers. The Bar 1000MK2, with its compact and fully wireless surrounds, provides far more versatility of placement. You own multiple video devices like game consoles, disc players, or streamers With three dedicated HDMI inputs, the Bar 1000MK2 not only compensates for the HDMI port it occupies on your TV, it actually adds two more. For some, this will eliminate the need for a separate HDMI switcher. Don't buy it if... You need crystal-clear dialogue The Bar 1000MK2 is generally very good for dialogue quality, but youll find that most of its competitors (Bose, Sony, Sonos, etc.) offer more clarity. You dont want to compromise on surround power As convenient as the Bar 1000MK2s fully wireless surrounds are, they arent as big or as powerful as those in similar all-in-one systems from Samsung or LG. Music listening is just as important as movies and TV The Bar 1000MK2 is perfectly competent as a music speaker, but its clear that it was designed primarily for movies and shows. Theres a slight harshness to the upper-mids and highs that detracts from some music (especially older recordings), though it can be quite thrilling as a Dolby Atmos Music system. JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Also consider JBL Bar 1000MK2 Sonos Arc Ultra Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar LG S90TR Price $1,199.95 / 899.99 (about AU$1,845) $999 / 999 / AU$1,799 $899 /899 / AU$1499 $1,199.99 Dimensions (w x h x d) Soundbar: 33.6 x 2.0 x 5.0 inches; subwoofer: 12.8 x 15.7 x 12.8 inches; surround speaker: 5.0 x 7.4 x 2.0 inches 46.38 x 2.95 x 4.35 inches 41 x 2.3 x 4.2 inches Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 inches; subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 inches; surround speaker: 3.9 x 6.9 x 4.7 inches Speaker channels 9.1.4 9.1.4 5.1.2 7.1.3 Connections HDMI out (with eARC), 3x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-A 1HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth HDMI eARC, digital optical, Ethernet, bass module, IR blaster, USB (service only), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi HDMI out (with eARC), HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-A Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Yes/Yes Yes/No Yes/No Yes/Yes Sonos Arc Ultra If youre content to build a system starting with a single-speaker soundbar, the Sonos Arc Ultra costs a little less ($999 in the U.S.) and addresses both the dialogue clarity and music performance concerns on the JBL Bar 1000MK2. It offers impressive virtual surround sound, though it cant match the power and immersion of an all-in-one system like the Bar 1000MK2. Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Bose's top all-in-one soundbar, like the Sonos Arc Ultra, costs $999 in the US and can be added on with optional wireless surround speakers and a subwoofer. It also has superior dialogue clarity and music performance compared to the JBL Bar 1000MK2. Read our full Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review LG S90TR If you dont want to compromise on the full home theater experience, the LG S90TR is the same price ($1,199) and will likely deliver better dialogue and music, though with only one HDMI input and the need to plug its surrounds into power, its not as versatile as the Bar 1000MK2. How I tested the JBL Bar 1000MK2 (Image credit: Future) Used JBL Bar 1000MK2 as main audio system for two weeks Tested in basement media room Main source was an Apple TV 4K, and streamed music from various apps I spent two weeks with the JBL Bar 1000MK2 as my main audio system for watching movies, shows, and music in my basement media room. During that time, I ran through my usual battery of Dolby Atmos test clips from movies like No Time To Die, Ford v Ferrari, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dune , and Unbroken , paying special attention to details like dialogue clarity, surround sound, and height channel impact. I streamed most content from an Apple TV 4K connected via an LG OLED TV, which fed the MK2 from its ARC output, but I also connected an Nvidia Shield TV to one of the MK2's HDMI inputs to test its passthrough capabilities. For music, I used a variety of apps, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon Music, listening to a wide range of genres and formats, like Dolby Atmos Music. Some were played from apps on the Apple TV 4K, while others were streamed wirelessly using AirPlay, Bluetooth and Google Cast. Read more about how we test First reviewed: October 2025 ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/televisions/soundbars/jbl-bar-1000mk2-soundbar-revie w --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .