The new JBL Bar Series is designed to transform any living room into a personal cinema. The lineup features five new soundbars, all engineered for detailed, rich, and immersive sound that works seamlessly with any TV.
Each model in the JBL Bar Series draws on JBL’s cinema heritage, combining advanced technologies like HARMAN’s MultiBeam™ 3.0, Dolby Atmos®, and DTS:X. The result? Surround sound that pulls you right into the action, whether you’re watching a blockbuster or your favourite series.
The new range introduces SmartDetails, a HARMAN technology that captures even the subtlest audio nuance. From footsteps to whispers, you’ll hear it all. JBL has also added AI Sound Boost for deep, distortion-free bass and PureVoice 2.0 for clearer dialogue. It’s sound that’s powerful, precise, and personal.
Leading the pack is the JBL Bar 1300MK2. It features a dual 8-inch subwoofer with AI Sound Boost, six up-firing drivers, and detachable wireless speakers. Use them behind you for true 3D surround sound or connect via Bluetooth and take the music anywhere.
A standout new feature is the JBL One Commander — a compact box that connects to your TV and delivers a wireless, lossless connection to your soundbar. No messy cables, just instant cinematic sound.
The range also includes the Bar 1000MK2 with two up-firing drivers and a 10-inch subwoofer for full Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X 3D sound, and the Bar 800MK2 with detachable surround speakers and virtual Atmos®. The Bar 500MK2 and Bar 300MK2 are ideal for smaller spaces, offering room-filling sound and virtual surround at a more accessible price. All models run on the JBL One Platform, which supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, letting you stream and customise your sound with ease.
The JBL Bar 1300MK2 is available exclusively at Harvey Norman, while other models are available at leading retailers and jbl.com.au.
With the new JBL Bar Series, it’s cinema in seconds — sound without limits.
More JBL reads here.
| JBL Bar 1300MK2 with JBL One Commander | JBL Bar 1000MK2 | JBL Bar 800MK2 | JBL Bar 500MK2 | JBL Bar 300MK2 | |
| Channels | 11.1.4 | 7.1.4 | 7.1 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Max Power Output | 2470W | 960W | 780W | 750W | 450W |
| Dolby Atmos® | True Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X | True Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X | Virtual Dolby Atmos® and DTS Virtual :X* | Virtual Dolby Atmos® and DTS Virtual :X* | Virtual Dolby Atmos® and DTS Virtual :X* |
| MultiBeamTM 3.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PureVoice 2.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SmartDetails | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Night Listening | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Amazon Music HD, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Amazon Music HD, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Amazon Music HD, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Amazon Music HD, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast built-in, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and SmartThings |
| Detachable speakers | 2 detachable, wireless speakers with Bluetooth function | 2 detachable, wireless speakers | 2 detachable, wireless speakers | No | No |
| Subwoofer | Dual 8” compact sub with AI Sound Boost | 10” Subwoofer | 10” Subwoofer | 10” Subwoofer | No |
| JBL One Commander | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Price | $2299.95 | $1599.95 | $999.95 | $769.95 | $549.95 |
8 comments
Moose
Hi Ray, I’ve been contemplating/looking at these over the last week and a half. Am a newbie!
Was thinking the 800 would be adequate but then I see the 1000 has the additional features (full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D vs 800MK2 with virtual Atmos).
My room is only 4.3m long, 3.3m wide & height 3m.
Would you have any advice to offer as to which I should choose?
I was looking to buy in the next week or so.
Regards & Thanks in Anticipation
Ray Shaw
I am about to review the JBL Bar 300, 1000 and 1300 MK2 (two weeks away), so I can only speculate. First, I use a JBL 1300 MK1 at my apartment, which has a similar-sized lounge. I like it because I can place the two detachable speakers behind my listening position (using permanent USB-C power) and get some nice surround sound. It also creates a pretty good Dolby Atmos envelop out to about 4 metres. I have not tried the 1000, but it is 7.1.4 and should do a very good job in a smaller room and has the new Pure Voice 2.0 (1.0 was pretty good). So yes, I would recommend the 1000 over the 800 because the efficacy of virtual Dolby Atmos is really dependent on the room where the 1000 uses real speakers.
Moose
Hi again Ray,
Thanks so much for the prompt reply — really appreciate that!
I was almost certainly going the 800 path (assuming adequate & assuming 1000 may be overkill) but based on a real user’s experience, i.e. yours, I’ll likely go the other way.
Cheers & thanks again!
christine
thanks for the review, we are older and just need better voice sound without all the extra fancy like google, amazon ,spotify etc and budget friendly , do jbl sound bars do something like this
Ray Shaw
Hi Christine
I will be reviewing the JBL bars soon. The key to clear voice is to have a centre channel e.g., 3.1 (Left, right, center) and JBL has plentty of these https://www.jbl.com.au/on/demandware.store/Sites-JB-APAC-Site/en_AU/Product-Compare?cid=soundbars&pid1=JBLSB510BLKAS&pid2=JBLSB550BLKAS2&pid3=JBLSB580BLKAS2
The new Bar 300 Mk2 looks good with its new Pure Voice 2 https://www.jbl.com.au/BAR-300MK2.html?dwvar_BAR-300MK2_color=Black-APAC-Current&cgid=soundbars
Chris mack
Thanks Ray, didn’t want you wasting time on me, thought it went to JBL. I still miss our Bose lifestyle, but would be a waste on us now…I’ll read your review when done.
Regards
Chris.
Chris
I’m using the JBL 1300. IS the 1300MK2 much better listening. Only used for TV nothing else?
Ray Shaw
I will be reviewing the Bar 1300 MK2 soon.
The JBL Bar 1300MK2 has power, a redesigned dual subwoofer, enhanced AI-powered sound tuning, more drivers for a more immersive experience, and new features like MultiBeam 3.0 and Broadcasting. The original Bar 1300 is still a powerful soundbar, but the MK2 provides an upgrade in audio fidelity and technology.
JBL Bar 1300MK2:
Pros: Upgraded, more powerful and responsive dual 8-inch subwoofer; enhanced PureVoice 2.0 for clearer dialogue; Smart Detail for more ambient sound fidelity; MultiBeam 3.0 for wider horizontal soundstage; “Broadcasting” feature for portable, one-speaker use; more drivers for a more immersive experience.
Cons: Higher price point; some reports indicate the 11.1.4 channel system may be overkill for smaller rooms.
JBL Bar 1300
Pros: Excellent performance for its generation, with a strong 11.1.4 channel setup and 12-inch subwoofer that creates an immersive surround sound experience.
Cons: Doesn’t have the latest AI audio features, more processing-intensive dialogue enhancement, or the improved surround and bass performance of the MK2.