JBL Bar 1300X review: A soundbar that does well with Dolby Atmos

JBL Bar 1300X Soundbar: Two-Minute Review

The JBL Bar 1300X is the company's flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar system in 2023, and it's the one that packs a serious wow factor. A big part of that is JBL's innovative design, which uses truly wireless rechargeable surround speakers that attach to the sides of the main soundbar where they can enhance their sound output while charging, before leaving them behind. Beyond that, it's a 16-channel system powered by 1,170 total watts, and it comes with a 12-inch wireless subwoofer that's exceptionally beefy for one full of a bar of it.

At €1,699 / €1,299 / around AU €2,570, the JBL 1300X is one of the most expensive soundbar systems on the market, though its cost is comparable to other offerings that offer an equally rich sense of immersion, such as the Samsung HW-Q990B. It's also feature-rich, offering Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing, as well as Atmos mixing of stereo sources. Atmos Up-Firing speakers in the soundbar and surround speakers ensure full distribution of height effects in soundtracks throughout the room, and there's also Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, and support for wireless streaming. Bluetooth.

The build quality of the system, which is best suited for 65-inch and larger TVs, is excellent. There are four HDMI ports (one with eARC), which is plenty to drive sources from disc players, streaming boxes, and game consoles, though 4K 120Hz pass-through isn't supported.

System setup is extremely simple and uses the JBL control app for sound calibration. The app allows you to connect to major music streaming apps including Amazon Music Unlimited, Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify, and provides a convenient place to stream from multiple services. A remote control is also included.

The sound quality of JBL's flagship system is very impressive, on a par with the best soundbars. Dolby Atmos soundtracks have a substantial immersive effect and the bass is deep and powerful. Having Atmos speakers at the front and back of the room makes a noticeable difference, and it's one of the ways this system differs from the soundbar package. Music and dialogue sound clear and natural, and with onboard Dolby mixing for stereo sources, all kinds of content become acoustically immersive.

While €1,699 is a lot to pay for a soundbar, the JBL 1300X is very good value for money due to its innovative design and solid performance. You'd really need to upgrade to a separate AV receiver and speaker-based rig to get the best of it, but then you'd complicate your system and your life as well. The JBL's pricing is also comparable to flagship systems from other manufacturers, including the aforementioned Samsung or LG S95QR, something that should put its cost into perspective when comparison shopping.

JBL Bar 1300X soundbar on TV stand

JBL's Bar 1300X features speakers on both the main soundbar and surround speakers. (Image credit: Future)

JBL Bar 1300X soundbar review: Price and release date

The JBL Bar 1300X launched in February 2023 and retails for $1,699 / £1,299 / around AU$2,570. That's a hefty price tag for a soundbar, though it's in the same ballpark as other systems from Samsung and LG that offer a large number of channels for maximum sound immersion.

For the price, you get a system packed with attractive and useful features, and the design and build quality are excellent. JBL offers similar 7.1.4 and 5.1.2 soundbar systems, also with detachable and rechargeable surround speakers, at a lower cost, though the immersive effect may not be as complete as with the Bar 1300X.

Hand holding JBL 1300X surround sound speaker with JBL soundbar in background

After removing the end caps on each side of the soundbar, the surround speakers can be connected for charging. (Image credit: Future)

JBL Bar 1300X soundbar review: Specs

Slide to scroll horizontally Speaker channels 16 Speaker drivers 20 Dimensions 39,4 x 2,4 x 5,5 inches (soundbar), 8 x 2,4 x 5,5 inches (surround speakers), 14,4 x 18,9 x 14,4 inches (subwoofer) Connectivity 4 HDMI inputs (1 with eARC), optical digital audio, USB-AD Olby Atmos type?YesSubwoofer included?YesRear speakers included?YesOther FeaturesRechargeable surround speakers, DTS:X processing

JBL Bar 1300X soundbar review: Features

JBL's best soundbar system is packed with features. You get Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, as well as the company's MultiBeam processing, which uses digital processing and beamforming to widen the sound field and create a more immersive surround effect. It's a 16-channel system powered by 1170 total watts, 650 of which are dedicated to the 12-inch wireless subwoofer. Four upward-firing speakers are located on the soundbar, while the surround speakers also provide one upward-firing speaker each. Six exhilarating drivers is the most I've seen in a soundbar so far.

The Bar 1300X's most unusual feature is its rechargeable surround speakers, which are a true wireless solution as they don't need to be plugged in and will run for up to 10 hours. (JBL offers the option of powering the surround sound speakers via a USB-C connection if you'd rather not have to charge them regularly.) These can also be used as wireless Bluetooth speakers when not in use. theater, and you can even pair them wirelessly for stereo playback.

AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in can be used for wireless streaming to the Bar 1300X, which also supports Bluetooth. Subscriber information for services like Amazon Music Unlimited, Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify can also be entered into the JBL One app, providing a central location for accessing music and other streaming audio. The Bar 1300X also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for voice control.

JBL Bar 1300X surround sound speaker on stand

The system's rechargeable speakers are completely wireless and can also be used as portable Bluetooth speakers. (Image credit: Future)

JBL Bar 1300X soundbar review: Sound quality

The JBL Bar 1300X did not disappoint at all in terms of performance. With 16 channels ready, Dolby Atmos soundtracks in TV shows and movies showcased its spatial audio capabilities most spectacularly, but basically everything I watched and heard sounded great on the system, which uses Dolby's upmixer. to play smooth stereo and surround soundtracks in Atmos. .

A good example of Dolby Atmos is a scene from 1917 where two British soldiers are exploring an underground German bunker and a tripwire causes an explosion that collapses the structure. The explosion in this scene sounded incredibly alive on the Bar 1300X system, its powerful subwoofer creating a low, thunderous rumble. When debris fell on the soldiers afterwards, the system pilots created a strong feeling of being in space, while the clear transmission of dialogue from the main sound bar made it easy for me to hear their screams amidst the chaos.

Going through Top Gun: Maverick, the Bar 1300X system was up to the task of rendering the movements of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Super Hornet fighter jets during the climactic mission. The sound of the jets traveled from the front of my room to the back with pinpoint accuracy, and there was also a nice feeling of height as the jets shot up from the canyon into the sky.

I really wanted to listen to some Apple Music spatial audio tracks on the JBL system, and again, I was impressed. Streaming Beck's Thinking About You through an Apple TV 4K (2022), the voices seemed to float in 3D space, and there was no hiss or jitter in the sound, something I've found on many other soundbars while listening to music. The bass sounded very full, yet clean and well defined, while the acoustic guitar and mandolin had a finely layered presence. A harmonica solo that closes the track floated in space similar to the vocal, but the mix also positioned it on the rear channels, creating a strong surround feel.

Streaming Max Richter's Tranquility II and III from SLEEP: Tranquility Base, pipe organ, and keyboards had a smooth, natural presentation that was easy on the ears, and the system's subwoofer did a great job of reproducing the organ notes lower. The voice rose above it all impressively, with the JBL soundbar creating an almost cathedral-like feeling of space.

JBL Bar 1300X subwoofer in a wood paneled room

With a 12-inch driver powered by 650 watts, the JBL System Subwoofer is a true bass beast. (Image credit: Future)

JBL Bar 1300X soundbar review: Design

Considering the high price of the Bar 1300X, you pay not only for sound quality, but also for design, and here JBL does not disappoint. The rear speakers can be "docked" to either side of the main soundbar for loading and when in this position they contribute to the output of the bar by expanding the soundstage and supporting height effects. Once charged, all you have to do is remove them and replace the included tips on the soundbar.

The main soundbar measures 39,4 x 2,4 x 5,5 inches (W x H x D), making it a good choice for 65-inch and larger TVs. It uses six 1,8 x 3,5-inch racing speakers and five 0,75-inch tweeters for left, center, and right channel output, and has four 2,75-inch full-range speakers. With a 12-inch driver, the system's wireless subwoofer is quite large and is rear-ported for improved output.

Measuring 8 x 2,4 x 5,5 inches (W x H x D), JBL's surround speakers are compact and can be easily placed on speaker stands. Another option is to fix them to the wall using the...

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