The JBL Bar 1300 is a 11.1.4 channel soundbar – that means 11 fundamental outputs from the ‘bar, one sub, then 4 top/overhead channels – and as with the model’s earlier Bar 9.1 this new mannequin makes use of removable and rechargeable wi-fi rear audio system to ship immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based sound with no need to run cables throughout the room or plug them into energy sockets.
The Bar 1300 additionally ups the ante by rising the channel in comparison with the sooner mannequin, including a beefier subwoofer, rising the amplification energy, and together with much more options. All of which places this JBL system in direct competitors with comparable fashions from LG and Samsung as a contender as among the finest soundbars you should buy…
JBL BAR 1300: PRICE & RELEASE DATE
The JBL Bar 1300 is on sale now, obtainable at £1,299/$1,699. This pricing is aggressive when you think about the important thing options of the soundbar and the price of competing fashions from LG and Samsung. The widget above will present you real-time pricing for the Bar 1300 so you possibly can snag the perfect deal at the moment.
JBL BAR 1300 REVIEW: FEATURES & WHAT’S NEW?
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The JBL Bar 1300 affords an 11.1.4-channel system utilizing a format primarily based round a fundamental unit, two wi-fi rears, and a 10-inch rear-ported and downward-firing wi-fi subwoofer.
The soundbar comprises six racetrack drivers, 5 tweeters, and 4 full-range up-firing drivers, whereas the rears every have a racetrack driver, an up-firing driver, and a passive radiator. There’s 650W of amplification within the soundbar, 110W in every of the rear audio system, and 300W within the sub.
The Bar 1300 decodes the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio codecs, delivering them utilizing entrance left and proper channels, a centre channel, entrance and rear overhead channels, width channels, and entrance and rear facet channels, making a three-dimensional hemisphere of sound.
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The usage of equivalent drivers ensures a cohesive and balanced soundstage, however there’s additionally an auto-calibration function that’s run utilizing the included zapper or by way of the app. Observe the directions on the display and also you’ll rapidly have a calibrated system with any sonic aberrations within the room corrected.
By way of different options, the Bar 1300 takes the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast and AirPlay discovered on the Bar 9.1 however provides Alexa Multi-Room, a hat-trick of voice assistants (Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant), and Pure Voice to deliver out dialogue in at the moment’s extra complicated encompass mixes.
Whereas the Bar 9.1 additionally used removable rears, the Bar 1300 goes additional by permitting you to pair certainly one of them with any Bluetooth units as a standalone speaker, and even pair each for a stereo setup. When totally charged the removable rears have a claimed most play time of 12 hours.
JBL BAR 1300 REVIEW: PERFORMANCE
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The JBL Bar 1300 is undeniably wonderful because of its mixture of high quality audio system, highly effective amplification, and weighty subwoofer. The mix of equivalent drivers and auto-cal function produces a coherent and balanced supply with seamless steering of results across the room.
This soundbar is nice with music, because of bigger drivers that present readability and element, whereas the width of the cupboard creates loads of stereo separation. The beefy sub delivers a strong basis of bass that feels tight and managed, particularly after operating the automated calibration function.
With multichannel music, motion pictures or TV reveals, the side-firing audio system create further width, whereas the centre channel retains the dialogue clear and centered on the display. The wi-fi rear audio system are freed from delays or dropouts, delivering multichannel audio with real encompass presence.
On the subject of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X the whole 11.1.4-channel soundstage is employed, creating a completely immersive spatial sonic expertise. There’s a sense of being enveloped in a sensible hemisphere of sound because the decoding locations audio objects in three-dimensional house.
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Leaving the rear audio system connected to the primary unit produces a really broad entrance soundstage that’s ideally suited for merely watching common TV programmes, whereas the Pure Voice function will be helpful with regards to delivering clear dialogue in even the busiest of complicated multichannel sound mixes.
The Bar 1300 works exceptionally properly with video games, creating a sensible and fascinating soundstage that’s notably efficient with first-person shooters. The balanced nature of the system strikes sounds seamlessly from speaker to speaker, making a larger sense of immersion.
The general supply could be very dynamic, with loads of headroom because of all these highly effective amps. So whether or not watching TV, immersing your self in motion pictures, listening to music or taking part in video games, this soundbar delivers an exhilarating and enveloping sonic expertise that’s certain to please.
JBL BAR 1300 REVIEW: DESIGN & USABILITY
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The JBL Bar 1300 sports activities a glossy design with curved edges, mesh grilles, and a black end. The styling is minimalist, and at solely 60mm excessive the ‘bar ought to be capable to sit in entrance of a TV with out blocking the display. The construct high quality is strong, and it’s the proper width for the perfect 65-inch TVs.
There are easy controls on the highest of the soundbar itself, plus a primary show on the front-right. The removable rear audio system are clearly designed to match the styling of the soundbar, particularly when connected, whereas the wi-fi subwoofer is completed in a easy matte black.
JBL consists of L-shaped brackets for wall-mounting the soundbar, and smaller U-shaped brackets for putting in the surrounds in the back of the room. In case you do that, there are facet caps for overlaying the place the rear audio system usually dock, and as a substitute you recharge them utilizing their USB-C ports.
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The Bar 1300 consists of three HDMI inputs, and an HDMI output with eARC. All move HDR10 and Dolby Imaginative and prescient, however there’s no help for HDR10+, 4K/120Hz or VRR. The latter two will disappoint avid gamers. As well as, there’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast and AirPlay for wi-fi connections.
The included distant management is small, easy, straightforward to make use of, and pretty strong. The principle controls are current and proper, plus there are buttons for tweaking the degrees of the overhead and rear audio system, together with the subwoofer, and fascinating the auto-calibration function.
The JBL One app (iOS and Android) is a well-designed and intuitive interface that gives the identical controls because the wand, plus a number of different capabilities that can help you simply setup the Wi-Fi, combine music streamers, personalise the audio options, and handle the soundbar settings.
Verdict
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The JBL Bar 1300 is a powerful addition to the model’s soundbar vary, upping the ante in comparison with the sooner Bar 9.1 with its immersive 11.1.4 format, whereas additionally providing a real different to competing spatial audio methods from the likes of LG and Samsung.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are delivered by a robust and dynamic speaker configuration that features a subwoofer able to digging deep. There are additionally helpful options just like the removable rears, slick distant app, and efficient auto-cal that ensures a balanced and cohesive system.
The result’s a powerful performer that produces a fascinating and satisfying object-based audio expertise. It’s not low-cost, however in the event you’re in search of a high-quality and really versatile immersive audio resolution, this wi-fi soundbar system is an completed and hassle-free resolution.
Additionally contemplate
The apparent competitor is Samsung’s HW-Q990C, which additionally affords Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio utilizing an equally immersive 11.1.4-channel speaker format. Because of some current value reductions it’s additionally surprisingly low-cost, as you possibly can see within the real-time procuring widget beneath.
By way of different manufacturers, the LG S95QR is one other chance. Its 9.1.5-channel system has fewer facet channels however an additional centre top driver as a substitute. In any other case it’s similar to the JBL and Samsung soundbars, however is at present the costliest possibility (once more, see beneath).
