Most Versatile Soundbar I've Tested! JBL Bar 1300 Review

The JBL Bar 1300/1300X is the most versatile soundbar I've ever tested. There's Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MultiBeam with detachable rear speakers. Find out how it compares to its rivals by watching the review!

Alternatives to consider:
JBL Bar 9.1: Its downgraded predecessor

JBL Bar 1000: Its cheaper sibling

Samsung HW-Q990B: Its main competitor (incl newer Q990C)

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus: Better sub-bass (with subwoofer)

Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100: Favourite all-in-one for the price

Creative SXFI Carrier: Best compact Dolby Atmos soundbar

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max: The best flagship soundbar
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Video timestamps:
1300 vs 1330X: 00:00
Design: 01:24
Controls & app: 02:24
Connectivity: 04:22
Detachable speakers: 06:24
Audio demo: 08:25
Driver configuration: 10:10
Sound modes: 11:30
Bass: 12:41
Treble: 14:43
Dolby Atmos demo: 17:50
Soundstage: 20:42
Verdict: 22:14

#jbl
#jblaudio
#soundbar
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Full disclosure:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Unless otherwise specified, I'm not sponsored, endorsed or given any monetary incentives for reviews. All views and opinions are my own.

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[TotallydubbedHD]

Video timestamps:
1300 vs 1330X: 00:00
Design: 01:24
Controls & app: 02:24
Connectivity: 04:22
Detachable speakers: 06:24
Audio demo: 08:25
Driver configuration: 10:10
Sound modes: 11:30
Bass: 12:41
Treble: 14:43
Dolby Atmos demo: 17:50
Soundstage: 20:42
Verdict: 22:14

[gregroles]

Thanks for this review, made me step up from the bar 1000 I intended to buy, and spend the extra on the 1300. Blown away with the sound, the simplicity and the ease of use. Sorting out my HDMI cables between Shield, bar and TV was about the hardest thing. JBL quick start guide was amazingly unhelpful, will have to download the full one. App was slow for me personally, but so incredibly automatic and easy to use. Will get in trouble when wifey gets home for spending money, till I sit her down in front of Bladerunner 2029 or similar!

[lucksonrugah]

I see samsung users comments here and i think they were paid by Samsung, i have had the Samsung c series and throw them away, waiting for the jbl to arrive

[SharonMd]

Thank you very much for the interesting review, if I try a little harder, is the JBL model 1000 better than the model 800 in terms of sound for movies and music? And because it has more speakers in its surround speakers.or samsung 990?

[lottiejay]

This is another of my favourite features, Detachable Satellite Speakers, which is much better for smaller or awkward rooms, and can be placed anywhere. 🤩

[Kamko_]

Very nice review. When the JBL BAR 1300 went on sale, I looked for reviews wherever I could. I was thinking about the Samsung 990B or the Sony HT-A7000. Samsung is an excellent, really excellent soundbar. But not for me. Sony required additional investment. I more or less decided to buy it, I am satisfied with the JBL 5.1 soundbar.

I have been using the JBL 1300 sound bar for more than two months. It's always on when I'm home. Netflix, HBO MAX, Disney+, SkyShowtime. Music via Tidal. I am extremely satisfied. Even though the price seemed high, today I don't regret it at all and it is worth every euro I paid for it!

Some observations: SetTopBox - low sound quality - I turn off Smart Mode.

Movies in DTS 5.1 are resampled by the soundbar to DTS: Neural X. In fact, any DTS format is always resampled. I disable this option.

Unpublished settings:

DTS Neural X On/Off mode : DTS:X is always played as DTS Neural X by default, although there is no official way to change it, just press the TV button on the remote control for more than three seconds and then press the play button.

Nightmode On/Off: press the mute button on the remote control for more than three seconds and then press the minus button.

[SharonMd]

I liked your response, what do you think between the JBL Bar 1000 and the Polk Magnifi Max AX 7.1 2?❤🙏🏻👍🏼The most important thing to me is the intensity and quality of watching movies, so that the experience is as immersive and real as possible.

[sergiotito]

Does the HDMI e-arc input support VRR 4k 120 Hz? Thanks a lot!

[m_thebox]

thanks, finally a good demo on YT! :)

[naveed]

Hi, when I listen to music on the JBL1300 through bluetooth with the detachable speakers plugged into the main bar, the main bar doesn’t make any sound, only the detachable speakers do. And once I detach them, then the main bar starts playing. I wonder why the whole bar can’t play music to enjoy the full power of the set without detaching the rear speakers. Do you know how to fix this ? Thanks

[rajable]

I m using jbl 9.1 . Is it worth to upgrade to jbl 1300 ?
The only issue i feel with soundbar clairty over dialogue which are in lower pitch ..

[mariocavecchia]

Hi, good morning I wanted to ask you a question, I have the JBL 1300 soundbar! Is there a possibility to raise the volume of the central channel? Because I found that the volume is low even after calibrating, in conclusion to hear speech in a film I have to keep the soundbar volume high and this means that when the effects are present they are too invasive, if you can tell me if there is the possibility of increasing the central unit would be doing me a favor, thank you!

[tonyesquire]

I welcome calibration advice as im a bit unhappy with my purchase. The bass is amazing, but vocal content from the bar is low. Perhaps it isnt set correctly?

[vmanjesh]

where does thus stand in comparison with Sony HT-A7000 ?

[jonathanbarnes]

You seem like the best at this I live in an apartment and only want to be a standalone soundbar without having to purchase any extra speakers 🔊 or subwoofers etc. What is the best standalone soundbar for a brand new LG OLED G4 television? Any assistance you can bring is greatly appreciated!

[vigneshn.y]

Can this be wall mounted or because of the magnetic surround speakers, it cant?

[rahulkumartiwari]

As per you which one should I buy Samsung 990C or JBL 1300?

[bttfiii]

Hi TotallydubbedHD, on the JBL Bar 1300 I would hear random low rumbling noises (like thunder) when playing games on the ps5 or watching movies (streaming or blu ray). No such issue with music though. Just want to know if it's normal? Thanks!

[gichukimaina]

how do you connect the detachable speakers to your phone and use them as standalones, I just can't figure it out

[GhostSal]

Where can I buy the end caps (covers) for the ends of the bar and back speakers? I can’t find them on the JBL site or anywhere.