JBL Bar 9.1 Soundbar with Dolby Atmos Review

For a lot of people, the JBL Bar 9.1 will open the door into high-performance cinema. This includes everything you’ll need for an immersive Dolby Atmos experience without breaking the bank. The first thing you’ll notice is the smart design of this wireless surround-sound system. As a package of 4 pieces bundled together, you get a soundbar with two wireless rechargeable rear-speakers plus a wireless subwoofer. All the pieces in this bundle have matching rounded edges and a graphite finish that has just the right amount of sheen for a nice modern look.

The Bar 9.1 is designed to sit under your TV or it can be wall-mounted. We think most people will probably just position this on top of a piece of furniture underneath their TV, and the rear-speakers on top of tables or even a pair of stands in the rear of the room. The rear-surrounds are wireless and rechargeable. So, when it’s time to charge them, they dock into the magnetic charging-stations on the sides of the bar, and in about 3 hours they’ll be ready for 10 hours of playtime! With the rear-speakers attached, the bar spans 47-inches wide. But, when you remove these, the bar spans just shy of 35-inches long. Visually, this will look great with TVs that are 43-inches or more.

The Bar 9.1 is a 9-channel surround-sound system that comes with a single sub bass channel — hence the numbers in the name “Bar 9.1.” We’ll break down what all these numbers and channels really mean and why this is cool. But first, let’s talk about that subwoofer. The size of the wireless sub makes the biggest statement in this system. The subwoofer stands a little over 17-inches tall, 12-inches wide, and 12-inches deep. It weighs in at 24 ½ pounds because there’s a massive 10-inch down-firing transducer housed inside the unit that will deliver deep floor-shaking low-end. To present sound across a full-range of frequencies, JBL uses an array of drivers to present sound from 34Hz to 20KHz with a maximum SPL of 103dB. JBL doesn’t provide a plus or minus point on the 34Hz, so we’re not sure if the sub really gets that low, but it sure feels like it! Three front-facing speakers provide the horizontal left, center, and right channels while four height-channels fire sound up to the ceiling for that top-to-bottom sense of vertical elevation. Then, JBL goes the extra mile by giving you two more surround-sound channels in the rear-speakers. So, when the rear-surround speakers are placed in the back of your room, you’ll be completely immersed in a 9-channel “bubble” of 3D sound!

From talking with our customers, we know how excited people are getting about Dolby Atmos. People want better sound than their TV speakers can provide. And as television and movies start to prioritize Dolby Atmos and streaming, this trend is the future. However, not everyone has the space for an entire system of separate speakers and a home theater receiver, so it’s really cool to see how far some of these high-performance soundbars have come. Soundbars are more mobile and affordable than a full surround-sound installation, and while not quite the same, there are a few of them that can offer a comparable sound.

For less than $1,000, JBL gives you the whole Atmos experience complete with a soundbar, a subwoofer, plus rear-speakers. When you compare this with other systems, it stands out as a total package for the money. Similar systems might include a sub, but the rears are usually optional add-ons and more expensive after you expand some of these other systems. At this price point, we like that there’s no extra wires or extra power connections needed. The battery-powered rear-surrounds are not only convenient, they added more to the experience without having to spend any extra money. They did a nice job recreating the elevation in our soundstage, but it was the exhilarating bottom-end weight from the sub that over-delivered on performance.

#JBL #Soundbar #DolbyAtmos #Review

[theredbeardedfox]

I think I'm going to get this, I currently don't have a surround sound set up, so looking at options. I definitely like being able to adjust the volume of the rear surround speakers. Wonder if there's a place near me where I can sample the sound.

[ETT]

I'd trust advice from Keanu Reeves

[anjummadani]

Excellent video - precision just as needed. Most importantly, no unnecessary background music, no superfluous words & perfect coverage of ALL essential topics. Thank you!

[jfloresdrums]

I bought this soundbar 2 weeks ago. Gaming (CoD) is so damn immersive and the 10" woofer just shreds. Streaming via Chrome cast via Spotify: this system is so damn impressive! At audio level 18 I feel like I'm at a club because of the large sub and my family room is about 500sqft. So far I absolutely love this soundbar despite only having an Arc HDMI port.

[josemelendez]

I bought the jbl 9.1 and after listening to the soundbar i sold my receiver and all those wired speaker. It sound better than my dolby atmos receiver. Thanks jbl.

[evatuckjr]

Picked mine up on Prime day. Looks good and has sounded great everywhere I have placed it. It won't be the loudest speaker out there, but excellent value at this price point. I put it in my living room and have had it up to 65% and was loud without being too loud. We could still converse and enjoy the music.

[rondj]

At last JBL listens to customers. Atmos at last! Thanks

[kurtis]

best hair i have seen in a while. i'm almost there. thanks to not cutting my hair for 8 months. bed hair gone right is this hair style.

[vijay.khanna]

Any thoughts on Battery replacement options after 2-3 years once memory effect sets in, or if the battery gets damaged.

[kevindobson]

I just bought this from you guys sound and bass is incredible with great Dolby Atmos Experience

[boxinghistory]

Can you charge the rear speakers via USB, can you answer please? thanks !

[TimmyRealz]

i bought this today, so of course now is the time to read reviews!

[DjUndying]

This guy definitely knows the words to every 30 seconds to Mars song ever made

[mikev]

Great review I got the jbl soundbar 9.1 with 820 watt its mind-blowing very good sound bar. I compared with other soundbar for me 1 of the best. I got early the 5.1 jbl soundbar with 550 watt that's was great too but I am really looking forward to go bigger and then this was the best purchase I had done

[gamestop]

got this jbl 9.1 with complete accessories (end caps and cables).. for those having problem with the wireless rear speakers.. pls update your jbl 9.1 firmware and make sure you recharge the rear speakers before use.

[Disharmony]

If there's one thing I learned from life, anyone who has a mullet knows what they're talking about. I was going to buy groceries this week, but hey, audio calls.

[Zaraien]

is this better than an actual receiver? I have a vsx 104 elite, and I'm wondering if the swap is a good thing

[arazenox]

I was wondering if you can plug the rear speaker? Sometimes i play video games for a really long period of times when im not at work so i just want to be sure that i could get it and place the rear without them dsicharging completely while playing :)

[JohnTrasher]

The 9.1 system or the Sonos Arc (i may add the expensive sub later...) whats your opinion? the TV is more or less in one corner of a rectangle room.

[SoundGuyDavo]

Great video! I like that there is NO unboxing and doesn’t speak too fast.