JBL Bar 1000MK2 Review

For its second outing, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 keeps the modular concept of its predecessor. A handful of cosmetic and acoustic changes spice up a recipe that still aims to combine immersion, versatility and simple installation.

Succeeding the Bar 1000, the Bar 1000MK2 slots between the Bar 800MK2 and the Bar 1300MK2 within JBL's second generation of soundbars. This wireless 7.1.4 home cinema system — a bar, a subwoofer and a pair of rear satellites — sets out to deliver both a bubble of sound and genuine extension at the bottom of the spectrum. Rather than resting on its predecessor's laurels, it introduces several acoustic and styling changes as well as new functions accessible through the JBL One app, while retaining its Wi-Fi music streaming abilities.

Unlike the satellites of the Samsung HW-Q990H, which need mains power, those of the Bar 1000MK2 run on battery. They can therefore be placed behind the listening position without cable constraints, or clipped onto the bar to reinforce front immersion while they recharge. On paper that modularity looks ideal for anyone who wants an uncluttered living room once the film is over.

The system was assessed running OneOS 3.0 firmware (26.12.53.82.00) with version 2.6.15 (262401) of the JBL One app.

The Bar 1000MK2 comes only in black so as to stay discreet in a living room, but its now-rounded edges set it further apart from Samsung's models, which are angular to the point of austerity. It strikes a middle ground between elegance and restraint, even if the assembly looks a little pieced together when the satellites are attached.

JBL has sensibly lengthened and rounded the side caps that cover the connectors, giving the bar and the satellites a more appealing look when they are separated. The satellites are also easier to fit and remove, sliding in from the top thanks to a twin-groove mounting system.

The surround speakers are longer than before, but the bar keeps its 120 cm length, well suited to partnering a 55-inch television or larger. It has grown deeper, which is worth noting because its predecessor could already cause problems with certain television stands, though it has become slimmer in height to reduce the risk of obscuring the picture. The bar remains discreet; the same cannot be said of the imposing subwoofer, which will complicate many installations.

There is little to criticise in the quality of the various elements, even if they fall short of the most carefully executed designs from Sonos or Sennheiser. Denser than before, they combine plastic chassis with metal acoustic grilles, and the bar's black finish does not reflect the picture. The only reservation is the loss of the textured top panel in favour of a smooth surface that is extremely prone to fingerprints.

The box holds a generous set of accessories: four wall mounts (two for the bar, two for the satellites), an HDMI cable, two power cables, a remote with batteries and the connector caps. The only omissions are USB-C cables for recharging the satellites, needed if you would rather not return them to the bar after every use.

The Bar 1000MK2 carries over its predecessor's connections exactly, and they still look modern and comprehensive. The main asset is a set of three HDMI inputs, which turn the bar into a hub able to host a Blu-ray player and two games consoles, for example. There is also an HDMI eARC port and an optical input for versatile connection to any television, plus an Ethernet port. The USB-A port is reserved for maintenance and would have been better replaced by a USB-C port for music playback.

JBL is vague about the properties of the HDMI inputs, so it is worth stating that they are limited to 4K/60 Hz. Anyone who needs 4K/120 Hz pass-through will have to look to a Samsung HW-Q990H or a Sony soundbar.

Besides a supplementary Bluetooth receiver — no multipoint, basic codecs — the bar's Wi-Fi module offers plenty of streaming options, with lossless music available through Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. The Bar 1000MK2 still does without any built-in voice assistant, although it can be controlled by voice through a compatible Google Assistant or Siri smart speaker.

The Bar 1000MK2 does not reinvent anything, but its user experience is among the best thought out. The alphanumeric display on the front is large enough to show a complete word, an advantage over Samsung's tiny equivalent. It confirms precisely what an action has done — volume, channel levels, active source and so on — without resorting to an irritating voice guide.

Limited to volume and source selection, the touch controls on the bar are little more than a token gesture, but JBL makes up for that with a comprehensive remote. Relatively compact, though made of unremarkable plastic and not backlit, it has the merit of offering dedicated keys for each input (TV, HDMI and Bluetooth) rather than a single button that cycles through them. It also powers the bar down and starts the acoustic calibration.

The remote is handy for quickly adjusting the subwoofer level, and it is the only way to change the height of the Atmos effects. Rear channel volume, by contrast, can also be adjusted from the JBL One app.

While the remote is sufficient most of the time, the JBL One app is essential for the more advanced functions. It enables the Night and Broadcast modes for the satellites, which respectively allow them to be placed facing the user so as not to disturb others, and switched to stereo so that content can continue in another room.

The app also gives access to the Standard, Music, Movie and Smart sound modes, along with a seven-band equaliser that is more complete than the Bar 1000's. As on other JBL products, it is a shame that several custom profiles cannot be saved.

Despite its impressive bulk, the Bar 1000MK2 is child's play to set up, requiring neither an account nor any tedious configuration. The subwoofer pairs with the bar instantly, while the rear channels are automatically assigned to the satellites as soon as they are detached, with no specific settings required. Running on battery, the satellites have a quoted runtime of 10 hours and can be recharged not only when attached to the bar but also once installed at the rear, via their USB-C port.

Like its predecessor, the Bar 1000MK2 packs 15 drivers in total, optimised to reproduce Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks across 7.1.4 channels. The bar keeps its two 7 cm up-firing drivers but adds a bass/midrange unit and drops one tweeter, retaining two larger 2.5 cm units. The satellites change too, swapping their tweeter for an ovoid driver similar to those in the bar while keeping their Atmos channel. The subwoofer, beefier than before, keeps its 26 cm down-firing woofer, and total system power rises to 960 W from 880 W.

For music it is preferable to leave the satellites attached in order to have as many drivers as possible at the front. In either configuration, though, the default Smart mode should be switched off in favour of Standard, which respects the signal more closely and disables the rear speakers.

It does not reach the transparency of a Samsung HW-Q930H or JBL's most accomplished portable speakers, but the Bar 1000MK2 can fairly be called balanced, since it never strays into a demonstrative treble. Without being the most linear system, it delivers a deep, warm presentation without skimping on detail.

The default balance is distinctly boomy, which immediately forces the subwoofer level down by half. Below that, the presentation loses a little too much foundation, risking exposure of imprecision and distortion when the volume climbs. This bar suffers from marked dynamic compression beyond 85 dB, a very high level admittedly, but one that is entirely reachable in normal conditions.

The subwoofer impresses with phenomenal extension down to 30 Hz, but it still feels oversized relative to the bar even once its level is tempered. It struggles to deliver perfectly controlled bass, and the system also suffers from an upper bass that tends to spill over. Voices stay clear and intelligible, but their lower components are somewhat favoured, while a dip at 4 kHz does nothing to lend presence to pads and other subtle background elements, which are slightly washed out.

Despite that excess of body, the Bar 1000MK2 stands out for commendable precision and is never aggressive. Vocal sibilance is slightly softened and snare drums have a welcome smoothness, making for listening that is both pleasant and musical. It owes that balance in part to a measured touch of brightness, which airs out the presentation and reproduces well judged cymbals and hi-hats. Add very good dynamics and a wide stereo stage, and it makes a convincing case for music in spite of its imperfections.

Inflated bass is usually welcomed for doing justice to action scenes, but the Bar 1000MK2 is one of those bars that takes things too far. The subwoofer's phenomenal power shakes the seat as few systems do, but it can also set objects in the room rattling and become overbearing at sustained volume. Reining it in a little will not hurt the clarity of the scene.

The Bar 1000MK2 does not reinvent the wheel, but it delivers a good three-dimensional experience when the satellites are placed just behind the listener, the position JBL recommends. The bubble of sound falls short of a Samsung HW-Q990H, however, because the side channels are timid at the front and absent at the rear. Surround effects are still perceptible around the sides of the room and dart about in every direction, but they lack a little scale and coherence. Objects flying from front to back are heard too quickly at the rear, creating a sensation of a hole in between. Switching from Standard to Movie mode widens the stage somewhat, but the effects lose precision.

The satellites' drivers face one another, and the Bar 1000MK2 shines through the precision of its rear effects. The cohesion between the two elements is excellent, despite their fairly rudimentary architecture and slender character.

Unsurprisingly, putting the satellites back on the bar widens the front stage but empties the rear. In that configuration the Bar 1000MK2 places objects very accurately relative to the picture and projects sound convincingly towards the listener. The Atmos effects, though, struggle to extend beyond the width of a 65-inch television, whereas the satellites add height: static effects such as rain and ambience are felt overhead, and missiles seem almost to arrive from the ceiling.

Finally, the automatic calibration system proved worthwhile for improving the precision of the effects, particularly in Standard mode. Dialogue remained clear and intelligible without engaging the dedicated mode, and there was no need to raise the height of the Atmos effects or the volume of the rear channels, both of which are well judged out of the box.