Flagship JBL Bar 1300MK2 takes soundbar cinema to next level

JBL has unveiled a sweeping refresh of its home cinema soundbar lineup. Headlining the collection is the new JBL Bar 1300MK2, a premium 11.1.4 soundbar that marries immersive Dolby Atmos performance with a flexible modular design and unprecedented 29-driver array and 2,4070W total power output.

This flagship system comes with a dual 8-inch driver subwoofer and two detachable wireless surround speakers, offering a fully wireless, true 3D surround sound experience without the need for permanent rear speaker wiring. This modular flexibility means users can place the detachable units behind them for cinematic immersion, or detach and use them as portable Bluetooth speakers elsewhere in the home.

Under the hood, the Bar 1300MK2 is outfitted with six up-firing drivers and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. A key feature debuting with the 1300MK2 is AI Sound Boost, embedded within its subwoofer. This intelligent processing tech enhances dynamic range while minimising distortion, ensuring deep, punchy bass even at higher volume levels.

All five new soundbars in the JBL Bar Series feature MultiBeam 3.0 technology, a proprietary acoustic algorithm that simulates surround sound without requiring physical rear speakers. This has been refined to produce an even wider soundstage and more precise spatial imaging.

Also introduced across the lineup is SmartDetails, a new Harman-engineered audio enhancement designed to pick out subtle sonic cues, like footsteps, ambient noises, or background dialogue, without affecting overall fidelity. Combined with the updated PureVoice 2.0 dialogue enhancement system, this allows each soundbar to deliver clear, intelligible speech even during chaotic action scenes.

Users can personalise their audio experience with the JBL One App, which unifies control and streaming access across the brand’s ecosystem. The app includes a 7-band EQ, the ability to set Moment presets for one-touch access to playlists, and future-ready over-the-air software updates.

So how does the new JBL Bar Series compare? The top three models all have a main bar augmented with detachable rear modules.

The JBL Bar 1300MK2 flagship model boasts 6 up-firing drivers, AI Sound Boost, dual 8-inch driver subwoofer; the JBL Bar 1000MK2 is a more compact version of the 1300MK2, and features 2 up-firing drivers and a 10-inch subwoofer; the JBL Bar 800MK2 is a more sreamlined solution with virtualised Dolby Atmos support.

Positioned below the main trio are the JBL Bar 500MK2 and JBL Bar 300MK2. The former is an entry-level Dolby Atmos bar with a more compact footprint ,and DTS Virtual:X coming via OTA update, while the latter is built around virtual surround features and intended for smaller rooms.

For custom installers, and home cinema fans, looking for a powerful, all-in-one sound solution, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 offers a compelling proposition. It combines JBL’s cinematic heritage with considerable flexibility. It looks ideal for media room installations where running rear speaker cable is impractical but immersive performance is non-negotiable. AI Sound Boost and SmartDetails provide promising processing intelligence, while the inclusion of detachable speakers that can double as Bluetooth speakers is a novel bonus.

The flagship JBL Bar 1300MK2 is expected September 2025, while the rest are available from June. Prices TBA.