Update: The new JBL Soundbar Range Will Be Available In Australia From March 2023. Pricing can be found below.
JBL who are not exhibiting at IFA here in Berlin, no explanation given, however they have launched several new products including several new Atmos-capable soundbars of which two have battery-powered wireless rear speakers.
This eliminates the need to run cables with the speakers designed to be docked into the sides of the new soundbars to recharge.
The all-new flagship JBL Bar 1000 is an 11.1-channel performer that includes four upward-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos 3D sound. It also has a wireless subwoofer and supports DTS:X 3D surround sound.
The separate speaker concept is not new with the Harman owned brand rolling out very similar version of the soundbar called the Bar 9.1 in 2020.
What’s different this time round is that the new JBL Bar 1000 adds two more drivers for a 7.1.4 arrangement and bumps the power output to 880W compared to 820W in the Bar 9.1.
JBL has also announced a smaller and cheaper version called the Bar 800. This version has 7.1 channels, lacking two of the upward-firing speakers. Both soundbars are set to ship in some markets by year end.
And if that is not enough, there also a Bar 500 and Bar 300. Both use virtual “Multibeam’’ technology to achieve Dolby Atmos but don’t have actual rear or upward-firing speakers.
The Bar 500 includes a wireless subwoofer.
Like the more expensive options, you can stream music to these soundbars with AirPlay 2, Alexa MRM, and Chromecast, and they can be controlled by your preferred voice assistant-enabled device.
All of the new soundbars use JBL’s PureVoice technology that optimizes dialog clarity and connect to the JBL One app, enabling EQ adjustments and music platform integration.
The new range will be available in Australia from March 2023, with the Bar 1000 costing $1,499, the Bar 800 priced at $1,099, the Bar 500 for $799 and the Bar 300 for $529.
