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JBL BAR 9.1 Soundbar w/ Wireless Surround, Subwoofer, and Dolby Atmos

JBL | Soundbars
MSRP 1000 USDExt score 66%
Keywords:chromecastflagshiphome-theatrejblsubwoofersurround-soundwireless-rear-speakerswireless-subwoofer

Product Gallery

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Video 0 of Product JBL BAR 9.1 Soundbar w/ Wireless Surround, Subwoofer, and Dolby Atmos

Product Overview

JBL BAR 9.1 is a premium soundbar system with two detachable, wireless surrounds and a wireless subwoofer for flexibility in placement and 820W powerful listening experience. The JBL BAR 9.1 also supports Dolby Atmos, thanks to its three custom up-firing drivers, to deliver 5.1.4 (9.1) channel surround sound.
The two battery-powered detachable, wireless rear speakers help create impressive home theatre experience without the usual hassle. BAR 9.1 also supports Dolby Vision as well as Chromecast and Airplay 2, allowing easy music streaming.
In the same generation, JBL also markets the 2.0-channel Bar 2.0, 2.1-channel Bar 2.1, and 5.1-channel Bar 5.1.

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Ratings

What we found**

Pros
  • Simple to set up and use
  • Dolby Atmos built-in
  • Built-in subwoofer
Cons
  • Subwoofer isn't as good as wired rear speakers

What external reviewers found***

Ext 66% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Great audio reproduction
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Excellent build quality
  • Very good surround performance
Cons
  • Lack of customization options
  • Weak dynamics
  • No Dolby Atmos
  • Dull, dull sound
  • No EQ settings
  • Some compression at max volume
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Price Comparison (incl. referral links)*

Specifications

Detachable surroundSubwoofer

Connectivity

Ports[Input] HDMI | [Output] HDMI + USB + optical
Wireless ConnectivityWiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2

Construction

Drivers | Midrange1x up-firing full-range
Drivers | Subwoofer
Drivers | Tweeter1x 0.75" tweeter
Form FactorSoundbar with detachable wireless rear speakers and wireless subwoofer

Dimensions

Size | Depth120 mm / 4.7 inch305 mm / 12 inch
Size | Height60 mm / 2.4 inch440 mm / 17.3 inch
Size | Width173 mm / 6.8 inch305 mm / 12 inch
Weight0.72 kg / 1.6 lbs11.1 kg / 24.5 lbs

Function

AudioDolby Atmos, DTS:X
Bluetooth ProfilesA2DP V1.2/ AVRCP V1.5
Channels5.1.4-channel
Operating Temperature0 - 45°C

Performance

Charging Time3 hours
Frequency Response34Hz - 20kHz
Max Sound Level103 dB
Power Output820W (400W bar + 2x 60W surround + 300W subwoofer)

Production

Availability2020-03
Debut2020-01 CES
Model NameJBLBAR913DBLKAM
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3rd-Party Review Videos

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External Review Video EUXDK3T0FJM for JBL BAR 9.1 Soundbar w/ Wireless Surround, Subwoofer, and Dolby Atmos
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External Review Video UhBxv2wV4OM for JBL BAR 9.1 Soundbar w/ Wireless Surround, Subwoofer, and Dolby Atmos

External Reviews

digitaltrends[1]

Sentiment Score 58%
Reviewers from digitaltrends have found the following***:
JBL Bar 9.1 is an innovative solution to an age-old problem: Getting better immersive sound without losing the simplicity of a soundbar. With an effortless setup and wireless speakers you can place almost anywhere, it's a very slick design. However, barebones input options, minimal audio settings, and lackluster music reproduction are tough drawbacks to swallow at this price.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Built-in remote control
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • No Dolby Atmos
  • No dialogue-enhancement mode
  • No EQ settings

pcmag[2]

Sentiment Score 82%
Reviewers from pcmag have found the following***:
The JBL Bar 9.1 can deliver room-shaking thunder or a more refined bass experience. It's a pricey soundbar at $1,000, but you also get an immersive, wireless rear channel experience. We'd like to see better EQ options for the price and a properly calibrated sub.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Powerful audio performance with deep bass depth
  • Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support
  • Wireless rear channels
Cons
  • No treble volume adjuster

rtings[3]

Sentiment Score 73%
Reviewers from rtings have found the following***:
The JBL Bar 9.1 has a balanced sound profile right out-of-the-box with just a touch of extra bass. While it can get loud enough for a large or crowded room, there's some compression at max volume. Still, it can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately, and you can stream podcasts or audiobooks directly to the bar via a variety of wireless connections.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Well-balanced sound profile
  • Lots of wireless connectivity options
  • Very good surround performance
  • Great audio reproduction
Cons
  • Some compression at max volume
  • Doesn't have a dialogue enhancement feature

t3[4]

Sentiment Score 53%
Reviewers from t3 have found the following***:
The JBL Bar 9.1 is capable of prodigious volume, but if you want it loud then the quiet bits are going to be loud too. The sub digs as deep and hits as hard as a box this big, but in terms of tonal or textural light-and-shade, there's not much going on here. The height channels, in particular, lack definition – the JBL has no problem getting sound effects up high, but having done that it struggles to make them distinct or move them with any kind of positivity. By comparison, the Sonos Arc is a one-trick pony.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Dolby Atmos and Atmos surround sound
  • Decent build quality
Cons
  • Subwoofer is a little monotonal
  • No definition

techhive[5]

Sentiment Score 80%
Reviewers from techhive have found the following***:
The JBL Bar 9.1 sounds crisp and clear in both Smart and Standard modes. The four up-firing drivers deliver palpable height cues. Music sounds detailed and alive with the wireless surrounds docked. There is no "pure" or "direct" mode for the HDMI and optical inputs.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Clean, crisp sound
  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X upmixing
  • Easy to set up
Cons
  • Lack of customization options

techradar[6]

Sentiment Score 84%
Reviewers from techradar have found the following***:
The JBL Bar 9.1 comes with upward-firing drivers, detachable wireless surround speakers, and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer. Available in April, the soundbar will cost $999 – that works out at around £760 / AU$1450 based on current conversion rates. Dolby Atmos audio feels truly spacious thanks to those upwards firing drivers that bounce sound off of your ceiling.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Impressive Dolby Atmos audio
  • Dolby Vision and 4K-compatible
Cons
  • Somewhat limited sonic'sweet spot'

trustedreviews[7]

Sentiment Score 58%
Reviewers from trustedreviews have found the following***:
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a Dolby Atmos soundbar with a wireless subwoofer. With the modules deployed as rear speakers and the auto-calibration process run, the positioning of effects is much more reminiscent of a true Atmos system than any other soundbar, at any price, can manage. The impression of height is persuasive, the placement of rear surround effects is unarguable and low-frequency presence is prodigious. But when you get beyond the straight-ahead size of the sound the JBL is capable of serving up, limitations quite quickly manifest themselves.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Dolby Atmos sound
  • Impressive build quality
Cons
  • Not the most dynamic system you’ll ever hear
  • Bass lacks subtlety

whathifi[8]

Sentiment Score 41%
Reviewers from whathifi have found the following***:
Atmos speakers are firing on all cylinders to create a worthy soundstage. When the noises start moving, the JBL's spatial skills break down somewhat. Dynamics are particularly poor, even at the subtler end of the spectrum. The 70s/80s soundtrack doesn't have the appeal it should and, for all its static spatial trickery, this JBL bar comes a little unstuck with the fast-paced effects.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Room-filling sound
  • Attractive design
  • Excellent build quality
Cons
  • Dull, dull sound
  • Weak dynamics

User Reviews

References

1. ^ JBL Bar 9.1 review: Wireless Dolby Atmos with a few flaws. [digitaltrends]. https://www.digitaltrends.com/sound-bar-reviews/jbl-bar-91-review/. 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
2. ^ JBL Bar 9.1 Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/jbl-bar-91. 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
3. ^ JBL Bar 9.1 Soundbar Review. [rtings]. https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/jbl/bar-9-1. 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
4. ^ JBL Bar 9.1 review: a clever Dolby Atmos soundbar with secret surround sound. [t3]. https://www.t3.com/reviews/jbl-bar-9-1-review-dolby-atmos-soundbar. 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
5. ^ JBL Bar 9.1 review: This 5.1.4 soundbar boasts truly wireless surround speakers. [techhive]. https://www.techhive.com/article/3540450/jbl-bar-9-1-soundbar-review.html. 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
6. ^ Hands on: JBL Bar 9.1 review. [techradar]. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/jbl-bar-91. 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
7. ^ JBL Bar 9.1 Review. [trustedreviews]. https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/jbl-bar-9-1. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
8. ^ JBL Bar 9.1 review. [whathifi]. https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/jbl-bar-91. 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2021-03-22.

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