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.
Product Gallery
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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***
NEX score: 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
Price Comparison (incl. referral links)*
Specifications
Variants:
Detachable surround
Subwoofer
Connectivity
Ports
[Input] HDMI | [Output] HDMI + USB + optical
Wireless Connectivity
WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2
Construction
Drivers | Midrange
4x racetrack driver + 2x up-firing full-range
Detachable surroundDrivers | Midrange
1x up-firing full-range
SubwooferDrivers | Subwoofer
1x 10"
Drivers | Tweeter
3x 0.75" tweeter
Detachable surroundDrivers | Tweeter
1x 0.75" tweeter
Form Factor
Soundbar with detachable wireless rear speakers and wireless subwoofer
Dimensions
Size | Depth
120 mm / 4.7 inch
Detachable surroundSize | Depth
120 mm / 4.7 inch
SubwooferSize | Depth
305 mm / 12 inch
Size | Height
62 mm / 2.4 inch
Detachable surroundSize | Height
60 mm / 2.4 inch
SubwooferSize | Height
440 mm / 17.3 inch
Size | Width
884 mm / 34.8 inch
Detachable surroundSize | Width
173 mm / 6.8 inch
SubwooferSize | Width
305 mm / 12 inch
Weight
3.64 kg / 8.0 lbs
Detachable surroundWeight
0.72 kg / 1.6 lbs
SubwooferWeight
11.1 kg / 24.5 lbs
Function
Audio
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Bluetooth Profiles
A2DP V1.2/ AVRCP V1.5
Channels
5.1.4-channel
Operating Temperature
0 - 45°C
Performance
Charging Time
3 hours
Frequency Response
34Hz - 20kHz
Max Sound Level
103 dB
Power Output
820W (400W bar + 2x 60W surround + 300W subwoofer)
Production
Availability
2020-03
Debut
2020-01 CES
Model Name
JBLBAR913DBLKAM
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3rd-Party Review Videos
External Reviews
digitaltrends[1]
Sentiment Score 58%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%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%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%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%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%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%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%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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***These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party review by our AI using advanced language models.
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