JBL Bar 1300 M2 Black

This is a real relief to add to your TV. We just got a new TV, but to complete the whole setup, we also opted for a new soundbar. We specifically chose this one for several reasons.

One of these reasons is the detachable speakers. In our living room, we don't have the space to create a regular surround sound system, so the detachable speakers are a real plus. There is one small drawback to these side speakers: they can only be controlled via Bluetooth, and only both at the same time. So, not just one.

Then there's the soundbar itself. It's on our TV stand, and we currently have a 65-inch TV next to it. It's large, and you have to keep that in mind. With side speakers, you don't want a smaller TV than a 65-inch one, otherwise, the soundbar will be wider than your TV. It doesn't seem that way. Then there are the connections: you connect the TV with an HDMI cable, and you're done. The rest is automatic; you can personalize the soundbar to your preference using the JBL app. It can also automatically set the best sound settings via AI, which I appreciate, as I'm unfamiliar with half the terms used.

You also get a remote control, but if you connect the TV, you can also control the volume with the TV remote. There are also two volume buttons on the soundbar itself, one for volume up and one for volume down, but I never use them.

The sound is truly fantastic. I've been told the soundbar has more than enough speakers, and apparently, they're upward-facing, giving it a spacious sound.

For movie and TV viewing, it's much better than standard TV speakers.

A review of the JBL BAR 1300 MK2. This soundbar is the successor to the previous 1300. I was quite skeptical. I also had the JBL 9.1 before this, replaced it with the 1300, and now I've replaced it again with the 1300 MK2. I can only say that the sound is even more beautiful and clearer from this soundbar. The sound has also improved thanks to the multiple speakers in the soundbar. It's much clearer, much lighter in tone. And the subwoofer is also smaller and more compact, while it actually has two speakers, which ensure that the bass is quite present. Because of the Voice 2.0 option, which I've especially noticed, with Dutch-language films, the music always dominates, making the voices from the soundbar a bit harder to understand in the previous version. With this successor, the MK2, you can now use the Voice 2.0 option to make the voices stand out more clearly. I consider that a definite plus. Furthermore, the surface is a bit smoother compared to the previous version, which, in my opinion, has the disadvantage that it can easily cause scratches. The detachable speakers are now also integrated with connections from other JBL products. So you can connect them with the triangle to, for example, an Encore or a 320, so everything runs synchronously as an additional sound option. Furthermore, the side speakers are also equipped with more tweeters, so that also produces more sound. And I've noticed that with the previous series, the sound behind you can be louder and louder. It's obviously twice as powerful as the previous version. I think it's a truly excellent device, and it's a keeper for me.

What a sound this produces! Even at a fairly low volume, it produces a sound that makes you think: I hope the kids don't wake up!

Setting it up and connecting it was also easy, thanks to the included instructions. I'm still exploring the soundbar, but it's absolutely fantastic for movies, and that's why I bought it.