JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: clever design, strong sound, one rival to beat

What the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is

JBL's Bar 1300MK2 is the most premium model in the brand's current soundbar line-up, according to a review published by What Hi-Fi? on 13 November 2026. The package consists of a main soundbar, a subwoofer and two battery-powered surround speakers that can either attach magnetically to the ends of the bar or work wirelessly elsewhere in the room.

JBL claims the 11.1.4-channel system delivers immersive 3D spatial audio that can be adapted to different situations. The reviewer's verdict is broadly positive but not glowing: the design and scale of the sound impress, yet the publication concludes it is not the best-sounding option in its class.

Design and features

The detachable surrounds are the headline feature. Each speaker weighs 1.3kg and offers a claimed 10 hours of battery life, charging through USB-C ports or by clipping back onto the main bar. That means a listener can carry one into another room and keep the audio going, which the review highlights as a genuine draw for sports or music.

The system is generously specified elsewhere. Connectivity includes three HDMI inputs, an HDMI eARC output for the TV, an optical input and Bluetooth, with HDMI passthrough up to 4K/60Hz plus Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Streaming options cover Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect and Roon.

Inside are 27 drivers in total: eight forward-firing racetrack drivers, seven tweeters and four up-firing drivers in the bar, plus multiple drivers in each surround. The barrel-shaped subwoofer houses two 20cm bass drivers and a 1200W amplifier, and measures 28 x 32 x 28cm. A dot-matrix display on the front shows volume, output and sound mode changes, and the JBL One app adds room calibration using built-in microphones, which the reviewer found made the presentation feel more spacious.

How it sounds

In Movie mode with the surrounds attached, the reviewer was impressed by the sense of scale. Watching No Time To Die in Dolby Atmos, effects stretched wider than a 65-inch TV and helicopters could be heard clearly above the screen, with a good sense of height.

Using the speakers as wireless rears involves a compromise. Detaching them narrows the front soundstage, while placing them behind the listening position adds three-dimensional effects at the cost of directness. The reviewer felt the surround presentation could do with more substance to form a properly solid soundfield.

Bass also needed attention. At its default level of 3 out of 5, low frequencies dominated and unbalanced the sound during Blade Runner 2049; lowering it to 2 improved matters. A Night setting, which routes all audio through the detachable speakers, was judged to compress and localise the presentation rather than deliver the intimate experience JBL describes.

Who should buy it

Price and positioning matter here. The review notes the system carries a premium price and faces stiff competition from the Award-winning Samsung HW-Q990H, which launched at £1599, $2000 or AU$1999 and can now be found for considerably less. The Samsung earned a five-star rating from What Hi-Fi? for its immersive, detailed and punchy sound.

Buyers should also check their region. The reviewed model is not sold in the US, where JBL offers the $1700 Bar 1300XMK2 with a slightly different subwoofer, so the review does not apply to that version.

In short, the Bar 1300MK2 suits buyers who value its flexible design and the freedom to move a speaker around the house. Those focused purely on sound quality per pound may find the Samsung alternative more compelling, based on the reviewer's assessment.