ReviewFinder Sound Bars

JBL Bar 1300X

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Sound quality
Connectivity
Compatibility
Design
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12 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [12]

90
Total expert reviews: 12
  • with a score: 7
  • without a score: 5
Highest score by TechRadar
100
Average score based on 12 reviews
90
Lowest score by TechHive
80

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
The JBL Bar 1300X Pro is an impressive soundbar that delivers immersive surround sound and overhead audio effects. Its wireless subwoofer and rechargeable wireless rear speakers add convenience and flexibility to the setup, making it a standout option in the market.
+ pros
  • Wireless subwoofer and rechargeable wireless rear speakers provide a unique surround sound experience in any location.
  • Compact design and easy setup make it a convenient addition to any home theater setup.
  • Impressive 16 discrete channels of audio and 4 Atmos overhead audio channels deliver immersive sound.
  • Generous connectivity options, including HDMI ports, USB port, Ethernet port, and optical port.
  • Ability to charge wireless speakers over USB-C adds convenience and versatility.
  • Seamless music playback with compatibility for Apple Airplay 2, Chromecast, and Alexa multi-room music.
  • Bluetooth 5.0 support ensures easy connectivity with devices.
  • JBL ONE companion app provides control options for the soundbar.
- cons
  • Limited control over volume levels for subwoofer, surround speakers, and Atmos channels.
  • Dialogue can be difficult to hear at times, lacking an adjustable speech enhancement feature.
80
The JBL Bar 1300X is a flagship soundbar that offers a truly immersive surround sound experience with its Dolby Atmos performance. It also features wireless rear surround speakers, although the need to constantly charge their batteries may become a hassle for some users.
+ pros
  • Spectacular Dolby Atmos performance: The JBL Bar 1300X delivers an immersive and impressive surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos.
  • Great musical performance: The soundbar provides excellent audio quality for music playback.
  • Truly wireless rear surround speakers: The rear speakers are battery-powered and do not require any cords, allowing for flexible placement.
  • Excellent access to streaming music services: The soundbar supports popular streaming music services and can be controlled with voice commands.
  • Wireless surrounds can also serve as independent Bluetooth speakers: The detachable rear speakers can be used as standalone Bluetooth speakers, offering versatility.
- cons
  • Charging the batteries in those rear surrounds could become a hassle: The need to regularly charge the batteries in the rear speakers may be inconvenient for some users.
  • Limited ability to tweak EQ settings: The soundbar has a limited EQ adjustment capability, which may not satisfy users who prefer more customization options.
  • Remote control doesn’t have a backlight: The remote control does not have a backlight, which may make it difficult to use in low-light conditions.
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Expert consensus

The JBL Bar 1300X is a highly regarded soundbar that offers impressive sound quality, connectivity options, compatibility with various devices and streaming services, a sleek design, and a range of features, making it suitable for creating an immersive audio experience in various use cases.

The JBL Bar 1300X is a highly regarded soundbar that offers impressive sound quality, connectivity options, compatibility with various devices and streaming services, a sleek design, and a range of features. Experts praise its clarity and accurate spatial audio, making it suitable for both movies and music.

The soundbar supports major casting options and has Bluetooth 5. 0 support for easy connectivity. It offers exceptional sound quality with a wide and dense soundstage, thanks to multiple speakers and detachable surround speakers. The JBL Bar 1300X offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, optical audio, USB, and Ethernet.

It is compatible with TVs that have HDMI eARC capability, as well as smartphones and popular streaming services. The soundbar's design features a sleek and modern appearance, with detachable surround speakers that can be positioned optimally for a true surround sound experience. It also offers a range of features, including voice control compatibility, JBL's MultiBeam technology, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, and built-in Wi-Fi with streaming services.

The JBL Bar 1300X is highly regarded in the market and has a strong brand reputation. It is recommended for users who prioritize exceptional audio performance, build quality, and ease of use. The soundbar's Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities make it suitable for creating an immersive audio experience in various use cases, such as watching movies, listening to music, and playing games.

Sound quality

The JBL Bar 1300X soundbar offers impressive sound quality, accurate spatial audio, and powerful bass performance, making it suitable for action films and bass-heavy music genres, although it lacks an overhead soundstage for Dolby Atmos.

The JBL Bar 1300X soundbar is highly regarded for its impressive sound quality. Experts praise its clarity, with accurate spatial audio that provides a clear and precise soundstage. The bass performance is also considered to be quite impressive, with the ability to hit frequencies below 30Hz without trouble.

This makes it suitable for action films and bass-heavy music genres. The soundstage of the JBL Bar 1300X is wide and dense on the horizontal plane, creating an immersive audio experience. While it lacks an overhead soundstage for Dolby Atmos, it excels in delivering a captivating audio experience for both movies and music.

The soundbar supports major casting options and has Bluetooth 5. 0 support for easy connectivity. It offers exceptional sound quality with a wide and dense soundstage, thanks to multiple speakers and detachable surround speakers. The JBL Bar 1300X is designed for larger rooms with high ceilings, with an 11.

1. 4-channel system, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology, MultiBeam surround sound, and a wireless subwoofer. This combination provides an immersive and impactful audio experience, making it well-suited for larger spaces.

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Connectivity

The JBL Bar 1300X is a versatile soundbar with a wide range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, and more, making it suitable for various use cases.

The JBL Bar 1300X offers a wide range of connectivity options, making it a versatile and flexible soundbar for various use cases. It features Bluetooth 5. 0 connectivity, allowing you to wirelessly connect your devices such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops to the soundbar for easy streaming of music or other audio content.

The built-in Wi-Fi connectivity supports AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in, enabling you to stream audio wirelessly from your Apple or Android devices. It also supports Alexa Multi-Room Music, allowing you to control the soundbar and play music through multiple Alexa-enabled speakers in different rooms of your home.

The HDMI connectivity options are generous, with four HDMI ports that support 4K HDR video signals and Audio Return Channel (ARC) and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) from the TV. This makes the soundbar suitable for complicated setups and as a control hub for a more serious home theater installation.

Additionally, the JBL Bar 1300X has an optical digital audio input, USB-A port, and Ethernet port, providing even more connectivity options. Overall, the JBL Bar 1300X offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options to meet the needs of different users, whether they want to stream music wirelessly, connect multiple devices, or create a home theater setup.

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Compatibility

The JBL Bar 1300X is a versatile soundbar that offers compatibility with various devices, streaming services, and voice assistants, providing a convenient and immersive audio experience.

The JBL Bar 1300X is a soundbar that offers a range of compatibility options for different devices and streaming services. It is compatible with TVs that have HDMI eARC capability, allowing for HD and immersive audio experiences with programs like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. For older TVs with ARC compatibility, the soundbar supports stereo and 5.

1 programs. It also supports optical audio for non-spatial audio standards, providing an alternative connectivity option.

In terms of smartphones, the JBL Bar 1300X has Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, allowing for wireless audio streaming from your smartphone. This feature is mentioned in multiple product reviews and ensures a stable and reliable connection.

When it comes to streaming services, the soundbar is compatible with popular services such as Amazon Music Unlimited, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify (with Spotify Connect support), iHeartRadio, TuneIn Radio, and Napster. The JBL One app allows you to enter your subscriber information for these services, providing a central location to access music and other streaming audio.

It also supports wireless streaming via AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in, allowing you to stream music from compatible devices.

The JBL Bar 1300X also supports voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. You can control the soundbar with Siri voice commands using Apple AirPlay 2 support, and if you have a smart speaker that works with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can use voice commands to control the speaker.

However, it's important to note that the soundbar does not have built-in microphones for voice control and requires an external voice control device.

Overall, the JBL Bar 1300X offers a wide range of compatibility options, making it suitable for various use cases such as enhancing the audio experience of your TV, streaming music from your smartphone or compatible devices, and integrating with voice assistants for convenient control.

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Design

The JBL Bar 1300X is a sleek and modern soundbar with detachable surround speakers, wireless connectivity, and a versatile design that can fit into various home decor styles.

The JBL Bar 1300X is a soundbar with a rectangular shape and angular lines. It is made of high-quality black metal with perforated speaker grills, giving it a sleek and modern appearance. The soundbar itself measures approximately 2. 4 x 39. 4 x 5. 5 inches (HxWxD), but when the detachable surround speakers are attached, the width can reach up to 54.

2 inches. The surround speakers measure approximately 8 x 2. 4 x 5. 5 inches each.

One of the standout design features of the JBL Bar 1300X is its detachable surround speakers. These battery-powered speakers can be placed behind the listener to create a true surround sound experience. The wireless connectivity of the rear speakers eliminates the need for additional wires and power connections, making it easy to position them optimally without worrying about cable management.

The JBL Bar 1300X also offers multiple sound configurations. The surround speakers can be docked on either side of the main soundbar for recharging and to widen the soundstage. Once charged, they can be removed and placed behind the listener for a true surround sound experience.

The shapeshifting design of the JBL Bar 1300X allows the surround speakers to magnetically connect and detach from the main soundbar, providing flexibility in configuration and use. This unique design, along with its sleek and innovative appearance, has received positive reviews from experts.

In terms of fitting into different home decor styles, the JBL Bar 1300X has a bold and modern aesthetic. Its angular lines and metal grilles give it an industrial and minimalist look that can work well with contemporary or industrial-themed interiors. The curved edges add a touch of softness, making it suitable for spaces with a more transitional or modern farmhouse style.

Overall, the JBL Bar 1300X's unique design features, including detachable surround speakers, wireless connectivity, and multiple sound configurations, make it a versatile and immersive soundbar option. Its sleek and modern appearance can complement various home decor styles, adding a touch of sophistication to any room.

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Features

The JBL Bar 1300X is a feature-rich soundbar with voice control compatibility, virtual surround sound, true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, detachable surround speakers, built-in Wi-Fi, and a powerful subwoofer, making it a versatile and immersive audio solution for movies, music, and games.

The JBL Bar 1300X is a feature-rich soundbar that offers a range of impressive features. It has voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, allowing you to control the soundbar using voice commands through an external voice control device.

The soundbar utilizes JBL's MultiBeam technology to provide a virtual surround sound experience, creating an immersive 3D audio experience without the need for additional speakers. It also offers a 3-band equalizer for adjusting the bass, midrange, and treble frequencies, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your preference.

Some unique additional features of the JBL Bar 1300X include true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, delivering a realistic and enveloping surround sound experience. It comes with detachable surround speakers that can be placed behind you to achieve real surround sound without extra wires and power connections.

The soundbar has built-in Wi-Fi with AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast built-in, providing access to over 300 online music streaming services. With a total system power of 1170 watts and a 10-inch wireless subwoofer, the JBL Bar 1300X delivers powerful and immersive sound experiences for movies, music, and games.

In terms of setup and additional features, the JBL Bar 1300X is easy to set up and can be used out of the box by plugging it into your TV or pairing it with your phone over Bluetooth. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound, as well as MultiBeam technology for enhanced 3D surround sound.

The detachable surround speakers, built-in Wi-Fi, and streaming services add to the versatility and convenience of the soundbar. With its powerful output and wireless subwoofer, the JBL Bar 1300X is suitable for creating a captivating audio experience in various use cases, such as watching movies, listening to music, and playing games.

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Brand reputation

The JBL Bar 1300X is a highly regarded soundbar with exceptional audio performance, build quality, and ease of use, making it a top choice for those seeking a premium audio experience.

The JBL Bar 1300X is a highly regarded audio product from the reputable brand JBL. With almost a century of experience in the industry, JBL has established itself as a leader in producing high-quality audio products. The JBL Bar 1300X is part of JBL's flagship soundbar lineup and has received positive reviews from both experts and customers.

Experts have praised the exceptional audio performance, build quality, and ease of use of the JBL Bar 1300X. It has been ranked as one of the best full surround soundbars for 2023 by Home Media Entertainment and has earned the title of Editor's Choice from PCMag in the Sound Bars category.

The soundbar's accurate spatial audio, thunderous subwoofer, and detachable wireless rear satellites have been highlighted as standout features.

While there are a few complaints or issues mentioned by some experts, such as the lack of resolution and apathy at low volume and the performance of the subwoofer, these are subjective opinions and may not be representative of all customer experiences.

Overall, the JBL Bar 1300X has a strong brand reputation and is highly regarded in the market. It is recommended for users who prioritize exceptional audio performance, build quality, and ease of use. The soundbar's Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound capabilities make it suitable for both movies and music.

The detachable wireless rear surround speakers and well-designed app for tweaking settings are additional features that enhance the overall user experience.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all sound bars.

Rank Change Price Sound Bar
Rtings.com
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
PCMag
What Hi-Fi
TechHive
World Wide Stereo
WIRED
SoundGuys
Digital Trends
1
- $489
Sonos Beam Gen 2
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact and stylish soundbar that delivers excellent audio quality for both music and movies, with versatile connectivity options and compatibility with Dolby Atmos, making it a recommended choice for Sonos fans and those seeking high-quality audio enjoyment.
6
10
-
6
4
4
10
6
2
-
2
- $699
Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is a high-end soundbar with impressive sound quality, expansive soundstage, and modern design, ideal for those seeking an immersive surround sound experience for movies and music.
-
9
-
3
5
-
11
9
-
2
3
- $1038
Samsung HW-Q990C
The Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar is highly praised for its exceptional sound quality, immersive experience, and extensive connectivity options, making it a top choice for enhancing TV audio and creating a cinematic home theater experience.
-
-
-
5
-
5
-
4
-
1
4
- Check price
Sony HT-A7000
The Sony HT-A7000 is a high-end soundbar with a neutral sound profile, wide and immersive soundstage, comprehensive connectivity options, and advanced features such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it a great choice for enhancing the listening experience.
-
7
6
-
1
-
-
8
-
-
Show all rows
The best soundbar for flexibility
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3 Oct 2024 (2 months ago)
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28 Oct 2024 (1 month ago)
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The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact and stylish soundbar that delivers excellent audio quality for both music and movies, with versatile connectivity options and compatibility with Dolby Atmos, making it a recommended choice for Sonos fans and those seeking high-quality audio enjoyment. The Sonos Arc is a high-end soundbar with impressive sound quality, expansive soundstage, and modern design, ideal for those seeking an immersive surround sound experience for movies and music. The Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar is highly praised for its exceptional sound quality, immersive experience, and extensive connectivity options, making it a top choice for enhancing TV audio and creating a cinematic home theater experience. The Sony HT-A7000 is a high-end soundbar with a neutral sound profile, wide and immersive soundstage, comprehensive connectivity options, and advanced features such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it a great choice for enhancing the listening experience.
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