Recently, I managed to get my hands on JBL’s new flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar. That’s right, I spent hours testing the JBL Bar 1300MK2 – a mighty model that comes with a full-sized bar, a powerful sub, and detachable surround speakers. And it really was something special.
Given the widespread success of its predecessor, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 had a lot to live up to. But by adding more than double the power of its forefather, as well as effective new features and a refined look, it easily lived up to my expectations, netting an awesome 4.5-star review.
But what exactly makes this soundbar so impressive? Well, I’m here to tell you and share the three key reasons why I’d recommend the JBL Bar 1300MK2. A lot of the best soundbars look incredibly alike and provide a very similar set of features, but I think this JBL model does plenty to differentiate itself – there’ll be plenty of unique qualities to discover in this list. So, without further ado, let’s get right into things.
1. Versatile surround speakers
Perhaps the most interesting feature that the JBL Bar 1300MK2 has to offer is its detachable surround speakers.
These can be slotted onto the main bar if you’d prefer, but I predominantly used them as rear speakers, helping to create truly immersive surround sound. I also liked how you could use them as individual Bluetooth speakers instead and play your tunes on the go. They’ll connect up to other Auracast-enabled JBL speakers as well – ideal if you really want to crank up the volume.
Of course, the surround speakers are battery-powered and don’t require any wires when in use. Given that they’re also pre-paired to the bar, that allows for the most seamless and hassle-free setup imaginable. You’ll get 10 hours of battery life per speaker – more than enough for a movie marathon – but can plug them into a USB-C charger while in use if they need a little more juice.
You can also charge the speakers by sliding them onto the main soundbar, which makes them convenient in just about every way. And I should mention, they genuinely plate up amazing audio, and never sound overbearing or distant when connected up to your soundbar system.
2. Outrageous power levels
I visited Copenhagen earlier in 2025, where I got an early peek at this model, as well as some other soundbars like the JBL Bar 1000MK2 and Bluetooth speakers such as the JBL Grip. One thing stuck with me above all from that trip: the unbelievable power of the Bar 1300MK2.
That’s right, this thing is an absolute beast, with far more might than just about every rival, and more than double that of its predecessor. To be specific, this soundbar has a maximum power output of almost 2,500W. Yes, you read that correctly. That power is spread across a whopping 29 drivers within the main bar, sub, and surround speakers, and is seriously striking.
When watching Dolby Atmos movies, the room-swallowing deep bass of this bar was something to behold – it really made me feel as if I was sitting right inside a movie theater. If you’re looking for a cost-efficient soundbar system that can get especially loud and handle dark, imposing scores and soundtracks, this one is definitely for you.
I should say too, that the JBL Bar 1300MK2 isn’t just powerful and loud – the quality of audio here is astonishingly good. Those low-frequency sounds extend extremely low, but they’re responsive and don’t overshadow dialogue. Speaking of which, voices come through with excellent clarity, and treble response is as snappy as I’d dreamed of. It’s just a great soundbar system, for movies and music alike.
3. An exceptional feature-set
And to top things off, I want to talk about the extensive feature-set of the JBL Bar 1300MK2, which gives you all kinds of ways to customize your home theater experience.
One inclusion that comes to mind is MultiBeam 3.0 tech. This makes use of beamforming as well as digital processing to deliver a “wide, cinema-like soundstage”, in the words of JBL itself. And having tested this model, I’d say that’s very much accurate – I experienced an intoxicatingly expansive listen from the Bar 1300MK2 time after time.
Another neat feature is AI Sound Boost, which has featured on some of the company’s Bluetooth speakers, like the JBL Xtreme 4. This enables the included dual-driver subwoofer – which can reach down as low as 33Hz – to deliver improved dynamics, an important inclusion for more action-packed movies.
There’s even more to uncover, though, like a redesigned Night Mode, which totally deactivates the main bar and sub to provide playback through the surround speakers alone. So, if everyone has gone to bed, you can place the surround speakers in front of you and keep watching your movie or TV show without any noise complaints.
Of course, all the other good stuff is here like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, Wi-Fi streaming and Bluetooth, plus 4K passthrough (but not at 120Hz). And I’ve already discussed those nifty detachable speakers. But the bottom line is, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 serves up just about everything you could want from one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and is well worth considering if you’re in the market for a new one.
The best soundbars for all budgets
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harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan)
