The JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar is a model with a sophisticated design that promises to transform the home room into a cinema experience. Launched in October 2020, the product is composed of four parts: a soundbar, a subwoofer, and two speakers that promise to optimize the sound potential of your TV. Among the highlights, the audio device features Dolby Atmos and DTS X technology features as the main audio specifications. The soundbar can be purchased starting at $1,199.95 on Amazon.
Although it has “9.1” in the name, the audio device delivers 5.1.4 channels, according to the manufacturer’s website. Connections from other devices can be made to the soundbar via Bluetooth, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, or cables. Check out the main details about the JBL Bar 9.1 below and find out if the product is a good option for you.
JBL Bar 9.1 Technical specifications
| JBL Bar 9.1 | |
|---|---|
| Launch | 2020 |
| Price | $1,199.95 |
| Dimensions | bar 88.4 x 6.2 x 12 cm; subwoofer 30.5 x 44 x 30.5 cm and other speakers 17.3 × 6.0 × 12 cm (each) |
| Color | Black |
| Weight | bar 3.64 Kg;Â subwoofer 11.10 kg and other speakers 0.72 kg (each) |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz to 20kHz |
| Connectivity | Optical, Bluetooth, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, USB (1 each) |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Sound Power | 410 W RMS total — 2 x 30 W speakers, 200 W soundbar and 150 W subwoofer |
| Extras | Dolby Atmos and DTS X |
Design
The JBL Bar 9.1 consists of four components: the soundbar, a subwoofer, and two detachable speakers. Despite the number of parts, the model has a minimalistic look without many eye-catching details. All parts are in black, which allows you to combine the stereo with different kinds of décor and can also make the living room look more elegant.
The long and slim soundbar has 88.4 x 6.2 x 12 cm in its dimensions, which allows you to install it close to the TV. In addition, the soundbar has physical buttons that make it possible to control the volume played and to switch on the power.
The subwoofer has a more robust look due to its size of 30.5 x 44 x 30.5 cm, but the device can be strategically placed next to the piece of furniture in the room where the TV is located. The detachable speakers, on the other hand, allow the user to install them in any environment. Their battery should last about ten hours and recharging is done directly on the soundbar.
Power and Sound
JBL Bar 9.1 is a soundbar model that promises to fill the entire room with surround sound. With the detachable speakers, the user should be able to create an in-home sound experience by positioning them behind the sofa. To this end, the soundbar set boasts a total of 410 W RMS of power, which is distributed among its four audio components. The promise is to make the experience of watching movies and series, listening to music, and playing games more immersive.
The soundbar has the highest sound power: 200 W RMS distributed over four racetrack drivers, two full-range drivers facing upwards, and three 0.75-inch tweeters. The subwoofer has 150 W of power and a 10-inch diameter, which promises to reproduce more striking and precise bass. The speakers, on the other hand, have full-range drivers facing upwards and 0.75-inch tweeters, thus producing 30 W of power in each.
The audio device works with a frequency response slightly lower than the standard seen in other portable speakers, ranging from 34 Hz to 20 kHz. The sound system is 5.1.4-channel, with five speakers, a subwoofer, and four vertical channels, which should amplify the audio immersion of the environment.
Audio Features
In addition to featuring sound power that promises to fill the entire room and turn it into a cinema experience, the JBL Bar 9.1 also features technologies that promise to enhance 3D sound. Dolby Atmos and DTS X ensure more precise audio for movies and games. To achieve this, four upward-facing speakers cause the sound to reflect off the ceiling and return to the listener, which creates a three-dimensional sound experience in the room.
The sound bar has pre-installed Wi-Fi as well as the Chromecast and AirPlay 2 services and can play a variety of content. Thus, users connected to your home’s internet network can play music without having to pair their smartphone to the soundbar. The soundbar also features a Bluetooth 4.2 connection, another option for connecting other devices, such as the television. You can also use an HDMI cable on the unit.
Price and value for money
Despite offering several features that promise to improve the experience of watching TV at home, the JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar is a product with a “steep” price tag. The audio device is seen for $1,199.95 on the brand’s official website. The product can be found on Amazon starting at $1,900.
- Buy JBL 9.1 on Amazon
Because of its high price, the product does not become a very affordable option, because it is possible to find, in the domestic market, similar options at lower prices. The main attractions of the JBL model are its Dolby Atmos and DTS X audio technologies, in addition to detachable speakers.
Competitors
In the market, it is possible to find several soundbar models that can present similar features to the JBL Bar 9.1. One example is the SP9A, from LG, which also has Dolby Atmos and DTS X technologies, in addition to AI Sound Pro, Meridian sound, and connectivity with Amazon Alexa. The product has 5.1.2 channels and can be purchased for $399 on Amazon.
Another model that competes with JBL’s speaker set is the Samsung HW-Q950A. With 11.1.4 channels, the soundbar features Dolby Atmos and DTS X technologies for sound immersion and sound synchronization. Other features that the product presents are voice command with integrated Alexa, connection via Tap Sound, Game mode, and anti-noise sound intelligence. You can purchase the South Korean brand soundbar for $599.
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