JBL Bar 1000 Review: Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 Soundbar

We review the JBL Bar 1000 which is JBL’s soundbar tuned for true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support with detachable surround speakers

Compared with other JBL soundbars such as the JBL Bar 9.1 and the JBL Bar 700, the JBL Bar 1000 stands out as a full Dolby Atmos soundbar that provides a unique 7.1.4 configuration with detachable surround speakers. This setup includes seven drivers facing the front, a large 10″ woofer in the wireless sub, and four drivers aimed upwards which creates a rich and enveloping sound especially for Dolby Atmos content. Its modern look is enhanced by a matte black finish and protective black metal mesh. One of the things that we liked is that you can tailor your listening experience with adjustable bass and height settings for Dolby Atmos audio, fitting a variety of spaces and your living room environment. Moreover, the JBL Bar 1000 supports wireless connections including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast for easy streaming from numerous devices.

JBL Bar 1000 Full Specs Guide

Compared with other JBL soundbars, the JBL Bar 1000 stands out with its Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies for an immersive audio experience. Its 7.1.4-channel setup with detachable surround speakers and a powerful subwoofer allows the speaker system to tackle the entire frequency spectrum from the deepest lows to crystal clear highs (with smooth dialogues).

Despite its strengths, there are some considerations to note, such as the need for frequent recharging of the detachable rear speakers which some users may find inconvenient. However, its overall performance in enhancing music, movies, and games with clear, immersive sound makes it a highly recommended soundbar for those looking to elevate their home audio experience with Dolby Atmos.

Sound Performance

We tested out the JBL Bar 1000 together with our 75” Samsung the Frame TV and tested out the soundbar with Dolby Atmos movie content and soundtracks. Batman’s The Dark Night Rises sounded spectacular with full cinematic sound effects and crystal clear dialogues. The sound effects feel so spacious and real that it feels as though you are sitting inside a real life IMAX theater – the sound effects are directional and you can get a sense of where each sound effect is coming from (you will be able to pick up the sounds of footsteps and minute details that you might not have noticed before). Vocal dialogues sound exceptionally crisp and very clear, and the dialogues are projected nicely forwards and they sound present but not in your face.

One of the things that we liked with the JBL Bar 1000 is the bass – the bass punches exceptionally deep and feels very tight – and movie sound effects have a lot of weight and punch. Move sound effects feel deep and weighty with a lot of gravitas, and the bass feels tight and punchy without muddying into the midrange frequencies. The JBL Bar 1000 subwoofer also delivers exceptionally powerful sub-bass that has plenty of depth and power, and movie sound effects sound especially spacious and real with a deep low-end. We really enjoyed rewatching a lot of movies with the JBL Bar 1000 as you can pick up new details in the movie that you might not have noticed before, such as the sound of footsteps coming from behind or the direction of a flying projectile whistling through the air.

We also used the JBL Bar 1000 for playing a couple of music soundtracks using Apple’s spatial audio feature and they sounded brilliant with really nice highs, detailed midranges and well-defined bass performance. Live jazz performances sound particularly realistic with the JBL Bar 1000 with good spatial imaging and separation; you can pick out where the vocalist or instrumentalist is standing on stage and get a sense of where each sound is coming from.

Apart from the sound performance, we liked the fact that the JBL Bar 1000 soundbar doubles as a smart speaker, integrating with Google Assistant, Chromecast, Siri, and Apple Airplay, making it a dynamic component of any smart home.

Design and Specs

The JBL Bar 1000 delivers a maximum output of 880 watts which is split across its speaker components, including a powerful 10″ subwoofer and detachable speakers that support true Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for a three-dimensional sound experience. The entire system is wireless (using Wi-Fi or AirPlay) which is a great option if you do not want the clutter of using HDMI cables with this soundbar system. You also have the option of using HDMI eARC if you want to link the soundbar to your TV control box.

The JBL Bar 1000s’ 880W power output is split between the soundbar (440W), the two surround sound speakers (2 X 70W) and the subwoofer (300W). While the JBL Bar 1000 is an exceptionally powerful soundbar that delivers immersive sound performance, the latest JBL Bar 1300X offers an upgraded experience with an 11.1.4 setup for even more immersive audio, particularly with Dolby Atmos content.

In terms of connectivity, the JBL Bar 1000 comes with multiple HDMI ports that support HDCP 2.3, 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Vision pass-through, along with HDMI eARC capabilities for uncompressed Dolby Atmos surround sound. This makes it an ideal choice for a modern home theater setup and provides easy compatibility with a wide range of devices and content formats.

The JBL Bar 1000 comes with built-in Wi-Fi with support for AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast built-in, which provides easy access to over 300 online music streaming services. This feature allows you to enjoy the latest features and high-definition audio content from popular streaming services and podcasts​​.

The JBL Bar 1000 also prioritizes clarity in dialogue with its PureVoice Dialogue Enhancement Technology which provides crystal clear speech and dialogue even amidst peak surround effects. This is crucial for understanding every word of dialogue in movies and TV shows, enhancing the overall viewing experience​​.

The soundbar also has an easy sound calibration feature designed to optimize 3D surround effects for any room layout, which is similar to the Sonos Arc’s Trueplay room calibration feature.

The Verdict?

We would say that the JBL Bar 1000 is one of the most powerful home theater soundbar systems we have tested that delivers really good Dolby Atmos sound performance with DTS:X object performance sound. It delivers crystal clear sound performance with crisp highs, detailed midranges and very deep bass response that punches deep with impact. We really enjoyed rewatching a few movies on this system (such as the Marvel movies or Batman Begins) and you can hear details in the sound that you might not have noticed before all around you such as the sound of projectiles or footsteps behind you that sound more real and surrealistic. Movie dialogues are also enhanced and sound much clearer with vibrant detail, and the sound feels forward leaning without being too in your face. It’s overall a really powerful soundbar that delivers much more immersive sound than the JBL Bar 9.1 and the JBL Bar 700, and is more affordable than the JBL Bar 1300X.