JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: the most versatile home theater setup?

If you want flexibility from your home theater system, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 is worth a look. You can keep the rear speakers attached for a sleek soundbar setup, or pop them off for true surround sound with no wires and no hassle. The rears charge while docked, and the included subwoofer aims to add serious low-end punch without a single cable crossing your living room. This all-in-one setup promises big sound and everyday convenience, but can it really deliver both? Let’s find out in this JBL Bar 1000MK2 review.

What I like about the JBL Bar 1000MK2

The JBL Bar 1000MK2 comes as a complete home theater kit offering 7.1.4 channel audio with a pretty slick design: a wide soundbar, a 10-inch wireless subwoofer, and two detachable rear speakers that charge automatically when docked, or via USB-C if you want to leave them where they are. Compared to the original Bar 1000, the MK2 addresses a few smart design upgrades. JBL now includes magnetic end caps to cover the exposed sides of the soundbar when you remove the rears. That small addition helps the system look intentional, whether you’re using it in full surround mode or not.

The rear speakers are also slightly larger than before but noticeably lighter. JBL swapped the tweeter-plus-driver setup for full-range racetrack drivers, and each speaker now offers up to 10 hours of battery life. The rest of the system follows JBL’s clean, matte aesthetic with solid build quality throughout, subwoofer included.

You’ve got a few different ways to run the Bar 1000MK2. The remote covers all the basics like volume, inputs, and sound modes, and there are physical buttons right on top of the bar if you just want to walk up and tap it on. They’re easy to reach and work exactly the way you’d expect.

You’ll also want to grab the JBL One app right away, since it unlocks room calibration, EQ adjustments, and even music streaming. It’s easy to use and makes setup painless while giving you plenty of control for everyday use, whether you’re listening to some tunes or watching your favorite comfort movie. Pair that with the included remote and the soundbar’s onboard buttons, and you have flexible controls no matter how you run your system.

Speaking of running your system, the Bar 1000MK2 gives you a solid range of connection options for just about any setup. Around the back, you get three HDMI inputs for plugging in devices like game consoles, along with an HDMI eARC port that connects directly to your TV. This lets you send high-quality audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X straight to the bar. Nice.

You also get optical input for older setups, a USB-A port for music playback or updates, and an Ethernet jack if you want a wired network connection instead of Wi-Fi. Wireless options are also covered, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3 support if you just want to stream music from your phone. Whether you’re building a full entertainment center or simply looking for a flexible way to play content, the MK2 has the ports to handle it.

But enough specs, let’s talk sound.

Listening to Oxytocin by Billie Eilish in Dolby Atmos showed off what this bar can do with music. The subwoofer delivered strong, steady bass while the highs stayed clear. What made it fun were the little details, like the reverberated breaths in Billie’s vocals, which floated through the rear speakers and gave the track a three-dimensional feel. It was engaging and made me want to keep exploring more Atmos tracks.

Movies felt even bigger. Watching John Wick in Dolby Atmos, especially the club scene, pulled me right into the action. The subwoofer thumped along with the background music, setting the atmosphere before the fighting started. Every gunshot had a satisfying impact, bodies hit the floor with weight, and glass shattered through the rear speakers in a way that made the chaos feel alive. It turned a scene I’ve seen before into something fresh and cinematic.

The Bar 1000MK2 supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and JBL’s MultiBeam surround, which is why those music and movie tests felt so much more immersive than your average setup. Atmos shows up most often on streaming apps, but DTS:X support means Blu-rays and higher-bitrate sources also shine. Again, that flexibility makes this system just as good for casual streaming as it is for serious movie nights.

What I don’t like about the JBL Bar 1000MK2

There’s not much to complain about when it comes to the JBL Bar 1000MK2, but I wish the rear satellite speakers offered more volume. There is a slider available in the app, but even when cranked up to full, I was hoping for more output. This would really add to the immersiveness of your movie experience. While I didn’t have issues with the clarity or quality of the sound from the speakers, I just wanted more of it.

Should you buy the JBL Bar 1000MK2?

If you want a home theater system that’s both cinematic and flexible, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 makes a strong case. With magnetic end caps, detachable surrounds that actually feel useful, and the option to charge them by docking or USB-C, it’s designed to fit a variety of setups. Add in easy controls, plenty of connection options, and support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and JBL’s MultiBeam; it can handle just about anything you throw at it.

The subwoofer brings deep bass, music sounds spacious, and movies come alive with convincing Atmos height effects. My only gripe is that the rear speakers could use a little more volume, even at max.

If you’re looking to save, the Sonos Arc ($859 at Amazon) offers excellent Dolby Atmos sound in a sleeker, simpler package. But since the Arc doesn’t include a sub or rears, the Bar 1000MK2 ($1,199) ends up being the better value overall.

Whether it’s movies, shows, or music, the Bar 1000MK2 is one of the most versatile soundbar systems you can buy right now.

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