I went hands-on with JBL’s new Cove speakers, and one really stands out

JBL just released three new Wi-Fi speakers for your home, and after spending some time with them in New York City, the P1 is the one that caught my attention.

The company invited me to check out the new Cove series of speakers: the M1, P1, and X1. I got to hear all three in a few different configurations and try some of the multi-room features for myself. I listened to them individually and in stereo pairs, moved audio from one speaker to another, and heard what the P1 and X1’s up-firing tweeters could do with Dolby Atmos.

There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking here, but I came away thinking Cove could be a pretty straightforward way to build out a Wi-Fi audio system, especially if you already have some JBL gear around the house.

The compact M1 starts at $229.95, the battery-powered P1 at $399.95, and the flagship X1 at $449.95. All three go on sale September 13 in black or white.

JBL Cove is built for multi-room audio

The idea here is pretty simple. Maybe you put an M1 in the kitchen, an X1 in the basement, and bring the P1 out on the deck when a few friends stop by. The JBL One app lets you group Cove speakers together, create stereo pairs, and adjust the EQ.

During the demo, I tried moving music from one Cove speaker to another. I held the Moment button, and the second speaker joined in without me having to pair it to the source first. JBL calls this Music Follows Me, and it’s a handy way to keep listening as you move around the house without pulling out your phone.

You also have plenty of other ways to get music playing. The Cove series supports AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon, along with regular old Bluetooth.

If you already own JBL gear, Cove can play nicely with some of that, too. Auracast lets you connect compatible JBL portable speakers like the Charge 6, while the M1 and P1 can work as rear channels with compatible JBL Bar MK2 soundbars.

Which Cove speaker is right for you?

One thing I like about all three is how understated they look. JBL’s Authentics speakers have that retro styling, which has a time and place, but Cove goes the other way. You may not want a retro speaker sitting in your modern kitchen. Cove keeps things simple and low-key, with an admittedly similar look to Sonos. These speakers should blend into a room rather than demand your attention.

The $229.95 M1 is the smallest model, with three tweeters and one woofer. It’s compact enough that I could see one sitting on a kitchen counter, desk, or bookshelf without really getting in the way. If you just want some music while you’re making dinner or working at your desk, this is probably where I’d start.

Of the three, the $399.95 P1 stood out to me as the most versatile. It’s the only battery-powered model, with up to 14 hours of battery life, a charging dock, and an IP56 rating. You can grab it off the dock and take it out on the deck when friends come over, or into the garage when you’re working on something.

Both the P1 and $449.95 X1 support Dolby Atmos and have an up-firing tweeter. The X1 is the biggest of the bunch and adds a second woofer. And if bass is what you’re after, this is the Cove that brings it. When we cranked up a Tiësto track during the demo, the X1 had plenty of bass strength. This is probably the one I’d put in the living room or basement when it’s time to get a little rowdy.

How do the JBL Cove speakers sound?

My first impressions are pretty good.

During the demo, I listened to a mix of Dolby Atmos tracks, including some Bad Bunny. The up-firing tweeters on the P1 and X1 added noticeable spatial depth. I also listened to a stereo pair of the smaller M1s, which gave me a good sense of width. For two relatively compact speakers, I liked what I heard, and I’m curious to see what a properly placed pair can do in a room we’re familiar with.

JBL also includes automatic room calibration, Constant Sound Field, and AI Sound Boost, which are supposed to optimize performance based on where you put the speakers and how you’re listening. I didn’t have enough time with them to make any calls about how well those features work, so I’m looking forward to getting the Cove speakers into the SoundGuys lab for proper testing.

My early take on JBL Cove

After spending some time with all three Cove speakers, I don’t think there’s one killer feature that suddenly makes them a must-buy, and that’s okay. My initial impressions are solid. JBL has put together a straightforward Wi-Fi speaker system with plenty of flexibility at fairly reasonable prices.

The P1 is the one that stood out to me. I like that it can spend most of its time inside as part of a Wi-Fi setup, but you can pick it up and bring it outside when you need it. The understated design across the lineup also works for me, especially if you don’t want your speakers to become the focal point of the room.

If you already have some JBL gear around the house, the Cove series makes even more sense. We’ll save the buying advice until we’ve spent more time with them.