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Description Cash and Fixed Price The JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar might be expensive, but it delivers powerful, thunderous audio with detachable rear channels for an immersive listening experience. JBL offers plenty of soundbars—we've reviewed many of them—and the Bar 9.1 sits at the very top, both in terms of performance and price. It's JBL's first soundbar with Dolby Atmos built-in, and in addition to a subwoofer, it comes with two small wireless speakers that charge by attaching to the left and right ends of the bar. When removed, they become the rear left and right speakers, no cables required. It's a clever design, and the audio performance is powerful and exciting. Watching movies is definitely the main reason to spring for the $999.99 JBL Bar 9.1, but music also sounds excellent through its drivers—though there are some subwoofer settings that will need to be changed depending on the genre. The Bar 9.1 measures 2.4 by 48.4 by 4.7 inches (HWD) with the rechargeable speakers magnetically docked, and frankly, that's the most important measurement, because even if it measures 2.4 by 34.8 by 4.7 inches when they're not attached, you'll need to plan for that space—6.8 additional inches on either side—wherever you place or mount the bar (the system ships with mounting supplies for both the soundbar and the two surround speakers). The bar and speakers are black, with black metallic grille paneling covering the divers. The subwoofer is a substantial 17.3 by 12.0 by 12.0 inches, and weighs 24.5 pounds. Internally, the 400-watt soundbar houses four racetrack-style drivers and two up-firing full-range drivers, as well as three 1-inch tweeters. The two 60-watt surround speakers deliver audio via a single up-firing driver and a 1-inch tweeter. The total of four up-firing drivers in the bar and the two side speakers are the Dolby Atmos drivers. The 300-watt sub has a 10-inch down-firing driver, and its back panel houses a bass port for efficient airflow, as well as the power/pairing button and the connection for its included power cable—the sub automatically pairs with the system when powered up. The system combines for a frequency range of 34Hz-20kHz and 820 watts total output. The top panel of the soundbar houses controls for power, volume down/up, and sound source, switching between Bluetooth, HDMI, and TV (HDMI ARC). The back panel houses connections for HDMI (for 4K video input, which automatically adjusts the video coming in to match your screen's optimal resolution), HDMI ARC (for TV video), Ethernet, optical, USB (for both service and audio playback), and the connection for the included power cable. There's an included HDMI cable, but no optical cable. When the Death Star explodes in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the Bar 9.1 delivers a powerful punch, but at high volumes and high bass levels, what you actually tend to notice most is the immersive mix provided by the Amtos drivers and the rear channel speakers. Since the rear channels are wireless, their placement can vary greatly, and it is advisable to run a calibration every time you place them in a new spot. When you get it right, the system really draws you in, with a surround experience that combines what is more like a 5.1 build with the Atmos drivers, which add a layer of directional experience and immersiveness. |