JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One Sound Bar - in-home entertainment system, with streaming capabilities, in black

Product Information

It comes with one HDMI eARC output so your TV will need to be able to process Dolby Atmos for you to benefit properly. There’s also an optical output, but again, this can’t handle the bandwidth needed for true Dolby Atmos. There’s also wifi, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 and voice control via Alexa.

Given the stripped-down spec, the Bar 2.0 All-In-One lives or dies on its performance. Thankfully, it proves highly accomplished, and reaps the rewards of an increase in onboard power over its forebear (now a claimed 80W rather than 30W), and, says JBL, improved driver design. With the Sonos Ray and Arc also on this list, it’s safe to say we’re huge fans of Sonos and its multi-room brilliance. The latest version of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is also a superb option that we recommend, but if you want “real” Dolby Atmos via upward-firing speakers, this is one of the most affordable ways to get proper cinematic audio. This means you can buy multiple speakers for a surround-sound setup or use the soundbar as a regular speaker and have music playing out into multiple rooms. Sonos speakers are particularly good at this, and if you already have one of their speakers for music, you won’t be disappointed if you add one of their soundbars too. This Denon soundbar doesn’t have wifi connectivity and you can’t talk to it with a voice assistant, but it does have the latest “virtual” Dolby Atmos compatibility (albeit without upfiring drivers) and creates a big, impressive sound for not very much money. If you’re looking to upgrade your TV audio, this is a great place to start. Thankfully the set-up was impressively easy, and while it isn’t quite as simple as plug-and-play, it isn't far off. The JBL One app has loads of settings you can adjust and it also features room calibration that helps adapt the sound based on the space you’re in.

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A slight criticism is the sheer number of volume steps – you can hammer away at
the remote's key for quite a while before reaching the level you want. The soundbar doesn't mind being driven loud, although it's obviously not suited to a large room. Another gripe is that for UK buyers the bar's USB port is service only, but in the US it doubles as a media player (MP3, WAV). It’s not a soundbar for everyone. This model is too big and cumbersome for many living rooms and TVs, but once in position, you’ll be transported to your own mini multiplex, as 5.1.4 channels of Dolby Atmos flood the senses with a deep and powerful, but controlled performance. For example, JBL's previous entry-level soundbar – the Bar Studio, reviewed here – offered a choice of five preset EQ modes (Standard, Movie, Music, Voice and Sport), plus user adjustment of bass output, and the option of instigating a virtual surround mode. Its replacement model throws all that away. The result is a supplied handset that's comically uncluttered, with just power, volume, mute and TV/Bluetooth source buttons.

There’s also AirPlay 2 from Apple devices, which we’ve used to play the same album from our iPhone over a Roku Streambar in the living room, Apple HomePod Mini in the hallway and Sonos Roam outside – all fully synchronised. Weight and dimensions Setup is therefore blissfully simple. To connect to a TV, use either the HDMI ARC connection (there's
no additional hookup for source switching) or digital optical audio input, and you're up and running. For other devices, there's the aforementioned Bluetooth provision (v4.2) ...and nothing else. Even the 3.5mm input of the Bar Studio has been left off the spec sheet. This 2-in-1 device is a soundbar and TV streaming device combined, making it a good option if you’re looking to upgrade a basic home entertainment set-up, or want an inexpensive way to improve a second TV. It isn’t as powerful as a bigger or more expensive soundbar, but it makes dialogue sound clear and provides a good sense of bass. For everyday TV viewing, the soundbar's strengths are its solid handling of dialogue, noticeable bass delivery and crisp, clean presentation of higher-frequency effects.
With a live football broadcast, the latter helps convey the crowd claps and whistles, and the scale of the stadium. Advertising jingles and TV theme tunes enjoy the extra bass weight so often missing from a flatscreen's speakers. Sennheiser makes some very impressive soundbars, but not everyone has the space for its larger Ambeo Max paired to its subwoofer. That’s why we adore the Ambeo Mini: it’s a fraction of the size when compared to the brand’s full-size models but still gives you punchy sound quality, with a premium build, responsive touch controls and solid, booming bass. This is a soundbar that’s perfect for a main bedroom or a smaller living room.

Specs & Downloads

There are nine drivers behind the stylish metal grille, and deep bass is taken care of by the separate, powerful, wireless subwoofer. Combined, they create a complete 3.1.2-channel system that slots elegantly into your living room. And if you’ve struggled to find a soundbar to sit beneath your TV, that doesn’t impede your viewing, this could be the one. The subwoofer will take some hiding at home, but it’s a payoff you’ll probably accept given how small the soundbar is. In fact, it looks more like a speaker than a traditional soundbar, and with Bluetooth and wifi streaming, Apple Airplay 2 and Spotify Connect built-in, it happily doubles up as a music system. If you’ve been swayed by an extra-large TV set, you’ll need a soundbar to match. Few designs are better suited than the 130cm wide HT-A7000. With 11 speakers – two upward-firing speakers for Atmos, two tweeters, five forward-facing drivers and two built-in subwoofers – and 500W of power, it elevates your home movie watching, while also improving how sport sounds, and even gives I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here a welcome upgrade. At 115cm wide and 8.5cm tall, it is big. But, it is also sleek and looks superb under our TV, and all that width makes room for 11 speakers, two directed upwards, to create an immersive experience, especially if you’re playing films with Dolby Atmos, which puts you right in the heart of the action. If you thought Disney’s Coco was a tearjerker before, try watching it with the Sonos Arc, and be prepared to sing and sob in equal measure. Good looking with an understated grown-up design, the Bar 800 is a brilliantly conceived do-it-all soundbar with wifi connectivity, multi-room music streaming, Bluetooth, Dolby Atmos upfiring speakers, voice control and a beefy 10-inch wireless subwoofer included.

With the Bar 2.0 All-In-One, JBL takes the concept of plug-and-play to extremes. This is a soundbar that's focused on ease-of-use, and one that eschews functionality that might make the owner experience complex.This is measured in wattage. The bigger the wattage number, the more powerful the sound (anything above 250W will be loud enough to wake the neighbours). However, not all brands provide sound output information, as it can easily be confused with sound quality. Dolby Atmos There’s a snug but well-lit LED panel on the front, and power/volume buttons on the side in the event that you ever misplace the remote. Measuring 50 cm in length, this sits well on smaller cabinets or, like us, the top of a fireplace, but there are also two pre-built holes for wall mounting if you prefer.