We've only spent the briefest of times with the JBL Bar 9.1 – but so far, we're impressed with this powerful Dolby Atmos soundbar, thanks to innovative design, great sound, and good connectivity.

Innovative design, Immersive Dolby Atmos sound, 4K and Dolby Vision compatibility

Small 'sweet spot'

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.Design 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...

The JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar might be expensive, but it delivers powerful, thunderous audio with detachable rear channels for an immersive listening experience.

Powerful audio with thunderous bass depth; Dolby Atmos drivers; Wireless rear channel speakers; Easy setup

Expensive; Large; Could use more precise EQ controls

If you’re a gamer or movie aficionado looking to upgrade to a Dolby Atmos system that’s easy to set up and sounds great, the JBL Bar 9.1 is an excellent choice. While an actual five or nine-speaker setup with a subwoofer may sound better, this solution from JBL is easier to set up and more...

Compact design, Fantastic sound, Easy setup, Google Home, AirPlay, Bluetooth support, Comes with wall-mounting hardware, Decent battery life on detachable speakers

Only one HDMI input, Subwoofer connection status indicator on back, End caps only available in some regions, MP3 playback only available in U.S., Limited EQ/sound settings

Soundbars have a tough job. The really good ones somehow manage to replace a full 5.1 home theater surround system with just a single elongated speaker enclosure, and maybe a wireless subwoofer. Any soundbar that uses satellite speakers — whether wired to the soundbar or just wired to a power outlet — might produce better sound, but they do so at the cost of convenience and physical space, which is really the whole reason soundbars make sense to so many. That’s what makes JBL’s Bar 9.1 so compelling: Using a pair of battery-powered totally wireless satellites, it not only promises the true acoustic separation of physical speakers, it also throws Dolby Atmos into the mix for an immersive 3D experience — all for around $1,000. JBL has set itself a high, ahem, bar for the Bar 9.1. Does it succeed? Let’s find out. I personally don’t think soundbars should draw attention to themselves — at least not visually — and the Bar 9.1 makes every effort to keep its physical presence to a minimum. Fr...

Super simple setup; Big, powerful bass; Convincing Dolby Atmos and 5.1 sound; Convenient wireless speakers; Supports eARC, 4K, Dolby Vision;

Not enough inputs; Not enough EQ settings; Dialogue needs a boost; Mediocre for music;

The JBL’s detachable speakers provide proper surround sound and are a big selling point, but its rivals are sonically superior

Room-filling Atmos sound, Lots of bass, Reasonably detailed

Lacking dynamic appeal, Imprecise effect placement, Not punchy enough

The JBL Bar 9.1 is among the most impressive Dolby Atmos soundbars around, in some ways. But once you’re over the initial shock and awe, its modus operandi gets a little wearing.

Thoughtful modular design, Authentic width and height to sound, Plenty of flexibility in terms of inputs

From the ‘everything louder than everything else’ school, Monotonal subwoofer, Short of dynamism and definition

Look ma, no wires!

This 5.1.4-channel soundbar features a fully immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X experience thanks to upward-firing speakers and a pair of detachable and rechargeable wireless rears. It's good value, with few compromises.

Full immersion, Powerful and well-integrated bass, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Detachable rear speakers, EARC support, Automated audio calibration, Proper display and decent remote

Front soundstage could be wider, No HLG/HDR10+ passthrough, Only one HDMI input, No dedicated remote app

This 5.1.4-channel soundbar features a fully immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X experience thanks to upward-firing speakers and a pair of detachable and rechargeable wireless rears. It's good value, with few compromises.

Full immersion; Powerful and well-integrated bass; Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; Detachable rear speakers; EARC support; Automated audio calibration; Proper display and decent remote;

Front soundstage could be wider; No HLG/HDR10+ passthrough; Only one HDMI input; No dedicated remote app;

Superficially very exciting to listen to, but the JBL is a lot of sound and fury without enough substance

Big, bassy sound with plenty of height to it; Modular design allows genuine surround-sound; Well made and finished;

Not dynamic; One-note bass; Lacks effects definition ;