JBL has just released four soundbars under the Cinema SBMK2 series, which offer a brand-new feature for the US-based brand.
You can connect the soundbars wirelessly to JBL portable speakers as rear surrounds, which JBL says will “deliver true surround sound at the touch of a button”.
If you already own a pair of JBL Flip 7 portable speakers, you’re in luck – this is the only compatible model right now. The burrito-shaped Flip 7 got a five-star rating when we reviewed it, offering as it does a skilful handling of dynamics and detail.
But what about the new soundbars? Well, all but one offer an unusual design quirk: you can fold them into a U-shape. The brand says this is so the bars are easy to carry around and take up less space in the box. JBL also tells us that the bar cannot be used in its folded state.
First on the list is the flagship SB595MK2, which offers a 3.1.2-channel configuration and true Dolby Atmos support thanks to its up-firing drivers. That’s paired with a separate 6.5-inch subwoofer, delivering a total power output of 440W.
It will set you back £350 / $350, putting it in competition with the Award-winning Sonos Beam Gen 2 that scored five stars in our test room.
The SB580MK2 (£300 / $300) comes with the same subwoofer as its more pricey sibling. This 3.1-channel soundbar does not have up-firing drivers, but there is still virtualised Dolby Atmos support.
Next is the JBL SB550MK2, which features a 5.25-inch subwoofer and a total power output of 360W. There is no Dolby Atmos on the cards with this the 3.1-channel model, so you are limited to Dolby Audio.
Finally, comes the SB510MK2. It’s the only non-foldable soundbar of the bunch and also the cheapest. The subwoofer is built into the soundbar’s main body, so you need accommodate only one piece of kit.
Bluetooth is supported with all models, so you can stream music to the bars from other devices.
We will have to wait until we get the models in our test room to determine how well they compare with their rivals. Being able to use the JBL Flip 7 as rear surrounds is a promising addition in terms of flexibility and scale, but we hope the brand adds compatibility to even more speakers soon. Stay tuned for our full review.
MORE:
Check out the JBL 300MK2 review
These are the best Dolby Atmos soundbars
And here are the best Bluetooth speakers
