JBL Bar 1000 vs Bar 1000MK2: Which Soundbar Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 12, 2025 08:40 PM

This review is in Early access

See JBL Bar 1000MK2 Review

Channels 7.1.4

Channels Locked

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 1000

JBL Bar 1000MK2

Full comparison details regarding individual product score sets can be found in the section below

Variants

Bar 1000 (Black)

Bar 1000MK2 (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 1000 Review

Check Price

Black

Bar 1000

Black

Bar 1000MK2

Black

Bar 1000

Black

Bar 1000MK2

Black

Bar 1000

Black

Bar 1000MK2

Black

Bar 1000

Black

Bar 1000MK2

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

7.9

0.0

No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.9

0.0

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.2

0.0

Music

8.1

0.0

Movies

7.6

0.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

SAMPLE

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Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless

Yes

Locked

Enclosure

Ported

Locked

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Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

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Satellite Wireless

Yes

Locked

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

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Width

36.7" (93.1 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

2.2" (5.6 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

5.0" (12.6 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

SAMPLE

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Width

12.0" (30.5 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

17.2" (43.6 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

12.0" (30.5 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

SAMPLE

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Width

7.0" (17.9 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

2.2" (5.6 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

4.9" (12.5 cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

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Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

SAMPLE

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Satellite Mounting Holes

SAMPLE

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Mountable Bar

Yes

Locked

Bar Brackets Included

Yes

Locked

Mountable Satellites

Yes

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included

Yes

Locked

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Build Quality

8.0

N/A

Build quality photo

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In The Box

In The Box photo

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.2

N/A

Stereo Setup

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small

SAMPLE

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Channels

7.1.4

Locked

Tested Preset

Standard

Locked

Slope

0.49

Lock

Standard Error

3.03 dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

27.9 Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

Lock kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.4

N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset

Standard

Locked

Suggested Bass Setting

Lock

Suggested Treble Setting

N/A

Slope

-0.11

Lock

Standard Error

2.52 dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

27.9 Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

Lock kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.5

N/A

Crosstalk

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Crosstalk Error

2.80 dB

Lock dB

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Stereo Dynamics

7.6

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

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SPL @ Max Volume

94.3 dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

1.19 dB

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume

3.52 dB

Lock dB

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Center

7.7

N/A

Center Setup

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response

SAMPLE

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Localization

Discrete

Locked

Slope

0.46

Lock

Std. Err.

3.01 dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

75.4 dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.29

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.36

Lock

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Surround 5.1

7.1

N/A

Surround Setup

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response

SAMPLE

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Localization

Discrete

Locked

Slope

-1.41

Lock

Std. Err.

4.78 dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

74.3 dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.29

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.90

Lock

7.1 Rears

Yes

Locked

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Height (Atmos)

6.0

N/A

Height Setup

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response

SAMPLE

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Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Locked

Slope

-0.72

Lock

Std. Err.

4.37 dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

63.7 dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.66

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

0.32

Yes

Locked

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Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

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Optical Audio In

Locked

HDMI Out

eARC

Up To 7.1

Audio Format Support: Optical

7.8

N/A

Dolby Digital

Incorrect Implementation

Locked

DTS

Supported

Locked

PCM Channels

2.0

Locked

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Audio Latency: ARC

6.3

N/A

ARC Latency Video

SAMPLE

131 ms

Lock ms

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Audio Latency: HDMI In

5.7

N/A

HDMI Latency Video

SAMPLE

143 ms

Lock ms

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Audio Latency: Optical

6.9

N/A

Optical Latency Video

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch

151 ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

215 ms

Yes

Locked

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Locked

Chromecast built-in

Yes

Locked

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Locked

Spotify Connect

Yes

Locked

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Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

SAMPLE

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Display

Yes

Locked

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Bar Controls

Controls photo

SAMPLE

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Remote

Remote photo

SAMPLE

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Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Locked

Google Assistant

Locked

Apple Siri

Locked

Microphone Mute

Locked

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Check Price

Black

Bar 1000

Black

Bar 1000MK2

Black

Bar 1000

Black

Bar 1000MK2

Black

Bar 1000

Black

Bar 1000MK2

Black

Bar 1000

Black

Bar 1000MK2