JBL Bar 2.1 in the test: Inexpensive soundbar with subwoofer
The US company JBL is best known for its great headphones and portable loudspeakers of all kinds. The traditional manufacturer also uses its technology to provide sound to cinemas all over the world. They are also available in a smaller version for at home: If you want to bring a lot of boom into your living room, you will find various soundbars at JBL. The X.1 series not only includes a soundbar, but also a subwoofer for that extra portion of bass. COMPUTER BILD tested the inexpensive sound bar in the “JBL Bar 2.1” test. You can find more soundbars for less than 300 euros in our list of the best.
The best soundbars under 300 euros
Samsung
Details about the test
Per
Pleasant and balanced sound
Music can be played via Bluetooth
against
No display to show the settings
Samsung
Details about the test
Per
Pleasant and balanced sound
Music can be played via Bluetooth
against
No display to show the settings
Samsung
HW-S60T light gray (HW-S61T)
Details about the test
Per
Very compact, does not require a subwoofer
Chic optics
against
Incomprehensible LED status display
Samsung
Details about the test
Per
good sound
All important connections
against
Surround and game mode sound quaky
Samsung
HW-S60T black (HW-S60T)
Details about the test
Per
Very compact, does not require a subwoofer
Chic optics
against
Incomprehensible LED status display
Samsung
Details about the test
Per
Good sound with rich bass
Decent spatial sound
LG Electronics
Details about the test
Per
Good sound with clear voice reproduction
Music can be played via Bluetooth
Complete list: The best soundbars under 300 euros
Stately dimensions
The JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass is completely black and looks high quality. The case is mostly made of plastic. There are six speakers on the front, hidden behind a metal grille. Before making a purchase, anyone interested should pull out a folding rule, especially if the soundbar is to be placed below the TV: with a length of almost 97 centimetres, even a ruler has its limits – but so do the feet of some televisions.
The design of the JBL Bar 2.1 is simple and looks chic.
The stately dimensions also apply to the associated subwoofer. This matches the color of the JBL Bar 2.1 and is made of wood. With a width and height of 24 centimeters and a depth of 38 centimetres, the black box is a decent Kaventsmann. The bass membrane is located on the underside and should provide a lot of oomph.
Solid sound, awesome bass
Unfortunately, the JBL Bar 2.1 slows down a bit when it comes to the sound: the sound is mid-heavy, cool and slightly tinny, but also rich in detail and without major discolouration. The highs sound good, but are relatively flat. The bass is anything but flat. A total of three bass levels are available, but even the middle level causes a lot of noise. Here the basses are still precise and powerful. At the highest level, however, it almost blows the listener off the sofa. It’s not for nothing that JBL describes the Bar 2.1 Deep Bass with the addition “everything revolves around the bass”.
The remote control is kept simple, yet provides access to important functions such as volume and bass.
equipment and controls
When it comes to operation and connections, JBL is rather economical. In addition to an HDMI input, there is only one optical digital input. Another device can also be connected directly via HDMI cable. For music, podcasts & Co. there is only one way: Bluetooth. Radio via FM, DAB+ or Internet is missing – but that is not to be expected in this price range anyway. The Bar 2.1 also does not offer (virtual) surround sound.
When it comes to connections, JBL only offers the essentials: power, an optical digital input and HDMI outputs and inputs. The USB slot is only used for maintenance in Germany.
A simple remote control is available for control, which allows you to switch between bass modes, inputs or the volume, among other things. The device shows all entries on the display in the middle of the soundbar. This is also hidden behind the metal grille, but the contents are still easy to read.
JBL audio
Bar 2.1 Deep Bass
Balanced sound
Good remote control
Extreme bass at the highest level
JBL Bar 2.1 Review: Conclusion
With the Bar 2.1 Deep Bass, JBL offers a solid product for just under 300 euros. The soundbar looks good, but it’s also quite large. The same applies to the associated subwoofer, which makes the walls shake with its bass – at least at the highest level. Otherwise, the sound is balanced and clear, but also a bit tinny. test grade: 2.9. Only the Xiaomi Sound Bar 3.1ch for around 280 euros and the Yamaha SR-B20A without an additional subwoofer for just under 200 euros were cheaper and better in the test.
