JBL Bar 300 Review
JBL’s soundbars have always been good and packed with extra features, but they often felt a bit clunky, especially regarding their software and audio normalization. However, the JBL Bar 300 changes that perception with a more refined software experience. Tested at $400.
Price and Availability
The JBL Bar 300 retails at $400. Knowing JBL, it’s likely this soundbar will frequently go on sale. The Bar 300 offers a great sound-to-size ratio and is feature-packed, making it a strong contender in its price range.
Design and Build
The JBL Bar 300 is compact, measuring 32 inches in length, 4 inches in width, and 2.2 inches in height. Its matte black plastic body minimizes reflections, helping it blend seamlessly into any setup. It also includes a built-in display that turns off after a few seconds and physical control buttons on the top. The package comes with wall mounting brackets, and the soundbar is lightweight at only 5.5 pounds. Notably, it doesn’t require an external power brick, simplifying setup whether wall-mounted or placed on a surface.
Connectivity
The Bar 300 offers several connection options:
- HDMI eARC port for TV connection.
- HDMI in port supporting 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Vision, ideal for Blu-ray players or gaming consoles.
- Optical port for TVs without HDMI ARC.
- Ethernet port for wired network connections.
- USB-A port for playing music from a USB stick.
Additionally, the soundbar supports both AirPlay and Chromecast, allowing music streaming over WiFi, and it also includes Bluetooth for direct connections.
Remote and App Control
The JBL Bar 300 includes a decent remote control, but the JBL app provides a better user experience. The app allows easy EQ adjustments, audio calibration, and audio sync delay settings. You can also control the soundbar’s source, volume, and Dolby Atmos settings through the app.
Sound Performance
The Bar 300 has a unique speaker setup for a soundbar, featuring:
- Four front-firing drivers.
- A rear exhaust port.
- Two side-firing tweeters.
The absence of an external subwoofer means the Bar 300 is fully contained, making it suitable for those with limited space or those who don’t want to disturb neighbors with a powerful subwoofer. At 75% volume with stock EQ settings, the Bar 300 performs well, with strong dialogue clarity due to its four main drivers firing directly at the listener. Instrument separation is good, and the sound remains balanced.
Audio normalization is much improved compared to previous models like the JBL Bar 5.0. The Bar 300 does a better job of maintaining consistent volume levels between quiet scenes and loud action sequences. However, the left and right channel separation could be better, and the lack of upward-firing speakers means it lacks verticality in its soundstage.
Bass Performance
While the Bar 300 has decent bass for a soundbar without an external subwoofer, it won’t rattle walls or provide a deep, immersive bass experience. Adjusting the EQ can enhance the bass slightly, but it remains limited compared to models with dedicated subwoofers.
Volume Performance
The Bar 300 gets loud enough for small to medium-sized rooms but may struggle in larger spaces or during larger viewing parties. For such settings, a more powerful sound system might be necessary.
AV INFO
PRODUCT Single-box 5.0-channel soundbar with Atmos processing
POSITION Near entry-level in JBL’s wide range
PEERS Sony HT-X8500; Samsung HW-S60B
Verdict
The JBL Bar 300 is a solid choice for those looking for a compact, fully-contained soundbar with good dialogue clarity and a refined software experience. It’s easy to set up, feature-rich, and well-suited for small to medium-sized rooms. However, don’t expect it to deliver the deep bass or immersive soundstage of larger, more complex systems.
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Good Value Soundbar? JBL Bar 300 Review
The JBL Bar 300 is an all-in-one soundbar that outputs virtual Dolby Atmos. Find out how it compares to its rivals by watching my ...
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