STEREO GUIDE verdict
The JBL Bar 300MK2 impressed with its powerful sound in the review. It delivered decent dynamics and surround sound, even if the 3D effects with Dolby Atmos content could not noticeably raise the stage. The JBL soundbar also offers a particularly high utility value with the successful integration of popular streaming services in the JBL One app.
Pros
- Balanced sound for music and movie sound
- Rich bass for a solo soundbar
- Popular streaming services can be controlled directly from the JBl app
- Multi-room operation via AirPlay 2 and Google Cast
Cons
- No connection option for subwoofer or rear speaker
- At higher volume levels, the bass reaches its limits
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Tonal balance / transparency8.5
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Bass / Dynamics8.1
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Spatial imaging8.2
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Usability/ Connectivity9.4
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Price/Performance9.6
This summer, JBL launched five new soundbars. In the 2025 range, which extends from 400 to 1500 euros, we were particularly interested in the entry-level solution, the Bar 300 MK2. It is still in an affordable price range for many home theater fans. Despite a whole range of improvements and new features, the list price has remained unchanged compared to its predecessor. However, the dimensions of the discreet black JBL soundbar have increased from 82 to 94 cm.
But there are also numerous innovations inside the black plastic housing. For example, the power has been increased from 260 to an impressive 450 watts. There are now five instead of four oval Racetrack drivers (4.2 x 8 centimeters) and double the number of tweeters (0.75 inches or 2 cm).
JBL relies on wireless connectivity
The MK2 version of the Soundbar 300 supports modern streaming services via Wi-Fi and includes significantly expanded platform connections. Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music and several others can be linked to the JBL One app and then used seamlessly and wirelessly from a central app. Alternatively, audio streams can also be sent to the home theater speaker via Bluetooth 5.3, Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. Multi-room playback with iOS or Android devices is also possible with AirPlay and Chromecast.
The new series uses technologies such as “MultiBeam 3.0”, “PureVoice 2.0” and virtual height/atmos effects. But what’s behind the catchy marketing slogan? MultiBeam 3.0 is intended to create a wide sound stage with immersive sound for that cinema feeling on the TV.
The PureVoice 2.0 function relies on automatic speech optimization so that dialogues can be better understood even in noisy environments. The SmartDetails feature is also designed to improve the intelligibility of subtle sound effects such as the creaking of floorboards.
Automatic calibration for optimum room adjustment
With the integrated microphones, the JBL soundbar can also automatically calibrate itself to the room on command. To do this, it plays back a short sequence of measurement signals with which it can recognize the room reflections and adapt the 3D sound to the room.
The variable lip synchronization is particularly useful, not to say a must for home cinema speakers such as the JBL Bar 300MK2. This can be conveniently adjusted in the app using a virtual slider between 0 ms and 250 milliseconds. The whole thing also works via the supplied infrared remote control, but is then a little more complicated. You have to memorize the key combination and first press “TV” for three seconds and then “+”. You can then use the “+” and “-” buttons within five seconds to to synchronize picture and sound. After all, depending on the TV and program source, there may otherwise be annoying delays between the picture and sound track.
A Dolby Atmos decoder was already included in the predecessor. Although the Bar 300MK2 now has more speaker chassis, it still has virtual 3D height effects. The JBL soundbar is suitable for use on a sideboard or shelf as well as for wall mounting. For this purpose, JBL includes a drilling template and wall brackets.
Digital inputs and outputs only
As far as connectivity via cable is concerned, the Bar 300MK2 still has an HDMI input and an output with Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), just like the previous Bar 300. Alternatively, a Blu-ray, DVD or CD player can also be connected via the optical Toslink digital input. Too bad: The USB-A socket can only be used for audio playback on the US version of the soundbar. For all others, USB is only intended for service purposes, according to JBL.
Another restriction affects all regions: The MK2 variant of the Bar 300 alsohas to make do without a separate subwoofer. It remains a 5.0-channel solution and JBL has not provided any surround extension via discrete rear speakers. This is reserved for the larger soundbars in the series.
Operation with and without app
Like the JBL Bar 1300 reviewed some time ago, the new entry-level soundbar relies on the JBL One app, which can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play or the Apple App Store. This not only makes it easier to access many settings that go beyond volume and source selection. In addition to the aforementioned integration of popular streaming services, there are also a few goodies. These include the option to play the sound of the sea, the patter of rain or the sound of the forest. It invitingly says: “Let yourself be enchanted by the soothing melodies of the forest” (original sound in the app).
If you just want to quickly adjust the bass for a little more oomph for the action movie or less stress with the neighbors, you can do this quickly and easily using a separate button on the remote control. For those who value targeted sound adjustment, the JBL One app offers a graphical 7-band equalizer.
For use with the remote control, a simple display behind the speaker grille must suffice, which provides feedback via abbreviations when commands are entered and then switches off again so as not to disturb the enjoyment of the picture.
Sound test: How the JBL Bar 300MK2 sounds
In the sound test, the JBL Bar. 300 MK, zwo quickly made you forget that it is actually the smallest device in its series. It played extremely coherently, regardless of whether you played it only music in stereo or an action movie like Mad Max “Fury Road” with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Trumpeter Till Brönner and the Swiss electro band Yello sounded very clear and Boris Blank’s synthesizer bass lines were extremely rich. However, it was important not to overdo it with the volume, otherwise the bass would fall to its knees and lose precision.
And with Mad Max, the smallest JBL soundbar was unable to place any surround effects behind or even next to the listeners on the couch. What it did manage to do very convincingly, however, was to create a really wide soundstage. As far as the Dolby Atmos effects of the end-time adventure with Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron are concerned, you didn’t really get the feeling that phantom sound sources were growing in height. But overall, the sound detached itself very well from the speaker.
Then my friend and colleague Raphael Vogt from the online magazine LowBeats pulled out a recording of Lindsey Stirling (“Beyond The Veil”) in our joint soundbar test. It was noticeable that the strings sounded relatively bright, but never harsh. With this tuning, even occasional detours into classical music should be manageable without frustration.
In the second part of the pilot epic “Top Gun”, we were amazed by the amazingly deep and powerful sound effects in the bass. When Tom Cruise pushed the engines of the Mach 10 fast “Dark Star” to the limit, the soundtrack had a lot of smoke (original sound in my recordings) and a remarkably wide sound stage was created. So for 400 euros, you can enjoy a very decent movie at home without bulky speakers.
JBL Bar 300MK2: Conclusion and alternatives
JBL has upgraded its Bar 300MK2 in a meaningful way, especially with the improved integration of streaming services. Although the virtual 3D sounds with Dolby Atmos do not reach a higher level in the literal sense, this space-saving and affordable cinema solution spreads a great movie atmosphere at a very reasonable price, which fortunately does not differ from its predecessor. You can enjoy music as well as movies with the simple black sound bar. In apartment buildings and small to medium-sized rooms, the need for an external subwoofer should not arise so quickly. With its five Race Track drivers, JBL really does get maximum bass from an all-in-one speaker that can be placed inconspicuously under the TV.
Operation with the remote control and the JBL One app has no cause for criticism. With its two HDMI connections, the relatively inexpensive soundbar can even act as a video hub. In its price range, it is currently the most interesting offer for us. However, in times when many people need to save money, the JBL could still be too expensive for some. If it’s really only about bringing better dialog intelligibility and slightly richer bass into the living room than from the TV itself, the very tightly priced Amazon Fire, TV, Soundbar 2.0, which is only designed for basic requirements, would still be worth considering. Also interesting for anyone with a small budget: At the time of our review, the predecessor of the Bar 300MK2 was also available directly from JBL at a significant discount. If, on the other hand, you have more money available and are at least considering adding a subwoofer at a later date, we recommend you take a look at the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 with subwoofer output and wireless rear speaker extension option.
Technical specification: JBL Bar 300MK2
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 400 euros
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 94 x 5.05 x 10.4 cm
- Weight: 2.9 kg
- Special features: HDMI-In, HDMI (eARC), WLAN, Bluetooth 5.3, wall mounting/drilling template
- More at: jbl.com
