I never thought I would cover this topic. JBL makes soundbars? I never really looked into that file. The brand asked me to test their new model. I accepted immediately. My last experience with the JBL Charge 6 was great. I expected similar quality. The result actually surprised me. JBL also delivers in the Home Cinema sector. In this post, I present the JBL Bar 800 MK2. It is the second generation of this flagship product. It is a real audio gem.

A Design Built for Your Living Room

The full kit costs around $850. The box contains the soundbar, a subwoofer, and a remote. I analyzed the beast’s design first. The main bar is long but very low. This is a crucial point. It slides perfectly under your television.

The thickness is minimal. It does not block your view at all. On my Samsung TV, the integration is perfect. The height reaches only 52 mm. This is a nice technical feat.

The exact dimensions are 854 x 52 x 128 mm. However, one detail grabs attention. The ends detach completely. These are removable speakers. They weigh 700 grams each. You can place them anywhere in the room.

The Innovation of Detachable Speakers

This is the major strength of this JBL Bar 800 MK2. These satellites run on battery power. You can forget about ugly cables. I hate searching for plugs behind the sofa. Here, everything works wirelessly. The connection with the central bar is instant.

You place them behind you. The immersion becomes total immediately. If you keep the speakers attached, the bar looks huge. It measures 1163 mm long. You should plan for a large TV stand.

JBL provides side caps in the box. They hide the magnetic connectors when you detach the speakers. I did not mount them out of laziness. But they exist. The finish is very neat.

A Massive Subwoofer

Let’s talk about the subwoofer now. It is not discreet at all. It is a massive block. It weighs a solid 8.1 kg. Its dimensions are 325 x 400 x 325 mm. It occupies significant visual space.

Any visitor will notice it immediately in your salon. Fortunately, the matte black finish looks superb. It adds a touch of elegance to the room. A rigid metal grille protects the front.

This grille preserves the speakers effectively. The global design exudes quality. The corners feature nice curves. JBL avoids a raw rectangular look. The overall aesthetic remains modern and pleasant.

Installation and Connectivity: Absolute Simplicity

Installing the JBL Bar 800 MK2 is child’s play. It is true “Plug and Play”. You take everything out of the carton. You plug it in. It works immediately.

You manage only three cables. You have two power cables for electricity. The third is the HDMI cable. You connect it to your TV’s HDMI eARC port. That is it.

The bar possesses a small LED screen on the front. It displays essential info. It turns off automatically later. This avoids light pollution during your film.

The JBL One App: An Essential Asset

I advise you to go further. Download the JBL One app. I did not know this at first. JBL unfortunately multiplies applications. One app would suffice for everything.

However, this application offers precise settings. You access a real equalizer. The remote does not offer this detailed option. You can also update the firmware easily.

The app allows audio calibration specifically. It analyzes your room structure. It adapts the sound to your environment. This is much more intuitive than using the remote. Do not skip this crucial step.

A Minimalist But Effective Remote

The provided remote is quite small. It is made of simple plastic. The buttons are few. You manage the essentials with it.

You can adjust bass on five distinct levels. The Dolby Atmos effect adjusts on five levels too. Volume and source buttons are present.

In reality, you will use it very little. Once you finish the initial setup, your TV remote suffices. The CEC protocol handles volume and power. The JBL remote often ends up in a drawer.

Audio Architecture and Raw Power

Let’s move to the technical characteristics. My living room is unique. It is a veranda. The ceiling is high, over 3 meters. The walls are mostly glass. This is not ideal for sound acoustics.

The JBL Bar 800 MK2 must work hard here. The system is a 5.1.2 channel setup. Total power hits 780 Watts. This is huge for a standard living room.

The bar integrates six “Racetrack” drivers. They manage the mids. Three tweeters take care of high frequencies. Dialogue clarity depends on this specific hardware.

MultiBeam 3.0 technology manages wall reflection. PureVoice 2.0 improves human voices. The detachable speakers have their own drivers. Their battery lasts between 8 and 12 hours. You recharge them by reattaching them to the bar.

Home Cinema Performance: Real Immersion

Concretely, how does it sound during a movie? The global quality is very good. The sound is neutral and dynamic. The experience feels punchy.

The bass is the strong point here. It is deep and fast. The feeling is visceral. However, pay attention to the settings. Do not exceed level 3 or 4.

Beyond that, bass invades the entire soundstage. It even shakes the frames of my veranda. This reminds me of my Sonos system. The power is definitely there.

Dialogues remain clear and audible. I note a small downside on the highs. At high volume (80%), they become aggressive. They take over too much. Stay at a reasonable volume.

Spatialization depends on your room shape. In my atypical veranda, it is complex. Yet, immersion remains excellent. We rediscover favorite films. It is nothing like a cheap $200 bar.

The JBL Bar 800 MK2 for Music

This bar also serves as a smart speaker. You stream your music via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The result is convincing for commercial music.

It replaces a classic Hi-Fi system easily. You do not need extra speakers in the room. The system is versatile.

Again, monitor the bass levels. Leave them at level 3 maximum. Otherwise, the sound becomes muddy. Vocals disappear behind the heavy bass. The balance is fragile.

Conclusion: A Coherent Ecosystem

I was skeptical before this test. I am now convinced. The JBL Bar 800 MK2 offers excellent value for money. For roughly $850, you get a complete system.

Modularity is its major asset. Detachable speakers change the game completely. You get real Surround sound without construction work. It is a flexible and performing solution.

It is a smart investment for movie buffs. You transform your living room into a theater. Installation takes five minutes. The pleasure lasts for years.