JBL Bar 800MK2 review: awesome Atmos and surround sound in one package

Date:
Sat, 24 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Description:
I tested a JBL soundbar with battery powered detachable speakers, and it absolutely blew me away.

FULL STORY ======================================================================JBL Bar 800MK2 review The JBL Bar 800MK2 is the mid-range option in the audio specialists MK2 line, delivering surround sound though its main bar, detachable rear speakers, and mighty subwoofer. It comes with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, a wide range of connectivity options, and an expansive 7.1 channel configuration but is it actually worth buying?

Ive spent a bunch of hours testing the JBL Bar 800MK2 for myself, putting it to the test with 4K UHD Blu-rays as well as Dolby Atmos and stereo format music. Heres whether Id recommend it or not.

Lets start by talking about performance, an area where this model certainly excels. Like a lot of the best soundbars , the JBL Bar 800MK2 produces beautifully expansive sound with powerful bass and clear dialogue, and it consistently impressed me during testing. It makes use of six full-range drivers and two tweeters in the main bar, two full rangers in each surround speaker, and a ten-inch bass unit in the sub, with a solid 780W maximum power output, so youre really going to feel the action in every scene when watching movies. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: (Image credit: Future) For instance, when watching a 4K Blu-ray of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie , I was blown away by the thunderous bass on offer as a UFO airlifted Peachs Castle into the stratosphere, with a regimented, rippling sound emanating from the sub. As the chaos unfurled, crashing waves hit with tremendous impact, and as Toads jumped into the water, their movement was tracked with commendable precision. Similarly, the sound of Yoshis tongue flicking across the scene was mapped perfectly, making for an immensely immersive viewing experience, with the width of his motion far exceeding the limited confines of the soundbar. JBL Bar 800MK2 at Smart Home Sounds for 619 The JBL Bar 800MK2 skips on dedicated up-firing drivers, so youre not going
to get the most convincing verticality while watching Atmos movies, but I was still seriously impressed with the virtual recreation of height effects. For example, in Top Gun Maverick , the sound of Tom Cruise flying a jet up and overhead sounded surprisingly life-like, and it genuinely seemed as if I
could hear the upward trajectory. The low-end rumble of jet engines also
shook our testing room to its foundations, but all the while, dialogue continued to come through clearly in the mix.

Speaking of dialogue, the JBL Bar 800MK2 is well equipped to deliver clear
and concise speech at all times. Thats in part thanks to the PureVoice setting, which enables you to push vocals forward without ruining the
fidelity of sounds elsewhere in the frequency range. I never felt like PureVoice made the movies audio seem unbalanced, and it proved to be super-effective, especially in more crowded, action-packed sequences where dialogue can sometimes take a backseat.

I was also really impressed with the sound quality coming from the detachable rear speakers. They sounded brilliantly balanced from where I was sitting,
but you can easily change their volume level in the JBL One app to suit your room setup. They gave Dolby Atmos movies an ultra-expansive quality, and provided controlled highs and clear mids, making for stellar surround sound. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our
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Even when it came to music, the JBL Bar 800MK2 performed fantastically well. With an Atmos mix of Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees, the system whipped up a strikingly expansive presentation with articulate drums in the treble range, great vocal clarity, and warm bass that never sounded overly assertive. The rears also combined really nicely here, which was a relief as Ive found that the surround channels on some rival models don't always seem cohesive with
the rest of the system. Stereo music impressed me too, with deep and agile bass, detailed mids, and solid instrument separation. (Image credit: Future) So yes, despite lacking dedicated up-firing drivers, the virtual Atmos on the 800MK2 works very well, and it handles the fundamentals with ease too. But
how does this model fare elsewhere?

In terms of features, this system is a strong all-rounder. On top of the PureVoice setting I mentioned, theres a Night Mode that uses the detachable speakers only, voice assistant support, AirPlay and Google Cast support, EQ options, and much more. All of these features can be tapped into over on the JBL One app, which is intuitive and incredibly easy to use.

There are a few sound-related features Id like to highlight too. The first is MultiBeam 3.0, which is intended to create a wide, cinema-like soundstage. This feature harnesses beamforming and digital processing to achieve its
goal, and works a treat. Theres also a sound calibration option, which is quick and seamless, and provides optimized three-dimensional sound for your space, no matter how its set up.

The Bar 800MK2 also has a very solid set of connectivity options. You get the usual HDMI eARC, digital optical, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, but also Ethernet and an HDMI input (just one, rather than the three on the Bar 1300MK2). The HDMI input supports 4K passthrough, but only at 60Hz, so it's not the best option if youre looking for peak-performance gaming or anything.

Before we wrap up, I also want to talk about design. On the one hand, the JBL Bar 800MK2 is ingenious. Its use of battery powered rear speakers makes it incredibly versatile. You can place these anywhere in your room for a flexible, wire-free setup, and the speakers can even function as standalone Bluetooth speakers. If they run low on charge, they can even be used while connected to a USB-C power cable. That alone is a huge plus.

But thats actually where my praise runs dry. The JBL Bar 800MK2 looks quite cheap for the price you pay, with a plasticky one-note appearance. The sub is also very bulky even more so than the more powerful alternative you get with the JBL Bar 1300MK2. But then again, what the system lacks in style, it certainly makes up for in substance.

When alls said and done, is the JBL Bar 800MK2 worth the money? Well, its
list price of 899 / AU$1,199.95 (about $1,200) may seem steep, but realistically, youll be paying less than 650 / AU$850 for it now. At that price, the Bar 800MK2 is well worth it. Despite its bulk and lack of
up-firing drivers, it's an excellent performer with incredible virtual Atmos and low-end might, as well as a top-class feature-set and versatile connectivity options.

Want something more slim and stylish? Then Id recommend scooping up the new Sonos Beam Ultra and building out a system at your own pace. But if you want
a great value surround sound package, look no further than the JBL Bar
800MK2. (Image credit: Future) JBL Bar 800MK2 review: price & release date Priced at 899 / AU$1,199.95 (about $1,200) First released June 2025 The JBL Bar 800MK2 was released in June 2025 as part of the refreshed MK2 line, alongside the smaller Bar 300MK2 as well as the larger 1000MK2 and 1300MK2. The JBL Bar 800MK2 is priced at 899 / AU$1,199.95 (about $1,200), but can often be found on sale for less than 650 / AU$850. It appears that the soundbar system is still unavailable for purchase in the US, unfortunately. JBL Bar 800MK2 review: specs Swipe to scroll horizontally

Dimensions

Soundbar: 35.6 x 2 x 5 inches / 854 x 52 x 128mm; subwoofer: 12.8 x 15.7 x 12.8 inches / 325 x 400 x 325 mm; rear speakers: 6.7 x 2 x 5 inches / 169 x
52 x 128mm

Speaker channels

7.1

Connections

1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, digital optical, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Sub included

Yes

Rear speakers included

Yes (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the JBL Bar 800MK2? Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Broad feature-set in JBL One app, great connectivity options, Atmos and DTS:X support.

4.5/5

Performance

Lacks up-firing speakers, but virtual Atmos is great, very expansive sound overall with big bass and clear dialogue.

4.5/5

Design

Not exactly a looker and sub seems very bulky, but the detachable rear speakers are genius.

3.5/5

Setup & usability

Incredibly easy setup and top-tier companion app.

5/5

Value

Well-worth picking up now it's on sale, with excellent sound for the price.

4.5/5 Buy it if

You want almighty sound for movie nights The JBL Bar 800MK2 plates up phenomenally powerful, cinematic sound, packing plenty of bass and expansive Dolby Atmos. If you want massive audio for immersive movie-watching, this is
a great option.

Youre looking for a soundbar with flexible surrounds The battery powered surround speakers that come with the JBL Bar 800MK2 are excellent. They sound fantastic, can easily slot onto the main bar to charge up, and dont require wires when in use. You can even use them as standalone Bluetooth speakers, meaning that their versatility is unmatched. Dont buy it if

You want true Dolby Atmos The JBL Bar 800MK2 lacks dedicated up-firing speakers, meaning that it has to rely on virtual processing to replicate
Dolby Atmos content. While the Bar 800MKs virtual Atmos is genuinely impressive, the larger JBL Bar 1300MK2 should be your go-to for premium spatial sound.

Youre looking for something stylish The JBL Bar 800MK2 isnt much of a
looker. Its build quality could be better for the price, and the sub seems oversized, especially given that the more powerful 1300MK2 offers a more compact bass unit. JBL Bar 800MK2 review: also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell - Column 0

JBL Bar 800MK2

Samsung HW-Q990H

Sonos Beam Ultra

Price

899 / AU$1,199.95 (about $1,200)

$1,999 / 1,599 / AU$1,999

$699 / 699 / AU$1,099

Dimensions

Soundbar: 35.6 x 2 x 5 inches / 854 x 52 x 128mm; subwoofer: 12.8 x 15.7 x 12.8 inches / 325 x 400 x 325 mm; rear speakers: 6.7 x 2 x 5 inches / 169 x
52 x 128mm

Soundbar: 48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches / 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm; subwoofer: 9.8 x
10.0 x 9.8 inches / 249 x 251.8 x 249mm; rear speaker: 5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches / 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm

29.5 x 2.6 x 4.1 inches / 750 x 65 x 105mm

Speaker channels

7.1

11.1.4

7.1.2

Connections

1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, digital optical, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)

1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Yes / Yes

Yes / No

Sub included

Yes

Yes

No

Rear speakers included

Yes

Yes

No

Samsung HW-Q990H At a glance, this model may seem far too expensive to compete with the Bar 800MK2, but I often see it on sale for close to the JBLs launch price. This is the ultimate surround sound package, with top-tier cinematic sound, excellent connectivity options, an 11.1.4 channel configuration, and both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Up-firing drivers mean you get true Atmos, and HDMI passthrough is on board for ultimate ease of
use. Read our full Samsung HW-Q990H review .

Sonos Beam Ultra The Sonos Beam Ultra is a totally different proposition,
but its fully worth your consideration. This model has up-firing drivers, incredible bass output, and crystal-clear dialogue, making it amazing for
both movies and music. It doesnt come with a sub or surrounds, but these can be added easily through the Sonos app when purchased separately. This model
is more compact, and looks beautiful to boot, so if youre OK with building
out a system of your own rather than getting a pre-built combo, its my top recommendation. Read my full Sonos Beam Ultra review . How I tested the JBL Bar 800MK2 (Image credit: Future) Assessed at our TV testing space at Future Labs Used 4K Blu-ray for movies and Tidal Connect to stream music One of more than 30 soundbars Ive tested I spent many hours using the JBL Bar 800MK2 for watching movies and listening to music. I judged its capabilities at our TV testing space at Future Labs, made use of all of the soundbars features, and tried it with multiple surround speaker configurations.

Most of the time, I used HDMI eARC to connect the LG G6 OLED TV, and watched 4K Blu-ray discs via the Panasonic DP-UB820 to assess the soundbars handling of Dolby Atmos movies. I did, however, also test the Bar 800MK2 with Netflix movies, and used Tidal Connect to stream music over Wi-Fi.

More generally, Ive tested more than 30 soundbars during my time here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. Ive reviewed everything from budget-friendly bars like the Sony HT-SF150 through to huge surround sound systems such as the Bar 800MK2s big sibling, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 . Read TechRadars reviews guarantee First reviewed: October 2026 JBL Bar 800MK2: Price Comparison 899.99 619 View 749 View voucher gift 899.99 View bundle 899.99 View No price information Check Amazon We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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