Soundbars/Soundbases

With the Bar 2.0 All-In-One, JBL takes the concept of plug-and-play to extremes. This is a soundbar that's focused on ease-of-use, and one that eschews functionality that might make the owner experience complex.

For example, JBL's previous entry-level soundbar – the Bar Studio, reviewed here – offered a choice of five preset EQ modes (Standard, Movie, Music, Voice and Sport), plus user adjustment of bass output, and the option of instigating a virtual surround mode. Its replacement model throws all that away. The result is a supplied handset that's comically uncluttered, with just power, volume, mute and TV/Bluetooth source buttons.

Setup is therefore blissfully simple. To connect to a TV, use either the HDMI ARC connection (there's 
no additional hookup for source switching) or digital optical audio input, and you're up and running. For other devices, there's the aforementioned Bluetooth provision (v4.2) ...and nothing else. Even the 3.5mm input of the Bar Studio has been left off the spec sheet.

The soundbar itself is compact – just 61cm wide and 6cm tall – and neatly styled, with rounded cabinet edges, a full-length grille on its front fascia, and control buttons on top. 
An LED status light denotes volume changes. Raise the level and it expands horizontally, vaguely reminiscent of a Cylon's visor (original series, not the remake...).

JBL Bar 2.0 All-In-One performance
Given the stripped-down spec, the Bar 2.0 All-In-One lives or dies on its performance. Thankfully, it proves highly accomplished, and reaps the rewards of an increase in onboard power over its forebear (now a claimed 80W rather than 30W), and, says JBL, improved driver design.

The low-end reach is a suggested 70Hz (aided by a rear-firing bass port), which equates to enough depth to impart some 
of the scale of cinematic effects without ever flapping your trouser leg. But while it's by no means a bass monster, its LF output integrates well with midrange details, for a smooth, even balance. This is an important trait, as there are no user EQ options.

For everyday TV viewing, the soundbar's strengths are its solid handling of dialogue, noticeable bass delivery and crisp, clean presentation of higher-frequency effects. 
With a live football broadcast, the latter helps convey the crowd claps and whistles, and the scale of the stadium. Advertising jingles and TV theme tunes enjoy the extra bass weight so often missing from a flatscreen's speakers.

Dialogue-heavy material can sound more lacking in soundstage width; JBL's twin racetrack driver array gets more mileage out of layered movie soundtracks.

During the opening chapters of WW2 action/horror Overlord (Sky Cinema), I was impressed by the soundbar's ability to mirror the onscreen mayhem within in its stereo soundfield. As our hero is thrown from the burning aircraft and begins to tumble through the air, the soundmix is awash with details: anti-aircraft gun hammering away, droning plane engines and terrified screams. These swirl and shift within the (always in front of you) soundstage. JBL's processing contents itself with delineating straight stereo, but that's not necessarily a drawback.

Meanwhile, Hans Zimmer's lush string themes in the soundtrack for Widows (Blu-ray) are a good barometer of the bar's tonality and subtlety, and its ability to sound bigger than you'd expect.

A slight criticism is the sheer number of volume steps – you can hammer away at 
the remote's key for quite a while before reaching the level you want. The soundbar doesn't mind being driven loud, although it's obviously not suited to a large room. Another gripe is that for UK buyers the bar's USB port is service only, but in the US it doubles as a media player (MP3, WAV).

JBL Bar 2.0 All-In-One verdict
Overall, this is a strong example of a product that focuses on the main job in hand, and does it well. Supremely simple operation, punchy, authoritative sonics, and a sub-£200 ticket make it easy to recommend.

HCC Verdict: 4.5/5

JBL Bar 2.0 All-In-One

Price: £150
uk.jbl.com

We say: Despite losing out on EQ and virtual surround features, this 2.0-channel TV add-on is a fine mix of performance and ease-of-use.

Specification

Drive units:2 x racetrack drivers (size unspecified)
Onboard power (claimed): 2 x 40W
Connections: 1 x HDMI ARC; optical digital audio input
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X: No/No
Separate Subwoofer: No
Remote control: Yes
Dimensions (soundbar): 614(w) x 58(h) x 90(d)mm
Weight (soundbar): 1.61kg

Features: Bluetooth (v4.2); rear bass port; supplied HDMI cable; 70Hz-20kHz claimed frequency response