One of many units that caught my eye at CES this yr was the Bar 5.0 Multibeam from JBL. It options not solely sound coming straight at you but additionally has audio system that downfire in addition to upfire to attempt to provide the finest replication of Dolby Atmos. Now how does it fare in my day by day media consumption starting from films to gaming?
Model
The JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam is a soundbar that feels it pumps out sufficient bass {that a} subwoofer isn’t obligatory. Bar 5.0 Multibeam has a steel inside on high whereas the underside is product of plastic. There are two speaker grilles on the highest, two on the underside, and one within the entrance that wraps across the sides of the soundbar. The soundbar is about 28” vast and a pair of” thick making it one of many extra compact ones I’ve coated in awhile.
On the highest of the soundbar you have got entry to Energy, Quantity Controls, and Supply. Flipping to the again provide you with ports for Ethernet, Optical, USB, HDMI IN, HDMI Out, and naturally AC Energy. The JBL distant has buttons for HDMI Switching, Dolby Atmos toggling, Bluetooth, and Quantity controls.
JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam consists of Distant Management, (1) HDMI Cable, Wall Mount brackets, Energy Wire
Setup / Options
Getting the JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam up and operating didn’t take too lengthy. Simply plugging within the HDMI and connecting it to the TV for probably the most half. Getting it via the method of connecting to my Google House community took a bit longer however finally acquired it linked as effectively. This soundbar helps Google, Alexa, and Apple Airplay. Since this may be linked through Wi-Fi or Ethernet you may forged your music apps with ease. I’ve used it largely with Spotify but additionally Tidal and YouTube Music. That is nice as I should not have to depend on swapping over to Bluetooth which additionally works simply as fantastic as effectively.
Hidden on the fitting aspect of the soundbar is a LED show that’s solely seen when features are being executed to the system. It reveals quantity controls, HDMI switching, and audio modifications made.
I’ve used the Bar 5.0 Multibeam with my NVIDIA Defend TV, PS5, Xbox Sequence X, and largely the apps on my Vizio TV. Numerous apps between the TV and NVIDIA ranged from HBOMAX, YouTube TV, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, Netflix and Vudu to call a number of.
Sound
Like its namesake, there are 5 racetrack drivers but additionally 4 passive Radiators. This soundbar showcases JBL’s Multibeam tech but additionally Digital Dolby Atmos. This principally creates a large sufficient soundstage bouncing the audio off all elements of your residing space’s partitions and each nook potential. I’ll say due to the design of the Bar 5.0 I really feel the audio simply as clear even when I’m standing on the edges of it. That is nice as I spend an excellent deal in my kitchen to the far left cooking whereas the TV is on.
So far as the digital Dolby Atmos is taken into account, the Bar 5.0 does present that cinematic expertise whereas watching “Spider Man: Removed from House” in 4K UHD through the PS5. You’ll be able to really feel him swinging from left to proper and generally “over you”. Explosions are felt coming at you. Watching “The Darkish Knight Rises” scene w/ Bane vs Batman which has a fury of punches and thumps, they are often felt however may have used a bit extra bass.
Some gripes I had with the soundbar is you need to flip it on each time you utilize it in comparison with soundbars that may mechanically come up once you activate the TV. Additionally, generally when initializing a program, I might get suggestions and should change from Dolby to TV or vice versa.
Verdict
For $350 you might be getting a pleasant sound system that tries its finest to present you that Dolby Atmos expertise with out the setup of extra audio system and a subwoofer in addition. It’s a bit getting utterly setup proper however as soon as it executed you might be within the clear for probably the most half. In order for you a fast easy compact soundbar that can provide you extra of a movie show familiarity on your residence, you need to give the JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam a hear.