The JBL Bar 1000 is a newer model featuring a 7.1.4-channel configuration with a total system power of 880W, whereas the JBL Bar 9.1 offers a 5.1.4-channel setup with 820W. This enhancement in the JBL Bar 1000 provides a broader and more immersive soundstage. Both models come with detachable wireless surround speakers and a 300W wireless subwoofer, but the Bar 1000 introduces side-firing drivers in the main soundbar, further expanding the audio experience. Connectivity-wise, the Bar 1000 supports Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, offering versatile streaming options. In contrast, the Bar 9.1 includes Bluetooth 4.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, Chromecast, and Apple AirPlay 2, but lacks the latest Bluetooth version. Additionally, the Bar 1000 incorporates PureVoice technology for enhanced voice clarity and a room calibration assistant to optimize 3D surround effects, features not present in the Bar 9.1.
Specs Comparison
The JBL Bar 1000 features a 7.1.4-channel configuration with a total system power of 880W, while the Bar 9.1 provides a 5.1.4-channel setup at 820W. This means the Bar 1000 has additional surround channels, offering a more immersive audio experience. Both models come with detachable wireless surround speakers and a 300W wireless subwoofer, but the Bar 1000 includes side-firing drivers in the main soundbar, which can enhance the width of the soundstage. In terms of connectivity, the Bar 1000 supports Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, offering versatile streaming options. The JBL Bar 9.1 includes Bluetooth 4.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, Chromecast, and Apple AirPlay 2, but lacks the latest Bluetooth version. Additionally, the Bar 1000 incorporates PureVoice technology for enhanced voice clarity and a room calibration assistant to optimize 3D surround effects, features not present in the Bar 9.1.
In terms of design, both soundbars share a sleek black aesthetic, but the JBL Bar 1000 is slightly more compact, measuring 884 x 56 x 125 mm and weighing 3.7 kg, compared to the Bar 9.1’s dimensions of 884 x 62 x 120 mm and weight of 3.64 kg. The Bar 1000’s surround speakers are heavier at 1.4 kg each, while the Bar 9.1’s are 0.72 kg, potentially affecting placement flexibility. Overall, the JBL Bar 1000 offers advanced features and a more immersive audio experience, making it a compelling upgrade from the Bar 9.1.
Specs Table
Here’s a detailed comparison of the JBL Bar 9.1 and JBL Bar 1000 soundbars:
| Specification | JBL Bar 9.1 | JBL Bar 1000 |
| Total System Power | 820W | 880W |
| Channels | 5.1.4 | 7.1.4 |
| Soundbar Speaker Power | 400W | 440W |
| Rear Speaker Power | 120W (combined) | 140W (combined) |
| Subwoofer Power | 300W | 300W |
| Subwoofer Driver Size | 10 inches (254 mm) | 10 inches (260 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 34Hz – 20kHz | 33Hz – 20kHz |
| HDMI Inputs | 1 | 3 |
| HDMI Outputs | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI Version | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Dual-Band Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Chromecast and AirPlay 2 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos Support | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X Support | Yes | Yes |
| Main Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) | 884 x 62 x 120 mm | 884 x 56 x 125 mm |
| Main Unit Weight | 3.64 kg | 3.7 kg |
| Subwoofer Dimensions (W x H x D) | 305 x 440 x 305 mm | 305 x 440 x 305 mm |
| Subwoofer Weight | 11.1 kg | 10 kg |
| Surround Speaker Dimensions (W x H x D) | 173 x 60 x 120 mm | 173 x 60 x 120 mm |
| Surround Speaker Weight | 0.72 kg (each) | 1.4 kg (each) |
| Additional Features | Detachable wireless surround speakers10″ wireless subwoofer | Detachable wireless surround speakers10″ wireless subwooferPureVoice technologyRoom calibration assistantSide-firing drivers |
Both soundbars offer immersive audio experiences with their multi-channel configurations and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The JBL Bar 1000, being a newer model, provides higher total system power and additional features like side-firing drivers, PureVoice technology for enhanced voice clarity, and a room calibration assistant to optimize 3D surround effects.
Sound Comparison
The first thing I noticed when watching TV with the JBL Bar 9.1 and JBL Bar 1000 was how each system handled surround sound and dialogue clarity. Testing “Dune (2021)”, a movie with massive soundscapes and layered effects, the Bar 9.1 delivered an immersive experience with its 5.1.4-channel setup and 820W power output. The up-firing drivers in both the main soundbar and detachable surround speakers created a strong height effect, making the sandstorm and spaceship flyovers feel real. The JBL Bar 1000, with its 7.1.4-channel system and 880W power, took it even further. The extra side-firing drivers in the main bar widened the soundstage, making the environment feel even bigger. Explosions had more impact and background noises felt more precise, making the desert setting feel alive.
For dialogue-heavy scenes, I switched to “The Irishman” to see how both systems handled softer, character-driven moments. The PureVoice technology in the Bar 1000 made a real difference in dialogue clarity. Conversations between De Niro and Pacino sounded crisp, even when there was background noise like restaurant chatter or city traffic. The Bar 9.1 still kept dialogue clear, but in some moments, I had to increase the volume slightly to bring voices forward. The room calibration assistant in the Bar 1000 also seemed to fine-tune the audio balance better, adapting to my space in a way that made everything feel more natural.
To push both systems with heavy bass and fast-paced action, I played “John Wick: Chapter 4”. The 10-inch, 300W wireless subwoofer in both models delivered deep, rumbling lows during fight scenes, and gunshots had a satisfying weight. The biggest difference came in surround immersion. The Bar 9.1’s rear speakers added a great sense of space, but the heavier, side-firing rear speakers in the JBL Bar 1000 made directional sounds (like bullets whizzing by or cars speeding past) feel even more precise. If I were choosing a soundbar purely for watching movies and TV, I would go with the Bar 1000 for its wider soundstage, better dialogue clarity, and enhanced surround positioning. The Bar 9.1 is still a fantastic system with strong Dolby Atmos performance, but the Bar 1000 brings a more refined and expansive experience that makes movies feel more cinematic.
Design Comparison
The JBL Bar 9.1 is 884 mm wide, 62 mm tall, and 120 mm deep, making it a good fit under most TVs without being too bulky. It weighs 3.64 kg, which gives it a solid feel without being difficult to move around. One of the best parts is the detachable surround speakers, which connect magnetically to the main unit. They’re light at 0.72 kg each, making them easy to place around the room without needing extra stands or mounts. The 10-inch, 300W wireless subwoofer is large enough to deliver serious bass but still compact enough to blend into a room without drawing too much attention. The overall build feels durable, with a metal grille covering the speakers and a sturdy plastic body that doesn’t feel cheap.
The JBL Bar 1000 has a very similar look but feels slightly more refined. It’s almost the same width at 884 mm but a bit slimmer at 56 mm tall and 125 mm deep. It’s slightly heavier at 3.7 kg, which isn’t a huge difference, but it feels a little more substantial. The detachable surround speakers are much heavier than those on the Bar 9.1, coming in at 1.4 kg each, which gives them a solid feel but also means they need a more stable surface if you’re placing them around the room. One nice touch on the Bar 1000 is that the ends of the soundbar have protective caps for when the surround speakers are detached, which helps keep everything looking clean.
The Verdict?
Personally, I would go with the JBL Bar 1000 because of its 7.1.4-channel setup and side-firing drivers, which create an even wider and more detailed surround sound experience. Watching movies with Dolby Atmos felt more expansive, especially in scenes where sound moves around the room, like action sequences or overhead effects. The PureVoice technology also made dialogue clearer, which was noticeable in TV shows and movies where voices sometimes get lost in the background noise. The 880W power output also gives it a slight edge over the 820W on the Bar 9.1, making the sound a bit more dynamic and room-filling.
That being said, I would say that the JBL Bar 9.1 is still a fantastic option especially if you’re looking for something more compact with lighter surround speakers that are easier to move around. It still delivers great Dolby Atmos and DTS:X performance with its 5.1.4-channel setup, and the 300W wireless subwoofer ensures deep, punchy bass. If you don’t mind giving up the extra side-firing drivers and some of the fine-tuning from the room calibration assistant, the JBL Bar 9.1 is a great way to get high-end surround sound without the higher price tag of the JBL Bar 1000. But if you want the most immersive, refined experience with better dialogue clarity and a more powerful, room-filling sound, I’d say the Bar 1000 is the better choice overall.