In the ever-evolving world of home theater audio, soundbars have become increasingly sophisticated while remaining relatively simple to set up. Today, we're comparing two compelling options from JBL: the Bar 700 ($899.95) and the more premium Bar 1000 ($1,139.95). Both aim to deliver immersive home theater sound, but they take different approaches to achieve this goal.
Before diving into the specific models, it's important to understand what makes modern soundbars special. Today's premium soundbars use advanced audio processing and multiple speaker arrays to create immersive sound that appears to come from all around you. The key technologies here are Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which add height channels to create a three-dimensional sound bubble.
The JBL Bar 700 offers a 5.1 channel configuration, which means:
The JBL Bar 1000 steps up to a 7.1.4 configuration:
This difference isn't just about numbers - it fundamentally affects how these systems create immersive sound. The Bar 1000's additional channels and up-firing speakers create more precise spatial audio with true overhead effects, while the Bar 700 relies on virtual processing to simulate height effects.
Both systems deliver impressive audio, but there are notable differences in their capabilities:
The Bar 700 with its 620W total system power provides:
The Bar 1000 raises the bar with 880W of power:
In practical terms, these differences manifest in several ways:
The Bar 700 handles movie soundtracks well, with clear dialogue and impactful effects. However, the Bar 1000's additional channels and true height speakers create a more convincing "bubble" of sound. When a helicopter flies overhead in a movie, for instance, the Bar 1000 can actually create sound above you, while the Bar 700 approximates this effect through clever processing.
Both systems handle music well, but the Bar 1000's additional power and speakers provide better stereo separation and more detailed reproduction. This is particularly noticeable with complex orchestral pieces or dense rock recordings.
For gamers, the Bar 1000's true height channels can provide a competitive advantage, making it easier to pinpoint sound sources above and behind you. The Bar 700 still offers good positional audio but without quite the same precision.
Room size and layout significantly impact which system might work better for you:
Bar 700 is ideal for:
Bar 1000 works best in:
Both systems offer modern connectivity options:
The Bar 1000 adds:
At $899.95, the Bar 700 represents excellent value for most users. It delivers:
The Bar 1000 at $1,139.95 justifies its premium with:
For a typical family room setup, the Bar 700 often provides everything needed. Its virtual height effects work well in standard rooms, and the detachable surrounds offer flexibility for different seating arrangements.
In a dedicated home theater space, the Bar 1000's advantages become more apparent. The true height channels and additional power create a more cinema-like experience, especially in larger rooms with optimal acoustics.
For apartment dwellers, the Bar 700 might actually be the better choice, as its virtual height effects can work well in smaller spaces, and the lower power output is less likely to disturb neighbors.
Both systems represent significant advances over previous JBL soundbars, with improvements in:
The Bar 1000, being the newer model, incorporates more advanced versions of these technologies, particularly in its implementation of height channels and room correction.
Both the JBL Bar 700 and Bar 1000 are excellent soundbars that deliver impressive home theater sound. The Bar 700 offers tremendous value and will satisfy most users, while the Bar 1000 provides a more premium experience for those who demand the best possible audio performance and have the space to take advantage of it.
The key is to match the system to your room size, budget, and listening preferences. For most users in typical living rooms, the Bar 700 provides an excellent experience at a lower price point. However, if you're setting up a dedicated home theater or have a larger space, the Bar 1000's additional capabilities may well be worth the premium.
| JBL Bar 700 Dolby Atmos 5.1 | JBL Bar 1000 7.1.4 Channel |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Determines surround sound precision and immersion | |
| 5.1 channels with virtual height effects | 7.1.4 channels with true up-firing speakers |
| Total Power Output - Impacts maximum volume and dynamic range | |
| 620W total system power | 880W total system power |
| Subwoofer Specifications - Affects bass performance and impact | |
| 10" wireless (300W) with basic tuning | 10" wireless (300W) with advanced calibration |
| Height Effects - Key for overhead sound immersion | |
| Virtual Dolby Atmos via MultiBeam | True Dolby Atmos with 4 up-firing drivers |
| Surround Speakers - Important for rear sound positioning | |
| 2 detachable battery-powered (40W each) | 4 detachable battery-powered (70W each) |
| Room Size Suitability - Crucial for optimal performance | |
| Small to medium rooms (up to 350 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (350+ sq ft) |
| HDMI Connectivity - Affects source device flexibility | |
| 1 HDMI in, 1 HDMI eARC out | 3 HDMI in, 1 HDMI eARC out |
| Audio Processing - Impacts sound quality and features | |
| Basic PureVoice, MultiBeam | Advanced PureVoice, MultiBeam, DTS:X |
| Room Calibration - Affects sound optimization | |
| Basic automatic calibration | Advanced multi-point calibration |
| Price - Value consideration | |
| $899.95 (excellent value for basic Atmos) | $1,139.95 (premium features justify cost) |
The JBL Bar 1000 provides a superior movie experience due to its true up-firing drivers and 7.1.4 channel configuration. While the JBL Bar 700 offers good virtual height effects, the Bar 1000's true Dolby Atmos implementation creates more precise overhead sounds and better spatial imaging for movies.
If you have a larger room or dedicated home theater, the JBL Bar 1000 justifies its $240 premium over the JBL Bar 700 with true height channels, additional power, and better spatial audio. For smaller rooms or casual viewing, the Bar 700's performance may be sufficient.
The JBL Bar 700 is better suited for apartments due to its 5.1 configuration and 620W power output, which is plenty for smaller spaces. The JBL Bar 1000 might be overkill in such settings, and its additional power may not be usable in apartment living.
For the JBL Bar 700, ceiling height is less critical since it uses virtual effects. The JBL Bar 1000 works best with 8-12 foot ceilings for optimal up-firing speaker performance. Lower or higher ceilings may impact the effectiveness of its true height channels.
Both systems use the same 10" wireless subwoofer, but the JBL Bar 1000 offers more refined bass due to its advanced calibration system. The JBL Bar 700 still provides powerful bass, but with slightly less precision in room tuning.
The JBL Bar 1000 is better suited for open floor plans due to its higher power output and additional channels. The JBL Bar 700 may struggle to fill larger open spaces effectively.
Both the JBL Bar 700 and Bar 1000 feature similar setup processes, but the Bar 700 is slightly simpler due to fewer speakers and a more basic calibration system. Both use wireless surround speakers for flexible placement.
Both soundbars work with any content, but Dolby Atmos content showcases their full capabilities. The JBL Bar 1000 provides better performance with Atmos content due to true height channels, while the JBL Bar 700 simulates these effects.
The JBL Bar 1000 offers superior gaming performance with more precise spatial audio and true height effects, helping players better locate sound sources. The JBL Bar 700 still provides good gaming audio but with less precise positioning.
Both the JBL Bar 700 and Bar 1000 can be wall-mounted, but careful consideration of speaker placement is needed, especially for the Bar 1000's up-firing drivers to function correctly.
The JBL Bar 1000 offers superior music performance with better stereo separation and more detailed sound. The JBL Bar 700 provides good music playback but with less refined audio reproduction.
Both soundbars offer similar streaming capabilities with WiFi, Bluetooth, and voice assistant compatibility. The JBL Bar 1000 and Bar 700 both support major streaming services through their built-in smart features.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: crutchfield.com - harmanaudio.com - target.com - jbl.com - walmart.com - dell.com - jbl.com.pdf) - zdnet.com - jbl.com - jbl.com - pcrichard.com - rtings.com - d21buns5ku92am.cloudfront.net - ro.harmanaudio.com - target.com - harmanaudio.com - dell.com - mm.jbl.com - dolby.com - jbl.com.my - videoandaudiocenter.com
