JBL Link Bar
JBL EMBRACES ANDROID TV... BUT IT’S NOT A TWO-WAY STREET.
THE LINK BAR is as typical a sound bar as you’ll get, visually speaking: It’s neutral in just about every respect, save for the unusually long form factor. It’s about 101cm wide, which is considerably longer than the Sonos Beam at 75cm. At under 8cm high, it’s fairly short, and could nestle under a TV, but JBL includes brackets to mount it on a wall if that’s more your speed.
On the back are several connectivity options, including three HDMI inputs, plus optical, Aux-In and Ethernet ports. The HDMI ARC port is the most important because it pulls in the audio signal from the TV, while sending the video signal back the other way. JBL didn’t include support for Dolby Vision or DTS:X, nor enabled a method with which to pair the Link Bar with other speakers for a surround sound setup. We didn’t get to test it, but there is an optional subwoofer, the SW10, that works wirelessly with the Link Bar, adding some extra bass to the sound signature.
We had no issue setting up the Link Bar, which was really a two-stage process of hooking it up physically, and then getting Android TV going, including updates. The additional USB ports have pass-through capabilities, so you could hook up a game console, cable box or Blu-ray player. The only real benefit we noticed in trying that is talking to Google Assistant – and seeing responses onscreen – without having to change inputs.
The included remote is pretty easy to learn. There are dedicated buttons for both Netflix and Google Assistant, along with shortcuts to HDMI, optical/Aux-In and Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the remote has no control over any other device that’s plugged into the bar. So, if it’s a Blu-ray player or cable box, you’ll need those remotes within arm’s length too.
The Link Bar’s brightest spot is its sound quality. We came away liking the clarity and volume that pulsated out of the sound bar, particularly the way it handled mids and highs. Without introducing too much distortion or sibilance at higher volumes, the sound profile holds steady.
We would hesitate to say the sound bar offers really deep bass. Perhaps with the wireless sub it does, but on its own, the low end is decent, though not spectacular. When we watched movies with a lot of explosions, or listened to music with plenty of bass, we got to feel some of the punchiness of the lows come through.
If JBL can do it through firmware or software updates, then there’s at least a chance of improving what’s already here. We just don’t know when, or if, the company plans to do that and you may want to hold off until they address those things. If you’re willing to pay more, consider a Sonos Beam with an Nvidia Shield instead, both of which are available now and offer a more complete experience.
WE WOULD HESITATE TO SAY THE SOUND BAR OFFERS REALLY DEEP BASS. PERHAPS WITH THE WIRELESS SUB IT DOES, BUT ON ITS OWN, THE LOW END IS DECENT, THOUGH NOT SPECTACULAR.