JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam

£399.99 FROM JBL, jbl.com

JBL’s relatively compact soundbar doesn’t have a smartphone app but does come with a simple remote control. You get Ethernet, optical, HDMI in-and-out, and a USB port for connecting drives. There’s also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, support for Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and control via Alexa multi-room but there’s no onboard mic so you can’t talk directly to the speaker.

Inside are five drivers – front-facing left, centre, and right plus a driver at each end to deal with surround sound. You get virtual Dolby Atmos processing that uses a digital signal processor (DSP) to bounce sound off side walls to simulate real surround. While the efficacy depends on the size and shape of a room, overall performance with movies was good though perhaps a little more lacking in focus when it came to streaming music over AirPlay. The lack of an app is a disappointment and the remote, while functional, is basic.

VERDICT

Virtual Dolby Atmos Decent sound for price No app for control Works better for movies than music