JBL’s Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

We’re always keen to try soundbars which aim to work without a subwoofer, like JBL’s $599.95 Bar 5.0 Multibeam. The 71cm-wide bar incorporates five powered race-track drivers measuring 80×45mm, each with amplifier power of 50W (measured at 1% THD), along with four passive 75mm bass radiators to supplement the low-end using the drivers’ back energy within the cabinet.

There’s built-in Virtual Dolby Atmos to benefit movie and gaming sound, while JBL’s MultiBeam technology aims to creates a wide soundstage, including Automatic MultiBeam Calibration (AMC) using the remote as the microphone sensor.

The Bar has one HDMI input capable of 4K

Dolby Vision passthrough to the HDMI output, which also supports eARC to play audio back from your TV, including multichannel formats if your TV obliges. There’s also an optical audio input, though no analogue, while the USB-A slot curiously supports file playback in the US, but not here.

The Bar 5.0 aims to play nice with music too, assisted by Bluetooth, and networking to deliver built-in Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM). We hope to have a review next issue; meanwhile more info at www.jbl.com.au