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Are Dolby Atmos Soundbars Worth It?

The perfect Friday night outside of backyard barbies with a few cold ones? Couch rotting, of course. Think pulling on your cosiest pair of sweats, ordering in some takeaway and hitting play on a footy game or a good Aussie series.

Well, scratch that. There is one thing that's better, which is feeling the roar of the stadium crowd all around you like a tidal wave of sound. That's the magic of Dolby Atmos® spatial effects, delivering sound without bounds via a sleek, all-in-one solution in the form of a JBL soundbar.

But is a wireless soundbar really worth your dollars? And can it really, really bring the drama on the oval straight to your home? Put the remote down. Let’s break down what soundbars actually do and why Aussies are upgrading their home setup with JBL.

What Exactly Does a Soundbar Do?

Footy fans and series bingewatchers, we're talking to you. With modern TVs rivalling your average Tim Tam in sleekness, built-in sound quality is often subpar at best. Not so with soundbars for TVs, which can turn any living room into a mini cinema!

So, what does a soundbar actually do? It transforms flat TV sound into rich, dynamic audio that fills your room. Feel every booming yell of "Ball!" from the crowd, and hear every minor creak in the floorboards in a slasher movie, or survival horror game.

Experience JBL Signature Sound

JBL Signature Sound is born from our legendary studio heritage, giving you audio that’s vibrant and true. Expect crisp, clear highs, a perfect balance in the middle, and deep, resonant bass that you feel with your chest. It's a sound crafted by decades of experience, and it shows.

Dolby Atmos® and MultiBeam™: Cinematic Sound That Fills the Room

Whether it’s action flicks, AFL replays, or concert films, these soundbars make you feel part of every scene. MultiBeam™ 3.0 and Dolby Atmos® are the dream team in JBL soundbars, delivering a wide, cinema-like soundstage that makes every knee to the breadbasket, car crash, and shield bash come alive. Experience a 3D audio experience that puts you in the thick of action, creating an immersive auditory world that fuels suspension of disbelief.

Soundbars With or Without Subwoofers - What’s the Difference?

Still not sure where you stand when it comes to Team Soundbar vs. Team Speaker? Don't discount soundbars just yet, because their simple setup, clean design and superior sound make them perfect for renters and techlight users. Whether you prefer a full 5.1 setup or a compact all-in-one soundbar, JBL’s range covers every home.

Crave cinematic sound but live in a small space? Go for the JBL Bar 300MK2 and feel your heart skip with every horror flick jump scare. Or buddy up with the JBL Bar 500MK2, a 5.1 channel soundbar system complete with a subwoofer, for cinema-quality sound whether you're watching the news or playing Mario Kart. Then, there's the JBL Bar 800MK2, a soundbar with a subwoofer and detachable wireless speakers. Place them behind you for true surround sound that hits different and hear every subtle sound in a TV show, footy or video game. Say hello to your new best mate with 780 watts of total system power and deep bass that hits during weekend movie nights like a truck.

JBL Bar 300MK2

5.0 channel all-in-one compact soundbar with MultiBeam™ 3.0, Dolby Atmos® and DTS Virtual:X®

$449.95

$549.95

Learn More

JBL Bar 500MK2

5.1 channel soundbar system with MultiBeam™ 3.0 and Dolby Atmos®

$649.95

$769.95

Learn More

JBL Bar 800MK2

7.1 channel soundbar system with detachable surround speakers, MultiBeam 3.0™, Dolby Atmos® and DTS Virtual:X®

$849.95

$999.95

Learn More

Bring Cinema Home with Dolby Atmos

Bring the true blockbuster experience home. With Dolby Atmos® soundbars like the JBL Bar 1000MK2, you get next-level, multidimensional audio. Hear every whispered confession in a classic whodunnit, and feel the exhilaration of seeing a larger-than-life mountain lion on your TV screen as you feel its deep-throated purr rattle your bones. It’s sound that moves around you, in every direction. Every thunderclap, scream, and rising crescendo surrounds you — just like in the cinema.

JBL Bar 1000MK2

7.1.4 channel soundbar system with detachable surround speakers, MultiBeam 3.0™, Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®

$1,399.95

$1,599.95

Learn More

Style Meets Simplicity: Designed for Every Aussie Home

Soundbars are as beautiful as they are powerful.

From cosy inner-city apartments to beachside homes, JBL soundbars slot in neatly without crowding your space. Finish your set up in minutes, without having to worry about cable management, or whether you need an AV receiver. Soundbars designed to look as good as they sound — no bulky setups, no clutter.

Soundbars also look great on the walls of your bedroom, gym, or bathroom. Why stream The Great Australian Bake Off while jogging on the treadmill? More like, why would you not?

Easy Streaming and Smart Connectivity

Beyond transporting you to new aural dimensions, our JBL soundbars are serious about dishing out modern conveniences like wireless use, voice assistants and smart home integration. Easily connect to your TV via HDMI ARC/eARC, optical, or Bluetooth and enjoy wireless streaming from your phone, laptop and tablets. Future-ready out of the box, our soundbars play well with Wi-Fi and are compatible with Chromecast, Alexa and Google devices. Perfect for playlists at Sunday barbies or streaming podcasts while baking your latest batch of brownies.

Quick Setup, Instant Upgrade

Firing up your soundbar is as easy as connecting to your TV's HDMI port, turning it and any subwoofer on, and syncing your setup with the JBL ONE app. From there, you can tweak your EQ settings, connect to your favourite streaming music services and even customise your ARIA chart-toppers. It’s plug, play, and you’re ready to binge your favourite Aussie shows in minutes.

Why Aussies Are Making the Switch

From footy matches to movie marathons, it’s all about better sound without the big spend. Our 'set it and forget it' soundbars fit cleanly under your TV and are a breeze to wall mount. Packed with solid upward and side-firing drivers, they deliver clear dialogue, spatial audio and big, all-around sound.

Style Meets Simplicity: Designed for Every Aussie Home

So, Are Soundbars Worth It?

So here's what we are picturing: once your setup is complete, it's time to go all in on vegging out. Put your feet up for a big weekend of glorious couch rotting knowing that your new soundbar is going to change the game for good. The only question is what's first: rewatching Deadloch for the 23rd time, or teeing up the latest horror flick?

Discover JBL’s full range of soundbars at the JBL Australia Official Store — your next movie night just got an upgrade.

All product details verified on JBL.com.au as of November 2025

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