Introduction

The JBL Harman Wireless Soundbar 9.1 is an innovative audio system designed to deliver an immersive home theater experience. Featuring a unique 5.1.4 channel configuration, it includes two detachable wireless surround speakers that enhance sound depth and clarity, complemented by Dolby Atmos technology for a true 3D audio experience. With a powerful output of 820 watts and a robust 10-inch subwoofer, it ensures rich bass and crystal-clear sound. Priced at approximately $999.00, this soundbar is perfect for movie enthusiasts seeking cinematic quality at home.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Unpack the box carefully and ensure that the following parts are included. If any part is damaged or missing, do not use it and contact your retailer or customer service representative. 

1. Soundbar

   

2. Subwoofer

   

3. Detachable speakers

   

4. Remote control (with 2 AAA batteries)

   

5. Power cord*
   * Power cord quantity and plug type vary region.

   

6. HDMI cable

   

7. Side caps**
   (For the soundbar)

   

   **For some regions only.
   (For the detachable speakers)

   

8. Wall-mounting kit

   

9. Product information & wall-mounting template

   

JBL Harman Wireless Soundbar 9.1 Specifications

General Specification

• Model:
  • BAR 9.1 CNTR (soundbar unit)
  • BAR 9.1 SURROUND (detachable speaker)
  • BAR 9.1 SUB (subwoofer unit)
• Sound System: 5.1.4 channel
• Power Supply: 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60 Hz
• Lithium Battery: 3.635 V, 3283 mAh
• Total Speaker Power Output (Max. @ THD 1%): 820 W
  • Soundbar Output Power (Max. @ THD 1%): 400 W
  • Surround Speaker Output Power (Max. @ THD 1%): 2 x 60 W
  • Subwoofer Output Power (Max. @ THD 1%): 300 W
• Soundbar Transducer: 4 × racetrack drivers + 2 × up-firing full-range drivers + 3 × 0.75” (20 mm) tweeter
• Surround Transducer (per piece): Up-firing full-range drivers + 0.75” (20 mm) tweeter
• Subwoofer Transducer: 10”
• Operating Temperature: 0°C - 45°C

HDMI Specification

• HDMI Video Input: 1
• HDMI Video Output (with Enhanced Audio Return Channel, eARC): 1
• HDMI HDCP Version: 2.3

Audio Specification

• Frequency Response: 34 Hz - 20 KHz
• Audio Inputs: 1 Optical, Bluetooth, USB (USB playback is available in US version. For other versions, USB is for service only.)

USB Specification (Audio Playback is for US Version Only)

• USB Port: Type A
• USB Rating: 5 V, 500 mA
• Supporting File Format: MP3
• MP3 Codec: MPEG 1 Layer 2/3, MPEG 2 Layer 3, MPEG 2.5 Layer 3
• MP3 Sampling Rate: 16 KHz - 48 KHz
• MP3 Bitrate: 80 kbps - 320 kbps

Wireless Specification

• Bluetooth Version: 4.2
• Bluetooth Profile: A2DP V1.2, AVRCP V1.5
• Bluetooth Frequency Range: 2402 MHz - 2480 MHz
• Bluetooth Max. Transmitting Power: < 13 dBm (EIRP)
• Modulation Type: GFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK
• Wi-Fi Network: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz)
  • 2.4G Wi-Fi Frequency Range: 2412 - 2472 MHz (2.4GHz ISM Band, USA 11 Channels, Europe and others 13 Channels)
  • 2.4G Wi-Fi Max. Transmitting Power: 20 dBm (EIRP)
  • Modulation Type: DBPSK, DQPSK, CCK, QPSK, BPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
  • 5G Wi-Fi Frequency Range: 5.15 - 5.35 GHz, 5.470 - 5.725 GHz, 5.725 - 5.825 GHz
  • 5G Wi-Fi Max. Transmitting Power: 22 dBm (EIRP)
  • Modulation Type: QPSK, BPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM
  • 5G Wireless Frequency Range: 5180.0 - 5240.0 MHz, 5725.0 - 5825.0 MHz (varies depending on country, if applicable)
  • 5G Max. Transmitting Power: 13 dBm (EIRP)
  • Modulation Type: QPSK

Dimensions

• Dimensions (W x H x D):
  • Soundbar: 884 x 58 x 120 mm / 34.8 x 2.3 x 4.7 inches
  • Detachable Surround Speaker (per piece): 173 x 58 x 120 mm / 6.8 x 2.3 x 4.7 inches
  • Subwoofer: 305 x 440 x 305 mm / 12.0 x 17.3 x 12.0 inches
• Weight:
  • Soundbar: 3.70 kg / 8.1 lb
  • Detachable Surround Speaker: 0.75 kg x 2 / 1.6 lb x 2
  • Subwoofer: 11.14 kg / 24.6 lb
• Packaging Dimensions (W x H x D): 1032 x 382 x 488 mm / 40.6 x 15 x 19.2 inches
• Packaging Weight (Gross Weight): 20 kg

Description

The JBL Harman Wireless Soundbar 9.1 is engineered to provide a cinematic audio experience in the comfort of your home. The soundbar itself houses multiple drivers that work in harmony to produce clear highs, detailed mids, and robust lows. The included wireless subwoofer enhances the bass response, while the two rear surround speakers create an immersive surround sound environment.

The system is designed with aesthetics in mind, featuring a sleek and modern design that complements any home decor. The user interface is intuitive, with easy controls and LED indicators that make navigation straightforward. Additionally, the soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for an enhanced 3D audio experience.

PLACE

Desktop placement
Place the soundbar, detachable speakers and subwoofer on a flat and stable surface. Refer to the recommended distance in the following diagram.

NOTES

• The power cord shall be properly connected to power.
• Do not place any objects on the top of the soundbar, detachable speakers, or subwoofer.
• Charge the detachable speakers in time to ensure sufficient battery power (See “ Connect the detachable rear speakers” in the chapter “SETUP”).

Wall-mounting

Wall-mount the soundbar and detachable rear speakers together or separately.

A) Wall-mount the soundbar

1. Preparation:
   1. With the distance of about 2” (50mm) from your TV, stick the supplied wall-mounting template to a wall by using adhesive tapes.
   2. Use your ballpen tip to mark the screw holder location. Remove the template.
   3. On the marked location, drill a 4 mm/0.16” hole.
2. Install the support for wall-mounting bracket.
3. With the screw, fasten the wall-mounting bracket onto the bottom of the soundbar.
4. Mount the soundbar.
5. After the soundbar is securely wall-mounted, dock the two detachable speakers onto the soundbar.

NOTES

• Make sure that the wall can support the weight of the soundbar.
• Install on a vertical wall only.
• Avoid a location under high temperature or humidity.
• Before wall-mounting, make sure that cables can be properly connected between the soundbar and external devices.
• Before wall-mounting, make sure that the soundbar is unplugged from power. Otherwise, it may cause an electric shock.
• To move the soundbar, first remove the two detachable speakers to avoid accidental damage.

B) Wall-mount the detachable speakers as rear surround speakers

1. From the soundbar, remove the two detachable speakers.
2. Install the wall-mounting bracket.
3. Fasten the support onto the back of the speakers.
4. Mount the speakers.
5. Install the side caps as needed.

Setup Guide

To set up the JBL Harman Wireless Soundbar 9.1, start by unpacking all the components, including the soundbar, subwoofer, rear speakers, and any included cables or accessories.

1. Connect the Soundbar: Plug the soundbar into a power source and connect it to your TV via HDMI (ARC) or optical cable.
2. Pair the Subwoofer: Turn on the Subwoofer and let it automatically pair with the soundbar.
3. Set Up Rear Speakers: Place the rear surround speakers behind your seating area and turn them on; they will automatically connect to the soundbar.
4. Configure Settings: Use the remote control or mobile app to adjust settings such as audio mode (movie, music, game), sync settings for rear speakers, and customize EQ settings according to your preference.

JBL Harman Wireless Soundbar 9.1 Troubleshooting

Never try to repair the product yourself. If you have problems using this product, check the following points before you request services.

System

The unit will not turn on.

• Check if the power cord is plugged into the power and the soundbar.

The soundbar has no response to button pressing.

• Restore the soundbar to factory settings (See the “RESTORE FACTORY SETTINGS” chapter).

Sound

No sound from the soundbar

• Make sure that the soundbar is not muted.
• Select the correct audio input source on the remote control.
• Connect the soundbar to your TV or other devices properly.
• Restore the soundbar to its factory settings by pressing and holding buttons on the soundbar for more than 10 seconds.

Distorted sound or echo

• If you play audio from your TV through the soundbar, make sure that your TV is muted or the built-in TV speaker is disabled.

Audio and video are not synchronized.

• Enable the audio sync function to synchronize audio and video (See “Audio sync” in the “SOUND SETTINGS” chapter).

No surround sound effects of Dolby Atmos

• If your TV supports HDMI ARC only, make sure that you have connected your digital device to the soundbar through the HDMI IN connector on the soundbar (See “TV (HDMI ARC/eARC)” under “5.1 Connection with your TV and digital devices” in the “5. CONNECT” chapter).

Cannot disable the DTS Neural: X mixing

• To disable the DTS Neural: X up mixing, press and hold the button for more than 10 seconds.

Bluetooth

A device cannot be connected with the soundbar.

• Check if you have enabled Bluetooth on the device.
• If the soundbar has been paired with another Bluetooth device, reset Bluetooth (see “To connect to another device” under “Bluetooth connection” in the “CONNECT” chapter).
• If your Bluetooth device has ever been paired with the soundbar, reset Bluetooth on the soundbar, unpair the soundbar on the Bluetooth device, and then pair the Bluetooth device with the soundbar again (see “To connect to another device” under “Bluetooth connection” in the “CONNECT” chapter).

JBL Harman Wireless Soundbar 9.1 Pros & Cons

Pros

• Immersive Sound: Provides a rich, cinematic audio experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.
• Wireless Convenience: Easy setup with wireless subwoofer and rear speakers.
• High-Quality Drivers: Multiple drivers ensure clear highs, detailed mids, and robust lows.
• Modern Design: Sleek design that complements any home decor.

Cons

• Expensive: The system is priced at around $999.99 which may be out of budget for many users.
• Complex Setup for Some Users: While generally easy to set up, some users might find configuring advanced settings challenging.
• Space Requirements: Requires adequate space for placing the soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers.

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the system's ability to deliver immersive sound without the clutter of wired connections. Some users have noted that the setup process can be a bit complex for non-tech-savvy individuals but overall appreciate the system's performance and build quality.

Common complaints include the high price point and occasional connectivity issues with the rear speakers or subwoofer.