JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Review: Compact Soundbar with Better Bass, Worse Controls
Introduction
The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam is a compact soundbar that offers an impressive audio experience for music, movies, and TV shows. With better bass than its predecessor, it is designed to deliver a compelling home theater experience in a small footprint. However, not everything about this soundbar is perfect, with some users reporting issues with the controls. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam and discuss its pros and cons.
Design and Build Quality
The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam sports a sleek design, measuring just 35 inches long and approximately 2.3 inches high. This compact form factor makes it an ideal option for those with limited space or who want to maintain a minimalist aesthetic in their living room.
Despite its slim profile, the soundbar features an array of drivers inside, including four passive radiators that deliver impressive bass without the need for an external subwoofer; this is one of the standout features of this soundbar.
On the downside, some users have reported that the button controls on the device are not as user-friendly as they should be. The layout may be confusing for some, and the touch-sensitive buttons can be unresponsive at times.
Sound Performance
One of the most significant advantages of the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam is its impressive audio performance. The soundbar delivers crystal-clear audio with excellent clarity and detail across all frequencies.
The MultiBeam technology used in this soundbar enables it to create a broad and immersive soundstage that fills the room with rich audio from corner to corner. This makes it excellent for watching movies or playing video games.
As previously mentioned, one of the key selling points of this soundbar is its bass performance. The four passive radiators work in harmony to produce deep, resonating bass that complements the rest of the audio without overwhelming it.
However, some users have reported issues with the soundbar’s audio balance – particularly with the bass overpowering dialogues at times. This can be rectified to a certain extent by adjusting the device’s audio settings.
Connectivity and Features
The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam comes equipped with both HDMI ARC and optical inputs, ensuring seamless connectivity to your TV. It also supports Bluetooth, allowing you to stream music from your smartphone or other compatible devices effortlessly.
Though this soundbar doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, it does include Virtual Dolby Atmos technology that simulates an immersive audio environment for a captivating listening experience.
Conclusion
The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam offers powerful audio performance in a compact form factor. Its impressive bass capabilities make it stand out among competitors in its price range. However, users may experience inconvenience with its controls and may need to fiddle with the settings to achieve perfect sound balance.
Overall, if you are looking for a compact soundbar that delivers excellent sound quality without breaking the bank, the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam is worth considering – just be prepared to compromise a bit when it comes to its user interface and controls.