The dad who watches films and sport on a decent television and has never got around to fixing the sound. Not the one who already runs an AV receiver and floorstanders, and not the apartment dweller with a shared wall, because the subwoofer is the whole point and he will not be able to use it.
What it is
A 5.1 channel soundbar with a separate wireless subwoofer, Dolby Atmos and JBL’s MultiBeam virtual surround. HDMI eARC and 4K passthrough, so it sits between the TV and whatever is plugged into it. Bought direct from JBL Australia with the manufacturer’s own warranty.
Why we picked it
Most televisions sold in the last five years have a picture that is far better than the sound coming out of them, because there is nowhere in a 7mm panel to put a speaker. This is the single upgrade that makes an ordinary lounge room feel like a cinema, and the wireless subwoofer means the only cable to run is the one to the power point. Dolby Atmos is the part worth paying for here: it is the difference between hearing a plane and hearing it pass over the couch.
