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JBL Bar 2.1 Powered sound bar with wireless subwoofer and Bluetooth®

Item # 109BAR21

Adding a sound bar to your TV setup makes a big difference.

Adding a sound bar to your TV setup makes a big difference.

California customers:
Please click here for your Proposition 65 warning.

2 questions - 9 answers

Item # 109BAR21

About the JBL Bar 2.1

Jeff Miller

Put some thump in your home theater

Adding a sound bar to your TV setup makes a big difference. Adding a subwoofer to the mix? A huge difference. The JBL Bar 2.1 delivers clear TV dialogue and a wide-open soundstage, and it includes a large, wireless sub. You get deep, powerful bass that gives movie effects that thrilling ommph.  

Put some thump in your home theater

Adding a sound bar to your TV setup makes a big difference. Adding a subwoofer to the mix? A huge difference. The JBL Bar 2.1 delivers clear TV dialogue and a wide-open soundstage, and it includes a large, wireless sub. You get deep, powerful bass that gives movie effects that thrilling ommph.  

Speedy setup and switching between TV sound and Bluetooth

These days, many of us use a single speaker as our main home theater and music system. The Bar 2.1 is a versatile option for both. It offers a few different TV connection options. The system comes with its own remote, but you can also teach it the volume commands of your existing TV remote for convenient control.

You can also play music wirelessly from your phone or tablet. There's Bluetooth built-in, and you can quickly toggle between the audio from your TV or Bluetooth-enabled device.

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Product highlights:

    System:
    • sound bar and wireless subwoofer
    • delivers 2.1-channel sound
    • built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from smartphones and tablets
      • JBL Soundshift™ automatically switches between your TV and Bluetooth audio sources
    • learns your TV remote's volume commands
    Sound Bar:
    • two-channel sound bar with six total drivers
      • four 2-1/4" midrange drivers
      • two 1-1/4" tweeters
    • Dolby® Digital decoding
    • Clear Dialogue mode and Virtual Surround Sound mode
    • Night Mode curbs louder noises for late-night viewing
    • wall-mountable (brackets included)
    • 38"W x 2-1/2"H x 2-3/4"D
    • weight: 4.2 lbs.
    Subwoofer:
    • syncs wirelessly to sound bar for easy placement
    • 6.5" down-firing woofer
    • on-board amplifier
    • 8-15/16"W x 14-5/8"H x 8-15/16"D
    • weight: 13 lbs.
    Connections and General Info:
    • 1 HDMI input, 1 Audio Return Channel-capable HDMI output
      • 3D video pass-through via HDMI (up to 1080p)
    • 1 optical digital audio input
    • 1 analog stereo minijack input
    • USB port for firmware updates
    • optical cable and stereo mini-to-mini cable included
    • total system power: 300 watts
    • system frequency response 40-20,000 Hz
    • remote control included
    • warranty: 1 year
    • MFR # JBLBAR21BLKAM

    No A/V receiver required.

    What's in the box:

    • Active soundbar speaker
    • Wireless powered sub
    • Two 5' AC power cords
    • Remote control
    • 2 "AAA" batteries
    • 4' Optical digital cable
    • 4' Stereo minijack cable
    • 2 Wall-mount brackets
    • 2 Wall-mount bracket holders
    • Quick-Start Guide
    • Wall-Mount Template
    • Important Safety Instructions
    • Warranty Card

    Customer reviews for JBL Bar 2.1

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    Average review:

    4.5 out of 5 stars
    40 reviews

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    Reviewed on Samsung.com

    This review was collected as part of a promotion

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    More details on the JBL Bar 2.1

    Stacey B.

    Features & specs

    General
    Design Bar
    Amplification Self-powered
    Separate Subwoofer Yes
    Wireless Surrounds No
    Number Of Channels 2.1
    Surround Formats
    Dolby Digital Yes
    DTS No
    Dolby Atmos No
    DTS:X No
    Audio Enhancements
    Dialogue Enhancement Yes
    Auto Volume No
    Night Mode Yes
    Virtual Surround JBL Surround Sound
    Room Correction No
    Audio Connections
    Optical Digital Inputs 1
    Coaxial Digital Inputs None
    HDMI ARC Input Yes
    HDMI eARC Input No
    3.5mm Stereo Analog Inputs 1
    RCA Stereo Analog Inputs None
    USB Type-A Input Yes
    Subwoofer Output No
    Audio Specs
    Tweeter 1.25" (2)
    Midrange None
    Woofer 2.25" (4)
    Subwoofer Driver 6.5" Cone
    Enclosure Sealed(spkr)/Ported(sub)
    System Frequency Response 40-20k Hz
    Sound Bar RMS Power 50
    Subwoofer RMS Power 100
    Video Connections
    HDMI Inputs 1
    HDMI Outputs 1
    Video Specs
    HDMI Version 1.4
    HDMI Video Pass-through Resolution 1080p
    HDR Video Compatible No
    Control
    Includes Remote Yes
    Voice Control No
    Control by App No
    HDMI CEC Yes
    Remote IR Passthrough No
    Learns TV Remote Yes
    Audio Streaming
    Bluetooth Connectivity Built-in 4.2
    Bluetooth Audio Playback Yes
    Bluetooth Transmitter Mode No
    Online Music Sources None
    Apple AirPlay No
    Chromecast built-in No
    Amazon Music No
    Apple Music No
    Pandora No
    SiriusXM No
    Spotify No
    TIDAL No
    TuneIn No
    YouTube Music No
    Files on Your Network No
    Wi-Fi Networking
    Built-in Wi-Fi Version None
    Bands N/A
    Other Info
    Wall-mountable Yes
    Mounting Bracket Included Yes
    Sound Bar Size (inches) 2-3/8H x 38-1/16W x 2-11/16D
    Sound Bar Weight 4.2 lbs
    Subwoofer Size (inches) 14-5/8H x 8-7/8W x 10-1/2D
    Subwoofer Weight 11.5 lbs
    Speaker Parts Warranty 1 Year
    Speaker Labor Warranty 1 Year
    Amplifier Parts Warranty 1 Year
    Amplifier Labor Warranty 1 Year
    The JBL Bar 2.1 replaces these items:

    Product Research

    Features

    Active Soundbar:  The JBL BAR 2.1 system is a great choice for movie and music soundtracks. The JBL BAR 2.1's active soundbar speaker houses two 1.25" tweeters and four 2.25" racetrack drivers powered by a 100 watt (Peak) amplifier.

    • JBL Surround Technology: The soundbar incorporates JBL's Surround Sound Technology with six sound modes to choose from - including Standard, Movie, Music, Voice, Sports, and Off (Stereo).
    • Night Mode: There is also a Night mode that reduces major volume differences between soft and loud passages, so a more uniform volume level can be maintained.
    • Audio Sync: In addition, the Audio Sync feature makes sure that the sound from the BAR 2.1 is in sync with the video on your TV; the Audio Sync can be adjusted from 0-250ms.

    Wireless Powered Sub: The JBL BAR 2.1's wireless powered sub features a down-firing 6.5" woofer in a bass reflex enclosure with a rear-firing port. A built-in 200 watt (Peak) amplifier is used to drive the 6.5" woofer and deliver deep, impactful bass. Because the powered sub is wireless, it puts no unsightly cables between the soundbar and subwoofer (still requires a AC power cord connection). You can adjust the bass level (0-20) of the powered sub from the included IR remote.

    HDMI 1.4 Input/Output (ARC): The JBL BAR 2.1 is equipped with one HDMI 1.4 input and one HDMI (ARC) 1.4 output. The HDMI input and output support up to 1080p video (including 3D), as well as 5.1ch Dolby Digital and 2ch PCM. The HDMI (ARC) output allows audio to be sent from your ARC compatible TV to the BAR 2.1 through the same HDMI cable already being used to send audio and video to your television, eliminating the need for extra cables connected to your TV.

    Note: The ARC-enabled HDMI input of many televisions only sends an audio signal in 5.1ch when receiving Dolby Digital from the TV's built-in tuner, network connection, or connected USB device; and will output only 2ch stereo from sources connected to the TV via HDMI, or RCA (like your Blue-ray/DVD player or satellite/cable box).

    Optical Digital & Analog 3.5mm Inputs: In addition to HDMI connectivity, the JBL BAR 2.1 is outfitted with one optical (toslink) digital input and one analog stereo minijack (3.5mm) input. The optical digital input will support 2ch PCM and Dolby Digital (up to 5.1ch).

    Note: The digital optical output terminals of most newer flat-panel TVs only send an audio signal in 5.1ch when receiving Dolby Digita surround sound from the TV's built-in tuner, network connection, or connected USB device; and will output only 2ch stereo from sources connected to the TV via HDMI, or RCA (like your Blue-ray/DVD player or satellite/cable box).

    USB-A 2.0 Port: The JBL BAR 2.1 features a USB (type-A) 2.0 port for connection of a USB MSC (mass storage class) device, such as a USB thumbdrive or portable digital audio player. You'll be able to playback MP3 and WAV music files stored on a USB MSC device (formatted in FAT 16/FAT32) through the JBL soundbar system. The system can recognize up to 2,000 MP3 files. You'll also get basic playback control (such as Play/Pause, Previous/Next Track, and Random/Repeat) from the included IR remote. Advanced music browsing and song/artist/album info display are not supported. The USB port can also be used to charge (5V/1A) your connected device.

    • Supported MP3 Files: 16kHz-48kHz sampling rate with 80kbps-320kbps bitrate.
    • Supported WAV Files: 16kHz-48kHz sampling rate with up to a 3000kbps bitrate.
    Note: The USB port does not support Apple iOS or Android OS device playback.

    Bluetooth Audio Streaming: The JBL BAR 2.1 is equipped with built-in Bluetooth 4.2 with support for wireless audio streaming (A2DP 1.3) and playback control (AVRCP 1.6). You'll be able to wirelessly stream stored music, music apps, and other audio content from your Bluetooth-enabled device (such as your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer) to the soundbar speaker system. You'll also be able to control basic playback functions (such as Play/Pause & Previous/Next Track) from the included IR remote. You will still use your Bluetooth source device for advanced music browsing and to view song/artist/album info. You can pair multiple Bluetooth devices with the BAR 2.1, but only one device can be used for playback at a time. The system has a wireless Bluetooth range of approximately 32'.

    Note: The JBL BAR 2.1 does not support Bluetooth hands-free communication for making and answering phone calls.

    JBL SoundShift Technology: The JBL BAR 2.1 is further enhanced with JBL SoundShift technology, which allows you to instantly switch between sound from your TV and sound from your Bluetooth source device.

    Remote Control: The JBL BAR 2.1 comes with an IR remote for wireless control of the soundbar system, as well as basic playback control of USB & Bluetooth connected devices. The system also supports "System Standby" and "One Touch Play" HDMI CEC commands. In addition, the BAR 2.1 can respond to "Volume Up/Down" and "Mute" commands from most Samsung, Sony, LG, and Vizio TV remote controls automatically (no programming required). If your TV's remote does not control the soundbar automatically, you can program the BAR 2.1 to respond your TV remote's "Volume Up/Down" and "Mute" commands.

    Front-Panel Display: The front-panel display indicates source selection, surround modes, and other audio settings. The front-panel display can be dimmed and will disappear after five seconds. The front-panel display does not offer song/artist/album information.

    Mounting Options: You can place the JBL BAR 2.1's soundbar speaker on a shelf or tabletop, or wall-mount it with the included brackets. Because the powered subwoofer is wireless, you can position it any where in the room (within 25').

    Power Requirements: Both, the active soundbar and wireless powered sub, will need to be plugged into an AC wall outlet, surge protector, or power conditioner. Each includes a detachable 5' AC power cord.

    Auto On + Standby: The JBL BAR 2.1 system will automatically power on whenever it senses an audio signal from its HDMI & Optical source inputs. The JBL BAR 2.1 will automatically switch to standby mode after approximately 10 minutes of button inactivity and no audio playback from a connected source.

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    Customer Q&A

    2 questions already asked

    Q
    Can I switch the 6.5" sub with the 10" from the 3.1 set up?
    mark  Jan 20, 2020
    2 answers
    A
    I do not know for sure but if you could I would because the 6.5 does not sound very good.
    edward  Jan 20, 2020
    A
    don't know. i threw mine out. Sound quality on voice had continued to deteriorate. Have now had much luck with JBL products..
    bruce  Jan 20, 2020
    Q
    Will anyTV adabt to sound bar?
    timothy b  Jan 13, 2020
    7 answers
    A
    I am not sure what you mean by adapt but if you have an HDMI port to connect the sound bar to it should work with any newer TV. I have the cable remote (Verizon) working controlling the sound and channels. How ever I had to pick Harmin Kardin as the receiver type as there was no JBL option on Verizons set up menu.
    patrick  Feb 07, 2020
    A
    When you say any TV that could mean some older cathode ray or tube TV's. Most TV's have a audio out for and RCA cable or a digital optical output tat can directly connect the sound bar to the TV. If you have a home theater receiver you may use an HDMI connection. Additionally TV's equipped with Bluetooth capability may also connect without a cable. You would need to check the specs on the TV in question to determine the compatibility. Good Luck!
    philip  Feb 07, 2020
    A
    Provided the TV has an HDMI or optical digital connection, it should work.
    daniel k  Feb 07, 2020
    A
    Any TV that HDMI or fiber optic capability.
    tyler  Feb 07, 2020
    A
    As long as this sound bar is connected correctly, it will play sound regardless of what network or app is outputting that sound.
    azia  Feb 07, 2020
    A
    The jbl sound bar doesn't connect to tvs using rca connections.
    kenneth r  Feb 07, 2020
    A
    this will work with a hdmi aux digital optical and USB also bluetooth
    arlen  Feb 06, 2020

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