Compare JBL Bar 1300X Soundbar vs Yamaha True X Surround 90A

One reviewer criticized the subwoofer cabinet, tying plastic construction to audible rattle at very low frequencies.

The rigid metal cabinet and substantial feet give the bar a tank-like feel. That heavy construction is intended to keep vibration under control and is one of the system’s strongest physical qualities.

Wireless speaker pairing was praised in the two tests that addressed it, with stable surround operation and a strong stereo Bluetooth setup.

Initial rear-speaker pairing can be fiddly and may require repeated attempts. Once paired, however, other connectivity tests generally found the surrounds stayed connected reliably.

Room calibration was usually seen as helpful and effective, but one reviewer felt it did not make meaningful tonal changes.

There is no automatic room calibration or microphone-assisted correction, a surprising omission at this price. Manual beam angle, height, and level controls can work well, but they demand more effort and room knowledge.

Reviewers who evaluated TV audio connection favored HDMI ARC/eARC, calling it the best path for Dolby Atmos playback.

HDMI ARC/eARC setup can require manual intervention because HDMI control was disabled by default in multiple tests. That creates unnecessary first-use friction even though the connection works once configured.

Off-axis or omnidirectional coverage was limited in one review, which described the experience outside the central seat as lopsided.

The best modes create an enveloping, 360-degree bubble that extends around and above the listener. Music and films can feel room-filling rather than locked to the bar.

On-device controls were split: basic buttons were liked in one review, while another criticized missing direct controls for key modes.

Physical controls are responsive and provide useful tactile feedback for quick operation. They complement the remote and on-screen interface rather than forcing app-only control.

USB-C charging was repeatedly praised as a useful backup or major improvement for keeping the detachable speakers powered.

USB-C charging is convenient in principle, but the included rear-speaker cables are short and some packages omit charging bricks. Buyers planning permanent charging-pad placement may need longer cables or their own adapters.

Wired connectivity was consistently praised for generous HDMI and input coverage, with multiple reviewers calling the ports ample or generous.

The single HDMI input plus eARC and optical covers basic needs, and one tester welcomed having a direct HDMI input at all. Others called the connection selection meager or limited for a system at this price.

Stereo performance split reviewers: one found separation present, but several heard music as a step down, constrained, or simply not right.

Spatial placement is usually precise, with effects mapped accurately and instruments separated cleanly. One critical test found strict stereo too center-weighted, so two-channel imaging is not flawless in every mode.

Battery-powered surrounds enable flexibility, but several reviewers called regular recharging a hassle or a faff.

The rechargeable surrounds generally last well in real use, ranging from long single sessions to multiple days of intermittent listening. Charging docks reduce the risk of the rear channels dying mid-movie.

Value opinions were positive for movie-focused users and the all-in-one package, but some reviewers questioned the cost against strong competitors.

Value is the system’s toughest sell: most price-focused tests consider $3,499 far too high versus strong Samsung, JBL, Sonos, and other alternatives. A few saw the complete wireless package or regional pricing as worthwhile, but the consensus remains that performance does not fully erase the premium.

EQ customization was one of the clearest weaknesses, with repeated complaints about limited bands, few levels, and weak preset control.

Sound shaping ranges from useful channel-level and beam controls to simple bass/treble sliders. Some testers appreciated the flexibility, while others disliked the menu complexity, lack of presets, or restricted main-channel adjustment.

Remote reactions varied from easy and well-labeled to unbacklit, mediocre, or frustratingly enigmatic.

The included remote is consistently easy to understand, with direct sound-mode and level controls and a solid tactile feel. One test noted the lack of backlighting, but day-to-day operation remains straightforward.

Size and placement convenience were mixed to poor: the wider bar can overhang a stand, and the large subwoofer is hard to hide.

The main bar and full package are heavy enough to make handling inconvenient, with several testers recommending or needing a second person. The substantial build feels premium, but portability is not a strength.

Frequency balance was mixed, ranging from balanced and non-fatiguing to shouty, flappy, muffled, or uneven with music.

Most listening impressions describe a clear, balanced, natural presentation with good midrange weight. The main exception is a tendency toward energetic treble in some settings, especially when Clear Voice or certain processing modes are used.

Smart and extra features were useful but uneven: reviewers liked streaming and portable-speaker tricks, while some wanted more modes and controls.

Surround:AI, MusicCast, Auro-3D processing, and multiroom integration give the system unusually deep smart-audio capability. Surround:AI often improves placement and scale, though the broader control experience can feel fragmented across app and TV menus.

Voice reproduction was generally strong, with reviewers praising vocal clarity, natural presentation, and PureVoice performance despite limited adjustment.

Voice clarity is content-dependent. Vocals and simpler TV mixes can sound clean and natural, but action-heavy material may leave speech recessed unless Clear Voice or level adjustments are used.

High-volume control is mostly good, with two reviewers praising resistance to distortion, though one heard dialogue clarity soften when pushed louder.

Even when pushed hard, the system stays composed. Bass avoids obvious distortion or chuffing, and clarity remains intact across large volume swings.

Spotify support was generally useful, especially for streaming, though one reviewer noted Spotify was not built into the JBL app.

Spotify Connect worked comfortably and stably in direct use. It provides a dependable route for music without navigating MusicCast’s native service interface.

One reviewer reported the app connected the bar to the home network without fuss, supporting a positive Wi-Fi reliability score.

Network streaming proved stable in direct testing, including Spotify Connect and Roon use. No recurring Wi-Fi playback failures were reported in the scored listening tests.

Height performance was impressive in several tests, but some reviewers found vertical projection less pronounced than rival Atmos bars.

The soundstage is repeatedly described as tall, deep, and expansive, with the beam array adding convincing vertical scale. Manual beam tuning and room geometry can determine how far that height reaches into the seating area.

HDMI 2.1 gaming support was limited, with reviewers routing consoles directly to the TV for better high-refresh gaming.

The HDMI input is not a full HDMI 2.1 gaming solution: 4K/120 and VRR are missing. That limitation is repeatedly called disappointing or even a dealbreaker for current-generation console owners.

Video passthrough was useful thanks to multiple HDMI inputs and HDR/Dolby Vision support, but limited by 4K/120Hz shortcomings.

Video passthrough handles 4K plus Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which covers most film sources. The ceiling is 60Hz rather than 4K/120, limiting its appeal for high-refresh gaming.

Setup was mostly considered simple, quick, or plug-and-play, with one reviewer finding the first controls and guide tricky.

Setup experiences vary sharply. Some found the system nearly plug-and-play with clear menus, while others struggled with rear registration, HDMI control, and manual beam settings; the absence of automatic calibration magnifies that split.

The subwoofer drew heavy praise for huge impact and deep bass, but some reviewers found its levels hard to control or less precise with music.

The wireless subwoofer is widely praised for tight, controlled, powerful bass and unusually good integration with the bar. A few listeners wanted deeper or more aggressive low-end impact, and its physical size is substantial.

Low-volume and quiet-scene handling was praised in one review for keeping loud and quiet sounds delicately balanced.

Clarity holds up unusually well at low listening levels. Tests spanning whisper-quiet scenes through loud battle sequences found detail remained intact without needing constant volume changes.

Dialogue was often clear against busy soundtracks, but several reviewers found occasional difficulty, muffling, or a need for more adjustment.

Dialogue is the most repeated sonic caveat: several tests found speech could be buried during dense action scenes even with Clear Voice. Other setups reported consistently intelligible dialogue, especially with simpler TV mixes or after tuning.

Gaming passthrough was a weakness where discussed, with reviewers flagging missing HDMI 2.1 or 4K/120Hz support.

Gaming passthrough is a clear weakness. The HDMI input tops out at 4K/60 for modern use and omits VRR and 4K/120, so serious PS5 or Xbox Series X users are better off connecting consoles to the TV.

Status displays and indicators were well liked, with reviewers calling the front display helpful, easy to read, and useful for battery/status feedback.

The front display is useful for source, mode, and level information, and several testers praised its brightness and clarity. Others found the small text hard to read at distance or low in contrast, though it can be dimmed for movies.

Build quality was generally regarded as solid or excellent, with reviewers praising sturdy construction and premium-feeling materials.

The metal soundbar is repeatedly described as tank-like, solid, and exceptionally well finished. Its sturdy construction feels flagship-grade, even when some reviewers were less impressed by the lighter rear speakers.

Reviewers consistently found the bar loud and room-filling, with enough output for cinematic impact; one noted it could play at full volume without becoming unbearable.

The system plays very loud and can fill large rooms with ease. High output is a consistent strength, with enough scale for action-heavy movies and party-level listening.

One reviewer strongly praised dynamic range, especially smooth transitions between quiet and loud moments.

The system has excellent dynamic reserve, moving from quiet passages to large action peaks without collapsing or compressing the soundstage. It also fills larger rooms confidently.

Design reactions were mostly positive for innovation and minimalism, though several comments framed the look as practical rather than striking.

The burnished metal bar and fabric finish generally look appropriately premium, with several reviewers calling it handsome or elegant. The design is still bulky, and opinions are less flattering toward the lighter rear speakers and large subwoofer.

The JBL One app was usually praised as easy and useful, though one reviewer called it only good, not great.

MusicCast is often described as intuitive, dependable, and easy for streaming or level adjustments. Opinions split on depth: some found it refreshingly simple, while others called its controls limited, fragmented, or less useful than the on-screen menu.

Detail retrieval was a strength, with reviewers hearing subtle effects, crisp textures, and distinct elements in busy scenes.

Fine detail is a standout strength, from subtle movie effects to layered vocals and synth textures. The system consistently exposes information that can be masked on lesser soundbars.

Cohesion was usually praised, especially the seamless bubble of sound, though one reviewer found the stage somewhat constrained.

At its best, the bar, subwoofer, height channels, and rears blend into a seamless sound field with smooth transitions. The main weakness is inconsistent rear integration in some setups, where the satellites can sound lighter or disconnected from the front stage.

Home theater integration was a core strength, with reviewers calling it a strong all-in-one setup and a good easy alternative to separates.

As a wireless alternative to an AVR and separate speaker package, the system is highly convincing. The bar, sub, and true rear channels create theater-like scale with far less wiring, though the rears and room-dependent height effects keep it from replacing every traditional setup.

Dolby Atmos effects were widely praised as spectacular, astounding, and immersive, though a few reviews wanted clearer or stronger height projection.

Atmos height is one of the system’s signature strengths, often producing sharply localized overhead effects and convincing vertical scale. Results depend on room geometry, and several tests found the height bubble subtler than top rivals because the rears lack up-firing drivers.

The strongest inter-speaker connectivity evidence was positive, with one reviewer saying the surrounds worked reliably even at distance.

Once connected, the wireless links between bar, subwoofer, and surrounds are exceptionally stable. Extended tests reported no dropouts or lag after initial registration issues were resolved.

Audio format support was strong where evaluated, with reviewers highlighting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X coverage and broad decoding support.

Format support is exceptionally broad, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and the unusual addition of Auro-3D. Several tests singled out Auro-3D and high-resolution playback as differentiating strengths.

Surround performance was a major strength, repeatedly described as immersive, precise, and competitive with strong soundbar rivals.

Surround performance is a major strength, with precise movement, discrete rear separation, and convincing room-filling immersion. Surround:AI can improve placement, though one tester preferred Straight mode because upmixing sometimes sounded distracting.

AirPlay 2 integration is straightforward and works within a solid wireless streaming setup. Apple users can send music directly to the bar without relying solely on MusicCast.

Mechanical noise is well controlled. Stress tests reported no obvious port chuffing, shakes, or rattles from the subwoofer even at demanding settings.

Bass is consistently powerful, tight, and well integrated rather than boomy. The main reservations are that the deepest extension can feel restrained and the sub needs volume before delivering maximum physical rumble.

Bluetooth is limited to SBC and AAC in the tested configuration. That is fine for casual playback but underwhelming for a flagship aimed at high-quality music listening.

Bluetooth stability was mixed: one reviewer could not pair a smartphone, while others had smooth streaming or no sync concerns.

Bluetooth is easy to access and especially useful because the rear speakers can become standalone portable speakers. That flexibility is a genuine advantage even if codec quality is limited.

The on-speaker buttons provide good tactile feedback and feel responsive in use. Physical controls are simple but satisfying for quick adjustments.

IP67 dust protection strengthens the rear speakers’ case as true portable Bluetooth speakers. Their rugged rating is unusually useful for components that can leave the theater room.

Gaming is not a strength because the HDMI input lacks 4K/120 and VRR. The system can still handle console audio through a TV/eARC path, but buyers prioritizing next-gen passthrough should look elsewhere.

An HDMI cable is not included, which feels stingy for such an expensive system. Buyers should plan to supply their own high-speed cable.

One reviewer noted a short one-second restart delay after pausing video, making TV latency a minor annoyance rather than a dealbreaker.

Magnetic attachment was mostly secure and robust, though one reviewer said the detachable speakers sometimes required force to remove.

Music is far better than the average soundbar experience, with wide staging, tight bass, clear separation, and especially strong Auro-3D upmixing. One rigorous test found stereo playback inconsistent and center-heavy, so dedicated stereo speakers still have an edge.

Optical input was treated as a fallback, with reviewers warning that it gives a lesser surround experience than eARC.

The system is widely viewed as technically impressive and premium, with standout sound, construction, and flexibility. Its very high price, missing room calibration, gaming limitations, and uneven rear-speaker opinions keep it from an unqualified flagship recommendation.

Overall sound is the product’s strongest case: powerful, detailed, spacious, and often startlingly immersive with movies and music. Dialogue inconsistency, rear-speaker integration, and room-dependent height performance are the main sonic tradeoffs.

Packaging is unusually thorough and secure, with components neatly separated and protected for shipping. Unboxing impressions were consistently positive.

The system can operate with a TV without forcing an account, app download, or registration. That unusually low-friction approach was strongly appreciated by a tester tired of mandatory sign-ins.

The surrounds are wireless in operation, but the supplied USB charging cables are short. Using the charging pads behind a couch may require longer cables or nearby outlets.

The wireless rears are the system’s biggest point of disagreement. Some found them immersive, stable, and surprisingly full, while others heard them get lost, sound tonally mismatched, or weaken the Atmos bubble.

Battery-powered rear speakers can double as portable Bluetooth speakers, a flexibility many found genuinely useful. A few testers disliked having to re-pair them after portable use, while others could switch modes without re-pairing.

After setup, the system has proven highly dependable in extended use. Wireless surrounds stayed synchronized without lag or dropouts, with early pairing hiccups being the main exception.

Room fit is mixed: the bar is low enough for most TVs and some found the sub compact or easy to place, but other units were described as massive, deep, or condo-unfriendly. Tight rooms need careful measurement before buying.

Smart assistant integration was limited in the one opinionated assessment, with the reviewer saying there was not much in the way of smarts.

The beam system creates convincing perceived elevation and can steer the overhead focus by changing beam angle. When room conditions cooperate, effects clearly move upward rather than merely widening the front stage.

TV connectivity is mixed at first use: two tests encountered HDMI/eARC problems until control and passthrough settings were enabled. Another long-term test found the system then followed the TV effortlessly in daily use.

Wall mounting is well supported with included, substantial metal brackets. The hardware feels secure, and moving from a TV stand to a wall installation is straightforward.

The portable surrounds’ IP67 protection is a standout practical feature. It makes occasional outdoor or poolside use far less worrying than with typical soundbar surrounds.