TechAudioSpeakersJBL Bar 1000 could be ideal Sonos Arc alternative thanks to 3 top featuresA separate sub, more up-firing speakers and detachable surrounds make a strong case for JBL’s 2022 flagship soundbarWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

TechAudioSpeakersJBL Bar 1000 could be ideal Sonos Arc alternative thanks to 3 top featuresA separate sub, more up-firing speakers and detachable surrounds make a strong case for JBL’s 2022 flagship soundbarWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

A separate sub, more up-firing speakers and detachable surrounds make a strong case for JBL’s 2022 flagship soundbar

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: JBL)

JBL Bar 1000 soundbar

(Image credit: JBL)

If you’re looking for thebest soundbarthen there’s no shortage on offer. It’ll often depend on how much you’ve got to spend, how big your TV screen is, and whether you want an all-singing, all-dancing system with separates or just a single box solution. JBL has brought its 2022 flagship, the Bar 1000, toIFAin Berlin. It brings lots of tantalising features that I think ought to make it a better buy than theSonos Arc flagship.

The pricing of these two soundbars is very similar, asSonos' pricing legacy holds close to RRP long after initial release, and while you’ll need to pay £999 in the UK for a brand new JBL Bar 1000 (it’s on sale sometime from October 2022), that’s only £100 or so more than the Sonos Arc. Here are three features that I reckon make the JBL worth that extra sum, if you’ve got the space and want more than just a single box solution under your telly.

1. There’s a separate subwoofer

I’ve often found that even mediocre soundbars suddenly sound impressive when you connect a separate subwoofer. The JBL Bar 1000 features a separate box, so while you’ll need space for it, that physical additional should deliver more low-end power than Sonos' all-in-one solution from the Arc. Don’t get me wrong, though, the Arc sounds super, but if I’m looking for a fuller cinematic experience than a wireless sub just adds that much more appeal.

The JBL Bar 1000’s subwoofer is a 10-inch one, so it’s not unnecessarily gigantic, as you can see in the image up top, you’ll just need to ensure you can position it well for that front and centre bass impact to be at its best.

2. More up-firing speakers

(Image credit: JBL)

JBL Bar 1000 soundbar

(Image credit: JBL)

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

3. Detachable speakers included

One of JBL’s coolest features in my view (and this is available on some of its other soundbars too) is the inclusion of detachable surround speakers. The JBL Bar 1000 houses two such speakers on the end of the main soundbar: you can leave them on there to act as front firing in that arrangement, or simply pop them off and position them wirelessly for truer immersive surround. No wires, no need to charge (that happens when attached to the main soundbar), making it an ideal feature for those special movie night moments.

Today’s best JBL Bar 1000 and Sonos Arc dealsJBL Bar 1000$1,199.95ViewSee all pricesSonos Arc$769ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best JBL Bar 1000 and Sonos Arc dealsJBL Bar 1000$1,199.95ViewSee all pricesSonos Arc$769ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best JBL Bar 1000 and Sonos Arc dealsJBL Bar 1000$1,199.95ViewSee all pricesSonos Arc$769ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best JBL Bar 1000 and Sonos Arc deals

JBL Bar 1000$1,199.95ViewSee all pricesSonos Arc$769ViewSee all prices

JBL Bar 1000$1,199.95ViewSee all prices

JBL Bar 1000$1,199.95ViewSee all prices

JBL Bar 1000 7.1.4 Soundbar…

JBL Bar 1000

JBL Bar 1000

Sweetwater Sound

$1,199.95View

$1,199.95

$1,199.95

See all prices

Sonos Arc$769ViewSee all prices

Sonos Arc$769ViewSee all prices

Sonos Arc - Black - Soundbar…

Sonos Arc

Sonos Arc

Amazon

$769View

$769

$769

See all prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Vollebak launches Shielding Suit and Double Graphene Puffer

Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread

The company continues to weave innovation into every thread

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?

Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?

An Image of Honor CEO, George Zhao, at IFA 2024 unveiling the companies AI Deepfake Detection technology

The best AI feature I’ve seen this week didn’t come from Apple IntelligenceThis could be a game changer in the fight against AI bad actors

This could be a game changer in the fight against AI bad actors

The Honor Magicbook Art 14 at IFA 2024

Honor’s new laptop is a MacBook Air killer thanks to one neat privacy featureThis leaves it a notch above the competition

This leaves it a notch above the competition

Honor Magic V Flip

Move over Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Honor is preparing to launch a flip phone globallyThe Honor foldable phone range could grow even more

The Honor foldable phone range could grow even more

The Honor Magic V3 in green

New Honor Magic V3 is thinner and lighter than ever beforeIt’s lighter than a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

It’s lighter than a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Asus Vivobook S 15

Asus Vivobook S 15 is the first to feature a new Snapdragon processorThis could be a turning point for Windows laptops

This could be a turning point for Windows laptops

The Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip

Qualcomm’s groundbreaking Intel rival just turned laptops up to 11Your next Windows laptop just snagged a powerful upgrade

Your next Windows laptop just snagged a powerful upgrade

IFA Berlin

The best new tech: T3’s IFA 2023 Awards from Europe’s biggest tech showFrom soundbars to smartphones, IFA is back with a bang – and here’s our selection of the show’s most banging products

From soundbars to smartphones, IFA is back with a bang – and here’s our selection of the show’s most banging products

Honor 70 review: green phone on matching background

Honor 70 review: a sleek and stylish mid-range smartphoneThe Honor 70 packs in just about everything you could need from your next phone

The Honor 70 packs in just about everything you could need from your next phone