JBL has just released four soundbars under the Cinema SBMK2 series, which offer a brand-new feature for the US-based brand.

You can connect the soundbars wirelessly to JBL portable speakers as rear surrounds, which JBL says will “deliver true surround sound at the touch of a button”.

If you already own a pair of JBL Flip 7 portable speakers, you’re in luck – this is the only compatible model right now. The burrito-shaped Flip 7 got a five-star rating when we reviewed it, offering as it does a skilful handling of dynamics and detail.

But what about the new soundbars? Well, all but one offer an unusual design quirk: you can fold them into a U-shape. The brand says this is so the bars are easy to carry around and take up less space in the box. JBL also tells us that the bar cannot be used in its folded state.

First on the list is the flagship SB595MK2, which offers a 3.1.2-channel configuration and true Dolby Atmos support thanks to its up-firing drivers. That’s paired with a separate 6.5-inch subwoofer, delivering a total power output of 440W.

It will set you back £350 / $350, putting it in competition with the Award-winning Sonos Beam Gen 2 that scored five stars in our test room.

The SB580MK2 (£300 / $300) comes with the same subwoofer as its more pricey sibling. This 3.1-channel soundbar does not have up-firing drivers, but there is still virtualised Dolby Atmos support.

Next is the JBL SB550MK2, which features a 5.25-inch subwoofer and a total power output of 360W. There is no Dolby Atmos on the cards with this the 3.1-channel model, so you are limited to Dolby Audio.

Finally, comes the SB510MK2. It’s the only non-foldable soundbar of the bunch and also the cheapest. The subwoofer is built into the soundbar’s main body, so you need accommodate only one piece of kit.

Bluetooth is supported with all models, so you can stream music to the bars from other devices.

We will have to wait until we get the models in our test room to determine how well they compare with their rivals. Being able to use the JBL Flip 7 as rear surrounds is a promising addition in terms of flexibility and scale, but we hope the brand adds compatibility to even more speakers soon. Stay tuned for our full review.

MORE:

Check out the JBL 300MK2 review

These are the best Dolby Atmos soundbars

And here are the best Bluetooth speakers

If you are looking for a Dolby Atmos soundbar, you may have noticed that there’s a certain price point that sits in a very difficult middle ground. Bars that come in at around the £700 / $700 must figure out how to make their mark between two more competitive categories.

Below this category sit cheaper, entry-level soundbars, such as the five-star Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the JBL Bar 300MK2. With their more affordable price tags and impressively immersive performance considering their compact footprints, we can certainly see the appeal for those wanting to upgrade their TV’s uninspiring audio.

Then, for those wanting a more premium addition to their system, more pricey Atmos bars make for a great upgrade. That includes the likes of the Sonos Arc Ultra which won a What Hi-Fi? Award in 2025.

So how do you make your mark as the middle child? There are two five-star models at this level that we have just put head to head – and there’s a clear frontrunner.

First up is the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 + S, which comprises a soundbar and a separate subwoofer. Together, that gives you a 5.1.2-channel configuration with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.

At the back of the soundbar, you will find a cable cove that houses two HDMI sockets. One is the eARC port to connect the soundbar to your TV, while the other is a dedicated input.

Challenging this Sony combo is the newly announced Sonos Beam Ultra, boasting a 7.1.2-channel configuration. It offers an upgrade in hardware from the Beam Gen 2 thanks to its two up-firing drivers, although there is still no DTS:X support.

In terms of design, the two soundbars are taking different approaches. The Bravia Theatre Bar 7 sports a cloth grille, while the Beam Ultra has a matte plastic finish with controls for volume and Bluetooth connectivity on the top. You can get both of them in black, while the Beam Ultra also comes in a white option.

Right now, they are both available for £699 in the UK, despite the Sony model originally coming out with a slightly higher price tag.

We gave each of them five stars in our test room, but which one comes out on top?

The Sony and Sonos models each deliver a huge upgrade over the vast majority of TV speakers with their increased scale, clarity and detail.

When it comes to bass, we test out both models with the start of Chapter 2 in Blade Runner 2049. The Sony package is the meatier of the two and offers more of a floor-shaking experience thanks to its separate subwoofer. But the Sonos model blends the bass together more cohesively with the rest of the sound, and none of the frequencies stick out.

Where the Sony bar struggles with the lowest notes and delivers a little buzzing, the Beam Ultra offers a more refined, musical sound that presents more nuance in the low notes.

Both are precise, and we get a good sense of where each character is sitting during the interrogation scene between Officer K and the interviewer. The Sonos once again just edges ahead in this area, though, and has the best spatial positioning from the single bar.

In terms of scale, both Sony and Sonos deliver an expansive sound that extends beyond the height and width of our TV screen. That being said, the Beam Ultra’s audio hangs together more effectively to deliver the more convincing near-dome of Dolby Atmos sound.

Dialogue is crisp and expressive with both models, and remains at the forefront even during the busiest of moments.

Despite the Bravia Theatre Bar 7 + S delivering a bassy and immersive audio experience, the Sonos Beam Ultra manages to offer the most cohesive and engaging sound that makes it our top soundbar pick at this price.

MORE:

Here’s our review of the Sonos Beam Ultra

Check out what we thought of the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 + S

And these are the best Dolby Atmos soundbars