JBL Link Bar

Android TV included Good sound performance Plenty of ports

Google Assistant is slow No surround sound expansion Bugs still need squashing

The JBL Link Bar packs in admirable sound quality but comes at the cost of some staple features you would expect in an Android TV device.

Voice controlling music is as good as any smart speaker ; Good range of connectivity ; Weighty, punchy sound

Voice commands are slow, and badly optimized for video content ; Insists on turning on TV when you’re listening to music ; Limited selection of streaming apps in the UK ; Sound lacks refinement

The JBL Link Bar aims to combine the functionality of a soundbar, an Android TV streaming box, and a Google Assistant smart speaker. But are you getting three devices seamlessly merged together, or a Frankenstein’s monster?

Android TV built-in ; Solid, clear and natural sound ; Vast array of inputs

Not as cinematic as rivals ; Currently lacks some apps

An excellent one-box upgrade for non-smart TVs, but the Link Bar isn’t the very best soundbar at this price

Crisp, bright audio. Android TV and Google Assistant. Streams via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Includes multiple HDMI inputs and optical input.

Sounds thin without optional subwoofer. Some Android TV/Google Assistant bugs. TV screen is required for many functions.

The JBL Link Bar feels somewhat incomplete. From a features perspective, it does more than pretty much any other soundbar we've tested thanks to Android TV. As a speaker, though, it feels like it's missing too much of the audio experience without a...

Very easy to set up ; Convenient hands-free Android TV control ; Crisp high-frequency sound and clear bass (a wireless subwoofer is available as an option)

No support for optional surround speakers (wired or otherwise) ; Some Android TV apps have frame-rate limitations and choppiness issues ; HDMI passthrough adds too much lag to use with game consoles ; At this time, this implementation of Android TV...

Granted, the JBL Link Bar is cheaper than the total bill for all the devices it aims to replace (namely, a soundbar, a smart speaker, and an Android TV box). The Sonos Beam costs the same, for example, but you’ll need to spend anywhere from $40 for a...

ausgewogener Klang mit verblüffend sattem Bass ; ausgeklügelte Bedienung ; smarte Funktionen

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Video-Testurteil: gut; Preis/Leistung: überragend; video "Highlight"; video "Innovation"

Flera vettiga produkter i en. ; Bra ljud för både film och musik. ; Lätt att installera.

Identitetskris i Google Home-ekosystemet. ; Assistent kan vara lite seg. ; Inte optimal för spel. ; Snålt med lagring.