JBL 1300X Mrk2 vs Samsung Q990F: Is it different now?

Pricing Comparison
📌 The Samsung Q990F was purchased for $1,798, while the JBL 1300X Mark II was purchased for $1,378, noting the JBL price was unusually low.
📈 Long-term US pricing suggests the Q990F settles around $1,000, whereas the 1300X Mark II is typically found between $1,300 and $1,400, averaging about $200 more than the Q90F.
⭐ The price difference resulted in a point awarded to the Samsung Q90F for better value.

Setup and Design
🔌 Both soundbar systems offered foolproof plug-and-play setup, with optional app connectivity posing no issues.
🔋 The JBL 1300X Mark II features surrounds with built-in batteries offering about 10 hours of runtime, eliminating the need for constant tethering to a wall outlet.
✨ The JBL 1300X Mark II bar is 37% heavier than its predecessor, offering a "swaggier, sleeker" modern look, while the Q90F retained the lighter gray aesthetic of the older Q90C model.
⚫ The JBL subwoofer edges out the Samsung sub in aesthetics ("funloving"), though its weight is considered light for its size.

Driver Array and Channels
🔊 The JBL 1300X Mark II is an 11.1.4 channel system boasting 19 drivers in the bar, with surrounds being 2.0.1 channels, each containing four drivers.
🔉 The Samsung Q990F is a 7.0.2 channel system, maintaining 21 drivers across the bar and surrounds, with the Q990F achieving 22 drivers due to an added woofer in the subwoofer.
⚙️ JBL appears to be pushing hardware upgrades more significantly, indicated by the increased driver count, whereas the Q90F bar configuration remains unchanged since the 2020 Q950T.

Ports and Connectivity
🔌 The JBL 1300X Mark II features four HDMI ports (one eARC, three inputs) supporting 4K 60 Hz and Dolby Vision, but lacks HDMI 2.1 support, making it less ideal for fast pass-through gaming.
🎮 The Samsung Q990F includes three HDMI ports (one eARC, two fully functional 2.1 inputs) that unofficially pass Dolby Vision and officially pass HDR10 Plus.
🎁 The JBL received a point for its three inputs, allowing connection of a Blu-ray player and Apple TV simultaneously, while Samsung scored for its two HDMI 2.1 inputs catering to gamers.

Audio Adjustments and Features
🗣️ JBL offers room calibration via the JBL1 app, a seven-band equalizer, and the Pure Voice 2.0 feature for dialogue enhancement; however, it initially lacked standard sound modes (Movie, Music) before a late update added them.
📡 Samsung features Space Fit Sound Pro for periodic, silent room correction and Adaptive Sound Plus for AI real-time adjustment, along with an Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) feature.
🔄 Samsung's Q Symphony allows integration of compatible Samsung TVs and two Music Frame speakers into the ensemble, an expandability feature JBL lacks.

Music Streaming and Voice Control
🎵 Both support Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify, and Tidal Connect, but JBL offers integration for Amazon, iHeart, Kobuzz, TuneIn, Calm Radio, and Napster within its app, earning two points.
🎤 The Samsung Q90F supports built-in Amazon and Google voice assistants via an internal mic, a feature the JBL 1300X Mark II does not offer.

Versatility and Surround Sound Usage
🤸 JBL's attachable surrounds offer high versatility: they can stay attached for a wider front soundstage, operate tethered as standard rears, or be used wirelessly via battery power.
🎧 The surrounds can also be used as standalone Bluetooth speakers or paired together for stereo; however, they lack significant bass presence when used independently, as their primary role is spatial assistance.
🔊 Leaving the JBL surrounds attached to the bar results in a "constipated" sound, compromising delicacy, especially with music.

Overall Sound Quality Conclusion
🏆 The JBL 1300X Mark II is declared the new leader in sound quality, delivering the "most confident, compelling sound" heard from a JBL system, largely due to hardware improvements balancing the bar and surrounds with the historically strong subwoofer.
📉 The Q990F offers competent performance but lacks conviction, particularly regarding its subwoofer, which, despite improved nimbleness, took a step back in potency and low-end volume to maintain a living room-friendly footprint.
🔊 The JBL earned seven points for cinema sound quality for making action movies more fun, compared to five points for the Q90F, while JBL also won the music quality segment due to a warmer, more inviting atmosphere.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ The JBL 1300X Mark II is positioned as the potential new best value flagship soundbar if its price settles close to the Samsung Q90F series.
➡️ The Samsung Q90F's 3D audio effects sounded deflated compared to the 1300X Mark II, possibly due to Samsung aggressively suppressing atmospherics for clearer dialogue via AVA.
➡️ Gamers requiring 4K 120 Hz pass-through should prioritize the Samsung Q990F due to its two HDMI 2.1 inputs, as the JBL lacks this critical feature.
➡️ JBL's versatile battery-powered surrounds allow for unique placement not possible with fixed setups, though they are weak on bass when used as standalone Bluetooth speakers.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Feb 19, 2026, 09:47 UTC