JBL Cinema SB200 Sound Bar: Tech Review
Overall Sound9
Bass8.5
Inputs6.5
Bluetooth Streaming9
Installation8
Overall Value8.5
The Good
  • Excellent Audio Quality
  • Surprising Bass
  • Attractive Sleek Design
The Not so Good
  • Lack of Inputs (only Optical and 3.5 mm offered)
  • Tricky Wall Mounting Setup
8.3Overall Score
Reader Rating: (4 Votes)
5.5

As an audio lover who watches TV almost exclusively on a 7.1 surround sound system, I was skeptical of just how great JBL’s SB200 would sound. To test the product, I hooked up the sound bar in our family room that until now had only featured TV audio from an older VIZIO unit. In the end, I have to say, I was blown away by the quality of audio that this little bar produces. To give you a more in-depth visual of the SB200 and everything it has to offer, do yourself a favor and take a second to check out the embedded video below.

Key Features
  • Designed for flat panel TVs from 32″ – 40″
  • Bluetooth Enabled
  • Dolby Digital decoding
  • HARMAN Display Surround
  • Dual high-excursion drivers and bass port
  • Plug-and-play Connectivity

What’s in the Box:

  • 1 Cinema SB200 system
  •  1 IR remote control
  •  1 power cable
  •  1 optical audio cable
  •  1 analog audio cable
  •  1 wall-mounting bracket
  •  1 warranty card
  •  Quick-start guide
  • Tech Specs:

    • Two 3-1/2-inch woofers
    • Two 1-inch tweeters
    • Dimensions42.1 x 8.3 x 8.3 inches
    • Weight: 12 pounds
    JBL Cinema SB200 Review Breakdown

    JBL SB200 ReviewAcoustically the first thing you’ll notice with this speaker is the amount of bass that is produced, even without the bass boost. Unlike other soundbars (like the JBL 400) , this doesn’t come with a subwoofer, but to be honest, most people won’t need one for the application this is intended for. You won’t need the Bass Boost, but it is hard to tell if you have it on or off as there isn’t a clear indicator. Sometimes the bass can overpower the sound, but I may be biased as I’m not that much of a basshead.

    JBL SB200 ReviewOne issue that hindered the overall sound quality was due to the inputs offered on the SB200. The only options that are offered on this device are Bluetooth, Optical and 3.5 mm. Seeing the way that I had configured by TV, optical wasn’t a possibility and I had to use analog to 3.5 mm for the sound. This is disappointing as a R/L analog in would have been nice for those folks that don’t have the option for optical hookups. It should be noted that I did take the unit to my receiver and test with the optical input and the sound was improved.

    This unit is large, but it looks nice and features clean, curved  lines with manual controls. A a very functional credit-card sized remote is also included. While the unit is wall-mountable you’ll need to plan for a power source and the accompanying cord could use a bit more length. Also, you’ll have to be very very precise to properly wall mount this. The hole in the back is quite shallow and doesn’t leave any wiggle room for error if trying to hide a power source.  The cord input is on a diagonal angle which helps, but measure twice if looking to hide all cords as you need to be 100% on. In all likelihood, you’ll leave have to leave the the cords exposed unless you are an electrician, so a wire hiding device should do the trick.   A straight-forward mounting is also included that seemed sturdy, but I did not fully test.

    JBL SB200 Review

    Bluetooth connectivity was not extensively tested, but once connected it worked nicely. In multiple uses with moving around the room,  it only dropped on connection once.

    Overall, the JBL Cinema SB200 isn’t a replacement for a full home theater system, but it isn’t supposed to be. This sound bar is excellent for anyone looking for a space-saving sound solution and doesn’t want to wire 5-7 speakers up across their room. This is a perfect solution for apartments as the Bluetooth compatibility is a really nice bonus. The sound booms and can easily fill a room. While I typically watch TV in our basement with the full 7.1 sound system, I found myself watching more on the TV with the SB200 as the quality was exponentially better than a stock TV. I’d even recommend this unit over an all-in-one budget 5.1 system as this is something you’ll likely hang on to and the sound quality is comparable if not better.

    Buy Now: $250

    About The Author

    Contributor

    A gadget and DIY enthusiast, Greg enjoys a wide spectrum of activities from home renovation to photography. Maybe the only Detroit Lions fan in the Western New York area, Greg is a huge sport enthusiast that actively follows all major sports except hockey. He also routinely hikes, skiis and runs in his downtime when he’s not out playing with his Yellow Labrador Rogan. Greg is a marketer by day and contributes to MarketingLand and SearchEngineLand.

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