JBL is hoping to shake up the whole-home Wi-Fi audio market with JBL Cove, a three-speaker system designed to make multi-room listening intuitive and expandable.
Built around JBL’s own wireless platform and the JBL One app, the inaugural range comprises the compact Cove M1, portable Cove P1 and flagship Cove X1.
Each speaker can operate independently, as a stereo pair or within a whole-home group.
Grouping is handled through the JBL One app. You can play the same music throughout the house, or have different Cove speakers playing different content in separate rooms.
The Luxe Review was invited to audition the newcomers at a London launch event where JBL took over a luxury residence for the day. It proved a useful way to explore the potential of the speakers; each model was heard in a different part of the house, with the system also working as a cohesive whole. We also got to drink Champagne, by the pool…
Each speaker can operate independently, as a stereo pair or within a whole-home group…
JBL Cove brings Dolby Atmos and battery power into multi-room audio
The Cove M1 is the smallest and most straightforward member of the range. It’s designed for everyday listening and certainly proved capable of filling the open-plan dining area where JBL had parked it.
Typical applications would be bedrooms, kitchens, and studies. The model can be used as part of a stereo pair or grouped with other Cove speakers.
The M1 incorporates JBL’s Constant Sound Field technology, automatic self-tuning and AI Sound Boost. The latter is designed to minimise distortion when the volume is pushed. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, alongside AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. That’s a lot of boxes ticked.
There’s no physical inputs for wired sources, although JBL didn’t rule out that option going forward.
Its stablemate, the JBL Cove P1, is the most versatile model in the range. A built-in battery means it can leave the house, making it perfect for poolside listening, as well as in-home use. You’ll get around 14 hours playtime if it’s fully charged when you lift it from its dock.
Significantly, the P1 adds Dolby Atmos to the Cove specification. This brings extra body to its presentation, but also come into its own when you partner the speaker with a compatible JBL soundbar.
We heard it working in tandem with one of JBL’s Bar Series MK2 soundbars, where the Cove speaker was assigned rear channel duties. A spin though the Bond adventure No Time to Die proved suitably thrilling.
The top of the range is the JBL Cove X1. This is aimed at larger rooms and listeners who want appreciable scale.
The X1 employs four tweeters and two woofers to produce a larger, more powerful sound. To make the point, JBL paired two X1 speakers to demonstrate a full stereo configuration – and it sounded like a considerably larger, traditional Hi-Fi system.
Like the P1, the X1 also supports Dolby Atmos. The soundstage is wide and full-bodied. It’s great fun to listen to.
JBL Cove features
Automatic self-tuning is used to EQ the speaker to its surroundings. This gives greater freedom over placement without requiring you to spend time adjusting the system manually. A quick chirp and it’s done.
Another neat feature is Music Follows Me. Pressing the Moment button on the speaker allows music or TV audio to follow the listener around the home without requiring you pick up a phone and wrestle with an app.
JBL Cove are available in black and white from JBL’s website. The Cove M1 costs £199.99, the Cove P1 is £399.99 and the Cove X1 is £429.99.
Bose is bringing noise cancellation to wired earbuds with a fashionable new USB-C model that needs no Bluetooth pairing or charging. The launch comes as interest in wired listening booms. The new buds combine a direct USB-C connection with proprietary QuietControl noise cancellation and a built-in microphone system designed for clearer calls. There’s no Bluetooth…
G-SHOCK is marking an eight-year engineering project with the release of three blue sapphire watches, led by its most expensive production model to date, the £67,000 MRG-D5000. The so-called Blue Rose project traces its origins to the G-SHOCK Dream Project led by G-SHOCK creator Kikuo Ibe. It takes its name from the blue rose, a…
Robert Pattinson has landed a suitably polished new role, joining Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre as its latest global ambassador. The British actor and producer will front an upcoming campaign for the luxury maison, due to debut in mid September. It is a partnership built around shared ideas of creativity, craftsmanship and reinvention – something Pattinson knows…
JBL is hoping to shake up the whole-home Wi-Fi audio market with JBL Cove, a three-speaker system designed to make multi-room listening intuitive and expandable.
Built around JBL’s own wireless platform and the JBL One app, the inaugural range comprises the compact Cove M1, portable Cove P1 and flagship Cove X1.
Each speaker can operate independently, as a stereo pair or within a whole-home group.
Grouping is handled through the JBL One app. You can play the same music throughout the house, or have different Cove speakers playing different content in separate rooms.
The Luxe Review was invited to audition the newcomers at a London launch event where JBL took over a luxury residence for the day. It proved a useful way to explore the potential of the speakers; each model was heard in a different part of the house, with the system also working as a cohesive whole. We also got to drink Champagne, by the pool…
JBL Cove brings Dolby Atmos and battery power into multi-room audio
The Cove M1 is the smallest and most straightforward member of the range. It’s designed for everyday listening and certainly proved capable of filling the open-plan dining area where JBL had parked it.
Typical applications would be bedrooms, kitchens, and studies. The model can be used as part of a stereo pair or grouped with other Cove speakers.
The M1 incorporates JBL’s Constant Sound Field technology, automatic self-tuning and AI Sound Boost. The latter is designed to minimise distortion when the volume is pushed. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, alongside AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. That’s a lot of boxes ticked.
There’s no physical inputs for wired sources, although JBL didn’t rule out that option going forward.
Its stablemate, the JBL Cove P1, is the most versatile model in the range. A built-in battery means it can leave the house, making it perfect for poolside listening, as well as in-home use. You’ll get around 14 hours playtime if it’s fully charged when you lift it from its dock.
Significantly, the P1 adds Dolby Atmos to the Cove specification. This brings extra body to its presentation, but also come into its own when you partner the speaker with a compatible JBL soundbar.
We heard it working in tandem with one of JBL’s Bar Series MK2 soundbars, where the Cove speaker was assigned rear channel duties. A spin though the Bond adventure No Time to Die proved suitably thrilling.
The top of the range is the JBL Cove X1. This is aimed at larger rooms and listeners who want appreciable scale.
The X1 employs four tweeters and two woofers to produce a larger, more powerful sound. To make the point, JBL paired two X1 speakers to demonstrate a full stereo configuration – and it sounded like a considerably larger, traditional Hi-Fi system.
Like the P1, the X1 also supports Dolby Atmos. The soundstage is wide and full-bodied. It’s great fun to listen to.
JBL Cove features
Automatic self-tuning is used to EQ the speaker to its surroundings. This gives greater freedom over placement without requiring you to spend time adjusting the system manually. A quick chirp and it’s done.
Another neat feature is Music Follows Me. Pressing the Moment button on the speaker allows music or TV audio to follow the listener around the home without requiring you pick up a phone and wrestle with an app.
JBL Cove are available in black and white from JBL’s website. The Cove M1 costs £199.99, the Cove P1 is £399.99 and the Cove X1 is £429.99.
Bose brings noise cancelling to wired earbuds with trendy new USB-C earphones
Bose is bringing noise cancellation to wired earbuds with a fashionable new USB-C model that needs no Bluetooth pairing or charging. The launch comes as interest in wired listening booms. The new buds combine a direct USB-C connection with proprietary QuietControl noise cancellation and a built-in microphone system designed for clearer calls. There’s no Bluetooth…
G-SHOCK unveils world’s toughest luxury watch, and it comes with a £67,000 price tag
G-SHOCK is marking an eight-year engineering project with the release of three blue sapphire watches, led by its most expensive production model to date, the £67,000 MRG-D5000. The so-called Blue Rose project traces its origins to the G-SHOCK Dream Project led by G-SHOCK creator Kikuo Ibe. It takes its name from the blue rose, a…
Get a first look at Robert Pattinson as Jaeger-LeCoultre’s newest global ambassador
Robert Pattinson has landed a suitably polished new role, joining Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre as its latest global ambassador. The British actor and producer will front an upcoming campaign for the luxury maison, due to debut in mid September. It is a partnership built around shared ideas of creativity, craftsmanship and reinvention – something Pattinson knows…
Share this: