Compared set
Only 4 of 31 models checked match every need here: “There are no outlets by my sofa” and “I want speakers behind the sofa”.
4 matching models from 31 checkedBest for this need
How do you get rear surround without power outlets by the sofa?
Our pick
JBL Bar 1300X MK2
Start with JBL Bar 1300X MK2 if you can recharge its detachable rear speakers between sessions. Choose the original Bar 1300X when its package price, slightly smaller cabinets or longer stated battery limit are more useful. Both need charging space, so measure the docked bar as well as the playback layout.
Why it fits this need
- Rear speakers are physically included
- Rears can operate without mains cables during playback
- Main trade-off
- Rear batteries need charging and cannot promise all-day playback.
- Choose JBL Bar 1300X instead when
- The older package is a better buy and its 54.2-inch docked width or stated up-to-12-hour rear playback limit suits your routine.
More reasons behind this pick
- Charging and docked storage fit the furniture
Compare rechargeable JBL rear-speaker packages, charging width and subwoofer space. Find a practical surround layout without permanent rear power cords.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current soundbars comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “There are no outlets by my sofa” and “I want speakers behind the sofa”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Bar 1300X MK2 |
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| JBL Bar 1300X |
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| Samsung HW-Q990F |
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What matters in practice
How to choose for this need
Battery-powered rear speakers solve the outlet problem only if their charging and storage routine works in your room.
Measure the width when the rears return to the bar
Bar 1300X MK2 grows from 40.6 inches wide with detached rears to 55.3 inches with them docked. The original grows from 39.4 to 54.2 inches. A TV stand can fit either bar during a movie and still be too narrow for the charging configuration.
Treat stated battery life as a limit, not a schedule guarantee
JBL quotes up to 10 hours for the MK2 rear speakers and up to 12 hours for the original. Content, volume and settings affect runtime. Charge before a long session rather than planning to use every advertised hour, and follow the model’s charging instructions.
The bass box still needs power and floor space
Detachable rears do not make the complete package cable-free. The soundbar and subwoofer still need power. The MK2 subwoofer has a 15-inch-square cabinet base, while the original uses 14.4 inches per side. Leave the required clearance around either one.
Worked example
Will the bar fit when the rears are docked?
Assume a 55-inch usable TV stand.
FormulaWidth margin = 55 inches − docked width.
- Rear speakers are attached for the storage configuration being checked.
- The full 55 inches is unobstructed.
- No side clearance or cable allowance is included.
| Scenario | Detached width | Docked width | Docked margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Bar 1300X | 39.4 in | 54.2 in | 0.8 in |
| JBL Bar 1300X MK2 | 40.6 in | 55.3 in | −0.3 in |
What that meansBoth detached bars fit, but only the original meets the bare 55-inch docked-width limit.
Keep in mindThe remaining 0.8 inch is total margin, not clearance on each side. Confirm manufacturer placement requirements.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Only two researched packages meet the rechargeable-rear condition. Other systems may exist outside this catalog. Battery limits are manufacturer claims, not a shared runtime test.
3 options
Our pick and alternatives
JBL, Bar 1300XMK2
JBL Bar 1300X MK2
Choose the 1300X MK2 when rear-speaker outlets are the obstacle to a complete surround setup. Three direct HDMI inputs simplify a busy TV, but the detachable speakers bring a charging routine and the subwoofer is substantial.
Winner whenThree HDMI devices and rear speakers that do not need permanent outlets
Decisive facts
- 11.1.4-channel package with a 12-inch subwoofer and two rechargeable rears.
- Three HDMI source inputs and one eARC TV connection.
Trade-off
Rear batteries need charging and cannot promise all-day playback.
JBL, Bar 1300X
JBL Bar 1300X
The Bar 1300X is for a living room where rear speakers cannot stay plugged in. Detach them for a movie, then return them to charge. Its large subwoofer and wide docked configuration need careful measuring.
Choose instead whenThe older package is a better buy and its 54.2-inch docked width or stated up-to-12-hour rear playback limit suits your routine.
Decisive facts
- 11.1.4-channel package includes a 12-inch subwoofer and two rechargeable rear speakers.
- Three HDMI source inputs and one eARC TV connection.
Trade-off
Rear speakers must be charged between cordless listening sessions.
Samsung, HW-Q990F/ZA
Samsung HW-Q990F
The Q990F puts the subwoofer and two rear speakers in the same box and accepts two 4K 120 Hz sources directly. Choose it when you have rear-speaker locations ready, not just space beneath the TV.
Choose instead whenYou can safely provide suitable power at the rear positions and prefer speakers that never need a battery-charging routine.
Decisive facts
- 11.1.4-channel package includes a subwoofer and two rear speakers.
- Two HDMI source inputs support 4K 120 Hz passthrough.
Trade-off
Both rear speakers still need electrical power.
Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Our pick for this need
JBL Bar 1300X MK2
Rear speakers are physically included
See price & reviews on AmazonChoose instead when
JBL Bar 1300X
The older package is a better buy and its 54.2-inch docked width or stated up-to-12-hour rear playback limit suits your routine.
See price & reviews on Amazon