JBL takes on Sonos with new multi-room Cove speakers

JBL is well known for its portable bluetooth and party speakers, but now it’s also stepping into the world of connected whole-home audio. The JBL Cove series of speakers introduced today can work independently, as a stereo pair, or linked together to form a multi-room sound system, placing the range in competition with Sonos and Bose’s new Lifestyle Ultra speakers.

There are three models in the JBL Cove series, which come in a choice of black or white color options and will be available starting September 13th. There’s the compact $229.95 Cove M1, which includes three 0.75-inch tweeters and a single 4-inch woofer, but requires a wired power source. The larger $399.95 Cove P1 has Dolby Atmos support and the added convenience of being battery-powered, with up to 14 hours of playtime, according to JBL. The $449.95 Cove X1 is the flagship model, which also needs to be plugged into a power outlet, but features four 1.25-inch tweeters and dual 4-inch woofers alongside Dolby Atmos support.

The Cove speakers connect together through Wi-Fi and can be managed through the JBL One app for controlling music streams and room groupings. Notable features include automatic self-tuning, JBL’s “AI Sound Boost” technology to prevent audio distortion at high volumes, and a “Music Follows Me” feature that transfers audio to the room you’re in without resorting to a phone, by long-pressing the Moment button on the closest speaker.

Supported services include Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Roon Ready. US Alexa Plus subscribers can also access the Amazon assistant through Cove speakers, including voice-activated smart home controls. Each speaker also supports Bluetooth for a direct connection with phones and tablets, and can connect with JBL’s Bar Series MK2 soundbars for an expanded home theater experience.