JBL launches Cove multi-room speaker line to take on Sonos

JBL enters connected home audio with new Cove speakers

JBL, a brand widely known for its portable Bluetooth speakers, is expanding into connected whole-home audio with a new line of Wi-Fi speakers called Cove. The series, introduced today, consists of three models that can be used independently, as a stereo pair, or linked together to form a multi-room sound system, according to both CNET and The Verge.

The lineup includes the compact Cove M1 at $229, the larger Cove P1 at $399, and the flagship Cove X1 at $449. All three speakers offer both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, though only the P1 is portable with a built-in rechargeable battery. The speakers come in black or white and are available for preorder now, with shipping scheduled for September 13.

Design and features across the range

The Cove M1, priced at $229.95 according to The Verge, includes three 0.75-inch tweeters and a single 4-inch woofer, and requires a wired power source. The mid-range Cove P1, at $399.95, adds Dolby Atmos support and is battery-powered with up to 14 hours of playtime, as stated by The Verge. The top-of-the-line Cove X1, at $449.95, also needs a power outlet but features four 1.25-inch tweeters and dual 4-inch woofers with Dolby Atmos support.

At a demo in a New York loft, JBL played each speaker on its own, linked them together, and created a stereo pair using two M1 speakers, according to CNET. The M1 can also be used as rear channels when paired with JBL’s Bar Series MK2 soundbars, as reported by both outlets.

Control and compatibility

The Cove system is managed through the JBL One app for iOS and Android, which allows speakers to be grouped by room, similar to Sonos’ approach, according to both CNET and The Verge. The speakers feature automatic self-tuning and JBL’s AI Sound Boost technology, which The Verge says works to prevent audio distortion at high volumes.

Supported streaming services include Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Roon Ready, as detailed by The Verge. Each speaker also supports Bluetooth for direct connections with phones and tablets. The Cove speakers have built-in microphones and are Alexa-enabled, with US Alexa Plus subscribers able to access the Amazon assistant through the speakers, according to both outlets.

The Verge also mentioned a “Music Follows Me” feature that transfers audio to the room you’re in by long-pressing a Moment button on the closest speaker, without needing a phone.

Competitive positioning and pricing

JBL’s move into multi-room audio places the Cove series in direct competition with Sonos and Bose, as reported by The Verge. CNET’s first impressions from the demo were cautiously positive, noting that the X1 delivers the biggest, richest sound with the strongest bass, comparable to Sonos’ $470 Era 300. The M1 and P1 also impressed with big sound for their size, and seem to stack up well against their Sonos counterparts.

Pricing is a key point of comparison: CNET noted that the Sonos Move 2 portable speaker costs $499 while the Cove P1 is $399. The author of the CNET piece recalled JBL’s discontinued Link Series Wi-Fi speakers from 2017, which were affordable and sounded decent but weren’t as well-designed or user-friendly as Sonos speakers. At first listen, the new Cove platform seemed like a worthy alternative, though the author has not yet tried the speakers at home and plans to A/B test them side by side with Sonos offerings.