JBL has launched its new Cove series speakers, designed specifically for multi-room music listening. Following in the footsteps of Denon, Bluesound, and WiiM, JBL is taking direct aim at the market leader Sonos with these new Wi-Fi-connected speakers that comprise a compact Cove M1, portable Cove P1, and flagship Cove X1. The speakers can be used individually, as stereo pairs, or together as a larger multi-room audio system.
You simply place the speakers in the desired rooms, and they automatically optimize the sound based on placement and your listening preferences. They use Constant Sound Field technology to deliver well-balanced sound throughout the room while AI Sound Boost technology helps minimize distortion at high volumes.
Every speaker in the Cove lineup supports Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi, and can be managed through the JBL One app for a flexible room-by-room listening experience. You can stream music and group rooms to customize your audio needs. JBL has also added a unique Music Follows Me feature that carries your playlist or TV audio with you in different rooms. All you have to do is press and hold the onboard heart-shaped Moment button on the speaker in the room you are entering, and the music flows along.
These wireless speakers provide stable playback across the entire home, continuing even when the source phone leaves the room or is busy on a call. The greater bandwidth of Wi-Fi allows lossless audio and content streams directly from services such as Spotify and Tidal, which eliminate the phone use completely.
The Cove speakers support Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready, etc. They also work with compatible JBL Bar Series MK2 soundbars to create expanded home audio and home theatre experiences.
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If compared in basic terms, the JBL Cove P1 is a portable, battery-powered speaker with an IP56 rating, while the Cove M1 and Cove X1 are plug-in home speakers. Additionally, the M1 is the most compact model, whereas the higher-end P1 and X1 support Dolby Atmos with up-firing drivers.
In terms of driver configurations, the JBL Cove M1 features two 30 mm tweeters, one 20 mm silk dome neodymium tweeter, and one 4-inch woofer. The JBL Cove P1 steps up to three 30 mm tweeters and one 20 mm silk dome neodymium tweeter, along with a single 4-inch woofer to support its Dolby Atmos-enabled design. The top-tier JBL Cove X1 features four 30 mm silk dome neodymium tweeters and two 4-inch woofers to offer 3D room-filling sound.
Available in white and black, the pricing starts from €229.99 (approx. $270) for the smallest JBL Cove M1, €449.99 (approx. $520) for the JBL Cove P1, and the JBL Cove X1 is listed for €499.99 (approx. $580). Looking at the pricing range, it is clear that the JBL Cove series is definitely not the most affordable entry point into the multi-room audio segment, as Sonos Era 100 SL is still more accessible.
The JBL Cove series speakers will start shipping on October 8, 2026.
Via: Press Release/Mashable