JBL Cove M1, P1 & X1: Which Wireless Speaker Fits Your Room?
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JBL has just released its new line of wireless, multi-room speakers: the Cove M1, P1, and X1. From portable, on-the-go listening to room-filling Dolby Atmos playback, these speakers are designed to enhance the listening experience in any room. They can even be paired with a JBL soundbar for a true surround sound setup! There's a lot to cover, so strap in!
Table of Contents
- The JBL Cove Lineup at a Glance
- Bluetooth, Casting, and Auracast
- JBL Cove P1: Portable Dolby Atmos
- JBL Cove M1: The Everyday Wireless Speaker
- JBL Cove X1: The Big Daddy of the Lineup
- Multi-Room Grouping and Stereo Pairing
- Add Surround Sound to Your JBL Soundbar
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
The JBL Cove Lineup at a Glance
The lineup includes three main speakers: the JBL Cove M1, the Cove P1, and the Cove X1. Each speaker fills a different niche, but all three work seamlessly together in a variety of ways.
The first is the updated JBL One app, which controls music playback across multiple speakers in different rooms. Just set the speakers up on Wi-Fi, select the music, and off you go.
Summary:
- Three speakers: the compact M1, the portable P1, and the room-filling X1
- Each one is built for a different space, and all three work together
- The JBL One app controls playback across speakers in multiple rooms
Bluetooth, Casting, and Auracast
Any Cove speaker can also pair with a source over Bluetooth. This is a great option where Wi-Fi coverage is spotty, like out on a back patio. Music can also be cast to the speakers through Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Google Cast, and many other major direct-connect apps.
A lesser-known feature worth mentioning is Auracast. This is a form of wireless communication that lets one speaker broadcast to other Auracast devices. It doesn't have to be another Cove speaker, either. It could be a pair of JBL headphones! Think of it like a miniature radio station: any device with Auracast can tune into the signal and share the music.
Summary:
- Bluetooth pairing works anywhere Wi-Fi is spotty
- Casting is supported through Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Google Cast, and more
- Auracast broadcasts music to other Auracast devices, including JBL headphones
JBL Cove P1: Portable Dolby Atmos
Looking more closely at the individual speakers, the lineup includes two dedicated powered speakers meant for in-room listening, plus a portable, battery-powered option to take around the house or even on the go. That portable option is the Cove P1.
JBL claims the P1 delivers up to 14 hours of playback. That's long enough for multiple evenings of listening, a camping trip, or a beach day. Be mindful of the IP56 rating, though. It's protected against dust and some water, but it's not submersible. If it's coming along to the pool, leave it on the deck. A few splashes should be fine! A charging pad is also included in the box, which is a welcome touch. Instead of fumbling with cables to plug it in, just set it down.
The P1 also offers something truly unique: Dolby Atmos playback. This portable Bluetooth speaker has drivers firing not just forward, but sideways and upward too, so it sounds much larger than its size suggests. Portable Dolby Atmos speakers are still rare, and that makes the P1 stand out.
Summary:
- Up to 14 hours of battery playback, according to JBL
- IP56 rated: splash-resistant, but not submersible
- Includes a charging pad for cable-free charging
- Forward-, side-, and up-firing drivers deliver Dolby Atmos sound
JBL Cove M1: The Everyday Wireless Speaker
Next up is the Cove M1, a standard-sized wireless speaker. It's perfect for kitchen countertops, bedrooms, or playrooms. It's not as exciting as the P1 or X1, but it's not trying to be. It has all the same connectivity features in a smaller package that fits almost anywhere.
Summary:
- A compact, standard-sized wireless speaker
- Ideal for countertops, bedrooms, and playrooms
- Offers the same connectivity features as the rest of the lineup
JBL Cove X1: The Big Daddy of the Lineup
Rounding out the lineup, the X1 is the big daddy of the Cove family. This is the one to choose for a robust listening experience in a dedicated space, like a sitting room or office. It's a no-joke standalone Dolby Atmos speaker, with room-filling, directional sound from four tweeters and two woofers. The width of the stereo image it produces from a single speaker is impressive.
Summary:
- The largest speaker in the Cove lineup
- Four tweeters and two woofers for room-filling Dolby Atmos sound
- Produces a wide stereo image from a single speaker
- Best suited to dedicated spaces like sitting rooms and offices
Multi-Room Grouping and Stereo Pairing
Music can stream to multiple speakers at the same time through the JBL One app. In fact, up to 32 speakers can be grouped at once to fill the whole house. For a more traditional stereo experience, any pair of Cove speakers can be linked into a dedicated stereo system. Combined with the built-in room correction in the JBL One app, the result is a fantastic, immersive musical experience in any room.
Summary:
- Group up to 32 speakers for whole-home audio
- Pair any two Cove speakers for dedicated stereo
- Room correction in the JBL One app tunes the sound to each space
Add Surround Sound to Your JBL Soundbar
Shoppers who want a surround sound system but can't run wires across the room may already know JBL's soundbar lineup. It includes plenty of surround sound packages, and World Wide Stereo has covered many of them in past reviews. Until now, though, it was all or nothing. A soundbar either came with surround sound or it didn't, and there was no way to add it later.
That's changed! The Cove M1 and P1 can both pair with select JBL Mark 2 soundbars, like the JBL Bar 500 Mark 2 , to complete the cinematic experience. With its battery, the P1 is an excellent choice for anyone without a permanent spot for speakers. Note that the X1 can't be added as a surround speaker at this time.
Summary:
- The M1 and P1 can be added as wireless surrounds to select JBL Mark 2 soundbars
- Surround sound can now be added later, not just bought up front
- The P1's battery makes it ideal for rooms without a permanent speaker spot
- The X1 can't be used as a surround speaker at this time
Final Thoughts
The best part of the Cove lineup is that there's no wrong place to start. Think of it like building a playlist: start with one song and keep adding. An M1 in the kitchen today and a P1 on the patio next summer add up to a whole-home system that grows over time. For owners of a compatible JBL Mark 2 soundbar, the M1 and P1 also pull double duty as the surround speakers that couldn't be added before.
The standout of the group is the P1. A portable, battery-powered speaker with Dolby Atmos is just plain fun, and the included charging pad is a small touch that makes a big difference every day. For one speaker that truly fills a room, though, the X1 is the one to hear.
There's much more to explore with the new Cove speakers, and it's exciting to see more competition in the wireless speaker market.
Summary:
- Any Cove speaker is a good starting point for a system that grows over time
- The M1 and P1 double as surround speakers for compatible JBL soundbars
- The P1 is the standout, and the X1 is the pick for filling a room
Shop the JBL Cove M1
Shop the JBL Cove P1
Shop the JBL Cove X1
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the JBL Cove M1, P1, and X1?
The main difference is size and how each one is meant to be used. The M1 is a standard-sized wireless speaker for kitchens, bedrooms, and playrooms. The P1 is the portable, battery-powered option, with up to 14 hours of playback and Dolby Atmos. The X1 is the biggest of the three, with four tweeters and two woofers for room-filling sound in a dedicated space. All three share the same connectivity features and work together in the JBL One app.
Which JBL Cove speaker should I buy?
It depends on the room and whether the speaker needs to move. For a countertop or nightstand, the M1 is the easy pick. For something to carry to the patio, the beach, or a campsite, or a surround speaker that doesn't need a permanent spot, the P1 is the best fit. For one speaker that fills a living room or office, the X1 is the way to go.
Is the JBL Cove P1 waterproof?
Not fully. The Cove P1 is rated IP56, so it's protected against dust and splashes, but it isn't designed to be submerged. Poolside is fine; in the pool is not.
Do JBL Cove speakers need Wi-Fi?
No. Any JBL Cove speaker can connect directly over Bluetooth, which is handy anywhere Wi-Fi is spotty. Wi-Fi is needed to use the JBL One app for multi-room grouping, and to cast through Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, or Google Cast.
Which JBL soundbars work with the Cove speakers?
The Cove M1 and P1 can pair with select JBL Mark 2 soundbars, like the Bar 500 Mark 2, as wireless surround speakers. The X1 can't be used as a surround speaker at this time. The World Wide Stereo team can confirm whether a specific soundbar is compatible before purchase.
Can I add surround sound to a JBL soundbar I already own?
Yes, if it's a compatible JBL Mark 2 soundbar. That's one of the biggest perks of the Cove lineup. Previously, a surround package had to be purchased up front. Now the soundbar can come first, with an M1 or P1 added later.
Where can I hear the JBL Cove speakers in person?
The JBL Cove lineup is available to hear at World Wide Stereo showrooms and to shop online at worldwidestereo.com. The World Wide Stereo team can help match the right speaker, or combination of speakers, to any space.
Ready to start building a setup? Browse the full JBL speaker collection at World Wide Stereo, or visit a World Wide Stereo showroom to hear the Cove lineup in person.
