How many fit
Only 4 of the 31 models checked meet every need here: “My sofa has no outlets nearby” and “I’d like speakers behind my sofa”.
4 models fit, out of 31 checkedPicked for one job
How can you have rear surround when there are no power outlets by the sofa?
Top pick
JBL Bar 1300X MK2
JBL Bar 1300X MK2 is the place to start if you can recharge its detachable rear speakers between sessions. The original Bar 1300X is the better choice when its package price, slightly smaller cabinets or longer stated battery limit matter more to you. Both need charging space, so measure the docked bar in addition to the playback layout.
Why it suits this job
- The rear speakers are physically in the package
- During playback, the rears work with no mains cables
- The catch
- The rear batteries must be recharged and are not guaranteed to last all day.
- Go with JBL Bar 1300X if
- The older package is the better buy, and either its 54.2-inch docked width or its stated up-to-12-hour rear playback limit suits your routine.
More reasons we picked it
- The furniture has room for charging and docked storage
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Rechargeable JBL rear-speaker packages compared on charging width and subwoofer space, to help you find a practical surround layout with no permanent rear power cords.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the soundbars we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “My sofa has no outlets nearby” and “I’d like speakers behind my sofa”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Bar 1300X MK2 |
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| JBL Bar 1300X |
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| Samsung HW-Q990F |
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Decision guide
How to choose for this job
Battery-powered rear speakers fix the outlet problem only when their charging and storage routine fits your room.
Measure the width once the rears are back on the bar
With detached rears, Bar 1300X MK2 is 40.6 inches wide, and it grows to 55.3 inches with them docked. The original goes from 39.4 to 54.2 inches. A TV stand might hold either bar during a movie and still be too narrow for the charging configuration.
Stated battery life is a ceiling and does not guarantee a schedule
For the MK2 rear speakers JBL quotes up to 10 hours, and for the original up to 12 hours. Runtime depends on content, volume and settings. Charge before a long session instead of planning around every advertised hour, and follow the charging instructions for your model.
The bass box still takes power and floor space
Detachable rears do not leave the complete package without cables. Power is still needed by the soundbar and the subwoofer. The MK2 subwoofer has a 15-inch-square cabinet base, whereas the original measures 14.4 inches per side. Leave the required clearance around either one.
An example with real numbers
Does the bar still fit with the rears docked?
Work with a 55-inch usable TV stand.
The mathWidth margin = 55 inches − docked width.
- For the storage configuration being checked, the rear speakers are attached.
- All 55 inches are free of obstructions.
- Side clearance and a cable allowance are not included.
| Situation | 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 it tells youWith the rears detached, both bars fit, yet only the original stays within the bare 55-inch docked-width limit.
Watch out forThe 0.8 inch left over is the total margin and not clearance on each side. Confirm the manufacturer’s placement requirements.
What this page can’t tell you
- Just two of the researched packages meet the rechargeable-rear condition, and other systems may exist outside this catalog. The battery limits are manufacturer claims and not the result of a shared runtime test.
3 options
The top pick and the alternatives
JBL, Bar 1300XMK2
JBL Bar 1300X MK2
When a lack of outlets for rear speakers stands between you and a full surround setup, the 1300X MK2 is the one to pick. Three direct HDMI inputs take pressure off a crowded TV. In return you get a charging routine for the detachable speakers, and the subwoofer is sizable.
Top pick ifThree HDMI devices, plus rear speakers that skip permanent outlets
Key facts
- 11.1.4-channel setup that includes a 12-inch subwoofer and two rechargeable rears.
- One eARC TV connection and three HDMI source inputs.
The catch
The rear batteries must be recharged and are not guaranteed to last all day.
JBL, Bar 1300X
JBL Bar 1300X
In a living room where rear speakers cannot stay plugged in, the Bar 1300X makes sense. You detach them for a movie and then return them to the bar to charge. Measure carefully, because the subwoofer is large and the docked configuration is wide.
Pick this instead ifThe older package is the better buy, and either its 54.2-inch docked width or its stated up-to-12-hour rear playback limit suits your routine.
Key facts
- A 12-inch subwoofer and two rechargeable rear speakers come in the 11.1.4-channel package.
- One eARC TV connection and three HDMI source inputs.
The catch
The rear speakers need a recharge between cordless listening sessions.
Samsung, HW-Q990F/ZA
Samsung HW-Q990F
With the Q990F, the subwoofer and two rear speakers come in the same box, and two 4K 120 Hz sources can plug straight in. It is the one to pick if you have room under the TV and also have spots ready for the rear speakers.
Pick this instead ifSuitable power can be provided safely at the rear positions, and you prefer speakers that never need a battery-charging routine.
Key facts
- A subwoofer and two rear speakers come in the 11.1.4-channel package.
- Passthrough at 4K 120 Hz is supported on the two HDMI source inputs.
The catch
Both rear speakers have to be plugged into power as well.
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Top pick for this job
JBL Bar 1300X MK2
The rear speakers are physically in the package
See price & reviews on AmazonPick this instead if
JBL Bar 1300X
The older package is the better buy, and either its 54.2-inch docked width or its stated up-to-12-hour rear playback limit suits your routine.
See price & reviews on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money