BAR 9.1
Software Update Release Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version:  V22.01.31.80
Release Date:  May 19, 2022
Release Media:  OTA (over the air) Automatic Upgrade and/or USB
Filename:  JBL Bar9.1 TWS ver 22.01.31.80.zip

1. Fixed a grouping issue with other Chromecast built-in speakers (read below):
   1. 3rd party Chromecast built-in speakers using a Google SDK less than 1.52GM2 can not be grouped with 1st party Google speakers any longer. This update brings the Bar 9.1 up to 1.52GM2, which means once again, it can be grouped with 1st party Google speakers
2. Software update resolves the issues with the "Google Home" app if you are using an Android phone (read below):
   1. Speakers with an SDK less than 1.52GM2 set up with a Google Pixel phone need to use a new, additional app called the "Device Utility app" to complete the Wi-Fi setup. After this update, customers may use the Google Home app as normal for Wi-Fi setup
3. General software and performance improvements:
   1. Sometimes there was a 0.5sec audio drop during ARC streaming with PCM format, now improved!
   2. Import MTK patch to solve continuous distortion after connecting Apple TV to a Sony TV while playing PCM stream in eARC source.

Note:  This software upgrade is not applicable for JBL Bar 9.1 China version.
注意：此软件升级不适用于JBL Bar 9.1中国版。

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version:  V21.23.11.80
Release Date:  June 8th, 2021
Release Media:  OTA (over the air) Automatic Upgrade and/or USB
Filename:  JBL Bar9.1 TWS ver 21.23.11.80.zip

1.    Improve calibration success rate in some cases.
2.    Improve compatibility of some “ATMOS” Netflix streaming content. 
3.    Improve LED Display messages.

Note:  This software upgrade is not applicable for JBL Bar 9.1 China version.
注意：此软件升级不适用于JBL Bar 9.1中国版。

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version:  V21.13.11.80
Release Date:  April 8, 2021
Release Media:  OTA (over the air) Automatic Upgrade and/or USB
Filename:  JBL Bar9.1 TWS ver 21.13.11.80.zip

• Improves Soundbar Optical, HDMI, and ARC Compatibility with TV.
• Improves Bluetooth connectivity for mobile devices.
• Improved LED Display Messages.
• Bug fix to remove detachable speakers battery level checking due to imprecise readings.

NOTE:  This software update is not applicable to the JBL BAR 9.1 China version.

注意：此软件升级不适用于JBL Bar 9.1中国版。
 

The Mute+ATMOS combination button press to determine the Battery Status was originally designed for production line testing, not for consumer usage.  We determined that this testing method was inaccurate and began testing using specialized external equipment.  As of Software Version V21.13.11.80, the ability to check Battery Status inaccurately has been removed.

When charging the satellite speakers you can be confident that the Battery Status is 100% when the LED indicator goes  out.  As well, when the LED begins blinking red, you are at 20% and should recharge or plug in your speakers.

To play the surround sound with DOLBY ATMOS or DTS:X, connect your Blu-ray player or other digital device to the HDMI input connector on the soundbar. If the TV support Dolby ATMOS, served over HDMI ARC, just make sure it is selected in the TV setting menu. To select the most suitable amount of sound effect of DOLBY ATMOS and DTS:X, press on the remote control ATMOS level button, to switch between MID, HIGH, LOW or OFF. Note: If your TV has an eARC HDMI input, you can connect your Blu-ray player or other digital device to the HDMI IN connector on the TV.

You can enjoy streaming your favorite music over WiFi to your JBL BAR 9.1 Surround by adding it to your network. Turn on your soundbar. Download the Google Home app to your phone. Enable Bluetooth and Location services on your device. Open Google Home app Follow the instructions given in the app. You are now connected to your WiFi network and can enjoy streaming music to your system. The soundbar will now be able to automatically update, to make sure the performance is the best at all times.

Prerequisites:
− Make sure that your room is quiet;
− Make sure that the soundbar and the two detachable rear speakers are fully in sight of each other, without obstacles in between.
− Make sure that the left and right rear speakers are properly placed, the L speaker on the left and the R speaker on the right.

The calibration is done in two steps: Listening zone & Speaker position

Calibrate the listening zone

1. Place the detachable rear speakers beside your seating position.

2. On the remote control, press and hold HDMI until “1-CALIBRATION” is displayed on the soundbar.
→ Countdown starts from 5 to 1.
→ Calibration tone is heard. Audio calibration starts.
→ “CALIBRATING”: Calibration ongoing.
→ “1-DONE”: Calibration of the listening zone is completed successfully.

Calibrate the speaker position

1. Place the detachable rear speakers in your desired location.

2. On the remote control, press and hold HDMI until “2-CALIBRATION” is displayed on the soundbar.
→ Countdown starts from 5 to 1.
→ Calibration tone is heard. Audio calibration starts.
→ “CALIBRATING”: Calibration ongoing.
→ “2-DONE”: Calibration of the speaker position is completed successfully.
3. To select suitable surround sound level, press repeatedly to switch between high, low or middle (default).

NOTES:
− During calibration, all buttons on the remote control are disabled except for STANDBY and HDMI.
− “SETUP FAILED” is displayed if calibration failed.

With our JBL BAR 9.1 Surround there is two types of resets, one is to reset the WiFi settings and last one is to restore factory default settings. Let us walk through each one of them. Resetting WiFi settings Turn on your JBL BAR 9.1 Surround. Press and hold POWER button down for more than 10 seconds. All of your WiFi configuration is lost and you need to reinstall it again. Use the Google Home app to install the device on your WiFi network. Resetting to Factory default settings Turn on your JBL BAR 9.1 Surround Press and hold POWER and SOURCE button for 3 seconds. Your device is now reset. You can now start allover with installing your BAR 9.1 Surround.

Close and restart the Google Home app, or restart your phone. Start the Google Home app again, and the speaker should now appear.
 

The Checklist

Let us walk-through a list of things needed to ensure every requirement is met.

1. Check your mobile device if that is able to connect to same Wireless network.
2. Make sure you are within range of your Wireless router.
3. Check the Wireless signal on your mobile device, does it have a weak signal then move closer to the router.
4. Try both Wireless network bands 2.4GHz and 5GHz in case one of them are failing.
   1. You will have longer range with 2.4GHz, but less performance and most of the times a crowded network (many devices are using 2.4GHz band).
   2. You will have less interference with 5GHz and higher performance, however, the range of the 5GHz network has shorter range.
5. Try using a different mobile device, if you have one.
6. Reboot your Wireless network router and your mobile device.

Watch the video below for help with setting up your Google Assistant device.

Wireless Network Extender

Some houses or apartments can be too big for one Wireless network router to cover it all.
Let's talk about the issues that might appear with an Extender network.

1. Network Extenders that will help cover poor signal in your home, often results in poor connection and low speed performance.
2. Often the Network Extender is a low budget device or not suited for having too many devices attached to it.
3. Placement of the speaker is crucial as you can put it in a place where it could connect to either main Wireless router or the Extender, that will confuse Wireless network devices.
4. To solve this issue, try move the speaker closer to main router or have fewer devices attached to your Wireless Extender.
5. In addition, always use 5GHz connection between your Network extender and main router (best solution and performance).

One Wireless Network Name (SSID)

1. You may have set the Wireless Network SSID (Wi-Fi network name) to one big Wireless network (With a main router + Extender(s).
2. If the speaker is within range of both Wireless networks (Main router & Extender) then it can get confused with which one to connect to.
3. To solve this issue, using two different name for your extended network will help with the performance of the Speaker and Google Assistant request.

 

If you find yourself encountering audio dropouts or interference coming from your surround speakers when they are not docked on the main unit, here are a couple of tips to try to remedy that.

1. Try moving any wireless routers that are near the sound bar further away.

2. Reboot router so it can auto select a new frequency channel, since the sound bar and router may be on the same channel resulting in audible interferences

3. Re-position the surround speakers so they are closer to the main unit.

4. Re-calibrate the surround speakers

5. Adjust the volume on the sound bar and gradually raise the volume, if driven to hard the sound bar speakers can distort