JBL Debuts Cove Multiroom Audio Lineup in Frankfurt
JBL has unveiled its new Cove multiroom speaker series, rolling out three distinct models—the M1, P1, and X1—in the Frankfurt am Main area, according to notebookcheck.com. Engineered for versatile home audio deployment, the lineup bypasses mandatory user accounts and integrates dedicated moment buttons for instant programming of playlists or radio stations through the JBL One app.
M1 Offers Plug-In Power While P1 Uses Batteries
The M1 functions as the compact, plug-in entry point into the ecosystem. Running on direct power, it houses three tweeters and a woofer. It fits naturally into secondary rooms or operates as a kitchen radio, while also doubling as a surround speaker when grouped via the JBL One app.
By contrast, the portable P1 operates on battery power while seated in a charging cradle connected via two contacts. It delivers a maximum battery runtime of 14 hours, depending on audio load, and carries an IP56 water-resistance rating for outdoor use. Three tweeters fire at 90-degree angles, backed by an upward-firing driver and a single woofer, ensuring compatibility with Dolby Atmos setups when paired with specific JBL soundbars.
X1 Delivers Powerful Sound but Lacks Soundbar Integration
The flagship X1 stands as the largest and most powerful unit in the initial lineup. It incorporates multiple drivers and an upward-firing tweeter designed to deliver expansive sound profiles. Despite its loud acoustic footprint, the X1 lacks immediate soundbar integration at launch.
Cove Speakers Operate Without Smartphones or User Accounts
Every speaker in the Cove series operates without requiring a smartphone or a mandatory user account. Users can program a single moment button to trigger Spotify Tap, radio stations, or playlists. Holding down this button links the active speaker to another nearby unit, though this action triggers a brief audio buffer drop-out during synchronization.
Auracast support is built directly into the series, allowing listeners to connect headphones, hearing aids, or earbuds straight to the hardware. That functionality remains restricted to Bluetooth mode rather than wired setups. Meanwhile, Dolby Atmos Flexconnect functionality—designed to simplify speaker placement calibration—will arrive via a future update rather than at the initial market release.
Cove Series Launches in October with Tiered Pricing
JBL scheduled the Cove series for an October market release in black and white color options. The entry-level M1 carries a price tag of roughly 230 euros, while the battery-powered P1 costs around 450 euros. The flagship X1 rounds out the trio at approximately 500 euros, launching alongside a matching white soundbar variant.
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