Macworld

At a glance

Expert's Rating

Pros

  • Lively, detailed sound with impressive volume
  • Compact design fits desks and shelves
  • AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and stereo pairing

Cons

  • Deep bass lacks weight and precision
  • No wired audio inputs for external sources

Our Verdict

The JBL Cove M1 combines lively, detailed sound and impressive volume with a compact design. AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, stereo pairing, and multiroom support make it a versatile choice for Apple users. Deep bass lacks weight and there are no wired audio inputs, but at $229.95/£199.99, it offers good value for everyday listening on a desk or shelf in smaller rooms.

Price When Reviewed

This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined

Best Pricing Today

Best Prices Today: JBL Cove M1

Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide

What is it? A compact, mains-powered wireless speaker with lively sound, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and multiroom support.

Who is it best for? Apple users seeking an affordable speaker for a desk or shelf, with options for stereo pairing and multiroom expansion.

Who should skip it? Anyone wanting powerful deep bass, wired audio inputs, Dolby Atmos, or battery-powered portability.

We liked JBL’s Authentics range of speakers, but they were fairly expensive and the company seems to be phasing them out as it introduces an entirely new range of wi-fi speakers called Cove, which are a little more affordable and which seem to be taking over as JBL’s main option for multi-room audio. Prices start at $229.95/£199.99 for the entry-level Cove M1 that we test here, but there’s a more powerful model called the X1 available for $449.95/£429.99, and a portable model with a rechargeable battery, called the P1, priced at $399.95/£399.99.

Available in black or white, the mains-powered M1 is compact enough to sit easily on a desk or shelf, standing just 184mm high and 125mm wide and deep. It packs plenty into that compact design, though, with three 20mm high-frequency tweeters, and a larger 105mm woofer to handle lower frequencies. There are plenty of other features too, with both Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi available for streaming music, and support for AirPlay 2 (although it’s a shame that there’s no 3.5mm socket or USB-C for a wired audio connection). The M1 has a built-in microphone as well, although this only works with Amazon’s Alexa, but there’s a switch that lets you turn the mic off if you prefer.

Setting it up

Getting started is very straightforward as the JBL One app initially uses Bluetooth to connect to the M1 and then prompts you to enter your wi-fi password to connect it to your home network. After that you can forget about the app and just use the M1 like any other AirPlay speaker. And, as well as supporting multi-room audio, you can pair two of the M1 speakers together for stereo sound, or use them with JBL’s MK2 soundbars for a home cinema set-up.

Sound quality

The M1 sounds pretty good on its own, though. The compact speaker doesn’t support Dolby Atmos – that’s only available in the larger P1 and X1 models – but it does a good job at evoking the hazy, ambient sound of Madonna’s Frozen. There’s a soft, warm tone to the opening strings, and a delicate touch on the electronic chimes that hang gently in the air. Then the percussion cracks like a whip, and the chugging guitar riff provides the energy that drives the song forward.

It can handle harder sounds too, wallowing in the fuzz-drenched guitars on Sturgill Simpson’s Sing Along. There’s an infectious, dancefloor energy to the wailing electronic keyboards, and the crisp percussion sets the pace with a foot-tapping rhythm. The M1 proves to be surprisingly powerful too, with 110W output that is more than loud enough for Sturgill’s stomper at just 50% of maximum volume, so there’s plenty more power available if you want to get things going at a party or BBQ.

The only slight weakness is the M1’s bass output. To be fair, it manages to reach down for the bouncing bass that kicks off Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, but the really deep electronic bass at the end of the song is more of a challenge and lacks the taut bass pulse that a larger speaker can deliver. Even so, the M1 performs well for a compact speaker in this price range, and the larger P1 and X1 models will be available soon if you need an even weightier sound.

Should you buy JBL Cover M1?

The JBL Cove M1 delivers lively, detailed sound and impressive volume from a compact design that fits comfortably on a desk or shelf. AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and straightforward setup make it an appealing choice for Apple users, while stereo pairing and multiroom support provide room to expand. Deep bass lacks the weight and precision of larger speakers, and there are no wired audio inputs. However, at $229.95/£199.99, it offers an attractive balance of sound quality, flexibility, and size. Choose it for everyday listening in smaller spaces, especially if you want an AirPlay speaker with plenty of energy and useful versatility.