JVC soundbar hits an all-time low! It has 520 W power, Dolby Atmos, and 5.1.2 channels

If you’ve been following the price of the JVC TH-E874B soundbar in recent months, you might have thought it couldn’t drop any further. In November 2024, it cost 12,990 CZK on Alza.cz, gradually dropped to 10,000 CZK, and now – with the discount code ALZADNY20 – it’s available for 7,990 CZK. It’s a 5.1.2 channel system with Dolby Atmos, which practically has no competition in this price category.

What you get: 5.1.2 channels and Dolby Atmos

The JVC TH-E874B is a 5.1.2 channel system with a total power of 520 W. In practice, this means a main soundbar, a wireless subwoofer, and two rear speakers (which you do have to connect to each other with a cable). The 5.1.2 configuration also includes upward-firing speakers for downward-directed spatial sound – i.e., Dolby Atmos.

The soundbar supports connection via HDMI eARC (a cable is included in the package), optical or coaxial input, has Bluetooth 5.3 for music streaming, and a USB port for playback from a flash drive. The HDMI CEC function ensures that the soundbar turns on and off together with the TV. The subwoofer offers a frequency range of 40–120 Hz, so the bass is noticeable, although according to reviews, not entirely brutal.

Real-world experience: praise and minor issues

Reviews on Alza.cz promise a lot. Martin from Bruntál writes that at a price of 8 thousand, the soundbar is unrivaled, especially if you watch movies with Dolby Atmos on Netflix or Disney+. According to him, installation is simple, the rear speakers pair automatically, and the experience compared to TV speakers is “incomparable”.

However, the problem lies in the details. The connecting cable between the rear speakers is only about 3 meters long – which might be too short in some living rooms. Additionally, one of the speakers must be connected to power, and if you don’t have an outlet nearby, the game is over. An anonymous customer from Slovakia adds that the cables could easily be 1–2 meters longer, both power and connecting cables.

Another minor issue: the soundbar automatically turns off after 15 minutes of inactivity, and this function cannot be deactivated. So, if you leave the TV with a screen saver, the sound will disappear. According to Martin, the remote control feels “cheap,” and a small ARC label permanently lights up on the soundbar, which might annoy some. And the wall mounts for the rear speakers are reportedly also a weakness.

Who is this soundbar for?

The JVC TH-E874B makes sense for people who want spatial sound for a reasonable price and watch content with Dolby Atmos. Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+ offer plenty of movies and series in this format, so if you have a TV with eARC support (like Samsung or LG), you’ll utilize its full potential.

On the other hand, if you live in an apartment building, prepare for loving neighbors – the subwoofer’s rumble can be heard even from 15 meters away. And if you have a large living room with distant power outlets, short cables might cause you trouble.

Jakub from Bratislava, who owned the previous JVC TH-E851B model, writes that the newer TH-E874B has better spatial sound, but less bass pressure. The older model had stronger bass, while the new one handles Dolby Atmos effects better. It depends on what you prefer – rumble or spatiality.

Extended warranty and what’s in the box

JVC offers an extended warranty of 42 months upon registration on the manufacturer’s website, which is a fairly solid benefit. The package includes everything you need: an HDMI cable, wall mounts, connecting cables for the rear speakers, a remote control, and a manual in Czech and Slovak.

The soundbar is 100 cm wide, making it suitable for TVs 50 inches and larger. The subwoofer measures 24 × 24 × 42 cm, and the total weight of the system is 9.7 kg – so it’s not a lightweight item, but nothing unusual either.

Verdict: practically unrivaled at this price

For 7,990 CZK with the discount code, you get a 5.1.2 system with Dolby Atmos, which practically no one else offers in this category. Competitors either lack rear speakers, don’t support Atmos, or cost significantly more. Yes, the cables could be longer, the remote feels cheap, and the automatic shutdown after 15 minutes is annoying. But if you watch movies on Netflix and want spatial sound, this is the best price/performance ratio you can currently find on the Czech market.

The promotion on Alza.cz is valid with the discount code ALZADNY20. If you’re hesitant, check out the reviews – people are satisfied with it, just consider the placement of the rear speakers so you don’t end up with short cables.

Do you have a soundbar with Dolby Atmos at home?