1.   Try searching by:
    1. Category (Best $100 Headphones, Best 50 Inch TVs, …)
    2. Brand (Sony, Samsung, LG, Bose, …)
    3. Model (S405, QC 35 II, …)
    4. Etc...
Get insider access
Get insider access
Preferred store
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Best
Soundbars Budget Subwoofer Samsung Dolby Atmos Bose LG All-In-One Sonos Music Under $200 Small Under $500 Vizio Dialogue Sony 5.1 Under $300 Under $100 Movies
Tools
Compare Table Review List Review Index Graph Custom Ratings
Popular
Samsung HW-Q990D Samsung HW-Q800D Hisense AX5125H Sonos Arc Ultra Samsung HW-Q930D Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Samsung HW-B650 LG S95TR LG S90TR Samsung HW-S60D Samsung HW-B750D Samsung HW-Q990C JBL Bar 500 Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra TCL Q85H Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module Sonos Arc LG SC9S Klipsch Flexus Core 200
218
Soundbars bought and tested
Supported by you via insider access, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Driven by data, run by a passionate team of engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and more.
We are hiring!
  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
    10. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    11. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 vs JBL Link Bar

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Bose Smart Soundbar 700
JBL Link Bar

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 24, 2024 01:19 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 09, 2024 04:10 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Picture
JBL Link Bar Picture
Channels
3.0
Channels
2.0

Variants

  • Smart Soundbar 700 (Arctic White)
  • Smart Soundbar 700 (Black)
  • Link Bar

Review

See Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Review
See JBL Link Bar Review
0 
0 

Our Verdict

Bose Smart Soundbar 700

JBL Link Bar

The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is better than the JBL Link Bar. The Bose is easily upgradable, but even the bar itself performs better. It has a dedicated center channel, a more balanced sound profile, and offers more sound enhancement features like room correction. Its soundstage is also wider thanks to the positioning of the speakers, which reflects the sound off the walls. However, the JBL has more ports and connectivity options. It has three full HDMI In ports and an audio jack for an AUX cable, which the Bose lacks.

0 

Check Price

Arctic White
Smart Soundbar 700
Searching
Finding store
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Smart Soundbar 700
Searching
Finding store
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.2
6.7

Center 
 

8.1
6.3

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.6
7.3

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
7.4

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Style photo - bar
JBL Link Bar Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Style photo - sub
JBL Link Bar Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Style photo - satellites
JBL Link Bar Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Dimensions photo - bar
JBL Link Bar Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

38.4" (97.5 cm)
40.1" (101.9 cm)

Height  

2.2" (5.7 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)

Depth  

4.2" (10.7 cm)
3.7" (9.4 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Dimensions photo - sub
JBL Link Bar Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Dimensions photo - satellites
JBL Link Bar Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No

Build Quality 
 

8.5
7.0

Build quality photo  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Build quality photo
JBL Link Bar Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 In The Box photo
JBL Link Bar In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

JBL Link Bar Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)
Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

JBL Link Bar Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

JBL Link Bar Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.6
7.3

Stereo Setup  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Stereo Setup
JBL Link Bar Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Channels 
 

3.0
2.0

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Slope 
 

0.33
-0.38

Standard Error 
 

2.01 dB
2.42 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

53.4 Hz
55.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.7
7.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

20
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

-30
N/A

Slope 
 

0.16
-0.38

Standard Error 
 

1.80 dB
2.42 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.9 Hz
55.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.3 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.59 dB
2.91 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.5
7.7

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.2 dB SPL
94.3 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

1.08 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.03 dB
2.05 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.8

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.38

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.71
Show text

Center 
 

8.1
6.3

Center Setup  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Center Setup
JBL Link Bar Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Phantom

Slope 
 

0.41
-1.34

Std. Err. 
 

1.98 dB
4.33 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

44.7 dB SPL
94.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.36
0.45

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.67
1.77
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

3.7
3.8

Surround Setup  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Surround Setup
JBL Link Bar Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.54
-1.43

Std. Err. 
 

2.91 dB
4.48 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

45.5 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.47
0.35

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.52
1.36

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Height Setup
JBL Link Bar Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 H Frequency Response
JBL Link Bar H Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Slope 
 

N/A
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.2
2.3

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

No
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

No
No
Show text
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
JBL Link Bar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
JBL Link Bar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
3

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

Yes

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

6.6
7.1

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
7.4

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported

5.1 PCM 
 

No
Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show text

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

10

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

29 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

29 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

57 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
Show text

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

0.0
6.9

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

121 ms

Optical 
 

96 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-42 ms

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

6.9

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

156 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

165 ms
Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

No
Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

10
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No
Show text

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Show text
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Interface photo
JBL Link Bar Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Controls photo
JBL Link Bar Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Remote photo
JBL Link Bar Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
Show text

App 
 

App image  

JBL Link Bar App image

App Name  

No App

iOS  

No

Android  

No

Acts As A Remote 
 

No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

No

Casts Device Files 
 

No
Show text

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show text

Check Price

Arctic White
Smart Soundbar 700
Searching
Finding store
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Smart Soundbar 700
Searching
Finding store
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&H
Back to Top

Bose Smart Soundbar 700

JBL Link Bar

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 vs JBL Link Bar: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

Follow Discussion0 followingSee All Soundbars & Speakers DiscussionsCopy link
0 
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via insider access (which gives you access to extra features) and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. You can see what products we currently have for sale here.
© 2025 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved. Visit our corporate site.