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
Notice: Big Spring Sale Deal: The Samsung HW-Q990D has dropped by $500 on Amazon.com. See all Soundbar Big Spring Sale deals.
  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
  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
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam vs Samsung HW-A650

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Samsung HW-A650

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 30, 2024 04:32 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Picture
Samsung HW-A650 Picture
Channels
5.0
Channels
3.1

Variants

  • Bar 5.0 MultiBeam (Black)
  • HW-A650 (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Review
See Samsung HW-A650 Review
2 
0 

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

Samsung HW-A650

The Samsung HW-A650 is marginally better for mixed usage than the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam. The Samsung is a 3.1 setup with a dedicated subwoofer that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. However, the 5.0 JBL is better suited for movies. It has a better surrounds performance, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. There are also some more wireless playback options to choose from.

0 

Check Price

Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.2
7.4

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.0
7.9

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.1
0.0

Surround 5.1 
 

6.0
3.7

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
Yes

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-A650 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

28.0" (71.0 cm)
38.6" (98.0 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

4.0" (10.2 cm)
4.1" (10.5 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-A650 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
8.0" (20.4 cm)

Height  

N/A
13.9" (35.3 cm)

Depth  

N/A
11.9" (30.3 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-A650 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Bar Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-A650 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-A650 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Build quality photo
Samsung HW-A650 Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam In The Box photo
Samsung HW-A650 In The Box photo
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.0
7.9

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-A650 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

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Slope 
 

-1.07
-0.34

Std. Err. 
 

3.38 dB
2.10 dB

Channels 
 

5.0
3.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.9 Hz
41.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

15.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.0
7.9

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

1
-1

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
2

Slope 
 

0.18
-0.07

Std. Err. 
 

3.07 dB
2.05 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

55.0 Hz
41.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

15.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.83 dB
2.45 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.6
7.8

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.9 dB SPL
93.0 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.57 dB
1.49 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.0
7.3

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.46

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.33
3.87
Show text

Center 
 

8.2
8.1

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Center Setup
Samsung HW-A650 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.30
-0.98

Std. Err. 
 

2.96 dB
3.26 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.9 dB SPL
87.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.24
0.41

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.11
2.70
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

6.0
3.7

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Surround Setup
Samsung HW-A650 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.77
-1.43

Std. Err. 
 

3.80 dB
4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.7 dB SPL
89.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.11
0.48

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.36
2.48

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.1
0.0

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Height Setup
Samsung HW-A650 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Samsung HW-A650 H Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Surround (Downmix)
Not Supported

Slope 
 

-1.81
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

5.25 dB
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

84.5 dB SPL
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.66
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.01
N/A
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.7
7.4

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-A650 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-A650 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
1 (shared)

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show text

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

8.8
7.1

eARC 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
No

DTS 
 

No
Yes

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

No
No

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

Yes
No

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

No
No

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
No
Show text

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

8.7
7.4

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
No

DTS:X 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
No

DTS 
 

No
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Yes
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
No

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
No
Show text

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

6.0
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

No
Yes
Show text

Latency 
 

9.5
7.1

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

-19 ms
80 ms

Optical 
 

-7 ms
84 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

27 ms
102 ms
Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

10
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
No
Show text

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
No
Show text
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Interface photo
Samsung HW-A650 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Controls photo
Samsung HW-A650 Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Remote photo
Samsung HW-A650 Remote photo
Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No
Show text

Check Price

Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
HW-A650
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

Samsung HW-A650

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam vs Samsung HW-A650: 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.