Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Notice: Big Spring Sale Deal: The Samsung HW-Q990D has dropped by $500 on Amazon.com. See all Soundbar Big Spring Sale deals.
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Channels5.0
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Bar 5.0 MultiBeam (Black)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Samsung HW-Q950A
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam are two very different soundbars. The JBL is a small standalone setup that's ideal for listeners without a lot of space. It's a decent choice overall, but the Samsung is much more versatile. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better surround and Atmos performances.
Check Price
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
Walmart.comNotice:
Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our
soundbars test methodology.
Read more
Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
8.4
Stereo Frequency Response
7.0
8.2
Surround 5.1
6.0
8.3
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
8.8
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
28.0" (71.0 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
4.0" (10.2 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
N/A
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Height
N/A
8.0" (20.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.0
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-1.07
0.30
Std. Err.
3.38 dB
2.65 dB
Channels
5.0
11.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
51.9 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
15.6 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.0
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
1
2
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
0.18
0.01
Std. Err.
3.07 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
15.6 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.83 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.9 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.57 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.0
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.33
1.27
Center
8.2
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.30
0.28
Std. Err.
2.96 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
88.9 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.11
0.86
Surround 5.1
6.0
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Discrete
Slope
-0.77
-0.36
Std. Err.
3.80 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.7 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.11
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.36
2.31
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
5.1
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Surround (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-1.81
-0.28
Std. Err.
5.25 dB
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
84.5 dB SPL
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.66
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.01
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
4.7
9.5
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
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
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
8.8
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Supported
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
No
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
8.7
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Supported
DTS-HD MA
No
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.0
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
9.5
7.7
Latency Video
ARC
-19 ms
80 ms
Optical
-7 ms
60 ms
Full HDMI In
27 ms
59 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
Walmart.com
You have 10/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Samsung HW-Q950A
Comments
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam vs Samsung HW-Q950A: 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.