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  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-S60A

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Samsung HW-S60A

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Apr 17, 2024 03:00 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Picture
Samsung HW-S60A Picture

Variants

  • Bar 5.0 MultiBeam (Black)
  • HW-S60A (Black)
  • HW-S61A (Lite Gray)

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

Samsung HW-S60A

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-S60A or the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam. The Samsung offers a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It has a better soundstage performance and a graphic EQ for sound customization, too. However, the JBL supports Atmos content. Also, it comes with a room correction feature, a Full HDMI In port, and supports more wireless playback options.

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Check Price

Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Lite Gray
HW-S61A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
B&H
 
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Walmart.com
 

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.2
7.1

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.1
0.0

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

8.7
0.0

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-S60A Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-S60A Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-S60A Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-S60A Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

28.0" (71.0 cm)
30.1" (76.4 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.6" (6.5 cm)

Depth  

4.0" (10.2 cm)
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-S60A Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-S60A 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-S60A Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-S60A 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-S60A Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam In The Box photo
Samsung HW-S60A In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.0
7.2

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-S60A 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
-0.18

Std. Err. 
 

3.38 dB
2.58 dB

Channels 
 

5.0
5.0

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.9 Hz
58.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

15.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.0
7.2

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

1
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
0

Slope 
 

0.18
-0.18

Std. Err. 
 

3.07 dB
2.58 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

55.0 Hz
58.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

15.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.83 dB
2.96 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.6
7.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.9 dB SPL
92.3 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.57 dB
2.24 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.0
8.1

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.29

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.33
1.56
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.2
8.2

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Center Setup
Samsung HW-S60A Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.30
-0.60

Std. Err. 
 

2.96 dB
3.32 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.9 dB SPL
90.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.24
0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.11
1.01
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

6.0
6.3

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Surround Setup
Samsung HW-S60A Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

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

Slope 
 

-0.77
-0.53

Std. Err. 
 

3.80 dB
3.06 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.7 dB SPL
91.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.11
0.64

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.36
6.44

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.1
0.0

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Height Setup
Samsung HW-S60A Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Samsung HW-S60A 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
7.2

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
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-S60A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-S60A 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
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
No

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
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
No

DTS:X 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
No

DTS 
 

No
No

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
8.4

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

-19 ms
53 ms

Optical 
 

-7 ms
40 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

27 ms
N/A
Show Text 

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
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-S60A Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Controls photo
Samsung HW-S60A Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Remote photo
Samsung HW-S60A Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Lite Gray
HW-S61A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
B&H
 
Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Walmart.com
 

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

Samsung HW-S60A

Comments

  1. Comparison

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam vs Samsung HW-S60A: Main Discussion

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