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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Samsung HW-A550
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Samsung HW-A550
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
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Walmart.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:49 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
- HW-A550 (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Samsung HW-A550
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround or the Samsung HW-A550. The JBL is a 5.1 setup that's better built. It has better center and surround performances, and it can reproduce a slightly more extended low-bass. That said, the 2.1 Samsung has a better soundstage.
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Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-A550
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-A550
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BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-A550
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-A550
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Samsung.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.
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Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
7.1
Center
8.1
5.9
Surround 5.1
6.0
3.3
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
7.1
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
8.2
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
40.0" (101.6 cm)
33.9" (86.1 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.2" (5.5 cm)
Depth
3.9" (9.8 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
13.8" (35.0 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
11.4" (29.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
7.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.89
-0.58
Std. Err.
3.56 dB
2.35 dB
Channels
5.1
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.8
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
3
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
3
Slope
-0.89
-0.12
Std. Err.
3.56 dB
1.96 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.92 dB
2.65 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
8.2
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.9 dB SPL
92.2 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.44 dB
0.55 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
6.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
1.08
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.18
6.15
Center
8.1
5.9
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.44
-1.63
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
4.66 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
87.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.50
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
3.08
Surround 5.1
6.0
3.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.92
-1.68
Std. Err.
3.54 dB
4.87 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
0.51
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.16
2.22
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
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
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
6.7
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
7.1
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Incorrect Implementation
No
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
2.6
6.4
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Not Supported
No
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
4.3
10
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.2
7.0
Latency Video
ARC
121 ms
104 ms
Optical
98 ms
77 ms
Full HDMI In
-14 ms
77 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
0.0
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
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
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
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
No App
iOS
No
Android
No
Acts As A Remote
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
Casts Device Files
No
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-A550
SEARCH
Samsung.com
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Samsung HW-A550: Main Discussion
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