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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Samsung HW-Q950T
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Samsung HW-Q950T
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 07:47 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels9.1.4
Variants
- Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
- HW-Q950T (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Samsung HW-Q950T
The Samsung HW-Q950T is better than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Samsung is a 9.1.4 setup with discrete satellites that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage and surround performances, and it comes with a graphic EQ. Also, it has built-in voice assistant support. That said, the JBL is better-built, with more wireless playback options and a room correction feature.
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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HW-Q950T
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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HW-Q950T
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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HW-Q950T
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Samsung.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
8.2
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.0
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
8.4
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
10
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
9.0
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
7.5
Surround 5.1
6.0
8.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
2.6
10
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
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
40.0" (101.6 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
3.9" (9.8 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
4.8" (12.2 cm)
Height
N/A
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.6" (14.3 cm)
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
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
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
Universal (holes on back)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
8.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.89
-0.14
Std. Err.
3.56 dB
2.62 dB
Channels
5.1
9.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
28.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
18.5 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.8
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
3
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.89
-0.14
Std. Err.
3.56 dB
2.62 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
28.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
18.5 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.92 dB
2.35 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
9.0
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.9 dB SPL
101.1 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.44 dB
1.00 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
8.3
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.18
1.55
Center
8.1
8.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.44
0.05
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
96.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.21
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
1.05
Surround 5.1
6.0
8.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Discrete
Slope
-0.92
-0.02
Std. Err.
3.54 dB
5.01 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
103.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.16
3.97
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
N/A
1.02
Std. Err.
N/A
5.71 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
88.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.09
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.74
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
6.3
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
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 Out
ARC
1 (shared)
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
No
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
2.6
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
4.3
10
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.2
8.1
Latency Video
ARC
121 ms
46 ms
Optical
98 ms
45 ms
Full HDMI In
-14 ms
93 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
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
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
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
8.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
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
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
Samsung SmartThings
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
Some
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950T
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950T
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BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q950T
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950T
SEARCH
Samsung.com
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Samsung HW-Q950T: Main Discussion
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