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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs JBL Bar 9.1
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
JBL Bar 9.1
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
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Channels5.1
Channels5.1.4
Variants
- Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
JBL Bar 9.1
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better performing soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Bar 9.1 is a 5.1.4 setup with detachable wireless satellites and a more neutral and balanced sound profile. Its center and surround performances are much better too, and it supports Atmos as well as eARC. It also supports a wider array of audio formats over its physical inputs.
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Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
7.9
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.1
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
10
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
8.0
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
8.1
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)
34.8" (88.4 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
3.9" (9.8 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
17.3" (44.0 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
6.8" (17.3 cm)
Height
N/A
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Depth
N/A
4.7" (12.0 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
Yes
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.89
-0.31
Std. Err.
3.56 dB
2.63 dB
Channels
5.1
5.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
18.8 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.8
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
3
3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.89
-0.31
Std. Err.
3.56 dB
2.63 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
18.8 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.92 dB
3.22 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
7.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.9 dB SPL
95.0 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.44 dB
2.10 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
0.22
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.18
1.73
Center
8.1
8.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.44
-0.03
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
2.62 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
94.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.29
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
1.60
Surround 5.1
6.0
7.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Discrete
Slope
-0.92
-0.38
Std. Err.
3.54 dB
4.10 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
97.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
0.23
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.16
1.79
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
N/A
-1.44
Std. Err.
N/A
5.40 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
89.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.04
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.63
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
6.2
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
No
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
No
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
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
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
2.6
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
4.3
10
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Latency
7.2
8.1
Latency Video
ARC
121 ms
53 ms
Optical
98 ms
47 ms
Full HDMI In
-14 ms
-53 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
6.3
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
60Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
60Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
No
Wireless Playback
10
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
Yes
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs JBL Bar 9.1: Main Discussion
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