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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Klipsch Cinema 400
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Klipsch Cinema 400
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
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BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Sep 24, 2024 01:26 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
- Cinema 400 (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Klipsch Cinema 400
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is a bit better for mixed usage than the Klipsch Cinema 400. The JBL is a 5.1 setup that's better built and offers better center and surround performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it even has a Full HDMI In port for high quality passthrough. That said, the 2.1 Klipsch can reproduce a more extended low-bass.
Notice: 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.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
6.9
Center
8.1
5.3
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
8.4
Surround 5.1
6.0
2.8
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
6.1
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)
39.9" (101.4 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
3.0" (7.6 cm)
Depth
3.9" (9.8 cm)
3.4" (8.6 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
16.3" (41.5 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
6.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
8.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Natural
Slope
-0.89
-0.32
Std. Err.
3.56 dB
3.38 dB
Channels
5.1
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
24.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.8
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Natural
Suggested Bass Setting
3
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.89
0.05
Std. Err.
3.56 dB
3.45 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
24.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.92 dB
1.88 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
6.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.9 dB SPL
91.1 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.44 dB
3.77 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
7.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.18
3.52
Center
8.1
5.3
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.44
-1.60
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
6.49 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
89.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.44
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
1.54
Surround 5.1
6.0
2.8
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.92
-1.68
Std. Err.
3.54 dB
6.75 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
88.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
0.55
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.16
1.59
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
4.4
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
No
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
No
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 ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
Yes
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
6.1
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Incorrect Implementation
No
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Not Supported
No
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
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
No
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
6.0
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.2
9.9
Latency Video
ARC
121 ms
-8 ms
Optical
98 ms
0 ms
Full HDMI In
-14 ms
N/A
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
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
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Klipsch Cinema 400
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Klipsch Cinema 400: Main Discussion
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