Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Big Spring Sale Deal: The Samsung HW-Q990D has dropped by $500 on Amazon.com. See all Soundbar Big Spring Sale deals.
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Polk Audio Signa S4
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Polk Audio Signa S4
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 17, 2024 02:50 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels3.1.2
Variants
- Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
- Signa S4 (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Polk Audio Signa S4
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is a bit better for mixed usage than the Polk Audio Signa S4. The JBL is a 5.1 setup with a better surrounds performance. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it also comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction. That said, the Polk is still a pretty versatile 3.1.2 setup. It has a better soundstage than the JBL, and it even supports Dolby Atmos content.
Check Price
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.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.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
6.9
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.8
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
7.3
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
8.1
Surround 5.1
6.0
3.4
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
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)
41.1" (104.5 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
3.9" (9.8 cm)
3.7" (9.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
12.9" (32.7 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
11.0" (28.0 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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
7.3
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1
3.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard
Music
Slope
-0.89
-0.83
Standard Error
3.56 dB
3.32 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
47.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.8
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Music
Suggested Bass Setting
3
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.89
-0.15
Standard Error
3.56 dB
2.69 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
49.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
17.0 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.92 dB
1.83 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
7.0
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.9 dB SPL
87.5 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
3.44 dB
1.10 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.18
Center
8.1
7.5
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.44
-0.92
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
4.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
84.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.97
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
2.25
Surround 5.1
6.0
3.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.92
-1.69
Std. Err.
3.54 dB
4.58 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
86.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
0.95
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.16
2.59
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
N/A
-1.33
Std. Err.
N/A
4.72 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
83.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
0.70
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.95
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
4.5
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
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
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
8.1
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
2.6
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
4.3
6.5
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.1
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
87 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
88 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
73 ms
Dolby Digital
94 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
97 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
102 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.2
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
121 ms
Optical
98 ms
Full HDMI In
-14 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
6.3
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
140 ms
Dolby Digital
386 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
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
No
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
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
You have 10/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Polk Audio Signa S4
Comments
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Polk Audio Signa S4: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.