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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Video Passthrough To TV
    7. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Samsung HW-Q950A

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Samsung HW-Q950A

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Picture
Samsung HW-Q950A Picture
Channels
5.1
Channels
11.1.4

Variants

  • Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
  • HW-Q950A (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 5.1 Surround review

See Samsung HW-Q950A review

0
0

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

Samsung HW-Q950A

The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Samsung gets louder with less compression at max volume. Unlike the JBL, it has discrete satellite speakers, supports Dolby Atmos, and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also has better soundstage and surround performances. There are even more sound enhancement features, such as a graphic EQ. That said, the JBL is better-built.

0

Check Price

Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
B&H

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
8.4

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
6.6

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

3.1
10

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.1
8.8

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.8
8.2

Surround 5.1 
 

6.0
8.3

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
7.5

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

2.6
10

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950A 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)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950A 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)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
4.9" (12.4 cm)

Height  

N/A
8.0" (20.2 cm)

Depth  

N/A
5.5" (14.0 cm)

Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Bar Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q950A Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q950A Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build quality photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q950A In The Box photo

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.8
8.2

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.89
0.30

Std. Err. 
 

3.56 dB
2.65 dB

Channels 
 

5.1
11.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
19.1 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.8
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

3
2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
0

Slope 
 

-0.89
0.01

Std. Err. 
 

3.56 dB
2.19 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
30.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
19.6 kHz

Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.92 dB
2.24 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.1
8.8

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.9 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.44 dB
1.08 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2
8.4

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.26
0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.18
1.27

Show text

Center 
 

8.1
8.8

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.44
0.28

Std. Err. 
 

3.76 dB
2.19 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.0 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.17

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.98
0.86

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

6.0
8.3

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.92
-0.36

Std. Err. 
 

3.54 dB
2.92 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.5 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.24
0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.16
2.31

7.1 Rears 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
6.6

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

N/A
-0.28

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
4.20 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
90.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
0.54

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
1.03

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.6
9.5

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

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
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q950A 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
2

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No

Show text

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

Show text

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

Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

4.3
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0

Show text

Latency 
 

7.2
7.7

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

121 ms
80 ms

Optical 
 

98 ms
60 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-14 ms
59 ms

Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

7.8
8.5

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
120Hz

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
30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

10
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Remote photo

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Check Price

Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
B&H
Back to Top

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

Samsung HW-Q950A

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion

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