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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. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 12, 2025 07:14 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Picture
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Picture
Channels
5.1
Channels
5.0
  1. Recommended in 7 articles:
  2. Soundbars
  3. All-In-One
  4. Music
  5. Small
  6. Under $500
  7. Dialogue
  8. Movies

Variants

  • Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
  • Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
  • Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)

Review

See JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Review
See Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Review
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Our Verdict

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is better than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0 setup that supports Atmos content, unlike the JBL. It also has a better soundstage and built-in voice assistant capabilities. However, the 5.1 JBL has a dedicated sub and can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It's also better suited to users who want to use a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.

0 

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Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Black
Beam (Gen 2)
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Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
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White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
7.4

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
5.7

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

3.1
9.6

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
8.0

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.8
7.4

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - bar
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - sub
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Enclosure 
 

Ported
No Subwoofer
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - satellites
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - bar
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

40.0" (101.6 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)

Depth  

3.9" (9.8 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - sub
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A

Height  

17.3" (44.0 cm)
N/A

Depth  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - satellites
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Bar Mounting Holes
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Satellite Mounting Holes
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build quality photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Build quality photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround In The Box photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.8
7.4

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Stereo Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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

Channels 
 

5.1
5.0

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Slope 
 

-0.89
-0.56

Standard Error 
 

3.56 dB
2.82 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
50.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
16.7 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.8
7.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

3
-3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
2

Slope 
 

-0.89
0.05

Standard Error 
 

3.56 dB
2.66 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
51.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
17.2 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.92 dB
2.32 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.1
7.1

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.9 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

N/A

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.44 dB
1.70 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.26

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.18
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.1
7.4

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Center Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.44
0.24

Std. Err. 
 

3.76 dB
3.73 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.0 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.98
1.54
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

6.0
5.9

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Surround Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.92
-0.56

Std. Err. 
 

3.54 dB
2.79 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.5 dB SPL
70.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.24
0.38

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.16
0.87

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
5.7

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Height Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

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

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

N/A
1.01

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
3.35 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
59.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
1.45

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
0.30
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.6
5.4

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
Adapter into HDMI ARC

HDMI Out 
 

ARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

3.1
9.6

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
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

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
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 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

7.3

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

61 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

61 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

79 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

111 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

121 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

121 ms
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

7.8

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

119 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

180 ms
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

10
3.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
No

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
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Controls photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Remote photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Beam (Gen 2)
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Back to Top

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion

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