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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
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  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
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

JBL Bar 9.1 vs Denon Home Sound Bar 550

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 9.1
Denon Home Sound Bar 550

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:01 PM

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JBL Bar 9.1 Picture
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Picture
Channels
5.1.4
Channels
2.0

Variants

  • Bar 9.1 (Black)
  • Home Sound Bar 550 (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 9.1 review

See Denon Home Sound Bar 550 review

0
1

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 9.1

Denon Home Sound Bar 550

The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Denon Home Sound Bar 500. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that comes with a dedicated sub, which helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it gets louder. It also supports more wireless playback options, and it has a room correction feature.

0

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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Home Sound Bar 550
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Home Sound Bar 550
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Home Sound Bar 550
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Bar 9.1
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Home Sound Bar 550
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Bar 9.1
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Home Sound Bar 550
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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 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.9
6.8

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.1

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
5.2

Center 
 

8.6
6.3

Surround 5.1 
 

7.7
4.2

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
3.7

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Enclosure 
 

Ported
No Subwoofer

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

34.8" (88.4 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
3.0" (7.5 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (11.9 cm)
4.8" (12.2 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 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 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

6.8" (17.3 cm)
N/A

Height  

2.2" (5.6 cm)
N/A

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
N/A

Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)

Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
No Subwoofer

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.1

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Stereo Setup
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 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
Stereo

Slope 
 

-0.31
-0.55

Std. Err. 
 

2.63 dB
2.88 dB

Channels 
 

5.1.4
2.0

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
55.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.8 kHz
18.8 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.1
7.1

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Stereo

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

3
-3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
1

Slope 
 

-0.31
0.16

Std. Err. 
 

2.63 dB
2.67 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
59.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.8 kHz
19.3 kHz

Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.22 dB
3.07 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
5.2

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.0 dB SPL
87.8 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.10 dB
5.50 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2
7.5

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.22
0.57

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.73
1.25

Show text

Center 
 

8.6
6.3

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Phantom

Slope 
 

-0.03
-0.91

Std. Err. 
 

2.62 dB
3.70 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.3 dB SPL
90.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.29
0.97

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.60
1.31

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

7.7
4.2

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.38
-0.66

Std. Err. 
 

4.10 dB
3.04 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

97.8 dB SPL
89.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.23
0.86

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.79
1.30

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
3.7

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-1.44
-0.92

Std. Err. 
 

5.40 dB
3.77 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.7 dB SPL
85.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.04
0.90

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.63
0.82

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.2
4.6

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
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

10
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Yes

eARC 
 

Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes

Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes

Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

Show text

Latency 
 

8.1
8.7

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

53 ms
15 ms

Optical 
 

47 ms
38 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-53 ms
-56 ms

Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

6.3
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

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 
 

No

Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Yes
No
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo
Denon Home Sound Bar 550 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No

Show text

App 
 

App image  

Denon Home Sound Bar 550 App image

App Name  

Heos

iOS  

Yes

Android  

Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

All

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes

Show text

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

No

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes

Show text

Check Price

Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Home Sound Bar 550
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Bar 9.1
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Black
Home Sound Bar 550
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Home Sound Bar 550
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Home Sound Bar 550
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Bar 9.1
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Home Sound Bar 550
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JBL Bar 9.1

Denon Home Sound Bar 550

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Bar 9.1 vs Denon Home Sound Bar 550: Main Discussion

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