1. Try Searching by
    1. Category (Best $100 Headphones, Best 50 Inch TVs, …)
    2. Brand (Sony, Samsung, LG, Bose, …)
    3. Model (S405, QC 35 II, …)
    4. Etc
Get insider access
Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Best
Soundbars Budget Subwoofer Samsung Dolby Atmos Bose LG All-In-One Sonos Music Under $200 Small Under $500 Vizio Dialogue Sony 5.1 Under $300 Under $100 Movies
Tools
Compare Table Review List Review Index Graph Custom Ratings
Popular
Samsung HW-Q990D Samsung HW-Q800D Hisense AX5125H Sonos Arc Ultra Samsung HW-Q930D Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Samsung HW-B650 LG S95TR LG S90TR Samsung HW-S60D Samsung HW-B750D Samsung HW-Q990C JBL Bar 500 Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra TCL Q85H Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module Sonos Arc LG SC9S Klipsch Flexus Core 200
218
Soundbars bought and tested
Supported by you via insider access, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Driven by data, run by a passionate team of engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and more.
We are hiring!
Big Spring Sale Deal: The Samsung HW-Q990D has dropped by $500 on Amazon.com. See all Soundbar Big Spring Sale deals.
  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 9.1 vs Samsung HW-Q800A

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 9.1
Samsung HW-Q800A

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:41 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Bar 9.1 Picture
Samsung HW-Q800A Picture
Channels
5.1.4
Channels
3.1.2

Variants

  • Bar 9.1 (Black)
  • HW-Q800A (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 9.1 review

See Samsung HW-Q800A review

0
0

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 9.1

Samsung HW-Q800A

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Samsung HW-Q800A. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that's better for movies thanks to its dedicated satellites that offer a better surrounds performance. It also has a better soundstage, as well as a room correction feature. However, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with a graphic EQ, bass and treble adjustments, and a dialogue enhancement feature. It also has built-in Amazon Alexa support.

0

Check Price

Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store

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
8.1

Surround 5.1 
 

7.7
4.7

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
8.4

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q800A Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

34.8" (88.4 cm)
38.6" (98.0 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (11.9 cm)
4.5" (11.5 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q800A Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
8.0" (20.4 cm)

Height  

17.3" (44.0 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)

Depth  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q800A 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
Samsung HW-Q800A Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q800A Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q800A Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q800A In The Box photo

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
8.4

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q800A 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 
 

-0.31
-0.62

Std. Err. 
 

2.63 dB
2.49 dB

Channels 
 

5.1.4
3.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
28.7 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.1
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

3
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
0

Slope 
 

-0.31
-0.56

Std. Err. 
 

2.63 dB
2.46 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
29.1 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.22 dB
2.57 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
7.5

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.0 dB SPL
95.1 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.10 dB
2.57 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2
7.7

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.22
0.40

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.73
2.40

Show text

Center 
 

8.6
8.5

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q800A Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.03
0.52

Std. Err. 
 

2.62 dB
2.49 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.3 dB SPL
91.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.29
0.37

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.60
4.34

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

7.7
4.7

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q800A Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.38
-0.43

Std. Err. 
 

4.10 dB
2.13 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

97.8 dB SPL
95.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.23
0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.79
2.59

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
5.9

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q800A Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

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

Slope 
 

-1.44
0.35

Std. Err. 
 

5.40 dB
4.25 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.7 dB SPL
83.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.04
1.05

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.63
0.76

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.2
7.4

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

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 
 

Yes
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-Q800A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q800A Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

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 
 

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
8.9

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

53 ms
31 ms

Optical 
 

47 ms
38 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-53 ms
-32 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 
 

Yes

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
Yes

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q800A Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q800A Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q800A 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 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
HW-Q800A
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

JBL Bar 9.1

Samsung HW-Q800A

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Bar 9.1 vs Samsung HW-Q800A: 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.

Follow Discussion0 followingSee All Soundbars & Speakers DiscussionsCopy link
0 replies
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via insider access (which gives you access to extra features) and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. You can see what products we currently have for sale here.
© 2025 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved. Visit our corporate site.