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  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 Samsung HW-Q850A

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 9.1
Samsung HW-Q850A

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Bar 9.1 Picture
Samsung HW-Q850A Picture
Channels
5.1.4
Channels
5.1.2

Variants

  • Bar 9.1 (Black)
  • HW-Q850A (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 9.1 Review
See Samsung HW-Q850A Review
0 
2 

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 9.1

Samsung HW-Q850A

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q850A or the JBL Bar 9.1. The Samsung has built-in voice assistant support and a graphic EQ for sound customization. It also has a better surround performance. However, the JBL gets louder, and it has better soundstage and center performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, and it supports Chromecast built-in.

0 

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Black
Bar 9.1
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HW-Q850A
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Bar 9.1
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HW-Q850A
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Bar 9.1
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HW-Q850A
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Bar 9.1
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HW-Q850A
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Bar 9.1
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HW-Q850A
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HW-Q850A
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.9
7.9

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q850A Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q850A 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-Q850A Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, satellites wired together
Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q850A 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-Q850A 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-Q850A Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

6.8" (17.3 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)

Height  

2.2" (5.6 cm)
5.8" (14.8 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
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
Samsung HW-Q850A Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q850A In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q850A Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q850A Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q850A Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
8.0

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A 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
0.92

Std. Err. 
 

2.63 dB
3.24 dB

Channels 
 

5.1.4
5.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
33.2 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
3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.31
0.46

Std. Err. 
 

2.63 dB
2.33 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
29.5 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
2.26 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
7.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.0 dB SPL
94.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.10 dB
2.69 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2
7.8

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.22
0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.73
2.21
Show text

Center 
 

8.6
7.7

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.03
1.32

Std. Err. 
 

2.62 dB
4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.3 dB SPL
90.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.29
0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.60
4.70
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

7.7
8.2

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.38
0.50

Std. Err. 
 

4.10 dB
2.54 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

97.8 dB SPL
97.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.23
0.62

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.79
3.46

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
6.2

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A 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
1.06

Std. Err. 
 

5.40 dB
3.55 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.7 dB SPL
83.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.04
0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.63
0.88
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.2
7.5

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
Yes

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-Q850A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q850A 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
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
No

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
7.3

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

53 ms
67 ms

Optical 
 

47 ms
48 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-53 ms
-86 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
Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q850A Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q850A Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q850A Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q850A Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, satellites wired together
Show text
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q850A Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q850A Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q850A 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  

Samsung HW-Q850A App image

App Name  

Samsung SmartThings

iOS  

Yes

Android  

Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Show text

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show text

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Bar 9.1
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HW-Q850A
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Bar 9.1
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HW-Q850A
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Bar 9.1
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Bar 9.1
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JBL Bar 9.1

Samsung HW-Q850A

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Bar 9.1 vs Samsung HW-Q850A: Main Discussion

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