Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
JBL Bar 9.1 vs Vizio M Series M51ax-J6
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 9.1
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 04, 2024 06:58 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Channels5.1.4
Channels5.1
Variants
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
- M Series M51ax-J6 (Dark Charcoal)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 9.1
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6
The JBL Bar 9.1 and the Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 are both very versatile 5.1 soundbars with Dolby Atmos support. The JBL offers a better soundstage, and its surround performance is a bit better. That said, the Vizio offers a better value if you're shopping on a budget.
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
Mixed Usage
7.9
7.9
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
34.8" (88.4 cm)
36.0" (91.5 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
4.7" (11.9 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
8.3" (21.0 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
9.9" (25.2 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
8.3" (21.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
6.8" (17.3 cm)
5.7" (14.6 cm)
Height
2.2" (5.6 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Build Quality
8.0
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.4
5.1
Tested Preset
Standard
Direct
Slope
-0.31
-0.26
Standard Error
2.63 dB
3.35 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.1
8.2
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
3
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.31
-0.11
Standard Error
2.63 dB
2.37 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
3.22 dB
2.16 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
8.5
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
96.2 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.25 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.10 dB
1.40 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.22
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.73
Center
8.6
8.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.03
-0.21
Std. Err.
2.62 dB
2.67 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
92.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.29
1.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.60
2.09
Surround 5.1
7.7
7.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.38
-0.17
Std. Err.
4.10 dB
4.01 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.8 dB SPL
93.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.23
0.34
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.79
1.02
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
5.9
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Front Firing, Satellites)
Slope
-1.44
-0.06
Std. Err.
5.40 dB
3.99 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.7 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.04
2.60
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.63
0.32
Sound Enhancement Features
6.2
7.1
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
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
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
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
9.5
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
61 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
106 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
76 ms
Dolby Digital
65 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
70 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
74 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.1
6.9
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
97 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
87 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
107 ms
Dolby Digital
124 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
115 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
122 ms
ARC
53 ms
Optical
47 ms
Full HDMI In
-53 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
7.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
147 ms
Dolby Digital
207 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
6.3
9.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
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
Wireless Playback
10
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
No
Spotify Connect
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
You have 10/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
JBL Bar 9.1
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6
Comments
JBL Bar 9.1 vs Vizio M Series M51ax-J6: 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.