Soundbar
Products
In The Lab
Forums
Newsletters
 Insider access
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Best
Soundbars 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 Budget
Tools
Compare Table Review List Review Index Graph Custom Ratings
Popular
Samsung HW-Q990D Hisense AX5125H Samsung HW-Q800D Samsung HW-Q930D Sonos Arc Ultra Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC Samsung HW-B750D Samsung HW-S60D Sonos Beam (Gen 2) LG S95TR Samsung HW-B650 LG S90TR LG S80TR Samsung HW-Q990C Bose Smart Soundbar Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra JBL Bar 500 TCL Q85H Sonos Arc Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module
219
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!
  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 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.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 04, 2024 06:58 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Bar 9.1 Picture
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Picture
Channels
5.1.4
Channels
5.1

Variants

  • Bar 9.1 (Black)
  • M Series M51ax-J6 (Dark Charcoal)

Review

See JBL Bar 9.1 Review
See Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Review
0 
0 

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.

0 

Check Price

Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.9
7.9

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
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 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)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 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)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 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)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Bar Mounting Holes
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 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  

JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.9

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Stereo Setup
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 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 
 

5.1.4
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
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.1
8.2

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.22 dB
2.16 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
8.5

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.22

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.73
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.6
8.4

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

7.7
7.5

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
5.9

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

7.0

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

147 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

207 ms
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Back to Top

JBL Bar 9.1

Vizio M Series M51ax-J6

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

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.

Follow Discussion0 followingSee All Soundbars & Speakers DiscussionsCopy link
0 
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.