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JBL Bar 9.1 vs Hisense HS218
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 9.1
Hisense HS218
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Apr 17, 2024 03:01 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.4
Channels2.1
Variants
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
- HS218 (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 9.1
Hisense HS218
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Hisense HS218. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellites. It's better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. Also, it offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Also, it has some more sound enhancement features, like room correction.
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Black
Bar 9.1
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HS218
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Bar 9.1
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HS218
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Bar 9.1
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HS218
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Bar 9.1
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HS218
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B&HNotice: 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
6.7
Height (Atmos)
6.1
0.0
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.6
Center
8.6
6.6
Surround 5.1
7.7
4.2
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
6.5
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
6.1
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
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
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
34.8" (88.4 cm)
37.8" (96.0 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
4.7" (11.9 cm)
3.6" (9.2 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
13.5" (34.3 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
13.1" (33.4 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
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
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
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
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.6
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Music
Slope
-0.31
-0.88
Std. Err.
2.63 dB
3.10 dB
Channels
5.1.4
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
17.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.1
7.7
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Music
Suggested Bass Setting
3
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
4
Slope
-0.31
-0.04
Std. Err.
2.63 dB
2.58 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
43.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
3.22 dB
2.52 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
95.7 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.10 dB
3.43 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
8.0
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.22
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.73
1.23
Center
8.6
6.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.03
-0.57
Std. Err.
2.62 dB
3.47 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
93.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.29
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.60
1.24
Surround 5.1
7.7
4.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.38
-0.63
Std. Err.
4.10 dB
3.44 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.8 dB SPL
93.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.23
0.40
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.79
1.18
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Not Supported
Slope
-1.44
N/A
Std. Err.
5.40 dB
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
89.7 dB SPL
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.04
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.63
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
6.2
4.1
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
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
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1
HDMI Out
eARC
No
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
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
6.1
Dolby Atmos
Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
No
DTS
Supported
No
DTS:X
Supported
No
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Supported
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
No
DTS
Supported
No
DTS:X
Supported
No
DTS-HD MA
Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
6.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
8.1
9.0
Latency Video
ARC
53 ms
32 ms
Optical
47 ms
24 ms
Full HDMI In
-53 ms
N/A
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
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
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
Yes
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
Check Price
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HS218
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
B&HBlack
HS218
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
HS218
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
HS218
SEARCH
B&H
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JBL Bar 9.1
Hisense HS218
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JBL Bar 9.1 vs Hisense HS218: Main Discussion
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