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JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 9.1
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 03, 2024 06:17 PM
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Channels5.1.4
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
- Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (Black)
- Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (White)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 9.1
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
The Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is a slightly better soundbar than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Sonos is better built, its height performance is better, and it has more sound enhancement features. However, the JBL has a better center channel performance. It also has more physical inputs as well as wireless playback options.
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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B&HWhite
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Walmart.comNotice: 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
8.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
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
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
34.8" (88.4 cm)
44.9" (114.1 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Depth
4.7" (11.9 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
6.2" (15.7 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
15.4" (39.2 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
16.1" (41.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
6.8" (17.3 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Height
2.2" (5.6 cm)
6.3" (16.1 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
Yes
No
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.4
5.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.31
0.16
Standard Error
2.63 dB
3.20 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
27.9 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
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
3
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
-1
Slope
-0.31
0.05
Standard Error
2.63 dB
3.17 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
27.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
3.22 dB
2.30 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
8.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.30 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.10 dB
0.43 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.22
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.73
Center
8.6
7.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.03
1.27
Std. Err.
2.62 dB
3.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
77.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.29
0.33
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.60
1.66
Surround 5.1
7.7
6.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.38
-0.47
Std. Err.
4.10 dB
3.76 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.8 dB SPL
73.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.23
1.37
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.79
1.85
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.44
0.18
Std. Err.
5.40 dB
3.10 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.7 dB SPL
63.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.04
0.93
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.63
0.20
Sound Enhancement Features
6.2
7.5
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
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
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.5
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
42 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
41 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
59 ms
Dolby Digital
92 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
101 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
101 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.1
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
53 ms
Optical
47 ms
Full HDMI In
-53 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
Dolby Digital
129 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
6.3
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
No
Wireless Playback
10
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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B&HWhite
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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JBL Bar 9.1
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JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers: Main Discussion
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