Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Notice: Big Spring Sale Deal: The Samsung HW-Q990D has dropped by $500 on Amazon.com. See all Soundbar Big Spring Sale deals.
JBL Link Bar vs JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Link Bar
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 09, 2024 04:10 PM
SEARCH
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Channels2.0
Channels5.0
Variants
- Link Bar
- Bar 5.0 MultiBeam (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Link Bar
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam is better than the JBL Link Bar. Both are standalone setups, but the MultiBeam is the only one that supports height content. It has better center and surround performances, too, as well as a better build quality. Also, it has a room correction feature, which is handy. But if you mostly listen to dialogue-heavy audio like TV shows and music, the Link Bar is still a decent pick.
Check Price
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEARCH
B&HStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEARCH
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.
Read more
Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.7
7.2
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.1
Center
6.3
8.2
Surround 5.1
3.8
6.0
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
7.0
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
40.1" (101.9 cm)
28.0" (71.0 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
3.7" (9.4 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
7.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.38
-1.07
Std. Err.
2.42 dB
3.38 dB
Channels
2.0
5.0
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
15.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.3
7.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
1
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.38
0.18
Std. Err.
2.42 dB
3.07 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
55.0 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
15.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.91 dB
2.83 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
7.6
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
91.9 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.05 dB
1.57 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.8
8.0
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.38
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.71
1.33
Center
6.3
8.2
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Discrete
Slope
-1.34
-0.30
Std. Err.
4.33 dB
2.96 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.6 dB SPL
88.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.45
0.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.77
1.11
Surround 5.1
3.8
6.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.43
-0.77
Std. Err.
4.48 dB
3.80 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.7 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
1.11
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.36
2.36
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Surround (Downmix)
Slope
N/A
-1.81
Std. Err.
N/A
5.25 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
84.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.66
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
1.01
Sound Enhancement Features
2.3
4.7
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
1 (shared)
Full HDMI In
3
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
7.1
8.8
eARC
No
Yes
Dolby Atmos
No
Yes
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Yes
DTS
Yes
No
DTS:X (eARC only)
No
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
No
Yes
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
No
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Yes
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
7.4
8.7
Dolby Atmos
No
Yes
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Yes
DTS
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD
No
Yes
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
No
Yes
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
6.0
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
No
Latency
6.9
9.5
Latency Video
ARC
121 ms
-19 ms
Optical
96 ms
-7 ms
Full HDMI In
-42 ms
27 ms
Wireless Playback
9.0
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
Yes
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
No
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
No App
iOS
No
Android
No
Acts As A Remote
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
Casts Device Files
No
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Standard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEARCH
B&HStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEARCH
Walmart.com
You have 10/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
JBL Link Bar
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Comments
JBL Link Bar vs JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam: 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.