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JBL Link Bar vs Roku Smart Soundbar
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Link Bar
Roku Smart Soundbar
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 09, 2024 04:10 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 10, 2024 02:07 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.0
Channels2.0
Variants
- Link Bar
- Roku Smart Soundbar (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Link Bar
Roku Smart Soundbar
The JBL Link Bar is a better soundbar than the Roku Smart Soundbar. Both bars are 2.0 setups lacking a bit of sub-bass, but the JBL has an overall better-balanced sound profile. Unlike the Roku, the JBL supports Chromecast built-in and 4k passthrough, and it also comes with three HDMI In ports, so it's much more versatile. Neither bar supports Atmos content. However, if you want to balance the volume between different programs and commercials, you may prefer the Roku because it has an auto volume feature.
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Standard
Link Bar
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Amazon.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Amazon.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
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BestBuy.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Walmart.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.7
6.4
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
7.0
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
6.6
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
7.4
0.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
40.1" (101.9 cm)
32.1" (81.5 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.8" (7.1 cm)
Depth
3.7" (9.4 cm)
3.9" (9.8 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
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Universal (holes on back)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
1.8 m (5.9 ft)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
7.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.38
-0.30
Std. Err.
2.42 dB
2.79 dB
Channels
2.0
2.0
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
56.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
13.5 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.3
7.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.38
-0.30
Std. Err.
2.42 dB
2.79 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
56.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
13.5 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.91 dB
3.20 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
6.6
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
90.2 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.05 dB
3.09 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.8
7.6
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.38
0.40
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.71
2.89
Center
6.3
6.2
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-1.34
-1.61
Std. Err.
4.33 dB
4.00 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.6 dB SPL
88.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.45
0.72
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.77
2.28
Surround 5.1
3.8
3.6
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.43
-1.72
Std. Err.
4.48 dB
4.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.7 dB SPL
87.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
1.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.36
2.52
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
Slope
N/A
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
2.3
4.6
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Physical Inputs - Bar
Physical inputs bar photo 1
Physical inputs bar photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
1
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
No
Full HDMI In
3
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
7.1
6.1
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
No
DTS
Yes
No
DTS:X (eARC only)
No
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
No
No
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
No
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
No
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
7.4
0.0
Dolby Atmos
No
No
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
Dolby Digital Plus
No
No
DTS
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD
No
No
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
No
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
6.0
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
No
Latency
6.9
6.9
Latency Video
ARC
121 ms
91 ms
Optical
96 ms
95 ms
Full HDMI In
-42 ms
N/A
Wireless Playback
9.0
8.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
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
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
App
App image
App Name
No App
Roku - Official Remote Control
iOS
No
Yes
Android
No
Yes
Acts As A Remote
No
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
All
Casts Device Files
No
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Yes
Check Price
Standard
Link Bar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
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JBL Link Bar
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JBL Link Bar vs Roku Smart Soundbar: Main Discussion
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