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JBL Link Bar vs Yamaha YAS-209
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Link Bar
Yamaha YAS-209
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 09, 2024 04:10 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Oct 23, 2024 07:59 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.0
Channels2.1
Variants
- Link Bar
- YAS-209 (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Link Bar
Yamaha YAS-209
The Yamaha YAS-209 is slightly better than the JBL Link Bar. The Yamaha comes with a wireless subwoofer that has better bass reproduction than the JBL. Its overall sound signature is also a bit more balanced, and it has a better center channel performance, although it's noticeably quieter. On the other hand, if you like Chromecast built-in, the JBL has it while the Yamaha lacks it.
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Standard
Link Bar
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YAS-209
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Link Bar
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YAS-209
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Link Bar
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YAS-209
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YAS-209
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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
6.7
6.9
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
8.1
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
40.1" (101.9 cm)
36.4" (92.4 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.4" (6.2 cm)
Depth
3.7" (9.4 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
7.5" (19.0 cm)
Height
N/A
16.5" (42.0 cm)
Depth
N/A
15.8" (40.2 cm)
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
No
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
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)
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
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Stereo
Slope
-0.38
0.04
Std. Err.
2.42 dB
2.87 dB
Channels
2.0
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.3
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Stereo
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.38
0.05
Std. Err.
2.42 dB
2.90 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.91 dB
2.71 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
7.2
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
83.9 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.05 dB
0.65 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.8
7.5
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.38
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.71
0.91
Center
6.3
6.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-1.34
0.04
Std. Err.
4.33 dB
2.86 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.6 dB SPL
82.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.45
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.77
0.83
Surround 5.1
3.8
4.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.43
0.04
Std. Err.
4.48 dB
2.85 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.7 dB SPL
82.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
0.62
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.36
0.82
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
4.4
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
No
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
No
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
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
7.1
7.1
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
No
DTS
Yes
Yes
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
8.3
Dolby Atmos
No
No
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
No
DTS
Yes
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
No
No
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
No
Yes
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Latency
6.9
8.8
Latency Video
ARC
121 ms
-41 ms
Optical
96 ms
-36 ms
Full HDMI In
-42 ms
20 ms
Wireless Playback
9.0
8.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
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
Yes
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
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
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
YAS-209
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
B&HBlack
YAS-209
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
YAS-209
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comStandard
Link Bar
SEARCH
Walmart.comBlack
YAS-209
SEARCH
B&H
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JBL Link Bar
Yamaha YAS-209
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JBL Link Bar vs Yamaha YAS-209: Main Discussion
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