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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support - ARC
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

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

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Oct 23, 2024 07:59 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Link Bar Picture
Yamaha YAS-209 Picture
Channels
2.0
Channels
2.1

Variants

  • Link Bar
  • YAS-209 (Black)

Review

See JBL Link Bar Review
See Yamaha YAS-209 Review
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0 

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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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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Link Bar
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YAS-209
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.7
6.9

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.3
8.1

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Link Bar Style photo - bar
Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Link Bar Style photo - sub
Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
Yes

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Link Bar Style photo - satellites
Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Link Bar Dimensions photo - bar
Yamaha YAS-209 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)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Link Bar Dimensions photo - sub
Yamaha YAS-209 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)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Link Bar Dimensions photo - satellites
Yamaha YAS-209 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Yamaha YAS-209 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Yamaha YAS-209 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  

JBL Link Bar Build quality photo
Yamaha YAS-209 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Link Bar In The Box photo
Yamaha YAS-209 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

JBL Link Bar Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

JBL Link Bar Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

JBL Link Bar Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.3
8.1

Stereo Setup  

JBL Link Bar Stereo Setup
Yamaha YAS-209 Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.3
8.1

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.91 dB
2.71 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.7
7.2

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.3 dB SPL
83.9 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.05 dB
0.65 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.8
7.5

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.38
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.71
0.91
Show Text 

Center 
 

6.3
6.4

Center Setup  

JBL Link Bar Center Setup
Yamaha YAS-209 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

3.8
4.0

Surround Setup  

JBL Link Bar Surround Setup
Yamaha YAS-209 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

JBL Link Bar Height Setup
Yamaha YAS-209 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

JBL Link Bar H Frequency Response
Yamaha YAS-209 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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Yamaha YAS-209 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Link Bar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Yamaha YAS-209 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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

JBL Link Bar Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Link Bar Interface photo
Yamaha YAS-209 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Link Bar Controls photo
Yamaha YAS-209 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Link Bar Remote photo
Yamaha YAS-209 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

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  

JBL Link Bar App image

App Name  

No App

iOS  

No

Android  

No

Acts As A Remote 
 

No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

No

Casts Device Files 
 

No
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Standard
Link Bar
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Finding store
Black
YAS-209
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Finding store
Standard
Link Bar
Searching
Finding store
Black
YAS-209
Searching
Finding store
Standard
Link Bar
Searching
Finding store
Black
YAS-209
Searching
Finding store
Standard
Link Bar
Searching
Finding store
Black
YAS-209
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Standard
Link Bar
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Finding store
Black
YAS-209
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JBL Link Bar

Yamaha YAS-209

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Link Bar vs Yamaha YAS-209: Main Discussion

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