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  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/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Video Passthrough To TV
    7. Wireless Playback
    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

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE vs JBL Bar 9.1

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
JBL Bar 9.1

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Dec 17, 2024 02:33 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM

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Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Picture
JBL Bar 9.1 Picture

Variants

  • Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE (Black)
  • Bar 9.1 (Black)

Our Verdict

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

JBL Bar 9.1

The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a better soundstage and eARC support. It has a more neutral sound out-of-the-box, especially compared to the Nakamichi's boomy, bass-heavy sound. That said, the Nakamichi is still a good choice for mixed usage overall.

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Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
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Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
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Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
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Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
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Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
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Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.6
7.9

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.4
8.1

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Style photo - bar
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Style photo - sub
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Style photo - satellites
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Dimensions photo - bar
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

45.6" (115.8 cm)
34.8" (88.4 cm)

Height  

3.5" (9.0 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

3.1" (8.0 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Dimensions photo - sub
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

9.5" (24.1 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)

Height  

20.3" (51.6 cm)
17.3" (44.0 cm)

Depth  

11.9" (30.1 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Dimensions photo - satellites
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

8.0" (20.4 cm)
6.8" (17.3 cm)

Height  

5.6" (14.3 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)

Depth  

4.8" (12.1 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Build quality photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE In The Box photo
JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Proprietary
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

Proprietary
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.4
8.1

Stereo Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Stereo Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 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 
 

DSP Off
Standard

Slope 
 

-2.30
-0.31

Std. Err. 
 

6.37 dB
2.63 dB

Channels 
 

7.1.4
5.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.5 Hz
33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.2 kHz
18.8 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.8
8.1

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

DSP Off
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

4
3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

6
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.87
-0.31

Std. Err. 
 

3.78 dB
2.63 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

34.1 Hz
33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.0 kHz
18.8 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.21 dB
3.22 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.1
7.8

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.3 dB SPL
95.0 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.08 dB
2.10 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.8
8.2

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.34
0.22

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.34
1.73
Show Text 

Center 
 

7.9
8.6

Center Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Center Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.58
-0.03

Std. Err. 
 

4.31 dB
2.62 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.6 dB SPL
94.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.40
0.29

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.17
1.60
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
7.7

Surround Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Surround Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.05
-0.38

Std. Err. 
 

3.57 dB
4.10 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

99.2 dB SPL
97.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.65
0.23

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

11.75
1.79

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.3
6.1

Height Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Height Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Front Firing Bar and Up Firing Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

-0.67
-1.44

Std. Err. 
 

5.17 dB
5.40 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

97.4 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.77
1.04

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.67
0.63
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.9
6.2

Room Correction 
 

No
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

3
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
No

Ethernet 
 

No
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

8.4
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Supported

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.2
8.1

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

67 ms
53 ms

Optical 
 

60 ms
47 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

34 ms
-53 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
6.3

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

No
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Interface photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Controls photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Remote photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE 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
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

JBL Bar 9.1

Comments

  1. Comparison

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE vs JBL Bar 9.1: Main Discussion

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