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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
  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. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs JBL Bar 9.1

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
JBL Bar 9.1

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 17, 2024 02:23 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM

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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Picture
JBL Bar 9.1 Picture
Channels
5.1
Channels
5.1.4

Variants

  • MagniFi MAX SR (Black)
  • Bar 9.1 (Black)

Review

See Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Review
See JBL Bar 9.1 Review
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Our Verdict

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

JBL Bar 9.1

The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The JBL is better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better soundstage and surround performances, and it supports more wireless playback options. It even comes with a room correction feature. However, only the Polk Audio comes with a dialogue enhancement feature.

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Black
MagniFi MAX SR
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
MagniFi MAX SR
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
MagniFi MAX SR
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
MagniFi MAX SR
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
MagniFi MAX SR
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Bar 9.1
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.7
7.9

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
6.1

Surround 5.1 
 

5.3
7.7

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

6.3
10

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
8.1

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
8.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - bar
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - sub
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - satellites
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - bar
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

42.9" (109.0 cm)
34.8" (88.4 cm)

Height  

2.0" (5.0 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

3.7" (9.5 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - sub
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

11.4" (29.0 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)

Height  

14.6" (37.0 cm)
17.3" (44.0 cm)

Depth  

13.8" (35.0 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - satellites
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

7.9" (20.0 cm)
6.8" (17.3 cm)

Height  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)

Depth  

3.7" (9.5 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Bar Mounting Holes
JBL Bar 9.1 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Satellite Mounting Holes
JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
Yes

Build Quality 
 

7.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Build quality photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR In The Box photo
JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
8.1

Stereo Setup  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR 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

Channels 
 

5.1
5.1.4

Tested Preset 
 

Music
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.28
-0.31

Standard Error 
 

2.69 dB
2.63 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.5 Hz
33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.5 kHz
18.8 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
8.1

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Music
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-1
3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.01
-0.31

Standard Error 
 

2.44 dB
2.63 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

28.3 Hz
33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.0 kHz
18.8 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.23 dB
3.22 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.6
7.8

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.2 dB SPL
95.0 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

1.82 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.08 dB
2.10 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.22

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.73
Show text

Center 
 

8.5
8.6

Center Setup  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Center Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.00
-0.03

Std. Err. 
 

2.90 dB
2.62 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.5 dB SPL
94.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.35
0.29

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.22
1.60
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

5.3
7.7

Surround Setup  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Surround Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-4.25
-0.38

Std. Err. 
 

12.78 dB
4.10 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.0 dB SPL
97.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.73
0.23

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

4.07
1.79

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
6.1

Height Setup  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Height Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

N/A
-1.44

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
5.40 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
89.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
1.04

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
0.63
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.8
6.2

Room Correction 
 

No
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
No

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

No
Yes
Show text
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

ARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

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
No
Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

6.3
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Up To 7.1
Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

6.3
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Up To 7.1
Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show text

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

9.4

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

69 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

69 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

75 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
Show text

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

9.5
8.1

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

68 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

68 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

87 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

53 ms

Optical 
 

47 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-53 ms
Show text

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

3.8

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

332 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

348 ms
Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

7.8
6.3

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
60Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
60Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

30Hz
Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No
No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No
No
Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

9.0
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

No
No
Show text
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Interface photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Controls photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Remote photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo
Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No
Show text

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Black
MagniFi MAX SR
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Bar 9.1
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MagniFi MAX SR
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Bar 9.1
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Bar 9.1
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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

JBL Bar 9.1

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs JBL Bar 9.1: Main Discussion

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