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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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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels5.1.4
Variants
- MagniFi MAX SR (Black)
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
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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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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B&HBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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Walmart.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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MagniFi MAX SR
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Bar 9.1
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Walmart.comNotice: 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
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
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
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)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
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)
Dimensions - Satellites
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)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
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
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
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
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
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
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
3.23 dB
3.22 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
7.8
Dynamic Range Compression
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
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.22
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.73
Center
8.5
8.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
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
Surround 5.1
5.3
7.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
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
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
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
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
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 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
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
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
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
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
Audio Latency: Optical
3.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
332 ms
Dolby Digital
348 ms
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
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
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
B&HBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
JBL Bar 9.1
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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs JBL Bar 9.1: Main Discussion
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