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Polk Audio Signa S2 vs JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Polk Audio Signa S2
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated May 09, 2025 01:09 PM
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Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
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Channels2.1
Channels5.1
Variants
- Signa S2 (Black)
- Signa S2D (Black)
- Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
Our Verdict
Polk Audio Signa S2
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is better than the Polk Audio Signa S2. The JBL is a 5.1 setup that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, too. Also, you can find more sound enhancement features, such as room correction.
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Black
Signa S2
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Signa S2D
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.6
6.9
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
7.8
Center
5.8
8.1
Surround 5.1
3.3
6.0
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
6.1
3.1
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
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
35.4" (89.9 cm)
40.0" (101.6 cm)
Height
2.0" (5.0 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
3.1" (7.9 cm)
3.9" (9.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
6.7" (17.1 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Height
13.7" (34.9 cm)
17.3" (44.0 cm)
Depth
12.3" (31.3 cm)
12.0" (30.5 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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
7.8
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Music
Standard
Slope
-0.44
-0.89
Std. Err.
3.26 dB
3.56 dB
Channels
2.1
5.1
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.2 kHz
17.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.2
7.8
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.44
-0.89
Std. Err.
3.26 dB
3.56 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.2 kHz
17.7 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.45 dB
2.92 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.5
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.6 dB SPL
94.9 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.66 dB
3.44 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.3
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.58
0.26
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
10.19
1.18
Center
5.8
8.1
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Discrete
Slope
-1.44
-0.44
Std. Err.
5.48 dB
3.76 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.6 dB SPL
92.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.55
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.22
0.98
Surround 5.1
3.3
6.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.47
-0.92
Std. Err.
5.51 dB
3.54 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.2 dB SPL
94.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.72
0.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.04
1.16
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
4.5
5.6
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
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
HDMI Out
No
ARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.1
3.1
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Incorrect Implementation
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Incorrect Implementation
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
No
Not Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
2.6
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
No
Incorrect Implementation
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
No
Not Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.0
4.3
Dolby Digital
Yes
Incorrect Implementation
DTS
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.3
7.2
Latency Video
ARC
83 ms
121 ms
Optical
75 ms
98 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
-14 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
7.8
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
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
Yes
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
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Black
Signa S2
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Signa S2D
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Polk Audio Signa S2
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
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Polk Audio Signa S2 vs JBL Bar 5.1 Surround: Main Discussion
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