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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
  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
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Sonos Beam vs JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sonos Beam
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:27 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM

Unavailable
Missing store
Sonos Beam Picture
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Picture
Channels
3.0
Channels
5.0

Variants

  • Beam (Black)
  • Beam (White)
  • Bar 5.0 MultiBeam (Black)

Review

See Sonos Beam Review
See JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Review
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Our Verdict

Sonos Beam

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

You may prefer the Sonos Beam or the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam depending on your listening habits. The Sonos is a 3.0 setup with a better soundstage performance and a more balanced sound profile out of the box. Also, it has a dialogue enhancement feature. However, the 5.0 JBL is better for movies, as it offers better Atmos and surround performances. It also comes with a Full HDMI In port and more wireless playback options.

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Black
Beam
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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White
Beam
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Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Black
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
7.2

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
5.1

Surround 5.1 
 

3.1
6.0

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
8.7

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.4
7.6

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Beam Style photo - bar
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Beam Style photo - sub
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Beam Style photo - satellites
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - bar
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

25.6" (65.0 cm)
28.0" (71.0 cm)

Height  

2.6" (6.7 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

4.0" (10.1 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - sub
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - satellites
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sonos Beam Bar Mounting Holes
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Beam Satellite Mounting Holes
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Sonos Beam Build quality photo
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Beam In The Box photo
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.2
7.0

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Beam Stereo Setup
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam 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 
 

No Preset
Standard

Slope 
 

0.63
-1.07

Std. Err. 
 

3.39 dB
3.38 dB

Channels 
 

3.0
5.0

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

49.7 Hz
51.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
15.6 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.5
7.0

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
1

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

-6
N/A

Slope 
 

0.18
0.18

Std. Err. 
 

2.34 dB
3.07 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

49.7 Hz
55.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
15.6 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.26 dB
2.83 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.4
7.6

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.2 dB SPL
91.9 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.85 dB
1.57 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.2
8.0

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.73
0.32

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.51
1.33
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.3
8.2

Center Setup  

Sonos Beam Center Setup
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.39
-0.30

Std. Err. 
 

2.87 dB
2.96 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.0 dB SPL
88.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.97
0.24

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.56
1.11
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

3.1
6.0

Surround Setup  

Sonos Beam Surround Setup
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.27
-0.77

Std. Err. 
 

5.44 dB
3.80 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

85.2 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.74
1.11

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.95
2.36

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
5.1

Height Setup  

Sonos Beam Height Setup
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Surround (Downmix)

Slope 
 

N/A
-1.81

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
5.25 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
84.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
1.66

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
1.01
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.4
4.7

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

No
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  

Sonos Beam Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Beam Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

Adapter into HDMI ARC
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

ARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

6.3
8.8

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

eARC 
 

Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
8.7

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
6.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Latency 
 

9.8
9.5

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

-14 ms
-19 ms

Optical 
 

0 ms
-7 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
27 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No

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 
 

3.0
10

Bluetooth 
 

No
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Beam Interface photo
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Beam Controls photo
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Beam Remote photo
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

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Beam
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Beam
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Sonos Beam

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sonos Beam vs JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam: Main Discussion

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