JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc review

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I had a chance to test and compare two models: JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The JBL Bar 9.1 was rated 9, while the Sonos Arc has a rating 7.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Rate 9 out of 10 received the JBL Bar 9.1 for audio features and specs, but the Sonos Arc received 5 out of 10. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the JBL Bar 9.1 versus 1/0 HDMIs in the Sonos Arc. As in the Bar 9.1, so in the Arc there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). We rated the connectivity of the Bar 9.1 at 10 out of 10, while the Arc was rated 7/10. Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The JBL Bar 9.1 may become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The Bar 9.1 was rated 7/10, while the Arc received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages JBL Bar 9.1 over Sonos Arc