LG GX vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

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Rating 5 5

LG GX vs JBL Bar 2.1 comparison chart

LG GX vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

LG GX
vs
JBL Bar 2.1

The present review is aimed to compare two soundbars - LG GX vs JBL Bar 2.1 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers. Based on our rating, GX has a total rating of 6.5 out of 10 versus 6 for Bar 2.1. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, function and power, volume down, volume up, source, respectively.

Audio features

Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the LG GX has 3.1 versus 2.1 for the JBL Bar 2.1. The output power is different and equal to 420 (overall) W for the GX versus 300 (overall) W for the Bar 2.1. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. Both models received our 7 rating of 10 for their audio features and specs.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Spotify support not implemented in both soundbars.

Connectivity

Only the JBL Bar 2.1 can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. Each soundbar has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. Both soundbars have a USB connector. For connectivity, each of the soundbars received a rating of 8/10. App control is available for the GX. A built-in microphone is present only on the Bar 2.1. Soundbars do not have Multi-room support.

Multichannel surround

Only the GX has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the GX. For multichannel surround LG GX got a rating of 10, and JBL Bar 2.1 4 out of 10.

Advantages LG GX over JBL Bar 2.1

  • App control
  • Compatible with Dolby Atmos
  • Compatible with DTS:X

Advantages JBL Bar 2.1 over LG GX

  • WI-FI enabled
  • Microphone
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Common

Product

LG GX
JBL Bar 2.1

Model

GX
Bar 2.1

Brand

LG
JBL

Reviews

3
548

General

Placement type

table-top, wall-mountable
table-top, wall-mountable

Connection to source

wired, wireless
wired, wireless

Soundbar buttons

power, volume down, volume up, function
power, volume down, volume up, source

Audio features

Built-in channels

3.1
2.1

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

420 (overall)
300 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

0
0

Separate speaker connections

wireless
has not

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wireless
wireless

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
has not

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

0
0

NFC

HDMI input/output

1/1
1/1

HDMI ARC

HDMI eARC

HDMI CEC

Optical digital input/output

1/0
1/0

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
0/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

0/0
1/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

0
0

Features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

App control

Microphone

Remote control

Multi-room

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital

DTS:X

DTS (other)

DTS HD, DTS Digital Surround
has not

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

142 x 12.7 x 2.5/56.9 x 5.9 x 1.3
96.5 x 5.8 x 6.8/38 x 2.3 x 2.7

Weight, kg/pounds

4/9
1.9/4.1

Other

Release year

2020
2019
LG GX
JBL Bar 2.1
LG GX
JBL Bar 2.1

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 6.5
  • 6
  • 6.5LG GX
  • 6JBL Bar 2.1