Samsung HW-Q950T vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Samsung HW-Q950T vs JBL Bar 2.1 comparison chart

Samsung HW-Q950T vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

Samsung HW-Q950T
vs
JBL Bar 2.1

The present review is aimed to compare two soundbars - Samsung HW-Q950T vs JBL Bar 2.1 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers. Based on our rating, HW-Q950T has a total rating of 8.4 out of 10 versus 6 for Bar 2.1. The competitors' control buttons are different: multi function, volume down, volume up, microphone 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 Samsung HW-Q950T has 9.1.4 versus 2.1 for the JBL Bar 2.1. The output power is different and equal to 546 (overall) W for the HW-Q950T versus 300 (overall) W for the Bar 2.1. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. The Samsung HW-Q950T got our rating of 9 out of 10, and the JBL Bar 2.1 7 for its audio features and specs.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Spotify support is available on the HW-Q950T.

Connectivity

These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Samsung HW-Q950T has 2/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 1/1 of the JBL Bar 2.1. 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.

Features

Both models support voice control using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. App control is available for the HW-Q950T. A built-in microphone is present in each model. Multi-room is only available for the Samsung HW-Q950T.

Multichannel surround

Only the HW-Q950T has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the HW-Q950T. For multichannel surround Samsung HW-Q950T got a rating of 9, and JBL Bar 2.1 4 out of 10.

Advantages Samsung HW-Q950T over JBL Bar 2.1

  • Amazon Music compatible
  • Spotify support
  • App control
  • Multi-room support
  • Compatible with Dolby Atmos
  • Compatible with DTS:X
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Common

Product

Samsung HW-Q950T
JBL Bar 2.1

Model

HW-Q950T
Bar 2.1

Brand

Samsung
JBL

Reviews

1952
548

General

Placement type

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

Connection to source

wired, wireless
wired, wireless

Soundbar buttons

multi function, volume down, volume up, microphone
power, volume down, volume up, source

Audio features

Built-in channels

9.1.4
2.1

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

546 (overall)
300 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

2
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

2/1
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
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

App control

Microphone

Remote control

Multi-room

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II
Dolby Digital

DTS:X

DTS (other)

has not
has not

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

122 x 5 x 12.7/48 x 2.7 x 5.4
96.5 x 5.8 x 6.8/38 x 2.3 x 2.7

Weight, kg/pounds

6.8/15.7
1.9/4.1

Other

Release year

2020
2019
Samsung HW-Q950T
JBL Bar 2.1
Samsung HW-Q950T
JBL Bar 2.1

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.4
  • 6
  • 8.4Samsung HW-Q950T
  • 6JBL Bar 2.1