Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2 vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

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The present review is aimed to compare two soundbars - Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2 vs JBL Bar 2.1 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers. Based on our rating, Shockwafe Elite 7.2 has a total rating of 8 out of 10 versus 6 for Bar 2.1. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, source, demo, volume down, volume up 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 Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2 has 7.2.4 versus 2.1 for the JBL Bar 2.1. The output power is different and equal to 800 (overall) W for the Shockwafe Elite 7.2 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 Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2 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 Shockwafe Elite 7.2.

Connectivity

Only the JBL Bar 2.1 can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2 has 3/1 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. Compared soundbars have no app control. A built-in microphone is present only on the Bar 2.1. Soundbars do not have Multi-room support.

Multichannel surround

Only the Shockwafe Elite 7.2 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the Shockwafe Elite 7.2. For multichannel surround Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2 got a rating of 10, and JBL Bar 2.1 4 out of 10.

Advantages Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2 over JBL Bar 2.1

Advantages JBL Bar 2.1 over Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2