KEF HTF7003 vs JBL Bar 5.1 review

Votes 4 4
Rating 3.5 3.5

KEF HTF7003 vs JBL Bar 5.1 comparison chart

Overall
KEF HTF7003
5
JBL Bar 5.1
7.2
inapplicable
10
inapplicable
5
inapplicable
4

KEF HTF7003 vs JBL Bar 5.1 review

KEF HTF7003
vs
JBL Bar 5.1

It makes sense comparing KEF HTF7003 vs JBL Bar 5.1 because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, HTF7003 has a total rating of 5 out of 10 versus 7.2 for Bar 5.1.

Audio features

The KEF HTF7003 has the passive amplification type, the JBL Bar 5.1 - active. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the KEF HTF7003 has 3.0 versus 5.1 for the JBL Bar 5.1. The output power is different and equal to 100 W for the HTF7003 versus 510 (overall) W for the Bar 5.1. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. The KEF HTF7003 got our rating of 6 out of 10, and the JBL Bar 5.1 8 for its audio features and specs. Spotify support is available on the Bar 5.1.

Connectivity

Both models do not have WI-FI support. Only the Bar 5.1 has Bluetooth support. Only the Bar 5.1 supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). For connectivity, the HTF7003 received a rating of 4/10 versus 8/10, respectively. App control is available for the Bar 5.1. None of the models under consideration have a built-in microphone. Soundbars do not have Multi-room support.

Multichannel surround

None of soundbars equipped with Dolby Atmos multichannel audio decoder. The soundbars do not support the surround sound technology DTS:X.

Advantages JBL Bar 5.1 over KEF HTF7003

  • Separate subwoofer in package
  • Amazon Music compatible
  • Spotify support
  • Bluetooth enabled
  • Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
  • App control
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Common

Product

KEF HTF7003
JBL Bar 5.1

Model

HTF7003
Bar 5.1

Brand

KEF
JBL

Reviews

17
3060

General

Placement type

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

Connection to source

wired
wired, wireless

Soundbar buttons

has not
power, volume down, volume up, input

Audio features

Built-in channels

3.0
5.1

Amplification type

passive
active

Output power, W

100
510 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

0
2

Separate speaker connections

wired
wireless

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wireless

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
Pandora, Tuneln, Deezer, Chromecast

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

0
0

NFC

HDMI input/output

0/0
3/0

HDMI ARC

HDMI eARC

HDMI CEC

Optical digital input/output

0/0
1/0

USB

1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
0/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

3/0
1/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

0
1

Features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa

App control

Microphone

Remote control

Multi-room

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby (other)

has not
Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II

DTS:X

DTS (other)

has not
has not

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

78.5 x 8.1 x 6.1/30.9 x 3.1 x 2.4
114.8 x 5.8 x 9.3/45 x 2.3 x 3.7

Weight, kg/pounds

2.1/4.6
3.9/8.6

Other

Release year

2005
2017
KEF HTF7003
JBL Bar 5.1
KEF HTF7003
JBL Bar 5.1

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 5
  • 7.2
  • 5KEF HTF7003
  • 7.2JBL Bar 5.1