JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-A550 review

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The JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-A550 comparison proves that these soundbars have many common features. Based on our rating, Bar 5.1 has a total rating of 7.2 out of 10 versus 4.6 for HW-A550. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, input and power, source, demo, volume down, volume up, respectively.

Audio features

Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the JBL Bar 5.1 has 5.1 versus 2.1 for the Samsung HW-A550. The output power is different and equal to 510 (overall) W for the Bar 5.1 versus 410 (overall) W for the HW-A550. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. The JBL Bar 5.1 got our rating of 8 out of 10, and the Samsung HW-A550 5 for its audio features and specs. Spotify support is available on the Bar 5.1.

Connectivity

Both models do not have WI-FI support. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The JBL Bar 5.1 has 3/0 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 1/1 of the Samsung HW-A550. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. For connectivity, each of the soundbars received a rating of 8/10. 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. For multichannel surround JBL Bar 5.1 got a rating of 4, and Samsung HW-A550 6 out of 10.

Advantages JBL Bar 5.1 over Samsung HW-A550