JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-Q90R review

Votes 93 93
Rating 3.5 3.5

JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-Q90R comparison chart

Overall
JBL Bar 5.1
7.2
Samsung HW-Q90R
8.2
5
10

JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-Q90R review

JBL Bar 5.1
vs
Samsung HW-Q90R

I had a chance to test and compare two models: JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-Q90R and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The JBL Bar 5.1 was rated 7.2, while the Samsung HW-Q90R has a rating 8.2. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input for the Bar 5.1 and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-Q90R.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Bar 5.1 has 5.1 and HW-Q90R has 7.1.4. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 510 (overall) versus 512 (overall) according to devices. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Rate 8 out of 10 received the JBL Bar 5.1 for audio features and specs, but the Samsung HW-Q90R received 9 out of 10. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HW-Q90R. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the JBL Bar 5.1 versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-Q90R. As in the Bar 5.1, so in the HW-Q90R there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the Bar 5.1 at 8 out of 10, while the HW-Q90R was rated 7/10.

Features

Both devices have integrated voice control via Amazon Alexa. Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The Samsung HW-Q90R equipped with a microphone. The Samsung HW-Q90R may become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HW-Q90R. The HW-Q90R can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The Bar 5.1 was rated 4/10, while the HW-Q90R received a mark of 10/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages JBL Bar 5.1 over Samsung HW-Q90R

  • Amazon Music compatible

Advantages Samsung HW-Q90R over JBL Bar 5.1

  • WI-FI enabled
  • Microphone
  • Multi-room support
  • Compatible with Dolby Atmos
  • Compatible with DTS:X
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Common

Product

JBL Bar 5.1
Samsung HW-Q90R

Model

Bar 5.1
HW-Q90R

Brand

JBL
Samsung

Reviews

3060
1662

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, input
power, volume down, volume up, source

Audio features

Built-in channels

5.1
7.1.4

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

510 (overall)
512 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

2
2

Separate speaker connections

wireless
wireless

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wireless
wireless

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Pandora, Tuneln, Deezer, Chromecast
has not

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

0
0

NFC

HDMI input/output

3/0
2/1

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)

1/0
0/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

1
0

Features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa
Amazon Alexa

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
DTS Digital Surround

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

114.8 x 5.8 x 9.3/45 x 2.3 x 3.7
122.4 x 8.1 x 13.4/48.2 x 3.2 x 5.3

Weight, kg/pounds

3.9/8.6
8.7/19.4

Other

Release year

2017
2019
JBL Bar 5.1
Samsung HW-Q90R
JBL Bar 5.1
Samsung HW-Q90R

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.2
  • 8.2
  • 7.2JBL Bar 5.1
  • 8.2Samsung HW-Q90R