JBL Bar 5.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi 2 review

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I had a chance to test and compare two models: JBL Bar 5.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi 2 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The JBL Bar 5.1 was rated 7.2, while the Polk Audio MagniFi 2 has a rating 6.6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input for the Bar 5.1 and power, source, demo, volume down, volume up for the MagniFi 2.

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 MagniFi 2 has 2.1. 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 Polk Audio MagniFi 2 received 4 out of 10. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the MagniFi 2. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the JBL Bar 5.1 versus 3/1 HDMIs in the Polk Audio MagniFi 2. As in the Bar 5.1, so in the MagniFi 2 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 MagniFi 2 was rated 5/10. Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The Polk Audio MagniFi 2 equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder support is not implemented in either the Bar 5.1 or MagniFi 2. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The Bar 5.1 was rated 4/10, while the MagniFi 2 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Polk Audio MagniFi 2 over JBL Bar 5.1