JBL Bar 5.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi One review

Votes 8 8
Rating 3.1 3.1

JBL Bar 5.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi One comparison chart

Overall
JBL Bar 5.1
7.2
Polk Audio MagniFi One
4.7
5
4

JBL Bar 5.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi One review

JBL Bar 5.1
vs
Polk Audio MagniFi One

In this article, we will talk about JBL Bar 5.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi One comparison. The JBL Bar 5.1 was rated 7.2, while the Polk Audio MagniFi One has a rating 4.7. 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, bass up/down, mute, Bluetooth for the MagniFi One.

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 One has 2.1. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 510 (overall) versus 240 (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 Polk Audio MagniFi One received 6 out of 10. The Bar 5.1 can play audio from Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models do not have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the Bar 5.1. We rated the connectivity of the Bar 5.1 at 8 out of 10, while the MagniFi One was rated 5/10. The manufacturer of the Bar 5.1 provides a device control application. Soundbars in this review are not 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 One. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The same score of 4/10 was put to the soundbars for multichannel surround support.

Advantages JBL Bar 5.1 over Polk Audio MagniFi One

  • Amazon Music compatible
  • Spotify support
  • Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
  • App control
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Common

Product

JBL Bar 5.1
Polk Audio MagniFi One

Model

Bar 5.1
MagniFi One

Brand

JBL
Polk Audio

Reviews

3060
211

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, bass up/down, mute, Bluetooth

Audio features

Built-in channels

5.1
2.1

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

510 (overall)
240 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

2
0

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
0/0

HDMI ARC

HDMI eARC

HDMI CEC

Optical digital input/output

1/0
1/0

USB

1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
1/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

1/0
0/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

1
0

Features

Voice control

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
has not

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
88.1 x 5 x 8.3/34.7 x 2 x 3.3

Weight, kg/pounds

3.9/8.6

Other

Release year

2017
2015
JBL Bar 5.1
Polk Audio MagniFi One
JBL Bar 5.1
Polk Audio MagniFi One

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.2
  • 4.7
  • 7.2JBL Bar 5.1
  • 4.7Polk Audio MagniFi One