JBL Bar 5.1 vs Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 review

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l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – JBL Bar 5.1 vs Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400. The JBL Bar 5.1 was rated 7.2, while the Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 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, input, mute for the MusicCast BAR 400.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. By the number of channels, the devices do not differ. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 510 (overall) versus 200 (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 Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 received 7 out of 10.

Streaming services

The JBL Bar 5.1 is equipped with AirPlay, but the Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 has AirPlay 2 on board. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the MusicCast BAR 400. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the JBL Bar 5.1 versus 1/1 HDMIs in the Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400. As in the Bar 5.1, so in the MusicCast BAR 400 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. The connectivity of each of the models was estimated at 8/10.

Features

The manufacturer of the Bar 5.1 provides a device control application. The Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 equipped with a microphone. The Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 may become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder support is not implemented in either the Bar 5.1 or MusicCast BAR 400. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The Bar 5.1 was rated 4/10, while the MusicCast BAR 400 received a mark of 6/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages JBL Bar 5.1 over Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400

Advantages Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 over JBL Bar 5.1