JBL Bar 5.1 vs Polk Audio Signa S3 review

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The JBL Bar 5.1 vs Polk Audio Signa S3 comparison shows that these models have some important differences and common features. The JBL Bar 5.1 was rated 7.2, while the Polk Audio Signa S3 has a rating 6.4. 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 Signa S3.

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 Signa S3 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 Signa S3 received 4 out of 10. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the Signa S3. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the JBL Bar 5.1 versus 1/0 HDMIs in the Polk Audio Signa S3. As in the Bar 5.1, so in the Signa S3 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 Signa S3 was rated 5/10. Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The Polk Audio Signa S3 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 Signa S3. 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 Polk Audio Signa S3 over JBL Bar 5.1