Sonos Beam vs JBL Bar 5.0 review
It makes sense comparing Sonos Beam vs JBL Bar 5.0 because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, Beam has a total rating of 6 out of 10 versus 8.2 for Bar 5.0. The competitors' control buttons are different: volume down, volume up, microphone, play/pause and power, source, volume down, volume up, respectively.
Audio features
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Sonos Beam has 3.0 versus 5.0 for the JBL Bar 5.0. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. The Sonos Beam got our rating of 6 out of 10, and the JBL Bar 5.0 5 for its audio features and specs. Spotify support is available on the Bar 5.0.
Connectivity
These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Sonos Beam has 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 1/1 of the JBL Bar 5.0. Only the Bar 5.0 supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). For connectivity, the Beam received a rating of 6/10 versus 10/10, respectively. App control is available in every soundbar. A built-in microphone is present in each model. Multi-room is only available for the JBL Bar 5.0.
Multichannel surround
Only the Bar 5.0 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. The soundbars do not support the surround sound technology DTS:X. For multichannel surround Sonos Beam got a rating of 4, and JBL Bar 5.0 7 out of 10.
Advantages JBL Bar 5.0 over Sonos Beam
- Amazon Music compatible
- Spotify support
- Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
- Multi-room support
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos
Common
Product
Model
Brand
Reviews
General
Placement type
Connection to source
Soundbar buttons
Audio features
Built-in channels
Amplification type
Output power, W
Separate speaker (in package)
Separate speaker connections
Subwoofer
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connections
Streaming services
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming services
Connectivity
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)
NFC
HDMI input/output
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output
USB
Coaxial digital input/output
Analog audio input/output (RCA)
Headphone output
Subwoofer output
Features
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room
Multichannel surround
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)
DTS:X
DTS (other)
Dimensions
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in
Weight, kg/pounds
Other
Release year
Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating
- 6Sonos Beam
- 8.2JBL Bar 5.0
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