The present review is aimed to compare two soundbars - Sony HT-ST5000 vs JBL Bar 2.1 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers. Based on our rating, HT-ST5000 has a total rating of 8.6 out of 10 versus 6 for Bar 2.1. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, input Bluetooth, music service and power, volume down, volume up, source, respectively.
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Sony HT-ST5000 has 7.1.2 versus 2.1 for the JBL Bar 2.1. The output power is different and equal to 800 (overall) W for the HT-ST5000 versus 300 (overall) W for the Bar 2.1. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. The Sony HT-ST5000 got our rating of 9 out of 10, and the JBL Bar 2.1 7 for its audio features and specs.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Spotify support is available on the HT-ST5000.
These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Sony HT-ST5000 has 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 1/1 of the JBL Bar 2.1. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. Both soundbars have a USB connector. For connectivity, the HT-ST5000 received a rating of 9/10 versus 8/10, respectively.
Both models support voice control using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. App control is available for the HT-ST5000. A built-in microphone is present in each model. Multi-room is only available for the Sony HT-ST5000.
Only the HT-ST5000 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the HT-ST5000. For multichannel surround Sony HT-ST5000 got a rating of 8, and JBL Bar 2.1 4 out of 10.