It makes sense comparing Samsung HW-J355 vs JBL Bar 5.0 because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, HW-J355 has a total rating of 6.6 out of 10 versus 8.2 for Bar 5.0. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, input and power, source, volume down, volume up, respectively.
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Samsung HW-J355 has 2.1 versus 5.0 for the JBL Bar 5.0. The output power is different and equal to 120 W for the HW-J355 versus 250 (overall) W for the Bar 5.0. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. The HW-J355 has a wired and wireless connection to separate subwoofer, and the Bar 5.0 - wireless. The Samsung HW-J355 got our rating of 7 out of 10, and the JBL Bar 5.0 5 for its audio features and specs. Spotify is available on each of the soundbars.
These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. Only the Bar 5.0 supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Both soundbars have a USB connector. For connectivity, the HW-J355 received a rating of 6/10 versus 10/10, respectively.
App control is available in every soundbar. A built-in microphone is present only on the Bar 5.0. Multi-room is only available for the JBL Bar 5.0.
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 Samsung HW-J355 got a rating of 4, and JBL Bar 5.0 7 out of 10.