I had a chance to test and compare two models: JBL Bar Studio vs Samsung HW-Q90R and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The JBL Bar Studio was rated 5, while the Samsung HW-Q90R has a rating 8.2. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, volume down, volume up, power, source for the Bar Studio and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-Q90R.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Bar Studio has 2.0 and HW-Q90R has 7.1.4. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 30 versus 512 (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 5 out of 10 received the JBL Bar Studio for audio features and specs, but the Samsung HW-Q90R received 9 out of 10.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The HW-Q90R can play audio from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HW-Q90R. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the JBL Bar Studio versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-Q90R. As in the Bar Studio, so in the HW-Q90R there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the Bar Studio at 6 out of 10, while the HW-Q90R was rated 7/10. The manufacturer of the HW-Q90R provides a device control application. The Samsung HW-Q90R equipped with a microphone. The Samsung HW-Q90R may become part of a multiroom system.
Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HW-Q90R. The HW-Q90R can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The Bar Studio was rated 5/10, while the HW-Q90R received a mark of 10/10 for multichannel surround.