JBL Bar 2.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi One review

Votes 2 2
Rating 5 5

JBL Bar 2.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi One comparison chart

Overall
JBL Bar 2.1
6
Polk Audio MagniFi One
4.7
8
4

JBL Bar 2.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi One review

JBL Bar 2.1
vs
Polk Audio MagniFi One

In this article, we will talk about JBL Bar 2.1 vs Polk Audio MagniFi One comparison. The JBL Bar 2.1 was rated 6, while the Polk Audio MagniFi One has a rating 4.7. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, source for the Bar 2.1 and power, volume down, volume up, source, bass up/down, mute, Bluetooth for the MagniFi One.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. By the number of channels, the devices do not differ. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 300 (overall) versus 240 (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 7 out of 10 received the JBL Bar 2.1 for audio features and specs, but the Polk Audio MagniFi One received 6 out of 10.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The units in this comparison do not support Spotify.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the Bar 2.1. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the Bar 2.1. We rated the connectivity of the Bar 2.1 at 8 out of 10, while the MagniFi One was rated 5/10. None of these soundbars can be controlled using the app. The JBL Bar 2.1 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 2.1 or MagniFi One. 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 JBL Bar 2.1 over Polk Audio MagniFi One

  • WI-FI enabled
  • Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
  • Microphone
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Common

Product

JBL Bar 2.1
Polk Audio MagniFi One

Model

Bar 2.1
MagniFi One

Brand

JBL
Polk Audio

Reviews

548
211

General

Placement type

table-top, wall-mountable
table-top, wall-mountable

Connection to source

wired, wireless
wired, wireless

Soundbar buttons

power, volume down, volume up, source
power, volume down, volume up, source, bass up/down, mute, Bluetooth

Audio features

Built-in channels

2.1
2.1

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

300 (overall)
240 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

0
0

Separate speaker connections

has not
wireless

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wireless
wireless

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
has not

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

0
0

NFC

HDMI input/output

1/1
0/0

HDMI ARC

HDMI eARC

HDMI CEC

Optical digital input/output

1/0
1/0

USB

1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
1/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

1/0
0/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

0
0

Features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

App control

Microphone

Remote control

Multi-room

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital

DTS:X

DTS (other)

has not
has not

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

96.5 x 5.8 x 6.8/38 x 2.3 x 2.7
88.1 x 5 x 8.3/34.7 x 2 x 3.3

Weight, kg/pounds

1.9/4.1

Other

Release year

2019
2015
JBL Bar 2.1
Polk Audio MagniFi One
JBL Bar 2.1
Polk Audio MagniFi One

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 6
  • 4.7
  • 6JBL Bar 2.1
  • 4.7Polk Audio MagniFi One