Sonos Playbar vs JBL Bar 2.1 review
The present review is aimed to compare two soundbars - Sonos Playbar vs JBL Bar 2.1 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers. Based on our rating, Playbar has a total rating of 5.5 out of 10 versus 6 for Bar 2.1. The competitors' control buttons are different: play/pause, volume up, volume down and power, volume down, volume up, source, respectively.
Audio features
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Sonos Playbar has 3.0 versus 2.1 for the JBL Bar 2.1. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. Both models received our 7 rating of 10 for their audio features and specs. Spotify support is available on the Playbar.
Connectivity
These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Only the Bar 2.1 has Bluetooth support. Only the Bar 2.1 supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). For connectivity, the Playbar received a rating of 3/10 versus 8/10, respectively. App control is available for the Playbar. A built-in microphone is present only on the Bar 2.1. Soundbars do not have Multi-room support.
Multichannel surround
None of soundbars equipped with Dolby Atmos multichannel audio decoder. The soundbars do not support the surround sound technology DTS:X. For multichannel surround, each of the opponents received 4 points out of 10.
Advantages Sonos Playbar over JBL Bar 2.1
- Spotify support
- App control
Advantages JBL Bar 2.1 over Sonos Playbar
- Separate subwoofer in package
- Bluetooth enabled
- Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
- Microphone
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
- 5.5Sonos Playbar
- 6JBL Bar 2.1
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