JBL Bar 5.1 vs Sonos Playbar review
It makes sense comparing JBL Bar 5.1 vs Sonos Playbar because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, Bar 5.1 has a total rating of 7.2 out of 10 versus 5.5 for Playbar. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, input and play/pause, volume up, volume down, respectively.
Audio features
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the JBL Bar 5.1 has 5.1 versus 3.0 for the Sonos Playbar. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. The JBL Bar 5.1 got our rating of 8 out of 10, and the Sonos Playbar 7 for its audio features and specs.
Streaming services
The JBL Bar 5.1 has support AirPlay, and its competitor in our comparison has AirPlay 2. Spotify is available on each of the soundbars.
Connectivity
Only the Sonos Playbar can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Only the Bar 5.1 has Bluetooth support. Only the Bar 5.1 supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). For connectivity, the Bar 5.1 received a rating of 8/10 versus 3/10, respectively. App control is available in every soundbar. None of the models under consideration have a built-in microphone. 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 JBL Bar 5.1 over Sonos Playbar
- Separate subwoofer in package
- Amazon Music compatible
- Bluetooth enabled
- Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
Advantages Sonos Playbar over JBL Bar 5.1
- WI-FI enabled
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
- 7.2JBL Bar 5.1
- 5.5Sonos Playbar
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