Polk Audio SIGNA S2 vs JBL Bar 5.0 review

vs

It makes sense comparing Polk Audio SIGNA S2 vs JBL Bar 5.0 because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, SIGNA S2 has a total rating of 5 out of 10 versus 8.2 for Bar 5.0. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, source, Bluetooth and power, source, volume down, volume up, respectively.

Audio features

Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Polk Audio SIGNA S2 has 2.1 versus 5.0 for the JBL Bar 5.0. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. The Polk Audio SIGNA S2 got our rating of 6 out of 10, and the JBL Bar 5.0 5 for its audio features and specs. Spotify support is available on the Bar 5.0.

Connectivity

Only the JBL Bar 5.0 can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Polk Audio SIGNA S2 has 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 1/1 of the JBL Bar 5.0. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. For connectivity, the SIGNA S2 received a rating of 6/10 versus 10/10, respectively.

Features

App control is available for the Bar 5.0. A built-in microphone is present only on the Bar 5.0. Multi-room is only available for the JBL Bar 5.0.

Multichannel surround

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 Polk Audio SIGNA S2 got a rating of 4, and JBL Bar 5.0 7 out of 10.

Advantages Polk Audio SIGNA S2 over JBL Bar 5.0

Advantages JBL Bar 5.0 over Polk Audio SIGNA S2