Polk Audio SIGNA S2 vs JBL Bar Studio review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Polk Audio SIGNA S2 vs JBL Bar Studio comparison chart

Overall
Polk Audio SIGNA S2
5
JBL Bar Studio
5
4
4

Polk Audio SIGNA S2 vs JBL Bar Studio review

Polk Audio SIGNA S2
vs
JBL Bar Studio

l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Polk Audio SIGNA S2 vs JBL Bar Studio. Both soundbars received a score of 5 in our ranking. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, source, Bluetooth for the SIGNA S2 and volume down, volume up, power, source for the Bar Studio.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that SIGNA S2 has 2.1 and Bar Studio has 2.0. 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 6 out of 10 received the Polk Audio SIGNA S2 for audio features and specs, but the JBL Bar Studio received 5 out of 10. The units in this comparison do not support Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models do not have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs are in each of soundbars. As in the SIGNA S2, so in the Bar Studio there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). The connectivity of each of the models was estimated at 6/10.

Features

None of these soundbars can be controlled using the app. Soundbars in this review are not 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 SIGNA S2 or Bar Studio. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The SIGNA S2 was rated 4/10, while the Bar Studio received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Polk Audio SIGNA S2 over JBL Bar Studio

  • Separate subwoofer in package
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Common

Product

Polk Audio SIGNA S2
JBL Bar Studio

Model

SIGNA S2
Bar Studio

Brand

Polk Audio
JBL

Reviews

6669
828

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, Bluetooth
volume down, volume up, power, source

Audio features

Built-in channels

2.1
2.0

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

30

Separate speaker (in package)

0
0

Separate speaker connections

wireless
has not

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wireless
wireless

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
has not

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

0
0

NFC

HDMI input/output

1/0
1/0

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
0/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

1/0
1/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

0
0

Features

Voice control

App control

Microphone

Remote control

Multi-room

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II

DTS:X

DTS (other)

has not
has not

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

89.9 x 5.4 x 8.1/35.4 x 2.1 x 3.2
61.4 x 5.8 x 8.6/24.2 x 2.3 x 3.4

Weight, kg/pounds

1.4/3.1

Other

Release year

2018
2019
Polk Audio SIGNA S2
JBL Bar Studio
Polk Audio SIGNA S2
JBL Bar Studio

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5Polk Audio SIGNA S2
  • 5JBL Bar Studio

Polk Audio SIGNA S2 competitors

JBL Bar Studio competitors