LG SL5Y vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

Votes 36 36
Rating 3.6 3.6

LG SL5Y vs JBL Bar 2.1 comparison chart

LG SL5Y vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

LG SL5Y
vs
JBL Bar 2.1

The present review is aimed to compare two soundbars - LG SL5Y vs JBL Bar 2.1 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers. Based on our rating, SL5Y has a total rating of 5 out of 10 versus 6 for Bar 2.1. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, function and power, volume down, volume up, source, respectively.

Audio features

Both soundbars have active amplification type. Soundbars have the same number of channels on 2.1. The output power is different and equal to 400 (overall) W for the SL5Y versus 300 (overall) W for the 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.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Spotify support not implemented in both soundbars.

Connectivity

Only the JBL Bar 2.1 can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. Each soundbar has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. Both soundbars have a USB connector. For connectivity, the SL5Y received a rating of 7/10 versus 8/10, respectively. Compared soundbars have no app control. 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 LG SL5Y got a rating of 6, and JBL Bar 2.1 4 out of 10.

Advantages JBL Bar 2.1 over LG SL5Y

  • WI-FI enabled
  • Microphone
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Common

Product

LG SL5Y
JBL Bar 2.1

Model

SL5Y
Bar 2.1

Brand

LG
JBL

Reviews

379
548

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, function
power, volume down, volume up, source

Audio features

Built-in channels

2.1
2.1

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

400 (overall)
300 (overall)

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)

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
has not

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

0
0

NFC

HDMI input/output

1/1
1/1

HDMI ARC

HDMI eARC

HDMI CEC

Optical digital input/output

1/0
1/0

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
0/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

0/0
1/0

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)

DTS Virtual:X
has not

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

89 x 5.5 x 8.6/35. x 2.2 x 3.4
96.5 x 5.8 x 6.8/38 x 2.3 x 2.7

Weight, kg/pounds

2.3/5.2
1.9/4.1

Other

Release year

2019
2019
LG SL5Y
JBL Bar 2.1
LG SL5Y
JBL Bar 2.1

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 5
  • 6
  • 5LG SL5Y
  • 6JBL Bar 2.1