The present review is aimed to compare two soundbars - JBL Bar 2.1 vs Yamaha YAS-108 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers. Based on our rating, Bar 2.1 has a total rating of 6 out of 10 versus 6.2 for YAS-108. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, source and input, mute, volume down, volume up, power, respectively.
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the JBL Bar 2.1 has 2.1 versus 2.0 for the Yamaha YAS-108. The output power is different and equal to 300 (overall) W for the Bar 2.1 versus 120 W for the YAS-108. Only the Yamaha YAS-108 has a built-in subwoofer. The Bar 2.1 has a wireless connection to separate subwoofer, and the YAS-108 - wired and wireless. Both models received our 7 rating of 10 for their audio features and specs.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Spotify support is available on the YAS-108.
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 Bar 2.1 received a rating of 8/10 versus 7/10, respectively.
App control is available for the YAS-108. A built-in microphone is present in each model. Soundbars do not have Multi-room support.
None of soundbars equipped with Dolby Atmos multichannel audio decoder. The soundbars do not support the surround sound technology DTS:X. For multichannel surround JBL Bar 2.1 got a rating of 4, and Yamaha YAS-108 5 out of 10.