Sonos Playbar VS JBL Bar 5.1
Sonos Playbar
  • Brand - Sonos
  • APP CONTROL - true
  • REMOTE CONTROL - false
JBL Bar 5.1
  • Brand - JBL
  • APP CONTROL - true
  • REMOTE CONTROL - true

JBL Bar 5.1 vs Sonos Playbar: which is best?

Sonos Playbar vs JBL Bar 5.1

Features

Taking a look at Sonos Playbar vs JBL Bar 5.1 features we can see that both soundbars have the same supported channel quantity of 5.1. At the same time, Sonos beats JBL with its 5.1 Built-in channels versus JBL’s 3.0.

No one boasts Built-in subwoofer, however, JBL has a Separate one (in the package) compare to Sonos.

Concerning streaming services here JBL has Apple Music (AirPlay), Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Spotify and other streaming services like Chromecast, Pandora, TuneIn, Deezer.

Sonos just has Apple Music (AirPlay), Spotify and other streaming services like SoundCloud, Pandora, Tuneln.

None of them have Voice control. But Sonos has the Connectivity with WI-FI, while JBL with Bluetooth.

Another disadvantage is that not the first contender nor the second has Multichannel surround (Dolby Atmos and DTS:X).

Design

If you’re mounting Sonos on the wall, you’ll see a much wider swathe of gray-metal, but you’ll also see the logo prominently. As with many of their products, the Sonos logo on the Playbar can be read perfectly front to back, back to front, or even upside down. So, no matter how you have it oriented, it won’t look odd. The flat rubber strips that act as feet for the unit to sit on also look good, forgoing the usual four-point system for something a little sleeker. This actually serves to block any cables running behind the speaker, hiding them from sight. Sonos clearly paid a lot of attention to design when building the soundbar.

The JBL Bar 5.1 is surprisingly cheap-looking for its price tag. It's mostly plastic in its design, and while it feels robust, the buttons and screen aren’t as slick as you’ll find on competitors.

Pros & Cons

Sonos Playbar

VS

Pros

    • The special Sonos application has all the useful features.
    • The output sound is properly balanced and clear

Cons

    • You may experience the volume imbalance issue

JBL Bar 5.1

VS

Pros

    • Truly wireless 5.1 surround sound.
    • Easy to set up and use.
    • Impressive vocal clarity.

Cons

    • The music feels flat.
    • Plastic design.

Specifications

Specification Sonos Playbar JBL Bar 5.1
Streaming Services
Amazon Music
Google Play Music
Apple Music (airplay)
Other Streaming Services SoundCloud, Pandora, Tuneln Chromecast, Pandora, Tuneln, Deezer
Spotify
Connectivity
Optical Digital Input/output 1 1
Hdmi Arc 1
Hdmi Input/output 3/0
Ethernet (rj45) 2
Subwoofer Output - 1
Bluetooth
Headphone Output
Wi-fi
Analog Audio Input/output (rca) 1/0
Coaxial Digital Input/output
Usb 1
Features
Microphone
App Control
Voice Control
Multi-room
Remote Control
Audio Features
Supported Channel Quantity 5.1 5.1
Built-in Channels 3.0 5.1
Amplification Type active active
Separate Speaker Connections wireless wireless
Separate Speaker (in Package) 2
Dimensions
Weight, Kg/pounds 5.4/11.9 3.9/8.6 (4.5/9.9 with detachable speakers)
Size (h X W X D), Cm/in 3.3 x 35.4 x 5.5/8.5 x 90 x 14 5.8 x 114.8 x 9.3/2.3 x 45 x 3.7 (5.8 x 131.3 x 9.3/2.3 x 51.7 x 3.7 with detachable speakers)
User Manual
Manual playbar.pdf bar-5-1.pdf
General
Soundbar Buttons play/pause, volume up, volume down power, volume down, volume up, input
Connection To Source wired, wireless wired, wireless
Placement Type table-top table-top, wall-mountable
Subwoofer
Separate Subwoofer Connections wireless wireless
Separate Subwoofer (in Package) 1
Built-in Subwoofer
Multichannel Surround
Dts:x
Dolby Atmos

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