JBL Bar 9.1
Score: 77/100
JBL Bar 500
Score: 81/100Rankings
The JBL Bar 500 delivers a compelling 5.1-channel experience with Dolby Atmos, strong total power and a wireless subwoofer, while offering a wide range of streaming and smart-home integrations. Its sleek design and app-driven setup make it user-friendly, though the lack of true rear speakers and occasional firmware issues may deter audiophiles.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a premium 5.1.4 soundbar system with detachable wireless surrounds, delivering immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with thunderous bass. Its build quality and audio performance are top-tier, though the single HDMI input, heat generation, and limited remote lighting are drawbacks.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
820 Wbest | 590 W | |
34 Hz | 35 Hzbest | |
20,000 Hzbest | 20,000 Hzbest | |
1best | 1best | |
1best | — | |
4.2 | 5best | |
| ↓ lower better | 20.645 kg | 12.8 kgbest |
3 months | 12 monthsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Overall Weight (kg) | 20.645 kg | 12.8 kg |
Warranty & Support(1) | ||
Warranty Period (months) | 3 months | 12 months |
Power & Energy(1) | ||
Standby Power Consumption (W) | 0.5 W | 2.0 W |
Audio(4) | ||
Channel Configuration | 5.1.4 | 5.1 |
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X | Dolby Atmos |
Total Power Output (W) | 820 W | 590 W |
Frequency Response (Low) (Hz) | 34 Hz | 35 Hz |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers (PCMag) rate the JBL Bar 9.1 as exemplary, praising its thunderous bass and immersive Atmos, while noting the high price, limited HDMI ports, and heat issues.
Everyday users love the sound quality and wireless surrounds, but mention HDMI CEC quirks, a dark remote, and heat buildup.
Professional reviewers praise the Bar 500 for its effective MultiBeam virtualization, deep bass from the 10" subwoofer, and hassle-free integration with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and voice assistants, while noting that virtual surround cannot fully replace true discrete rear speakers and HDMI eARC can be temperamental on some TVs.
Everyday users appreciate the powerful sound, strong bass and easy app-driven setup, highlighting the wireless subwoofer and broad streaming options as major strengths, but complain about the missing AUX input, Bluetooth latency and occasional firmware-related shutdowns.
“Best soundbar I've ever heard”
“Helicopter flyovers and overhead effects are realistic and three-dimensional”
