Bose Soundbar 500 vs JBL Bar 2.1

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Soundbar 500 vs Bar 2.1 comparison chart

Overall
Bose Soundbar 500
7.4
JBL Bar 2.1
6
8
8
Multichannel surround
4
4

Bose Soundbar 500 vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

Bose Soundbar 500
vs
JBL Bar 2.1

Let's take a look at the comparison between Bose Soundbar 500 and JBL Bar 2.1. It will become clear that among these two devices, the Soundbar 500 is more suitable for the role of a home soundbar. According to the results of our comparison, Soundbar 500 received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Bar 2.1 was rated 6 points.

Advantages Bose Soundbar 500 over JBL Bar 2.1

  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • App for remote control

Advantages JBL Bar 2.1 over Bose Soundbar 500

  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Available the Apple Music service

Audio features

The Soundbar 500 is rated 6 of 10 against 7 for the Bar 2.1 according to the audio features rating.

Soundbar 500
6
Bar 2.1
7

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the Soundbar 500 and the Bar 2.1.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the Soundbar 500 has 3.0 channels, while the Bar 2.1 has 2.1 channels.

Soundbar 500 Bar 2.1
Built-in channels3.02.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, WN/A300 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionswirelesshas not

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. The Bar 2.1 comes with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

Soundbar 500 Bar 2.1
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The multichannel sound reproduction capabilities of the soundbars were rated 4 out of 10.

Soundbar 500
4
Bar 2.1
4

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Bose Soundbar 500.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.

Soundbar 500 Bar 2.1
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)has nothas not

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

Soundbar 500
10
Bar 2.1
0

The popular Spotify service is available on the Soundbar 500.

Soundbar 500 Bar 2.1
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora,Tuneln, Deezer, iHeart, SiriusXMhas not

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. Connectivity of competitors was rated 8 out of 10.

Soundbar 500
8
Bar 2.1
8

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on both devices.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The Soundbar 500 has 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Bar 2.1 got 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

Soundbar 500 Bar 2.1
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)10
NFC
HDMI input/output1/01/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/01/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room. The voice control feature is implemented in each of the compared soundbars.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Soundbar 500 has its own remote control application. Both soundbars have a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

Soundbar 500 Bar 2.1
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Soundbar 500 Bar 2.1
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in80 x 4.3 x 10.1/31.5 x 1.7 x 496.5 x 5.8 x 6.8/38 x 2.3 x 2.7
Weight, kg/pounds3.1/71.9/4.1
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