JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-Q90R

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Bar 5.1 vs HW-Q90R comparison chart

Overall
JBL Bar 5.1
7.2
Samsung HW-Q90R
8.2
5
10
Multichannel surround
4
10

JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-Q90R review

JBL Bar 5.1
vs
Samsung HW-Q90R

Choosing a soundbar is not an easy task and the JBL Bar 5.1 vs Samsung HW-Q90R comparison is meant to help you with that. As a result, it is clear that HW-Q90R is much better designed and has a better sound performance than Bar 5.1. According to the results of our comparison, Bar 5.1 received 7.2 points out of 10 possible, and HW-Q90R was rated 8.2 points.

Advantages JBL Bar 5.1 over Samsung HW-Q90R

  • Available the Amazon Music service

Advantages Samsung HW-Q90R over JBL Bar 5.1

  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support
  • Possible to create a multi-room system
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • Built-in microphone

Audio features

The Bar 5.1 is rated 8 of 10 against 9 for the HW-Q90R according to the audio features rating.

Bar 5.1
8
HW-Q90R
9

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 Bar 5.1 and the HW-Q90R.

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 Bar 5.1 has 5.1 channels, while the HW-Q90R has 7.1.4 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, JBL Bar 5.1 has 510 (overall) W, and 512 (overall) W has the competitor.

Bar 5.1 HW-Q90R
Built-in channels5.17.1.4
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W510 (overall)512 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)22
Separate speaker connectionswirelesswireless

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. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

Bar 5.1 HW-Q90R
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 Bar 5.1 received rating 4 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HW-Q90R, in the same category, earned 10 out of 10 points.

Bar 5.1
4
HW-Q90R
10

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 Samsung HW-Q90R.

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. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in HW-Q90R.

Bar 5.1 HW-Q90R
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)has notDTS Digital Surround

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the Bar 5.1 received 10 points, and the HW-Q90R - 5 on a 10-point scale.

Bar 5.1
10
HW-Q90R
5

The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.

Bar 5.1 HW-Q90R
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora, Tuneln, Deezer, Chromecasthas 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. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: JBL Bar 5.1 was rated 8 out of 10, and Samsung HW-Q90R was rated 7 out of 10.

Bar 5.1
8
HW-Q90R
7

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 the HW-Q90R.

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 Bar 5.1 has 3/0 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HW-Q90R got 2/1 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.

Bar 5.1 HW-Q90R
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output3/02/1
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)1/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output10

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 ability to control the soundbar using the application is implemented in each of the competitors. Only Samsung HW-Q90R has 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. The HW-Q90R has the ability to use a multiroom system.

Bar 5.1 HW-Q90R
Voice controlAmazon AlexaAmazon Alexa
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Bar 5.1 HW-Q90R
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in114.8 x 5.8 x 9.3/45 x 2.3 x 3.7122.4 x 8.1 x 13.4/48.2 x 3.2 x 5.3
Weight, kg/pounds3.9/8.68.7/19.4
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