Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 vs JBL Bar 5.1

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 vs Bar 5.1 comparison chart

Overall
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
8.2
JBL Bar 5.1
7.2
4
5
Multichannel surround
10
4

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 vs JBL Bar 5.1 review

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
vs
JBL Bar 5.1

Comparison of Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 and JBL Bar 5.1 will allow us to get comprehensive information about the features of these two devices. And as a result of the comparison, it becomes clear that Bar 5.1 is inferior in all characteristics to Shockwafe Ultra 9.2. According to the results of our comparison, Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Bar 5.1 was rated 7.2 points.

Advantages Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 over JBL Bar 5.1

  • Comes with 4 separate speakers
  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support

Advantages JBL Bar 5.1 over Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2

  • Voice control supports
  • App for remote control

Audio features

The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 is rated 10 of 10 against 8 for the Bar 5.1 according to the audio features rating.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
10
Bar 5.1
8

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 Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 and the Bar 5.1.

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 Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 has 9.2.4 channels, while the Bar 5.1 has 5.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 has 1000 (overall) W, and 510 (overall) W has the competitor.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Bar 5.1
Built-in channels9.2.45.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W1000 (overall)510 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)42
Separate speaker connectionswiredwireless

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.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Bar 5.1
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 Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Bar 5.1, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
10
Bar 5.1
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 Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.

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 Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Bar 5.1
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital, Dolby TruHDDolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Digital Surround, DTS HDhas not

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 Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received 9 points, and the Bar 5.1 - 10 on a 10-point scale.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
9
Bar 5.1
10

The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Bar 5.1
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora, SoundCloudPandora, Tuneln, Deezer, Chromecast

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.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
8
Bar 5.1
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. Such connection as via Wi-Fi is not possible on any of the devices in comparison.

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 Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 has 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Bar 5.1 got 3/0 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.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Bar 5.1
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output3/13/0
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output1/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)1/01/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output01

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.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Bar 5.1 has its own remote control application. None of these 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.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Bar 5.1
Voice controlAmazon Alexa
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Bar 5.1
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in114.3 x 7.6 x 7.6/45.5 x 3 x 3.5114.8 x 5.8 x 9.3/45 x 2.3 x 3.7
Weight, kg/pounds3.1/7.23.9/8.6
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