JBL BAR 500 vs Polk Audio Signa S3

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Votes 2 2
Rating 4.5 4.5

BAR 500 vs Signa S3 comparison chart

Overall
JBL BAR 500
8.6
Polk Audio Signa S3
6.4
9
9
Multichannel surround
7
4

JBL BAR 500 vs Polk Audio Signa S3 review

JBL BAR 500
vs
Polk Audio Signa S3

Comparing JBL BAR 500 and Polk Audio Signa S3 makes sense because it shows what devices in their segment can offer. BAR 500 offers better sound and bass than its opponent - Signa S3. According to the results of our comparison, BAR 500 received 8.6 points out of 10 possible, and Signa S3 was rated 6.4 points.

Advantages JBL BAR 500 over Polk Audio Signa S3

  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology

Advantages Polk Audio Signa S3 over JBL BAR 500

  • We do not know advantages

Audio features

The BAR 500 is rated 7 of 10 against 4 for the Signa S3 according to the audio features rating.

BAR 500
7
Signa S3
4

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 500 and the Signa S3.

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 500 has 5.1 channels, while the Signa S3 has 2.1 channels.

BAR 500 Signa S3
Built-in channels5.12.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W620 (overall)N/A
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionshas nothas 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. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

BAR 500 Signa S3
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 500 received rating 7 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Signa S3, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.

BAR 500
7
Signa S3
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 JBL BAR 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.

BAR 500 Signa S3
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. The streaming services category rating is the same - 10 out of 10 points.

BAR 500
10
Signa S3
10

The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars. The streaming audio from Pandora, SoundCloud, it is possible to listen to each of soundbars.

BAR 500 Signa S3
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora, SoundCloudPandora, SoundCloud

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 500 was rated 10 out of 10, and Polk Audio Signa S3 was rated 5 out of 10.

BAR 500
10
Signa S3
5

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 BAR 500 has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Signa S3 got 1/0 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.

BAR 500 Signa S3
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output1/11/0
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)0/00/0
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.

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. 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.

BAR 500 Signa S3
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

BAR 500 Signa S3
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in101.7x5.6x10.3/40x2.2x489.8x5.6x8.3/35.3x2.1x3.2
Weight, kg/pounds2.8/6.22.9/6
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