JBL Bar Studio vs Samsung HW-R550

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Bar Studio vs HW-R550 comparison chart

Overall
JBL Bar Studio
5
Samsung HW-R550
5
4
4
Multichannel surround
5
4

JBL Bar Studio vs Samsung HW-R550 review

JBL Bar Studio
vs
Samsung HW-R550

Let's compare JBL Bar Studio and Samsung HW-R550 for an overview of all their audio functions. We fairly judged the compared soundbars for their performance and both received a 5 out of 10 points.

Advantages JBL Bar Studio over Samsung HW-R550

  • We do not know advantages

Advantages Samsung HW-R550 over JBL Bar Studio

  • Separate subwoofer provided

Audio features

The Bar Studio is rated 5 of 10 against 7 for the HW-R550 according to the audio features rating.

Bar Studio
5
HW-R550
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 Bar Studio and the HW-R550.

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 Studio has 2.0 channels, while the HW-R550 has 2.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, JBL Bar Studio has 30 W, and 320 (overall) W has the competitor.

Bar Studio HW-R550
Built-in channels2.02.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W30320 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionshas notwireless

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 HW-R550 comes with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

Bar Studio HW-R550
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 Studio received rating 5 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HW-R550, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.

Bar Studio
5
HW-R550
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. If we look at the models in terms of Dolby Atmos support, then none of these soundbars can work with this technology.

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 Studio HW-R550
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIDolby 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.

Bar Studio
0
HW-R550
0

None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service cannot be used on both soundbars.

Bar Studio HW-R550
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas nothas 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 Studio was rated 6 out of 10, and Samsung HW-R550 was rated 7 out of 10.

Bar Studio
6
HW-R550
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. 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 Bar Studio has 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HW-R550 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.

Bar Studio HW-R550
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
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)1/00/0
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. In our case, the ability to control the soundbar using the app is not implemented in any of the competitors. 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.

Bar Studio HW-R550
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Bar Studio HW-R550
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in61.4 x 5.8 x 8.6/24.2 x 2.3 x 3.489 x 5 x 7.6/35.6 x 2.2 x 3.2
Weight, kg/pounds1.4/3.12.2/4.9
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