Bose Soundbar 700 vs JBL Bar 2.1

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Votes 2 2
Rating 5 5

Soundbar 700 vs Bar 2.1 comparison chart

Overall
Bose Soundbar 700
6.6
JBL Bar 2.1
6
8
8
Multichannel surround
4
4

Bose Soundbar 700 vs JBL Bar 2.1 review

Bose Soundbar 700
vs
JBL Bar 2.1

Let's take a look at the comparison between Bose Soundbar 700 and JBL Bar 2.1. It will become clear that among these two devices, the Soundbar 700 is more suitable for the role of a home soundbar. According to the results of our comparison, Soundbar 700 received 6.6 points out of 10 possible, and Bar 2.1 was rated 6 points.

Advantages Bose Soundbar 700 over JBL Bar 2.1

  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • App for remote control

Advantages JBL Bar 2.1 over Bose Soundbar 700

  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Supports external media connection via USB

Audio features

The Soundbar 700 is rated 6 of 10 against 7 for the Bar 2.1 according to the audio features rating.

Soundbar 700
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 700 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 700 has 3.0 channels, while the Bar 2.1 has 2.1 channels.

Soundbar 700 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. Bose Soundbar 700 has the ability to handle wired and wireless connections from an external subwoofer, while JBL Bar 2.1 only has wireless connections.

Soundbar 700 Bar 2.1
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswired, wirelesswireless

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 700
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. 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.

Soundbar 700 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 700
9
Bar 2.1
0

The popular Spotify service is available on the Soundbar 700.

Soundbar 700 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. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Bose Soundbar 700 was rated 6 out of 10, and JBL Bar 2.1 was rated 8 out of 10.

Soundbar 700
6
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 700 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.

Soundbar 700 Bar 2.1
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)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/01/0
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 Soundbar 700 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 700 Bar 2.1
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Soundbar 700 Bar 2.1
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in97.8 x 5.6 x 10.6 /38.5 x 2.2 x 4.296.5 x 5.8 x 6.8/38 x 2.3 x 2.7
Weight, kg/pounds4.5/10.51.9/4.1
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