- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Compared To Others
- Test Results
- Retailers
- Deals
- Discussions
Note 09/11/2020: Thanks to user input, we have verified the claim that this soundbar upmixes all content into 5.1.4 audio. If you're listening to a stereo file, it plays from the bar's front and top speakers as well as from the front and top of its satellites. Even files such as Dolby Digital play on all speakers, including its up-firing channels. That said, this verification doesn't impact our scoring.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is an impressive 5.1.4 setup. It has two detachable satellite speakers that can play your favorite audio wirelessly from anywhere in your room. Although we don't currently test for it, the satellites are advertised as having up to ten hours of continuous playback time and charge when reconnected to the bar or by micro-USB. There's also a subwoofer, which helps to give this bar a bit more thump and punch. The rest of the sound profile is very balanced, making it a good choice for any kind of content, from audiobooks to action flicks. It even has a full range of physical inputs so it supports Atmos and DTS, and there are several ways to connect to it wirelessly.
Our Verdict
The JBL Bar 9.1 is great for mixed use. It has a balanced sound profile right out-of-the-box with just a touch of extra bass, thanks to its subwoofer. Its detachable satellites also help to create a more immersive listening experience, whether you're listening to music or movies. While it can get loud enough for a large or crowded room, there's some compression at max volume. Still, it can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately, and you can stream podcasts or audiobooks directly to the bar via a variety of wireless connections.
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Well-balanced sound profile.
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Can get loud.
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Supports Atmos for an immersive experience.
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Completely wireless subs can play audio while charging.
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No graphic EQ and limited EQ presets.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is great for dialogue and TV shows. While it doesn't have a dialogue enhancement feature, it has a neutral sound profile capable of producing clear and accurate dialogue. It also has a lot of wireless connectivity options including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, and Apple AirPlay, so you can stream your favorite podcasts directly to the bar.
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Well-balanced sound profile.
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Full wireless connectivity options.
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Completely wireless subs can play audio while charging.
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No dialogue enhancement feature.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is very good for music. It has a balanced sound profile that, thanks to its subwoofer, packs a bit of bass. While it has limited sound enhancement features and there's no specific music EQ preset, you can still adjust the subwoofer level. Still, this bar can get loud enough to fill a large room or a crowded environment like a house party, although there's some compression at max volume. There's also a room correction feature that can further improve audio reproduction to fit the room you're in.
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Well-balanced sound profile.
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Can get loud.
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Completely wireless subs can play audio while charging.
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No graphic EQ and limited EQ presets.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is impressive for movies. It has a well-balanced sound profile with a touch of bass, so you're able to better feel each explosion in an action movie, and it can get loud enough to fill a large room. Its satellites also help to create a more immersive experience, especially for Atmos content, and it has excellent surround performance as well. That being said, this soundbar doesn't have many sound enhancement features like a graphic EQ, which some users may find limiting. There's also some compression at max volume.
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Well-balanced sound profile.
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Can get loud.
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Supports Atmos for an immersive experience.
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Completely wireless subs can play audio while charging.
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No graphic EQ and limited EQ presets.
- Mixed Usage
- Dialogue/TV Shows
- Music
- Movies
- Updated Mar 04, 2021: Updated latency measurements with new testing method.
- Updated Feb 09, 2021: Following user feedback, we updated the scores for 7.1 Rears and Rear Level Adjustment to "NO". This 5.1.4 setup doesn't offer rear speakers.
- Updated Feb 09, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Oct 23, 2020: Changed App support from 'Yes' to 'No'.
- Updated Oct 22, 2020: Verified the subwoofer level adjustment feature.
- Updated Sep 21, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
- Updated Sep 11, 2020: Verified audio upmixing claims made by a user.
- Updated Aug 10, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Aug 05, 2020: Early access published.
Compared To Other Soundbars
The JBL Bar 9.1 is an impressive 5.1.4 channel setup. It has two unique detachable satellites that are also truly wireless, so you can remove them from the sides of the soundbar and place them anywhere in the room. It also has a very balanced and neutral sound profile making it well-suited for a variety of audio content, and its surround performance rivals that of the Samsung HW-Q90R or the Vizio SB46514-F6. If you're looking for more soundbars, check out our recommendations for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, the best soundbars 5.1, and the best soundbars for movies.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The JBL comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, which help reproduce a more extended low-bass and a better surrounds performance. It also comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. However, you can also upgrade the Sonos as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900. The JBL comes with a dedicated sub and satellites. It has a better surrounds performance and reproduces a more extended low-bass. That said, the Bose is better built, with built-in voice assistant capabilities. You can also upgrade it with a Bose Bass Module and Surround Speakers for better performance.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Samsung gets louder, and it offers a better surrounds performance. It comes with more sound enhancement features, including bass and treble adjustments, a dialogue enhancement feature, and a graphic EQ. It also has built-in support for Amazon Alexa voice assistant. That said, the JBL is better built and has a better soundstage performance.
The Vizio Elevate is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Vizio has a somewhat more neutral sound profile, so it's suitable for lots of audio content. It also has a dialogue enhancement feature, which the JBL lacks. Its unique design, with left and right sides that rotate upwards, helps to create a wider soundstage. However, the JBL comes with a room correction feature and it's compatible with Apple AirPlay, unlike the Vizio.
The Samsung HW-Q950T is better than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Samsung is a 9.1.4 setup that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It can get louder with less thumping and compression artifacts and comes with a graphic EQand a dialogue enhancement feature. However, the JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that has a better build quality. Unlike the Samsung, the JBL uses detachable wireless satellite speakers to create a more immersive audio experience. It also has a better stereo soundstage performance.
The Samsung HW-Q900A is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Samsung gets louder with less compression at max volume, and it has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, including a dialogue enhancement mode, a graphic EQ, and bass and treble adjustments. That said, the JBL is better built, with better soundstage and surround performances. It also supports Chromecast built-in connectivity.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Klipsch Cinema 800. If you mostly listen to dialogue-centric content like TV shows, the Klipsch is a solid choice. It comes with a dialogue enhancement feature, unlike the JBL, and it also reproduces a more extended low-bass. However, the JBL is a bit more versatile. It's better built with discrete satellites, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it supports DTS content, too.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 700. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, and it supports Atmos content. It has a more extended low-bass and a more extended low-bass. Also, it comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. That said, the 3.0 Bose is better built, and you can also upgrade it to the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the standalone Sony HT-A7000. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that comes with a dedicated sub and satellites included. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It also gets louder, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. That said, the Sony is better built. You can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites for a better performance.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Sonos Beam. The JBL comes with a dedicated sub that reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it supports Atmos content. It has a better surrounds performance and more wireless playback options. Unlike the Sonos, it has EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. That said, only the Sonos has built-in voice assistant support. Some users may also prefer its more compact design.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Klipsch Cinema 1200. They're both very premium 5.1.4 setups with a versatile performance. The Klipsch can reproduce a more extended low-bass. However, the JBL is better built, with a better soundstage. Unlike the Klipsch, it also supports DTS content.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Klipsch Cinema 600 for most uses. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that's better-built and comes with dedicated surround speakers, so it has a better surrounds performance. It supports Atmos content and has a room correction feature and a Full HDMI In port. Also, it offers a better soundstage performance. That said, the 3.1 Klipsch comes with a dialogue enhancement feature.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a bit better for mixed usage than the Sony HT-ST5000. The JBL has a better soundstage, and its discrete surround speakers offer a better surrounds performance. It also gets louder and comes with more wireless playback options as well as a room correction feature. That said, the Sony is better-built, and it's also a better choice for dialogue-centric content thanks to its dialogue enhancement feature.
The Samsung HW-Q990B and the JBL Bar 9.1 are both very premium Dolby Atmos setups—however, the Samsung is better overall. The Samsung has better performances with surround sound and Dolby Atmos content, so sound effects in your favorite movies reproduce more accurately. It has more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ to customize its sound.
The JBL Bar 9.1 and the Samsung HW-Q930B are both really premium setups, and you can't go wrong with either one. The JBL's soundstage is better, and its unique truly wireless rear speakers are ideal if you don't want a lot of wires in your living room. That said, the Samsung comes with more sound enhancement features, like bass and treble adjustments as well as a graphic EQ to customize its sound.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the JBL Bar 9.1. Both are premium setups, but the Bose is better built with a better soundstage. It can also get a bit louder with less compression at max volume. However, only the JBL has DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high quality passthrough. Some users may also prefer the flexibility of its truly wireless satellite speakers.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better performing soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Bar 9.1 is a 5.1.4 setup with detachable wireless satellites and a more neutral and balanced sound profile. Its center and surround performances are much better too, and it supports Atmos as well as eARC. It also supports a wider array of audio formats over its physical inputs.
The JBL Bar 9.1 and the Samsung HW-Q800B are both very versatile 5.1 setups. Unlike the Samsung, the JBL comes with rear speakers, so it's better for surround sound. It has a better stereo soundstage, too. That said, the Samsung is a good alternative if you don't have room for rear satellites. It comes with more sound enhancement features, too.
The Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is a slightly better soundbar than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Sonos is better built, its height performance is better, and it has more sound enhancement features. However, the JBL has a better center channel performance. It also has more physical inputs as well as wireless playback options.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Bose is a better choice for dialogue and music, as it has a more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box with a more extended low-bass. It's also better built and has a better soundstage performance. However, the JBL is better for movies, as it supports Atmos content. It gets louder with less compression, offers some EQ presets, and has a Full HDMI In that supports 4k passthrough, too.
The JBL Bar 9.1 and the Sony HT-A7000 with Speakers + Bass Module are both premium soundbars, but the JBL is a bit better. The 5.1.4 JBL has better soundstage, center, and Atmos performances. It also gets louder than the Sony. That said, the Sony is better built.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam. The 9.1 comes with a dedicated sub and reproduces a more extended low-bass. Also, it has a better soundstage as well as a better surrounds performance thanks to its discrete satellite speakers. It's better for Atmos content, too. That said, the 5.0 MultiBeam can be connected to third-party voice assistant devices, unlike the 9.1.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better for mixed usage than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It has a better surrounds performance, and it can get louder. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass. There are even more wireless playback options to choose from, as well as a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. That said, if you prefer a more compact, standalone setup, the Sonos is still a solid choice. It's better built, and it even has built-in voice assistant support.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Samsung HW-Q800A. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that's better for movies thanks to its dedicated satellites that offer a better surrounds performance. It also has a better soundstage, as well as a room correction feature. However, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with a graphic EQ, bass and treble adjustments, and a dialogue enhancement feature. It also has built-in Amazon Alexa support.
The JBL Bar 9.1 and the LG S95QR are both very premium Dolby Atmos soundbars, but the JBL is a bit better for most uses. It has a better soundstage for a more immersive listening experience, and it gets louder. Its default sound is more neutral compared to the bass-heavy LG — however, the LG's bass and treble adjustments make it easy to customize its sound for a similar performance.
The LG SP11RA is a marginally better soundbar for mixed usage than the JBL Bar 9.1. The LG offers more sound enhancement features, including a dialogue enhancement feature. The JBL is better for movies since it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It also has more wireless playback options.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The JBL is better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better soundstage and surround performances, and it supports more wireless playback options. It even comes with a room correction feature. However, only the Polk Audio comes with a dialogue enhancement feature.
The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is better than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Vizio is a 5.1.2 setup that gets louder with less compression at max volume. Also, it comes with more sound enhancement features, like bass and treble adjustments and dialogue enhancement. However, the JBL is better built with more wireless playback options.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a discrete center channel. It gets louder than the Sony, and there's less compression when pushed to max volume. It can also reproduce a more extended low-bass. That said, the better-built Sony offers better soundstage and Atmos performances.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the LG SP9YA. The JBL has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. However, the LG has a slightly more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, and it comes with more sound enhancement features, including dialogue enhancement and bass and treble adjustments.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The 5.1.4 JBL comes with discrete satellites and offers better soundstage and surround performances. It has a room correction feature, and it supports more wireless playback options. Also, its low-bass is more extended. That said, the 3.1.2 Samsung has some more customization features, including bass and treble adjustments and a graphic EQ.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300. The JBL comes with a dedicated sub and satellite speakers, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. It has a better surround performance, and unlike the Harman/Kardon, it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also supports more wireless playback options.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better 5.1.4 soundbar than the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX. The JBL is better built, it's smaller, and its satellite speakers are completely wireless, which means they can be placed virtually anywhere you have room. It also sounds significantly more balanced and neutral, while its surround and height performances are better. However, the Sennheiser has three Full HDMI In ports, a parametric EQ, and it can get louder. It also has a companion app that you can use to control all the features of the soundbar. If you don't mind its bulky size, the Sennheiser is a good choice if you don't have the room for a full setup.
The LG SN11RG is a slightly better soundbar than the JBL Bar 9.1. The LG is a 7.1.4 setup that comes with more sound enhancement features and a companion app. That said, the JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a better soundstage performance.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-Z9F. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellite speakers, which help offer a better surround performance. Its bass is more extended, and it offers better soundstage and Atmos performances. It also has more wireless playback options and a room correction feature, which the 3.1 Sony lacks.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the LG SP8YA. The JBL is better-suited for movies. It's a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellites that offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. However, the 3.1.2 LG is more customizable. Unlike the JBL, it has a dialogue enhancement mode as well as bass and treble adjustments.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Sony HT-G700. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage and surround performances. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it supports more wireless playback options. Unlike the Sony, it also has a room correction feature. However, only the 3.1 Sony comes with a dialogue enhancement feature.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Samsung HW-Q600A. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that comes with dedicated satellites and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it supports more wireless playback features. It also has a room correction feature. However, only the Samsung has a dialogue enhancement mode and a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The JBL supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has more sound enhancement features like room correction and EQ presets. Its subwoofer helps reproduce a more extended low-bass, and its satellites help create a better surround performance. It also has a better soundstage. That said, only the Bose has built-in voice assistant capabilities.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Sony HT-A9. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a discrete subwoofer included. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, so you feel more thump and rumble in your audio. It also has better center and surround performances. However, the 4.0.4 Sony has a much better soundstage, and its Atmos performance is better. You can also upgrade it with a sub, sold separately.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that comes with a dedicated sub and satellites. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Bang & Olufsen, it comes with room correction and an Optical port. However, some listeners may prefer that the Bang & Olufsen comes with a graphic EQ.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Denon Home Sound Bar 500. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that comes with a dedicated sub, which helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it gets louder. It also supports more wireless playback options, and it has a room correction feature.
The Samsung HW-Q90R is better than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Samsung is a 7.1.4 setup that has a bit better balanced sound profile, it can get louder with fewer compression artifacts, and its height and surround performances are better too. It also has a graphic EQ as well as EQ presets, which some users may prefer. However, the JBL is a 5.1.4 setup has a better stereo soundstage, and it has an ethernet port too. It also has more wireless playback options.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q850A or the JBL Bar 9.1. The Samsung has built-in voice assistant support and a graphic EQ for sound customization. It also has a better surround performance. However, the JBL gets louder, and it has better soundstage and center performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, and it supports Chromecast built-in.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Samsung HW-Q900T. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellites and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It also comes with a room correction feature and more wireless playback support. However, the 7.1.2 Samsung gets louder, and it comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is marginally better for mixed usage than the LG SN9YG. The JBL comes with discrete satellite speakers, and it offers better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. However, the LG comes with more sound enhancement features, and it has built-in voice assistant support.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Bose Soundbar 500. Unlike the Bose, the JBL supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a dedicated sub and two satellites. It gets louder, and it has a better soundstage. Also, it comes with a Full HDMI In port that supports high-quality passthrough. However, only the Bose has built-in voice assistant support.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Yamaha YAS-209. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellites that supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. However, the 2.1 Yamaha is still a decent choice for listeners who prefer dialogue-centric content like TV shows as well as music.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch. The JBL offers a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some listeners may prefer. It has a better soundstage and more wireless connectivity options. Also, it comes with a room correction feature. However, some listeners may prefer that the Nakamichi comes with two subs and four satellites, and it has a better surrounds performance.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar for most uses than the LG SN10YG. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile suitable for a variety of audio content. It uses unique detachable satellite speakers, and it has a significantly better surround performance. You can even wirelessly stream audio to it using Apple AirPlay. However, the LG offers more sound enhancement features as well as two Full HDMI In ports.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a slightly better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q850T. The JBL has a better soundstage performance, and it performs better on its height and surrounds channels. It also has a room correction feature, and it has wireless playback capabilities with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast built-in. However, the Samsung has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, and it comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is much better than the Sony HT-X8500. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It's better built, and it gets louder. It also has better soundstage, center, surrounds, and Atmos performances. There are also more sound enhancement features available, including room correction.
The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is better than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Vizio reproduces a more extended low-bass, so you feel more thump and rumble in your audio. It gets louder, and it has a dialogue enhancement feature. However, the JBL is better-built with more wireless playback options. It has a better soundstage and a room correction feature.
The JBL Bar 9.1 and the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 are two very different setups: the JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a discrete subwoofer and satellites included, while the Bowers & Wilkins is a standalone bar. Overall, the JBL is a more versatile choice. It can reproduce more bass right out of the box, and it has better surrounds and Atmos performances. Also, it comes with more sound enhancement features.
The JBL Bar 9.1 and the Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 are both very versatile 5.1 soundbars with Dolby Atmos support. The JBL offers a better soundstage, and its surround performance is a bit better, too. That said, the Vizio offers a better value if you're shopping on a budget.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Sony HT-X9000F. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellites that's better-built. It has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. Some listeners may also prefer its more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Yamaha YAS-408. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that's better-built and comes with dedicated satellites. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it comes with more sound enhancement features. Unlike the Yamaha, it also supports Dolby Atmos content.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a slightly better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q800T. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup that comes with dedicated satellite speakers, so it offers a better surround performance. It also has better Atmos and soundstage performances, and it comes with a room correction feature. It even supports more wireless playback options. However, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with bass and treble adjustments as well as a graphic EQ for sound customization, and it has built-in support for Alexa voice assistant.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a better soundstage and eARC support. It has a more neutral sound out-of-the-box, especially compared to the Nakamichi's boomy, bass-heavy sound. That said, the Nakamichi is still a good choice for mixed usage overall.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q70T. The JBL is a 5.1.4 that comes with discrete satellite speakers and offers better surround, soundstage, and Atmos performances. It supports more wireless playback options, and it also comes with a room correction feature. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, too. That said, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with a graphic EQ to customize its sound, unlike the JBL.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Hisense HS218. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellites. It's better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. Also, it offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Also, it has some more sound enhancement features, like room correction.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a bit better for mixed usage than the LG SN8YG. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellites that help improve its surround performance. It's better-built, with a better soundstage, and it gets louder. That said, the 3.1.2 LG has more sound enhancement features and built-in voice assistant support.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better 5.1.4 setup than the Vizio SB46514-F6. While both soundbars are well-built, the JBL is a bit more balanced. It also has a significantly better THD and surround performance. There are also more physical inputs so it supports more audio formats, and you can even stream music to it using Apple AirPlay. Some users may prefer the completely wireless satellite speakers too. However, the Vizio has a better height performance and its companion app can control all of the bar's features, which is nice.
Test Results
The JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar is a sleek black bar with detachable satellite speakers. It has a metal top and front while its speakers are protected by a fine metal grill. Without the satellites attached, you can see their 4-pin connectors.
The subwoofer of this soundbar is elevated by four plastic peg legs as its speaker is located underneath. Its black melamine body helps to keep it sleek and minimal-looking.
The JBL Bar 9.1 uses truly wireless satellite speakers that are made from hard plastic and metal. They can be attached to the bar or placed around the room. Their furthest edges are curved with a metal grill-like mesh to protect the speakers, which also helps to give it a sleek look.
The JBL Bar 9.1 can fit between the legs of a 55" TV, provided you don't have its two satellite speakers connected to it. It's not too tall, so it shouldn't block out the bottom of your TV screen unless it sits flush on the table.
While the footprint of the subwoofer is pretty average-sized and is about the same as a standard desktop PC, it's a bit taller than most other subwoofers as it has small legs.
The satellites are long instead of tall, but they still have a small footprint. They're also completely wireless, so they don't need to be wired to anything to work, as long as they have battery life left.
The back of the JBL Bar 9.1 has one opening for the power cable and inputs. There are also universal holes on its underside if you want to wall-mount it. Luckily, JBL includes wall-mounting supplies like brackets, screws, and a template in-the-box, which is nice.
The back of the subwoofer is very plain. It has a port at the top of its back and the power cable is found below it.
The back of the JBL Bar 9.1's satellites have a small groove so you can add an adapter for attaching a bracket for wall-mounting them. The bracket, screws, and wall-mounting template are all included in-the-box.
The JBL Bar 9.1 has a great build quality. Its top and front sides are made of metal, which helps to protect its speakers while giving it a sleek look. While the rear and bottom are made of plastic, it feels sturdy and durable. The subwoofer, in comparison, sits elevated on four plastic pegs, as the speaker is located on its underside. It's made from melamine, which feels durable. The satellites are made from the same material as the bar and have similar metal grill-type mesh on its top, front, and sides. Both satellites are truly wireless and you can easily charge them by connecting back to the sides of the bar, or by micro-USB. You can even use them while charging, which is a handy feature.
- Remote with 2x AAA batteries
- HDMI cable
- Power cable for subwoofer
- 2x L-shape wall-mount brackets (for the main bar)
- 2x U-shape wall-mount brackets (for the satellites)
- Mounting screws
- Mounting template
- Manuals
The JBL Bar 9.1's stereo frequency response is great. When set to 'Standard' mode and with room correction on, the bass is present and thumpy, which is well-suited for action movies or bass-heavy music. The rest of the response is very accurate and neutral. If you don't like the way it sounds, there's also a few EQ presets that you can use to find the best sound for your needs. There's also a room correction feature available, which can help improve audio reproduction to better fit your room.
The JBL Bar 9.1's stereo soundstage is impressive. It seems to be about as wide as our testing table, which is a bit wider than the bar itself. The soundstage's focus is good, so you can easily pinpoint where sound is coming from.
Update 09/21/2020: We've discovered a value input bug that would cause the Dynamics box results to be slightly off. All soundbars reviewed since January 30th, 2020 have been updated.
The JBL Bar 9.1 has good stereo dynamics. It can get loud enough for a large room or a crowded environment like a house party. However, there's some thumping and compression artifacts present at max volume.
The JBL 9.1's THD performance is great. At a normal listening volume, there's a low amount of THD, resulting in clean and accurate sound. However, when pushed to max volume, there's a small jump in THD, particularly in the bass range. That being said, most people may not hear any harmonic distortion with real-life content.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a 5.1.4 setup with an outstanding center channel performance. Thanks to its dedicated center speaker, dialogue and vocals in your favorite content sound clear and accurate. It gets pretty loud, which is nice as well.
Update 02/09/2021We changed the score for 7.1 Rears from "YES" to "NO" since it's a 5.1.4 setup. This soundbar has left and right surround speakers, but it doesn't have additional rear speakers.
The JBL Bar 9.1 True Wireless Surround with Dolby Atmos' surround performance is amazing. Thanks to its 5.1.4 setup, it has dedicated surround speakers that produce an accurate localization of objects in its soundstage.
The JBL Bar 9.1's Atmos performance is passable. It plays sound from the bar's top speakers as well as its satellite speakers, which helps to bounce sound off the ceiling and reflect it back to the listener to create a more immersive experience. However, it doesn't sound as real as discrete up-firing speakers like those in a dedicated home theatre setup.
Update 02/09/2021We changed the score for Rear Level Adjustment from "YES" to "NO". This 5.1.4 setup comes with surround speakers, but it doesn't have any additional rear speakers.
Update 10/22/2020: We originally reported that this soundbar had a bass adjustment feature. However, this feature is only for the subwoofer and not the bar. We have updated this review to reflect these changes.
The JBL Bar 9.1 has decent sound enhancement features. Unlike the Samsung HW-Q950T or the Samsung HW-Q850T, it doesn't have a graphic EQ, and unlike the Vizio Elevate and the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR, it doesn't have a dialogue enhancement feature. However, it has three EQ presets: 'Smart Mode' for rich sound effects, 'Standard', and 'Night Mode'. While it doesn't have a dialogue enhancement feature, the manufacturer recommends using the 'Standard' EQ to help reduce sound effects. There's also a room correction feature, which can further improve audio reproduction, as well as rear and height levels. You can adjust the subwoofer level too.
The JBL Bar 9.1 has several physical inputs and you can even use it as a hub for multiple devices like a gaming system and your TV. However, while there's a USB port, USB playback is only available on the US version of this soundbar. All other regional versions can only use the USB for updating the soundbar's firmware.
Thanks to its HDMI ARC port, it can support all common formats. It also supports eARC, so it can play object-based surround signals and lossless formats.
Thanks to its Full HDMI In port, you can use the JBL Bar 9.1 as a hub between external devices like a Blu-ray disc player and your TV. It supports all common audio formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS content too, which is great for movie lovers.
The JBL Bar 9.1 soundbar supports Dolby Digital and DTS content via its optical port. This content is usually found on streaming content as well as Blu-ray discs.
Update 03/04/2021: We updated our methodology for testing latency. After retesting this soundbar, we've updated our results.
The JBL Bar 9.1 has incredible wireless playback options. No matter how you like to wirelessly stream content, you can cast it to the soundbar without a problem.
The JBL Bar 9.1 can be used as a hub between your TV and another source like your PC to play 4k content at 60Hz. Text looks crisp and clear on a 4k TV.
The subwoofer connects wirelessly to the bar but it still needs to be connected to a power source.
The JBL Bar 9.1's satellites are completely wireless and don't require a power cable at all. They're advertised to last up to 10 hours before they need to be recharged, and they can be recharged by connecting them back to the bar or by micro-USB. They can also play audio while charging.
The JBL Bar 9.1's interface is located behind the metal mesh grill. It displays the volume level, as well as subwoofer and rear levels. It can also tell you when pairing via Bluetooth, and it can alert you when the satellites are low on battery.
The bar has controls on its top side. From here, you can turn the bar on/off, adjust volume, and switch inputs.
The JBL Bar 9.1 has a simple remote. You can use it to control most of the soundbar's functions including volume and power. However, you can't switch EQ presets and you won't be able to track skip or play/pause your audio.
Unlike the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, the JBL Bar 9.1 doesn't have built in voice assistant capabilities.
Update 10/23/2020: We originally reported that this soundbar uses Google Home as its companion app. While it can be used with this bar, we now don't consider this to be a companion app as it offers very limited functionality.
This soundbar doesn't have a dedicated app. You can pair it with the Google Home app, but it isn't specifically designed for this bar, and it doesn't really control much of the bar's features. You can control the volume level as well as cast audio files from your mobile device. Unfortunately, that's about it.
If the JBL Bar 9.1 is inactive for more than 10 minutes, the bar and subwoofer switch into standby mode. Ten minutes later, the detachable speakers also go into standby mode and its status indicator turns off as it's no longer connected to the bar wirelessly. Thanks to its HDMI CEC support, you can also control basic functions of the soundbar with your TV remote too, which is nice.
