Products
JBL Bar 9.1
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
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Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 11, 2024 02:49 PM
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Channels
5.1.4
Channels
3.1.2
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 9.1
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3
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.
Variants
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
- Panorama 3 (Black)
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Panorama 3
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Walmart.com
Black
Panorama 3
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B&H
Black
Bar 9.1
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B&H
Black
Panorama 3
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Panorama 3
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.9
6.7
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
6.9
Surround 5.1
7.7
4.2
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
6.5
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
6.6
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
Integrated
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
34.8" (88.4 cm)
47.4" (120.3 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)
Depth
4.7" (11.9 cm)
5.3" (13.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
N/A
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
6.8" (17.3 cm)
N/A
Height
2.2" (5.6 cm)
N/A
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.0 m (3.3 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Integrated
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
6.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.31
-0.78
Std. Err.
2.63 dB
4.33 dB
Channels
5.1.4
3.1.2
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.1
7.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
3
-1
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
4
Slope
-0.31
0.10
Std. Err.
2.63 dB
3.70 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
52.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
6.6
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
98.4 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.10 dB
5.17 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
8.0
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.22
0.31
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.73
1.75
Center
8.6
8.0
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.03
-0.76
Std. Err.
2.62 dB
4.30 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.29
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.60
1.21
Surround 5.1
7.7
4.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.38
-0.85
Std. Err.
4.10 dB
3.99 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.8 dB SPL
98.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.23
0.29
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.79
1.87
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
5.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.44
1.30
Std. Err.
5.40 dB
5.09 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.7 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.04
2.16
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.63
0.35
Sound Enhancement Features
6.2
1.0
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
eARC
No
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
8.8
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
No
DTS:X
Supported
No
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Supported
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
No
DTS
Supported
No
DTS:X
Supported
No
DTS-HD MA
Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
6.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
8.1
8.5
Latency Video
ARC
53 ms
63 ms
Optical
47 ms
22 ms
Full HDMI In
-53 ms
N/A
Video Passthrough To TV
6.3
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Wireless Playback
10
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
No
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
Yes
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
Bowers & Wilkins Music
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Panorama 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Panorama 3
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Panorama 3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Black
Panorama 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
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JBL Bar 9.1
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3
Comments
JBL Bar 9.1 vs Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3: Main Discussion
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