Soundbar
Products
In The Lab
Forums
Deals
New
Join now
Best
Soundbars Budget Subwoofer Samsung All-In-One Dolby Atmos Under $200 Under $500 Music Small Bose Dialogue Under $300 LG Vizio Sonos Under $100 5.1 Sony Movies
Tools
Compare Results Table Tool Review List Review Index Graph Review Pipeline Vote Custom Ratings
Popular
Samsung HW-Q990F Hisense AX5140Q Samsung HW-Q990H JBL Bar 1000MK2 Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Samsung HW-B750F Samsung HW-Q600F Samsung HW-Q800H Klipsch Flexus Core 300 TCL S55H Samsung HW-S60D JBL Bar 500MK2 Sonos Arc Ultra Samsung HW-Q800F Ultimea Skywave X100 Dual JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 Samsung HW-Q900H Samsung HW-Q990D Hisense HS2100
256 Soundbars bought and tested
Supported by you via membership, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare

JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The Box
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalAudio Latency: ARCAudio Latency: HDMI InAudio Latency: OpticalVideo Passthrough To TVWireless Playback
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants Support
    Comments

Products

JBL Bar 9.1
Sonos Arc

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 10, 2026 11:00 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jun 10, 2026 11:02 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon
JBL Bar 9.1 Picture

Track

Sonos Arc Picture

Track

Channels
5.1.4
Channels
5.0.2

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 9.1

Sonos Arc

The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The JBL has a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, which reproduce a more extended low-bass and a better surround performance. It also comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. However, you can also upgrade the Sonos to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers or the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc for better performance.

GIFT THIS COMPARISON

0 

Variants

  • Bar 9.1 (Black)
  • Arc (Black)
  • Arc SL (Shadow Edition)

Review

See JBL Bar 9.1 Review
See Sonos Arc Review
0 
3 

Check Price

Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Arc
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Shadow Edition
Arc SL
SEARCH
Amazon
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
B&H
White
Arc
SEE PRICE
Sonos
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
JBL
 
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
Staples.com
 
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

0.0
0.0
JOIN NOW  to see main differences

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response  

JBL Bar 9.1 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small  

JBL Bar 9.1 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

JBL Bar 9.1 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

JBL Bar 9.1 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

JBL Bar 9.1 THD Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc THD Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

JBL Bar 9.1 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

JBL Bar 9.1 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response  

JBL Bar 9.1 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked
Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

ARC Latency Video  

JBL Bar 9.1 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Sonos Arc ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

JBL Bar 9.1 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Sonos Arc HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Latency Video  

JBL Bar 9.1 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Sonos Arc Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

Lock ms

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

JBL Bar 9.1 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

Sonos Arc Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Locked
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Display 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sonos Arc Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Locked

Check Price

Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Arc
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Shadow Edition
Arc SL
SEARCH
Amazon
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
B&H
White
Arc
SEE PRICE
Sonos
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
JBL
 
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
Staples.com
 
Back to Top

JBL Bar 9.1

Sonos Arc

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.

See All Home Entertainment Discussions
 Share
0 
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via Membership (which gives you access to extra features), when you buy RTINGS.com Merch, and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. See what products we currently have for sale.
© 2026 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved.