Products
JBL Bar 9.1
Vizio Elevate
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
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Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 07, 2025 07:38 PM
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Channels
5.1.4
Channels
5.1.4
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 9.1
Vizio Elevate
JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Vizio Elevate. The JBL has a somewhat more balanced default sound profile, so it's suitable for a wider variety of audio content. It also offers better center channel and surround performance, though both bars have a similarly wide soundstage. It also has a room correction feature and is compatible with Apple AirPlay, unlike the Vizio. The Vizio comes with more sound enhancement options, like bass and treble adjustment and a dialogue enhancement mode.
Variants
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
- Elevate (Black)
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Elevate
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Elevate
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Elevate
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Elevate
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.9
7.5
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.2
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Center
8.6
7.4
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
34.8" (88.4 cm)
48.1" (122.2 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.7" (6.8 cm)
Depth
4.7" (11.9 cm)
6.5" (16.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
10.9" (27.6 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
15.5" (39.4 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
13.8" (35.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
6.8" (17.3 cm)
2.9" (7.3 cm)
Height
2.2" (5.6 cm)
5.9" (15.1 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
3.7" (9.4 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.4
5.1.4
Tested Preset
Standard
Direct
Slope
-0.31
-0.82
Standard Error
2.63 dB
6.43 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
25.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.1
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
3
-10
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
-1
Slope
-0.31
-0.22
Standard Error
2.63 dB
3.15 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
7.5
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
92.5 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.97 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.10 dB
2.92 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
THD
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.22
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.73
Center
8.6
7.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.03
-0.25
Std. Err.
2.62 dB
5.18 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
90.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.29
0.43
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.60
1.54
Surround 5.1
7.7
7.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.38
-0.83
Std. Err.
4.10 dB
4.42 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.8 dB SPL
92.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.23
0.51
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.79
1.43
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 & Satellites)
Slope
-1.44
-2.14
Std. Err.
5.40 dB
5.78 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.7 dB SPL
85.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.04
1.20
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.63
0.51
Sound Enhancement Features
6.2
7.4
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
1
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
5.0
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
106 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
112 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
148 ms
Dolby Digital
178 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
156 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
146 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.1
4.8
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
112 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
116 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
111 ms
Dolby Digital
198 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
160 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
174 ms
ARC
53 ms
Optical
47 ms
Full HDMI In
-53 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
6.7
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
160 ms
Dolby Digital
199 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
6.3
8.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
30Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
Yes
Apple AirPlay
Yes
No
Spotify Connect
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Elevate
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Elevate
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Elevate
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Black
Elevate
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
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JBL Bar 9.1
Vizio Elevate
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JBL Bar 9.1 vs Vizio Elevate: Main Discussion
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