Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX vs JBL Bar 9.1: Which Soundbar Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 10, 2026 10:59 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 10, 2026 11:00 PM

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Picture

JBL Bar 9.1 Picture

Channels 5.1.4

Channels 5.1.4

Our Verdict

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX

JBL Bar 9.1

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.

Variants

AMBEO Soundbar MAX (Black)

Bar 9.1 (Black)

Review

See Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Review

See JBL Bar 9.1 Review

Check Price

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Dialogue/TV Shows

0.0

0.0

Music

0.0

0.0

Movies

0.0

0.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless

Locked

Locked

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box photo

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

N/A

N/A

Stereo Setup

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Tested Preset

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Channels

Locked

Locked

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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Suggested Preset

Locked

Locked

Suggested Bass Setting

Lock

Lock

Suggested Treble Setting

N/A

N/A

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Stereo Dynamics

N/A

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

Lock dB

Lock dB

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

THD

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX THD Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 THD Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Center

N/A

N/A

Center Setup

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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

Latency

N/A

N/A

Latency Video

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

ARC

Lock ms

Lock ms

Optical

Lock ms

Lock ms

Full HDMI In

Lock ms

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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Locked

Locked

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Remote

Remote photo

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Black

AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Black

Bar 9.1

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX

JBL Bar 9.1

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX vs JBL Bar 9.1: Main Discussion

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