Introducing Two Premium Soundbars
The JBL Bar 9.1 and Sonos Arc both represent the pinnacle of soundbar technology, promising an immersive audio experience that transports you inside your favorite movies and music. But with standout features on both sides, deciding between the two can be challenging.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll compare every aspect of these flagship soundbars to help you determine which is better suited for your needs and budget. You‘ll get detailed insights into:
- Sound quality and surround sound capabilities
- Design, setup and ease of use
- Smart features and voice assistant integration
- Connectivity options like WiFi, Bluetooth and HDMI eARC
- Value for the price and overall performance
Let‘s begin by looking at the key specs and features of the JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc.
JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc: Key Spec Comparison
| Features | JBL Bar 9.1 | Sonos Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Technology | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X | Dolby Atmos |
| Speakers | 3.1.2 channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer and surround speakers | 5.0.2 channel standalone soundbar |
| Total Output | 820W | N/A |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant | Alexa + Google Assistant |
| Wireless Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth | WiFi only |
| Wired Connectivity | 1x HDMI in, 1x HDMI out (eARC), Optical audio | 1x HDMI eARC, Ethernet |
| Dimmensions (WxHxD) | 62 x 884 x 120 mm | 87 x 1142 x 116 mm |
| Weight | 8.0 lb (3.6 kg) | 13.8 lb (6.3 kg) |
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Price | $999 | $899 |
As you can see, both soundbars are packed with cutting-edge features to create an immersive listening experience. But there are some key differences that could make one model better suited for your home theater setup.
Next, we‘ll compare them across the areas that matter most – audio performance, design, ease of use and value for money.
Audio Quality Face-Off: JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc
Arguably the most vital test is how good each of these premium soundbars actually sounds. With the ability to decode Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound, they promise dimensional, theater-like audio that transports you into the action.
Powered by Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the JBL Bar 9.1 creates a bubble of sound no matter where you‘re seated in the room. The dedicated up-firing and side-firing speakers produce overhead and surround effects that are simply staggering. Dialogue sounds clear and focused, while intense action scenes engulf your senses for edge-of-seat immersion unlike any standalone soundbar.
The wireless, battery-powered satellite speakers included with the Bar 9.1 give you the freedom to place them anywhere around your seating zone to optimize the surround experience. Hide them out of sight or place them right next to you – either way you‘ll get up to 10 hours of incredible wireless surround on a single charge.
As for music, the Bar 9.1‘s performance is nothing short of spectacular. The dedicated center channel ensures clear vocals that won‘t get lost in the mix, while a wireless 300W subwoofer provides foundation shaking bass.
If you want the absolute best Dolby Atmos performance from a soundbar system, the JBL Bar 9.1 hits the mark.
The Sonos Arc also decodes Dolby Atmos flawlessly and creates an impressively wide, tall soundstage. With side-firing drivers angled at roughly 45 degrees, the bounce of sound waves off surrounding walls does a convincing job of immersing you in audio from all directions.
By tapping a microphone icon and following prompts in the Sonos app, the Arc can precisely analyze your room‘s acoustics through Trueplay tuning technology. This custom tailors the soundbar‘s output to produce the best possible audio quality based on placement, room size and building materials.
With five identical woofers running wall to wall inside the Arc, audio has outstanding balance across different seating positions. Even at high volumes, the soundstage doesn‘t distort or lose composure.
As a standalone soundbar, the Arc‘s bass performance rightfully blows away expectations. However, since it lacks a dedicated subwoofer, the JBL Bar 9.1 reaches deeper down into subsonic territory during action scenes and thumping EDM tracks.
If you don‘t want to clutter up space with multiple components, the Sonos Arc provides breathtaking Dolby Atmos in a single package. But for the most intense and nuanced surround sound performance, especially in larger rooms, the JBL Bar 9.1 is extremely tough to top.
Design and Setup: Built-in Versus Modular Systems
In terms of industrial design, both the JBL Bar 9.1 and Sonos Arc share sleek contemporary looks that impressively blend audio components into stylish soundbars. But when it comes to setup and placement flexibility, the Bar 9.1‘s modular system has some clear advantages.
Measuring a compact 62 x 884 x 120 mm, the Bar 9.1 soundbar is designed specifically not to block the bottom of your TV screen. It can sit flat on a media stand beneath your television without issues. The look seamlessly integrates surround sound performance into living spaces where you don‘t want speakers drawing attention from wall mounts to stands.
Setting up the wireless 300W subwoofer is extremely flexible since it can be tucked out of sight without sacrificing bass output. And once configured, the battery-powered surround speakers handily snap onto magnetic charging bays on the back of the subwoofer for tidy storage. With up to 10 hours of battery life per charge, moving them around your seating area is quick and painless. This delivers a tidy appearance while providing immersive effects.
By comparison, the Sonos Arc measures a much wider and taller 87 x 1142 x 116 mm since all audio components are built into the front-firing soundbar itself. Naturally this can lead to visual blocking if the Arc is placed in front of smaller TVs or positioned too high on the wall. While audio balance is excellent even if listeners aren‘t centered, visual blocking is a minor drawback.
As an integrated system, the Sonos Arc‘s components are locked into place inside the soundbar‘s elongated body. Surround sound effects impressively bounce off walls to create dimensionality. But wireless surround speakers would provide even more precise channel imaging and sounds emanating from behind.
Both soundbars provide HDMI ports to conveniently connect directly to your television while receiving audio over eARC. Overall the JBL Bar 9.1 offers more flexibility for seamless placement – thanks to wireless satellite speakers and a compact front soundbar profile. But the Sonos Arc impresses by packing stellar performance into an all-in-one design.
Smart Features and Voice Control
With built-in microphones for accessing voice assistants, both the JBL Bar 9.1 and Sonos Arc keep remotes optional and infrequently needed. Hands-free control over your home theater system and smart devices around the house make them both great additions to modern living spaces.
Rather than supporting proprietary virtual assistants that work in silos, JBL smartly chose to make their Bar 9.1 lineup compatible with Google Assistant – the same underlying technology used in Android phones and smart home devices.
After linking your Google account to grant permissions, the Bar 9.1 grants full hands-free access over compatible devices in your home using "Ok Google" or "Hey Google" wake words. Use natural voice commands to launch apps, play streaming content, control smart lights, get weather reports, set reminders, enjoy music or podcasts and plenty more. Android phone owners will feel right at home.
Multi-room audio support also lets you sync playback with other Google Assistant or Chromecast compatible speakers for whole home audio. Stream the same or unique content to different rooms at once.
The Sonos Arc takes a more walled garden approach centered around the Sonos app ecosystem. Direct WiFi connectivity allows seamless integration with other Sonos speakers including the Beam, Move and more. Control music playback on the Arc and other Sonos devices scattered throughout your home.
Far-field microphones let you access Alexa and the Google Assistant directly on the Arc to look up information, check notifications, play streaming music, command smart devices and handle other daily tasks. This saves you from juggling remote controls or constantly grabbing your phone.
Both the JBL Bar 9.1 and Sonos Arc succeed in keeping everyday usage hands-free. Google Assistant makes sense for Android users, while Alexa integration caters well to the Amazon ecosystem. It‘s easy to recommend either from a smart features perspective.
Connectivity: JBL Includes Bluetooth; Sonos Sticks to WiFi
The JBL Bar 9.1 shines when it comes to offering versatile connectivity – including options the Sonos Arc leaves out. Front and center is handy Bluetooth streaming which instantly pairs with smartphones, tablets and computers for wireless music playback. Nearby devices can directly play audio to the Bar 9.1 without the need for WiFi at all.
Alternatively, WiFi with Chromecast built-in opens up casting from hundreds of mobile apps. Play music, podcasts or audio from streaming platforms by simply tapping the Chromecast button. WiFi also enables multi-room streaming through Google Assistant.
Physical ports on the rear panel include one HDMI input for external devices like Blu-ray players, plus an HDMI output with eARC to pass high resolution video from your TV to the soundbar. There‘s also an optical digital audio input as another means to get sound from the TV.
By comparison the Sonos Arc relies solely on WiFi connectivity over home networks. There‘s no Bluetooth support or secondary inputs apart from the single HDMI eARC port. Lacking HDMI passthrough means using the Arc forces you to give up one port on your TV.
The only other physical connection is an Ethernet LAN port that can provide faster and more reliable networking than WiFi if needed. But for many households without complex AV gear, WiFi alone may suffice.
If your usage revolves around streaming over WiFi, the Sonos Arc offers solid connectivity. But the JBL Bar 9.1‘s wider range of wired and wireless options make it more versatile overall. Bluetooth is great for quick music playback, while HDMI passthrough keeps key ports free on overwhelmed TVs.
Verdict: Two Capable Choices Depending on Needs
The JBL Bar 9.1 and Sonos Arc both succeed as cutting-edge additions to serious home theater setups. Impressive sound quality, slick contemporary designs and smart assistance make them each tempting in their own right.
If you want a compact yet complete Dolby Atmos speaker system in one package, the JBL Bar 9.1 is extremely tough to beat. Wireless surrounds flexibility place effects anywhere, while added Bluetooth, extra inputs and a higher powered wireless subwoofer leave few compromises. Android owners also benefit from deep Google Assistant integration controlling smart devices across the home.
On the other hand, the Sonos Arc provides phenomenal Dolby Atmos audio from a single elongated soundbar. The self tuning Trueplay system custom matches output to your room‘s layout and materials. Owners invested in Alexa and the Sonos ecosystem benefit from voice commands controlling a house full of compatible speakers. And if wall mounting, the Arc‘s angled side drivers artfully bounce surround effects for convincing dimensionality.
Both deliver better than expected bass despite lacking large enclosures – thanks to advanced digital signal processing. Your final choice comes down to the capabilities suiting your personal needs and room setup best. Rest assured either the JBL Bar 9.1 or Sonos Arc will transform TV, movies and music into breathtaking three-dimensional audio unlike anything you‘ve heard before.
