What To Know
- The Sonos Beam excels in creating a more immersive surround sound experience, while the JBL Soundbar provides a more powerful bass response.
- Both soundbars offer excellent sound quality and features, but the Sonos Beam commands a premium due to its more advanced surround sound capabilities, multi-room functionality, and superior build quality.
- The JBL Soundbar represents a more budget-friendly option, delivering impressive sound quality and a solid feature set at a lower price point.
In the realm of home audio, Sonos and JBL stand as two titans, renowned for their exceptional sound quality and innovative designs. When it comes to soundbars, the Sonos Beam and the JBL Soundbar offer compelling options for discerning audiophiles. In this comprehensive guide, we will pit these two formidable soundbars against each other, delving into their features, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
Sound Quality
Sonos Beam: The Sonos Beam boasts a 5.1-channel virtual surround sound system, delivering immersive audio that envelops the listener. Its three full-range drivers and one tweeter produce crystal-clear highs and rich, resonant lows. Dolby Atmos support further enhances the spatialization, creating a cinematic experience in your living room.
JBL Soundbar: The JBL Soundbar features a 2.1-channel setup, with two full-range drivers and a dedicated subwoofer. Its JBL MultiBeam technology simulates surround sound, providing a wider soundstage than traditional stereo soundbars. The subwoofer adds depth and impact to bass-heavy content, making it ideal for movies and music.
Verdict: Both the Sonos Beam and the JBL Soundbar offer excellent sound quality, albeit with different strengths. The Sonos Beam excels in creating a more immersive surround sound experience, while the JBL Soundbar provides a more powerful bass response.
Design and Build Quality
Sonos Beam: The Sonos Beam is a compact and sleek soundbar, measuring just 25.6 inches in length. Its premium build quality is evident in its solid construction and durable materials. The matte black finish gives it a modern and understated aesthetic that complements any décor.
JBL Soundbar: The JBL Soundbar is a larger and more robust soundbar, with a length of 38.6 inches. Its metal grille and solid base provide a sturdy and durable design. The soundbar comes in a classic black finish, exuding a timeless elegance.
Verdict: Both soundbars are well-built and aesthetically pleasing, but the Sonos Beam‘s smaller size and premium build quality give it a slight edge in this category.
Features and Connectivity
Sonos Beam: The Sonos Beam is a versatile soundbar that offers a wide range of features. It supports AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth for wireless streaming. The built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant provide voice control capabilities, allowing you to control playback, adjust volume, and access information hands-free.
JBL Soundbar: The JBL Soundbar offers a more limited set of features compared to the Sonos Beam. It supports Bluetooth and HDMI ARC for connectivity, but lacks built-in voice assistants or multi-room capabilities.
Verdict: The Sonos Beam wins in terms of features and connectivity, offering a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience.
Performance and Compatibility
Sonos Beam: The Sonos Beam is designed to work seamlessly within the Sonos multi-room ecosystem. It can be paired with other Sonos speakers to create a whole-home audio system. The soundbar also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, allowing you to stream music from your favorite apps directly to the Beam.
JBL Soundbar: The JBL Soundbar is a standalone soundbar that does not offer multi-room capabilities. It is compatible with a wide range of TVs and devices via HDMI ARC or optical connections.
Verdict: The Sonos Beam‘s multi-room functionality and wider compatibility make it a more versatile choice for those looking to build a comprehensive home audio system.
Value for Money
Sonos Beam: The Sonos Beam is priced at around $449, while the JBL Soundbar is priced at around $299. Both soundbars offer excellent sound quality and features, but the Sonos Beam commands a premium due to its more advanced surround sound capabilities, multi-room functionality, and superior build quality.
JBL Soundbar: The JBL Soundbar represents a more budget-friendly option, delivering impressive sound quality and a solid feature set at a lower price point.
Verdict: The value proposition depends on your priorities. If you value immersive surround sound, multi-room capabilities, and premium build quality, the Sonos Beam is worth the extra investment. If you are looking for a budget-friendly soundbar with good sound quality and basic features, the JBL Soundbar is a solid choice.
In a nutshell: The Ultimate Choice
The Sonos Beam and the JBL Soundbar are both excellent soundbars that offer different strengths and value propositions. The Sonos Beam excels in immersive surround sound, multi-room functionality, and premium build quality, while the JBL Soundbar provides a more budget-friendly option with solid sound quality and a robust design.
Ultimately, the best soundbar for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize immersive audio and a comprehensive home audio experience, the Sonos Beam is the superior choice. If you are looking for a more affordable soundbar with good sound quality and basic features, the JBL Soundbar is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which soundbar has better sound quality, the Sonos Beam or the JBL Soundbar?
A: Both soundbars offer excellent sound quality, but the Sonos Beam has a slight edge due to its virtual surround sound capabilities and wider frequency range.
Q: Which soundbar is more versatile, the Sonos Beam or the JBL Soundbar?
A: The Sonos Beam is more versatile, as it supports multi-room functionality, voice control, and a wider range of streaming services.
Q: Which soundbar is more budget-friendly, the Sonos Beam or the JBL Soundbar?
A: The JBL Soundbar is more budget-friendly, with a lower price point than the Sonos Beam.