This comparison of the JBL Bar 9.1 vs the Sonos Arc will help pull you up from the depths of disappointment that comes with buying a great 4k TV only to be totally let down by the quality of the viewing experience that TV delivers.
The picture is amazing and sounds are fairly good. The sound profile of the speaker is flat and doesn’t satisfy many users. There also isn’t a base to determine the depth or width of sounds. It needs Something.
In the past, you would head out to find a decent surround sound system but those were and still are either big and expensive or something that looks a lot better than it sounds. However, it’s not just about taste anymore. Surround sound systems now have increased features for enhanced audio quality & access to WiFi for connection with other speakers. Even top brand-name systems can be as expensive or more than what you’re excited about buying a new TV.
The soundbar put the surround sound we wanted in a neat little package with different features at an affordable price.
Soundbars are popular today as they can enhance your TV’s or computer monitor’s sound quality. We’re going to review one from JBL and one from Sonos, with the former specializing in high-quality audio while the latter is designed for customizable multi-room audio capabilities.
The Ground Work
Let’s start with the most basic difference between the JBL Bar 9.1 and Sonos Arc. Let’s talk about the area that is likely to get the most use out of this bar: its bass. With a frequency response down to 60Hz, it also features a large and powerful subwoofer which will give you plenty of oomph. Sonos has recently started selling the Arco soundbar together as a complete package. This lends itself more to people who have already invested in other Sonos components, but it is a versatile option for anyone else. Adding a wireless woofer and a set of satellite speakers to your living room will enhance the sound quality.
We’ll compare these two different systems, and then spend some time talking about Sonos vs. what makes them different and what you may or may not need.
Before we talk about the JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sonos Arc, here are some terms that can help you understand the differences between AI and human writers.
How Much do they Cost?
Neither of these audio solutions is cheap, but one of the other options is a lot cheaper than the other.
JBL Bar 9.1 specs include a soundbar and a subwoofer, and you can pair it with 2 satellite speakers. The entire package costs approximately a couple thousand. Sometimes they have sales that bring it down to the $850 range.
The Arc of the Sonos alone will come in at about the same price as an average Sonos speaker. you can double the value of these speakers if you add a subwoofer and pair of satellite speakers. If that feature is worth the additional cost, there’s no need to run away just yet! The Sonos Arc may be all you’ll want or need.
Performance Specs
| JBL Bar 9.1 | Sonos Arc + Woofer and Satellites |
| 5.1.4 Channels | 5.1.2 Channels |
| 10” Subwoofer | 2 Force Cancelling Drivers |
| Wireless Surround Sound (Subwoofer requires a power outlet, satellites are wireless) | Wireless Surround Sound (subwoofer and satellite speakers require power connections) |
| 3 hours charging time for satellite speaker | No charging |
| 10 hours playback time | No playback |
| Dolby Atmos, DTS:X | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X |
| 1 HDMI in | 1 Digital optical adaptor |
| 1 HDMI Out | 1 HDMI In |
| HDMI ARC / eARC | 0 HDMI Out |
| Supports Chromecast, Airplay 2, and Bluetooth | Supports Chromecast, Airplay 2, and Bluetooth |
| Syncs with Alexa & Google | Built-in support for Alexa & Google |
| 820w Power output | 512w Power output |
JBL Bar 9.1 Impressions
Soundbars are deceiving because the sound quality is not always what you would expect from them. That’s not definitely not the case with this soundbar, though. The color of this particular component is black, making it harder to find which could be a problem since it can often be difficult to fit black pieces in with your other decor.
You’ll find the soundbar, the subwoofer, 2 satellite speakers, a remote and all of the power cords you’ll need to hook this up. To charge the satellite, simply connect them to the speaker’s loud speaker and left/right channels.
Hey, what can I help you with? The bar has an HDMI connection that plugs into the TV and an “eARC” input for the best results! When shopping for anything manufactured after 2009, make sure to check that the type of input is 4-8 HDMI and hook it up to the right one for optimal results.
The great thing about the JBL Bar 9.1 is that it’s capable of delivering more powerful sound even when not plugged in. The system pairs well with the speakers if they’re being tucked away behind it, and you can get some good balance by pairing its channel with a separate subwoofer or satellite system. This computer is a bit small.
This system is a little different but shines in with how well the voices are delivered. They are crisp and clear, so they stand out from the others and get noticed if surrounded by other content. The built-in spellcheck protects you from the most intense battles in your stories while still preserving the detail and nuance of your writing.
Music playback on the Flip is also really solid. Airplay and Bluetooth connections make that easy to use. The music is so rich and immersive that you can lose yourself in it–and when the bass line kicks in, it’s a force to be reckoned with. We weren’t completely let down, but we wanted a bit more in the middle range. Especially when listening to music, it could use more zing.
The JBL Bar includes automatic room correction. The shape and size of a room contributes to the unique acoustic signature. But even more important are the furnishings, window dressings, and decorations on the walls. With built-in mini-microphones, the JBL Bar 9.1 automatically notices the atmosphere and adjusts the music according to that. This won’t distort your voice & it’s able to deliver great acoustic results while minimizing time and effort.
Many wireless systems suffer from dropouts, but this one does too! Ways to minimize the issue include using a wireless extender for your subwoofer or connection-saver mode. Your speaker setup can be improved by installing a multilayer wireless network and constantly updating your software. This helps to minimize interference and make it more sound for everyone.
Here’s a video review of the JBL Bar 9.1 by TechRadar! It’s not a dramatically different angle on the industry, but Andrew Robertson from YouTube has just shared some more information about the topic.
The JBL Bar 9.1 has an average price tag of $999. We found no listings on Amazon for this soundbar but it is available on eBay.
Sonos Arc + Sub3 & One (Satellite Speakers)
And their quality is top-notch. It’s easy to see that the quality of these boxes is usually excellent. They are sealed and the handles and locks prevent their opening until you’re ready for them. We’ve taken the time to wrap each piece in its own fabric bag. They sound great and have options for helping this bar fit your decore. This helps provide a better feel for the product so you can make quality choices on your own.
The Sonos Arc is a soundbar for sale at Best Buy and perfect for parties, but that’s not where it shines. At 55″ wide, the JBL Bar 9.1 is longer than most other soundbars but it might look a bit oversized by a smaller TV. The reason this bar is so long is because it features 8 subwoofers and 4 tweeters all with their own amplifiers. The sound quality on this particular model is just amazing and is packed into a small form factor. It would seem like no other soundbar comes close to it, but there are a lot of choices on the market.
Personally, I don’t mind low-range sounds they appear natural to me. Not even close to bad, they just aren’t as potent as what you would get from a dedicated subwoofer. One of the things that many other common subwoofers can’t do is nullify vibrations. The sound quality on lower settings still sounds great without all the beats, if you want to cancel out what you’re hearing outside your speakers.
The Sonos Arc automaticly changes the way it uses the woofers on the bar. Plus, when this is connected to your system, you will enjoy louder music! They will dedicate themselves to creating a soundtrack that has more depth and breadth of sound. This will improve the entire process and perhaps even make it commercially successful.
Give your entertainment center or “home theater” a complete upgrade with the addition of our 2 rear surround sound speakers. Having satellites around takes a really cool experience to the next level.
The biggest negative is obvious; not providing this option all at once will lead to a higher total cost. A complete package of an AI writing assistant package will cost you $2,000 or so on average. SONOS has a really cool sound quality with the Arc model, which we have tested and find to be one of the best smartphones we’ve tested. If you’re in the market for a good-quality bar, get a set of these. Just like the many other parts of this system, they can easily be added at any time later on. Many people are choosing the SONOS Arc to partner with their JBL Bar 9.1 for the same price.
Check out this review from theB The Installer for a more in-depth look at this speaker. The sound quality of this system is really good, and it sounds pretty amazing on a grander scale.
All of these components are available on Amazon. The Sonos Arc is priced at $999. The Sonos Sub (Gen 3) adds $749. Each Sonos One Satellite costs an additional $159.
The Verdict
All things considered, the differences in pricing are so great that it becomes a no-brainer decision. The Sonos speaker isn’t the best buy if you’re really looking for bass. But it delivers important features like Apple AirPlay and Amazon Alexa-ready sound quality. JBL’s latest soundbar is striking a chord with reviews, but it still needs some thought before pulling the trigger.
It is hard to argue that Sonos has better-built speakers. Standalone speakers are typically cheaper and a lot less advanced, but they still sound really good and perform well. JBL certainly knows how to build them! It’s noticeable and the prices reflect that difference.
We don’t think price has anything to do with the purchase at all. We’re pretty sure that when people buy and set up everything, rather than buying individual components, having one speaker setup is a breeze. The JBL Bar 9.1 looks good and provides a performance that is expected to last throughout the lifetime of the product.
We think the JBL Soundbar is a good speaker, but it would be great if it had some style options. It’s not bad looking, but doesn’t stand out that much when compared to the Sonos Arc. That difference is even more pronounced when you compare the Sonos sub and the one included with JBL packages. The JBL speaker has a sleek, modern design for its size. While the Sonos it’s meant to be seen and appreciated.
We went with the JBL Bar 9.1’s complete sound system package and if we had a budget to jump into the SONOS Arc and its components, we would definitely do it.
FAQ for JBL Bar 9.1 vs the Sonos Arc
What are the key differences between the JBL Bar 9.1 and the Sons Arc?
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a wireless Bluetooth speaker that can be placed on the table or mounted on a wall. The Sons Arc is a portable Bluetooth speaker with 360-degree sound and built-in rechargeable battery.
The JBL Bar 9.1 has an impressive 10 hours of battery life while the Sons Arc has up to 15 hours of battery life. The JBL Bar 9.1 also has a smaller size, which makes it more portable and easier to carry around than the Sons Arc, which is larger in size but has longer battery life and 360-degree sound quality.
The main difference between these two speakers is their design and features. The JBL Bar 9.1 is more compact and portable while the Sons Arc has 360-degree sound quality, longer battery life,
Which speaker would you recommend for a party the JBL Bar 9.1 или the Sounds Arc?
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a sleek, modern speaker with a lot of cool features that make it great for parties and other social gatherings. The Sounds Arc is a more traditional, classic speaker with analog sound and a retro look.
I would recommend the JBL Bar 9.1 for parties because it has plenty of cool features that can be used to make your event stand out from the crowd. It also has a sleek design that will look great in any room you put it in.
Which of these soundbar has Bluetooth – JBL Bar 9.1 or the Sounds Arc?
These models of sound panels provide a Bluetooth connection, which makes it easy to transfer music from any device in the house.
Which speaker system is more expensive the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Sounds Arc?
These speakers have different features, but they both have the same price range which is $999.
Which speaker system is more powerful the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Sounds Arc?
The JBL Bar 9.1 is more powerful than the Sounds Arc because it has more wattage and bass settings, which means it can fill larger spaces with sound better than the Sounds Arc which has limited options of bass settings and wattage settings.