Sony HT-S40R vs JBL BAR 300

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HT-S40R vs BAR 300 comparison chart

Overall
Sony HT-S40R
5.2
JBL BAR 300
8.4
4
9
Multichannel surround
8
7

Sony HT-S40R vs JBL BAR 300 review

Sony HT-S40R
vs
JBL BAR 300

Comparison of Sony HT-S40R and JBL BAR 300 will reveal the best features offered by the devices. BAR 300 is a better soundbar than the HT-S40R. Its sound profile is well-balanced and stereo performance is better. According to the results of our comparison, HT-S40R received 5.2 points out of 10 possible, and BAR 300 was rated 8.4 points.

Advantages Sony HT-S40R over JBL BAR 300

  • Comes with 2 separate speakers
  • Separate subwoofer provided

Advantages JBL BAR 300 over Sony HT-S40R

  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • Voice control supports
  • App for remote control
  • Built-in microphone

Audio features

The HT-S40R is rated 7 of 10 against 6 for the BAR 300 according to the audio features rating.

HT-S40R
7
BAR 300
6

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the HT-S40R and the BAR 300.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the HT-S40R has 5.1 channels, while the BAR 300 has 5.0 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Sony HT-S40R has 600 (overall) W, and 260 (overall) W has the competitor.

HT-S40R BAR 300
Built-in channels5.15.0
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W600 (overall)260 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)20
Separate speaker connectionswirelesshas not

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. The HT-S40R comes with an external subwoofer. Sony HT-S40R has the ability to handle wired connections from an external subwoofer, while JBL BAR 300 only has wireless connections.

HT-S40R BAR 300
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswiredwireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The HT-S40R received rating 8 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the BAR 300, in the same category, earned 7 out of 10 points.

HT-S40R
8
BAR 300
7

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in JBL BAR 300.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.

HT-S40R BAR 300
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono
DTS:X
DTS (other)

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

HT-S40R
0
BAR 300
10

The popular Spotify service is available on the BAR 300.

HT-S40R BAR 300
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notPandora, SoundCloud

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Sony HT-S40R was rated 7 out of 10, and JBL BAR 300 was rated 10 out of 10.

HT-S40R
7
BAR 300
10

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the BAR 300.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The HT-S40R has 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the BAR 300 got 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

HT-S40R BAR 300
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output0/11/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output10

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The BAR 300 has its own remote control application. Only JBL BAR 300 has a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

HT-S40R BAR 300
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HT-S40R BAR 300
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in90.1x5.3x7.6/35.5x2.1x382x5.6x10.3/32.3x2.2x4.1
Weight, kg/pounds1.8/4.14.1/9
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