Samsung Q800B vs JBL BAR 500

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Votes 2 2
Rating 5 5

Q800B vs BAR 500 comparison chart

Overall
Samsung Q800B
9.2
JBL BAR 500
8.6
9
9
Multichannel surround
10
7

Samsung Q800B vs JBL BAR 500 review

Samsung Q800B
vs
JBL BAR 500

Let's compare Samsung Q800B and JBL BAR 500 for an overview of all their audio functions. And according to the comparison results, we can see that Q800B is superior to BAR 500 in quality and number of functions. According to the results of our comparison, Q800B received 9.2 points out of 10 possible, and BAR 500 was rated 8.6 points.

Advantages Samsung Q800B over JBL BAR 500

  • Surround sound with DTS:X support

Advantages JBL BAR 500 over Samsung Q800B

  • We do not know advantages

Audio features

The Q800B is rated 8 of 10 against 7 for the BAR 500 according to the audio features rating.

Q800B
8
BAR 500
7

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 Q800B and the BAR 500.

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 Q800B has 5.1.2 channels, while the BAR 500 has 5.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Samsung Q800B has 360 (overall) W, and 620 (overall) W has the competitor.

Q800B BAR 500
Built-in channels5.1.25.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W360 (overall)620 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
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. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

Q800B BAR 500
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswireless

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 Q800B received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the BAR 500, in the same category, earned 7 out of 10 points.

Q800B
10
BAR 500
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. If we consider the models in terms of support for Dolby Atmos, then both soundbars can work with this technology.

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. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in Q800B.

Q800B BAR 500
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Music
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS-HD HRA, DTS-HD MA, DTS Express, DTS 5.1ch

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. The streaming services category rating is the same - 10 out of 10 points.

Q800B
10
BAR 500
10

The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars. The streaming audio from Pandora, SoundCloud, it is possible to listen to each of soundbars.

Q800B BAR 500
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora, SoundCloudPandora, 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: Samsung Q800B was rated 9 out of 10, and JBL BAR 500 was rated 10 out of 10.

Q800B
9
BAR 500
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 both devices.

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 competitors in this comparison has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs.

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.

Q800B BAR 500
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output1/11/1
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 output00

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 ability to control the soundbar using the application is implemented in each of the competitors. Both soundbars have 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.

Q800B BAR 500
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Q800B BAR 500
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in110.9x6x11.9/43.7x2.4x4.7101.7x5.6x10.3/40x2.2x4
Weight, kg/pounds5/11.22.8/6.2
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