Comparison JBL Bar Studio vs JBL SB 200

The projector supports the virtual surround function.

The purpose of this feature is that due to special sound settings and the reflection of sound beams from the walls of the room, the listener hears more channels than are actually available in the projector (see "Audio Format"). For example, a 3.1 system with virtual surround sound can produce sound similar to 5.1 surround sound. This allows you to achieve the effect of "immersion" in sound without increasing the number of channels and the cost of the projector. On the other hand, the reliability of such sound is usually noticeably worse than that of real surround sound, and the overall quality is highly dependent on the characteristics of a particular room.

Note that the virtual surround function is specified for 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, 3.1 format systems. In more advanced multi-channel systems, there are a priori additional channels for reproducing surround sound.

The total power rating of the sound projector speakers (including subwoofer, if present).

This parameter is often used to estimate the overall sound volume of the device, but this is not entirely true. The fact is that the actual sound volume is determined mainly by the power of the main speakers of the sound projector, and the total power is the sum of this power and the power of the subwoofer. Therefore, models with the same power rating can vary markedly in actual volume: for example, a 150-watt soundbar with a 50-watt subwoofer will be louder than a 100-watt projector with a subwoofer of the same power, although in both cases the rated power will be equal to 200 watts.

Summing up, we can say that it is possible to evaluate the volume by rated power only if the sound projector is not equipped with a subwoofer — in such models, the rated power is equal to the power of the main speakers. In other cases, it is worth focus on the power of the soundbar and the power of the subwoofer directly stated in the characteristics (see below for both).

The audio frequency range supported by the projector's speakers.

When evaluating this parameter, it is worth remembering that the audibility range of the human ear is about 16 – 22,000 Hz (and narrows with age). If the projector's frequency range is narrower, this can result in "cutting" low or high frequencies (however, with a slight narrowing, this effect is almost imperceptible). There are models in which the frequency limit is much wider — however, this is a kind of "side effect" of high-quality acoustics and has no meaning other than advertising.

Also note that a wide frequency range in itself does not guarantee high-quality sound — a lot depends on other parameters of the projector.

— USB-A. This refers to a USB port that allows you to connect external drives (flash drives, hard drives) to the projector and play content directly from them. Models with video outputs (see below) can often function as a media center, outputting video signals to a TV or another external screen.

— USB-C. Used in soundbars for transmitting digital audio with minimal quality loss, replacing traditional AUX and optical ports. Unlike analog connections, USB-C transmits sound without distortion and can support high-resolution audio streams, including Hi-Res formats. It also allows for simultaneous audio and power transmission, simplifying the connection to devices. However, this port is mainly relevant for portable devices, and its primary purpose is to connect a soundbar to a laptop.

— mini-Jack (3.5 mm). The 3.5 mm jack can be used in various interfaces; in this case, it refers to a line audio input with a mini-Jack socket. This input is mainly used to connect portable audio equipment (players, smartphones) to a sound projector.

— RCA. Technically, RCA (commonly called "tulip") is a type of connector that can be used in different interfaces. However, the term "RCA input" usually refers to line inputs for connecting an analog stereo signal. Note that this input consists of two RCA cable sockets, as one cable ca...n only transmit one audio channel.

— Optical. Connector for connecting a digital audio signal via a TOSLINK fiber optic cable. This interface allows for multi-channel sound transmission and is practically immune to electrical interference; its drawback is the fragility of the cable.

— Coaxial S/P-DIF. Connector for connecting a digital audio signal via an electrical cable with an RCA connector (not to be confused with the line RCA described above). Similar to the optical input described above, including the ability to transmit multi-channel sound through a single connector. At the same time, the coaxial cable is less delicate but more sensitive to electrical interference (therefore, a specially shielded cable is preferable for such a connection).

— Composite. This refers to not a full-size composite interface of three connectors, allowing audio and video signal transmission, but only one connector for working with video. Since sound projectors do not reproduce images, the composite input is used to transmit a video signal through the projector to another device, such as a TV. The composite video interface does not support HD and lacks high quality; on the other hand, it is widely used and can work even with outdated video equipment. This input usually uses a yellow RCA ("tulip") connector.

— Component. An input designed to receive an analog video signal for further transmission to another device—TV, video projector, etc. This connection usually uses three RCA connectors, each transmitting its component of the video signal (hence the name). Thanks to this, the component interface offers good bandwidth and picture quality, supports HD, and is considered the most advanced modern standard for analog video.

— IR Control Input. A connector for connecting an external infrared remote control receiver. When correctly positioned, this receiver allows the use of a remote control even from locations where the signal from the remote cannot reach the main (built-in) sensor—such as another room. Note that the receiver can be a specialized device or another component of the audio system—such as an amplifier with an IR control output.

The number of HDMI inputs in the design of the sound projector.

HDMI is the most popular modern interface for working with HD content, it allows you to transmit high-definition video simultaneously with multi-channel audio over a single cable. Having multiple inputs allows you to keep multiple signal sources connected to the projector at the same time and select the source from the remote without fiddling with reconnecting wires.

The diameter of the tweeters ("tweeters") installed in the sound projector. The larger the speaker diameter, the higher its power can be, but the lower the operating range. Therefore, tweeters, usually, are small in size, and the required power can be provided by their total number (see above).

The diameter of the woofers (or combined woofers, in two-way systems) of the speakers installed in the sound projector. For speakers in this range, large size is especially important - it is the cones of large diameter that work best at low frequencies, while providing good power. It is believed that for a head operating in the subwoofer format, a size of at least 200 mm is desirable. But the low-frequency speakers of the general range can be relatively small.

The ability to control the soundbar, in addition to the standard push-button from the device case, also includes control from the remote control, the TV remote control to which the acoustics are connected, through the application from a smartphone or tablet, and in some cases using a voice assistant. More details about each of them:

— Remote control. The presence in the configuration of the classic remote control on IR sensors, like those used in TVs. It can contain much more settings functions than the controls on the body of the device and, of course, makes it easier to control the soundbar.

— TV remote control (HDMI-CEC). Connecting the soundbar via the HDMI port allows you to control it via the HDMI-CEC protocol via the TV remote control. This solution will reduce the number of remotes in the room and facilitate the comfort of the settings. However, the functionality of the "non-native" remote control may be limited. In this case, the compatibility of the TV and the soundbar can be achieved using other protocols (not necessarily HDMI-CEC).

— Smartphone control. The ability to control the soundbar through the application. This makes it easier to “search” for the remote control, because the phone is always at hand. The application also has extensive settings and such control is highly likely to be supported by t...he TV, which allows you to execute absolutely any commands from your smartphone for a comfortable pastime on the TV.

— Voice assistant. This is not about the assistant built into the soundbar itself, but about compatibility with external devices that have this function (for example, with a smartphone or tablet). But even such compatibility allows you to give commands to the voice projector by voice — this is often more convenient than more traditional control methods. The specific set of supported commands and languages may vary depending on the voice assistant and its specific version. And among the most popular at the moment are Google Assistant, Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa.

The total power consumption of the entire system, both the sound projector itself and the external subwoofer (if present). Usually this indicator is indicated by the average power consumption at maximum volume. Note that on individual signal jumps, the actual power consumption may exceed the claimed one; in some cases (for example, when connected through a voltage stabilizer), this must be taken into account.