Alert! The competition between JBL Bar 9.1 and Bose 900 has begun. Both brands are quite popular for producing pro-grade electronic technology, especially the sound system.
Now it’s the time to compare them thoroughly and see who wins the show.
What makes JBL Bar 9.1 Soundbar Good
- A 10 inches Subwoofer is included.
- It is built from detachable side speakers for better sound penetration. Both side speakers work with wireless connectivity.
- It’s more lightweight than Bose 900.
- If you’re into bass sound, then choose JBL 9.1, thanks to the included subwoofer.
- You can adjust the sound volume in JBL 9.1 whereas, Bose 900 lacks the auto volume mode.
- The Subwoofer in Bose 900 is sold separately and is expensive
What makes Bose 900 Smart Soundbar Good
- If you are tight on budget, but can’t compromise the sound quality, go for Bose 900.
- Bose 900 Soundbar has a dedicated App for better control.
- Bose 900 soundbar equips a voice assistant for hands-free navigation.
- Bose 900 has a better sound system if we compare only a main soundbar (without the included subwoofer).
- ADAPTiQ is excellent because it automatically “adapts” to the environment and adjusts the sounds. This isn’t the best for night time though.
- If you want clarity in dialogues, Bose 900 is beyond perfect for that.
General Info
JBL Bar 9.1 Channel Soundbar System
When you open the box, the included components are; Soundbar, 2 Detachable Wireless Surround Speakers, Wireless Subwoofer Remote Control, Power Cords, HDMI Cable, 2 L-Shape Wall-Mount Bracket used for the main bar, 2 U-Shape Wall-Mount Bracket for Surround, 10″ powered subwoofer Speakers, and lastly a screw kit.
JBL Bar 9.1 was first released on February 6, 2020, and quickly became popular and it still is nowadays.
Bose 900 Smart Soundbar
Let’s see what’s in the box: the main Soundbar, remote control with 2 AAA batteries (pre-installed). ADAPTiQ headset, HDMI cable and optical cable, and power cord.
Bose 900 is one of the latest released products of the brand. First released last year on September 7, 2021, is on the top list of the customers’ choices.
Design
JBL Bar 9.1 Channel Soundbar System
Keeping the body as minimalist as possible, JBL 9.1 bar sticks to the ceiling because it’s intended for wall mounting. The detachable speakers on both sides are built from magnets and keep the battery life for 10 hours. Place it anywhere you want (kitchen, hall, other rooms)
As a nice bonus point, the 10″ subwoofer is included in the set. The placement is also up to you.
Bose 900 Smart Soundbar
The winner of the design is surely Bose 900. It looks way premium with glass and metal grille than JBL 9.1 bar even though the side speakers aren’t detachable. It gives that “astonishing” look if I describe it in a single word.
An extra point here is having the choice to pick between black or white color to match your home setting.
Because it doesn’t include the subwoofer, the price point is almost twice as less as JBL 9.1.
| Model |
JBL 9.1 |
Bose 900 |
| Color Options |
Black |
Black or White |
| Speaker Type |
Soundbar + Subwoofer |
Soundbar Only |
| Mounting Type |
Wall Mount |
Bar Mount |
| Item Weight |
8 pounds |
17 pounds |
| Product Dimensions |
40.63 x 15.04 x 19.21 inches |
4.21 x 41.14 x 2.29 inches |
Features
JBL 9.1 Channel Soundbar System
Bring home the same quality you encounter in the movie theater because DTS:X 3D surround sound system offers exceptional clear audio quality. That means the sounds bounce up to the ceiling and come back to create a more realistic sound experience.
If you place the detachable speakers that are on the sides behind you (without wires), you get a real powerhouse of sound exposure.
Ultra HD 4K Pass-through with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos system. This system is mostly used in podcasts, cinema, music, and gaming. It’s one of the best and most convincing sound producers.
JBL 9.1 is Chromecast and AirPlay 2 compatible.
Bose 900 Smart Soundbar
Bose 900’s immersive sound experience sets the bar high by placing the latest two custom-engineered up-firing dipole speakers. The Dipole system emits the sound waves to the front and rear, however not straightly to the listener, but rather fills the entire room. Plus, the sounds become above your head too.
Of course, the Dolby Atmos System is available. The vocals are super clean. The ADAPTiQ feature produces audio automatically by optimizing the room’s acoustics.
But the downside is being a single soundbar. Doesn’t matter how good it is, only one piece of the main rear soundbar can’t be the same quality with an extra subwoofer (at least one)offered in JBL 9.1.
It also features the Chromecast, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and Airplay 2 compatibility.
You have Alexa and Google virtual assistants to help you navigate the soundbar hands-free.
The specified Bose Music App lets you set the settings yourself and also offers the Voice4Video feature.
| Model |
JBL 9.1 |
Bose 900 |
| Dolby Atmos |
Dolby Atmos Only |
Dlby Atmos + Dolby Audio |
| 3D Sound Experience |
Surround sound |
Two up-firing drivers |
| Voice Command |
No |
Yes |
| Subwoofer |
Yes |
No |
| Connectivity |
Wireless/Wired |
Wired |
Sound Quality
The sound quality in both is delicate. Let’s elicit results
JBL 9.1 Channel Soundbar System
The JBL 9.1 is doing an amazing job in combined use. It produces very well-balanced sounds with an extra bass finish, because of its subwoofer involvement. Plus, it works while charging.
JBL 9.1 is decent for dialogues too, however, there isn’t dialogue enhancement included in the features. So in that matter, it’s slightly weaker than Bose 900.
The music playing is excellent, let’s give a round of applause to the subwoofer for making the sounds just like you’re at the house party. It gets really loud. And the movie time especially the action or adventure type is fire, thanks to the 3D sound surrounding.
Bose 900 Smart Soundbar
Bose Soundbar 900 and separately sold subwoofer are more like creating a cinema at home because it’s dialogue-centered. The voices are sharp clear and neutral without distortion. Bose 900 has that dialogue enhancement feature but lacks the auto volume mode. This isn’t the best possible option if love to watch TV, especially at nighttime.
If you don’t purchase the subwoofer, the bass in Bose 900 is lacking in comparison to JBL 9.1. It also features Dolby Atmos for more immersive sound quality.
Every music genre produces great sound quality but lacks that punchy bass. In the settings, you can find bass and treble adjustments, so you play around a little bit.
| Model |
JBL 9.1 |
Bose 900 |
| Dialogue: TV Shows/Movies |
Neutral Sound (No Enhancement) |
Dialogue-Centric (Accurate Soundstage) |
| Sound Profile |
Balanced 3D Sound |
Bass Surround Sound |
| Frequency Response |
33.6 Hz-18.8 kHz |
25.9 Hz-19.9 kHz |
| Output Power |
820 Watts |
Dual Voltage 110-220 V |
| Distortion |
Not Noticeable |
Not Noticeable |
Battery Life
JBL 9.1 Channel Soundbar System
JBL 9.1 is equipped with electric wires as a power source. The detachable speakers offer 10 hours of battery life which is a fantastic amount.
Bose 900 Smart Soundbar
Bose 900 bar is also powered by electric cords. Plus the subwoofer as well uses cable as a power source.
Final Thought
JBL 9.1 and Bose 900 are amazing soundbars. You may have different reasons to purchase Bose 900, but the best pick would be JBL 9.1.
It may lack some features like the dedicated app and adaptive sound quality. It’s better to adjust the volume yourself according to the mood than to let the soundbar decide for you just like in Bose 900 “auto volume” mode.
Bass lovers will love JBL 9.1, you may want to thank the subwoofer that is included. You need to purchase the subwoofer in Bose 900 separately.
You can mount the JBL 9.1 on the wall or divide the side speakers if you want to make some decorative changes. The whole kit is included in the box.
If you want a more premium look and you are a dialogue-centered movie lover, then pick Bose 900. The sleek and high-end design catches your attention a second you lay your eyes on it.
If voice assistance is important to you, then pick Bose 900 because JBL lacks that feature.
Picking Soundbars is personal, it really depends on what is your priority. Hopefully, the article was helpful.
Further Reading
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Here are some tips to help you stay informed in the event that you need to reset your Turtle Beach headphones. If you’re an audiophile and enjoy trying out new headphones, you should definitely check out these incredible silent disco headphones; you won’t regret it.
Mix & Mastering
I love to get my hands on all sorts of audio equipment, from headphones and speakers to audio interfaces. I love putting these products through their paces and seeing what they can do.
