When it comes to creating an immersive home theater experience without installing traditional speakers throughout your room, premium soundbars with Dolby Atmos have become incredibly sophisticated. Today, we're comparing two top contenders: the JBL Bar 1000 ($1,139.95) and the LG S95TR ($999.99), both released in late 2022.
Modern soundbar systems have come a long way from the simple stereo bars of a decade ago. Today's premium models use advanced audio processing and clever speaker arrangements to create convincing 3D sound that seems to come from all around you. Dolby Atmos, which you might have experienced in movie theaters, adds height channels that make sounds appear to come from above – imagine hearing a helicopter flying overhead or rain falling from the ceiling.
Both of these systems represent the current state of the art in soundbar technology, each taking a slightly different approach to delivering theater-quality sound in your living room.
The JBL Bar 1000 uses a 7.1.4 channel configuration, which means:
What makes the JBL unique is its detachable rear speakers that run on batteries. They charge when attached to the main soundbar and provide about 10 hours of playback. This means you can place them anywhere in your room without worrying about power cables – a significant advantage if you don't have convenient power outlets behind your seating area.
The LG S95TR opts for a more traditional but more extensive 9.1.5 setup:
While the LG's rear speakers need power connections, they provide more channels and potentially more precise sound positioning. The extra height channel, in particular, can make overhead effects more convincing in the right room.
Both systems deliver excellent audio quality, but they have different strengths:
In real-world testing, both systems handle movies exceptionally well. The JBL's PureVoice technology gives it a slight edge for dialogue clarity, which is crucial when watching movies late at night at lower volumes. The LG's additional channels can create a more precise soundstage, but you'll need the right room setup to take full advantage of this.
Both systems offer modern connectivity options:
The LG system integrates particularly well with LG TVs, offering features like WOW Orchestra that uses your TV's speakers in conjunction with the soundbar. The JBL system works well with any TV brand and includes useful features like automatic room calibration that adjusts the sound to your specific space.
At $1,139.95, the JBL Bar 1000 costs about $140 more than the $999.99 LG S95TR. This price difference mainly reflects the JBL's unique battery-powered rear speakers and sophisticated dialogue enhancement technology.
The value equation depends largely on your room setup and priorities:
In actual home theater use, both systems excel at different things. The JBL's battery-powered rear speakers make it incredibly easy to optimize your surround sound setup – you can experiment with different positions without worrying about power cables. This flexibility is particularly valuable in rooms where running cables would be difficult or unsightly.
The LG's additional channels can create a more precise sound field, but you'll need to position the speakers carefully and have power available where you need it. Its integration with LG TVs is impressive, though this advantage is only relevant if you own or plan to buy an LG TV.
Since their release, both systems have received firmware updates that have improved their performance. The JBL system has seen enhancements to its room calibration system and streaming stability, while the LG has received updates to its WOW Orchestra feature and general sound processing.
Choose the JBL Bar 1000 if:
Choose the LG S95TR if:
Both systems represent excellent choices in premium soundbars, and either will significantly upgrade your home theater experience. The key is matching the system's strengths to your specific needs and room setup.
Remember that proper placement is crucial for any soundbar system. Take time to experiment with positions and use the included room calibration features. Both the JBL Bar 1000 and LG S95TR are designed to make this process as painless as possible, but the effort you put into setup will be rewarded with better sound quality.
| JBL Bar 1000 - $1,139.95 | LG S95TR - $999.99 |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - More channels generally mean more precise sound positioning | |
| 7.1.4 channels (balanced setup) | 9.1.5 channels (more precise positioning) |
| Rear Speaker Design - Critical for placement flexibility and setup convenience | |
| Battery-powered detachable (10hr runtime, truly wireless) | Wired power connection required (fixed placement) |
| Total System Power - Impacts maximum volume and sound clarity at higher levels | |
| 880W total (440W soundbar, 300W sub, 140W surrounds) | 810W total (more evenly distributed across channels) |
| Subwoofer Size - Larger generally means deeper bass | |
| 10-inch wireless subwoofer (excellent deep bass) | 8-inch wireless subwoofer (good but less impactful) |
| Height Channels - More channels can create better overhead effects | |
| 4 up-firing (2 in bar, 2 in surrounds) | 5 up-firing (including center height, more precise) |
| Special Features - Can significantly impact usability | |
| PureVoice dialogue enhancement, battery-powered surrounds | WOW Orchestra (works with LG TV speakers), Private Sound Mode |
| Room Calibration - Important for optimal sound in your space | |
| Automatic room calibration with smartphone app | AI Room calibration with more detailed adjustments |
| Price Premium Features - What you get for the extra cost | |
| Battery-powered surrounds, better subwoofer (+$140) | More channels, better TV integration (better value) |
For home theater use, both are excellent choices. The JBL Bar 1000 excels with its flexible rear speaker placement and superior bass from its 10" subwoofer. The LG S95TR offers more precise sound positioning with its 9.1.5 channel configuration. The JBL is better for challenging room layouts, while the LG delivers slightly more detailed surround effects.
The JBL Bar 1000 costs $1,139.95, while the LG S95TR is priced at $999.99, making it $140 less expensive.
Both deliver excellent Dolby Atmos performance, but they approach it differently. The LG S95TR has 5 up-firing channels compared to the JBL Bar 1000's 4, potentially offering more precise overhead effects. However, the JBL's more powerful subwoofer can make action scenes more impactful.
The JBL Bar 1000 features battery-powered rear speakers that can run for 10 hours without plugging in. The LG S95TR requires constant power connection for its rear speakers.
The JBL Bar 1000 has an advantage here with its PureVoice technology, which makes dialogue clearer at lower volumes. The LG S95TR offers a Private Sound Mode, but the JBL's dialogue enhancement is generally more effective.
Both perform well with music, but the LG S95TR has more precise channel separation due to its 9.1.5 configuration. The JBL Bar 1000 offers stronger bass response, which can be preferable for certain music genres.
The JBL Bar 1000 is generally easier to set up due to its wireless rear speakers. The LG S95TR requires more planning for speaker placement and cable management.
Both work with any TV with HDMI ARC/eARC. However, the LG S95TR offers additional features when paired with LG TVs. The JBL Bar 1000 performs consistently regardless of TV brand.
Both support HDMI 2.1 and offer low latency. The LG S95TR has slightly more precise positional audio, while the JBL Bar 1000 offers stronger bass impact for explosions and effects.
Yes, both the JBL Bar 1000 and LG S95TR support Wi-Fi streaming, Bluetooth, and various streaming services. They both offer similar connectivity options for music streaming.
Both offer room calibration, but the LG S95TR has more detailed AI-based calibration options. The JBL Bar 1000's calibration is simpler but still effective for most rooms.
The JBL Bar 1000 offers more flexibility for large rooms due to its wireless rear speakers and powerful subwoofer. The LG S95TR can fill large spaces well but requires proper power outlet placement for rear speakers.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: zdnet.com - jbl.com - jbl.com - pcrichard.com - rtings.com - d21buns5ku92am.cloudfront.net - ro.harmanaudio.com - target.com - harmanaudio.com - dell.com - mm.jbl.com - dolby.com - jbl.com.my - videoandaudiocenter.com - techradar.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - trustedreviews.com - zdnet.com - rtings.com - lg.com - lambcotvandappliance.com - valueelectronics.com - romomattressfurniture.com - dolby.com - youtube.com
