Compare Samsung HW-B650 Soundbar vs JBL Bar 1300X Soundbar

One owner recommended the wired optical connection as the best connectivity option for their setup.

Optical input was treated as a fallback, with reviewers warning that it gives a lesser surround experience than eARC.

Video passthrough was a weakness because one review noted the HDMI input does not support 4K passthrough.

Video passthrough was useful thanks to multiple HDMI inputs and HDR/Dolby Vision support, but limited by 4K/120Hz shortcomings.

Value was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling it impressive, affordable, or worth the money for the performance.

Value opinions were positive for movie-focused users and the all-in-one package, but some reviewers questioned the cost against strong competitors.

Setup was consistently described as quick, easy, and straightforward across HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth use.

Setup was mostly considered simple, quick, or plug-and-play, with one reviewer finding the first controls and guide tricky.

The subwoofer cabinet construction received positive evidence because the wooden cabinet was linked to warmer, deeper bass tone.

One reviewer criticized the subwoofer cabinet, tying plastic construction to audible rattle at very low frequencies.

Reviews agreed that true Dolby Atmos is missing; DTS Virtual:X can help, but it does not fully replace real height-channel performance.

Dolby Atmos effects were widely praised as spectacular, astounding, and immersive, though a few reviews wanted clearer or stronger height projection.

Room calibration evidence was mixed: one review called out the lack of room correction, while another praised AI Sonic-Adaptation.

Room calibration was usually seen as helpful and effective, but one reviewer felt it did not make meaningful tonal changes.

Reviewers generally found the soundbar loud and powerful for small or medium spaces, but one review warned it may lack power and depth in larger rooms.

Reviewers consistently found the bar loud and room-filling, with enough output for cinematic impact; one noted it could play at full volume without becoming unbearable.

Most reviews described balanced mids, neutral sound, or good music playback, though some modes could sound tinny and low bass was not always deep.

Frequency balance was mixed, ranging from balanced and non-fatiguing to shouty, flappy, muffled, or uneven with music.

Optional rear speaker compatibility was viewed as useful upgrade potential, including a path toward a fuller surround setup.

The strongest inter-speaker connectivity evidence was positive, with one reviewer saying the surrounds worked reliably even at distance.

Dialogue clarity was the strongest point across reviews, with the dedicated center channel repeatedly making speech crisp, clear, and easy to follow.

Dialogue was often clear against busy soundtracks, but several reviewers found occasional difficulty, muffling, or a need for more adjustment.

Remote feedback was mostly positive for comfort, responsiveness, and ease of use, with some caveats about limitations or the slim remote being easy to lose.

Remote reactions varied from easy and well-labeled to unbacklit, mediocre, or frustratingly enigmatic.

High-volume performance was mixed: one review heard tinny or crackly treble, while others said it stayed clean without distortion.

High-volume control is mostly good, with two reviewers praising resistance to distortion, though one heard dialogue clarity soften when pushed louder.

The front display/status indicator was considered simple but handy for seeing the selected input or mode.

Status displays and indicators were well liked, with reviewers calling the front display helpful, easy to read, and useful for battery/status feedback.

Dynamic handling was positive, with reviews noting less need to adjust volume between quiet and loud moments.

One reviewer strongly praised dynamic range, especially smooth transitions between quiet and loud moments.

Vocal clarity was repeatedly praised, especially with the center channel making voices more focused and easy to hear.

Voice reproduction was generally strong, with reviewers praising vocal clarity, natural presentation, and PureVoice performance despite limited adjustment.

The system was described as balanced and cohesive, with components complementing each other well.

Cohesion was usually praised, especially the seamless bubble of sound, though one reviewer found the stage somewhat constrained.

Reviewers framed it as a strong home-theater upgrade over TV speakers, with useful connectivity and rear-speaker expansion potential.

Home theater integration was a core strength, with reviewers calling it a strong all-in-one setup and a good easy alternative to separates.

One detailed movie test praised the soundbar for keeping tiny effects audible and clear.

Detail retrieval was a strength, with reviewers hearing subtle effects, crisp textures, and distinct elements in busy scenes.

HDMI ARC/eARC was praised for letting the TV remote control volume and for clean, synced daily use.

Reviewers who evaluated TV audio connection favored HDMI ARC/eARC, calling it the best path for Dolby Atmos playback.

One review praised the separation of vocals and instruments during music playback.

Stereo performance split reviewers: one found separation present, but several heard music as a step down, constrained, or simply not right.

One review specifically praised DTS Virtual:X for a 360-degree-like sound effect.

Off-axis or omnidirectional coverage was limited in one review, which described the experience outside the central seat as lopsided.

Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X support helped create cinematic sound, but the lack of Atmos and surround downmixing limited the format story.

Audio format support was strong where evaluated, with reviewers highlighting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X coverage and broad decoding support.

DTS Virtual:X and surround modes often created an immersive effect, but reviewers also noted that it is simulated and less reliable than true surround systems.

Surround performance was a major strength, repeatedly described as immersive, precise, and competitive with strong soundbar rivals.

The subwoofer was widely praised for punch, rumble, and movie impact, while a few reviews noted limited deep low-bass or large-room power.

The subwoofer drew heavy praise for huge impact and deep bass, but some reviewers found its levels hard to control or less precise with music.

Low-volume and night listening received positive evidence through audible quiet effects and a night mode that keeps movies usable.

Low-volume and quiet-scene handling was praised in one review for keeping loud and quiet sounds delicately balanced.

Virtual height effects were present and sometimes convincing, but they remained simulated rather than true Atmos height.

Height performance was impressive in several tests, but some reviewers found vertical projection less pronounced than rival Atmos bars.

Wired connectivity was a strength, with reviews praising the broad and versatile port selection.

Wired connectivity was consistently praised for generous HDMI and input coverage, with multiple reviewers calling the ports ample or generous.

One review found Bluetooth streaming fast, stable, and free of dropouts for common apps.

Bluetooth stability was mixed: one reviewer could not pair a smartphone, while others had smooth streaming or no sync concerns.

EQ and sound-mode customization helped improve playback, but several reviews said manual control was limited.

EQ customization was one of the clearest weaknesses, with repeated complaints about limited bands, few levels, and weak preset control.

On-device controls were considered basic but useful and cleanly implemented.

On-device controls were split: basic buttons were liked in one review, while another criticized missing direct controls for key modes.

Smart assistant integration was a weakness because reviewers noted the lack of voice assistant support.

Smart assistant integration was limited in the one opinionated assessment, with the reviewer saying there was not much in the way of smarts.

Smart features were limited overall, but adaptive sound and phone/app control were useful where available.

Smart and extra features were useful but uneven: reviewers liked streaming and portable-speaker tricks, while some wanted more modes and controls.

Build quality was praised for sturdy construction, metal grilles, and a finish that felt premium for the price.

Build quality was generally regarded as solid or excellent, with reviewers praising sturdy construction and premium-feeling materials.

Design feedback was favorable, emphasizing a compact, sleek, premium-looking bar that fits neatly under TVs.

Design reactions were mostly positive for innovation and minimalism, though several comments framed the look as practical rather than striking.

The JBL One app was usually praised as easy and useful, though one reviewer called it only good, not great.

Bluetooth multi-connection was valued for easier switching between devices and phones.

Wireless speaker pairing was praised in the two tests that addressed it, with stable surround operation and a strong stereo Bluetooth setup.

One reviewer reported the app connected the bar to the home network without fuss, supporting a positive Wi-Fi reliability score.

One reviewer noted a short one-second restart delay after pausing video, making TV latency a minor annoyance rather than a dealbreaker.

Battery-powered surrounds enable flexibility, but several reviewers called regular recharging a hassle or a faff.

USB-C charging was repeatedly praised as a useful backup or major improvement for keeping the detachable speakers powered.

Gaming passthrough was a weakness where discussed, with reviewers flagging missing HDMI 2.1 or 4K/120Hz support.

HDMI 2.1 gaming support was limited, with reviewers routing consoles directly to the TV for better high-refresh gaming.

Magnetic attachment was mostly secure and robust, though one reviewer said the detachable speakers sometimes required force to remove.

Sustainability evidence was limited to one unboxing impression that the packaging looked eco-friendly.

One month-long user review reported intermittent TV disconnection, even though the soundbar otherwise worked well.

Size and placement convenience were mixed to poor: the wider bar can overhang a stand, and the large subwoofer is hard to hide.

Spotify support was generally useful, especially for streaming, though one reviewer noted Spotify was not built into the JBL app.