Introduction
JBL Bar 2.1 and Polk Signa S3 are different kinds of Bluetooth speakers with wireless connectivity. These speaker sets have been created for different kinds of customers. So, picking the best from them is really difficult because these speakers actually vary according to your needs and wants.
The JBL Bar 2.1 is a wireless soundbar with a subwoofer that has the capability of playing all kinds of music genres. The Polk Signa S3 is also a wireless Bluetooth speaker that comes along with two satellite speakers without separate woofers. So, if you want to go for the best product among these then you have to make a choice keeping in mind your requirements and preferences.
In this article, we will try to tell you about both of these speakers so that you can decide which one is better.
Company Profile:
In 1946, James Bullough Lansing founded JBL, which is an American company. This company specializes in producing high-quality audio systems. Among the popular models are JBL 4311, JBL L100 Century, and others. Besides that, JBL is also well known for its wireless Bluetooth speakers.
As another American company, Polk Audio was founded in 1972 by Douglas Polk and George Klopfer. The company produce high-quality sound systems for homes, cars, etc. Some of its popular products include Polk Audio Monitor Series, Polk Audio Signa S2, etc. This company is also known for its wireless Bluetooth Speakers.
Comparison of JBL Bar 2.1 and Polk Signa S3:
When we talk about the comparison of JBL Bar 2.1 vs Polk Audio Signa S3 there are some differences that can be noted from their previous versions. By looking at these two speakers you will find that both of them have different designs, inputs, controls and different kinds of functionality.
JBL Bar 2.1:
This speaker set comes with a wireless connection option for streaming music wirelessly from your smartphone or any other device that is compatible with the wireless connectivity and this is one of the main features that users like about this speaker. This particular model comes in black colour and on both sides, there are JBL speakers on the front panel. It has got a total of six drivers onboard which delivers marvellous sound quality to your ears. There are two woofers at the centre, one at the rear side and two speakers in the front. The total Root Mean Square (RMS) power of this speaker is 245 watts.
Polk Signa S3:
This speaker set is also having a wireless connectivity option like JBL Bar 2.1 but it does not come with Bluetooth connectivity instead you can link your device with this speaker using the external AUX cable. So, if you are one of those people who don’t like using Bluetooth then Polk Signa S3 might be a great option for you. This particular model also comes in black colour and it has a miniature design like JBL Bar 2.1. This speaker set is actually a little smaller than the JBL one but still, it does not trade-off on sound quality. Its Root Mean Square (RMS) power is 180 watts which is quite good for such small speakers.
Design:
JBL Bar 2.1:
The design of JBL Bar 2.1 is different from other similar Bluetooth speakers that you will find in the market. It has a wire mesh over it which makes it look very elegant and even though this speaker set has got a total of six drivers on board, yet it looks quite miniature because of the plastic body at the front side and a black colour frame with JBL logo on it.
Polk Signa S3:
This speaker set is also very stylish but its design is compact and basic at the same time. Although this speaker has got 180 watts of Root Mean Square (RMS) power which is quite superior yet it does not make this speaker look massive or heavy because of the I shaped design which makes its size look compact.
Design Verdict: In terms of design JBL Bar 2.1 is a winner because it has got a wire mesh at the front side which makes it look different from others.
Physical Size:
JBL Bar 2.1:
The physical size of JBL Bar 2 is 27 inches from top to bottom and it weighs 17 pounds which makes this model a bit massive when compared with other similar speakers available in the market.
Polk Signa S3:
This speaker is a little small, its total height is 24 inches and it weighs only 11.5 pounds which make this speaker a bit lightweight when compared with JBL Bar 2.1.
Size Verdict: In terms of Physical Size Polk Audio Signa S3 is a winner because it has got compact size which makes this model less bulky.
Technical Specifications:
JBL Bar 2.1:
This model has got one woofer which is in the centre, another driver at the front side and two drivers are located at the rear side of this speaker set. The dimensions of these drivers are 6 inches for the centre woofer, 1 inch for the tweeter and 3 inches for the other two speakers.
Polk Signa S3:
This model comes with one centre driver and two others located at the front side of this speaker. The dimensions of these drivers are 6 inches for the centre driver, 5 inches for front speakers and a 1-inch tweeter.
Specifications Verdict: In terms of specifications JBL Bar 2.1 is a winner because it has got more drivers and its dimensions are also quite big as compared to Polk Signa S3.
Sound Quality:
JBL Bar 2.1:
This speaker set has got six drivers onboard which deliver excellent sound quality to your ears and this is one point that the customers love about the sound quality of JBL Bar 2.1 because it can create big sound in a small space by spreading sound equally through all these six speakers.
Polk Signa S3:
This speaker set has got 180 watts of RMS power which is good for this small i shaped design. It also has two drivers on board and it creates powerful sound by distributing sound equally through these 2 speakers. So, overall its performance with respect to the sound quality is quite good.
Sound Quality Verdict: In terms of sound quality both the speakers create equally loud and clear sound but when it comes to creating bigger sound then JBL Bar 2.1 is a winner because it has got more drivers on board.
Connectivity:
JBL Bar 2.1:
This speaker set comes with a wireless connectivity option for streaming music wirelessly from your smartphone or any other device that is compatible with the wireless connectivity and this is one of the main features that users like about this speaker.
Polk Signa S3:
This speaker set can be connected to your devices using a 3.5mm aux cable. It does not have a Bluetooth connectivity option so that is the reason it is not compatible with all devices.
Connectivity Verdict: In terms of connectivity both the speaker sets perform almost the same but when it comes to wireless connectivity then JBL Bar 2.1 is a winner because it can connect to your devices using wireless technology so you can stream music from your device without any wiring hassle.
Price:
JBL Bar 2.1 is priced at $350 whereas Polk Signa S3 comes with a price tag of $150 which makes the JBL speaker set more expensive than the Polk one but overall both these speaker sets are great when it comes to price.
Price Verdict: In terms of price both these speaker sets compete against each other and it can be said that it’s all about personal choice because both the speaker’s sets are quite good at the price.
Bass:
JBL Bar 2.1:
This model has got a strong bass as compared to Polk Signa S3, you can feel a big thump while listening to your favourite music tracks with this model.
Polk Signa S3:
This model has got a less powerful bass as compared to JBL Bar 2.1, you can feel only a mild thump while listening to your favourite music tracks through this speaker set.
Bass Verdict: In terms of bass JBL Bar 2.1 is a winner because it has got more powerful bass whereas Polk Signa S3 has got less powerful bass.
Build Quality:
JBL Bar 2.1:
This speaker set is made up of plastic with metal finishing on the faceplate which makes its design look premium but weight might be an issue for some customers because this model weighs around 12 pounds which is quite heavy.
Polk Signa S3:
This model is made up of plastic with metal finishing on the front side which makes its design look premium but weight might be an issue for some customers because this model weighs around 6 pounds.
Build Quality Verdict: Both the speaker sets are good in terms of build quality but if we compare both on basis of weight then JBL Bar 2.1 is a winner because it is made up of heavy-duty material whereas Polk Signa S3 is not that heavy.
Conclusion: The Final Verdict
So, overall both these speaker sets are good but there are some factors that you have to consider before buying one. If you are looking for a wireless connectivity option then JBL Bar 2.1 is the best choice for you but if you don’t use Bluetooth then Polk Signa S3 will be a better choice as it has also got 180 watts of RMS power and a compact design like JBL one.
