JBL Bar 700 vs LG S70TR: Which Premium Soundbar Delivers the Best Home Theater Experience?

If you've been struggling to hear dialogue over your TV's built-in speakers or missing the rumbling bass that makes action movies truly exciting, you're probably ready to upgrade to a premium soundbar. The two standout options in 2024 are the JBL Bar 700 ($650) and the LG S70TR ($400), both offering Dolby Atmos surround sound with wireless subwoofers. But they take surprisingly different approaches to delivering that cinematic experience you're after.

Understanding What Makes a Premium Soundbar Special

Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what separates premium soundbars from basic models. Premium soundbars like these two go beyond simple stereo sound by creating a three-dimensional audio environment that mimics what you'd experience in a movie theater. They use technologies like Dolby Atmos—which adds overhead sound effects to make you feel like helicopters are actually flying above you—and dedicated subwoofers that handle the deep bass your TV speakers simply can't produce.

The key things to consider when choosing between premium soundbars include how they create surround sound (whether they use physical speakers behind you or clever audio processing), how deep and powerful their bass response is, how clearly they present dialogue during loud scenes, and whether they integrate well with your existing TV and streaming setup. Value becomes crucial too, since you're making a significant investment in your entertainment experience.

Two Different Philosophies for Surround Sound

The most fascinating difference between these soundbars lies in how they approach surround sound. The JBL Bar 700 takes an innovative approach with detachable battery-powered surround speakers. This means the main soundbar actually has removable end sections that you can take off and place behind your seating area. When attached, they charge automatically, but when detached, they run on battery power for up to 10 hours.

I've found this design brilliant for flexibility. You can start with everything connected as one long soundbar, then detach the surrounds when you want that true behind-you audio experience for movies. No running speaker wire across your room or hunting for power outlets near your couch. When you're done watching, just snap them back onto the main bar to recharge.

The LG S70TR, on the other hand, comes with dedicated wireless rear speakers that stay in their permanent positions. But LG adds something the JBL doesn't: a true 5.1.1 channel configuration. That extra ".1" represents upward-firing drivers specifically designed to bounce sound off your ceiling, creating more convincing overhead effects for Dolby Atmos content. The JBL achieves its height effects through digital processing rather than physical upward-firing speakers.

Bass Performance: Size Really Does Matter

This is where the price difference between these soundbars becomes most apparent. The JBL Bar 700 includes a massive 10-inch wireless subwoofer pumping out 300 watts of power, extending down to 35Hz. In practical terms, this means you'll feel the deep rumble of explosions, the engine growl of sports cars, and the atmospheric low-end that makes horror movies truly unsettling.

The LG S70TR's 7-inch subwoofer, while perfectly adequate with its 220-watt amplifier, simply can't match that level of impact. It's the difference between bass you feel in your chest versus bass you just hear. For apartment dwellers, the LG's more controlled bass might actually be preferable to avoid disturbing neighbors. But if you want that full theater experience in a larger room, the JBL's substantial low-end advantage justifies much of its higher price.

I've noticed that bass extension below 40Hz—which the JBL achieves but the LG doesn't quite reach—is where you really start feeling the music and movie soundtracks rather than just hearing them. It's that subsonic energy that makes your heart race during action sequences.

Smart Features and Dialogue Enhancement

Both soundbars tackle the common problem of unclear dialogue, but they use different approaches. The JBL Bar 700 features PureVoice 2.0 technology, which dynamically analyzes whatever you're watching and automatically adjusts the sound balance. When it detects high vocal content during a loud action scene, it intelligently reduces competing frequencies to make speech clearer. This adaptive approach means you don't need to manually adjust settings for different types of content.

The LG S70TR uses Clear Voice Plus, which provides a static boost to dialogue through its center channel speakers. While effective, it lacks the JBL's intelligent adaptation to different content types. However, the LG compensates with more manual control options, including a 3-band equalizer accessible through their mobile app and multiple preset sound modes for different content types like gaming, sports, and cinema.

Gaming and Modern TV Integration

Here's where the LG pulls ahead in a specific but important category. The LG S70TR includes VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) support, which are crucial for modern gaming. VRR allows the soundbar to sync with gaming displays that change their refresh rates dynamically, while ALLM automatically switches to the lowest possible audio delay when it detects gaming content. For serious gamers with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or high-end PC setups, these features ensure perfectly synchronized audio.

The LG also features WOW Orchestra, a unique technology that coordinates the soundbar with compatible LG TVs. Instead of muting your TV's speakers, WOW Orchestra uses them alongside the soundbar to create a wider, more enveloping soundstage. If you own an LG QNED or OLED TV, this integration can significantly enhance the overall audio experience by filling in the gaps between the soundbar and rear speakers.

The JBL Bar 700 focuses more on universal compatibility and streaming integration. It includes built-in Wi-Fi with support for AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, and Alexa Multi-Room Music. This means you can easily stream music from any platform and integrate the soundbar into multi-room audio systems—something the LG can't match.

Setup and Room Optimization

Both soundbars aim to simplify setup, but they take different approaches. The JBL Bar 700 includes automatic room calibration using a built-in microphone. During initial setup, it plays test tones and listens to how they reflect off your walls and furniture, then adjusts the sound accordingly. This eliminates the guesswork of manual positioning and EQ adjustments.

The LG requires more traditional setup with manual positioning of its wireless rear speakers, but it offers more granular control once everything's in place. The mobile app lets you fine-tune bass, treble, and mid-range frequencies independently, giving audio enthusiasts more control over their sound signature.

Evolution and Current Technology

The JBL Bar 700 represents JBL's 2024 entry into the premium soundbar market, incorporating lessons learned from their previous models. The detachable surround concept is relatively new, addressing the common complaint that wireless rear speakers create cable clutter and require additional power outlets.

The LG S70TR, available since 2022 with recent updates, benefits from LG's years of soundbar development and their deep integration with their TV ecosystem. LG has refined WOW Orchestra through multiple product generations, making it one of the most seamless TV-soundbar integrations available.

Both products represent the current state of Dolby Atmos implementation in soundbars. Earlier Atmos soundbars often struggled to create convincing overhead effects, but these models use advanced digital signal processing and, in the LG's case, dedicated upward-firing drivers to create more believable three-dimensional soundscapes.

Real-World Performance Differences

In practice, the performance differences become apparent based on your room size and content preferences. The JBL Bar 700 excels in medium to large rooms where its powerful subwoofer can properly pressurize the space. The detachable surrounds work best when you can position them 2-3 feet behind your main seating area—closer than that and the surround effect becomes too obvious, farther and it loses impact.

For bass-heavy content like action movies, electronic music, or video games with dramatic sound effects, the JBL's advantage is immediately noticeable. The extra low-end extension adds weight and impact that makes every explosion and musical note feel more realistic.

The LG S70TR shines in smaller to medium rooms and particularly benefits LG TV owners. Its more controlled bass response works well in apartments or shared living spaces, while still providing enough impact for an engaging experience. The dedicated height channels create more precise Atmos effects, making overhead rain, aircraft, or falling debris more convincing than the JBL's virtual processing.

Home Theater Considerations

For dedicated home theater setups, both soundbars offer HDMI eARC connectivity for high-quality audio passthrough from your TV. They support 4K HDR video passthrough, so you won't lose picture quality when connecting devices through the soundbar. However, the JBL Bar 700 supports additional formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, which provide higher quality audio from Blu-ray discs.

The JBL's room calibration becomes particularly valuable in dedicated theater rooms with different acoustics than typical living rooms. Its ability to adapt to your specific space automatically can save hours of manual tweaking that other systems require.

Making Your Decision

Choose the JBL Bar 700 ($650) if you prioritize maximum audio impact and flexibility. The detachable surrounds offer unique versatility, the larger subwoofer delivers superior bass extension, and the universal streaming compatibility ensures it'll work well regardless of your TV brand or content sources. It's particularly compelling for larger rooms or if you frequently watch action movies and listen to music with significant bass content.

The LG S70TR ($400) makes more sense if you own an LG TV and want seamless integration, if you're serious about gaming, or if your budget is more constrained. The $250 savings is substantial, and the performance difference may not justify the extra cost in smaller rooms or for more casual viewing habits.

Both soundbars represent excellent value in their respective price ranges. The LG delivers impressive performance for $400, while the JBL provides premium features and superior bass that justify its higher price for those who want the best possible experience. Your choice ultimately depends on your room size, budget, existing equipment, and how much you value having that extra bass impact and surround sound flexibility.

JBL Bar 700 Dolby Atmos 5.1 Soundbar with Subwoofer Deals and Prices

LG S70TR 5.1.1 Channel Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and WOW Orchestra Soundbar Deals and Prices