JBL Bar 700 vs LG S80TR: Which Premium Soundbar Should You Choose?

Shopping for a premium soundbar can feel overwhelming, especially when you're comparing two solid options like the JBL Bar 700 ($649.95) and the LG S80TR ($546.99). Both promise that coveted "movie theater experience" at home, but they take surprisingly different approaches to get there. After spending time with both systems, I've learned that the "best" choice really depends on your specific setup and priorities.

Understanding Premium Soundbars: What You're Really Buying

Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what separates premium soundbars from their budget counterparts. Both the JBL and LG models belong to the upper tier of soundbar technology, where you're not just getting louder sound—you're getting smarter sound processing, dedicated surround speakers, and support for advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos.

Dolby Atmos deserves special attention here because it's a game-changer for home audio. Traditional surround sound works horizontally around you (think left, right, center, and rear channels). Atmos adds a vertical dimension, creating the illusion that sound is coming from above—like a helicopter flying overhead or rain falling from the sky. The technology achieves this through either physical up-firing speakers that bounce sound off your ceiling, or through psychoacoustic processing that tricks your brain into perceiving height.

The key considerations when evaluating premium soundbars include audio performance (how good they actually sound), setup complexity (how much work you'll need to put in), connectivity options (what devices they'll work with), and room compatibility (whether they'll work well in your specific space). Price matters too, but in this category, you're often trading convenience features against raw performance capabilities.

Product Origins and Evolution

The JBL Bar 700 launched in 2022 as part of JBL's push into the premium soundbar market, representing a significant step up from their earlier, more basic models. JBL leveraged their decades of professional audio experience to create what they call "MultiBeam" technology—essentially sophisticated signal processing that creates virtual surround sound without needing to perfectly position multiple speakers around your room.

The LG S80TR arrived around the same time as part of LG's broader home theater ecosystem strategy. LG took a different approach, focusing on authentic multi-channel audio with physical drivers for each channel. Their "WOW Orchestra" technology reflects LG's advantage as both a TV and audio manufacturer—they can make their soundbars work seamlessly with their televisions in ways that third-party manufacturers can't easily match.

Since their releases, both companies have continued refining their approaches through firmware updates. JBL has improved their room calibration algorithms and expanded streaming service compatibility, while LG has enhanced their AI processing and added more gaming-focused features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support for Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

Audio Performance: Two Philosophies, Different Results

The JBL Approach: Wireless Convenience Meets Powerful Bass

The JBL Bar 700's most distinctive feature is its detachable rear speakers. These aren't just wireless speakers—they're battery-powered units that magnetically attach to the main soundbar for charging. When you want true surround sound, you simply detach them and place them behind your seating area. Each speaker provides up to 10 hours of playback, which covers even the longest movie marathons.

This design solves a real problem that many soundbar buyers face: how to get rear surround effects without running cables across your room or finding power outlets behind your couch. In my testing, the convenience factor is genuinely impressive. You can set up true 5.1 surround sound for movie night, then quickly stow the speakers back on the bar when you're done.

But convenience isn't the JBL's only strength. The 10-inch wireless subwoofer is genuinely powerful, delivering bass that you feel in your chest during action sequences. The frequency response extends down to 35Hz, which means you'll hear (and feel) those deep rumbling explosions that lesser systems miss entirely. During my time with the system, I was consistently impressed by how it handled everything from the subtle bass lines in jazz recordings to the earth-shaking effects in Marvel movies.

The JBL uses what they call "PureVoice" technology for dialogue enhancement. Instead of just boosting mid-range frequencies (which can make voices sound unnatural), PureVoice uses advanced processing to separate dialogue from background sounds. The result is clearer speech without the artificial quality that plagues many dialogue enhancement features.

The LG Strategy: Authentic Multi-Channel Audio

The LG S80TR takes a more traditional but technically sophisticated approach. Instead of detachable speakers, it includes dedicated wireless rear speakers that need to be positioned permanently in your room. More importantly, it features three up-firing drivers built into the main soundbar itself. These drivers fire sound directly at your ceiling, where it bounces back down to create genuine overhead effects.

This is true Dolby Atmos, not the virtualized version that many soundbars offer. When a scene calls for sound from above—whether it's a spaceship flying overhead or debris falling from a collapsing building—you actually hear it coming from above, not just from the sides with some processing trickery.

The LG's "WOW Orchestra" feature is particularly clever if you own a compatible LG TV. The system coordinates the TV's built-in speakers with the soundbar to create an even wider soundstage. Instead of disabling your TV speakers (as most soundbars do), WOW Orchestra puts them to work, using them for ambient effects while the soundbar handles the main audio duties.

However, the LG's 8-inch subwoofer is noticeably less powerful than the JBL's. While it provides adequate bass for most content, it lacks the deep, room-shaking impact that makes action movies truly exciting. This is one area where the LG feels more like a "balanced" system rather than one designed to thrill.

Dialogue Clarity: A Critical Difference

Both systems handle dialogue well, but in different ways. The JBL Bar 700's PureVoice technology works automatically in the background, consistently keeping speech clear even when explosions are happening simultaneously. You don't need to adjust settings or switch modes—it just works.

The LG S80TR offers a "Clear Voice Pro" mode that you can activate when needed, but the default settings sometimes let dialogue get lost in complex soundtracks. This isn't necessarily bad—some audio purists prefer to hear the mix as the sound engineers intended—but it means you might find yourself reaching for the remote more often.

Setup and Installation: Simplicity vs. Optimization

Setting up the JBL Bar 700 is refreshingly straightforward. You connect a single HDMI cable to your TV's eARC port (enhanced Audio Return Channel, which carries both audio to the soundbar and video signals from connected devices), plug in the subwoofer, and you're essentially done. The system automatically calibrates itself using built-in microphones, adjusting its sound profile to work with your room's acoustics.

The detachable rear speakers add flexibility without complexity. When you want surround sound, you grab them from the bar and place them roughly behind your seating area. They don't need to be positioned with scientific precision—the system's processing compensates for less-than-ideal placement.

The LG S80TR requires more thoughtful setup. The rear speakers need permanent positioning with access to power outlets, and you'll want to spend time optimizing their placement for the best surround effects. The system includes AI room calibration that measures your space and adjusts the audio accordingly, but this process takes longer and requires more user involvement.

For home theater enthusiasts who enjoy tweaking and optimizing their systems, the LG's more complex setup might actually be appealing. But if you want great sound without the hassle, the JBL's approach is clearly superior.

Connectivity and Streaming: Modern Convenience vs. Basic Function

Here's where the JBL Bar 700 really shines in day-to-day use. It includes built-in Wi-Fi with support for AirPlay (for Apple devices), Chromecast (for Android and Google services), and Alexa Multi-Room Music. This means you can stream music directly to the soundbar without involving your TV at all. Whether you're streaming Spotify from your phone or asking Alexa to play your favorite playlist, the JBL handles it all natively.

The LG S80TR takes a more basic approach to wireless connectivity. It supports Bluetooth for streaming from your phone or tablet, but lacks the built-in Wi-Fi streaming services that make the JBL so convenient for music listening. If you primarily use your soundbar for TV and movie audio, this limitation might not matter. But if you also want a capable music system, the JBL's streaming features are genuinely useful.

Both systems support HDMI eARC and can pass through 4K video signals with HDR (High Dynamic Range, which provides better contrast and color). The LG includes some gaming-specific features like Variable Refresh Rate support, which gamers with Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 consoles will appreciate.

Room Compatibility: Size Matters

Your room size and layout significantly impact which system will work better for you. The JBL Bar 700 excels in small to medium-sized rooms (roughly under 200 square feet). In these spaces, the MultiBeam processing works effectively, using wall reflections to create convincing surround effects. The powerful subwoofer provides plenty of bass without overwhelming the space.

However, in larger or acoustically challenging rooms (think open floor plans with high ceilings), the JBL's virtual surround processing becomes less effective. Without proper wall surfaces to reflect sound, the Atmos effects can feel flat and unconvincing.

The LG S80TR handles larger rooms much better thanks to its physical rear speakers and up-firing drivers. The true 5.1.3-channel configuration doesn't rely on room acoustics to create surround effects—the speakers are actually positioned where the sound is supposed to come from. This makes it more consistent across different room types and sizes.

Value Proposition: What You Get for Your Money

At $649.95, the JBL Bar 700 costs about $100 more than the LG, but you're paying for significant convenience features. The wireless rear speakers, powerful subwoofer, and built-in streaming capabilities justify the premium for many users. If you value ease of use and don't want to deal with permanent speaker placement, the extra cost makes sense.

The LG S80TR at $546.99 offers impressive value for buyers who want authentic Dolby Atmos. Getting true multi-channel audio with physical height speakers at this price point is genuinely competitive. The trade-offs are the less powerful subwoofer and limited streaming options, but for pure home theater use, it delivers where it counts.

Making Your Decision: Which System Fits Your Needs?

After extensive testing with both systems, I'd recommend the JBL Bar 700 if you prioritize convenience and powerful bass. It's perfect for smaller rooms where you want great sound without the complexity of traditional surround systems. The detachable rear speakers are genuinely innovative, and the built-in streaming makes it excellent for music as well as movies.

Choose the LG S80TR if you have a larger room and want the most authentic Dolby Atmos experience possible at this price point. The physical up-firing drivers create genuine overhead effects that virtual processing simply can't match. If you own an LG TV, the WOW Orchestra integration makes this an even more compelling choice.

For home theater enthusiasts with dedicated media rooms, the LG's authentic multi-channel approach will likely provide more long-term satisfaction despite its setup complexity. For everyone else—especially those in apartments or smaller homes—the JBL Bar 700's combination of convenience and performance makes it the more practical choice.

Both soundbars represent significant upgrades over basic TV audio and budget soundbars. Your choice ultimately comes down to whether you prioritize convenience and bass impact (JBL) or authentic surround sound and value (LG). Either way, you'll end up with a system that transforms your home entertainment experience.

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