OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

JBL Cinema SB120 Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£130N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:110 WHDMI ARC type:ARC

JBL Cinema SB120 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 3 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

JBL Cinema SB120
5.1/10

Overall score

Score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

95%

5.0

Technical score

5%

7.8

Reviews score ( 2 · 1)

Reviews score 5% · 7.8 · based on 3 independent reviews
Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. This model has enough reviews, so its review score is the weighted average of their grades.
â–¼Worse than 76% of soundbars
6.5

Value for money

Value for money
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

â–¼Worse than 81%
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

25%

4.1

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

5.3

Connectivity

14%

5.9

Controls

12%

5.7

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

6.6

Design

â–¼Worse than 76%
7.8

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Grades by review (3)
2 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 0 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–²Better than 50%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of soundbar JBL Cinema SB120

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components:

25%

4.1

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

5.3

Connectivity

14%

5.9

Controls

12%

5.7

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

6.6

Design

5.0
Reviews score
7.8
Value for money
Value for money
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components:

70%

5.1

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

6.5
Brand name
JBL
N. of audio channels
2
This soundbar offers 2 audio channels, fewer than 43.6% of soundbars and equal to 56.4% of soundbars.
Audio output power
110 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 110 W of audio output power, more than 69.5% of soundbars and equal to 0.6% of soundbars.
Max SPL
82 dB SPL
Market range: <75 dB SPL – >105 dB SPL
This soundbar has a max SPL of 82 dB SPL, lower than 86.5% of soundbars and equal to 2.7% of soundbars.
Min frequency
40 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 40 Hz, lower than 74.4% of soundbars and equal to 7% of soundbars.
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Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
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N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 31.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 4.2, which is older than that of 61.6% of soundbars and the same as that of 24.9% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 35.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 26.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 31.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
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HDMI version
1.4
This soundbar uses HDMI 1.4, which is newer than that of 39.4% of soundbars and the same as that of 18.1% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
ARC
This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 31.9% of soundbars and the same as what 46.3% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 37.4% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 20.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 23.4% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 21.3% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
950 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 950 mm wide, wider than 77.7% of soundbars and equal to 3.2% of soundbars.
Height
62 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 62 mm high, shorter than 71.1% of soundbars and equal to 4.8% of soundbars.
Thickness
105 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 105 mm thick, thicker than 71.7% of soundbars and equal to 1.6% of soundbars.
Weight
2,600 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 2,600 g, more than 66% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic, metal
This soundbar uses plastic, metal for the build material, which is different from that of 95.7% of soundbars and the same as that of 4.3% of soundbars.
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JBL Cinema SB120 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • Premium build material
    This soundbar uses plastic, metal for build materials, while the average soundbar uses plastic.
    plastic, metal vs plastic
  • Newer HDCP version
    This soundbar uses 1.4 for HDCP version, while the average soundbar uses none.
    1.4 vs none
  • 57.1% more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (110 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    110 W vs 70 W
  • 5 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (62 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    62 mm vs 67 mm
  • 12 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (MP3, WAV vs MP3).
    MP3, WAV vs MP3
  • 2.09x more popular
    JBL Cinema SB120 is more popular than the average soundbar (8.94 vs 4.3).
    8.94 vs 4.29
  • 2.09x more popular
    JBL Cinema SB120 is more popular than the average soundbar (8.94 vs 4.3).
    8.94 vs 4.29
  • 57.1% more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (110 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    110 W vs 70 W
  • 12 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (MP3, WAV vs MP3).
    MP3, WAV vs MP3
  • Newer HDCP version
    This soundbar uses 1.4 for HDCP version, while the average soundbar uses none.
    1.4 vs none
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • Premium build material
    This soundbar uses plastic, metal for build materials, while the average soundbar uses plastic.
    plastic, metal vs plastic
  • 5 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (62 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    62 mm vs 67 mm
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (USB is for service only)
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
    No (has HDMI ARC and Optical only)
  • 11.1 dB SPL lower max SPL
    This soundbar has a lower max SPL than the average soundbar (82 dB SPL vs 93.1 dB SPL). The average soundbar reaches 93.1 dB SPL max SPL.
    82 dB SPL vs 93.1 dB SPL
  • 2 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    2 vs 4
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    No (USB is for service only, except in US version where playback is supported)
  • 3.4% worse value for money
    JBL Cinema SB120 has worse value for money than the average soundbar (6.52 vs 6.7).
    6.52 vs 6.75
  • 2 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    2 vs 4
  • 11.1 dB SPL lower max SPL
    This soundbar has a lower max SPL than the average soundbar (82 dB SPL vs 93.1 dB SPL). The average soundbar reaches 93.1 dB SPL max SPL.
    82 dB SPL vs 93.1 dB SPL
  • 2 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (2 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    2 vs 4
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (USB is for service only)
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
    No (has HDMI ARC and Optical only)
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    No (USB is for service only, except in US version where playback is supported)
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4.2 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.2 vs 5.0
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • Harder firmware updates
    This soundbar uses USB for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    USB vs app-based, USB
  • 188 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (950 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    950 mm vs 762 mm
  • 19 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (105 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    105 mm vs 86 mm
  • 600 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (2,600 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    2,600 g vs 2,000 g

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
EA Phones
≈ estimated
13/05/2024
Hands-on review · sound, connections and remote tests
Verdict
JBL Cinema SB120 earns a strong recommendation for its sound, size and value, though its USB port is service-only.

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.0
choice.com.au
✓ explicit
16/03/2026
Product summary · Compact 2.0 soundbar
Verdict
The JBL Cinema SB120 is a low-profile 2.0 soundbar with a dialogue boost for simple TV upgrades in small rooms, though bass is thin without a subwoofer.
8.0
computer-archiv.de
✓ explicit
17/12/2024
Hands-on test · Compact soundbar
Verdict
The JBL Cinema SB120 is a slim soundbar whose built-in subwoofer and clear voice mode suit film nights in small flats, though its bass cannot match external subwoofers.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about JBL Cinema SB120

  • Simple and quick setup via HDMI ARC or Bluetooth.
  • Slim, low-profile design that fits easily under most TVs.
  • Excellent dialogue clarity and crisp vocals for movies and news.
  • Integrated subwoofer provides decent bass without the clutter of an external box.
  • Good value for money as an entry-level upgrade over standard TV speakers.
  • Convenient remote with dedicated buttons for different sound modes.

What customers don't like about JBL Cinema SB120

  • Lacks the 'room-shaking' deep bass found in systems with dedicated external subwoofers.
  • No visual display for volume levels or sound mode changes (only simple LED indicators).
  • Limited sound adjustment options (lacks manual EQ for highs and lows).
  • Volume may feel insufficient for very large living areas; best suited for bedrooms or small rooms.
  • Bluetooth connectivity can occasionally conflict with other wireless devices connected to the TV.
  • Surround sound effect is minimal and lacks true immersion.

Verdict

The JBL Cinema SB120 is a compact, 2.0 channel soundbar delivering 110W of total power through two 2.25" full-range drivers and two 2.5" built-in woofers for a cable-free bass experience. Key characteristics include an ultra-low-profile design at just 62mm in height, Dolby Digital integration, and flexible connectivity via HDMI ARC, Optical, and Bluetooth 4.2. Its main pros are hassle-free setup, a dedicated sound mode for enhanced voice clarity, and a clutter-free design that eliminates the need for an external subwoofer. However, cons include a lack of a visual display for volume or sound modes, limited bass response compared to external units, and suitability being restricted primarily to medium-sized rooms rather than large living areas.

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