Klipsch Connect vs JBL BAR Setup
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Klipsch Connect
Control and customize your Klipsch audio devices with this app. Adjust EQ settings, manage ANC, access virtual remotes, and get product support. Keep your speakers and soundbars updated with the latest features.
- Virtual Remote Control
- Customizable EQ settings
- ANC and Transparency Mode control
- Firmware and feature updates
- Product support and troubleshooting
- Quick-start guides and manuals
Read full descriptionHide full description
Need support or have a feature suggestion? Please reach out to our Product Support team: • Live Chat in the App or • https://support.klipsch.com or • +1-800-KLIPSCH Klipsch Connect™ works with: • The One Plus and The Three Plus tabletop speakers • The Fives, The Sevens, The Nines, and The Nines McLaren powered monitors • Cinema 700, 800 and 1200 Series soundbars • Cinema 600 Series soundbar • T5 Series True Wireless earphones • T5 II series True Wireless earphones • T5 II ANC series True Wireless earphones You can easily personalize your experience by adjusting EQ, transparency, and ANC settings. Soundbar and Powered Monitor products all support Virtual Remote Control. You can install feature updates, troubleshoot common issues, contact product support - including in-app Live Chat, and much more. Features (availability varies by product): • Virtual Remote Control • EQ Presets • Custom EQ Adjustments • ANC Level Control • Transparency Mode & Level • Dirac HD Sound • Dynamic Bass Control - a.k.a. "Loudness" • Room Placement Control - a.k.a. "Bass Cut Mode" • Dolby Atmos (tm) Sound Mode Control • Night Mode and Dialog Mode Control • Channel-Specific Volume Control • Subwoofer Volume Control • Bragi AI, Moves & Sidekicks • Battery Level & Status • Live Chat with Support (during business hours) • Quick-Start Guides & Product Manuals • How-To Videos and FAQs • Product Firmware and Feature Updates • Product Registration • Easy Access to Product Support IMPORTANT FIVES UPDATE: If you cannot connect after you run the Fives Updater app, that means Step 1 did not complete successfully. Make sure to run the USB update. If you need help, we're here for you - please reach out to Product Support (link below) and we'll help you complete the update. How to Access Cinema Soundbar and Fives, Sevens, and Nines Virtual Remote Capabilities: Cinema 1200, 800, and 700 Virtual Remote Control and EQ features require the soundbar be running the latest update. This normally happens automatically when the soundbar has been connected to the Internet, either via Klipsch Connect or Google Home. If your device has not been connected to the Internet, please contact our Product Support Team for assistance. See details below. The Fives, The Sevens, and The Nines, including McLaren Editions Virtual Remote Control and EQ features require the powered monitors be running the latest update. If you have not updated your Fives already, please download the free "Klipsch The Fives Updater" app. This will walk you through the update process. After the update is complete, all future updates will come through Klipsch Connect. Our Product Support team can walk you through the entire process. Simply reach out to us at: • Live Chat in the App! or • https://support.klipsch.com or • +1-800-KLIPSCH
JBL BAR Setup
This app simplifies the Wi-Fi setup for the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround soundbar. It enables easy integration with Alexa Multi-Room Music for seamless music streaming and multi-room audio experiences.
- Easy Wi-Fi setup
- Alexa Multi-Room Music integration
- Music streaming
- Multi-room audio
- Firmware update check
Read full descriptionHide full description
The JBL BAR Setup app works with JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. It provides easy WiFi Setup for Alexa MRM (Mult-Room Music) for incredibly easy music streaming and multi-room possibilities. Please ensure your JBL Bar 5.1 Surround firmware are updated in order to work with the app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Klipsch Connect at 3.8 against JBL BAR Setup's 1.7. Klipsch Connect also leads on review sentiment (41% vs 7%) and ratings volume (992 vs 149). JBL BAR Setup's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 12.4). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Klipsch Connect holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Klipsch Connect has 992 ratings behind it against 149, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Klipsch Connect's written reviews are positive against 7% of JBL BAR Setup's.
Klipsch Connect ships an update every 6 weeks, JBL BAR Setup every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Klipsch Connect | JBL BAR Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (992 ratings) — better | 1.7 (149 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 41.3% of reviews — better | 6.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 992 — better | 149 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 | 10.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 255 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Klipsch Group, Inc. | Harman International Industries |
Customer experience
Klipsch Connect
JBL BAR Setup
Bugs and requests
Klipsch Connect
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
JBL BAR Setup
Reported bugs
12 issues- WiFi pairing fails consistently across multiple devices
- App cannot detect soundbar despite device being in setup mode
- Connection drops after firmware updates
- App displays failure message but update continues silently
- Bluetooth setup conflicts with WiFi pairing
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Amazon Alexa sign-in screen freezes
- App stuck searching for device indefinitely
- Soundbar firmware version mismatch prevents app recognition
- Subwoofer fails to connect through app
- iPhone compatibility issues
- Power surge causes permanent connection loss
- App requires manual reset cycle after each firmware update
Requested features
10 requests- Add equalizer and sound customization controls
- Implement proper remote control functionality
- Add ability to rename devices
- Include WiFi/Bluetooth toggle option for security
- Improve device detection and connection reliability
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Add HomeKit/Apple Home Pod support
- Support for older soundbar models (2.0, 2.1)
- Disable auto-standby feature after 15 minutes
- Consolidate multiple JBL apps into single unified app
- Add comprehensive troubleshooting guides
In-app purchases
Klipsch Connect
No in-app purchases
JBL BAR Setup
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Klipsch Connect free?
Is JBL BAR Setup free?
Which has better reviews, Klipsch Connect or JBL BAR Setup?
Do Klipsch Connect or JBL BAR Setup have ads?
Which is updated more often, Klipsch Connect or JBL BAR Setup?
Other comparisons















