Comparison

Denon AVR Remote vs JBL BAR Setup

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Denon AVR Remote

Control your compatible network-ready Denon AV Receiver from your iOS device. Manage basic functions, access network browsing, and adjust settings with an overhauled interface. Integrates with HEOS for seamless control.

Highlights
  • Basic function control (power, volume, input)
  • Network browsing and HEOS app integration
  • ECO Mode settings
  • Option settings (Sleep Tone, Channel Level)
  • View user manuals
  • Multi-language support
Read full description

This app for iPhone and iPad will give you an unprecedented level of command and control over your 2014 or later model year network ready Denon AV Receivers (due to hardware differences, older models are not supported with this app. Please check the model compatibility list below). Along with many new features, the graphics and user interface have been completely overhauled. Control the basic functions of your Denon product with power, volume, input and settings. Network browsing is either done within the Denon AVR Remote app or depending on model by selecting HEOS network as input which opens the HEOS app automatically. With the Denon AVR Remote, your iOS device just became an integral part of your home entertainment experience. Compatible Denon Models (*1, *2) 2026 New Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-S980H, AVR-X2900H, AVR-X3900H 2024 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-A10H, AVR-X6800H 2023 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X1800H, AVR-S770H, AVR-S670H, DRA-900H 2022 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-A1H, AVR-X4800H, AVR-X3800H, AVR-X2800H, AVR-S970H 2021 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X8500HA, AVR-X1700H, AVR-S760H, AVR-S660H 2020 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-A110, AVR-X6700H, AVR-X4700H, AVR-X3700H, AVR-X2700H, AVR-S960H 2019 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X3600H, AVR-X2600H, AVR-X1600H, AVR-S950H, AVR-S750H, AVR-S650H, DRA-800H 2018 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X6500H, AVR-X4500H, AVR-X3500H, AVR-X2500H, AVR-X1500H, AVR-S940H, AVR-S740H, AVR-S640H 2017 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X8500H, AVR-X6400H, AVR-X4400H, AVR-X3400H, AVR-X2400H, AVR-X1400H, AVR-S930H, AVR-S730H 2016 Models Network AV Receiver: AVR-X6300H, AVR-X4300H, AVR-X3300W, AVR-X2300W, AVR-X1300W, AVR-S920W, AVR-S720W 2015 Models: Network AV Receiver: AVR-X6200W, AVR-X4200W, AVR-X3200W, AVR-X2200W, AVR-X1200W, AVR-S910W, AVR-S710W 2014 Models: Network AV Receiver: AVR-X7200W, AVR-X7200WA *Not compatible with Denon models other than the above models. Main feature: •On the fly HEOS app switching for network browsing and control for HEOS built-in AVRs •ECO Mode setting •Option settings (Sleep Tone, Channel Level etc.) and Selected Setup Features •Viewing User manuals •Multi-Language Support (English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Swedish, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Russian and Polish.) (*3) Notes: *1: A firmware update for your Denon product is may be needed, please update the firmware via the system setup menu. (General > Firmware) If the App doesn't work well, please try to reboot your mobile device, unplug the power cord of the main unit and reinsert into the power outlet or check your home network. *2: Please set "Network Control" to "ON" in your product via the system setup menu to use this app. (Network > Network Control) *3: The OS language setting is automatically detected; when not available, English is selected.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Easy Wi-Fi setup
  • Alexa Multi-Room Music integration
  • Music streaming
  • Multi-room audio
  • Firmware update check
Features
Read 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

Denon AVR Remote4 screens
JBL BAR Setup4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Denon AVR Remote at 2.0 against JBL BAR Setup's 1.6. Denon AVR Remote also leads on review sentiment (21% vs 7%) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 153). JBL BAR Setup's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Denon AVR Remote holds the better App Store score, 2.0 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Denon AVR Remote has 1.5K ratings behind it against 153, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Denon AVR Remote's written reviews are positive against 7% of JBL BAR Setup's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Denon AVR Remote versus JBL BAR Setup: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDenon AVR RemoteJBL BAR Setup
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1.5K ratings) — better1.6 (153 ratings)
Positive reviews21.4% of reviews — better6.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1.5K — better153
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperD&M HoldingsHarman International Industries

Customer experience

Denon AVR Remote

All ratings1,446 ratings
Positive21.6%
Neutral6.8%
Negative71.6%
Written reviews954 reviews
Positive21.4%
Neutral10.3%
Negative68.3%

JBL BAR Setup

All ratings149 ratings
Positive14.1%
Neutral5.4%
Negative80.5%
Written reviews162 reviews
Positive6.8%
Neutral1.9%
Negative91.4%

User reviews

Denon AVR Remote

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works as intended
  • 🚀 Flawless connectivity
  • 💡 Convenient remote control
  • 👍 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Unreliable connection
  • 🐛 Buggy after updates
  • 🔧 Outdated and clunky UI

JBL BAR Setup

From 153 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✅ Works reliably once properly configured
  • 🎵 Enables Spotify playback via AirPlay
  • 🔧 Allows WiFi connectivity setup for soundbars
  • ⚡ Fast connection when functioning correctly

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Extremely unreliable WiFi pairing process
  • ❌ App frequently fails to detect connected devices
  • 🔌 Requires complex manual reset procedures to function
  • 📱 Limited functionality beyond initial setup
  • ⚙️ No sound customization or EQ settings available

Bugs and requests

Denon AVR Remote

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App unable to detect receiver on network
  • Volume controls not syncing with receiver
  • Certain settings not persisting across inputs
  • Frequent app crashes and hangs

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to manually enter receiver IP address
  • More customization options
  • Better integration with smart home platforms
  • Improved multi-zone control

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 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

None

Denon AVR Remote

No in-app purchases

None

JBL BAR Setup

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Denon AVR Remote free?
Denon AVR Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is JBL BAR Setup free?
JBL BAR Setup is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Denon AVR Remote or JBL BAR Setup?
Denon AVR Remote is rated higher. Denon AVR Remote averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while JBL BAR Setup averages 1.6 from 153 ratings.
Do Denon AVR Remote or JBL BAR Setup have ads?
Neither Denon AVR Remote nor JBL BAR Setup shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Denon AVR Remote or JBL BAR Setup?
Denon AVR Remote ships an update every 2 months, and JBL BAR Setup every 2 months. Most recently, Denon AVR Remote was updated on October 24, 2026 and JBL BAR Setup on October 25, 2026.

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