The JBL Bar 500MK2 is JBL's 2025 successor to the JBL Bar 500, released in 2023. It sports a redesign in the same style as the other MK2 variants from JBL's soundbar lineup, with a black finish. With minimal change to driver configuration and major features, the bar's bump from 590W to 750W total power and tuning changes under the hood will largely determine whether the successor is a worthwhile pickup.
Our Verdict
The JBL Bar 500MK2 is great for mixed usage. The bar supports HDMI In, HDMI eARC, and Optical connections, so it's compatible with older hardware and modern TVs. Though you can use the bar for video passthrough, the JBL isn't the greatest companion for modern consoles, as it can't support passthrough at resolutions over 4k @ 60Hz. Still, the bar has very good sonic performance overall. The subwoofer-supported low-end reproduces dubstep wobbles and cinematic explosions with convincing rumble; side-firing surrounds improve the bar's soundstage in sci-fi and fantasy movies and prestige TV series; and the wide gamut of sound enhancement features provides you with many options for customization and optimization.
Deep low-frequency extension and subwoofer power.
Wide audio format support has good compatibility with various streaming services and media.
Center channel gets loud enough to render dialogue.
No support for 4k @ 120Hz video passthrough.
No satellites or up-firing drivers means multi-channel and height content isn't as convincing or immersive
The JBL Bar 500MK2 is great for reproducing dialogue. The center channel gets plenty loud relative to the rest of the bar and activates the subwoofer, so even deeper voices are rendered naturally and full-bodied. Coupled with a dedicated dialogue feature, room correction, and a graphic EQ, you can easily tune speech to suit your space and tastes.
Wide audio format support has good compatibility with various streaming services and media.
Center channel gets loud enough to render dialogue.
The JBL Bar 500MK2 is good for music reproduction. For most tracks that aren't mastered with Dolby Atmos or spatial audio in mind, the bar system's lack of satellites won't hinder their performance. That said, the bar activates the side-firing surround drivers and automatically replicates some audio on the opposite horizontal channels (crossfeed), even with pure stereo content. Subjectively, we found this additional processing natural-sounding, with the stereo soundstage extending a few inches past the bar on either side.
Deep low-frequency extension and subwoofer power.
Wide audio format support has good compatibility with various streaming services and media.
The JBL Bar 500MK2 is very good for movies. The soundbar system comes with a dedicated 10" sub that brings plenty of low-end energy in explosive action scenes and theatrical scores. Though the bar lacks discrete satellites, it has side-firing drivers that do an acceptable job of rendering surround effects, like passing F1 cars and fighter jets with some immersion. Unfortunately, the bar has no up-firing drivers, so it won't render any height cues from Atmos or DTS:X content very convincingly. Still, it supports both formats without downmixing.
Deep low-frequency extension and subwoofer power.
Wide audio format support has good compatibility with various streaming services and media.
Center channel gets loud enough to render dialogue.
No satellites or up-firing drivers means multi-channel and height content isn't as convincing or immersive
Check Price
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The JBL Bar 500MK2 is a 5.1-channel soundbar system that succeeds the original JBL Bar 500. Despite no change to the channel count, the MK2 boasts an improved power output (from 590W to 750W), with clear gains in both overall volume and bass output, which pushes its sound signature warmer relative to our in-room preference target. Compared to its bigger brother, the JBL Bar 1000MK2, the 500MK2 lacks satellites and up-firing drivers, making it the less attractive option when it comes to immersion if you watch a lot of multi-channel content like movies. In this price bracket, the JBL 500MK2 also faces stiff competition from more complete surround sound-focused systems in products like the Hisense AX5140Q, which provides discrete satellites and similar connectivity for an equal or lower spend.
If you'd like to explore potential multi-channel focused systems, check out our picks for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars and the best soundbars for movies. And if you're looking to keep things compact, check out our picks for the best all-in-one soundbars.
The Sonos Arc Ultra and the JBL Bar 500MK2 are substantially different soundbars. The Sonos is a 5.1.2-channel premium flagship soundbar with a built-in subwoofer, and serves as the centerpiece of an expandable surround system (with supported speakers). Meanwhile, the JBL is a 5.1-channel mid-range soundbar and subwoofer combo that, by virtue of its configuration, has a more energetic low-end with plenty of rumble. Still, thanks to its up-firing drivers, the Sonos takes the cake for content that makes use of height information, though not by much. If you have no plans of expanding your system in the future, the JBL Bar 500MK2 is the better option.
The Samsung HW-Q800F and JBL Bar 500MK2 are similar soundbar systems that come with a subwoofer. The JBL's sub extends lower than the Samsung's and gets just about as loud. It also gets louder when reproducing center and surround content, but the JBL lacks up-firing drivers for convincing height cues. In contrast, the Samsung brings two up-firing drivers and has greater control over channel level adjustments. You can also expand the Samsung with a first-party surround kit. That said, the JBL Bar 500MK2 is the more cost effective option if you don't have any plans to expand your setup (and you like the extra helping of bass).
The JBL Bar 1000MK2 and the JBL Bar 500MK2 are sibling soundbars in different price and configuration categories. The 1000MK2 is a 7.1.4-channel system with satellites and a sub, while the 500MK2 is a 5.1-channel system with a sub. Despite their similar 10" subwoofer, the 500MK2 has a warmer sound overall when reproducing stereo content compared to the 1000MK2. Outside of this, their stereo and center channel performance is quite similar, with music and dialogue rendered naturally. The 1000MK2 pulls away from the 500MK2 when it comes to multi-channel content, connectivity, and enhancement features. The more comprehensive set renders surround and height cues more convincingly, providing more immersion. It also provides comprehensive channel-level adjustment and EQ presets, and expands the HDMI Inputs to three.
The JBL Bar 500 and JBL Bar 500MK2 are extremely similar soundbars. The MK2 is the follow-up to the Bar 500, and retains the 5.1-channel configuration with a dedicated sub. Still, the MK2 has significant upgrades: the increased total system wattage boosts the subwoofer performance and gives the bar a warmer tone overall. Plus, the MK2 gets louder overall. The successor also significantly improves audio latency across HDMI In and eARC. Still, the original Bar 500 has an advantage in video passthrough, supporting 4k @ 120Hz, while the MK2 caps out at 4k @ 60Hz.
Test Results
