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Products
JBL Bar 500
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Aug 28, 2025 05:59 PM
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BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels5.0
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 500
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
The JBL Bar 500 is better than the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam. The MultiBeam is a standalone soundbar that doesn't come with a dedicated subwoofer, and it can't reproduce as much bass as the 500. Plus, it doesn't have as many sound enhancement features, and it has some implementation issues with certain audio formats, like Dolby Digital, which takes away from the life-like experience intended by those who mix content in this format.
Variants
- Bar 500 (Black)
- Bar 5.0 MultiBeam (Black)
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Black
Bar 500
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 500
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 500
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Bar 500
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Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.7
7.2
Stereo Frequency Response
8.3
7.0
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Height (Atmos)
3.1
5.1
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
40.0" (101.6 cm)
28.0" (71.0 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
4.1" (10.4 cm)
4.0" (10.2 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A
Height
17.2" (43.8 cm)
N/A
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.3
7.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1
5.0
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.44
-1.07
Standard Error
2.95 dB
3.38 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.1 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.3 kHz
15.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.3
7.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
2
1
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
0.21
0.18
Standard Error
2.73 dB
3.07 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.3 Hz
55.0 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
15.6 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
7.5
7.6
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
91.9 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
1.03 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
3.89 dB
1.57 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.0
THD
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.33
Center
8.5
8.2
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.49
-0.30
Std. Err.
2.94 dB
2.96 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.5 dB SPL
88.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.27
0.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.94
1.11
Surround 5.1
6.3
6.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.46
-0.77
Std. Err.
2.95 dB
3.80 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.6 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.28
1.11
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.53
2.36
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
3.1
5.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Surround (Downmix)
Slope
-1.18
-1.81
Std. Err.
5.45 dB
5.25 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.6 dB SPL
84.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.16
1.66
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.23
1.01
Sound Enhancement Features
7.4
4.7
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Graphic + Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
eARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
8.1
8.8
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
No
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
8.1
8.7
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
No
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.5
6.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
5.7
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
152 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
97 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
111 ms
Dolby Digital
147 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
154 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
123 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
5.5
9.5
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
107 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
98 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
113 ms
Dolby Digital
167 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
159 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
127 ms
ARC
-19 ms
Optical
-7 ms
Full HDMI In
27 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
6.3
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
175 ms
Dolby Digital
237 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
9.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
Yes
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
Bar 500
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 500
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 500
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Bar 500
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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JBL Bar 500
JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam
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JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam vs JBL Bar 500: Main Discussion
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