JBL Bar 500 vs Bar 500MK2: Which Soundbar Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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JBL Bar 500

JBL Bar 500MK2

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Feb 26, 2026 07:43 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Feb 11, 2026 03:22 PM

JBL Bar 500 Picture

JBL Bar 500MK2 Picture

Channels 5.1

Channels 5.1

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 500

JBL Bar 500MK2

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.

Variants

Bar 500 (Black)

Bar 500MK2 (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 500 Review

See JBL Bar 500MK2 Review

Check Price

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Dialogue/TV Shows

0.0

0.0

Music

0.0

0.0

Movies

0.0

0.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

JBL Bar 500 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

JBL Bar 500 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

JBL Bar 500 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

JBL Bar 500 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Show Text

Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

JBL Bar 500 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Show Text

Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

JBL Bar 500 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

N/A

Height

N/A

N/A

Depth

N/A

N/A

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

JBL Bar 500 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes

JBL Bar 500 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar

Locked

Locked

Bar Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Mountable Satellites

Locked

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build quality photo

JBL Bar 500 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box photo

JBL Bar 500 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

N/A

N/A

Stereo Setup

JBL Bar 500 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response

JBL Bar 500 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small

JBL Bar 500 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Channels

Locked

Locked

Tested Preset

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Standard Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Show Text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated

JBL Bar 500 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Suggested Preset

Locked

Locked

Suggested Bass Setting

Lock

Lock

Suggested Treble Setting

N/A

N/A

Slope

Lock

Lock

Standard Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Show Text

Stereo Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Crosstalk

JBL Bar 500 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Stereo Dynamics

N/A

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

JBL Bar 500 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

Lock dB

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Center

N/A

N/A

Center Setup

JBL Bar 500 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

JBL Bar 500 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Surround 5.1

N/A

N/A

Surround Setup

JBL Bar 500 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

JBL Bar 500 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

7.1 Rears

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Height (Atmos)

N/A

N/A

Height Setup

JBL Bar 500 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response

JBL Bar 500 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Sound Enhancement Features

N/A

N/A

Room Correction

Locked

Locked

Dialogue Enhancement

Locked

Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Locked

Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Bass Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Treble Adjustment

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

Surround Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Rear Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Height Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

JBL Bar 500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

JBL Bar 500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Optical Audio In

Locked

Locked

HDMI Out

Locked

Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Locked

Locked

Full HDMI In

Locked

Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

Locked

Locked

RCA In

Locked

Locked

USB for Files

Locked

Locked

Ethernet

Locked

Locked

Subwoofer Output

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

N/A

N/A

Dolby Atmos

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital Plus

Locked

Locked

Dolby TrueHD

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

DTS:X

Locked

Locked

DTS-HD MA

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

Dolby Atmos

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital Plus

Locked

Locked

Dolby TrueHD

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

DTS:X

Locked

Locked

DTS-HD MA

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Audio Format Support: Optical

N/A

N/A

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Audio Latency: ARC

N/A

N/A

ARC Latency Video

JBL Bar 500 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Audio Latency: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

HDMI Latency Video

JBL Bar 500 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Audio Latency: Optical

N/A

N/A

Optical Latency Video

JBL Bar 500 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Video Passthrough To TV

N/A

N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit

Locked

Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

HDR10 Passthrough

Locked

Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough

Locked

Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough

Locked

Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

Locked

Locked

FreeSync Passthrough

Locked

Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough

Locked

Locked

ALLM Passthrough

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Wireless Playback

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth

Locked

Locked

Wi-Fi Playback

Locked

Locked

Chromecast built-in

Locked

Locked

Apple AirPlay

Locked

Locked

Spotify Connect

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

JBL Bar 500 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

JBL Bar 500 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

JBL Bar 500 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Locked

Locked

Google Assistant

Locked

Locked

Apple Siri

Locked

Locked

Microphone Mute

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

Black

Bar 500

Black

Bar 500MK2

JBL Bar 500

JBL Bar 500MK2

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 1 month ago

JBL Bar 500 vs JBL Bar 500MK2: Main Discussion

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