Products
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jun 11, 2026 01:12 PM
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BestBuy.com
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jul 08, 2026 06:24 PM
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Amazon
Channels
5.1.2
Channels
5.1
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q800F
JBL Bar 500MK2
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).
Variants
- HW-Q800F (Black)
- Bar 500MK2 (Black)
Check Price
Black
HW-Q800F
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BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
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Amazon
Black
HW-Q800F
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B&H
Black
Bar 500MK2
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BestBuy.com
Black
HW-Q800F
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Amazon
Black
Bar 500MK2
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JBL
Black
HW-Q800F
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Walmart.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
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B&H
Black
HW-Q800F
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Samsung.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
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Walmart.com
Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Enclosure
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
Height
Depth
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
Height
Depth
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
Height
Depth
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Bar Brackets Included
Mountable Satellites
Satellite Brackets Included
Build Quality
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
Tested Preset
Slope
Standard Error
Low-Frequency Extension
High-Frequency Extension
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
Suggested Treble Setting
Slope
Standard Error
Low-Frequency Extension
High-Frequency Extension
Stereo Soundstage
Crosstalk
Crosstalk Error
Stereo Dynamics
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
DRC @ 90dB
DRC @ Max Volume
Center
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Slope
Std. Err.
SPL @ Max Volume
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Surround 5.1
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Slope
Std. Err.
SPL @ Max Volume
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
7.1 Rears
Height (Atmos)
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Slope
Std. Err.
SPL @ Max Volume
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Sound Enhancement Features
Room Correction
Dialogue Enhancement
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Bass Adjustment
Treble Adjustment
EQ
Surround Level Adjustment
Rear Level Adjustment
Height Level Adjustment
Virtual Surround
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
HDMI Out
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
Full HDMI In
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
RCA In
USB for Files
Ethernet
Subwoofer Output
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby TrueHD
DTS
DTS:X
DTS-HD MA
PCM Channels
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby TrueHD
DTS
DTS:X
DTS-HD MA
PCM Channels
Audio Format Support: Optical
Dolby Digital
DTS
PCM Channels
Audio Latency: ARC
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
PCM-5.1 ch
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
Audio Latency: HDMI In
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
PCM-5.1 ch
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
Audio Latency: Optical
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
Dolby Digital
Video Passthrough To TV
1080p Max Refresh Rate
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
4k Max Refresh Rate
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
8k Max Refresh Rate
HDR10 Passthrough
HDR10+ Passthrough
Dolby Vision Passthrough
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
FreeSync Passthrough
G-SYNC Passthrough
ALLM Passthrough
Wireless Playback
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi Playback
Chromecast built-in
Apple AirPlay
Spotify Connect
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Google Assistant
Apple Siri
Microphone Mute
Check Price
Black
HW-Q800F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
HW-Q800F
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-Q800F
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
JBL
Black
HW-Q800F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
HW-Q800F
SEARCH
Samsung.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Samsung HW-Q800F
JBL Bar 500MK2
Comments
Samsung HW-Q800F vs JBL Bar 500MK2: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
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You can turn the center channel up or turn on some of Samsung’s voice enhancement features if you need a boost for audio. Both are good bars, hard to go wrong with either. We didn’t have any complaints with either’s output for dialogue (subjective testing).
When comparing the Samsung HW-Q800F vs. JBL 500MK2 rtings says the JBL 500MK2 center channel gets louder for dialogue than the Samsung HW-Q800F. My question is if I turn the Samsung HW-Q800F center channel up to the max will the dialogue be any louder than the JBL 500MK2 or does the JBL 500MK2 win in dialogue loudness either way?