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  1. Home
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Sonos Arc Ultra vs JBL Bar 500MK2

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The Box
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalAudio Latency: ARCAudio Latency: HDMI InAudio Latency: OpticalVideo Passthrough To TVWireless Playback
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants Support
    Comments

Products

Sonos Arc Ultra
JBL Bar 500MK2

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Mar 13, 2026 07:56 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Feb 11, 2026 03:22 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sonos Arc Ultra Picture

Track

JBL Bar 500MK2 Picture

Track

Channels
5.1.2
Channels
5.1
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. All-In-One
  3. Dialogue

Our Verdict

Sonos Arc Ultra

JBL Bar 500MK2

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.

0 

Variants

  • Arc Ultra (Black)
  • Arc Ultra (White)
  • Bar 500MK2 (Black)

Review

See Sonos Arc Ultra Review
See JBL Bar 500MK2 Review
33 
15 

Check Price

Black
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
JBL
 
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEARCH
Walmart.com

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

0.0
0.0
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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Width  

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Ultra Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Ultra Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Arc Ultra In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Arc Ultra Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response  

Sonos Arc Ultra Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small  

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Sonos Arc Ultra Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response  

Sonos Arc Ultra H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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  

Sonos Arc Ultra HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A
Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Sonos Arc Ultra Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A
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  

Sonos Arc Ultra Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Arc Ultra Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Arc Ultra Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 500MK2 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
JBL
 
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
Bar 500MK2
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Back to Top

Sonos Arc Ultra

JBL Bar 500MK2

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 month ago

Sonos Arc Ultra vs JBL Bar 500MK2: Main Discussion

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