Other devices — JBL BAR 500MK2

The Bar 500MK2 is a 5.1-channel soundbar system from JBL that combines a slim five-channel bar with a wireless subwoofer. In the MK2 range it sits one step above the subwoofer-free Bar 300MK2, whose bar it shares, and below the Bar 700MK2 with its detachable surround speakers. Dolby Atmos is supported, and DTS soundtracks are rendered with virtual height processing rather than through up-firing drivers.

Key specs that matter

Total maximum power at 1% THD is 750 W, made up of 450 W in the bar and 300 W in the subwoofer, and the RMS rating is 375 W. The bar carries five 42 x 80 mm racetrack drivers and four 20 mm tweeters, and the subwoofer uses a 260 mm driver. Frequency response reaches down to 40 Hz and up to 20 kHz at -6 dB. HDMI consists of a single input plus an eARC output, supporting HDCP 2.3 and passing HDR10+ and Dolby Vision video. Optical, USB-A and Bluetooth 5.3 inputs are also fitted, with USB playback enabled on US units only, and Wi-Fi 6 operates on 2.4 and 5 GHz. The bar measures 940 x 50.5 x 104 mm and weighs 2.9 kg, while the subwoofer measures 325 x 400 x 325 mm and weighs 8.1 kg.

Engineering and use context

Adding the wireless subwoofer takes the lowest octave away from the bar's small racetrack drivers, and the published low limit sits lower than on the Bar 300MK2. Because the subwoofer connects without a cable, it only needs a mains socket and can stand beside a sofa or in a corner away from the television. MultiBeam 3.0 bounces part of the front signal off the side walls to widen the presentation of the front channels, and PureVoice 2.0 raises speech above background effects based on the content and the volume level. The JBL ONE app handles EQ adjustment and streaming settings. Wi-Fi playback lets music apps stream straight to the system, and Bluetooth accepts phones and tablets. The eARC connection carries lossless and object-based audio from apps running on the television itself.

Pairing

The system suits a living room of about 20 m2 where films and music both play on the same equipment. A console or streaming box goes into the HDMI input, which passes its 4K video on to the television.

Alternatives

The JBL Bar 700MK2 extends the system to 7.1 channels with two detachable battery-powered surround speakers.