OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

JBL Bar 500MK2 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£570N. of audio channels:5.1Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:eARC

JBL Bar 500MK2 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications, 2 expert and video reviews and 4 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

JBL Bar 500MK2
8.1/10

Overall score

Score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 93% of models
Score components

35%

8.0

Technical score

30%

8.1

List score

25%

7.7

Reviews score

10%

9.2

Sentiment score

★Better than 93% of soundbars
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 76% of models
Score components

70%

8.1

Overall score

30%

7.5

Price

▲Better than 76%
8.0

Technical score

Technical score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components

25%

7.5

Audio

18%

7.0

Formats

16%

8.5

Connectivity

14%

8.8

Controls

12%

8.0

HDMI

10%

9.0

Streaming

5%

7.6

Design

★Better than 91%
7.7

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 52% of models

80%

8.0

Average grade

20%

6.3

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
2 videos, average 7.5/10. We use 3 reviews; the 1 missing counts as the category's typical 8.2: (7.5 × 2 + 8.2 × 1) ÷ 3 = 7.7. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 52%
8.1

List score

List score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (4)
List score: in 4 of 100 lists (4%)
▲Better than 89%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Soundbars model ranking

Ranked #22 of 324 models in Soundbars (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of soundbar JBL Bar 500MK2

Technical score
Technical score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components:

25%

7.5

Audio

18%

7.0

Formats

16%

8.5

Connectivity

14%

8.8

Controls

12%

8.0

HDMI

10%

9.0

Streaming

5%

7.6

Design

8.0
Reviews score
7.7
List score
8.1
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 76% of models
Score components:

70%

8.1

Overall score

30%

7.5

Price

7.9
N. of audio channels
5.1
This soundbar offers 5.1 audio channels, more than 82.8% of soundbars and equal to 4.6% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
40 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 40 Hz, lower than 65.6% of soundbars and equal to 13% of soundbars.
Max frequency
20,000 Hz
Market range: <19k Hz – >20k Hz
This soundbar reaches a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz, higher than 17.5% of soundbars and equal to 76.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos. 70% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD. 83.9% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
?
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 1 HDMI inputs, more than 58.8% of soundbars and equal to 37.4% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 71.5% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
?
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Show more
Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 57.7% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 17.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
?
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
2
This soundbar has HDMI 2, which is more capable than 57.2% of soundbars and equal to 14% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
eARC
This soundbar has eARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 71.5% of soundbars and the same as what 28.5% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 29.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
4K
This soundbar passes through 4K, which is higher resolution than 74.5% of soundbars and equal to 23.8% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
?
Show more
AirPlay
yes
This soundbar supports AirPlay. 80.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
yes
This soundbar supports Chromecast built-in. 88.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
yes
This soundbar supports Spotify Connect. 79.5% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
yes
This soundbar supports TIDAL Connect. 91.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
yes
This soundbar supports native Amazon Music. 87.4% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
?
Height
?
Thickness
?
Weight
?
Build material
?
Show more

JBL Bar 500MK2 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Dedicated center channel
    This soundbar has center channel driver, the average soundbar does not.
  • 4 in inch larger subwoofer driver size
    This soundbar has a higher subwoofer driver size than the average soundbar (10 in vs 6 in). The average soundbar uses a subwoofer driver size of 6 in.
    10 in vs 6 in
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • 5 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (9 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    9 vs 4
  • Built-in Chromecast
    This soundbar supports Chromecast built-in, the average soundbar does not.
  • 11.0% higher list score
    List score
    8.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (4)
    List score: in 4 of 100 lists (4%)
    8.1 vs 7.3
  • 27.8% higher sentiment score
    9.2 vs 7.2
  • 8.5% higher review score
    Reviews score
    7.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 52% of models

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    6.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    2 videos, average 7.5/10. We use 3 reviews; the 1 missing counts as the category's typical 8.2: (7.5 × 2 + 8.2 × 1) ÷ 3 = 7.7. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    7.7 vs 7.1
  • Dedicated center channel
    This soundbar has center channel driver, the average soundbar does not.
  • 4 in inch larger subwoofer driver size
    This soundbar has a higher subwoofer driver size than the average soundbar (10 in vs 6 in). The average soundbar uses a subwoofer driver size of 6 in.
    10 in vs 6 in
  • 5 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (9 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    9 vs 4
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (5.1 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    5.1 vs 2.1
  • 10 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 50 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 50 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 50 Hz
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Higher video pass-through
    This soundbar passes through higher-resolution video than the average soundbar (4K vs none).
    4K vs none
  • Built-in Chromecast
    This soundbar supports Chromecast built-in, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This soundbar supports AirPlay, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This soundbar supports Spotify Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Multiroom ecosystem support
    This soundbar supports multiroom ecosystem support, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports TIDAL Connect
    This soundbar supports tIDAL Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Native Amazon Music support
    This soundbar supports native Amazon Music, the average soundbar does not.
  • Automatic room calibration
    This soundbar supports automatic room calibration, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • No night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, the average soundbar does.
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
  • 5.18x more expensive
    JBL Bar 500MK2 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£570 vs £110).
    £570 vs £110
  • 5.18x more expensive
    JBL Bar 500MK2 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£570 vs £110).
    £570 vs £110
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
  • No night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, the average soundbar does.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

7.0
GYMCADDY
≈ estimated
27/03/2026
Hands-on review · sound, volume and feature overview
Verdict
The JBL Bar 500MK2 is a decent plug-and-play option if your TV lacks soundbar support, but it sounds narrow.
Not graded
Overview video
Not graded
Overview video
Shop video
Overview video
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Overview video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about JBL Bar 500MK2

  • Nine drivers and a 10 in subwoofer give strong, loud sound.
  • Dialogue stays clear from the five front speakers.
  • Automatic room calibration tunes the sound to the room.
  • Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD are both supported.
  • Spotify Connect, TIDAL and Amazon Music are built in.
  • Wi-Fi, AirPlay and Chromecast give several ways to stream.

What customers don't like about JBL Bar 500MK2

  • The bass can get overpowering and muddy the dialogue.
  • Narrow sound, because there are no upward-firing speakers.
  • Surround effects need separate satellite speakers, since rear speakers are not included.
  • The large subwoofer is a poor fit for a bedroom.
  • No USB audio input for connecting a computer.

Verdict

A 10 in subwoofer and nine drivers give the JBL Bar 500MK2 plenty of punch for a living room. It is a 5.1 system with eARC, Dolby Atmos and one HDMI input with 4K pass-through, so a console can connect through it. Voices come through clearly, since the five front speakers keep them forward, and dialogue enhancement helps in busy scenes. Automatic room calibration tunes the sound to the room, and the app adds EQ and multiroom control. The bass is deep but can get heavy and muddy the dialogue. The sound is narrow because there are no upward-firing speakers, and the large subwoofer is a poor fit for a bedroom. It suits a family living room where films and sport need clear speech and loud, full sound.

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