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JBL Bar 500 — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Home Theater SystemsJBL Bar 500

JBL Bar 500 — image 1

JBL

JBL Bar 500

Expert Review Analysis

The JBL Bar 500 is a 5.1‑channel soundbar system with a wireless 10‑inch subwoofer, delivering 590 W total power and immersive MultiBeam™ virtual surround with Dolby Atmos. It combines powerful bass, dialogue‑enhancing PureVoice, and easy app‑based setup in a compact, wall‑mountable design.

✓ Best for: Apartment dwellers or small‑to‑medium rooms (up to ~300 sq ft) seeking an easy, cable‑free 5.1‑like surround experience. Ideal for movie nights, gaming sessions, and music streaming where powerful bass, dialogue clarity, and immersive Atmos effects are valued.✗ Not ideal for: Large home‑theater installations that require true discrete rear speakers, audiophiles demanding high‑resolution audio formats, or users who need multiple HDMI inputs and HDMI eARC for future‑proof 4K audio.

Pros

✓590 W total power with 290 W soundbar and 300 W subwoofer delivers room‑filling, deep bass down to 35 Hz.
✓MultiBeam™ virtual surround and Dolby Atmos create immersive 3D sound without the need for rear speakers.
✓

Price History

Current

$449.95

Average

$489.82

Lowest

$299.95

Highest

$649.95

Good Deal — 8% below average

Price trend (90d):-18.2%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#85Best#5Worst#473 +46

Lower = better sales rank

Specifications

Accessories

Remote IncludedYes

HDMI Cable IncludedYes

Power Cord IncludedYes

Wall Mounting Brackets IncludedYes

Audio

Total Power Output590 W W

Soundbar Power Output290 W W

Subwoofer Power Output300 W W

Racetrack Drivers4

Tweeters3

Connectivity

Bluetooth Version5.0

Bluetooth Frequency Range2400–2483.5 MHz

Wireless Transmitter Frequency2406–2474 MHz

Wireless Transmitter Power<10 dBm

Wi-FiBuilt-In

Design

Soundbar Width1017 mm mm

Soundbar Height56 mm mm

Soundbar Depth103.5 mm mm

Soundbar Weight2800 g g

Subwoofer Width305 mm mm

Features

MultiBeam TechnologyYes

Dolby AtmosSupported

PureVoiceSupported

General

BrandJBL

Warranty1 year

Release Date2023-02-19

ColorBlack

ModelJBL Bar 500

Ports

Optical InputYes

USB InputYes

Power

Input Voltage100–240 V AC

Input Frequency50/60 Hz

Audio Power

Total Speaker Power (Max @ THD 1%)590W

Soundbar Output Power (Max @ THD 1%)290W

Subwoofer Output Power (Max @ THD 1%)300W

Frequency Response

Frequency Range35 Hz – 20 kHz (-6 dB)

Dimensions & Weight

Height2.2 Inches

Width40.0 Inches

Depth4.0 Inches

Weight6.172943336 Pounds

Research Sources

crutchfield.com

bhphotovideo.com

ro.harmanaudio.com

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User Reviews

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4.5

(722 reviews)

$449.95$549.9518% off

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JBL Bar 500Black 1 year manufacturer

Home Theater Systems

PureVoice dialogue enhancement provides crystal‑clear vocals and speech clarity for movies, TV shows, and games.

✓Wireless 10‑inch subwoofer offers flexible placement and easy setup through the JBL One companion app.

✓Compact wall‑mountable design includes HDMI cable, power cords, brackets and remote for quick installation.

Cons

✗No HDMI eARC support limits high‑bandwidth 4K audio passthrough and future‑proof connectivity options.
✗Virtual surround processing cannot match the positional accuracy of discrete rear speaker configurations.
✗Subwoofer must remain plugged into an AC outlet, reducing placement flexibility compared with battery‑powered units.
✗Bluetooth streaming occasionally suffers from latency or dropouts, affecting sync with video content.
✗Limited input selection with only one optical input and no multiple HDMI ports for connecting several devices.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Crutchfield praises MultiBeam and Dolby Atmos for delivering immersive 3D audio in a compact setup.
✓Sweetwater highlights the 590 W output and 10‑inch subwoofer for chest‑thumping bass that fills a room.
✓B&H notes PureVoice provides crystal‑clear dialogue, making speech easy to understand.
✓Reviewers commend the wireless subwoofer’s easy setup and the JBL One app’s intuitive controls.

Criticized by Experts

✗Professional reviewers point out the absence of HDMI eARC, restricting 4K audio pass‑through.
✗They note that virtual surround lacks the precision of true rear speakers in a full 5.1 system.
✗The subwoofer’s requirement for a constant AC power source limits placement options.
✗Limited input options, such as only one optical and no multiple HDMI inputs, are seen as drawbacks.

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Everyday users rave about the thundering bass from the 10‑inch subwoofer that makes movies feel cinematic.
✓Consumers appreciate the immersive Atmos height effects that add a sense of space to music and games.
✓Listeners mention clear vocals and dialogue thanks to PureVoice, reducing the need to raise TV volume.
✓The wireless subwoofer’s flexibility and simple app‑based setup are frequently praised for convenience.
✓Many users find the compact design easy to mount on walls or place on furniture without clutter.

Users Complain About

✗Users report occasional Bluetooth lag or dropouts when streaming from phones or tablets.
✗Some customers experience a low‑frequency hum from the subwoofer if it is placed on resonant surfaces.
✗The lack of multiple HDMI inputs forces users to constantly switch cables for different devices.
✗A number of reviewers wish the system included rear speakers for a true surround experience.
✗The subwoofer’s need for a wall outlet can be inconvenient in rooms without nearby power sources.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers commend the JBL Bar 500 for its massive 590 W output, deep 35 Hz bass from the 10‑inch wireless subwoofer, and the combination of MultiBeam™ and Dolby Atmos that creates convincing 3D sound without rear speakers. They also highlight PureVoice for crystal‑clear dialogue and praise the easy wireless subwoofer setup via the JBL One app. However, they note the lack of HDMI eARC, limited input selection, and the inherent limitations of virtual surround compared to true discrete rear channels.

What Users Say

Everyday users love the thundering bass, immersive Atmos height effects, and clear dialogue that make movies and games more engaging. The wireless subwoofer’s flexibility and straightforward app‑driven setup receive frequent praise. Recurring complaints focus on occasional Bluetooth lag, subwoofer hum when placed poorly, limited HDMI/optical inputs, and the desire for rear speakers to complete a true surround experience.

Common Complaints

Bluetooth latency or dropouts, subwoofer hum when placed on resonant surfaces, limited input options (single optical, no multiple HDMI), lack of HDMI eARC, and the subwoofer’s dependence on a nearby AC outlet.

What People Are Saying

“The thundering bass from the 10" sub makes movies feel like a theater.”
B&H user review

“PureVoice makes dialogue crystal clear, so I never have to crank up the volume.”
Amazon customer review

How It Compares

vs. Sonos Beam Gen 2

Advantages

✓JBL Bar 500 provides far higher total power (590 W vs. ~50 W) and a dedicated 10‑inch subwoofer for deeper bass.

Disadvantages

✗JBL lacks the extensive Sonos ecosystem integration and multi‑room audio features.

Choose JBL for raw power and bass; choose Sonos for a unified smart‑home audio ecosystem.

vs. Samsung HW‑Q600C

Advantages

✓JBL offers greater overall wattage and a larger subwoofer, delivering stronger low‑frequency impact.

Disadvantages

✗Samsung includes true height speakers for more accurate Dolby Atmos elevation, which JBL simulates virtually.

Pick JBL if you prioritize louder bass and simpler setup; pick Samsung for authentic height channel Atmos performance.

vs. Bose Smart Soundbar 600

Advantages

✓JBL’s 590 W output and 10‑inch subwoofer provide substantially more bass punch than Bose’s estimated ~200 W system.

Disadvantages

✗Bose includes built‑in voice assistants and a more refined app experience, which JBL lacks.

Opt for JBL when you need powerful bass and a wireless sub; opt for Bose for integrated voice control and a sleek app interface.

Rating Trend

Rating4.5/ 5Reviews728+699 reviews +0.30

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