Bose Soundbar 600
Score: 70/100
JBL Bar 500
Score: 81/100Rankings
The JBL Bar 500 delivers a compelling 5.1-channel experience with Dolby Atmos, strong total power and a wireless subwoofer, while offering a wide range of streaming and smart-home integrations. Its sleek design and app-driven setup make it user-friendly, though the lack of true rear speakers and occasional firmware issues may deter audiophiles.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 bundle offers compact Dolby Atmos and clear dialogue, but its bass is thin and connectivity options are limited.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 590 Wbest | |
— | 35 Hzbest | |
— | 20,000 Hzbest | |
1best | 1best | |
4.2 | 5best | |
| ↓ lower better | 14.8 kg | 12.8 kgbest |
12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 2 Wbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Overall Weight (kg) | 14.8 kg | 12.8 kg |
Audio(2) | ||
Channel Configuration | 3.0.2 | 5.1 |
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital | Dolby Atmos |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Reviewers commend the clear dialogue and feature set, yet criticize the thin bass, subtle Atmos effects, and lack of Ethernet and analog inputs.
Everyday users appreciate the easy setup and dialogue clarity, but many add the Bass Module 500 for low-end power and note the lack of Ethernet and limited Atmos immersion.
Professional reviewers praise the Bar 500 for its effective MultiBeam virtualization, deep bass from the 10" subwoofer, and hassle-free integration with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and voice assistants, while noting that virtual surround cannot fully replace true discrete rear speakers and HDMI eARC can be temperamental on some TVs.
Everyday users appreciate the powerful sound, strong bass and easy app-driven setup, highlighting the wireless subwoofer and broad streaming options as major strengths, but complain about the missing AUX input, Bluetooth latency and occasional firmware-related shutdowns.
“"mighty sound from a small speaker"”
“"thunderous" and "room-shaking" (Bass Module 500)”
“"doesn't reinvent the wheel, but refines it"”
