Denon DHT-S316
Score: 55/100
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 Denon DHT-S316 is a slim 2.1-channel soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, offering HDMI ARC, Bluetooth streaming, and basic Dolby Digital/DTS decoding. It delivers solid sound for small-to-medium rooms but lacks Wi-Fi, true surround speakers, and advanced smart features.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 590 Wbest | |
— | 35 Hzbest | |
— | 20,000 Hzbest | |
1best | 1best | |
— | 5best | |
| ↓ lower better | 5 kgbest | 12.8 kg |
36 monthsbest | 12 months | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.3 Wbest | 2 W |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Wi‑Fi Support | false | true |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Overall Weight (kg) | 5 kg | 12.8 kg |
Warranty & Support(1) | ||
Warranty Period (months) | 36 months | 12 months |
Power & Energy(1) | ||
Standby Power Consumption (W) | 0.3 W | 2.0 W |
Audio(2) | ||
Channel Configuration | 2.1 | 5.1 |
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Digital, DTS Decoding | Dolby Atmos |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the DHT-S316 for its surprisingly powerful sound, clean mids, crisp highs and effective virtual surround, while noting the absence of Wi-Fi and a utilitarian plastic build.
Everyday users commend the noticeable sound upgrade, easy plug-and-play setup, and compact footprint, but complain about the tiny remote, lack of visual volume cues, and limited smart functionality.
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.
“Excellent sound quality for its size with clear mids and strong bass.”
“Easy setup via HDMI ARC or optical, and the subwoofer pairs automatically.”
“The remote is tiny and easy to lose; wish it had a visual volume bar.”
