JBL Bar 500 Review – Check What It Can Offer

JBL Bar 500 comes with powerful 10″ wireless subwoofer, Dolby Atmos support, and built-in Wi-Fi. If you are looking for a perfect balance of cinematic sound and wireless convenience, the Bar 500 is a solid option.

Table Of Contents hide
1 What JBL Bar 500 Offer?
2 Pros & Cons
3 Comparison

What JBL Bar 500 Offer?

  • The JBL Bar 500 has Dolby Atmos support for delivering immersive, 3D surround sound that makes movies, shows, and games feel more lifelike.
  • JBL Bar 500 has MultiBeam technology for expanding the soundstage to fill the room without rear speakers.
  • It has a 10″ wireless subwoofer for producing deep, punchy bass that enhances action scenes and adds richness to music.
  • The JBL Bar 500 has built-in Wi-Fi with AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast for seamless streaming from popular apps and services.
  • JBL Bar 500 has HDMI eARC support for transmitting uncompressed, high-quality audio from your TV using a single cable, simplifying setup.
  • It has JBL One App integration for customizing EQ settings, controlling playback, and updating firmware easily from your smartphone.
  • The JBL Bar 500 has automatic room calibration for optimizing sound output based on your room’s shape and layout to deliver balanced audio.
  • JBL Bar 500 has Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for quick and easy pairing with phones, tablets, or laptops.

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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Immersive Dolby Atmos with wide surround field

  • Deep, impactful bass from a wireless 10″ subwoofer

  • Multi-platform streaming with AirPlay, Alexa MRM, and Chromecast

  • Easy setup with HDMI eARC

  • Room calibration improves sound in any space

  • One app to control everything

Cons
  • No rear speakers for true surround

  • No display panel

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Comparison

FeatureJBL Bar 500JBL Bar 700Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Subwoofer10″ Wireless10″ WirelessNone
Surround SoundDolby Atmos + MultiBeamDolby Atmos + Rear SpeakersDolby Atmos
Rear SpeakersNoYesNo
Streaming SupportAirPlay, Alexa MRM, ChromecastSameAirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
HDMI eARCYesYesYes
Voice Assistant SupportVia connected deviceVia connected deviceBuilt-in Alexa & Google
App SupportJBL One AppJBL One AppSonos App
Room CalibrationYesYesYes
ConnectivityWi-Fi, BluetoothWi-Fi, BluetoothWi-Fi, Ethernet
DimensionsCompact soundbarLarger with detachable rearsCompact soundbar
PriceCheck Bar 500 PriceCheck Bar 700 PriceCheck Sonor Beam Price

FAQ

Does the JBL Bar 500 support Dolby Atmos out of the box?
Yes, the JBL Bar 500 comes with built-in Dolby Atmos support, enabling immersive, spatial audio for compatible content without needing additional speakers.

Can I stream music directly from my phone?
Absolutely. The JBL Bar 500 supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Alexa Multi-Room Music, allowing you to stream from Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and more.

Is the subwoofer wired or wireless?
The 10″ subwoofer is fully wireless, so you can place it anywhere in your room for the best bass effect without worrying about messy cables.

Do I need a separate app to control the soundbar?
Yes, you can use the JBL One App, which lets you control volume, customize EQ settings, perform room calibration, and manage firmware updates conveniently.

How easy is the setup process?
Very easy. Just connect the bar to your TV using the included HDMI eARC cable, power it up, and follow the setup guide via the app. Calibration takes just a few minutes.

Can I use it with any TV brand?
Yes, the JBL Bar 500 is compatible with all modern TVs that support HDMI ARC or eARC. It also works with older TVs through optical input, although Atmos content may be limited.

Does it come with rear speakers for surround sound?
No, the JBL Bar 500 uses MultiBeam technology to simulate rear audio, but it doesn’t include physical rear speakers like the JBL Bar 700.

Can I expand the system later?
The JBL Bar 500 is a standalone 5.1 system with no expansion option for adding additional speakers, but it already offers a very wide audio experience with MultiBeam.

Is there voice assistant built into the soundbar?
No, but it works with Alexa or Google Assistant via external smart speakers for hands-free control.

What’s the difference between HDMI ARC and eARC on this soundbar?
HDMI eARC allows higher-quality, uncompressed audio like Dolby Atmos directly from your TV to the soundbar, while ARC supports compressed formats.

How does room calibration work?
The soundbar emits a series of test tones and measures your room’s acoustics, then adjusts the output to ensure optimal clarity and balance based on your layout.

Can I connect my gaming console or Blu-ray player?
Yes, the JBL Bar 500 includes HDMI inputs and pass-through, making it easy to connect consoles, players, and streamers while maintaining high-quality audio and video.

How good is the bass performance for movies and music?
The wireless 10″ subwoofer delivers deep, punchy bass that enhances explosions in action movies and adds richness to music tracks without distortion.

Is it wall-mountable?
Yes, the soundbar includes mounting hardware in the box, so you can place it under your wall-mounted TV for a clean, modern look.

Can I use the soundbar without the app?
Yes, you can use the remote and on-device buttons for basic functions, but the JBL One App unlocks full customization and updates, so it’s highly recommended.

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