The 500MK2 divides the work between two boxes. The bar stays below the picture, where the dialogue belongs, while a separate bass enclosure can sit off to the side. That is a practical arrangement for a sofa against a wall, with nowhere suitable for rear speakers.
In depth
JBL Bar 500MK2 review
Published
Best forViewers who want clearer voices and fuller bass without speakers at the back of the room.
At a glance
- Channel configuration
- 5.1
- Included system
- Soundbar and 10-inch wireless subwoofer
- Immersive audio
- Dolby AtmosDTS Virtual:X processing
- TV connection
- HDMI eARC
Pros
- A dedicated center and separate subwoofer support intelligible, full-bodied voices.
- One HDMI source can feed the bar directly alongside TV audio return.
Cons
- All surround effects come from equipment at the front.
- The 10-inch subwoofer needs floor space and mains power.
Dialogue & Sound
- 5.1 channels
- PureVoice 2.0
RTINGS found the center channel sufficiently prominent in its 500MK2 tests, with the subwoofer helping deeper voices retain weight. 1 That makes this a useful candidate for dramas as well as action movies. Set the dialogue enhancement to suit a familiar voice before changing bass or master volume.
Bass
- 10-inch wireless subwoofer
The separate cabinet is the meaningful hardware step up from the Bar 300MK2. It gives bass its own driver and placement options, but takes a socket as well as floor space. Even in a small room, leave yourself the chance to try a second position if the first makes particular notes too heavy.
Surround Sound
- MultiBeam 3.0
- Dolby Atmos
The bar processes spatial audio from a fixed position at the front of the room. It suits a wall-backed sofa better than a package whose rear speakers would have to sit alongside the TV. Look to actual rear speakers if hearing a cue clearly from behind matters more than keeping the room free of equipment.
Connectivity
- HDMI eARC
- 1 HDMI input
- optical
Use the TV’s eARC port for built-in streaming apps. A direct HDMI input is available for a player, with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision passthrough documented. An older TV can connect over optical, though that is a different audio path from eARC.
Alternatives
The smaller 300MK2 houses its bass hardware in the bar and removes the floor-standing enclosure. The 700MK2 keeps the 10-inch subwoofer and adds detachable rear speakers. The useful choice between the three depends more on viable positions in your room than the biggest wattage number.
Verdict
Choose the 500MK2 when you can place a subwoofer but want the rest of the system concentrated at the TV. Its blend of center-channel clarity and substantial bass is easier to justify than paying for rears you cannot position.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- RTINGSBar 500MK2 review and test findings (opens in a new tab)https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/jbl/bar-500mk2-750w
Center channel and subwoofer behavior with dialogue, based on the tested two-piece set.