JBL Bar 500MK2 Review: Can This $450 Soundbar Deliver Cinema Sound Without the Clutter?

Want to bring the cinema home but dread the thought of wiring up rear speakers? JBL's new Bar 500MK2 tackles this exact problem. For around $450 at Amazon, it promises powerful bass and immersive audio from a compact setup that won't dominate your living room.

Understated Design, Overachieving Power

The best part of the Bar 500MK2's design is its simplicity. The main bar is a small, oblong rectangle that stands just 2 inches high, allowing it to slide discreetly under almost any modern TV. While its matte black finish could be described as nondescript, it's a practical choice that blends in anywhere. A welcome feature is the LED screen hidden inside the front grille, which plainly tells you what's going on—a nice departure from the confusing light codes of many rivals.

The real star of the show, however, is the massive wireless subwoofer. Packing a 10-inch driver, it's more than capable of hitting its claimed 40 Hz floor, adding serious depth and weight to movies and music. Once you find a spot for it, you'll rarely touch it, but you'll always feel its presence.

Virtual Dolby Atmos That Actually Works

With a claimed total output of 750 watts, the system is a bold departure from any built-in TV speakers. What's truly impressive is its ability to create a convincing Dolby Atmos effect without any physical rear speakers. It has an uncanny ability to bounce sounds around the room, making it feel like they're genuinely coming from your sides or rear. While watching 'Ford v Ferrari,' cars zipped past my head with such lifelike detail that it felt immersive and real.

JBL's PureVoice 2.0 setting is another highlight, boosting dialogue clarity based on ambient sound in the scene. It ensures you can hear what characters are saying without reaching for the subtitles. The bass response is full and warm, though it favors cinematic rumbles over the fast, punchy kick drums of a hip-hop track.

Smart Connectivity for Any Device

The Bar 500MK2 is built for the modern streaming world. It supports every major casting method, including AirPlay, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect, so you can flawlessly stream audio from any phone. It also includes HDR10+ and Dolby Vision pass-through, making it easy to connect a Blu-ray player or gaming console. The companion JBL One app allows for EQ adjustments and room calibration to tailor the sound to your specific environment.