Soundbars / Compare
JBL Bar 500MK2 vs Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
Product A: JBL
74 of 98 known
Change JBL Bar 500MK2
Product B: Polk Audio
52 of 98 known
Change Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
48 of 90 fields differ
- 23 different values
- 25 known for one only
- 23 the same
- 19 missing for both
Size, drawn to scale
Front and side.
- AJBL: 940 × 50.5 mm
- BPolk Audio: 366 × 79 mm
All 98 fields
Every value links to where we found it.


Audio system
10 of 17 differ
System channel configuration
Not available
Physical drivers in the package
Physical drivers in the bar
Up-firing drivers in the package
Driver layout
AJBL Bar 500MK2
| Component | Driver type | Count | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soundbar | 42 x 80 mm racetrack driver | 5 | Not available |
| Soundbar | Tweeter | 4 | 20 |
| Subwoofer | Woofer | 1 | 260 |
BPolk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
| Component | Driver type | Count | Diameter (mm) | Orientation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundbar | L/R tweeter | 2 | 19 | Not available |
| Soundbar | L/C/R midrange | 3 | 51 | Not available |
| Subwoofer | Oval woofer, 127 × 178 mm | 1 | Not available | Down-firing |
Separate subwoofer included
Included subwoofer connection
Included subwoofer driver diameter
Not available
Rear speakers included
Included rear speaker connection
Not available
Not available
Detachable rear speakers
Compatible optional subwoofers
Not available
Not available
Compatible optional rear speakers
Total RMS audio output power
Not available
Total peak audio output power
Not available
Published frequency response lower limit
Not available
Published frequency response upper limit
Not available
Audio formats
5 of 9 differ
Dolby Atmos
Supported audio formats
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, PCM3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Connect and surround sound sections explicitly discuss decoding this content. Partial proved list. Transport-specific TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus support is not inferred from eARC alone.12Retailer pagecrutchfield.com/p_109B500MK2/JBL-Bar-500MK2.htmlRead 8 October 2026Optical Digital Input section explicitly proves PCM decoding. Maker manual separately proves other listed formats. Partial verified list. Conflicting DTS claims for Bar 500MK2 and retailer Bluetooth errors are excluded.
PCM, Dolby Mono, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos TrueHD, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X2Maker spec sheet (PDF)polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw527a8c26/downloads/magnifi-mini-ax-infosheet-en.pdfRead 8 October 2026Page 2 supported audio formats list. No per-input channel maxima are published.
Audio formats by connection
AJBL Bar 500MK2
| Connection | Format | Max input channels |
|---|---|---|
| Optical | PCM | 2 |
| Optical | Dolby Digital | 6 |
BPolk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
Not availableMax wired audio sample rate
Not available
Not available
Max wired audio bit depth
Not available
Not available
Max music file bit depth
Not available
Not available
Connectivity
10 of 17 differ
Ports on the bar
AJBL Bar 500MK2
| Connector | Count | Role |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI | 1 | Audio and video input |
| HDMI | 1 | Video output and HDMI ARC/eARC audio input |
| Optical | 1 | Digital audio input |
| USB-A | 1 | Service and MP3 storage playback on US version |
| AC power | 1 | Power input |
BPolk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
| Connector | Count | Role |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI | 1 | TV audio input through ARC/eARC |
| Optical | 1 | Digital audio input |
| 3.5 mm audio | 1 | Analog AUX audio input |
| USB-A | 1 | Firmware updates |
| DC power | 1 | Power input from external adapter |
Source3Owner's manualpolkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw7d76cf3d/downloads/magnifi-mini-ax-quickstartguide-global.pdfRead 8 October 2026Printed page 11 back panel, sheet page 2 counts and connector types. USB conflicts: manual says MP3 playback only, later 2023 sheet and current maker page specify firmware updates. Stored current service role, music-file playback omitted.9Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/polk-magnifi-mini-axRead 8 October 2026Set up and connectivity exact Mini AX hands-on review explicitly USB service only. This corroborates the current maker page and 2023 information sheet despite the older manual MP3 footnote.
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI-CEC
HDMI video passthrough
No7Reviewecoustics.com/reviews/polk-audio-magnifi-mini-axRead 8 October 2026Connections and Cons explicitly no extra HDMI input. Only TV ARC/eARC, optical and AUX audio connectors are provided. No dedicated source-video route.9Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/polk-magnifi-mini-axRead 8 October 2026Set up and connectivity explicitly says HDMI passthrough is unavailable because the bar has only one HDMI port.
Video passthrough modes
AJBL Bar 500MK2
| Width (px) | Height (px) | Refresh rate (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| 3840 | 2160 | 60 |
BPolk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
Not availableHDR passthrough formats
Not available
VRR passthrough
Not available
ALLM passthrough
Not available
HDCP version
Not available
Bluetooth audio input
Bluetooth version
Bluetooth audio codecs
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi standard
Wi-Fi bands
Built-in Ethernet speed
Not available
Not available
Streaming and control
3 of 8 differ
Streaming protocols
AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Section 5.3 lists supported network streaming routes. Multiroom section 7.6 documents group playback with Google Cast and AirPlay. Format availability depends on route and service.8Reviewlesnumeriques.com/barre-de-son/jbl-bar-500mk2-p76735/test.htmlRead 8 October 2026Connectivity section names network protocols, explicitly AirPlay 2. Exact test firmware OneOS 3.0, JBL One 2.1.10. This is separate from Bluetooth codecs.
Voice assistants
Built-in microphone
Not available
Microphone mute control
Not available
Not available
Companion apps
Companion app platforms
Multiroom audio
Remote included
Sound processing
5 of 7 differ
Sound modes
Not available
Room calibration system
Not available
Dialogue enhancement
Night mode
Equalizer controls
7-band app equalizer, Subwoofer bass level1Maker product pagejbl.com/BAR-500MK2.htmlRead 8 October 2026Maker page proves app equalizer and manual proves five subwoofer bass levels. Band count is separately documented by the launch release or exact-model review.4Press releasenews.harman.com/releases/jbl-introduces-next-gen-bar-series-for-truly-immersive-entertainmentRead 8 October 2026June 9 announcement states seven-band EQ for every newly listed Bar model. Exact Bar 500MK2 is in this release. Manual documents five subwoofer bass levels.
TV speaker integration
Not available
Not available
Power
3 of 6 differ
Published operating power
Not available
Not available
Published standby power
Not available
Published networked standby power
Not available
Power supply
External soundbar adapter: 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz input, 15 V DC, 4 A output. Included subwoofer uses a separate AC power cord.4Maker spec sheet (PDF)polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw99d4e121/downloads/magnifi-mini-ax-safetydoc-na.pdfRead 8 October 2026PDF page 4 external PSU S065-1A150400M2: 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 15 VDC, 4 A. Its 60 W output is adapter capability. Its 0.21 W no-load figure is not soundbar standby consumption. Manual printed page 5 separately connects subwoofer AC cord.
Detachable rear battery life
Not available
Not available
Detachable rear charge time
Not available
Not available
Measured
1 of 8 differ
Low-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
High-frequency extension (measured)
Not available
Not available
Max sound pressure (measured)
Not available
Not available
Frequency response deviation (measured)
Not available
Not available
Measured latency
BPolk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
Not availableOperating power (measured)
Not available
Not available
Standby power (measured)
Not available
Not available
Soundbar weight (measured)
Not available
Not available
Dimensions and weight
6 of 6 differ
Soundbar dimensions
Width940Height50.5Depth104mm(37 × 2 × 4.1 in)3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Product Specifications, printed pages 19. Bare main bar W x H x D in normal tabletop orientation. Detachable ends are excluded.
Soundbar weight
Not available
Component dimensions and weight
AJBL Bar 500MK2
| Component | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Depth (mm) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subwoofer | 325 | 400 | 325 | 8,100 |
BPolk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
| Component | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Depth (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Included subwoofer | 182 | 371 | 396 |
Package dimensions
Width1,020Height395Depth490mm(40.2 × 15.6 × 19.3 in)3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Product Specifications, printed pages 19. Packaging W x H x D. Not the product enclosure.
Not available
Package weight
Not available
Wall mountable
In the box
2 of 4 differ
In the box
Main soundbar, Wireless subwoofer, Remote control with two AAA batteries, Power cords, 1.2 m HDMI cable, Soundbar wall-mount kit, Product information and wall-mount template3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Box contents page 5. Power-cord quantity and plugs vary by region, so no guessed count. No optional accessory is described as supplied.
Soundbar, Wireless subwoofer, Remote control, Soundbar power supply, Soundbar power cord, Subwoofer power cord, HDMI cable, Two AAA batteries, Quick start guide, Registration card, Safety document2Maker spec sheet (PDF)polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw527a8c26/downloads/magnifi-mini-ax-infosheet-en.pdfRead 8 October 2026Page 2 full stock-package list. Optional SR2 rears excluded.
Wall mount hardware included
HDMI cable included
Optical cable included
General
3 of 7 differ
Series
Model numbers
GTIN / EAN
Not available
Announced
Status
Predecessor
Not available
Not available
Successor
Not available
Not available
Launch price (US)
Launch price (EU)
Not available
Not available
Markets
Links
Not compared
Product page
Spec sheet
www.jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw22eaa746/pdfs/JBL_BAR_500MK2_Black_Specsheet_EN.pdf2Maker spec sheet (PDF)jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw22eaa746/pdfs/JBL_BAR_500MK2_Black_Specsheet_EN.pdfRead 8 October 2026Two-page English maker datasheet for Bar 500MK2.
www.polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw527a8c26/downloads/magnifi-mini-ax-infosheet-en.pdf2Maker spec sheet (PDF)polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw527a8c26/downloads/magnifi-mini-ax-infosheet-en.pdfRead 8 October 2026Exact Mini AX information sheet, page 2.
Manual
www.jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdf3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Exact Bar 500MK2 Owner's Manual. Global-labelled 1000/500 manuals explicitly distinguish US USB playback from other regions.
www.polkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw7d76cf3d/downloads/magnifi-mini-ax-quickstartguide-global.pdf3Owner's manualpolkaudio.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-polk_northamerica_shared/default/dw7d76cf3d/downloads/magnifi-mini-ax-quickstartguide-global.pdfRead 8 October 2026Exact Mini AX global quick start guide. English printed pages 1 to 25.
EPREL registration number
Not available
Not available
Warranty
0 of 1 differ
Manufacturer warranty (source market)
Both are also in the API. Back to all soundbars.



















