TV and audio / Soundbars

JBLSoundbar
Bar 500MK2
Released June 2025.4Press releasenews.harman.com/releases/jbl-introduces-next-gen-bar-series-for-truly-immersive-entertainmentRead 8 October 2026Maker availability table states June 2025 for Bar 500MK2. Les Numeriques exact review independently says available since June 2025. Later August forecast from Toms Guide is not used. Last checked 16 October 2026.
- System channel configuration
- 5.1
- Dolby Atmos
- Yes
- Separate subwoofer included
- Yes
- HDMI eARC
- Yes
74 of 98 fields known.
At a glance
Ports
- 2 HDMI
- Optical
- USB-A
- AC power
Audio system
- Physical drivers in the bar
- 93Owner'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. Five racetrack drivers and four tweeters in main bar.
- Up-firing drivers in the package
- 07Reviewrtings.com/soundbar/reviews/jbl/bar-500mk2-750wRead 8 October 2026Public Movies verdict explicitly says no upward drivers. Virtual Dolby Atmos playback does not establish physical height drivers. Supplied bar and 10-inch subwoofer only.
- Driver layout
Component Driver type Count Diameter (mm) Soundbar 42 x 80 mm racetrack driver 5 Not available Soundbar Tweeter 4 20 Subwoofer Woofer 1 260 - Separate subwoofer included
- Yes3Owner'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. One separate powered subwoofer is supplied.
- Included subwoofer connection
- Wireless3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Subwoofer connection and setup sections. Wireless audio link. Subwoofer requires its own AC power cord.
- Included subwoofer driver diameter
- 260mm3Owner'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. Maker publishes 260 mm driver diameter. Marketing inches are rounded and not converted.
- Included rear speaker connection
- Not available
- Compatible optional subwoofers
- Not available
- Compatible optional rear speakers
- JBL Cove M1, JBL Cove P16Maker product pagesupport.jbl.com/gb/en/howto/which-cove-speaker-models-are-compatible-with-jbl-bar-mk2-series-to-form-home-theater-groups-mttxsft6e8-emea/000055042.htmlRead 8 October 2026FAQ explicitly includes this exact Bar model. Requires a pair of the same Cove model. Optional speakers are not supplied. This later software ecosystem support does not change reference package channel or driver counts.
- Published frequency response lower limit
- 40Hz3Owner'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. System response lower endpoint at -6 dB. Measurement signal, room and level are not specified.
- Published frequency response upper limit
- 20kHz3Owner'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. System response upper endpoint at -6 dB. Measurement signal, room and level are not specified.
Audio formats
- DTS:X
- Not available
- 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.
- Audio formats by connection
Connection Format Max input channels Optical PCM 2 Optical Dolby Digital 6 - Max wired audio sample rate
- Not available
- Max wired audio bit depth
- Not available
- Max music file bit depth
- Not available
Connectivity
- Ports on the bar
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 - Video passthrough modes
Width (px) Height (px) Refresh rate (Hz) 3840 2160 60 - HDR passthrough formats
- HDR10+, Dolby Vision3Owner'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. Both passthrough HDR formats are explicitly listed. Plain HDR10 is not added by inference.
- Bluetooth audio input
- Yes3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Section 5.2. Receives source-device Bluetooth audio.
- Wi-Fi standard
- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax3Owner'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. Published Wi-Fi standards, not inferred solely from bands.
- Built-in Ethernet speed
- Not available
Streaming and control
- 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
- Google Assistant, Siri1Maker product pagejbl.com/BAR-500MK2.htmlRead 8 October 2026Works with voice assistant-enabled speakers feature. Requires an external compatible assistant device. The bar has a calibration microphone, not an asserted onboard voice assistant.
- Microphone mute control
- Not available
Sound processing
- Sound modes
- Not available
- Room calibration system
- JBL sound calibration3Owner's manualjbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwe0f52f01/pdfs/HA_JBL_Bar%20500MK2_OM_Global_EN_V7.pdfRead 8 October 2026Calibration section. Maker names the process sound calibration. No different trademark or third-party room calibration system is invented.
- Dialogue enhancement
- Yes1Maker product pagejbl.com/BAR-500MK2.htmlRead 8 October 2026PureVoice 2.0 feature automatically adjusts dialogue clarity.
- 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
Power
- Published operating power
- Not available
- Published standby power
- 1W1Maker product pagejbl.com/BAR-500MK2.htmlRead 8 October 2026Deep sleep feature specifies less than 1 W in standby. Stored 1 is the strict upper bound, not an exact consumption measurement.
- Power supply
- 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz3Owner'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. Published AC input range for main bar and supplied subwoofer. Input rating is not workload consumption.
- Detachable rear battery life
- Not available
- Detachable rear charge time
- Not available
Measured
- Low-frequency extension (measured)
- Not available
- High-frequency extension (measured)
- Not available
- Max sound pressure (measured)
- Not available
- Frequency response deviation (measured)
- Not available
- Operating power (measured)
- Not available
- Standby power (measured)
- Not available
- Soundbar weight (measured)
- Not available
Dimensions and weight
Front and side, drawn to scale.
- 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.
- Component dimensions and weight
Component Width (mm) Height (mm) Depth (mm) Weight (g) Subwoofer 325 400 325 8,100 - 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.
In the box
- 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.
General
- Model numbers
- JBLBAR500M2BLKAM1Maker product pagejbl.com/BAR-500MK2.htmlRead 8 October 2026Specs section item number. Black US package. No first-generation or global 1300MK2 identifier is included.
- Status
- Available1Maker product pagejbl.com/BAR-500MK2.htmlRead 8 October 2026Exact model is offered for purchase and marked in stock when checked.
- Predecessor
- Not available
- Successor
- Not available
- Launch price (EU)
- Not available
Links
- Product page
- www.jbl.com/BAR-500MK2.html1Maker product pagejbl.com/BAR-500MK2.htmlRead 8 October 2026Product page for this exact marketed model.
- 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.
- 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.
- EPREL registration number
- Not available
Warranty
- Manufacturer warranty (source market)
- 1year5Maker product pagesupport.jbl.com/howto/jbl-warranty-information-us/000028546.htmlRead 8 October 2026US powered Home Audio limited warranty. New product bought from authorised US reseller and used in US. Default is one year unless included product card specifies differently. No five-year passive-speaker term is applied.
Compare with
Pick a soundbar to see both side by side. Differences are marked yellow.
Sources
We read 12 sources for this soundbar. The numbers match the markers in the sheet.
- Maker product pagejbl.com/BAR-500MK2.html
- Maker product pagesupport.jbl.com/howto/jbl-warranty-information-us/000028546.html
- Retailer pagecrutchfield.com/p_109B500MK2/JBL-Bar-500MK2.html
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