JBL Bar 500 Soundbar Review
Immersive Audio Experience with MultiBeam and Dolby Atmos
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Verdict
- Comparisons
- Design
- Sound
- Features
- Setup
- Conclusion
The JBL Bar 500 represents a significant leap in home audio technology, offering a compelling 5.1-channel soundbar system that brings cinema-quality sound to your living room. This latest model from JBL combines their signature MultiBeam technology with Dolby Atmos support, creating an immersive 3D surround sound experience without the need for additional rear speakers. Boasting a powerful 590-watt output and a wireless 10-inch subwoofer, the Bar 500 delivers room-filling audio with deep, precise bass. The inclusion of built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast functionality expands its versatility, allowing seamless integration with various streaming services. JBL's innovative PureVoice technology further enhances the listening experience by optimizing dialogue clarity, ensuring you never miss a word even during intense action scenes.
JBL Bar 500 Soundbar Review: Verdict
Pros
- Impressive Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam surround sound
- Powerful 590W output with wireless subwoofer
- PureVoice technology enhances dialogue clarity
- Built-in Wi-Fi with multiple streaming options
Cons
- No true surround speakers included
- Some users report connectivity issues
The JBL Bar 500 stands out as a compelling choice for those seeking a high-quality soundbar system. Its 5.1-channel configuration, coupled with Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam technology, delivers an immersive audio experience that brings movies and music to life. The 590-watt output, including a powerful 10-inch wireless subwoofer, ensures room-filling sound with deep, precise bass that enhances both action-packed scenes and music playback.
One of the standout features is the PureVoice dialogue enhancement technology, which ensures clear and crisp vocals even during intense audio moments. This, combined with the soundbar’s ability to optimize sound based on room acoustics, creates a well-balanced and tailored listening experience. The built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, along with support for AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast, offers versatile streaming options that cater to various user preferences.
While the JBL Bar 500 excels in many areas, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t include dedicated rear speakers for a true surround sound setup. However, the MultiBeam technology does an admirable job of creating a wide soundstage that simulates surround effects. Some users have reported occasional connectivity issues, which may require attention during setup and use. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall performance and feature set of the JBL Bar 500 make it a strong contender in the mid-range soundbar market, offering excellent value for those looking to upgrade their home audio experience.
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| Color | Model Number | |
| Black | JBL Bar 500 |
JBL Bar 500 Soundbar Review: Compared To Other Soundbars
Pros
- Competitive Dolby Atmos performance
- Powerful bass with included subwoofer
- Versatile streaming options
Cons
- Lacks dedicated rear speakers
- Limited HDMI inputs compared to some competitors
The JBL Bar 500 holds its own against competitors in the mid-range soundbar market. Its Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam technology deliver immersive sound comparable to higher-end models like the Sonos Arc, though without dedicated upfiring speakers. The included 10-inch wireless subwoofer gives it an edge in bass performance over compact alternatives like the Bose Smart Soundbar 600.
While the Bar 500 offers versatile streaming options with built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Chromecast, it falls short in connectivity compared to some rivals. The single HDMI input may be limiting for users with multiple devices, unlike the Samsung HW-Q800C which offers better integration for Samsung TV owners. However, the JBL’s overall sound quality and value proposition make it a strong contender, especially for those prioritizing music playback and dialogue clarity.
JBL Bar 500 Soundbar Review: Design and Build Quality
Pros
- Sleek and modern design
- Compact form factor
- Sturdy construction with quality materials
- Wall-mountable for flexible placement
Cons
- Limited color options
- No display screen on the soundbar
The JBL Bar 500 boasts a sleek and modern design that seamlessly integrates into most living room setups. Its low-profile form factor allows for easy placement beneath most TVs without obstructing the view. The soundbar features a matte black finish that resists fingerprints and complements a wide range of decor styles.
Constructed with high-quality materials, the JBL Bar 500 exudes durability and premium feel. The main unit combines sturdy plastic with metal grilles, striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality. The wireless subwoofer, while substantial in size, maintains a cohesive design language with the soundbar.
Measuring 40 inches in width, the soundbar is compact enough for various TV sizes while still delivering powerful audio. For those preferring a cleaner look, the included wall-mount brackets offer flexible placement options. However, the absence of a display screen on the soundbar may require users to rely more on LED indicators for system status.
JBL Bar 500 Soundbar Review: Sound Performance
Pros
- Immersive Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam surround sound
- Powerful 590W output with wireless subwoofer
- Clear dialogue with PureVoice technology
- Balanced and detailed audio across frequencies
Cons
- Bass can be slightly boomy at times
- Height effects not as pronounced as dedicated speakers
The JBL Bar 500 delivers an impressive audio experience with its 5.1-channel configuration and Dolby Atmos support. The soundbar’s MultiBeam technology creates a wide soundstage, enveloping listeners in immersive surround sound. With 590 watts of total system output, including a wireless 10-inch subwoofer, the Bar 500 produces room-filling audio with punchy bass that enhances both movies and music.
Dialogue clarity is a standout feature, thanks to JBL’s PureVoice technology. This ensures that voices remain crisp and intelligible, even during intense action scenes with complex sound effects. The soundbar’s frequency response is well-balanced, accurately reproducing voices and lead instruments in the mids, while providing warm and detailed highs.
While the JBL Bar 500 excels in many areas, it’s not without minor drawbacks. The bass, while powerful, can occasionally sound slightly boomy, especially at higher volumes. Additionally, although the Dolby Atmos effects add height to the soundstage, they may not be as pronounced as systems with dedicated upward-firing speakers. Despite these small issues, the overall sound quality remains impressive, making the JBL Bar 500 a strong contender in its price range.
JBL Bar 500 Soundbar Review: Features and Connectivity
Pros
- Versatile connectivity options
- Built-in Wi-Fi with multiple streaming services
- HDMI eARC with 4K Dolby Vision passthrough
- Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless streaming
Cons
- Limited HDMI inputs
- No display screen on soundbar
The JBL Bar 500 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options, catering to various home entertainment setups. At its core, the soundbar features built-in Wi-Fi, enabling seamless integration with popular streaming services like AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast. This allows users to access over 300 online music streaming options, ensuring a vast library of audio content at their fingertips.
For traditional connections, the Bar 500 includes an HDMI eARC port, which supports uncompressed Dolby Atmos surround sound through a single cable. The HDMI input also offers 4K video quality with Dolby Vision passthrough, making it compatible with high-end video players and gaming consoles. Additionally, the soundbar supports Bluetooth 5.0, allowing for easy wireless streaming from smartphones, tablets, and computers.
While the JBL Bar 500 excels in many areas, it does have some limitations. The soundbar only includes one HDMI input, which may be restrictive for users with multiple devices. Furthermore, the absence of a display screen on the soundbar itself means users must rely on LED indicators for system status, potentially making navigation less intuitive for some. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall feature set and connectivity options of the JBL Bar 500 provide a robust and versatile audio solution for most home entertainment needs.
JBL Bar 500 Soundbar Review: Setup and Ease of Use
Pros
- Quick and straightforward setup process
- User-friendly JBL One app for configuration
- Automatic calibration feature for optimal sound
- Easy Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Limited display on soundbar for setup feedback
- Some users report occasional connectivity issues
Setting up the JBL Bar 500 is a breeze, making it accessible even for those less tech-savvy. The soundbar comes with a quick start guide that walks users through the initial setup process. Most users find they can have the system up and running within minutes, thanks to the straightforward connection options and intuitive design.
The JBL One app plays a crucial role in the setup process, offering a user-friendly interface for configuring the soundbar and personalizing settings. This app guides users through Wi-Fi setup, allowing seamless integration with popular streaming services like AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast built-in. The Bluetooth pairing process is equally simple, enabling quick connections to smartphones and tablets.
One standout feature is the automatic MultiBeam calibration. This function optimizes the soundbar’s performance based on the room’s acoustics, ensuring the best possible audio experience without requiring technical expertise from the user. However, some users note that the lack of a display screen on the soundbar itself means relying on LED indicators for setup feedback, which can be less intuitive for some.
While most users report a smooth setup experience, a small number have encountered connectivity issues, particularly with Wi-Fi setup or maintaining stable connections. Despite these occasional hiccups, the overall consensus is that the JBL Bar 500 offers a user-friendly setup process that gets users enjoying their enhanced audio experience with minimal fuss.
JBL Bar 500 Soundbar Review: Conclusion
The JBL Bar 500 stands out as a compelling choice for those seeking a high-quality soundbar system. Its 5.1-channel configuration, coupled with Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam technology, delivers an immersive audio experience that brings movies and music to life. The powerful 590-watt output, including a wireless 10-inch subwoofer, ensures room-filling sound with deep, precise bass that enhances both action-packed scenes and music playback.
While the JBL Bar 500 excels in many areas, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t include dedicated rear speakers for a true surround sound setup. However, the MultiBeam technology does an admirable job of creating a wide soundstage that simulates surround effects. Some users have reported occasional connectivity issues, which may require attention during setup and use. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall performance, feature set, and value proposition of the JBL Bar 500 make it a strong contender in the mid-range soundbar market, offering an excellent upgrade for those looking to enhance their home audio experience.