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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs JBL Bar 500

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
JBL Bar 500

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jun 04, 2024 01:46 PM

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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Picture
JBL Bar 500 Picture
Channels
5.1
Channels
5.1
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Under $500

Variants

  • Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
  • Bar 500 (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Review
See JBL Bar 500 Review
0 
1 

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

JBL Bar 500

The JBL Bar 500 is better than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The 500 is a newer model that offers better sound quality, with a better stereo soundstage and better stereo dynamics. It can playback Dolby Atmos content, though it has to downmix it into stereo to do so. It offers more sound enhancement features as well.

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Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Black
Bar 500
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 500
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Black
Bar 500
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 500
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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Bar 500
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
7.7

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.8
8.3

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

3.1
8.1

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
3.1

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - bar
JBL Bar 500 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - sub
JBL Bar 500 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - satellites
JBL Bar 500 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - bar
JBL Bar 500 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

40.0" (101.6 cm)
40.0" (101.6 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

3.9" (9.8 cm)
4.1" (10.4 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - sub
JBL Bar 500 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)

Height  

17.3" (44.0 cm)
17.2" (43.8 cm)

Depth  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - satellites
JBL Bar 500 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Bar Mounting Holes
JBL Bar 500 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Satellite Mounting Holes
JBL Bar 500 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Build quality photo
JBL Bar 500 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround In The Box photo
JBL Bar 500 In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.8
8.3

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Stereo Setup
JBL Bar 500 Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Channels 
 

5.1
5.1

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.89
-0.44

Standard Error 
 

3.56 dB
2.95 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
27.1 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
19.3 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.8
8.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

3
2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.89
0.21

Standard Error 
 

3.56 dB
2.73 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
19.1 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.92 dB
3.38 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.1
7.5

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.9 dB SPL
94.5 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

1.03 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.44 dB
3.89 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.26

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.18
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.1
8.5

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Center Setup
JBL Bar 500 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.44
0.49

Std. Err. 
 

3.76 dB
2.94 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.0 dB SPL
95.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.27

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.98
1.94
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

6.0
6.3

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Surround Setup
JBL Bar 500 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.92
-0.46

Std. Err. 
 

3.54 dB
2.95 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.5 dB SPL
97.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.24
0.28

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.16
2.53

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
3.1

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Height Setup
JBL Bar 500 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

N/A
-1.18

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
5.45 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
85.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
2.16

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
2.23
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.6
7.4

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
No

EQ 
 

Presets
Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
JBL Bar 500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
JBL Bar 500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

ARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

3.1
8.1

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

2.6
8.1

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

4.3
6.5

Dolby Digital 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

5.7

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

152 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

97 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

111 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

147 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

154 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

123 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

7.2
5.5

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

107 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

98 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

113 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

167 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

159 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

127 ms

ARC 
 

121 ms

Optical 
 

98 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-14 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

6.3

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

175 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

237 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

7.8
9.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
120Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

30Hz
30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

10
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Interface photo
JBL Bar 500 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Controls photo
JBL Bar 500 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Remote photo
JBL Bar 500 Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No
Show Text 

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Bar 500
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

JBL Bar 500

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs JBL Bar 500: Main Discussion

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