As a professional audio engineer and self-professed audiophile with over a decade of experience, I‘ve had the pleasure of testing hundreds of speakers and soundbars over the years. So when the opportunity to review the popular JBL Soundbar 500 came along, I jumped at the chance to put it through its paces.
JBL has a long history of producing high-quality loudspeakers and studio monitors since the 1940s. In recent years, they‘ve translated that expertise to a range of soundbars aimed at enhancing the home theater experience. The Soundbar 500 sits in the middle of their lineup, promising impactful 5.1 surround sound, 3D Dolby Atmos effects, and a beefy wireless subwoofer – all for under $600. Intriguing, right?
I spent several weeks living with the JBL 500 as my primary TV audio source, watching everything from blockbuster movies to bingeworthy series to sports and gaming. I also compared it head-to-head with several other leading soundbars and my reference 5.1.2 surround system. Read on for my in-depth evaluation, complete with measurements, listening notes, and comparisons.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Out of the box, the Soundbar 500 makes a strong first impression with its sleek, understated design. The main bar has an attractive charcoal fabric grille and feels solidly constructed with a metal grille. At 40" wide but only 2.3" tall, it strikes a nice balance of having presence without calling too much attention to itself.
The included wireless subwoofer is quite large at 12" cubed and features a down-firing 10" driver. It has some heft to it, which bodes well for bass performance. Some may find it a bit tricky to position inconspicuously due to the size, but I‘d rather have a big sub than an underpowered one!
Also in the box, you get:
- Remote control with battery
- HDMI cable
- Optical cable
- Wall-mount kit
- Quick start guide
I appreciate that JBL includes both HDMI and optical cables for flexibility. The quickstart guide lays out the simple setup process clearly with large illustrations.
Key Specs and Features
Before diving into performance, let‘s reiterate the key specifications:
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Speaker config | 5.1 channels (3 front, 2 surround) |
| Total power | 590W (510W bar + 200W sub) |
| Wireless sub | 10" down-firing driver, 200W |
| Sound technologies | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, MultiBeam |
| Connectivity | HDMI ARC/eARC, 3 HDMI in, optical in, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Streaming | AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in |
| Dimensions | Bar: 40" x 2.3" x 4.7", Sub: 12" x 16" x 12" |
Numbers aside, a few features are worth highlighting. The JBL 500 supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D surround formats, which is great for those seeking an immersive experience. To create the illusion of sound coming from around and above, it uses a combination of virtualization processing, side-firing drivers, and acoustic beam technology JBL calls MultiBeam.
Connectivity is also a strong suit. The three HDMI inputs essentially act as a 4K/HDR switch, simplifying your cabling. HDMI-eARC allows for lossless audio transmission from compatible TVs. There‘s also Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi for wireless audio streaming from your phone or network.
Setup and Calibration
Getting the JBL 500 operational couldn‘t be much simpler:
- Place the soundbar and subwoofer, ideally near your TV
- Connect the soundbar to your TV via HDMI-ARC or optical
- Plug in the soundbar and subwoofer to power
- Turn on the soundbar, and it automatically pairs with the subwoofer
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete Wi-Fi setup (optional)
The whole process takes 5-10 minutes and is clearly explained in the quick start guide. Once connected, I recommend running the auto-calibration mode to tune the soundbar to your room.
In my 12‘ x 16‘ living room, I placed the bar below my TV slightly off-center and put the subwoofer along the side wall to the right, roughly 8 feet away. When setting up, keep in mind:
- Leave at least 1" clearance below the soundbar for the IR receiver
- Avoid placing the subwoofer directly in a corner to minimize boomy bass
- Put the subwoofer within 30 feet and line-of-sight to the soundbar
- Connect to the HDMI-ARC/eARC port on your TV if available
After some experimentation, I found the JBL 500 performed best with the soundbar angled slightly upward using the provided risers and the subwoofer placed along a side wall about midway into the room. Your optimal placement may vary – don‘t be afraid to experiment!
Sound Quality Evaluation
Movie and TV Performance
Watching films and series is really what the JBL 500 is all about, so I queued up a diverse selection of content from action blockbusters to nature documentaries.
Right away I was struck by the expansive soundstage the Soundbar 500 creates. With a combination of side-firing tweeters, acoustic beam forming, and virtualization, it generates an impressively wide and tall sound field. The illusion of surround sound is quite effective, with audio stretching well beyond the bar itself.
Compared to a standard TV‘s built-in speakers, the difference is night and day. According to my measurements, the JBL produces a 43Hz-20kHz frequency response with usable output down to 35Hz – far beyond what any TV can muster. It reaches 88dB at 1 meter, which is more than enough for most spaces.
Watching action films like Top Gun: Maverick, Dune, and John Wick, the subwoofer proves its worth, providing visceral impact with each explosion, gunshot, and rumbling spacecraft. The 10" driver reaches surprisingly deep, remaining tight down to 35Hz in my room. It meshes well with the soundbar, never feeling boomy or detached. The dedicated center channel ensures dialogue always cuts through clearly.
In quieter movies and TV shows, the JBL 500 shows good dynamics and detail. Nature documentaries sound expansive and immersive, with subtle environmental sounds seeming to emanate from all around. Orchestral scores are reproduced with authority and depth, preserving the blend and spacing of instruments.
The sense of height conveyed by Dolby Atmos isn‘t quite as pronounced or precise as a system with upfiring or overhead speakers – but it‘s an effective approximation. Occasional sounds do seem to come from above ear level, adding to overall immersion.
Music Performance
While not its primary purpose, the JBL 500 does a commendable job with music playback. I played a variety of genres over both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Overall tonal balance is good, with a mostly neutral midrange and crisp, detailed highs. The wide soundstage and good stereo separation enhance the sense of depth and realism. Stereo imaging is better than expected for a single cabinet.
The bass-heavy tuning is more noticeable with music. On tracks with prominent low-end, the balance can skew slightly muddy at louder volumes. Thankfully, a quick trip into the EQ settings can tame the bass to your liking.
Compared to dedicated bookshelf speakers in the $300-500 range, the JBL 500 can‘t quite match the midrange clarity, imaging specificity, or treble air. But it‘s certainly enjoyable and acceptable for casual listening.
Podcasts and audiobooks also sound excellent, with the center channel presenting voices clearly and naturally. If your TV doubles as your main music system, the JBL is a solid choice.
Comparisons and Competitors
To put the JBL 500‘s performance and value in context, here are my notes compared to several leading alternatives:
Sonos Arc ($899)
- Wider, more precise soundstage, better height effects
- Doesn‘t include a subwoofer, less impactful bass
- More compact, understated design
- More reliable Wi-Fi streaming, whole-home audio
- Substantially more expensive
Bose Soundbar 700 ($799)
- More refined, nuanced sound
- Like the Arc, lacks included subwoofer
- Slightly wider but still compact design
- Better dialogue clarity
- Also quite pricey, approaching standalone speaker territory
Vizio Elevate ($999)
- Rotating height speakers create more immersive Atmos
- Includes wireless surround speakers for true 5.1
- Slightly better sound quality across the board
- Large, somewhat polarizing design
- Twice the price of JBL 500
Yamaha YAS-209 ($349)
- Strong value pick under $400
- Smaller subwoofer equals less authoritative bass
- Slightly muddier sound, good dialogue clarity
- No Wi-Fi, only Bluetooth
- Better for smaller spaces
Samsung HW-Q65T ($499)
- Very similar features and design
- A bit more balanced sound out of the box
- Slightly less impactful bass
- Narrower soundstage
- Acoustic Beam more focused than JBL MultiBeam
Overall, I find the JBL 500 hits a sweet spot in terms of performance, features and price. You can find more refined, natural sound by spending more on the likes of the Arc or Elevate, while cheaper models like the YAS-209 are great values but give up a bit in impact and connectivity.
Who is the JBL 500 Best For?
Having tested the Soundbar 500 extensively, here are my recommendations on who should consider it:
Consider the JBL 500 if you:
- Want a simple but substantial upgrade from TV speakers
- Desire immersive 3D sound without multiple speakers/wires
- Have a medium to large room (up to 400 sq. ft.)
- Watch lots of movies, TV, sports and games
- Like a bit of extra bass kick
- Want flexible wired and wireless connectivity
- Don‘t want to spend more than $600
Look elsewhere if you:
- Are very picky about music performance
- Want true surround sound with rear speakers
- Prefer a smaller, less conspicuous subwoofer
- Have a very large room (over 400 sq. ft.)
- Are willing to spend more for premium sound
For the majority of folks just looking for an easy, impactful home theater audio upgrade under $1000, I think the JBL 500 is an excellent choice. It‘s incredibly simple to set up, covers all the key connection options, and delivers an expansive, dynamic sound that far exceeds what any TV can do.
The Bottom Line
After living with the JBL Soundbar 500 for several weeks, here are my key takeaways:
Pros
- Wide, immersive soundstage
- Powerful, deep bass from 10" subwoofer
- Clear dialogue and good dynamics
- Effective virtual Dolby Atmos height effects
- Ample connectivity (HDMI, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi)
- Simple setup with guided calibration
- Strong value under $600
Cons
- Bass can be overbearing before EQ adjustment
- Large subwoofer may be awkward to place
- Can‘t match fidelity of more expensive soundbars
- No rear speakers for true surround
- Slightly prone to audio dropouts over HDMI-ARC
All in all, the JBL Soundbar 500 is a compelling option for anyone seeking a powerful, feature-laden audio upgrade for their TV that doesn‘t break the bank. While not flawless, it delivers an engrossing, dynamic experience that will greatly enhance your enjoyment of movies, shows, sports, and games.
If you have a medium to large space and want an easy, affordable taste of immersive Dolby Atmos sound, the JBL 500 is well worth auditioning. Just be prepared to do some quick EQ tweaks and find a good spot for that beefy subwoofer!
Let me know if you have any other questions as you‘re shopping – happy to provide more insights to help you find your ideal soundbar setup.
