JBL Bar 500 MK2 Soundbar

The JBL Bar 500MK2 soundbar system brings powerful, immersive audio into your living room with a straightforward setup and modern features that make a significant difference over standard TV speakers. It is part of JBL’s 2025 Mk2 range of home audio upgrades, designed to give both films and music a much richer, room-filling quality than you’d get from a basic soundbar. In Australia, this model has been listed on the official JBL site with an Australian recommended retail price around $769.96 at the time of writing. 

At the heart of this system is a 5.1-channel configuration that combines a slim main soundbar with a dedicated 10-inch (260 mm) wireless subwoofer. Together they deliver up to 750 W of peak power, which helps fill a medium-sized room with dynamic, punchy audio. The subwoofer adds depth and weight to low frequencies, so explosions, basslines and ambient effects from movies, games and music tracks feel considerably more impactful than on TV alone. 

One of the key technologies behind this soundbar’s immersive feel is JBL’s support for Dolby Atmos® and DTS Virtual:X®. These formats use advanced digital processing to create a sense of three-dimensional space, with sound that seems to come from above and around you — not just from the front of the room. MultiBeam™ 3.0 technology further broadens the soundstage by reflecting audio off walls, helping you experience a more “surround-like” effect even without additional rear speakers. 

Dialogue clarity is another focus, with JBL’s PureVoice 2.0 enhancement helping spoken lines cut through background effects so that voices remain intelligible during action scenes or music playback. SmartDetails aims to accentuate subtle sounds within a soundtrack, giving texture and depth to quieter moments. Combined, these processing features contribute to a more engaging listening experience without manual tuning in many cases. 

Connection options are well suited to modern AV setups. An HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port lets you connect a single cable to a compatible TV and enjoy uncompressed Dolby Atmos sound, making setup simpler and cleaner. There’s also Bluetooth streaming for music from phones and tablets, plus optical input if your older TV or set-top box needs it. Many sources note that passthrough support includes HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for compatible video formats, which means you can maintain high video quality alongside superior audio. 

For everyday control and customisation, the soundbar integrates with the JBL One App, where you can adjust equaliser settings, access software updates and fine-tune the sound to match your room and preferences. Compatibility with voice assistants via connected devices — such as Google Assistant or Siri on paired speakers or phones — adds further convenience, allowing hands-free control for music playback or volume adjustments. 

Physically, the soundbar has a low-profile design that fits comfortably under most flat-screen TVs without blocking the screen or IR sensors. The accompanying subwoofer is wireless, so you can place it where it suits your room’s acoustics without extra cables. A single HDMI cable connection and included remote control make setup intuitive for most users.

This model was rolled out in the same generation as the rest of JBL’s Mk2 lineup during 2025, and it has been available through Australian retailers such as JBL’s official store and major electronics outlets into 2026. Its combination of immersive audio formats, high power output and practical connectivity makes it an appealing choice for those looking to elevate sound for TV, movies, music and gaming without the complexity of a full multi-speaker system. 

This description was generated with the help of AI and last updated March 2026.