If you want cinema sound at home without running speaker cable across the room, the JBL Bar 800MK2 is the most sensible thing in its class right now. Genuinely detachable wireless rear speakers, a 10-inch wireless subwoofer, and Dolby Atmos. This review checks every figure against JBL's official specification, tells you what the system actually has and does not have, and gives you the Hong Kong price.
Our price and stock
JBL Bar 800MK2 — HK$4,480, in stock. International version; the warranty is provided by us (details at the end).
What the Bar 800MK2 actually is
JBL specifies it as a 7.1 channel system in three pieces:
- The main soundbar, with upward-firing drivers
- Two detachable wireless rear speakers — they dock magnetically onto the ends of the bar to charge when not in use
- A 10-inch wireless subwoofer
The detachable rears are the whole point. No cable run to the back of the room: set them behind the sofa and you have real rear surround. Dock them again and it goes back to being an ordinary soundbar for music.
Official specification
| Item | JBL official specification |
|---|---|
| Channels | 7.1 channel |
| Total output power | 780W maximum (RMS @THD 1%: 390W) |
| Power split | Bar 400W / surrounds 40W each / subwoofer 300W |
| Subwoofer | 10 inch (260mm), wireless |
| Bar drivers | 6x 44x80mm racetrack drivers + 2x 1 inch (25mm) tweeters |
| Surround drivers | 2x 44x90mm racetrack drivers each |
| Surround battery | Up to 10 hours when detached |
| Audio technologies | 3D Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X |
| Soundstage | MultiBeam 3.0 |
| Dialogue | PureVoice 2.0 |
| Frequency response | 35Hz – 20kHz (-6dB) |
The 780W figure needs qualifying. That is the maximum output. JBL separately publishes continuous output (RMS) at 390W. Both numbers are real, but they mean different things — read 780W as the everyday figure and you will be disappointed.
Connections and streaming
| Item | JBL official specification |
|---|---|
| HDMI | eARC, with 4K Dolby Vision passthrough |
| Other inputs | Optical, USB, Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz / 5GHz) |
| Streaming | AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready |
| App | JBL One — tuning, calibration, firmware updates |
Two things worth flagging. First, the official term is Google Cast, not Chromecast — Google renamed it. Second, it is Roon Ready, which means it drops straight into a Roon library. Very few soundbars at this price do that.
Dimensions and weight: measure before you order
The original article never gave a single measurement, and this is where Hong Kong buyers get caught out. Official figures:
| Component | Official size and weight |
|---|---|
| Main soundbar | 1163 × 52 × 128 mm, 5 kg |
| Surround speaker (each) | 169 × 52 × 128 mm, 0.7 kg |
| Subwoofer | 325 × 400 × 325 mm, 8.1 kg |
The bar is 1163mm long. On a TV unit you need at least 1.2 metres of clear width. It stands 52mm tall, so if your TV sits on short feet it may clip the bottom of the picture — worth measuring.
The subwoofer is 325 × 400 × 325mm and 8.1kg. Not small, so plan where it goes in a compact flat. It is wireless, so it only needs a power socket nearby, not a position next to the bar.
Not sure it will fit? Measure your unit top and your TV foot height and send it to us on WhatsApp — we will check it with you.
Placement and setup
- The bar — in front of the TV or wall mounted. Keep the space above the upward-firing drivers clear; Atmos depends on ceiling reflection.
- The subwoofer — front of the room. Closer to a wall increases bass output.
- The surrounds — behind the seating, at or slightly above ear level, angled in towards the listening position.
- Connection — use HDMI eARC, not optical. Optical cannot carry Dolby Atmos.
- Calibration — run it from the JBL One app after the furniture is where it is staying.
Which one is right for you
All four JBL MK2 soundbars are in stock with us:
| Model | Specification and price |
|---|---|
| Bar 2.0 All-in-One MK2 | 2.0 channel · HK$980 · single bar, no subwoofer |
| Bar 500MK2 | 5.1 · 750W · 10" sub · no detachable rears · HK$2,980 |
| Bar 800MK2 (this one) | 7.1 · 780W · 10" sub · detachable rears · HK$4,480 |
| Bar 1300MK2 | 11.1.4 · 8" sub · detachable rears · HK$9,780 |
Two things only become visible when you line them up:
One: the 500MK2 and the 800MK2 are HK$1,500 and 30W apart. You will not hear 750W against 780W. The real difference is that the 800MK2 has the two detachable wireless rears and the 500MK2 does not — 7.1 versus 5.1. That HK$1,500 buys rear channels, not volume. If your living room has nowhere to put rear speakers, save the money and take the 500MK2.
Two: the 1300MK2 costs more than twice as much but has a smaller subwoofer. It uses an 8-inch driver against the 800MK2's 10-inch. The 1300MK2 wins on channel count — 11.1.4, with height channels — but if raw bass weight is what you are after, the 10-inch is not the loser here. More detail in our Bar 1300MK2 review.
To see the full range: soundbars, or our 2026 high-end soundbar picks.
Who should buy it
Good fit:
- You want real rear surround without running cable
- Films first — Atmos plus a 10-inch subwoofer is a different league for effects and atmosphere
- Gaming — rear speakers make footsteps and positional audio far clearer; pairs well with PS5 and Xbox Series X
- Upgrading from TV speakers or an entry-level bar
- You use Roon or Tidal
Maybe not:
- Your TV unit is under 1.2m wide — the bar is 1163mm and will not fit
- Nowhere behind the sofa for the rears — take the 500MK2 and save HK$1,500
- A small flat where bass carries — the 8.1kg subwoofer against a wall gets louder still; turn it down in the app
- You do not want to think about charging the rears (up to 10 hours per charge)
Changing the TV at the same time: OLED, Neo QLED, Mini LED.
Warranty and provenance
Our JBL Bar 800MK2 is international version — not local Hong Kong retail stock. The warranty is provided by us.
Soundbar warranty: one month. (The three-year on-site warranty is a TV-category policy and does not apply to soundbars. We would rather be clear about that than vague.)
Our Kwun Tong showroom at Room 403, Block A, Chung Mei Centre holds stock only, open 11:00–19:00. Message us on WhatsApp first if you want to come and collect. Full terms are in the warranty and delivery FAQ, or reach us via contact us.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the JBL Bar 800MK2 here?
HK$4,480, in stock. It is international version, not local Hong Kong retail stock; the warranty is provided by us and the soundbar warranty period is one month.
Is the Bar 800MK2 really 780W?
JBL states 780W maximum output and 390W continuous (RMS @THD 1%). The split is 400W for the bar, 40W for each surround speaker and 300W for the subwoofer, which adds up to exactly 780W.
What is the difference between the Bar 800MK2 and the Bar 500MK2?
The 800MK2 has two detachable wireless rear speakers, which makes it 7.1; the 500MK2 does not, and is 5.1. Power differs by only 30W (780W against 750W) and both use a 10-inch wireless subwoofer. The price difference here is HK$1,500.
How long is the soundbar, and how wide does my TV unit need to be?
The main soundbar is 1163 × 52 × 128 mm and weighs 5kg, so you want at least 1.2 metres of clear width. The subwoofer is 325 × 400 × 325 mm and 8.1kg. Each surround speaker is 169 × 52 × 128 mm and 0.7kg.
Do the rear speakers need charging?
Yes. They run up to 10 hours when detached, and charge automatically when docked magnetically onto the ends of the main soundbar.
Does it support Chromecast?
JBL's official term is Google Cast, since Chromecast built-in was renamed. Alongside Google Cast it supports AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon Ready.
