If you want Dolby Atmos and a proper subwoofer, but your living room has nowhere to put rear speakers and your TV unit is not especially wide, the JBL Bar 500MK2 is very likely the better buy than its bigger sibling. This review checks every figure against JBL's official specification, sets out exactly how it differs from the Bar 800MK2, and gives you the Hong Kong price.
Our price and stock
JBL Bar 500MK2 — HK$2,980, in stock. International version; the warranty is provided by us (details at the end).
Official specification
| Item | JBL official specification |
|---|---|
| Channels | 5.1 channel |
| Total output power | 750W maximum (bar 450W / subwoofer 300W) |
| Bar drivers | 5x 42x80mm racetrack drivers + 4x 0.75 inch (20mm) tweeters |
| Subwoofer | 10 inch (260mm), wireless |
| Frequency response | 40Hz – 20kHz (-6dB) |
| Audio technologies | Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X |
| Soundstage | MultiBeam 3.0 |
| Dialogue | PureVoice 2.0 |
| Also listed | SmartDetails |
Note that 750W is the maximum figure. The bar's 450W plus the subwoofer's 300W comes to exactly 750W — the number reconciles, with nothing padded.
Connections and streaming
| Item | JBL official specification |
|---|---|
| HDMI | eARC, with 4K Dolby Vision passthrough |
| Other inputs | Optical, USB, Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 (A2DP v1.3, AVRCP v1.5) |
| 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 |
This part deserves attention: the 500MK2's connectivity is identical to the flagship's. Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, HDMI eARC with Dolby Vision passthrough, even Roon Ready. JBL did not economise here — the savings are not in the ports.
So how does it actually differ from the Bar 800MK2?
This is the question people ask, so we went through both official spec sheets line by line. First, what is exactly the same:
| Identical on both | Specification |
|---|---|
| Subwoofer | 10 inch (260mm), 325 × 400 × 325 mm, 8.1 kg — the very same unit |
| Audio technologies | Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X, MultiBeam 3.0, PureVoice 2.0, SmartDetails |
| HDMI | eARC, 4K Dolby Vision passthrough |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 802.11ax |
| Streaming | AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready |
And what actually differs:
| Difference | 500MK2 vs 800MK2 |
|---|---|
| Detachable rear speakers | 500MK2: none · 800MK2: two ← the decisive one |
| Channels | 5.1 vs 7.1 |
| Bar length | 940mm vs 1163mm (223mm shorter) |
| Bar weight | 2.9kg vs 5.0kg |
| Bar depth | 104mm vs 128mm |
| Bar drivers | 5 racetrack + 4x 0.75" tweeters vs 6 racetrack + 2x 1" tweeters |
| Total power | 750W vs 780W (30W apart) |
| Frequency response | from 40Hz vs from 35Hz |
| Our price | HK$2,980 vs HK$4,480 (HK$1,500 apart) |
Put those two tables together and the conclusion is unusually clear:
That HK$1,500 buys two detachable rear speakers. It does not buy more volume, and it does not buy better bass. You will not hear 750W against 780W, and the subwoofer is literally the same unit.
So one question settles it: is there space and a power socket behind your sofa for two rear speakers?
- Yes — then the Bar 800MK2 is worth the extra. Real rear channels are a real difference.
- No — then the 500MK2 saves you HK$1,500 and you give up nothing you could have used.
Size: this is the answer for a compact flat
| Component | Official size and weight |
|---|---|
| Main soundbar | 940 × 50.5 × 104 mm, 2.9 kg |
| Subwoofer | 325 × 400 × 325 mm, 8.1 kg |
The bar is 940mm. That fits a one-metre TV unit, which is what a great many Hong Kong flats actually have. The 800MK2's bar is 1163mm and wants a full 1.2 metres to sit safely.
It stands only 50.5mm tall. Slightly less likely to clip the bottom of the screen than the 800MK2 at 52mm — but still measure the gap between your TV's bottom edge and the shelf.
Depth is 104mm, so it will sit on a narrow unit.
The subwoofer is not scaled down — 325 × 400 × 325mm and 8.1kg, the same as the flagship's. It is wireless, so it only needs a power socket nearby rather than a spot next to the bar, but decide where it goes before you order.
Not sure it will fit? Measure your unit and your TV's 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, centred on your listening position.
- The subwoofer — front of the room. Closer to a wall gives more bass; if it becomes boomy, trim it in the app.
- Connection — HDMI eARC, always. Optical cannot carry Dolby Atmos, so connecting by optical wastes what you paid for.
- Calibration — run it from the JBL One app once the furniture is where it is staying.
- Dialogue — if speech is hard to follow, turn on PureVoice 2.0.
Choosing between the four JBL MK2 bars
All four 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 (this one) | 5.1 · 750W · 10" sub · 940mm bar · HK$2,980 |
| Bar 800MK2 | 7.1 · 780W · 10" sub · detachable rears · 1163mm bar · HK$4,480 |
| Bar 1300MK2 | 11.1.4 · 8" sub · detachable rears · HK$9,780 |
One counter-intuitive fact worth knowing: the 1300MK2 costs more than three times as much, but its subwoofer is 8 inch — smaller than the 500MK2's 10 inch. The 1300MK2 wins on channel count and height channels, but if bass weight is your priority, the 500MK2 is not the one losing.
See the full range in soundbars. Going deeper: our Bar 800MK2 review, Bar 1300MK2 review, and our 2026 high-end soundbar picks.
Who should buy the Bar 500MK2
Good fit:
- A TV unit around a metre wide — the 940mm bar fits properly
- Sofa against a wall, or no space and no socket behind it for rear speakers
- You want the big subwoofer without paying HK$1,500 for surrounds you cannot place
- Upgrading from TV speakers — this is the biggest single jump in quality
- You use Roon or Tidal
- You rent and will move — two boxes are easier than four
Maybe not:
- You really do want rear channels — take the 800MK2 and do not save the HK$1,500
- A large living room — 5.1 will feel thin across a big space
- A small flat where bass carries to the neighbours — the 8.1kg subwoofer against a wall is louder still; trim it in the app
- A tight budget — the Bar 2.0 All-in-One MK2 is HK$980, but with no subwoofer it is a different proposition entirely
Changing the TV at the same time: OLED, Neo QLED, Mini LED.
Warranty and provenance
Our JBL Bar 500MK2 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 500MK2 here?
HK$2,980, 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.
What is the difference between the Bar 500MK2 and the Bar 800MK2?
The main difference is that the 800MK2 has two detachable wireless rear speakers, making it 7.1, while the 500MK2 has none and is 5.1. Both use exactly the same 10-inch wireless subwoofer (325 × 400 × 325 mm, 8.1kg), and the audio technologies, HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and streaming support are all identical. Power differs by only 30W. The 500MK2's bar is 223mm shorter. Our price difference is HK$1,500.
Is the Bar 500MK2's subwoofer smaller?
No. The 500MK2 and 800MK2 use the same 10-inch (260mm) wireless subwoofer, both measuring 325 × 400 × 325 mm and weighing 8.1kg. It is the Bar 1300MK2 that uses an 8-inch subwoofer.
How long is the soundbar, and how wide does my TV unit need to be?
The main soundbar is 940 × 50.5 × 104 mm and weighs 2.9kg, so a one-metre TV unit will take it. The subwoofer is 325 × 400 × 325 mm and 8.1kg and needs its own space.
Does the Bar 500MK2 support Dolby Atmos?
Yes. JBL lists Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, with MultiBeam 3.0 handling the soundstage. Note that you must connect by HDMI eARC — optical cannot carry Dolby Atmos.
Can I use AirPlay or Roon with it?
Yes. JBL lists AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon Ready. Bluetooth is version 5.3 and Wi-Fi supports 802.11ax.
