JBL - Bar 500

I have the JBL 500 in my bedroom. No complaints, produces clear vocals and deep bass. Haven't read much positive about the Hisense models.

JBL bar 500 is a solid choice

I know it's all personal preference but I wouldn't count on JBL for longevity personally. I am sorry to hear that tho, def a bummer. It's the JBL Bar 500? Same model they have out now or an older version? Jw. Also, I have personal experience and have heard some others report bad connections between LG sound bars and subwoofers. My sister's setup is very confused where the crossover is and decides to cut out entirely for minutes at a time. So I lean away from LG for audio personally. If looking at $500 roughly for price point I'd suggest the Denon S517, The newer Klipsch Flexus Core 200 line, Polk Signa S4/S4D.. If you can get one for the steal snag a Sony A5000 before they're all gone as they bring in the Bravia 8/9 bars etc. That A5000 is a beast at its price point imo and the system is buildable. I set my parents up with it for their family room cu they have a proper basement theater, so they use it with no sub nor rears, but you can always add both or either of them later. Sony is really in a good place rn imho hardware-wise. I was aiming for that bar for them for Bravia Sync to maximize the use of their brand new TV in a new home, but I didn't expect to be so thoroughly impressed with Sony's virtual surround capabilities rn. They're doing something right. Stinks to have to replace that that soon tho 2 years is a joke. Edit: +1 any device from any brand can fail early or malfunction before too long or even right out of the box. But I did wanna say my personal 2 cents on JBL. I think the brand has its place, just longevity in home theater systems isn't my first place I'd give them points. Their portable and more rugged speakers tho that are more designed asking to take a beating, that's where they shine imo. Pretty much every other application there's another product I'd prefer. But again, that's just my preference! I won't say I have never been impressed by their sound. I may often find some of their tuning a bit bassy, but it depends on the exactly product really.

I bought the JBL 500 last week and love it. It packs a punch with the Bass for sure which you have level 1-5. 2 is enough honestly. 5 will rattle your windows. The clarity works great for me. For the price it’s a great system. Upside is you can shut the system off which i had the Sonos beam and mini sub and was frustrated that u couldn’t turn the system off so even the news had bass which sucked. I am very pleased with the purchase. It def makes you feel like you’re in a movie theater. My Sonos didn’t sound this good and now I have xtra $ for something else lol. I am still researching if I can add extra speakers which I was told by the sales guy that I couldn’t but I’m still searching. Either way I love it.

If you need satellites Samsung Q990D is the best one, after that Q930D If you want one without satellites then Samsung Q800D is the best one. I say that while I'm one of the biggest hater of the whole samsung company, because of their way of handling warranties and their shady TV naming conventions in OLEDs, but they do soundbards very good. If you want more bass, more focus on music, but worse performance in movies then JBL BAR 500 or 800 (whether you need satellites or not) You shouldn't really look into anything that is all-in-one, because if it's cheap it's shit, and if it's not, well then it doesn't fit you budget, also they'd still be better with a sub.

Is it normal to have this many problems with the company? Saturday I decided to go buy a soundbar for my TV so I went to Best Buy and I bought the Sonos Beam. While I was talking to the guy who was selling it to me I asked him if I needed to connect to the internet for it to work because where I live the internet has a firewall preventing those kinds of things from connecting to it. He said all I needed was an HDMI cord and no internet was required. He was wrong. The next day I returned it and traded it in for the JBL bar 500, the only issue was that the closest store that had it to me was an hour away. I went ahead and drove down there and got it because I had nothing else to do. Once I got home I set is up and it sounded great but there was an audio delay and I could not fix it. So I packed it up and took it to a store near me and troubleshot it with me and said the best thing to do was get a new HDMI cord for it, so I did. I get home and there is still an audio delay. I called JBL and they seemed to think it was a defect with the audio sync function feature and told me to make an appointment with Best Buy and they should be able to fix it. So I made the appointment for today to get it looked at in-store. Well, when I showed up Geek Squad told me that this was an in-home problem and told me to make an appointment for that. I asked them why it didn't tell me that when I made the appointment and she just said "I don't know sorry". I did not want to spend $100 for someone to come over and mess with my TV settings so I just opted to exchange it for the same one saying the audio sync is defective. They then told me that since I got the soundbar on sale and it was $200 off I would have to pay them $200 to replace it, which does not sound right at all. They then suggested that I had a site survey done and an someone could see what was wrong with it and go from there so I reluctantly agreed now I am waiting for someone to come look at it. I know I can just use the warranty with JBL to replace it but the employees were saying that I could not do this in-store, is that right? I feel I am being scammed out of my money with how I bought a sound bar, it came out defective, and now they say if I wanna replace it that I would have to pay them $200 since it was on sale. Not only that but the entire time I am trying to get this fixed they just kept trying to get me to buy more crap, the guy who sold it to me in the first place spent 10 minutes trying to sell me an SSD for a PS5 after I said I did not want a Best Buy card. When I was trying to figure out the audio sync the first time they were trying to sell me a TV. What should I do going forward? I love this soundbar, the only issue is the audio sync. Can I really not use the manufacturer warranty in-store? Who can I complain to about this to actually get things rolling?

Geek Squad confirmed the sound bar was defective. It was not a TV issue.

I was looking for a budget bar for the basement so picked up the JBL bar 500 while on sale. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but it kinda blew me away to be honest for the price. The 10 inch sub can really get things going. I'm very happy with it

I have the JBL Bar 500 and I think it's pretty good for the price. $400 when on sale at Amazon or JBL web store. Unfortunately, Best Buy has it at $500 at the moment. Dialogue is crisp and sound effects are good (Interstellar and Prometheus spaceship rumble, Prey when hatchet is thunking into trees, Furiosa engine shaking, Blade Runner 2049 and Pacific Rim raining and other scenes). The soundbar is miles better than the default LG C4 tv speakers. The JBL Bar 500 was easy to setup, just HDMI 2.1 cable to C4 eARC. And HDMI from Panasonic UB820 to C4. Went with inexpensive 2-pack HDMI 2.1 Highwings cables from Amazon. Note the JBL Bar 500 has no detachable rear speakers. It simulates surround sound. I went with this soundbar as I'm downsizing. JBL has other (more expensive) models with detachable rear speakers.

Consider a JBL Bar 500 ($400 when on sale). Includes a wireless subwoofer. It was pretty much plug and play with HDMI cable to LG C4's eARC, and another HDMI cable from LG C4 to Panasonic UB820. Dolby Atmos or surround sound gets autodetected. It comes with a remote, but I only use it for changing the bass level rarely. Otherwise just using the LG C4's remote to control the soundbar's volume. Personal preference, I like having a subwoofer. Good for shaking the room during Interstellar rocket launch, Blade Runner 2049 and Prometheus vehicle and spaceship rumbles, etc. And the soundbar's dialogue is world's better than the default tv speakers.

I went with a [JBL Bar 500](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BQPZYWFC). It is $400 USD when on sale. [rtings.com's review](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/jbl/bar-500) I was looking for a low profile soundbar, smaller subwoofer, and more compact (replacing ancient 5 speaker, big subwoofer, and chunky receiver). It has crisp dialogue and room shaking (example Interstellar rocket launch, Furiosa motorcycles, Prometheus spaceship). My setup: 65" LG C4 tv, Panasonic UB820, JBL Bar 500, 2x HDMI 2.1 Highwings cables. See page 6 diagrams of the [Quick Start Guide](https://www.jbl.com/soundbars/BAR-500-.html) under Documents and Downloads. One diagram for ARC setup, other diagram for eARC capable tv.

The default C4 speakers are so-so. I went with a JBL Bar 500 soundbar and the dialogue is much stronger and clearer. The Soundbars subreddit and [https://www.rtings.com/soundbar](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar) were helpful in choosing a soundbar.

I m using JBL Bar 500 with Sony 55inch and JBL Bar 9.1 with Sony 75inch TV. Both works great with PS5 Games. Full Surround Magic

It's Perfect for 5.1 audio. Support for Atmos and DTS, Surround Sound is insane. 🙃🙂

I'd personally pick Samsung over both. My dad still has his Bar 3.1 system & it's alright. I had the JBL Bar 500 & it was honestly a disaster to my ears. Subwoofer was surprisingly bad sounding compared to the Bar 3.1 which is older, & The bar was noticably more distorted sounding than the older Bar 3.1. Which was realllllyyyy disappointing. But even with the Bar 3.1 I still wish they did better on the subwoofer. Doesn't play nearly as deep as I think it should considering it's a 10" subwoofer. Sony on the other hand is kinda starting to get better. I used to have a full Sony SEN-R5520 5.1 AV system. Shit rocked. But Sony soundbars I've experienced just don't even come close to the same experience (I know AV isn't a comparison to a soundbar, but it still shouldn't feel like 2 different brands of systems). Sony desperately needs to release an all new lineup of subwoofers cause that SW5 is absolutely laughable for the price, performance & size of it. Doesn't get very loud, & doesn't play very deep either. I have the S2000 bar & the SW5 & it's definitely disappointing. Only good thing I can say about it is that the bar can get quite loud, but it's definitely not very clean sounding, & honestly I have a hard time believing I'm even listening to a Sony system. I have had a brief listening of the new Bravia theater bars & they're definitely sounding more like how a Sony should sound to me. But again they really need a new subwoofer lineup so badly. I expect so much more from Sony it's honestly sad to me that this is what we get for soundbars.

Flexus Core 200 by LITERAL MILES!!! I have no experience with the apple home pod. Had the Q600C briefly, bar sounds alright but the subwoofer sounds like shit. Had the JBL Bar 500 & it was just a sloppy system all around, crappy subwoofer & distorted bar. & The Beam 2 is eh. Quite weak & very dull sounding. If I can comfortably listen to a movie at 60%+ volume, that sucks in my book. Hell I even had it at 100% in my bedroom before & I was just like "that's all this things got???" I also thought the Arc was too soft for me as well. The Core 200 bar by itself is just fantastic! 2 4" subwoofers that really hit hard. It's such a full sounding bar it's amazing! Dialogue enhancement works pretty well too if needed, + a 3 band bass mid & treble equalizer. Choice of either the Sub 100 or Sub 200 (10" or 12") & you can run 2 subs regardless of which sub you buy, unlike Sonos where you can't run 2 sub minis, only 2 full size subwoofers. I sold my Arc, Era 100's & sub mini for my Core 200 + Sub 100 & I don't regret it at all. The soundstage is impressively wide sounding considering the lack of side firing drivers. I've had scenes in movies where it sounds like there's something at the side of my room, beyond the soundbar!

This. Recently bought the Bar 500 myself. The sound is incredible and the subwoofer packs a punch. I can’t even have it past level 2 due to neighbours 😅 But some amazing movie choices listed here. I second these!

I just got this one for 300$ on Black Friday. Works great for my bedroom. Super easy to set up and sounds great. I don’t think I would pay full price for it, but worth it if you can find it on sale.

I have a JBL bar 500. No complaints here.

I think your expectations were a little skewed. Are you watching downloaded movies or good quality ones? I have the bar 500 and it definitely feels surround soundish on mine.

So… by chance I ended up with a JBL Bar 500 which is right in the middle of your price range, the sub is mean, bro, I love it. It does come with a weird quirk though: so changing the bass level via remote actually just adjusts the sub 125 band on the 7-band EQ, and im pretty sure the actual crossover to the sub is much higher, potentially up to around 400-500 (haven’t really tested), so I notice much more richness “upping the bass” through the EQ. But listening to music on it is awesome

I know this is an old comment, but you saved me! I bought the Polk on Black Friday for $299, but your comment made me look up the Bar 500, and it was $350 at the time, so I ordered both with the intent to return one, and the difference is really night and day! Not only the bass extension, but the midrange clarity of the bar 500 is just so much better! I could only recommend the Polk if you just literally did not have the space for something a bit larger.

In that price range you can't go wrong with the JBL Bar 500, if you can get it under 400$. Great alrounder. Very crisp base and great for music, too. Dialogue is awesome on this bar.

This is the answer. JBL is known to pack the most high quality subwoofers in that price range and if music is a concern, this is probably the best choice.

I had one of these alongside a JBL Bar 500 and I'm sorry to rain on your parade here, but the Polk Mini pales in comparison where as the JBL cost only a bit more and gives you literally twice the sound quality with an infinitely better sub. I was actually quite disappointed in the Polk as it had gotten a great review by Andrew Robinson and that was what swayed me to go with it.

The JBL is better in every single aspect, especially in terms of clarity. You're tripping if you think otherwise, or you simply haven't tried them side by side.

Same TV and I just picked up the JBL bar 500 and am very happy with my purchase

I just picked up the JBL 500 bar on sale and I have to say, it's very impressive for the price. The lows from the sub is phenomenal. I'm quite pleased with it

Absolutely love my bar 500 I picked up a few weeks ago. The bass is unreal for the price

Is this different from the Bar 500 5.1? Specs seem the same, but it looks different. I have the bar 500 and the bar doesn't look like that. New model?

Ahh gotcha. With that being said, I have 2 of these systems. Like others have said, extremely bass heavy if you want it to be. I absolutely love them, and for the price, I feel it can't be beat.

I got the JBL and it sounds pretty good, I went down from a 5.2.2 to this and still pretty impressed, the bass is really good.

Is the audio quality better than Bose or Samsung? I have a jbl 5.1 I think the quality is similar to Samsung given the relatedness of the companies. I can say that the musical level of the jbl is pitiful.

For sure the JBL. I had it and absolutely loved it until I upgraded to the Sonos arc. Not to mention the deal on that JBL, you can’t beat it. The 10 inch sub really gets down too. Plus Hisense is not great quality imo

I wish JBL offered there older bars with a 12” like there 1300 models do but there 10” sub sounds better then most. Ill use sound bars in my bedrooms and office i also got all mine stupid cheap when they were all fairy new or been out a year or so. A vizio m512a in office if came w an 8” sub wouldve been nice. Then 2 Nakamichis a 7.2 with dual 8” subs for 200$ was 1500$ or so new at time and 250$ for a 9.2.4 eArc 10” subs which was over 1600$ on Amazon back then. Both Geek squad had lost connection with sub which took out both surrounds on 1 and both subs and 4 surrounds on the other. Both Customers didn’t even try to fix them apparently because i messaged Nakamichi on each system they sent me out thumdrives for subs to try for free which worked on the 7.2 but lastthing they tried on the 9.2 was sent out new sub plates to try and if worked then id send mine back to them with a shipping label they also sent out. That actually worked out I couldn’t believe it for free in under 2 weeks and both sound better then other bars at the time especially in bigger rooms. Then some crack head was selling a JBL 5.1 multibeam w/ 10” sub for 175” I offered 125$ didn’t think id see a response but he messaged back a week or so later to sell BestBuy was selling it new for over 600$. I use it as a blutooth system in my garage off basement and sounds mint mostly because of the sub. Most sound bars I don’t think music sounds good at voume the Nak 9.2.4 still sounds decent id like to hear the 1300Pro just check Marketplace sometimes be surprised what you find sometimes.

Just got JBL 5.1 from bestbuy for $270 for my C4. (Original price $599). They have this promo price for Bestbuy members which cost you nothing to become when buying this bar. Love the rumbling bass. The sub it comes with is 10” btw.

I have the Jbl 5.1 and I higy recommend you if you want a big sub. My friend has had his for 6 years. I had to go and pick one up. It was $250 which is 50% off at best buy . His still sounds like mine does and his is 6 years old. [https://www.bestbuy.com/site/jbl-5-1-channel-soundbar-with-wireless-subwoofer-black/6395190.p?skuId=6395190](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/jbl-5-1-channel-soundbar-with-wireless-subwoofer-black/6395190.p?skuId=6395190)

I Just bought JBL 5.1 soundbar with subwoofer for $259 and its really good. its on sale at BestBuy.