JBL Bar 500MK2 Soundbar vs Samsung HW-S801D Soundbar

The JBL Bar 500MK2 is the stronger pick for most people: a true 5.1 system with a 10-inch wireless subwoofer, 750W peak output and Dolby Atmos, and owners consistently praise its deep bass and easy setup. The Samsung HW-S801D is a slim 3.1.2 bar with up-firing Atmos drivers and a much smaller footprint, and it makes more sense if you own a compatible Samsung TV and want Q-Symphony and a tidy wall-mounted look. On build and features the JBL gives you more hardware for the room; the Samsung gives you a cleaner install and tighter TV integration.

• Choose the JBL Bar 500MK2 if you want real room-shaking bass from a dedicated 10-inch subwoofer and a full 5.1 Atmos setup for movies.
• Choose the Samsung HW-S801D if you have a compatible Samsung TV, want a slim bar that mounts flush, and prefer a compact system without a large sub.