JBL Bar 500MK2 Soundbar vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Buy the JBL Bar 500MK2 if you want real 5.1 with a separate 10-inch subwoofer and the deepest bass for movies. Buy the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) if you want a compact one-piece bar with built-in Alexa and Google Assistant and a smaller footprint. The JBL's lowest recent price was $499.95 on October 29, 2026, and the Sonos's was $271.00 at Instacart on November 3, 2026, so the Sonos costs roughly $229 less at those lows.
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JBL Bar 500MK2 Soundbar
JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Channel Soundbar System
Choose the JBL Bar 500MK2 if you want a dedicated wireless subwoofer and 5.1 surround for action movies and music.
- Real 5.1 with a 10-inch wireless subwoofer for deep bass
- Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam 3.0 widen the soundstage
- PureVoice 2.0 lifts dialogue clarity
- Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6 give modern wireless options
What separates them
| JBL Bar 500MK2 Soundbar | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Channel configuration | 5.1 with a separate wireless subwoofer | Single 1.0 bar, no subwoofer included |
| Bass | 10-inch (260mm) wireless subwoofer, 8.1 kg | No dedicated sub; relies on the bar's woofers |
| Power | 450W nominal, 750W max system output | 150W peak, 180W RMS rating |
| Voice assistants built in | Works with voice assistant-enabled speakers, no mic of its own | Alexa and Google Assistant built in |
| Size and placement | Soundbar plus large sub (400mm tall, 325mm deep) | One bar, 25.6 in wide, 2.7 in tall, 6.35 lb |
| Connectivity | HDMI in, USB-A, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | HDMI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth |
| Room calibration |
Price history
- JBL Bar 500MK2 Soundbar: lowest $499.95 on Oct 29; $649.95 on Nov 2.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2): lowest $271.00 on Nov 3 at Walmart; $488.00 on Nov 4.
Prices at every store
JBL Bar 500MK2 Soundbar
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- The Home DepotCheck price at The Home Depot
- CuracaoCheck price at Curacao
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Installations UnlimitedCheck price at Installations Unlimited
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Specs compared
| Spec | JBL Bar 500MK2 Soundbar | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Support | Works with voice assistant-enabled speakers | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Style | Rectangular | Wall Mount |
| Height | 400 mm (subwoofer) | 2.7 in |
| Wireless | Yes | Bluetooth |
| Special Purpose | Soundbar | Soundbar |
| Dolby Atmos Enabled | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI | Wi-Fi, HDMI, Ethernet |
| Max Wattage | 750 W | 14 W |
| Outdoor | No | — |
| Amplifier Power | 450 W Peak | — |
What reviewers say
JBL Bar 500MK2 Soundbar
Owner feedback on the Bar 500MK2 centers on its bass output and clear dialogue, with the subwoofer size and the lack of real rear channels as the main sticking points.
- BassPraisedOwners say the 10-inch wireless subwoofer delivers deep, powerful low end for films and music.
- DialoguePraisedPureVoice 2.0 is credited with keeping speech intelligible during quiet scenes.
- SurroundMixedMultiBeam widens the stage, but listeners note there are no rear speakers for true 5.1.
- Subwoofer sizeCriticised
Questions and answers
- Which is better for movies?
- The JBL Bar 500MK2. Its 5.1 setup, 10-inch subwoofer and 750W max output give more bass and a wider soundstage than the single-bar Sonos Beam.
- Which has better bass?
- The JBL, clearly. It ships with a 10-inch wireless subwoofer; the Beam (Gen 2) has no separate sub and relies on the bar's own woofers.
- Which is better for a small room?
- The Sonos Beam (Gen 2). It is one bar at 2.7 in tall and 6.35 lb, while the JBL adds a subwoofer that is 400mm tall and 325mm deep.
- Do I need a separate device for voice control?
- With the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), no. Alexa and Google Assistant are built in. The JBL has no built-in assistant and works with voice assistant-enabled speakers instead.
- Is the JBL worth the extra money?
- If you want a subwoofer and 5.1 surround, yes. At recent lows the JBL was $499.95 and the Sonos $271.00, so you pay about $229 more for the sub and extra channels.
- Which is easier to set up?
- The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is simpler: one bar, one HDMI connection, then tune it in the Sonos app. The JBL needs the soundbar plus the subwoofer placed and paired.
