Main trade-off
Bose Smart Soundbar
No ADAPTiQ room calibration.
Head-to-head
Bose Smart Soundbar vs JBL Bar 300 MK2: Bose needs less width, JBL clears lower screens and adds a source socket
The short answer
Choose Bose Smart Soundbar for a narrower cabinet with upward-firing drivers. JBL 300 MK2 suits a low TV stand and a setup needing one HDMI source input.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Check the real width under the TV
892079-1100 (2024) measures 27.34 inches across the central bar, compared with 37 inches for Bar 300MK2. The gap is 9.66 inches before any docked rear speakers.
What this is based on
Absolute cabinet width difference = |27.34 - 37|. Allow additional space for cables, TV legs and acoustic clearance. A detached central bar measurement does not include removable rear speakers.
Main trade-off
JBL Bar 300 MK2
No external subwoofer or rear speakers are included.
Bose Smart Soundbar
- Choose it for
- Fit a narrow TV cabinet
- Want upward-firing drivers without a separate subwoofer
- Main trade-off
- No ADAPTiQ room calibration.
JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Choose it for
- Need a lower bar beneath the screen
- Connect a player directly to the soundbar
- Main trade-off
- No external subwoofer or rear speakers are included.
About this comparison
Choose Bose Smart Soundbar for a narrower cabinet with upward-firing drivers. JBL 300 MK2 suits a low TV stand and a setup needing one HDMI source input.
Bose saves horizontal space
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Fit a narrow TV cabinet
Its 27.34-inch cabinet is much narrower than the 37-inch JBL. That helps with TV legs or a small stand, while leaving room above the upward-firing drivers.
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Better fit
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Depends
Need a lower bar beneath the screen
The 2-inch-high JBL can work under a lower screen. Its extra HDMI input is useful when the TV alone does not provide enough source connections.
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Depends
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Better fit
Check the complete setup
Compare the single-bar setup first. An optional expansion path does not mean the extra speakers are included in the Amazon listing.
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Depends
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Depends
Bose saves nearly ten inches of width, JBL saves height
Bose is 9.66 inches narrower but 0.21 inches taller than JBL 300 MK2.
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Depends
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Check the real width under the TV
892079-1100 (2024) measures 27.34 inches across the central bar, compared with 37 inches for Bar 300MK2. The gap is 9.66 inches before any docked rear speakers.
How we reached this conclusion
Absolute cabinet width difference = |27.34 - 37|. Allow additional space for cables, TV legs and acoustic clearance. A detached central bar measurement does not include removable rear speakers.
Count the source connections before adding a switch
892079-1100 (2024) accepts 0 direct HDMI sources, while Bar 300MK2 accepts 1. Other players need suitable TV inputs or a separately chosen switch.
How we reached this conclusion
Count HDMI source inputs only, excluding the HDMI output/eARC TV connection. Inputs recorded: 0 and 1. TV passthrough and supported video modes still need checking.
Bose saves nearly ten inches of width, JBL saves height
Bose is 9.66 inches narrower but 0.21 inches taller than JBL 300 MK2.
How we reached this conclusion
37 - 27.34 = 9.66 inches. 2.21 - 2 = 0.21 inches. Both selected listings are soundbar-only packages.
Try your real numbers
Will the soundbar fit under your TV?
Measure the clear space in front of your TV. Count devices you want to plug into the soundbar, not devices already connected to the TV. The numbers below are examples until you enter yours.
Bose Smart Soundbar
Does not meet these checks0 separate HDMI source inputs cannot take the 1 device you want to connect to the bar.
JBL Bar 300 MK2
Meets these checks37 inches wide and 2 inches high, with 1 separate HDMI source input. It leaves 11.0 inches of total spare width.
Use an open top surface, not an enclosed cubby. Detachable speakers are counted in the docked width. Allow extra depth for cables and the TV stand. This checks physical dimensions and port counts, not Dolby Atmos, 4K/120Hz passthrough or your TV’s audio-format support.
Choice A
Bose, 892079-1100 (2024)
Bose Smart Soundbar
The 2024 Smart Soundbar combines a cabinet under 28 inches wide with upward-firing speakers and Wi-Fi music. It is easier to place than the Smart Ultra, although it leaves out the Ultra room-calibration system.
- Best matched use
- A small, low TV stand with real upward-firing speakers
Checked facts
- Cabinet measures 27.34 × 2.21 × 4.09 inches.
- Five speaker units include two upward-firing speakers.
- HDMI eARC and optical TV connections.
- Wi-Fi music, Bluetooth and dialogue enhancement are supported.
- This listing is the 2024 Smart Soundbar, not the older Smart Soundbar 600.
Choice B
JBL, Bar 300MK2
JBL Bar 300 MK2
The Bar 300 MK2 keeps the low cabinet and Wi-Fi features of the 500 MK2 without a separate subwoofer. It also accepts one HDMI source directly, which is useful if the TV is already short of ports. Optional surrounds require current firmware and two Cove M1 or two Cove P1 speakers, bought separately.
- Best matched use
- A low-profile single bar that adds one HDMI source input
Checked facts
- 5.0-channel single-bar package.
- Cabinet measures 37 × 2 × 4.1 inches.
- One HDMI source input and one eARC TV connection.
- Five racetrack drivers and four tweeters form the driver array.
- Wi-Fi streaming, PureVoice 2.0 and sound calibration are supported.
- Firmware 26.33.11.82.00, released August 19, 2026, adds Cove grouping. Optional expansion requires two Cove M1 or two Cove P1 speakers and JBL One setup. The speakers are sold separately.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Bose Smart Soundbar | JBL Bar 300 MK2 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central bar width | 27.34 in | 37 in | Detachable rear speakers can add width when docked. |
| Bar height | 2.21 in | 2 in | Measure the space below the screen and the infrared receiver. |
| HDMI source inputs | 0 | 1 | The TV eARC connection is separate from these source inputs. |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | No | A built-in bass driver is not the same as an included separate subwoofer. |
| Rear speakers included | No | No | Check mains power or charging needs for the included rear speakers. |
| Upward-firing drivers | Yes | No | These need a suitable ceiling and a clear upward path. |
| Wi-Fi music | Yes | Yes | Bluetooth playback and Wi-Fi streaming are different connection paths. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Bose Smart Soundbar
- No separate HDMI source inputs.
If you choose JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Atmos height is virtual rather than produced by upward-firing drivers.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Bose saves horizontal space
Its 27.34-inch cabinet is much narrower than the 37-inch JBL. That helps with TV legs or a small stand, while leaving room above the upward-firing drivers.
JBL uses more width but less height
The 2-inch-high JBL can work under a lower screen. Its extra HDMI input is useful when the TV alone does not provide enough source connections.
Neither selected package includes a separate subwoofer
Compare the single-bar setup first. An optional expansion path does not mean the extra speakers are included in the Amazon listing.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- These conclusions use published specifications and the stated calculations. They are not a hands-on performance test.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current soundbars comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
All 31 models remain in view on this guide. The answer comes from the facts and trade-offs shown on the page.
31 matching models from 31 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countNo matcher need is preselected here. Open the matcher to add the needs that apply to your home, room or setup.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bose Smart Soundbar | No positive match recorded for these needs |
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| JBL Bar 300 MK2 | No positive match recorded for these needs |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Bose Smart Soundbar
Fit a narrow TV cabinet
See price & reviews on AmazonJBL Bar 300 MK2
Need a lower bar beneath the screen
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.