Main trade-off
JBL Bar 300 MK2
No external subwoofer or rear speakers are included.
Head-to-head
JBL Bar 300 MK2 vs 500 MK2: 500 adds a floor subwoofer, both bars occupy exactly the same space
The short answer
Choose Bar 300 MK2 if you want one low-profile bar and no bass box on the floor. Choose Bar 500 MK2 if you have space for the included 10-inch subwoofer. Both bars occupy the same 37 × 2 × 4.1-inch space and have one HDMI source input.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The stand-space difference is zero
Both cabinets have the same stated width, height and depth.
What this is based on
If one fits between the TV feet, the other meets the same cabinet measurements. The separate bass box is the spatial trade-off.
Main trade-off
JBL Bar 500 MK2
No separate rear speakers are included.
JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Choose it for
- You do not want a separate subwoofer cabinet.
- Floor space and power locations are limited.
- Main trade-off
- No external subwoofer or rear speakers are included.
JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Choose it for
- You want the separate 10-inch subwoofer included.
- There is space for a 12.8-inch-square cabinet base.
- Main trade-off
- No separate rear speakers are included.
About this comparison
Compare JBL Bar 300 MK2 and 500 MK2 by included subwoofer, floor space and HDMI inputs. Their identical cabinet dimensions simplify the decision.
Cabinet fit beneath the TV is identical. The buying decision moves to the floor and the separate subwoofer.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
No floor space for another cabinet
The 300 stays within a one-bar layout.
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Better fit
- JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Caution
Want a supplied separate subwoofer
The 500 includes it.
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Not suitable
- JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Better fit
A low TV with 2.2 inches below the screen
Both cabinets are 2 inches tall, before acoustic clearance.
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Similar
- JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Similar
Need two direct HDMI source inputs
Both provide only one.
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Not suitable
- JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The stand-space difference is zero
Both cabinets have the same stated width, height and depth.
How we reached this conclusion
If one fits between the TV feet, the other meets the same cabinet measurements. The separate bass box is the spatial trade-off.
The 500 adds roughly 164 square inches on the floor
Its subwoofer measures 12.8 inches wide and deep.
How we reached this conclusion
Multiplying 12.8 by 12.8 gives 163.84 square inches before ventilation, cable and acoustic-placement allowances. The extra cabinet also needs power.
The larger package does not create physical height channels
Both listed driver arrays use racetrack drivers and tweeters without upward-firing drivers.
How we reached this conclusion
The Atmos presentation is virtual on both. Buy the 500 for its separate bass component, not because 5.1 implies a physical height speaker that 5.0 lacks.
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.
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.
JBL Bar 500 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
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.
Choice B
JBL, Bar 500MK2
JBL Bar 500 MK2
The Bar 500 MK2 adds a 10-inch subwoofer to a low-profile bar without rear speakers to position. Its cabinet fits beneath more low TVs than taller rivals, but the bass box still needs a place on the floor. Optional surrounds require current firmware and two Cove M1 or two Cove P1 speakers, bought separately.
- Best matched use
- A low TV and separate bass without rear-speaker clutter
Checked facts
- 5.1-channel package includes a 10-inch subwoofer.
- Bar measures 37 × 2 × 4.1 inches.
- One HDMI source input and one eARC TV connection.
- Five racetrack drivers and four tweeters form the soundbar array.
- Wi-Fi music, PureVoice 2.0 and automatic 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 | JBL Bar 300 MK2 | JBL Bar 500 MK2 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Included components | Soundbar only | Soundbar and 10-inch subwoofer | The 500 adds a separate powered component. |
| Bar width × height × depth | 37 × 2 × 4.1 inches | 37 × 2 × 4.1 inches | The 300 does not save space on the TV stand. |
| Separate subwoofer footprint | None in the package | 12.8 × 12.8 inches | The 500 needs about 164 square inches of cabinet floor area before clearance. |
| HDMI source inputs | 1 | 1 | Choosing the 500 does not add another source connection. |
| Driver approach | 5.0 array with virtual height | 5.1 system with virtual height | The added .1 denotes the subwoofer, not an extra upward-firing speaker. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Atmos height is virtual rather than produced by upward-firing drivers.
If you choose JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Atmos height is virtual, with no upward-firing drivers in the listed driver array.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
What this comparison cannot tell you
- This comparison uses manufacturer specifications and package contents, not a controlled listening test. Room shape, placement and source content affect the result.
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
Only 3 of 31 models checked match every need here: “I have no room for a bass box” and “My screen sits close to the stand”.
3 matching models from 31 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “I have no room for a bass box” and “My screen sits close to the stand”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Bar 300 MK2 |
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| JBL Bar 500 MK2 |
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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.
JBL Bar 300 MK2
You do not want a separate subwoofer cabinet.
See price & reviews on AmazonJBL Bar 500 MK2
You want the separate 10-inch subwoofer included.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.