JBL Bar 1300MK2 vs JBL Bar 500MK2

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Bar 1300MK2 compared with Bar 500MK2
JBLBar 1300MK2JBLBar 500MK2
Overview
Released2025June 2025
Sound
TypeSoundbarSoundbar
Channels11.1.45.1
Dolby AtmosYesYes
DriversMain bar has eight 50 × 75 mm racetrack drivers, seven 25 mm tweeters and four 75 mm upward-firing drivers; each rear has two 50 × 90 mm racetrack drivers, one 50 mm full-range and one 75 mm upward-firing driver; subwoofer has two 200 mm driversSoundbar with five 42 × 80 mm racetrack drivers and four 20 mm tweeters; subwoofer with a 10-inch (260 mm) driver
AmplifiersTotal 2470 W maximum or 1235 W RMS, both at 1% THD; maximum main bar 950 W, rears 160 W each, subwoofer 1200 W750 W maximum in total (450 W soundbar, 300 W subwoofer, at 1% THD); 375 W RMS
Frequency response33 Hz–20 kHz (-6 dB)40 Hz – 20 kHz (−6 dB)
Audio formatsDolby Atmos and DTS:X; UK model has dual 8-inch subwoofer drivers, rather than the different US Bar 1300XMK2Dolby Atmos (virtual) and DTS Virtual:X (DTS Virtual:X added by software update in late 2025)
Room tuningAutomatic calibration, MultiBeam 3.0, PureVoice 2.0, SmartDetails and subwoofer AI Sound BoostRoom calibration; MultiBeam 3.0, PureVoice 2.0 dialogue enhancement and SmartDetails; 7-band EQ in the JBL One app
Connections
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
AirPlayYesYes
HDMI eARCYesYes
Voice assistantsNoneNone
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), 2.4 and 5 GHzWi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), 2.4 and 5 GHz
BluetoothMain bar Bluetooth 5.3; detachable speakers Bluetooth 5.4, with independent playback, stereo pairing and AuracastBluetooth 5.3; A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5
PortsThree HDMI inputs, one eARC output, optical and USB-A service port; HDR10+ and Dolby Vision passthrough. TechRadar confirms Ethernet and 4K 60 Hz passthrough without 120 Hz or ALLMHDMI in (4K Dolby Vision and HDR10+ passthrough, HDCP 2.3); HDMI out with eARC; optical in; USB-A (music playback on US models only, otherwise for service)
StreamingAirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon ReadyAirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready
Multi-roomDetachable speakers support TV Broadcasting and rear-only Night Listening; main bar and subwoofer mute in Night Listening–
AppJBL One with equaliser and software updatesJBL One app
Design
Weight5.93 kg2.9 kg (better)
Battery life detailDetachable speakers up to 10 hours each, depending on content and volume; 7.2 V, 4722 mAh. Dock to recharge or use USB-C power (TechRadar)–
ControlsRemote, JBL One and TV remote via HDMI CEC; Google Assistant and Siri require an external compatible speaker, not a built-in voice assistantRemote control; works with separate Google Assistant or Siri speakers
MountingMain bar and rear wall brackets includedTwo L-shaped wall brackets for the soundbar in the box
SizeMain bar 1030 × 58 × 136 mm, 1404 mm wide with rears attached; each rear 202 × 58 × 136 mm; subwoofer 315 × 277 × 275 mm (width × height × depth). Main weight is bar only; each rear 1.3 kg, subwoofer 12 kgSoundbar 940 × 50.5 × 104 mm (W × H × D); subwoofer 325 × 400 × 325 mm, 8.1 kg
ColoursBlackBlack, White
In the boxMain bar, two detachable rear speakers, subwoofer, remote with batteries, power cords, HDMI cable, wall brackets and four side capsSoundbar, wireless subwoofer, remote with two batteries, power cords, HDMI cable, two wall brackets, wall-mount template, quick start guide, safety instructions and warranty card

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