JBL Bar 1300MK2 vs JBL Bar 500MK2
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| JBLBar 1300MK2 | JBLBar 500MK2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | 2025 | June 2025 |
| Sound | ||
| Type | Soundbar | Soundbar |
| Channels | 11.1.4 | 5.1 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | Main 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 drivers | Soundbar with five 42 × 80 mm racetrack drivers and four 20 mm tweeters; subwoofer with a 10-inch (260 mm) driver |
| Amplifiers | Total 2470 W maximum or 1235 W RMS, both at 1% THD; maximum main bar 950 W, rears 160 W each, subwoofer 1200 W | 750 W maximum in total (450 W soundbar, 300 W subwoofer, at 1% THD); 375 W RMS |
| Frequency response | 33 Hz–20 kHz (-6 dB) | 40 Hz – 20 kHz (−6 dB) |
| Audio formats | Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; UK model has dual 8-inch subwoofer drivers, rather than the different US Bar 1300XMK2 | Dolby Atmos (virtual) and DTS Virtual:X (DTS Virtual:X added by software update in late 2025) |
| Room tuning | Automatic calibration, MultiBeam 3.0, PureVoice 2.0, SmartDetails and subwoofer AI Sound Boost | Room calibration; MultiBeam 3.0, PureVoice 2.0 dialogue enhancement and SmartDetails; 7-band EQ in the JBL One app |
| Connections | ||
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| AirPlay | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistants | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), 2.4 and 5 GHz | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), 2.4 and 5 GHz |
| Bluetooth | Main bar Bluetooth 5.3; detachable speakers Bluetooth 5.4, with independent playback, stereo pairing and Auracast | Bluetooth 5.3; A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5 |
| Ports | Three 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 ALLM | HDMI 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) |
| Streaming | AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon Ready | AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready |
| Multi-room | Detachable speakers support TV Broadcasting and rear-only Night Listening; main bar and subwoofer mute in Night Listening | – |
| App | JBL One with equaliser and software updates | JBL One app |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 5.93 kg | 2.9 kg (better) |
| Battery life detail | Detachable 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) | – |
| Controls | Remote, JBL One and TV remote via HDMI CEC; Google Assistant and Siri require an external compatible speaker, not a built-in voice assistant | Remote control; works with separate Google Assistant or Siri speakers |
| Mounting | Main bar and rear wall brackets included | Two L-shaped wall brackets for the soundbar in the box |
| Size | Main 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 kg | Soundbar 940 × 50.5 × 104 mm (W × H × D); subwoofer 325 × 400 × 325 mm, 8.1 kg |
| Colours | Black | Black, White |
| In the box | Main bar, two detachable rear speakers, subwoofer, remote with batteries, power cords, HDMI cable, wall brackets and four side caps | Soundbar, wireless subwoofer, remote with two batteries, power cords, HDMI cable, two wall brackets, wall-mount template, quick start guide, safety instructions and warranty card |
More comparisons
- JBL Bar 500MK2 vs Sonos Beam Ultra
- JBL Bar 1300MK2 vs Samsung HW-Q990H
- JBL Bar 500MK2 vs Samsung HW-Q800H
- JBL Bar 500MK2 vs Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 5
- JBL Bar 1000MK2 vs JBL Bar 1300MK2
- JBL Bar 1000MK2 vs JBL Bar 500MK2
- JBL Bar 500MK2 vs Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini
- JBL Bar 500MK2 vs JBL Bar 800MK2
- JBL Bar 300MK2 vs JBL Bar 500MK2
- JBL Bar 500MK2 vs Marshall Heston 60
- Hisense AX5140Q vs JBL Bar 500MK2
- JBL Bar 500MK2 vs Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 6
- JBL Bar 1300MK2 vs Sonos Arc Ultra
- JBL Bar 1300MK2 vs Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus
- Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs JBL Bar 1300MK2
- JBL Bar 1300MK2 vs Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9

