Buying Guide
The Best JBL Soundbars With a Subwoofer
Every JBL bar here ships with a wireless subwoofer. The differences are channels, Atmos and detachable surrounds.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
JBL's soundbars all include a wireless subwoofer, from a 6.5in unit on the Bar 2.1 to 10in on the larger bars. They suit a TV or a living-room PC more than a desk.
Every pick is a JBL bar, compared on its Amazon listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best JBL for Most
JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Soundbar5.1 with Atmos and a 10in subwoofer.
Best for: Most living rooms
Check price for JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget JBL
JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass MK2Lowest price tier with a 6.5in subwoofer.
Best for: Smaller rooms
Check price for JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass MK2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Detachable 7.1
JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Detachable SurroundsDetachable surrounds with DTS Virtual:X.
Best for: Real surround on demand
Check price for JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Detachable Surrounds on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Height Channels
JBL Bar 1000MK2 7.1.4 Soundbar7.1.4 with up-firing drivers.
Best for: Atmos films and games
Check price for JBL Bar 1000MK2 7.1.4 Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Streaming
JBL Bar 800 5.1.2 SoundbarAirPlay and Chromecast built in.
Best for: Music from phones
Check price for JBL Bar 800 5.1.2 Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 with Atmos and a 10in subwoofer. | Most living rooms | Check price for JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Lowest price tier with a 6.5in subwoofer. | Smaller rooms | Check price for JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass MK2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Detachable surrounds with DTS Virtual:X. | Real surround on demand | Check price for JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Detachable Surrounds on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 7.1.4 with up-firing drivers. | Atmos films and games | Check price for JBL Bar 1000MK2 7.1.4 Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| AirPlay and Chromecast built in. | Music from phones | Check price for JBL Bar 800 5.1.2 Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best JBL for Most1 of 5
JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Soundbar
The Bar 500MK2 is a 5.1 set with a 10in subwoofer, Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam 3.0.
Best for
- Most living rooms
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Bar 2.1 MK2 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
PureVoice 2.0 targets dialogue clarity. It works with voice assistants, and MultiBeam 3.0 widens the soundstage. On peak power it sits mid-pack at 750W: the Bar 700MK2 offers 780W, and the Bar 2.1 MK2 comes in at 300W.
It also comes with HDMI eARC. It connects by HDMI or optical, so a PC needs a graphics-card HDMI output routed as audio or a sound card with optical out; Bluetooth is the simpler route. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Bar 2.1 MK2 and the pricier Bar 700MK2, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Form
- 5.1 soundbar
- Peak power
- 750W
- Inputs
- HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Subwoofer
- 10in wireless subwoofer
- Extras
- Dolby Atmos, MultiBeam 3.0
Pros
- Dolby Atmos with MultiBeam 3.0
- PureVoice 2.0 dialogue tuning
- HDMI eARC
- Peak power of 750W, ahead of the Bar 800
Cons
- Costs more than the Bar 2.1 MK2 at the time of writing
Best Budget JBL2 of 5
JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass MK2
JBL's Bar 2.1 Deep Bass MK2 pairs a bar with a 6.5in wireless subwoofer and Dolby Digital.
Best for
- Smaller rooms
Skip if
- Skip it if peak power matters most to you; the Bar 700MK2 offers 780W.
Why we like it
It connects over HDMI, optical or Bluetooth. Its 300W peak power is the lowest in this group; the Bar 700MK2 leads at 780W. A 6.5in wireless subwoofer is unique to it among these picks, while the Bar 700MK2 uses a 10in wireless subwoofer.
You also get the lowest price tier among JBL bars here. It connects by HDMI or optical, so a PC needs a graphics-card HDMI output routed as audio or a sound card with optical out; Bluetooth is the simpler route. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Bar 500MK2 was closest.
Key specs
- Form
- 2.1 soundbar
- Peak power
- 300W
- Inputs
- HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth
- Subwoofer
- 6.5in wireless subwoofer
- Extras
- Dolby Digital
Pros
- 6.5in wireless subwoofer
- Dolby Digital decoding
- The lowest price tier among JBL bars here
- Dolby Digital extras, the only one here
Cons
- Peak power trails the Bar 700MK2 (780W)
The catch
Peak power is its weakest area, and the Bar 700MK2 covers it better at 780W.
Best Detachable 7.13 of 5
JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Detachable Surrounds
JBL's Bar 700MK2 has surround speakers that detach from the bar, with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X.
Best for
- Real surround on demand
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Bar 2.1 MK2 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The subwoofer is 10in. PureVoice 2.0 lifts dialogue automatically, and its end speakers detach for wireless surround behind you. On peak power it leads this guide at 780W, ahead of the Bar 500MK2 (750W).
It connects by HDMI or optical, so a PC needs a graphics-card HDMI output routed as audio or a sound card with optical out; Bluetooth is the simpler route. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Bar 500MK2 and the pricier Bar 1000MK2, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Form
- 7.1 soundbar
- Peak power
- 780W
- Inputs
- HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Subwoofer
- 10in wireless subwoofer
- Extras
- Detachable surrounds, Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X
Pros
- Detachable wireless surround speakers
- Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X
- 10in subwoofer
- Highest peak power of the picks (780W)
Cons
- Costs more than the Bar 2.1 MK2 at the time of writing
Best Height Channels4 of 5
JBL Bar 1000MK2 7.1.4 Soundbar
The Bar 1000MK2 is a 7.1.4 system with up-firing drivers, detachable surrounds and a 10in subwoofer.
Best for
- Atmos films and games
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its peak power before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It decodes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. MultiBeam 3.0 widens the soundstage, and PureVoice 2.0 lifts dialogue based on the scene. SmartDetails brings out small sounds.
It also comes with 480W RMS output. It connects by HDMI or optical, so a PC needs a graphics-card HDMI output routed as audio or a sound card with optical out; Bluetooth is the simpler route. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games.
When we checked, only the Bar 700MK2 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Bar 800 cost more. If you want a confirmed peak power, look to the Bar 700MK2 instead: it offers 780W, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Form
- 7.1.4 soundbar
- Inputs
- HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Subwoofer
- 10in wireless subwoofer
- Extras
- Detachable surrounds, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Pros
- 7.1.4 channel layout with up-firing drivers
- Detachable surrounds
- 480W RMS output
Cons
- No published peak power
- Costs more than the Bar 2.1 MK2 at the time of writing
Best for Streaming5 of 5
JBL Bar 800 5.1.2 Soundbar
JBL's Bar 800 is a 5.1.2 bar with a 10in subwoofer and Wi-Fi streaming through AirPlay and Chromecast.
Best for
- Music from phones
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Bar 2.1 MK2 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its surrounds detach. On peak power it sits mid-pack at 720W: the Bar 700MK2 offers 780W, and the Bar 2.1 MK2 comes in at 300W. You also get a 5.1.2 layout.
It connects by HDMI or optical, so a PC needs a graphics-card HDMI output routed as audio or a sound card with optical out; Bluetooth is the simpler route. Bluetooth adds some delay, so use a wired input for games. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Bar 1000MK2 and the rest.
Key specs
- Form
- 5.1.2 soundbar
- Peak power
- 720W
- Inputs
- HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Subwoofer
- 10in wireless subwoofer
- Extras
- AirPlay, Chromecast
Pros
- AirPlay and Chromecast built in
- 5.1.2 layout
- 10in subwoofer
- Peak power of 720W, ahead of the Bar 2.1 MK2
Cons
- Costs more than the Bar 2.1 MK2 at the time of writing
How We Chose These JBL Soundbars With Subwoofer
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five speakers on form, peak power, inputs and subwoofer from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while peak power has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Bar 500MK2 to the Bar 800, state form, inputs and subwoofer.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Bar 1000MK2 gives no peak power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Bar 2.1 MK2 ($150 to $250) to the Bar 800 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a JBL Soundbar With Subwoofer
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Peak power across these picks
Across these 4 picks peak power spans 300W (the Bar 2.1 MK2) to 780W (the Bar 700MK2). The Bar 500MK2 comes second at 750W, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the Bar 700MK2. The Bar 1000MK2 gives no peak power figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Bar 700MK2: Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X. The Bar 1000MK2: detachable surrounds. The Bar 800: a 5.1.2 layout.
A keyboard and mouse on a desk mat below a monitor and speaker How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the Bar 2.1 MK2; $250 to $500 buys the Bar 500MK2; $500 to $1000 buys the Bar 700MK2, the Bar 1000MK2 and the Bar 800 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Most living rooms: the Bar 500MK2. Smaller rooms: the Bar 2.1 MK2. Real surround on demand: the Bar 700MK2.
Desktop speakers either side of a monitor Do you need a subwoofer
A separate or down-firing subwoofer adds low bass for films and games. In a flat or shared room, a 2.0 set may be the better neighbor.
How to Choose a JBL Soundbar With Subwoofer
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most living rooms | Bar 500MK2 | 5.1 with Atmos and a 10in subwoofer |
| Smaller rooms | Bar 2.1 MK2 | Lowest price tier with a 6.5in subwoofer |
| Real surround on demand | Bar 700MK2 | Detachable surrounds with DTS Virtual:X |
| Atmos films and games | Bar 1000MK2 | 7.1.4 with up-firing drivers |
| Music from phones | Bar 800 | AirPlay and Chromecast built in |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Bar 700MK2 leads on peak power at 780W, ahead of the Bar 500MK2 at 750W. "Not listed" marks peak power where the Bar 1000MK2 leaves the figure out.
| Speaker | Form | Peak power | Inputs | Subwoofer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar 500MK2 | 5.1 soundbar | 750W | HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | 10in wireless subwoofer |
| Bar 2.1 MK2 | 2.1 soundbar | 300W | HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth | 6.5in wireless subwoofer |
| Bar 700MK2 | 7.1 soundbar | 780W | HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | 10in wireless subwoofer |
| Bar 1000MK2 | 7.1.4 soundbar | Not listed | HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | 10in wireless subwoofer |
| Bar 800 | 5.1.2 soundbar | 720W | HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | 10in wireless subwoofer |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Bar 2.1 MK2 was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Bar 800 the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Speakers |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Bar 2.1 MK2 |
| About $250 to $500 | Bar 500MK2 |
| About $500 to $1000 | Bar 700MK2, Bar 1000MK2, Bar 800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bar 700MK2 ahead of the Bar 500MK2 on peak power?
The Bar 700MK2 leads at 780W, with the Bar 500MK2 at 750W. The spread runs down to the Bar 2.1 MK2 at 300W. No peak power figure is published for the Bar 1000MK2, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Bar 800 add over the Bar 2.1 MK2?
The spec sheets show peak power (720W against 300W) in its favour. On our last price check the Bar 2.1 MK2 was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Bar 800 in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if peak power decides your purchase.
Why is the Bar 700MK2 our Best Detachable 7.1 pick?
The label rests on detachable surrounds with DTS Virtual:X. The Bar 2.1 MK2, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at real surround on demand.
Do the Bar 500MK2 and the Bar 2.1 MK2 differ on subwoofer?
The Bar 500MK2, the Bar 700MK2, the Bar 1000MK2 and the Bar 800 use 10in wireless subwoofer; the Bar 2.1 MK2 uses 6.5in wireless subwoofer.
What extras do the Bar 500MK2 and the Bar 2.1 MK2 include?
The Bar 500MK2: Dolby Atmos with MultiBeam 3.0. The Bar 2.1 MK2: a 6.5in wireless subwoofer. The Bar 700MK2: detachable wireless surround speakers.
Bottom Line
The Bar 500MK2 is the balanced pick with Atmos and a 10in sub. The Bar 2.1 MK2 is the budget choice, the 700MK2 and 1000MK2 add detachable surrounds, and the Bar 800 adds AirPlay and Chromecast.
Related Guides
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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