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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best JBL for Most
JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Soundbar
5.1 with Atmos and a 10in subwoofer.
Best for: Most living rooms
Our take Check price for JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Soundbar (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget JBL
JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass MK2
Lowest price tier with a 6.5in subwoofer.
Best for: Smaller rooms
Our take Check price for JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass MK2 (opens in a new tab)
Best Detachable 7.1
JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Detachable Surrounds
Detachable surrounds with DTS Virtual:X.
Best for: Real surround on demand
Our take Check price for JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Detachable Surrounds (opens in a new tab)
Best Height Channels
JBL Bar 1000MK2 7.1.4 Soundbar
7.1.4 with up-firing drivers.
Best for: Atmos films and games
Our take Check price for JBL Bar 1000MK2 7.1.4 Soundbar (opens in a new tab)
Best for Streaming
JBL Bar 800 5.1.2 Soundbar
AirPlay and Chromecast built in.
Best for: Music from phones
Our take Check price for JBL Bar 800 5.1.2 Soundbar (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 with Atmos and a 10in subwoofer. | Most living rooms | Check price for JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Soundbar (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 (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 (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 (opens in a new tab) |
| AirPlay and Chromecast built in. | Music from phones | Check price for JBL Bar 800 5.1.2 Soundbar (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best JBL for Most1 of 5
JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Soundbar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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)
Best Detachable 7.13 of 5
JBL Bar 700MK2 Soundbar with Detachable Surrounds on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Form and size
- We recorded whether each is a soundbar, a stereo pair or a 2.1 set.
- Extras
- We checked subwoofers, lighting, remotes and headphone outputs.
- Inputs
- We checked USB, 3.5mm, Bluetooth, optical and HDMI support.
- Power figures
- We noted peak and RMS figures, without comparing unlike figures.
What to Look for in a JBL Soundbar With Subwoofer
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Inputs your PC has
USB speakers need no sound card; 3.5mm works with any PC; Bluetooth frees cables but adds delay; HDMI and optical suit TVs more than desktops.
Soundbar or stereo pair
A soundbar sits under a monitor and saves desk width. A stereo pair spreads the sound wider and usually fills a room better at the same price.
Measure the desk
Check the width of a soundbar against the monitor stand, and the depth of stereo speakers against the desk edge.
Read wattage carefully
Peak figures are much higher than RMS (continuous) figures, and brands mix them. Compare like with like, and treat wattage as a rough guide rather than a measure of quality.
Controls within reach
A front volume knob or a wired control pod saves reaching behind the PC. Some sets rely on software or a remote.
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
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| 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
Do virtual surround modes work on PC?
Some need the brand's software or Windows spatial sound settings. Support can differ between Windows and macOS.
Can I use a TV soundbar with a PC?
Yes, over Bluetooth, optical or HDMI where the PC supports it. A desktop soundbar with USB or 3.5mm input is simpler at a desk.
Where should desk speakers go?
Place stereo speakers either side of the monitor at ear height, angled toward you. Keep a soundbar centered below the screen.
Is Bluetooth fine for games?
For casual play it is usable, but it adds delay. A wired input avoids that.
Does RGB lighting affect sound?
No. Lighting is cosmetic; some sets let you turn it off.
Can I plug headphones into the speakers?
Only if the maker specifies a headphone output. Otherwise, use the PC's own jack.
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.