Although many TV brands offer high-quality audio through their built-in speakers, most gamers opt for their own solutions through headsets,earbuds, or sound systems. Personal preference typically takes precedence here, but when space is fairly limited soundbars tend to be one of our favorite options for getting crisp and clean sound that can still pack a punch when the action hits.
JBL’s BAR 500 soundbar basically sits in the middle of the company’s range of soundbar options. It doesn’t have the wide feature set of the top end, but it will work well for gamers who are looking to upgrade their audio. And after spending a few weeks with the JBL Bar 500, it’s easy to recommend the soundbar for anyone needing an aural boost.
Setting Up the JBL Bar 500
Setting up the JBL Bar 500 is as easy as can be. Plug in the included power cable,connect via HDMIthrough eARC or connect an optical cable, and that’s it. JBL makes the process as painless as possible to get up and running, but obviously, there are considerations to be made to get the most out of the package.
For starters, the JBL Bar 500 includes a wireless subwoofer that connects instantaneously to the soundbar once plugged in. The subwoofer is quite large, though, so finding space for it might not be as easy in some living situations compared to others. The good thing is that it’s wireless, so it can be setup pretty much anywhere. Or users can eliminate it entirely if they so choose.
From there, users can dial in their JBL Bar 500 to fit their setup. Pairing the soundbar to the JBL One app unlocks a number of different customization options, and most importantly, a calibration toggle. Pressing that will have the JBL Bar 500 sound out a weird, orca-like tone that will help it determine the size and shape of your room and how best to tailor its sound output. The app also lets users set their EQ settings (important for dialing in the bass out of the subwoofer), sync audio for any potential latency, control volume, and connect music services likeAmazon Musicor Tidal.
The JBL Bar 500 also supports HDMI passthrough via eARC so gamers can connect a PS5 or Xbox Series X and get uncompressed audio sent to the soundbar and then full 4K video on their TV.
Honestly, the app is there for those who want to get into the nitty-gritty of their setup; we found that the JBL Bar 500 sounds excellent right out of the box. It’s true that the calibration does help give everything a little boost, but it by no means sounds bad without calibrating.
Clear Dialogue and Effects That Pack a Punch
The biggest thing that the JBL Bar 500 brings to the table is its PureVoice technology, which helps push dialogue to the fore in scenes where it might otherwise be drowned out. A real challenge with many audio setups is that users will typically have to bump up the volume to hear dialogue scenes and then drop it back down when the action kicks in. In our testing, we found that PureVoice found a nice sweet spot where those instances were very rare, and for the most part it was easy to set a comfortable volume and not worry about missing out on dialogue or being blown away by explosions. Obviously, gamers will have less to worry about in this department but it’s such a huge feature that it should be recognized.
Of course, the major question is whether the JBL Bar 500 sounds good, and the answer is a definitive yes. JBL’s MultiBeam technology allows the soundbar to give as close to a 5.1-channel surround sound audio experience as possible without actually using a quartet of speakers surrounding the living room. And Dolby Atmos support ensures that it can compete with the best around. The highs, mids, and lows come through with immense clarity and there is enough oomph from just the soundbar to back up those action-heavy moments in games or movies. Paired with the subwoofer, the JBL Bar 500 can deliver a high quality audio experience that feels very cinema-esque.
Other bonuses include the ability to connect the soundbar to smartphones and mobile devices over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. As expected, music sounds great on the JBL Bar 500 so users can have every base covered in terms of their audio needs.
The JBL Bar 500 is a perfect mid range sound bar option that anyone would be happy with - it’s not too bulky, it’s easy to setup, and the audio is exceptional. The calibration tool and the PureVoice feature are big selling points for the soundbar because they take a lot of the guesswork out of dialing in that audio experience, but it also works impeccably right out of the box. For gamers looking to upgrade their home theater, the JBL Bar 500 is an easy recommendation.
JBL Bar 500 Soundbar
The JBL Bar 500 is the perfect companion for a TV and is equipped with Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam Surround Sound technologies. This allows for 3D surround sound without requiring additional speakers. The soundbar has built-in Wi-Fi for connectivity features. you’re able to access over 300 streaming services through AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast. Automatic software updates are also enabled through the Wi-Fi connection.
The JBL Bar 500 is available for $599. Game Rant was provided a unit for this review.
