JBL Bar 300MK2 MultiBeam 3.0 Smart Soundbar - Black vs Bar 500MK2 MultiBeam 3.0 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer - Black — Comparison

The JBL Bar 300MK2 MultiBeam 3.0 Smart Soundbar in black is priced at £349 and sits as the affordable single-bar option in this comparison, while the JBL Bar 500MK2 MultiBeam 3.0 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer in black costs £499 and moves up to a more powerful bar-and-subwoofer package. Bar 300MK2 is the tidy entry point; Bar 500MK2 is the bass-focused step up for users who still want a straightforward system rather than detachable rear speakers.

The Bar 300MK2 provides 450 W maximum output, Dolby Atmos, MultiBeam 3.0, PureVoice 2.0 and JBL ONE app control in one soundbar cabinet. The Bar 500MK2 increases headline output to 750 W, keeps Dolby Atmos, MultiBeam 3.0 and the JBL ONE app, and adds a wireless subwoofer. That subwoofer is the major hardware difference, giving the 500MK2 a more substantial low-frequency platform than the 300MK2 can offer on its own.

The Bar 300MK2 suits bedrooms, smaller lounges and minimalist TV setups where speech clarity, app control and virtual Atmos are more important than floor-shaking bass. It is also the better budget choice, saving £150 compared with the 500MK2. The Bar 500MK2 suits films, sport and console gaming in a main living room, especially if you want stronger effects and music playback without jumping to JBL’s detachable-speaker models. Its extra power and subwoofer make it less discreet but more room-filling, so it asks for a little more space as well as the higher price.

Bottom line: choose Bar 300MK2 if you want the lower-cost JBL soundbar with 450 W output, Dolby Atmos, MultiBeam 3.0 and PureVoice 2.0 in a compact setup / opt for Bar 500MK2 if you want 750 W maximum output and a wireless subwoofer for bigger bass.