Sonos Beam vs JBL BAR 500 review
In this article, we will talk about Sonos Beam vs JBL BAR 500 comparison. The Sonos Beam was rated 6, while the JBL BAR 500 has a rating 8.6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, volume down, volume up, microphone, play/pause for the Beam and power, volume down, volume up for the BAR 500.
Audio features
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Beam has 3.0 and BAR 500 has 5.1. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Rate 6 out of 10 received the Sonos Beam for audio features and specs, but the JBL BAR 500 received 7 out of 10. The BAR 500 can play audio from Spotify.
Connectivity
Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sonos Beam versus 1/1 HDMIs in the JBL BAR 500. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the BAR 500. We rated the connectivity of the Beam at 6 out of 10, while the BAR 500 was rated 10/10. Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.
Multichannel surround
Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the BAR 500. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The Beam was rated 4/10, while the BAR 500 received a mark of 7/10 for multichannel surround.
Advantages JBL BAR 500 over Sonos Beam
- Separate subwoofer in package
- Amazon Music compatible
- Spotify support
- Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos
Common
Product
Model
Brand
Reviews
General
Placement type
Connection to source
Soundbar buttons
Audio features
Built-in channels
Amplification type
Output power, W
Separate speaker (in package)
Separate speaker connections
Subwoofer
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connections
Streaming services
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming services
Connectivity
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)
NFC
HDMI input/output
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output
USB
Coaxial digital input/output
Analog audio input/output (RCA)
Headphone output
Subwoofer output
Features
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room
Multichannel surround
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)
DTS:X
DTS (other)
Dimensions
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in
Weight, kg/pounds
Other
Release year
Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating
- 6Sonos Beam
- 8.6JBL BAR 500
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