The catch
JBL Bar 300 MK2
It comes without an external subwoofer or rear speakers.
Side by side
JBL Bar 300 MK2 vs 500 MK2: Both bars take exactly the same space, and the 500 adds a floor subwoofer
Quick verdict
If you want a single low-profile bar and no bass box on the floor, take the Bar 300 MK2. If there is space for the included 10-inch subwoofer, take the Bar 500 MK2. Each bar takes up the same 37 × 2 × 4.1-inch space and has one HDMI source input.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The two need exactly the same stand space
Width, height and depth are stated as identical for both cabinets.
Where this comes from
Both share cabinet measurements, so fitting one between the TV feet means the other fits too. The separate bass box is where the space trade-off lies.
The catch
JBL Bar 500 MK2
The package leaves out rear speakers.
JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Why pick it
- A separate subwoofer cabinet is not something you want.
- You are short on floor space and power locations.
- The catch
- It comes without an external subwoofer or rear speakers.
JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Why pick it
- You want the separate 10-inch subwoofer in the package.
- You have room for a 12.8-inch-square cabinet base.
- The catch
- The package leaves out rear speakers.
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What this page compares
Included subwoofer, floor space and HDMI inputs are what to weigh between JBL Bar 300 MK2 and 500 MK2. Identical cabinet dimensions make the decision easier.
Under the TV, the cabinets fit identically. What remains to decide is the floor and the separate subwoofer.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
No floor space for an extra cabinet
With the 300, the layout stays at one bar.
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Better fit
- JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Caution
Looking for a separate subwoofer included
It comes with the 500.
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Not suitable
- JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Better fit
A low-set TV, 2.2 inches under the screen
Each cabinet stands 2 inches tall, excluding acoustic clearance.
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Similar
- JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Similar
Two direct HDMI source inputs needed
Each gives just one.
- JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Not suitable
- JBL Bar 500 MK2
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
The two need exactly the same stand space
Width, height and depth are stated as identical for both cabinets.
How we worked this out
Both share cabinet measurements, so fitting one between the TV feet means the other fits too. The separate bass box is where the space trade-off lies.
Roughly 164 square inches of floor go to the 500
Its subwoofer is 12.8 inches in both width and depth.
How we worked this out
Multiply 12.8 by 12.8 and you get 163.84 square inches, ahead of ventilation, cable and acoustic-placement allowances. That extra cabinet needs power as well.
Buying the bigger package does not add physical height channels
Neither listed driver array has upward-firing drivers, only racetrack drivers and tweeters.
How we worked this out
Both present Atmos virtually. Choose the 500 for its separate bass component, and do not read 5.1 as a physical height speaker that 5.0 lacks.
Plug in your numbers
Is there room for the soundbar under your TV?
Measure the clear space under your TV. Count only the devices you will plug into the soundbar. Leave out the ones already connected to the TV. The numbers below are placeholders until you enter yours.
JBL Bar 300 MK2
Passes these checksIt measures 37 inches wide and 2 inches high, with 1 separate HDMI source input and 11.0 inches of total width to spare.
JBL Bar 500 MK2
Passes these checksIt measures 37 inches wide and 2 inches high, with 1 separate HDMI source input and 11.0 inches of total width to spare.
Measure the top of an open shelf. This check does not cover enclosed cubbies. Detachable speakers count toward the docked width. Leave extra depth for cables and the TV stand. This checks size and port count only. Dolby Atmos, 4K/120Hz passthrough and the audio formats your TV supports are outside it.
Option A
JBL, Bar 300MK2
JBL Bar 300 MK2
Take the low cabinet and Wi-Fi features of the 500 MK2, drop the separate subwoofer, and you have the Bar 300 MK2. One HDMI source can plug straight into it, which helps when the TV is already out of ports. Optional surrounds need current firmware and two Cove M1 or two Cove P1 speakers, bought separately.
- Best for
- A single low-profile bar with one extra HDMI source input
Facts we checked
- Single-bar package in 5.0-channel form.
- The cabinet is 37 × 2 × 4.1 inches.
- One eARC TV connection and one HDMI source input.
- The driver array is made of five racetrack drivers and four tweeters.
- Support covers Wi-Fi streaming, PureVoice 2.0 and sound calibration.
- Cove grouping arrives with firmware 26.33.11.82.00, released August 19, 2026. Optional expansion takes two Cove M1 or two Cove P1 speakers and JBL One setup. Those speakers are sold separately.
Option B
JBL, Bar 500MK2
JBL Bar 500 MK2
A 10-inch subwoofer comes with the Bar 500 MK2, along with a low-profile bar and no rear speakers to position. Its cabinet slides under more low TVs than taller rivals can, though the bass box still needs a spot on the floor. If you want surrounds later, you need current firmware plus two Cove M1 or two Cove P1 speakers, which are sold separately.
- Best for
- A low TV with separate bass and no rear speakers cluttering the room
Facts we checked
- A 10-inch subwoofer comes in the 5.1-channel package.
- The bar is 37 × 2 × 4.1 inches.
- One eARC TV connection and one HDMI source input.
- The soundbar array is made of five racetrack drivers and four tweeters.
- Support covers Wi-Fi music, PureVoice 2.0 and automatic sound calibration.
- Cove grouping arrives with firmware 26.33.11.82.00, released August 19, 2026. Optional expansion takes two Cove M1 or two Cove P1 speakers and JBL One setup. Those speakers are sold separately.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | JBL Bar 300 MK2 | JBL Bar 500 MK2 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Included components | Soundbar only | Soundbar and 10-inch subwoofer | A separate powered component comes with the 500. |
| Bar width × height × depth | 37 × 2 × 4.1 inches | 37 × 2 × 4.1 inches | The 300 gives no saving in stand space. |
| Separate subwoofer footprint | None in the package | 12.8 × 12.8 inches | Before clearance, cabinet floor area for the 500 comes to about 164 square inches. |
| HDMI source inputs | 1 | 1 | The 500 brings no additional source connection. |
| Driver approach | 5.0 array with virtual height | 5.1 system with virtual height | The .1 stands for the subwoofer. It is not an extra upward-firing speaker. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With JBL Bar 300 MK2
- Upward-firing drivers are not used, so Atmos height is virtual.
With JBL Bar 500 MK2
- The listed driver array has no upward-firing drivers, so Atmos height is virtual.
Decision guide
How to decide
The two need exactly the same stand space
Width, height and depth are stated as the same for both cabinets. When one fits between the TV feet, the other meets the same cabinet measurements. The space cost comes from the separate bass box.
Roughly 164 square inches of floor go to the 500
The subwoofer is 12.8 inches wide and deep, so 12.8 times 12.8 comes to 163.84 square inches, before ventilation, cable and acoustic-placement allowances. That extra cabinet needs power too.
Buying the bigger package does not add physical height channels
Racetrack drivers and tweeters make up both listed driver arrays, and neither has upward-firing drivers. Atmos is virtual on both. The reason to buy the 500 is its separate bass component. The 5.1 label does not imply a physical height speaker that 5.0 lacks.
What this page can’t tell you
- This comparison rests on manufacturer specifications and package contents rather than a controlled listening test. How a bar sounds also depends on room shape, placement and source content.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the soundbars we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 3 of the 31 models checked meet every need here: “I can’t fit a bass box” and “The stand sits right under my screen”.
3 models fit, out of 31 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I can’t fit a bass box” and “The stand sits right under my screen”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Bar 300 MK2 |
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| JBL Bar 500 MK2 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
JBL Bar 300 MK2
A separate subwoofer cabinet is not something you want.
See price & reviews on AmazonJBL Bar 500 MK2
You want the separate 10-inch subwoofer in the package.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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