If you are familiar with JBL, then you know they released the amazing and innovative Bar 5.1, the convertible soundbar subwoofer combo. Its successor, the JBL Bar 5.0, comes without the sub and detachable rear speakers.
Is it worth your time and money to invest in this model? Our experts answer that question in this JBL Bar 5.0 review.
What We Like
- All-in one compact solution
- Virtual Dolby Atmos
- Multibeam Speaker Technology
- Passive bass radiators
- HDMI Arc and eArc
- 4K Dolby Vision
- Bluetooth enabled
- Supports Chromecast and Amazon Alexa
- Wi-Fi
- Includes wall mount kit
- Digital optical cable
- USB port
- Supports Apple Airplay 2
What We Don’t Like
- No external subwoofer
- No rear speakers
JBL Bar 5.0 Design
The JBL Bar 5.0 is a 5 channel soundbar all on its own without rear speakers or a subwoofer. Does it live up to consumers’ expectations without the added components?
The multibeam features a rounded design with a larger grille for the left and right channels on top and a wraparound grille on the side. The remote mimics the rounded design of the soundbar and also features a rounded-edge design with clearly labeled buttons for you to input your desired settings.
There is also a control panel on the surface of the soundbar that has the rudimentary power and volume buttons. It doesn’t have a display screen, but your settings will show on the TV.
Features of the JBL Bar 5.0
Now our experts will take a closer look at the features of this soundbar and how it can elevate your home entertainment system in this part of our JBL Bar 5.0 reviews.
Sound Quality
The Bar 5.0 comes jam-packed with features to improve the audio quality. For starters, we have the Multibeam Speaker Technology, which is proprietary to Harman Kardon. Samsung owns both Harman Kardon and JBL, which is why you may see this advanced technology in their products.
Also Read: JBL and Harman Kardon Brand Comparison
The Multibeam Technology will create a virtual surround sound experience to create Dolby Atmos-like acoustics[1].
The lack of an external subwoofer is compensated for by four passive bass radiators, which will do what the name suggests: radiate the bass tones all around the room.
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JBL Bar 5.0 Drivers
Unlike the Denon Home Sound Bar 550 with 6 drivers, the JBL Bar 5.0 has 5 drivers ready to immerse you in the most realistic 3D soundstage to date. With left, right, center and two other channels to guarantee surrounding sound, the JBL Bar 5.0 delivers excellent audio.
Connectivity
One of the best things about the JBL Bar 5.0 is the variety of connection options. It supports the coveted HDMI, which is always our experts’ number one recommended form of connection. You have both regular HDMI and HDMI eArc with the Bar 5.0 and 4K Dolby Vision pass-through.
If your TV doesn’t support HDMI, you still have the option of connecting via digital optical cable. There is also a USB port for content playback and a variety of wireless options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast and support for Amazon Alexa Multiroom plus Apple Airplay 2.
JBL Bar 5.0 Setup
The setup of the JBL Bar 5.0 is very simple with just one cable necessary for the highest quality viewing via HDMI. The wireless options are also very easy as the Bar connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The soundbar is compact, lightweight and comes with its own mounting kit. You can place the soundbar on the wall and connect to your devices through wireless means to have a clean setup.
Our team recommends placing the soundbar under your TV for the best positioning, either on the wall or on the entertainment unit. This way, the sound can travel to your listening spot unhindered.
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Price
With the features we discussed above, the price tag for what you are getting, including Dolby Atmos-like surround sound, is more than reasonable. The soundbar features many forms of connectivity to ensure compatibility with most media devices.
The soundbar is outfitted with many advanced technologies to improve the sound quality and deliver an exclusive and immersive listening experience.
Warranty
Our experts stress the importance of having a warranty or some sort of guarantee. For buyer’s protection, you want the brand to stand behind their product. Just in case you receive a faulty item or the package comes damaged, you want the customer service to be impeccable and the return or exchange process to be hassle-free.
JBL Bar 5.0 Review Conclusion
Our JBL Bar 5.0 review proves that this soundbar is a formidable one. Our team loves its compact profile and how it saves space but still delivers the incredible bass tones expected from a soundbar that has a subwoofer.
Not only that, it’s equipped with Harman Kardon’s proprietary Multibeam Technology to bring you Dolby Atmos-like surround sound for an enveloping experience. Overall, our team believes the JBL Bar 5.0 would be an excellent addition to any home theater system.
The best way to enjoy a surround sound for your home theater is attaching your TV to a computer speaker. Read our simple guide to connect your screen to a computer speaker here.
