Customer reviews from jbl.com
JBL - 5.0ch Soundbar with Multibeam - Black
Average customer rating
4.4
(44 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 44 reviews
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Star
1
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
23 out of
23)
Customer Reviews for JBL - 5.0ch Soundbar with Multibeam - Black
Customer Rating
5
Amazing sound and virtualization for its size
on June 30, 2023
Posted by: theRealStevo
Bought this to replace TV speakers on a 32" TCL LED TV in a bedroom, amazing transformation off the HDMI ARC. The clarity, bass, and virtualization which is really immersive at times (source depending of course). Setup was easy for HDMI ARC, actually more of a pain on the TV side to enable all the goodies (ARC, CEC, Dolby etc). I was at first annoyed by the Wifi setup via Google Home (not required as it turns out), but this does allow for automatic firmware updates otherwise you need to do it via USB. Also, it is really worth downloading the full user manual to learn how to get access to additional features not covered in the Quick Start via the remote that comes with the soundbar most notably the soundbar includes the ability to setup/adapt itself for the room much like a full A/V receiver. Bluetooth pairing and music play from PC or phone was painless. I have no need for Chromecast so that was not tried.
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Great features, sound and connection options
on June 18, 2023
Posted by: Robbie1
I bought this a week ago after hours of extensive research. I wanted a soundbar for a bedroom with ample bass, but not a separate subwoofer. I needed one that I could turn off and use my bluetooth headphones at night. I wanted one that would sync nicely with my Sony Bravia TV. Other bars I tried had occasional audio/video sync issues. So far, there have been 0 issues with this soundbar. The, for my purposes, is crisp and clear. If I had to pick a single con, it would be that an app would be useful. In fairness, the newer bar 300 which replaces this model does include an Android/IOS app. You have to do a series of button presses on the remote to change the base level, A/V sync level, etc., but after reading the manual and watching several YouTube videos, I had no trouble at all. I'm enjoying it as I write this and couldn't be happier.
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
2
Terrible with wireless connections, decent audio
on November 9, 2022
Posted by: alexlicious
from Austin, TX
I like the sound but after trying to configure it for my environment, I was frustrated by constant or random disconnects. I have a Projector with (originally AppleTV, then changed to Firestick) and I have set up a wireless connection to the soundbar under the screen so that I don't have to wire a connection to is. The features in this product should support this functionality. Ultimately I have tried Airplay 2, Bluetooth, and finally Alexa, and the soundbar constantly wants to go to standby mode and won't stay connected wirelessly to my AppleTV or Firestick (consistently). For the AppleTV and airplay 2, I had an older AppleTV (that supports Airplay 2) and the soundbar would constantly disconnect then go to sleep every 5-10 minutes and I would have to manually re-pair. Very frustrating and unusable!!! I would literally go to the bathroom or make a drink, and come back to it being unpaired AGAIN. I finally have it working reasonably with the Firestick, so I recommend this method to anyone that is running into similar issues but it still required me to purchase another streaming device instead of the AppleTV, and even then it still randomly will not connect automatically (but it is now at least usable). At least it doesn't consistently disconnect every 5-10 minutes like Airplay 2. I didn't get to try a newer AppleTV, but I honestly was done with the disconnections so wasn't going to continue using Apple. Bluetooth with the AppleTV also constantly disconnected. The Firestick will connect, but I need to turn on both the Soundbar and Firestick at the same time since the Soundbar standby mode doesnt seem to get the indicator that it should connect automatically.
Aside from the wireless disconnects. Connecting the soundbar to with Apple Home or even Google home was terrible. I messed around with it long enough that i got it working, but i couldnt even define the exact steps. Just mess around with it until it connects.
All the above is a shame because the sound is pretty good when it works for an all-in-one soundbar. I would go with a different product if I had the chance, I have had this for a full year now.
By Customer Support, November 10, 2022
We appreciate your time for providing us your feedback on our JBL Bar 5.0 Multibeam. We're sorry to hear that it didn't meet your expectations. We're always looking for ways to improve and we'll make sure to share your feedback with the appropriate team.
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Couldn’t be more pleased
on July 18, 2021
Posted by: Claude45
from Houston, TX
Soundstage is large and bold, sounds amazing from this tiny bar. Don’t hesitate on this purchase. Connected this to Nvidia Shield (2019) to HDMI input. HDMI output to older 2006 Fujitsu Plasma TV which has a normal HDMI input (no e/arc). JBL Bar 5.0 sent through a beautiful picture to the TV, sound is Atmos via certain Netflix/other shows and the best part was no set up. The JBL sensed both input and output with no messing around and Nvidia remote automatically controlled volume on soundbar. I’ve had other experiences with soundbars where you had to update software or they didn’t sense the streaming devices or they didn’t work out of the box without fussing with it. JBL got this right. I will purchase JBL soundbars again and you should too!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Awesome sound in a compact package!
on April 11, 2021
Posted by: Thw1110
from Kings Mountain North Carolina
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I received the JBL 5.0 MultiBeam sound bar about a month ago and wanted to spend some time with before doing a review. I really wasn't expecting this little soundbar to have any low bass but I was Pleasantly surprised. It has plenty enough bass for most people who desire a surround sound system in an all in one package. It can get really loud and the JBL multi beam technology really sounds awesome. .
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Perfect apartment soundbar!
on March 26, 2021
Posted by: rlmoyer
from Chicago, IL
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This soundbar delivers pretty incredible performance in a small footprint. It's very crisp and clear. It takes away that "wait, turn it up I couldn't hear them talking/oh no explosions turn it back down!” that you deal with listening on your TV. The surround sound multibeam set up is pretty effective. Obviously not like real satellites, but it has such a wide sound space and provides great depth of sound. It allows you to discover lower tones that normal tv speakers don't. It bills itself as a bar that doesn't need a dedicated subwoofer, and it delivers. Now your couch won't rumble like it might with a real subwoofer, but it sure does sound like it does 90% of the time. It has the full bass of a subwoofer, without the rattling lows that would bother your neighbors.
It's build quality is top notch, made of actual metal unlike most sound bars, adding to its premium feel. It has a fun display on the right side with scrolling words to show what mode or audio type you're listening to. And a simple basic remote.
I’d also like to mention the fact that it has blue tooth connection, so you can connect your phone or computer to it, which is great! It also can connect to your home networks (Chromecast, Alexa, and Airplay) - I don’t have that in my apartment, but it’s a great feature to have as an option if I ever get it.
You can connect your certain buttons of your TV remote to the soundbar, but I haven’t been able to get it to work. It very well might be my TV remote control! Honestly though, it’s not big of deal having two remotes.
The only real con to the sound bar, in my opinion, is the lack of an easy settings menu. There is no button on the remote to change any settings of the soundbar, nor is there on the soundbar itself. You have to download the manual from the internet to figure this stuff out and it’s a bit cumbersome to change the settings. I would have expected to be able to easily change at least some settings like increasing speaker volume for specific speakers i.e. center, sub, or satellite from the remote with a settings menu, but alas, the settings options aren’t that easy. However, it does have automatic multibeam calibration, virtual dolby atoms you can turn on and off, pretty easy bass adjustment, and smart mode that you can turn and off for rich sound effects.
TLDR it's amazing if you don't have the space for a full surround sound set-up or bar with sub and satellites! Just missing an easy way to change settings, but luckily it sounds and works well enough without. It’s a great fit for apartments or any rooms that you want better sound without a system, like a bedroom. I definitely recommend this soundbar!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Took our budget tv from meh to wow
on March 22, 2021
Posted by: Handy Andy
from Syracuse, Utah
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] We decided to get this in hopes to improve the sound on a hisense flat tv we got for the living room that had very flat unimpressive sound. It is a very nice improvement and has a much fuller range of sound! It is plugged to the HDMI port with ARC so that it just comes on automatically when the TV is turned on so its very user friendly.
There is a nice hidden display in the front that shows which input is selected while you are changing inputs and then goes away which is nice and stealth.
It has google assistant and alexa but we have those turned off so our kids don't abuse the priveledge.
You can use it to stream music to via bluetooth, but we have other speakers in the house for that purpose so we mostly use it for the tv sound.
There is a nice hidden display in the front that shows which input is selected while you are changing inputs and then goes away which is nice and stealth.
It has google assistant and alexa but we have those turned off so our kids don't abuse the priveledge.
You can use it to stream music to via bluetooth, but we have other speakers in the house for that purpose so we mostly use it for the tv sound.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
4
At first I hated it. Now, it is essential!
on March 16, 2021
Posted by: Wayloud
from The Prarie, USA
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] JBL BAR 5.0 Multibeam
The BAR 5.0 is a new sound bar from JBL. At first listen I hated it. Now I do not want to be without it…
When JBL offered the BAR 5.0 for my consideration I gladly accepted. While waiting for the shipment to arrive I checked to find scant information online. There is a nifty video from JBL showing an exploded view of the speakers’ components and some press releases but little more. This unit is hot off the drawing board! Touting Dolby Atmos processing, connectivity out the wazoo, five 50-watt amplifiers, forward and side firing drivers, a 3-D sound field, and deep bass all in one unobtrusive little box and…wait for it, no sub…this could be interesting.
The 5.0 is, first and foremost, a sound bar. Designed for smaller TVs and intended to provide an extended sound field in smaller spaces. I employed a 32” base model flat screen as my test TV. Admittedly, the thin, tinny sound produced by this modest device sets the audio fidelity hurdle pretty low, but we are here to not to compare but to discuss the 5.0 and its ability to enhance the viewing experience.
Yes. The JBL 5.0 makes all TV better! With the Atmos Surround enabled, dialog is clear and present while background music and sound effects emit from their proper place in the, background. This alone sells me on the unit. A typical surround system with a powered sub is great for movies, sports or other “immersive” programs. Often though, for the news or other dialog-based programs that same sound system is too “commanding”. So, one disables the surround system. The Dolby Atmos is great to leave on all the time. It does not become overpowering thus allowing conversation. There is no "sweet-spot". The sound is consistent throughout the room. Plus, without a sub transferring sound to the floor, the room can fill with sound and still not disturb the neighbors…or wake the baby. Mind you, this thing gets real loud! If disturbing the neighbors is your goal… Without question immersive shows will blow you away. Atmos is super cool. Sounds do indeed seem to come from above, below and behind.
The JBL 5.0 does have lots of ways to connect including Bluetooth. I paired my Android tablet to listen to music. This is where the unit falls a little flat. For me, the 5.0 would be for background music while playing board games or visiting with friends. It does not sound bad when playing back pre-recorded music just not the JBL sound I know and love. All the elements are there; deep lows, articulate mids and sparkling highs, just not at the same time. Maybe a different tablet would have given me better EQ control but the pre-programmed EQ of the 5.0 left me a bit disappointed.
The lack of EQ does bother a control freak like me. And yes, it took a few hours of listening to become acoustically accustomed to the reflected sound. While not my choice for listening to music it is now essential for TV viewing. All things considered; I think the JBL 5.0 is the perfect sound bar to get a big experience from a small TV.
The BAR 5.0 is a new sound bar from JBL. At first listen I hated it. Now I do not want to be without it…
When JBL offered the BAR 5.0 for my consideration I gladly accepted. While waiting for the shipment to arrive I checked to find scant information online. There is a nifty video from JBL showing an exploded view of the speakers’ components and some press releases but little more. This unit is hot off the drawing board! Touting Dolby Atmos processing, connectivity out the wazoo, five 50-watt amplifiers, forward and side firing drivers, a 3-D sound field, and deep bass all in one unobtrusive little box and…wait for it, no sub…this could be interesting.
The 5.0 is, first and foremost, a sound bar. Designed for smaller TVs and intended to provide an extended sound field in smaller spaces. I employed a 32” base model flat screen as my test TV. Admittedly, the thin, tinny sound produced by this modest device sets the audio fidelity hurdle pretty low, but we are here to not to compare but to discuss the 5.0 and its ability to enhance the viewing experience.
Yes. The JBL 5.0 makes all TV better! With the Atmos Surround enabled, dialog is clear and present while background music and sound effects emit from their proper place in the, background. This alone sells me on the unit. A typical surround system with a powered sub is great for movies, sports or other “immersive” programs. Often though, for the news or other dialog-based programs that same sound system is too “commanding”. So, one disables the surround system. The Dolby Atmos is great to leave on all the time. It does not become overpowering thus allowing conversation. There is no "sweet-spot". The sound is consistent throughout the room. Plus, without a sub transferring sound to the floor, the room can fill with sound and still not disturb the neighbors…or wake the baby. Mind you, this thing gets real loud! If disturbing the neighbors is your goal… Without question immersive shows will blow you away. Atmos is super cool. Sounds do indeed seem to come from above, below and behind.
The JBL 5.0 does have lots of ways to connect including Bluetooth. I paired my Android tablet to listen to music. This is where the unit falls a little flat. For me, the 5.0 would be for background music while playing board games or visiting with friends. It does not sound bad when playing back pre-recorded music just not the JBL sound I know and love. All the elements are there; deep lows, articulate mids and sparkling highs, just not at the same time. Maybe a different tablet would have given me better EQ control but the pre-programmed EQ of the 5.0 left me a bit disappointed.
The lack of EQ does bother a control freak like me. And yes, it took a few hours of listening to become acoustically accustomed to the reflected sound. While not my choice for listening to music it is now essential for TV viewing. All things considered; I think the JBL 5.0 is the perfect sound bar to get a big experience from a small TV.
I would recommend this to a friend!
(click to see the video)
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com