Compare JBL Bar 500 MK2 Soundbar vs Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar

HDMI 2.1 gaming support was a weakness because reviewers noted the HDMI input is not HDMI 2.1 and is limited for 4K/120 use.

HDMI 2.1 gaming support is praised for 4K/120-style passthrough and no lag or video-quality loss in gaming tests.

Gaming passthrough was limited by 4K/60 and non-HDMI 2.1 support, making direct console-to-TV connection preferable for 4K/120 gaming.

Gaming HDMI passthrough receives positive evidence from PS5 testing, where reviewers reported no lag or video-quality drop.

Cohesive presentation was mixed: one review noted subwoofer integration gaps, while another said the bass complemented the bar well.

Cohesion is excellent in the strongest reviews, with subwoofer, bar, and surrounds described as seamless and tonally matched.

On-device controls drew a usability complaint from one reviewer who disliked that any button could turn the unit on.

On-device controls are useful and accessible, though the strongest control praise tends to shift toward the app.

The status display was praised for using plain English instead of confusing light patterns.

Status indicators are a recurring weak spot because the dot-matrix/front display can be hard to read or tedious for adjustments.

Dolby Atmos effects were praised by one reviewer but more limited or illusion-like in others because the bar lacks dedicated up-firing drivers.

Dolby Atmos height and 3D effects are widely praised as convincing, well placed, and among the best reviewers have heard from soundbars.

Audio format support was mixed: Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual X support helped immersion, but one review cited no DTS support.

Audio format support is broad and positively framed, covering mainstream immersive formats and newer support without major reviewer concern.

The JBL One app drew mixed feedback: quick detection and feature access were praised, but EQ saving and in-app music limitations hurt confidence.

The SmartThings app is generally praised as helpful and easier than the display/remote, with only minor complaints about using it for deeper adjustments.

Wireless streaming was mostly described as easy and reliable, though one reviewer warned that weak Wi-Fi coverage could matter because there is no Ethernet.

Wireless streaming is mixed: several reviewers praise wireless connectivity, while others flag dropouts or fussy phone handoff behavior.

Voice clarity was praised in one review, where narration came through clearly with the subwoofer adding depth.

Vocal clarity is mostly praised for clean, present voices, though some reviewers found voice processing unnatural or dialogue/vocals muffled.

Weight convenience was a tradeoff: the subwoofer is heavy, but one reviewer said it should not need moving after setup.

The system’s size and weight are a tradeoff: reviewers accept the heft for performance but warn it may not fit easily under some TVs.

Tonal balance was generally positive, especially in treble and bass warmth, but reviewers also noted subwoofer integration limits and music-dependent tradeoffs.

Reviewers broadly praise the tonal balance, clarity, bass-to-midrange integration, and detailed highs, with only isolated complaints around music quality.

Design and aesthetics were widely praised for compactness, discretion, a low TV-friendly profile and an attractive white option.

Design is polarizing: many like the cleaner subwoofer and modern industrial look, while others find the soundbar dated, bulky, or not home-friendly.

Smart features were a clear strength, especially broad casting support, direct streaming and multi-room convenience.

Smart features are generally useful and well integrated, especially app control and streaming options.

Stereo imaging earned praise in one review for keeping vocal effects centered cleanly within the stereo image.

Stereo and music imaging are generally praised for focus, width, and staging, but one dissenting review found music performance especially weak.

Google-related voice control was similarly limited in one review because it required an external device.

Google integration is mixed: Google Cast support is praised as part of the wireless set, while one reviewer could not connect Google Home.

Inter-speaker connectivity was praised in one review for letting audio continue on another compatible speaker around the home.

Inter-speaker wireless communication is praised for retaining connections without manual input.

Soundstage height received positive evidence in one review, where ambient effects were described as hovering in midair.

Height staging receives standout praise, including claims it is better produced than on other soundbar systems.

Video passthrough was useful for disc players and consoles, but gaming use is limited by 4K/60 constraints.

Video passthrough support is strong, with praise for 4K/120, HDR format passthrough, and gaming-friendly HDMI behavior.

Value for money was strong overall, with several reviewers calling it a compelling buy at the $500 or discounted sub-$400 range.

Value is split by price sensitivity: many reviewers say performance justifies the cost, while others say the expensive system is not clearly excellent enough.

Spotify Connect evidence was positive overall, with one review saying Spotify and Tidal Connect worked seamlessly.

Spotify Connect is included in a wireless streaming bundle reviewers call stellar, though reviews do not deeply isolate Spotify-specific behavior.

EQ customization was useful through bass/treble controls and app features, but one reviewer criticized the lack of saved presets.

EQ and channel customization are broadly useful, though some reviewers note limits and prefer the app for detailed adjustments.

Detail retrieval was praised in movie and music playback, with reviewers hearing lifelike effects and small audio nuances.

Detail retrieval is a major strength, with reviewers praising fine effects, quiet details, and textural information in movies and music.

Low-volume performance was positive, especially for apartment or nighttime use where dialogue help and restrained volume matter.

Low-volume performance is unusually strong, with reviewers praising quiet-detail audibility and private/low-level listening usefulness.

Surround simulation was widely praised for creating an immersive field without rear speakers, with caveats that the effect is still virtual and room-dependent.

Surround presentation is the product’s strongest consensus area, with reviewers praising immersion, positioning, and a convincing sound bubble; one review found rear speakers weaker under stress.

Room calibration was one of the most praised features, described as easy and useful for improving room-specific sound.

Room calibration is generally useful and effective, though several reviewers characterize the improvements as subtle or requiring small manual corrections.

Dialogue clarity was a major strength across most reviews, though one reviewer felt movie clarity was weaker than expected.

Dialogue clarity is usually considered strong, helped by Samsung’s voice features, but one review sharply criticized speech as muffled and underwhelming.

Wired inputs were considered practical, with reviewers saying the rear inputs were accessible and the connection set was sufficient.

Wired connectivity is repeatedly described as excellent or sufficient, especially for HDMI/eARC and optical use.

The subwoofer was consistently viewed as powerful, deep and fun, but not always the fastest or most seamlessly integrated for music.

The smaller dual-driver subwoofer is widely praised for deep, controlled, room-filling bass, but a few reviewers note placement sensitivity, looser timing, or strain at high output.

Remote usability received limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the remote fairly simple.

Remote usability is mixed: some reviewers like the simple, well-laid-out design, while others find deeper remote/display navigation tedious.

AirPlay support was treated as part of a broad, convenient casting package that helped the bar work as a wireless music system.

AirPlay is supported with positive reviewer comments around fast, reliable, or Atmos-compatible wireless playback.

Chromecast/Google Cast support was praised within the broader casting feature set, making phone-based playback feel easy and flexible.

Google Cast/Chromecast-style streaming is included in a wireless feature set reviewers describe positively.

HDMI ARC/eARC was viewed as simple and sufficient for TV hookup when the TV has enough device inputs.

HDMI eARC is praised for letting the TV remote handle everyday volume and mute control.

Setup simplicity was a consistent strength, helped by easier connection, simple calibration and little need for audio knowledge.

Setup is one of the strongest positives, repeatedly described as easy, plug-and-play, or novice-friendly, though one review wanted some manual intervention.

Reviewers found the bar/sub system loud enough to fill rooms, with strong sound pressure and big impact even without using the full volume range.

Reviewers consistently describe the system as loud and room-filling, with enough output for large rooms; no review frames maximum volume as a major weakness.

Home theater integration was praised for balancing cinema-like sound with convenience and for lifting TV sound without adding clutter.

Home theater integration is a core strength, especially with Samsung TVs/Q-Symphony, but the four-piece system can feel like clutter and Q-Symphony results vary.

Build quality evidence was generally decent-to-positive, with plastic construction acknowledged but the shape and finish still viewed favorably.

Build quality is mostly positive, with sturdy metal and high-end feel, but one reviewer calls the overall construction merely adequate for the class.

Alexa-style smart assistant integration was limited in one review because voice control required an external device rather than being built in.

Alexa-style assistant integration is present and useful, but one reviewer found the always-listening behavior annoying enough to mute.

Compatibility beyond Samsung is positive in limited evidence, with one reviewer saying it works fine with non-Samsung TV products.

Bluetooth/AirPlay/Tidal connection speed receives a positive reviewer note, but Bluetooth-specific stability evidence is limited.

Cabinet construction is mostly fine, but one reviewer reports audible creak/rattle from the subwoofer cabinet under very high-volume strain.

Physical control buttons are praised for being clicky rather than touch-sensitive.

Most reviewers report clean performance at high levels, though one notes cabinet strain/rattle from the redesigned subwoofer when pushed very hard.

Dynamic headroom is praised for punch, scale, and powerful transient impact.

TV/lip-sync latency is rated strongly, with reviewers reporting no delay, no lag, or low-latency playback across wired and wireless setups.

The wireless rear/sub pairing process is repeatedly described as seamless, instant, or nearly effortless.

The system’s bass and spatial presentation are described as non-directional or room-filling enough to feel omnidirectional.

The optical input receives a positive latency assessment in the available evidence.

The physical microphone mute is considered an important privacy/control feature.

Rear-speaker cable flexibility receives one positive note because Samsung includes different lead lengths for easier placement.

Voice assistant responsiveness appears high enough to trigger annoyance in one review, but the evidence is limited.