JBL Bar 500: setting the bar for mid-range soundbars

JBL Bar 500 soundbar. Picture: Noel Campion.
Let’s face it, speakers on modern TVs suck and if you want to improve the sound the easy option is to buy a soundbar. The problem is there are a ton of options ranging from cheap to expensive. I’ve been testing the JBL Bar 500 over the last month to see if there’s a middle ground for those who don’t want to spend a fortune but appreciate good sound.