JBL Bar 5.1 Surround: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-28

Summary

The Bar 5.1 Surround (BAR51SURROUND) has no rear speakers, and owners mainly report the whole bar going dead after about three years, the wireless sub dropping its link, HDMI ARC handshake trouble and bass-heavy sound with almost no tone controls. Running cost is mostly electricity: an illustrative 60 W average for three hours a day comes to about $13.14 a year, plus a few dollars of standby. A complete, working set is worth buying used at $90–125, while at $149 a new VIZIO with real rear speakers is the better deal.

Common problems and fixes

No power after about three years — an owner who posted in August 2025 described a non-detachable Bar 5.1 Surround, roughly three years old, whose front display stayed black despite a different outlet and AC cord; it powered on temporarily after about three weeks unplugged, and by March 2026 it no longer came on at all. No failed board, serial batch or population failure rate has been identified, so boot-test a used unit across unplug and replug and let it run warm before buying; the one-year JBL warranty has normally expired on a 2019–2020 set. [1]
Subwoofer loses its wireless link — bar and sub are factory paired and the manual documents re-pairing: hold the pairing button on the sub until it flashes white rapidly, then on the remote hold BASS for more than 5 seconds and press minus, waiting for “PAIRING” then “CONNECTED”; if the sub times out after 3 minutes, retry closer to the bar. Test the pairing before purchase, because an unmatched sub can cost more than the used set. [1]
HDMI ARC handshake trouble and dropped video or audio — JBL published firmware 20-43-51-00 in December 2020 specifically to improve HDMI ARC compatibility with TVs, so earlier units can be affected. Test the TV’s own apps, an HDMI IN source and optical input as a control, and toggle HDCP and CEC; install only the exact-model update files with the checksum, never the older detachable-speaker firmware. [1]
Wi-Fi, AirPlay and Chromecast discovery failures — JBL’s troubleshooting lists the bar not joining the network, the Google Home app failing to find it, and AirPlay not appearing when the phone is on a different Wi-Fi network. Confirm the correct SSID, the same Wi-Fi LAN, router range and streaming app version; a wired Ethernet connection removes one network variable. [1]
Too much bass, harsh treble and no real EQ — TechRadar found the 10-inch sub overpowering mids and voices, LBTech found recessed overtones and too little air, and Tom’s Guide heard harsh upper frequencies on some material. RTINGS found no bass or treble EQ in the tested unit, so sub level, sub placement and the built-in room calibration are the only adjustments. [1]
Remote lost, or a remote for the wrong model — the genuine JBL remote JBLBAR51BLKRC is listed at $19.95 and sold out, and remotes advertised as “JBL Bar 5.1 remote” often fit the older detachable-speaker version instead. An aftermarket model-specific remote costs $34.90 with a 90-day return policy. [1]

Parts and consumables

Genuine infrared remote, JBLBAR51BLKRC — $19.95 at JBL (October 2026), listed sold out; the original remote runs on two AAA batteries. Replace only if it is lost or broken, not on a schedule. [1]
Aftermarket remote, Remotes.net RT06SB510URC0S — $34.90 at Remotes.net (October 2026), with a 90-day return policy and seller-claimed full compatibility with the Surround model. Confirm the HDMI, calibration and bass buttons work on this exact bar. [1]
Center driver, side tweeters, five racetrack drivers and the calibration microphone — no original spare assembly numbers, service-parts inventory, labour rates or replacement intervals are published; the power and electronics enclosure needs qualified service. [1]

Yearly running cost

Electricity is the only routine cost. JBL publishes under 2.0 W in network standby and under 0.5 W in regular standby; the 550 W figure is maximum amplifier output, not wall draw. Using the illustration in the research files — an assumed 60 W from both units for 3 hours a day, which is 1,095 hours a year — gives 65.7 kWh a year, about $13.14 at an assumed $0.20/kWh. The remaining 21 hours a day at the maximum published network standby would add under 15.33 kWh, or under $3.07, for roughly $16.21 a year under those assumptions. No measured annual consumption for this model is published, and there are no filters or other consumables; only two AAA batteries for the remote, plus one-off sub or board repair costs if a unit ever fails. [1]

When it is a good buy

For a complete, working matched BAR51SURROUND, $90–125 local is strong value, $125–175 delivered is reasonable when heavy bass and network streaming matter, and $175–225 only with confirmed original sub and remote in excellent condition. A used listing at $219 plus $30 shipping on eBay (October 2026) is hard to favor, and above $300 used the value is poor. [1]