THE VERY BEST SONY SOUND BAR
Sony Soundbar: We found the Sony HT-ST5000 to be the greatest Sony soundbar we’ve tested. Using merely a soundbar and a subwoofer, this 7.1.2 configuration provides a well-rounded performance. It has a good stereo frequency response, which allows it to reproduce voices and lead instruments well. It may also provide a thumpy, rumbly bass that works well in action movies or EDM music. Having said that, it comes with EQ presets so you may customize its sound profile. If you enjoy watching movies, it supports Dolby Atmos and offers a number of inputs, including three Full HDMI In ports that allow you to utilize the bar as a hub between your TV and other devices, such as a Blu-ray player. It also supports a variety of audio formats, including eARC, and 4k content may be passed through. You can even use the built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Chromecast to stream your favorite music to the bar.
Unfortunately, its sound improvement capabilities are somewhat limited, and you cannot fine-tune its bass or treble. It also offers a lackluster surround performance, especially given the lack of discrete surround speakers. While it may go rather loud, there are some compression artifacts evident at maximum volume. Still, if you want a soundbar with a lot of connectivity and audio format support, this is a good option with a diverse overall performance.
THE PERFECT SONY SOUND BAR FOR DIALOGUE
Sony Soundbar: The Sony HT-Z9F is the greatest Sony soundbar for dialogue that we’ve tested. This 3.1 configuration reproduces conversation clearly and precisely, which is ideal for your favorite podcasts, and its dialogue enhancement option allows you to augment it even better. It features a plethora of networking possibilities and supports all popular audio formats, including DTS and Atmos. Despite the lack of low bass, it features a balanced sound profile that should be adequate for most music genres. If you want a different sound, there are EQ presets that can improve your experience. It can be quite loud, making it ideal for large rooms or busy circumstances such as a house party. You can even play the most advanced object-based surround signals as well as high-quality lossless formats because it supports years. If you wish, you can stream to the bar wirelessly over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many sound-enhancing tools, and you can’t change the bass or treble. There’s also no room correction tool, which is a letdown. Although it supports Atmos material, due to its setup, it simulates an Atmos experience with Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine, which isn’t as immersive as models with upward-firing speakers or dedicated satellites. Having said that, it can recreate crisp and precise voice and is one of the best soundbars for dialogue we’ve tried.
BEST SONY SOUND BAR ON A BUDGET
Sony Soundbar: The Sony HT-S200F is the best cheap Sony soundbar we’ve tested. This low-cost 2.0 system features a compact design that makes it simple to integrate into your existing setup. Despite its diminutive size, it can reach rather loud at maximum volume without much compression. Its balanced mid-range can effectively reproduce voices and lead instruments, however, they can sound a little gloomy. To help you tailor its sound, there are some EQ presets and a bass adjustment tool, as well as a dialogue enhancement feature.
Unfortunately, this soundbar struggles to recreate the deep thump and rumble in the low bass, making it unsuitable for fans of bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. Because of its 2.0 architecture, it must downmix surround video into the stereo to play it, which results in a less immersive experience. However, if you’re on a low budget, it’s still a good option.
BEST SONY SOUND BAR FOR THE MONEY
Sony Soundbar: We found the Sony HT-S100F to be the best low-cost Sony soundbar we’ve tested. While this simple 2.0 system lacks extra features such as a subwoofer, it is very well-built and supports Bluetooth, which is useful if you want to stream songs remotely. Despite having a pretty neutral but slightly muddy sound profile, it can recreate dialogue from your favorite TV shows or podcasts. It also offers a dialogue enhancement feature if you want to improve vocal clarity. The bar can be loud enough to fill a large or packed room, and compression artifacts are minor at maximum volume.
Unfortunately, because it has a dedicated subwoofer, it lacks a thumping low-bass, which may frustrate fans of EDM or action-packed movies. This bar also lacks more powerful sound improvement options such as an EQ and presets. It, like the Sony HT-S200F, does not support Atmos or DTS content. Having said that, this low-cost soundbar improves your TV’s built-in speakers without breaking the bank.
Sony Soundbar In comparison to other brands
+Design that is well-made. Sony soundbars are generally well-built, thanks to their plastic and metal construction.
+Excellent for conversation. The majority of Sony soundbars are well-suited for dialogue content, particularly when combined with their Dialogue Enhancement feature, and the audio produced is crisp and accurate.
-There are no sound-enhancing features. Most Sony soundbars lack bass and treble adjustment, which can be inconvenient given that some of these soundbars have a less-than-neutral sound profile. Sony only offers preset EQs, so you can’t tweak or fine-tune your audio experience as much as you’d like. There is no room adjustment feature on any of the Sony soundbars.
-Surround sound is subpar. All of the Sony soundbars we’ve tested offer poor surround sound, even when using Sony’s S-Force Front Surround to imitate the experience.
Sony produces a large range of soundbars in a variety of pricing points, making it simple to pick one that fits your needs. Despite the fact that this range is extensive and available features vary, Sony soundbars are generally well-built but offer average overall sound performance. Sony soundbars aren’t as well-rounded in terms of performance as Samsung soundbars. Some models may also fail to provide a deep, rumbling bass appropriate for movies or music. Because most Sony soundbars lack bass and treble adjustments, the minimal preset EQ provided in their place may be insufficient for some users. These soundbars are ideal for dialogue-heavy entertainment and should be more than enough for everyday use.
Sony Soundbar Conclusion
Sony Soundbar: Sony is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of soundbars at various pricing points. Overall, they’re strong and well-made. They’re also superb for recreating speech, making them ideal for your favorite TV shows and audiobooks. Unfortunately, if you don’t like Sony’s default sound profile, you’re limited to EQ presets, making it difficult to fine-tune your audio experience.